Think your thirty minute weight training session peppered with plenty of breaks is intense? Check out this highly motivational training footage of former UFC Champ Rich Franklin in the weight room.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Learning from Fitness Legend Jack LaLanne
The fitness world lost a true pioneer recently, but despite the fact that the incomparable Jack LaLanne is no longer among us it doesn't mean that his legacy can't still teach us just about everything we need to know about living healthier.
Improve Your Life and Health with Tips from Jack LaLanne
Improve Your Life and Health with Tips from Jack LaLanne
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Sandbags - The Ultimate Cheap Training Tool
Sandbags are one of my very favorite training tools for a number of reasons. They're cheap, they don't require a lot of space to store and they are super versatile.
Last week I wrote a full length article detailing some of the many benefits of incorporating sandbags into your training equipment arsenal, you can check it out on TSB here:
Benefits of Incorportating Sandbags into Your Gym Equipment
Last week I wrote a full length article detailing some of the many benefits of incorporating sandbags into your training equipment arsenal, you can check it out on TSB here:
Benefits of Incorportating Sandbags into Your Gym Equipment
Monday, February 7, 2011
More Interesting Push Up Work
I first saw this video a while back on Ross Enamait's site and though it was definitely worth sharing. This drill is an awesome way to crank up the intensity of a traditional bodyweight workout and to make the "traditional" push up routine a whole lot more interesting.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Push Up Variations
The traditional push up can be a great exercise for developing the chest, arms and abs but a lot of people complain that just dinpush ups is boring. For those of you that are in the market for a little variety in their upper body workouts, check out these push up variations.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
The Proper Tornado Ball Technique
A tornado ball is an awesome training tool - if it is used properly. In this vid Elliot Hulse gives you the lowdown on training with this tool properly to achive maximum results.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Long Time, No Post
It's been over six months since my last update, which is far too long. I've been immersed in other writing projects and in the development of other sites and unfortunately No Limits was put on the proverbial back burner.
That's all gonna change starting now though. From here on out I'm going to make every effort to provide regular updates, links, articles and videos to help you keep up to date on the ever changing world of physical culture.
We'll start with an incredible source of fitness information, Straight to the Bar, which has just released a list of it's 70 best articles during the site's illustrious seven year history... Enjoy!
That's all gonna change starting now though. From here on out I'm going to make every effort to provide regular updates, links, articles and videos to help you keep up to date on the ever changing world of physical culture.
We'll start with an incredible source of fitness information, Straight to the Bar, which has just released a list of it's 70 best articles during the site's illustrious seven year history... Enjoy!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Knowing is Half the Battle (of the Bulge)
The importance of monitoring your caloric intake when it comes to dieting and losing weight.
Losing weight may not be the easiest thing in the world, but the basic premise isn’t quite rocket science. It isn’t always all about the exact foods that you consume as much as burning more calories than you are consuming – if you follow that simple formula, you can drop dress or pants sizes. Too many people fall into the trap of believing that because they are eating “health food” (some of which may not even be all that healthy) that they are setting themselves up for success in their weight loss endeavors – but unfortunately, this isn’t always the case.
Read More Here
Losing weight may not be the easiest thing in the world, but the basic premise isn’t quite rocket science. It isn’t always all about the exact foods that you consume as much as burning more calories than you are consuming – if you follow that simple formula, you can drop dress or pants sizes. Too many people fall into the trap of believing that because they are eating “health food” (some of which may not even be all that healthy) that they are setting themselves up for success in their weight loss endeavors – but unfortunately, this isn’t always the case.
Read More Here
Friday, July 9, 2010
Making the Most of Limited Space with Adjustable Dumbbells
New article up over at HealthMad...
Using adjustable dumbbells in place of traditional strength training equipment to save space without sacrificing workout quality.
Not everyone has a gym or health club right around the corner from their home and those of us with already full schedules may not want to spend an hour+ driving round trip to get a good workout in. A home gym is a great way to build muscle, burn fat and get fit; but what about those of us who live in apartments?
Read more: Here
Using adjustable dumbbells in place of traditional strength training equipment to save space without sacrificing workout quality.
Not everyone has a gym or health club right around the corner from their home and those of us with already full schedules may not want to spend an hour+ driving round trip to get a good workout in. A home gym is a great way to build muscle, burn fat and get fit; but what about those of us who live in apartments?
Read more: Here
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Pumping Up the Intensity and Maximizing Results
New article up at MadHealth...
Lack of Time is No Longer an Excuse
The health and fitness benefits of performing high intensity intervals.
It’s the most common reason out there to avoid going to the gym – long hours at work, helping the kids with homework, making dinner and doing dishes all leave you with, “not enough time to exercise.” Well guess what, some of the fittest people in the world do those very same things but still manage to do something to make themselves healthier every day. Their days are the very same twenty four hours that yours are, so where do they find the 45 minutes to an hour a day three or four days a week to keep their weight down and their bodies healthy?
Read More here
Lack of Time is No Longer an Excuse
The health and fitness benefits of performing high intensity intervals.
It’s the most common reason out there to avoid going to the gym – long hours at work, helping the kids with homework, making dinner and doing dishes all leave you with, “not enough time to exercise.” Well guess what, some of the fittest people in the world do those very same things but still manage to do something to make themselves healthier every day. Their days are the very same twenty four hours that yours are, so where do they find the 45 minutes to an hour a day three or four days a week to keep their weight down and their bodies healthy?
Read More here
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
New Article up at HealthMad
Write It Down, Reap the Rewards
The benefits of keeping a workout log/journal to help you reach your health and fitness goals.
If you have your eyes set on a goal of losing weight or packing on some lean muscle in the coming months, you could greatly benefit from keeping a detailed workout log. Accountability in a workout program is crucial if you actually want to achieve your desired goal and guesswork certainly has no place in the gym.
Read more: here
The benefits of keeping a workout log/journal to help you reach your health and fitness goals.
If you have your eyes set on a goal of losing weight or packing on some lean muscle in the coming months, you could greatly benefit from keeping a detailed workout log. Accountability in a workout program is crucial if you actually want to achieve your desired goal and guesswork certainly has no place in the gym.
Read more: here
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
The Importance of Variation
Some people plod along with the very same workout performed at the very same pace for week after week and month after month and wonder why they never really see any improvement. The main reason behind the lack of results comes from the fact that you body has gotten used to the workout being performed - that what you are doing is no longer challenging enough to yield any positives.
On the other side of the extreme lies Crossfit, where workouts can change drastically from one day to the next. While I don't think it's completely necessary to perform workouts that are entirely different every single time you step into the gym, this methodology has seemed to work wonders for many of the followers.
The point here is that change is not just a good thing, it's a necessity if you want to continue to get results from your fitness plan. You either have to change the exercises you are performing, change the set and rep scheme, change the frequency - you've got to change something or you will stagnate and the progress that you were making will cease.
About a year and a half to two years ago(?) I was in a workout funk, focusing too hard and too long with a similar routine in order to try and reach a goal. Both my hands and my lower back were in dire need of a break, when I paid professional stuntman Nick McKinless' website Beyond Strong a visit - Nick was talking about performing the workout from One Hundred Push Ups a try as a break from his recent regimen and after exploring the website I thought I might give it a shot as well rather than taking a layoff.
I performed the initial test via the website then followed the program as prescribed according to my results. Even though this was completely different from what I had been doing the program kept me moving, allowed my overtrained muscles a much needed break and also gave me the motivation to hit a long time goal.
There are now free workouts linked to the On hundred Push ups site for squats, sit ups and pull ups - the programs are free, very easy to follow and allow you to get the rest you may need from your current plan in order to come back fully refreshed and focused.
Though these programs are excellent examples of something that you can do to break up the monotony, you can really switch up your current program however you'd like. The important thing is to not allow yourself to perform the same movements for so long that you stop seeing positive results.
On the other side of the extreme lies Crossfit, where workouts can change drastically from one day to the next. While I don't think it's completely necessary to perform workouts that are entirely different every single time you step into the gym, this methodology has seemed to work wonders for many of the followers.
The point here is that change is not just a good thing, it's a necessity if you want to continue to get results from your fitness plan. You either have to change the exercises you are performing, change the set and rep scheme, change the frequency - you've got to change something or you will stagnate and the progress that you were making will cease.
About a year and a half to two years ago(?) I was in a workout funk, focusing too hard and too long with a similar routine in order to try and reach a goal. Both my hands and my lower back were in dire need of a break, when I paid professional stuntman Nick McKinless' website Beyond Strong a visit - Nick was talking about performing the workout from One Hundred Push Ups a try as a break from his recent regimen and after exploring the website I thought I might give it a shot as well rather than taking a layoff.
I performed the initial test via the website then followed the program as prescribed according to my results. Even though this was completely different from what I had been doing the program kept me moving, allowed my overtrained muscles a much needed break and also gave me the motivation to hit a long time goal.
There are now free workouts linked to the On hundred Push ups site for squats, sit ups and pull ups - the programs are free, very easy to follow and allow you to get the rest you may need from your current plan in order to come back fully refreshed and focused.
Though these programs are excellent examples of something that you can do to break up the monotony, you can really switch up your current program however you'd like. The important thing is to not allow yourself to perform the same movements for so long that you stop seeing positive results.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Pressed for Time? Try This
It's billed as the Ultimate Warrior Workout Challenge and what it consists of of the maximum amount of push ups, pull ups, sit ups and dips that you can perform in a minute each consecutively. The exercises are performed in the exact order listed and there are no rest periods, so the complete challenge takes exactly four minutes to complete.
I don't know that I'd use it as a regular workout, but if your were extremely pressed for time and still wanted to get in as kick butt a workout as possible - this would certainly be a good way to do it.
The video below features Nate Green, of The Nate Green Experience, and has been out for almost two months so some of you may have already come across it. Yesterday was the first time i actually gave it a shot, and I gotta tell you, it's harder than Nate makes it look. If you actually push as hard as you can and use proper (like that displayed in the video) without cheating, you will be surprised at just how intense those four minutes can be.
Check out the video here:
I don't know that I'd use it as a regular workout, but if your were extremely pressed for time and still wanted to get in as kick butt a workout as possible - this would certainly be a good way to do it.
The video below features Nate Green, of The Nate Green Experience, and has been out for almost two months so some of you may have already come across it. Yesterday was the first time i actually gave it a shot, and I gotta tell you, it's harder than Nate makes it look. If you actually push as hard as you can and use proper (like that displayed in the video) without cheating, you will be surprised at just how intense those four minutes can be.
Check out the video here:
Monday, June 28, 2010
Scorching Hot Weekend
It didn't take long for the Dog Days of Summer to hit us in the Northeast. It was in the mid 90s with high humidity yesterday and it looks like Mother Nature has more of the same planned for us today. When the extreme weather hits, lots of people use that as an excuse to bag their workout - I hear lots of "it's too hot to run," or "I can't ride my bike in the rain," but don't fall into this pattern.
Once you start making excuses to skip workouts, even if they seem perfectly viable, it only gets easier to make an excuse to skip the next one. You can still workout in the heat, in the cold or in the rain if you take the proper precautions to ensure that you are prepared.
According to the ever reliable weather people, it felt like around 99 degrees yesterday at noon but I didn't use that as an excuse to alter my plans. I strapped on my running shoes and set out on a four+ mile run any, I knew it was hot so I made sure I had more than enough water to get me through the workout and I stuck a little closer to home.
If you've got to alter your plans a little to get in a workout - do it. There is no need to blow off a workout just because it's warmer, cooler or wetter than you had hoped. Take the proper precautions to be safe and get the workout in regardless of what the elements throw at you.
Once you start making excuses to skip workouts, even if they seem perfectly viable, it only gets easier to make an excuse to skip the next one. You can still workout in the heat, in the cold or in the rain if you take the proper precautions to ensure that you are prepared.
According to the ever reliable weather people, it felt like around 99 degrees yesterday at noon but I didn't use that as an excuse to alter my plans. I strapped on my running shoes and set out on a four+ mile run any, I knew it was hot so I made sure I had more than enough water to get me through the workout and I stuck a little closer to home.
If you've got to alter your plans a little to get in a workout - do it. There is no need to blow off a workout just because it's warmer, cooler or wetter than you had hoped. Take the proper precautions to be safe and get the workout in regardless of what the elements throw at you.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Only a Few Days Left of Work
July 1st marks the first day of my life as a full time freelance writer - it also marks the first week day of the last several months that I won't be responsible working 8-10 hours doing sales then following that up with anywhere from 2-5 hours of writing.
I'm excited to say the least, this endeavor is going to mean more time with my family, less stress and a whole lot more time for working out. Though I've managed to get pretty good at squeezing the highest work load possible out of the shortest amount of time when it comes to my workouts of late, having that extra time to really focus on achieving goals is going to be great. I've got an arm's length list of goals that I have been compiling and now I'll actually get to tackle them head on without taking even more attention away from my wife and kids.
I've been busy, very busy, but I never used that as an excuse to ignore my health - there is always time to be made during a given day to get in some physical activity. I didn't have 2-3 hours a day set aside for working out but I manged, even on the busiest days, to do something to make myself stronger, faster or healthier. This new career path is going to allow me more freedom to train, but that doesn't mean that I couldn't make the time if things had stayed the same.
Instead of making exuses about having too little time or being too tired, use that fifteen minutes you would have used griping to get in a short workout. Then do it again tomorrow and the next day, even the longest journeys start with a single step - take that step today and do something to make yourself healthier.
I'm excited to say the least, this endeavor is going to mean more time with my family, less stress and a whole lot more time for working out. Though I've managed to get pretty good at squeezing the highest work load possible out of the shortest amount of time when it comes to my workouts of late, having that extra time to really focus on achieving goals is going to be great. I've got an arm's length list of goals that I have been compiling and now I'll actually get to tackle them head on without taking even more attention away from my wife and kids.
I've been busy, very busy, but I never used that as an excuse to ignore my health - there is always time to be made during a given day to get in some physical activity. I didn't have 2-3 hours a day set aside for working out but I manged, even on the busiest days, to do something to make myself stronger, faster or healthier. This new career path is going to allow me more freedom to train, but that doesn't mean that I couldn't make the time if things had stayed the same.
Instead of making exuses about having too little time or being too tired, use that fifteen minutes you would have used griping to get in a short workout. Then do it again tomorrow and the next day, even the longest journeys start with a single step - take that step today and do something to make yourself healthier.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Kickin' it Old School
I don't know if it's all the World Cup action we've been watching or the fact that two of her cousins are active in the sport, but lately my daughter has been talking more and more about playing soccer. Registration is coming up soon and we have been kicking a ball around a bit of late, and yesterday I took out a footbag (hacky sack) for her to try some kicks on.
I know the two sports are different, but there is nothing like kicking a footbag to develop the dexterity and foot/eye coordination required to excel in soccer. I spent plenty of time every day during middle and high school kicking both by myself and with who ever was around, and at that time I had no problem what so ever handling a soccer ball.
It took her a few minutes to grasp the concept, but once she made contact a few times she seemed to really enjoy it. It's been a good fifteen years since I've had an eager footbag partner - if she keeps up interest this could be good for my cardio and flexibility.
For those of you who don't have a whole lot of familiarity with the sport of footbag, or haven't seen what's been going on in this still pretty underground activity - here's a video of what some of these outrageously talented individuals are capable of with nothing more than their feet and filled bag not much bigger than a golf ball...
I know the two sports are different, but there is nothing like kicking a footbag to develop the dexterity and foot/eye coordination required to excel in soccer. I spent plenty of time every day during middle and high school kicking both by myself and with who ever was around, and at that time I had no problem what so ever handling a soccer ball.
It took her a few minutes to grasp the concept, but once she made contact a few times she seemed to really enjoy it. It's been a good fifteen years since I've had an eager footbag partner - if she keeps up interest this could be good for my cardio and flexibility.
For those of you who don't have a whole lot of familiarity with the sport of footbag, or haven't seen what's been going on in this still pretty underground activity - here's a video of what some of these outrageously talented individuals are capable of with nothing more than their feet and filled bag not much bigger than a golf ball...
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Get Reflective
I'm the parent of two young children and that means that I have to get creative sometimes when I workout. Of course they come down to the gym with me and go on bike rides, but I can't very well take both of them with me on a ten mile run - so that means that I have to wait until after my wife gets home from work to hit the road.
Back in the old days I wasn't much for safety equipment, but all of that changed when I started a family. So now, at 10:30 p.m., when I strap on my running shoes - I also strap on some reflective gear to make me visible to drivers.
I've tried a number of different nighttime running apparatus: everything from blinking lights to arm bands and vests to hats and I've certainly been able to pick out a few favorites and a few that I'd rather skip the road and stay home for a run on the treadmill than wear again.
The Amphipod Luminous-Lite Reflective Vest is the vest that I use when I head out on late night runs for a few reasons...
Number one - It's super lightweight, allows for total freedom of movement and it stays where it's supposed to, making it the most comfortable vest on the market - in all seriousness I barely even notice that I'm wearing it.
Number two - It's super easy to put on and take off, the last thing you want to do when your exciting about getting out on a run is to struggle for ten minutes fighting on an ill fitting vest and the last thing you want to do after a brutal ten miler in the heat is struggle with anything.
Number three - It will make you noticeable without making you a spectacle. This vest is easy to see from all angles, which will keep you safe, but there are no big flashing lights or bells and whistles that will draw undue attention or distract you while you are trying to focus on your run.
For these reason, the Luminous-Lite Vest from Amphipod takes home top honors on the list of Best Reflective Running Gear:
Back in the old days I wasn't much for safety equipment, but all of that changed when I started a family. So now, at 10:30 p.m., when I strap on my running shoes - I also strap on some reflective gear to make me visible to drivers.
I've tried a number of different nighttime running apparatus: everything from blinking lights to arm bands and vests to hats and I've certainly been able to pick out a few favorites and a few that I'd rather skip the road and stay home for a run on the treadmill than wear again.
The Amphipod Luminous-Lite Reflective Vest is the vest that I use when I head out on late night runs for a few reasons...
Number one - It's super lightweight, allows for total freedom of movement and it stays where it's supposed to, making it the most comfortable vest on the market - in all seriousness I barely even notice that I'm wearing it.
Number two - It's super easy to put on and take off, the last thing you want to do when your exciting about getting out on a run is to struggle for ten minutes fighting on an ill fitting vest and the last thing you want to do after a brutal ten miler in the heat is struggle with anything.
Number three - It will make you noticeable without making you a spectacle. This vest is easy to see from all angles, which will keep you safe, but there are no big flashing lights or bells and whistles that will draw undue attention or distract you while you are trying to focus on your run.
For these reason, the Luminous-Lite Vest from Amphipod takes home top honors on the list of Best Reflective Running Gear:
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Number One in Protein
Wow - it's been a while since I've posted, a lot has happened in the past six or so weeks... My wife had her appendix out, I had my wisdom teeth out and I've gotten a few more writing gigs, which has made for one exceedingly busy life for me. All seems well now, I'm back at close to one hundred percent and have squeezed in the time for a few wicked workouts over the course of the last few days, thanks in part to the best protein powder available today...
As an avid strength trainer, I know the importance of protein in my diet, but I do probably take this necessary nutrient for granted at times. Over the course of the last few weeks though, with several days where I couldn't really eat because of the oral surgery and during the days where I was rushing my daughter to school, then rushing to the hospital, then rushing to the doctor, etc. I practically lived on my favorite protein powder - Nitrean from AtLarge Nutrition.
The lack of solid food for nearly a week did have me drop a few pounds (about four to six), but the high quality protein blend in Nitrean made sure that none of it was muscle. I've always loved the taste of Nitrean, which is head and shoulders above most other protein powders on the market ( believe me, I've had my fair share of protein powders over the years) and the mixability is unparalleled - I mix it in a regular eight ounce drinking glass with a fork in just a few seconds and there are no lumps or clumps.
I've known for some time that Nitrean was pretty special compared to other protein supplements, which is why I ranked it number one on the list of Best Protein Powders - I guess I just didn't know how much I loved until I was practically living off of it:
As an avid strength trainer, I know the importance of protein in my diet, but I do probably take this necessary nutrient for granted at times. Over the course of the last few weeks though, with several days where I couldn't really eat because of the oral surgery and during the days where I was rushing my daughter to school, then rushing to the hospital, then rushing to the doctor, etc. I practically lived on my favorite protein powder - Nitrean from AtLarge Nutrition.
The lack of solid food for nearly a week did have me drop a few pounds (about four to six), but the high quality protein blend in Nitrean made sure that none of it was muscle. I've always loved the taste of Nitrean, which is head and shoulders above most other protein powders on the market ( believe me, I've had my fair share of protein powders over the years) and the mixability is unparalleled - I mix it in a regular eight ounce drinking glass with a fork in just a few seconds and there are no lumps or clumps.
I've known for some time that Nitrean was pretty special compared to other protein supplements, which is why I ranked it number one on the list of Best Protein Powders - I guess I just didn't know how much I loved until I was practically living off of it:
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Finished Born to Run
Actually I finished it a few days ago, but I'm still overloaded with assignments so the old blog has been suffering. A brief review...
In short - this book was incredible, and not just because I enjoy running. The writing was easy, the characters were captivating and story itself was easy to relate to. If I had the time to invest, it's likely that I wouldn't have put it down - and that's about the best recommendation that I can give a book.
Upon finishing, I looked up Micah True (a main character) on Facebook and was surprised to actually find him there. It seems as though "Caballo Blanco" as he is called is writing a book of his own and just from getting to know him in Born to Run, I'm very excited about that possibility.
Doesn't matter if you are an avid runner, a casual stroller or a couch potato - Born to Run is a great tale and certainly worth the read.
In short - this book was incredible, and not just because I enjoy running. The writing was easy, the characters were captivating and story itself was easy to relate to. If I had the time to invest, it's likely that I wouldn't have put it down - and that's about the best recommendation that I can give a book.
Upon finishing, I looked up Micah True (a main character) on Facebook and was surprised to actually find him there. It seems as though "Caballo Blanco" as he is called is writing a book of his own and just from getting to know him in Born to Run, I'm very excited about that possibility.
Doesn't matter if you are an avid runner, a casual stroller or a couch potato - Born to Run is a great tale and certainly worth the read.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Bodyweight Complexes and Conditioning
I have been working, just not positing - lots of writing assignments have occupying my typing time, which is a good thing for my wallet but not so good for blog updates.
This week has consisted of lots of bodyweight work, plyos, running, stair work and a fair share of mobility. To fit everything possible into my schedule I've done a bit of "greasing the groove" for push up variations and lower body movements throughout the day and working indoor conditioning in the evenings after the kids are in bed.
I've also taken to some after dinner walks with the kids now that the weather has broken and though that isn't quite as intense as some other things I do, we are all moving together and having fun and it's better than being planted in front of the monitor.
This week has consisted of lots of bodyweight work, plyos, running, stair work and a fair share of mobility. To fit everything possible into my schedule I've done a bit of "greasing the groove" for push up variations and lower body movements throughout the day and working indoor conditioning in the evenings after the kids are in bed.
I've also taken to some after dinner walks with the kids now that the weather has broken and though that isn't quite as intense as some other things I do, we are all moving together and having fun and it's better than being planted in front of the monitor.
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