Blog
Free Weights or Machines? Why Not Both!
In fitness, debates about free weights versus machines are common. Some praise free weights for their functional benefits, engaging stabilizers, and promoting natural movement patterns.
Rear Delt Training
Here are two exercises that target the back of the shoulders – one emphasizes the contracted position and the other the stretched position: Give them
Fat-Loss, Muscle-Building Workout
If your goal is to lose body fat and gain muscle, here’s a great weight training strategy. It involves sequencing your exercises in a particular
High-Pulley Overhead Triceps Extension
Here’s a great triceps exercise that I’m doing right now. It’s called the High-Pulley Overhead Triceps Extension. It’s done bent-over in a lunge position using
Walking Dumbbell/Xvest Lunge
The walking dumbbell lunge is a great exercise to do during a body composition phase, but as the weights go up, your grip will fatigue
Foam Rolling the Upper Back
Many personal trainers recommend foam rolling the entire body prior to a workout. That’s unnecessary and can be counterproductive. Always adjust muscle tone accordingly –
The Taper Warm-Up
Today was the last day of a triple split routine that I’ve been on for the past month. It was a taper workout that targeted
A Salad A Day Keeps The Doctor Away
One aspect of a meal that you can’t appreciate in a photo is taste. Today’s salad was crazy good! Each bite was unique and had
Safe Pressing with Heavy Dumbbells
Believe it or not, many lifters get injured just getting in and out of position before an exercise begins or right after it’s done! The
Loading and Unloading a Barbell
Do you know what the #1 injury in the gym is? It’s a weight dropping on your foot. Don’t let it happen! Here’s the right
A Passion for Personal Training
At one point in my career, I was training as many as 12 to 13 people a day, 6 days a week, and doing paperwork
Take Advantage of the COVID-19 Shutdown
Wouldn’t it be nice to go back in time when you lived at home with your parents and had no responsibility? You could sleep in
Do Quality Reps
The two lost commandments that you never hear about are “Thou shall exercise with weights regularly,” and “Thou shall do quality reps.” I follow those
Learning to Walk Again
“John Paul, may I talk to you outside please?” I knew it was about to get uncomfortable as I followed the doctor and his colleague
Standing Rope French Press
Some people think that the Standing Rope French Press is some kind of specialty coffee. It’s not… it’s a great “elbow-friendly” exercise that emphasizes the
How To Double Your Push-Ups
This is a great time to increase the number of push-ups you can do. Let’s say your goal is to do 20 “strict” push-ups but
Seated Leg Extensions
Favor higher reps when doing seated leg extensions. The key is constant tension: Don’t use too heavy of a weight, go up to a “soft
Live Longer with Testosterone Therapy
I’ve always been an advocate of functional endocrinology, first and foremost, before hormone replacement therapy (HRT). If you want to optimize your hormones, make sure
Two Pressing Issues for Gym Rats
Most gym rats are “pushers” not “pullers”, and most do too much “horizontal” pushing and not enough “vertical” pushing. If you’re able to press 100-pound
Fighting Hard to Restore Health and Independence
Many of you know that my mother has been quite ill and that we’ve been fighting hard to restore her health and independence. One day
How I Became A Personal Trainer And A 49ers Fan
In this interview, I reveal how I became a personal trainer and a fan of the San Francisco 49ers. I’ve been in the business of