Tip & Technique Video: Pistol

The grandaddy of all squats. Master this, and there pretty much isn't a body weight exercise your legs and balance can't handle. Sure, we can progress the pistol to a more challenging level, but let's get the basics first.

Now MOVE!

Holy Popping Kernels Batman!

You might have seen this by now, but I though it was worth re-posting it here.

While providing a very healthy and light snack at home, it seems that not all popcorn is created equal. Now, it’s no shock. Pretty much everyone by now knows that movie theatre popcorn isn’t among the healthier snack choices you could make. A new report out by Center for Science in the Public Interest reveals some eye popping statistics.

A medium popcorn and soda combo at Regal cinemas (which weighs in at a hefty $12 by the way) carries 1,610 calories and no less than 60 grams of saturated fat. To put that in perspective, that’s the caloric value of 3 McDonald’s quarter pounders and 12 pads of butter. Think about it. That’s a recommended 3 day allowance of saturated, artery clogging fat. To put it another way, that’s the fat equivalent of an entire stick of butter and the caloric value of two sticks.

At AMC, their large popcorn has the caloric value of an entire pound of baby back ribs topped with a full scoop of Haagen-Dazs ice cream, 1030 calories. The only thing is that with 57 grams of saturated fat, you’d actually come out ahead with the ribs and ice cream.

So what’s the deal? By and large cinemas are using coconut oil, one of the worst for you, highest saturated oils around to pop their corn in. To put it in perspective lard is only 40% saturated. Coconut oil is 90%.

Workout of the Week

Squat Press 5,000lbs. Record time and load.

I don't care what load you pick. Just pick a load you can lift repeatedly. Every time you lift that load, you add that much more weight to your total. If you need to change loads in the middle, fine. Just make sure to calculate accordingly.

So, for example, if I were to drop squat 95#, I would have to complete 52 reps.

Record load, reps and time to complete. Refer to the videos and use common sense when choosing to participate!


Now MOVE!

Spinning, Body Sculpt, Training & Cancer

I’m not sure if you heard about this or not, but apparently many fitness center owner/operators didn’t get the memo. In July a study was published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in The Lancet Oncology that categorically classifies tanning beds as a group 1 cancer risk. This places usage of tanning beds in the most dangerous, highest risk category of carcinogens.

Other group 1 carcinogens include: asbestos, mustard gas, plutonium 239, tobacco and arsenic. Let’s look at that. Indoor tanning has been proven to be as hazardous to your health as arsenic and cigarettes.

In fact, if you go tanning before the age of 30, you’ve just increased your risk of melanoma by 75%.

So then why the hell are so many health clubs still offering tanning services? For all intents and purposes those exact places we go to build our health, strength and fitness might as well sell cigarettes out of a vending machine in the locker room.

A quick Google search reveals that at least 6 of the top 10 major national fitness chains/franchises offer tanning services. Doesn’t make a lot of sense, does it?

Here’s another little bit of food for thought. Last I checked, you couldn’t purchase tobacco products until you turn 18. How 16 year olds were packed into that Beach Bum tanning salon when you walked past it earlier today?

Remember, 75% increase in cancer risk if used before 30 years old.

Tip & Technique Video: Squat Press

You can just tell by looking at this that Tuesday is going to be ugly.

Have fun. Now MOVE!

Kettle Kickoff

Well, it looked like we were in for a long dry spell for kettlebell lifting until the spring rolled around. Turns out our friends over at IronworkeFe have other plans. Rick and Chriss have just announced their first meet to be held on Jan 10th at their studio in Queens. I'll post a link below.

Now, having lifted in their first event, I want to encourage everybody, but particularly those off you still looking to get your feet wet in your first girevoy sport competition to look into this. If this turns out to be anything like last time, you can expect a very excited and supportive crowd of people at all experience levels.

Seriously. It's time. Jump in. I'll see you there.

IronForEverybody.com

Workout of the Week

10 rounds. First round has 10 reps, second has 9, third has 8....the tenth has 1.

Use the video archives. There's a couple of oldies in here to kick off the Christmas season.

BB Hang Squat

BB Power Clean

BB Pushpress

Cirbees

Ho ho ho.

Record your load and time.