Kettlebell And Strength Blog

The Butterfly...How Strength Is A Struggle!

I know what you are thinking. Brandon, did you just put a picture of a butterfly on your strength and conditioning blog? Yes, I did, but I have a good reason for it. This butterfly has taught me a lesson my friend and I know it's going to do the same for you.

Read more

Some Clarity On Kettlebells, Barbells, Body Weight, And Just Training In General!

So my latest thing is trying to address "hype" on various topics having to do with training. What is the latest thing? What is getting all the "hype" because it is going to promise you the biggest baddest results on this big round rock we call earth. It is no secret to you that I love utilizing kettlebells into my strength and conditioning program, but I am also here to remind you that I am a strength and conditioning specialist first and there are many ways to strength and condition a body with or without a kettlebell.

Read more

Just Some General Stuff...

Man I love the 2 part movie Kill Bill. There is something pretty cool about a samurai sword wielding blond that can take out 88 crazy bad guys before she opens up a can of whoop a#s on a formidable foe. Uma if you are reading this I am a fan and just keep that in mind when looking for a trainer when Kill Bill 3 rolls around. Nonetheless, I just thought I would share with you one of my favorite martial arts films. We all have to get inspiration from somewhere and Kill Bill always moves the meter with me when it comes down to getting a little extra motivation for physical preparedness. I'm only talking about 1% external motivation, but that 1% can be a big deal at times. Obviously I don't watch both movies in their entirety before training, however the music from the soundtrack sure hits the spot.

Read more

Your Athletic Performance Has A Secret Identity!

Clark Kent always had to work at keeping his true identity a secret. Putting on those goofy glasses and acting like he was constantly stumbling around to get things done was part of his identity as a human, but the real life Superman was hidden underneath. All he needed in order to bring out the Man Of Steel was some form of a screaming emergency and a phone booth. I like to think I could walk into a phone booth and tear off my suit and tie to go save the world, but I rarely wear a suit and tie. This is mainly because it would make pulling the deadlift and handling the kettlebell a bit too awkward. I think you can understand!

Read more

So Why Kettlebells? Here's Plenty Of Ammunition Why!

It isn't what you do, but how you do it. --John Wooden

I'm willing to bet you don't ever pass up the opportunity to make your life simpler, more efficient, or more productive even if you have to spend a little up front time figuring out ways to do so. Heck, I'm even bad about prepping my coffee to make on a timer for the early mornings so that the grizzly bear can come of his cage to be functional enough to train folks on those early mornings!

I'm sure you've even participated in making sure your work clothes are set out the night before or that your alarm clock has been set 5 to 10 minutes early just so you can talk yourself out of bed from time to time. The point of all of this is that if you are halfway responsible about anything in your life you've done something like what I've described above, or you just cease to be human and live in a different dimension where time isn't so relevant.

Read more

Random Thoughts...By Your Favorite Online Strength Coach!

So I just got back from the dentist after having a tooth fixed that I chipped from dragging a truck uphill with my bite. Ok, I've got to confess I did it biting down on a potato chip. Nonetheless, it is fixed, my teeth are clean, and I have no cavities. Thank God. Upon arriving at my laptop I just realized that the ideas on training are a bit dry at the moment. Probably due to the medieval torture devices that were used on me at the dentist office. I may still be in a state of shock. I never do well with going to any kind of doctor, even though my dentist is very good!  Nonetheless, I'm staggering back into action.

Read more

Weight Belt Or No Weight Belt?

The key to being able to throw around any reasonable amount of weight is being able maintain control and stability while you are doing it. If you have ever watched the World's Strongest Man on ESPN those guys show you how it's done to perfection. If you pay attention to any of the guys you'll notice how they start breathing then tense up right as they exert themselves to lift whatever it is they are lifting at the moment which is usually something very very heavy. They are maximizing the amount of force they are producing by creating tension. More specifically they are creating intraabdominal pressure.

Read more

Those That Are Out For An Edge...Be Like Water!

I've got to admit that my MMA students and serious fitness personnel have really been kicking things up a notch lately. As you may or may not know I am the strength and conditioning coach for Team Octopus. This has been a great relationship and it has provided me with a platform so that I can really start to open up the ole BR strength and conditioning playbook! I owe a special thanks to the guys and girls that have joined and been consistently participating in the class. It really is starting to pick up a ton of steam! Great job everyone!

Read more

His Cigars Weigh More Than Your Gym Bag!

Have you ever been to the gym and seen those guys that tote their gym bags around in one hand and a gallon of water in the other? From one corner of the room to the other they drag their stuff around trying to look like they are accomplishing something when all they are really doing is taking up space. It seems that if they devoted half the energy into lifting and training with some sort of purpose as they do trying to put up the appearance of trying to look like they are doing something productive then they might actually be interesting. The Most Interesting Man realizes this which is why only he can pull this off and those guys can't.

Read more

May The Force Of Your Core Be With You!

I've gotta say that Lord Vader was great at convincing others to get things done by leveraging the power of the force! However, I don't have that same luxury. Unfortunately I can't throw objects at defiant individuals without actually picking those objects up to do so! I haven't yet mastered the ability to wave my arm and magically have things fly from one end of the room to the other. Not that I would throw something at anyone, but if I had to I could depend on a different force to make it happen. Core strength is an essential trait even for Darth Vader my friend.

Read more