You don’t need fancy exercises to build core strength. If your desire is to inspire the muscles around your spine and midsection to fire, squat.A Kaplifestyle reader reached out to me to ask about a good core routine for beginners. Waltz into any fitness center and you’ll find folks twisting with cables, doing various forms of crunches with medicine balls, leg lifts and … [Read more...]
Fred Update - 8 Weeks
Quick reminder, my friend Fred is an NBA executive who, 8 weeks ago, began the 5 X 5 lifting program and recently added sprints. For further context, check this out then rejoin us.Fred reached out excitedly to me today. Just completed my 8th week of the Kap 5x5 training system. Few items of note. My strength has increase at a nice steady pace and I am really digging the … [Read more...]
Avoid Weight Lifting Belts
I love the typical vision of the dude in the leather weight belt. You know the one, neck as thick as my thighs, covered in chalk, slapping his chest and grunting as he leans down to pick up a barbell. This character entertains me.As much as the sight of that medieval looking contraption around his waist makes me giggle, I know it’s doing more harm than good. Logically, if … [Read more...]
Strengthen Your Core with Planks
Sit-ups are not ideal for your body. Planks are a solid substitute to replace them. From Harvard Health Publications: One reason is that sit-ups are hard on your back — by pushing your curved spine against the floor and by working your hip flexors, the muscles that run from the thighs to the lumbar vertebrae in the lower back. When hip flexors are too strong or too tight, they … [Read more...]