Having worked in the fitness industry for over 12 years, I’ve encountered plenty of misconceptions about training. For one, what someone looks like does NOT…
I consider myself an optimist, a perennial half-glass-full type of guy. But there have times over the past year where I’ve given the following question…
"Simple. Not easy."Aside from being my favorite life mantra, this phrase expresses the struggle of the first step of the Turkish get-up. Also called the…
The past month has been incredible. From winning the Tactical Strength Challenge (yes, you read that correctly), to the birth of our son, Ethan (again,…
There's something innately Russian about the Simple & Sinister program. Maybe it's the Eastern Bloc influence of Get-Ups and kettlebells. Or the appropriate, no-nonsense title…
I never thought I'd be a staunch advocate for kettlebells.For one, they look like cannonballs.Second, if I learned anything from "Rocky IV," don't trust the…
Pavel Tsatsouline has written a great post on the relationship between mental toughness and strength. In short, the phrase "mental toughness" usually conjures up images…
According to Google, the most popular post I've ever written was published back in August 2015: Is Exercise a Stress Reliever or Stress Amplifier? Clearly, every…
I'd like to thank The New York Times for contributing to the malaise and hopelessness currently coupled with obesity.Why? Because last Monday the Times published…
Deadlifts get an unfair shake. Whether it's unfortunate anecdotes - er, horror stories - or numerous YouTube videos of ill-advised attempts, I understand why.Yet when analyze…
The process of losing weight carries different ideas for each person. I think of vegetables, deadlifts, pullups and kettlebell snatches. You can thank the upcoming…
Last weekend I tested my mettle in the Tactical Strength Challenge (TSC). Composed of a max deadlift, max strict bodyweight pullups, and as many kettlebell snatches…
That damn sit and reach. It's the lingering memory from my Presidential Fitness test. Zero pullups and "running" a 13 minute mile? All but forgotten. But sitting…
I place a premium on continuing education. Because I'm a strong believer that if you're not getting better, you're getting worse. There's also nothing as…
I spent yesterday afternoon giggling and nodding in agreement as I reread my Myers-Briggs personality result. What's the Myers-Briggs personality test? It's a self-report questionnaire…
I usually don’t sing John Cougar Mellencamp. Strike that. I never sing John Cougar Mellencamp.Except for when I’m foam rolling. That’s when the words and melody…
To the average gym-goer, kettlebells are often shrouded in mystique and confusion.And to be fair, they look like cannonballs. But with handles. They're also usually…
There's a few things I hate:When people spell "defiantly" but mean "definitely."People that rush off an airplane, eager to beat everyone seated in front of…
The secret to happiness is picking heavy things off the ground. Then putting them overhead.And yes, I'm only half joking.I've written about 30 blog posts…
As a newly-minted personal trainer, I was always very concerned about what my clients were thinking. Are they having a good time? Are they entertained? Am…
If you've had access to the internet over the past few weeks, you've probably seen the terrific Always video, #LikeAGirl.If you haven't, it's probably because…
While I was researching my blog post last week, I stumbled upon an interesting infographic from February 1944, in Popular Science magazine. Now, wartime propaganda and…
Walk into most bootcamps, Crossfit boxes, and "cardio" classes, and you'll likely see someone, somewhere doing burpees. Now, the funny part is that no one…
Fact: I like to believe I gave a pretty nerdtastic, bomb-ass, helpful nutrition lecture the other week. You probably saw me talking about about it here and here.Another…
There are three words in the English language that I absolutely can't stand: "everybody," "always," and "never." (Actually, if I could choose a fourth, it…
So, raise your right hand if you'd like to sucker punch Punxsutawney Phil right about now.Of course, I'm kidding....I'd only expect a yes from someone…
I've often said that we all need something to keep ourselves accountable. What that something might be is totally up to you (a pair of pants, Dan John's…
Well, we survived.No, I'm not talking about the wonderful honeymoon Lindsay and I took last week to Paradise Island. Instead, I'm talking about the first…
I'd like to clear the record: I'm not a "hater."Now, that may seem hypocritical given what I've said in the past about running, yoga, and Tracy Anderson. And,…
Happy Monday everyone! I'm not exactly loaded with time these days, as I've been busy with clients, training myself, oh and planning a wedding. (Correction:…
Sit ups are pretty great for achieving the following: Winning a sit up competition Bragging to your coworkers over the water cooler how “hardcore” your…
In the year 2015 we know a few things:Pluto is almost a real planet againThe Weeknd is Michael Jackson 2.0We could all use more push-upsWait, what?Being a…
Did you hear that rustling? Don't worry, it's just my inner introvert hyperventilating into a paper bag.Why? Because I'll be speaking (yikes!) this Saturday, July 25th…
"Those dang Turks!"Kidding, of course. But that's one of the kinder phrases people say when performing Turkish Get-Ups. Well that or "Alex, I just sure love when we do…
Hello there. My name is Alex and I'd like to share a secret with you: I'm hypermobile.Surprised? That's because our usual stereotype of guys - especially those that…
Even though we're about 11 hours from it being officially #mancrushmonday (which, for the record, is every Monday), it's probably no surprise that I've already seen the new…
Wowsa! A LOT has happened this past week. First, the Boston area has been blanketed in snow - 40.5 inches in 7 days will do that to anyone. While it's…
Last week, the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (yes, that's a thing) released their 2015 report. If you're a geek about nutrition (*nodding head as I type this*),…
I find nutrition fascinating but not confusing. Slogans like "Eat food, not too much, mostly plants" make sense because it's easy to follow. "Eat like a…
I can hear the groans already....another post about diet and nutrition? Ugh.Well, in some ways, you're right. This IS another post about diet and nutrition,…
Today, I'm fighting a common thought that's prevailed in society: avoiding animal foods will automatically make you a healthier person.We may all know some vegans,…
Well this just in....it's fall! The combination of the my schedule becoming pretty jam packed, a few leaves already started to turn their autumn colors,…
My favorite author of all-time is legendary strength coach Dan John. Now, for those that are not in the strength and conditioning world, it's important…
Florida Gulf Coast. If you watched your share of college basketball this past weekend, then you know how that school completely ruined my March Madness…
Hope everyone is enjoying their St. Patrick's Day weekend! Surprisingly (or perhaps not surprisingly if you know my schedule), I actually worked both days this…
Have you noticed how Omega-3 is now in everything? Seriously. Eggs, juice, milk, margarine, pasta, bread, and my personal favorite that's just around the corner...ice…
You’ve seen them in the gym. Bicep curls, tricep kickbacks, shoulder raises, seated leg press. Well I’m here to say “no more!”Why? Because corrective movements…
Diet fads really come and go. Today you have countless people trying to lose weight with any of the following: Paleo, Intermittent Fasting, Carb Backloading,…
Does your back hurt? Of course it does. You’re an American.Kidding, of course, but the statistics are ridiculous. 80% of Americans will experience lower back…
