Tag: atlanta kettlebells

I know the title of this post probably got your attention which is why I am going to get into the details of what all is involved in having some major "UPs" when it comes to the vertical jump. I am always amazed at how fixated young basketball players are on increasing their vertical jump. I know that Michael Jordan started it all with his leap from the free throw line in the slam dunk contest many years ago. I remember seeing that when I was kid and yes I was impressed just as much as any other teenager at the time. However, as I've gotten older and have developed an understanding of what builds on human performance I can tell you that I have seen some equally impressive vertical jumping from other athletes as well, namely MMA fighters!

I just felt like babbling about some random stuff today just to shake things up! The weather here in Georgia has sucked this week so I'm on the sunshine waiting list if you know what I mean. Nonetheless, I'm grateful for the opportunity to blast out this post on whatever idea happens to flow through my brain as I am hammering the keys on my Mac. I hope you will enjoy this, but even if you don't I will also be grateful if you told everyone you did anyway!

This week one of my very good friends and retired Muay Thai fighting pro pulled his last set of deadlift at 345 for 5 powerful reps! Weighing in at a solid 165 lbs. this was a very impressive feat. After some yelling and grunting he had pulled the heavy load and set a PR without blowing an O ring or anything else for that matter! The deadlift is one tremendous lift for building solid total body strength, but the heavy lifting for him to hit this PR took consistent practice and some innovation.

Read more

 "If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves." - Thomas Edison

Just like Edison said in the quote above if we did all the things we are capable of doing we would absolutely be astounded. This is no different when it comes to programming within the confines of your strength and conditioning program! Remember how badass the Tazmanian Devil was growing up? The Tazmanian Devil was a tornado of performance. As far as I can remember he had no problems utilizing the power of rotational movement to get around and even enforce intimidation on both his peers and his competition! I think he even worried Bugs Bunny a bit whenever he started spinning out of control in the form of that saliva spitting tornado. Anyways, the bottom line is that if the Devil recognized the importance of this then maybe we should consider it for ourselves. That is the power of rotation, not the spitting part.

Read more

I just recently touched on an element of training that I like to refer to as the P.P.T rule that I like to utilize with my athletes on a fairly regular basis. I often have a different approach with a lot of my clients and athletes when it comes to fitness and strength and this particular method can certainly fall into that category.  If you like training outdoors then this should be right up your alley. Take a minute to read and include this strategy into your strength and conditioning program if you are a fierce competitor that likes beating up on the competition! Feel free to let me know how it works for you my friend.

Read more

Are you interested in getting one of the best workouts possible while enjoying the outdoors?  If you are like me and enjoy training and being outside then you will love strength training with kettlebells. Keep on reading if I have your attention. No more time for excuses my friend because this is all the gym you need for a hard hitting workout.

Read more

Soccer strength and conditioning is something that you can't afford to overlook if you are serious about competing at a respectable level.  You see you have to spend time getting your body ready for the field if you expect to perform on the field.  Permit yourself a minute to read this article if you are into getting results.

Read more

If you are looking to learn how to develop powerful shoulders that are resistant to injury and can take and dish out punishment all day long then you have arrived at the right place. In order to develop a superior set of shoulders you have got to know what it takes in order to press weight overhead in a way that you both protect your shoulders and strengthen them. Technique is the key to success in every strength and fitness program. This is why I am here to tell you how you can go about developing your physical presence during the act of overhead pressing to both increase your shoulder strength, stability, and overall allow yourself to be resistant to injury.  Keep on reading if you want to know how to accomplish this feat!

First of all, when you are looking at developing your shoulder strength you need to change your mindset of lifting.  Now what I mean by this is that you have to know that pressing any weight, whether it is overhead or out in front of you (like a chest press), your shoulders are one of the moving joints, but most of your entire body has to be involved in the lift. For instance, if you are pressing a weight above your head with dumbells, kettlebells, or barbells you have to learn how to press from your lats! Thats right, I said you have to learn to press with your lats. Your latissimus dorsi, or the wing span of your back, are big muscles along with the rest of your core that can support a large amount of weight over your head.

In order to accomplish this you must practice raising your arms above your head and pulling your shoulders down into the sockets. A common mistake people tend to make when overhead pressing is over extending and reaching up with their arms which causes the shoulder to be extended away from the socket.  Being that your shoulder joint has the potential for 360 degree motion you want to secure it during the act of lifting weight overhead. In order to pull your shoulder into the socket I want you to stand up and try a little exercise.

Begin by standing in front of a mirror and raising one of your arms above your head. From here straighten your arm completely by locking your elbow and reaching for the sky as high as you can. Now when you do this take note at how your shoulder will raise up to a point that it is at your ear's level. This is an INSECURE place for your shoulder to be when performing any overhead lift. Now to correct this simply keep your arm straight and actively pull your shoulder down so that it descends down into the socket away from your ear. Make sure that as you do this you keep your shoulders square as you observe yourself in the mirror. You feel tension in the back of your shoulder and down in your lats! With your arm straight overhead in this position you are in a SAFE and effective position to hold a significant amount of weight overhead.  This is how you can develop powerful and resilient shoulders my friend.

If you want to learn more about how to develop strong shoulders and a powerful body then feel free to access more of my articles on the subject for free. Remember that most anyone can train hard, but only the best train smart my friend! Start your smart training today.