I love squats. I truly believe that they are the most important weight training move we can perform. If there was only one lift you could do, I wouldn’t hesitate to make it the squat. Far beyond simply improving your power, squats have a beneficial effect on your hormones. Testosterone levels are also influenced by the amount of muscle mass activated in response to exercise. … [Read more...]
Adjusting the Seasoning – Changing a Workout Routine
Every Thursday and Sunday for the last year, I’ve gone through the same sprint workout. This time, I find myself dreading following that routine. A warm-up followed by four 100s, four 60s and four 40s…I can’t do it today. I need something different. From business2community.com: Ask anyone who fell off the bandwagon with their New Year’s fitness resolutions: boring workouts … [Read more...]
Plyometrics – Jumping Stairs
Jumping is a great way to build power, explosiveness and athleticism. I’m of Eastern European descent (sounds more interesting than white, right?), but I used to be able to leap. I swear. You don’t believe me and that’s what video is for. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq_KIe9Rh3s Early in my career, I trained with a Zen master. Okay, he was really just a trainer who … [Read more...]
Neck Stretches and Finding Time
Neck stretches under running water are relaxing, particularly to the nervous system. From yogajournal.com: Many studies, including biofeedback and other disciplines, have shown that relaxation of the muscles in the neck, jaws, and face can have powerful calming effects on the entire nervous system. Fine, it doesn’t have to be in the shower, but that’s where I perform them, … [Read more...]
Skinny Calves – A Solution and Contest
Hello, I’m Kap, and I have skinny calves. Over the course of my MLB career, my teammates often busted my balls about my lower legs. Perhaps their ribbing came because I showed my little guys off by going socks up with my baseball pants, but more likely, it’s because they don’t quite match the rest of my physique. For many years, I tried to build them up. I worked on … [Read more...]