Straight Shot Radio

For me, warming up correctly has always just felt right. But the more I study various warm up methods and the science behind them, the more convinced I am of the importance of priming the body for exercise. Not only does mobility work help you move in better positions to keep you safe during exercise, it can actually improve your performance. In today’s episode, I want to share with you why I feel this specific warm up strategy is such an integral part of a training program, and how you can implement these tactics into your own workouts to have you moving well, and feeling great!

Every wanted to teach yourself a new skill, movement, or trick? Here is the method I've used to teach myself backflips, presses to handstand, ring movements, and other gymnastics elements as well as Olympic lifting, juggling, slacklining, and as of this past week, skimboarding. I won’t call myself an expert at any of these movements, and the bruises and scrapes on my legs from the skimboard confirm this, but I love the process of learning new skills. While everyone learns differently, and each skill has it’s own unique set of challenges, this model has helped me as an athlete AND as a coach who teaches others how to move for a living. So hopefully you’ll find some helpful tips along the way and can apply it to learn something cool!

Every wanted to teach yourself a new skill, movement, or trick? Here is the method I've used to teach myself backflips, presses to handstand, ring movements, and other gymnastics elements as well as Olympic lifting, juggling, slacklining, and as of this past week, skimboarding. I won’t call myself an expert at any of these movements, and the bruises and scrapes on my legs from the skimboard confirm this, but I love the process of learning new skills. While everyone learns differently, and each skill has it’s own unique set of challenges, this model has helped me as an athlete AND as a coach who teaches others how to move for a living. So hopefully you’ll find some helpful tips along the way and can apply it to learn something cool!

Aristotle said, “Patience is bitter, but it’s fruit is sweet.” We all know being patient is difficult, especially since in today’s society, since it’s not that often that we have to wait for something. When it comes to health and fitness though, there aren't any shortcuts; At least not ones that create any lasting change or actual results. ACSM Personal Trainer and Coach Coach Rebecca Reifsnider (see Ep. 2 for her story) joins me for a conversation about the importance of practicing patience and why consistency over time is paramount to your success. 

If you’re like most gym goers, you’re probably not working out in silence. If you’re ever forgotten your headphones and have had to workout without any music, you know how much it helps and how much you miss it when it’s not there. But have you ever wondered why working out with music is so much better than exercising without it?

I break down a study in this episode that examined music’s effect on exercise performance and offer some thoughts as to why it’s such a potent component of your routine. I also share what goes into designing playlists for my group training sessions, and explain why my own workouts have very different playlists depending on what I’m doing.

Have a favorite artist, album, or song you like to workout to? Comment below so I can check it out!