The folks at US News & World Report asked me which machines in the gym are best for women who are intimidated by free weights and barbells. Obviously I encourage everyone (men and women) to include safe, effective resistance training into their fitness programs, but totally understand that it may take time (and assistance) to build up to that. So in the meantime, checkout slides 3 and 4 for my top picks.
Read MoreThanks to the style gurus at Visual Therapy for sharing my 5 practical tips to getting summer bod ready. Check out the story here. #summeriscoming
Read MoreThe ankle is one of our most important and often overlooked joints. Poor movement patterns and pain "up the chain" (i.e. in your knees, hips and even lower back) can often be traced back to issues at the ankle joint. Think of how often and how many ways we use our ankles: walking, running, biking, squatting, yoga, balancing, dancing (you get the idea). If the muscles acting on your ankle are chronically tight or if the joint itself is jammed or lacks proper mobility the impact can be painful and damaging as the body will compensate at other joints to accommodate movement. Try these drills that could lead to reduced pain and improved performance.
Read MoreIt's no secret that I don't enjoy spending hours in the kitchen on fancy, complicated meals. Whenever possible I opt for simple, fast and easy. However, every once and a while I like to go the extra mile and do something a little special, particularly if I'm cooking dinner for others. So if you're looking to up your ground turkey game beyond meatloaf and turkey sauté check out these amazing (and still healthy!) turkey and quinoa stuffed peppers topped with mozzarella and basil.
Read MoreMy clients and colleagues are often surprised to learn that I regularly take on mentees. Yes, I'm SUPER busy, but I enjoy working 1-on-1 with new trainers who need guidance, seasoned trainers who want to increase their businesses and fitness enthusiasts considering a career change into the training industry. Usually I get the question “Why would you help your competition succeed?” I don’t look at it that way. When we put community above competition we all win. So if you’re considering a career in personal training, are interested in exploring what it might be like to work as a top Equinox personal trainer or are a veteran trainer who needs a boost with better business-building or programming skills, feel free to contact me.
Read MoreClients and friends often ask me who inspires me in the fitness word. Who do I look to for inspiration, innovation and perspiration? I have to give a special shoutout to Kylie Fan who I've had the pleasure of working beside at Equinox Pine Street for years. She embodies what makes an amazing coach and colleague. She has a depth of technical knowledge and is dedicated to ongoing education, provides kind and thoughtful coaching to her clients and practices what she preaches in her own fitness, nutrition and lifestyle. Simply put, she's someone to watch and follow!
Read MoreBreakfast tends to be an afterthought for a lot of folks and heavy on carbs and low in protein and healthy fats. Bagels, bars and greasy breakfast burritos are convenient, but they aren't necessarily what you need to fuel your day and reach your fitness goals. So consider doing a couple of minutes of meal prep and set yourself up for success with three of my favorite healthy, tasty and easy breakfasts that you can eat at home or take on the go.
Read MoreAre you ready for a 45-minute total body workout that will blast your booty, back, chest and core while kicking up your metabolism for the day through a mix of strength moves and cardio intervals? Join me at Equinox Pine Street from 6-6:45a every Tuesday for BODY CHALLENGE.
Read MoreWhether your goal is to lose body fat, increase muscle mass or just to be healthy and live a long life, ditch the crazy crash diets and focus on longterm behaviors that deliver sustainable results. Easier said than done, I know. The supplement, publishing and media industries have flooded our brains with so much conflicting information and misleading imagery that most of us have no clue what to believe or where to begin. Enter these 12 fundamental strategies for eating healthier and making better choices from Equinox.
Read MoreWhether you're an avid cyclist, an occasional spin class warrior or are considering your first ride there are four spin instructors in SF that you want to know: Andrew Stinger, Marcia Robles, Danny Baker and Caroline Jordan. These four "Spin Ninjas" have uniquely different styles and while different are all grounded in safety, effectiveness and kick ass energy. Each was was kind enough to share with me how to avoid the most common and dangerous form issues; how to overcome common mental challenges; and their take on how often someone "should" spin, intervals-vs-steady state and what to do in between rides.
Read MoreThink fitness trainers only eat grilled chicken and steamed broccoli? The truth might surprise you. Fit pros subscribe to lots of different healthy eating philosophies. But above all, trainers are focused on results. The one thing they all agree on? When it comes to weight loss and muscle gain, working out is only part of the equation. If you want to shape up, you need to step in the kitchen. Straight from the gym, studio, and blacktop, here’s what five top trainers like to eat after a tough sweat session. Thanks to my friends at the Fitbit Blog for including me in this great piece.
Read MoreCheck out JJ's interview with Cecilia Philips on News Up Now's newest show, Attitude. Attitude covers health, exercise, fashion, music, events, food and more. In this segment I talk about how to get the most out of your workouts, what to do for bigger biceps and how to get more protein. Check it out!
Read MoreFasted cardio has become a popular practice among fitness folks looking to shed unwanted body fat. Research is fairly convincing that performing cardio in the morning before eating can, for some, help burn more body fat (up to 20%) and *may* help target fat loss in problem areas like the abdomen and thighs for those with already low body fat percentages. So should you try it? That depends.
Read MoreThis is the time of year when a lot of folks get the fitness f*ck its. End of year deliverables, travel plans, holiday parties and sugary (boozy!) treats everywhere can make us feel powerless over our schedules, diets and fitness goals. I get it. But rather than starting 2017 feeling bloated, fatigued and defeated consider trying one of my favorite efficient and effective high intensity interval running programs. Scrape together 20 minutes a few times per week to start burning body fat, improving your cardio endurance and building strength in your legs.
Read MoreIt's no secret. The men of my household take meal prep seriously. And my partner Peter is the captain of our good ship Tasty Noms. Clients are always asking for quick, easy and healthy recipes that won't break the bank. And just last week a fellow massage student pal of mine looked longingly over her peanut butter sandwich at my salmon, sweet potatoes and steamed broccoli and asked "how do you do it?!" Based on the popularity of my recent turkey meat loaf recipe I thought I'd share one of my favorites from Chef Peter: turkey sauté with tomato sauce and veggies.
Read MoreScience classifies our bodies into genetic categories. Naturally we fall into one (or a combination) of these three “somatotypes” based on body structure, muscle and fat storage and distribution: Ectomorph, Endomorph and Mesomorph: Knowing your natural body type can help guide you toward the right exercise and nutrition plan to help you naturally become more healthy and fit.
Read MoreWhen people see me pull homemade salmon with jasmine rice and stir fried vegetables out of my lululemon lunch bag in the middle of a busy weekday they think 1. I must be fancy AF and/or 2. I must spend hours each night meal-prepping instead of binge watching Broad City. Neither are true. Here is a simple and awesome game plan for prepping up to four salmon fillets in about 20 minutes and bonus, it won't stink up your house.
Read MoreThe shoulder is (or should be) the most mobile joint in your body. It's comprised of a complex system of big muscles (including the lats and pec major), smaller muscles (like the subscapularis, infraspinatus and deltoids), bones (humerus, clavicle and scapula) and loads of ligaments, tendons, fascia and other connective material. It's a highway for many important nerves (such as the Brachial Plexus), arteries and veins. The shoulder is awesome. And odds are if you work at a desk and have a mobile device you treat your shoulders like crap.
Read MoreMeatloaf has a bad reputation. Granted, the name "meatloaf" is kind of funky. But in my house, meatloaf is a weekly favorite. It's high in lean protein, low in saturated fat and very easy to make. It's perfect for dinners at home or lunches on the go. It lasts for several days in the fridge and can also be frozen. And it's f*cking delicious. Heat this up at work and your coworkers will drool over your shoulder while asking what smells so good. You'll be like the Pied Piper of Hamelin, But with meat. Settle down there, vegetarians. Sub the meat for tofu and the recipe still totally works.
Read MoreWhen done properly rowing is a metabolic, total body workout that strengthens a lot of areas the average desk-bound professional needs to work on. But if you find your lower back or neck aching during or after your sessions on the erg or if you just feel like your stroke needs help, checkout these simple fixes from my fellow Equinox Pine Street trainer and friend Lauren Barkan.
Read MoreOnce a month I gather the best fitness and nutrition news, tips and videos from my blog into one handy email. I never share email addresses with third parties and you can unsubscribe at any time. Check out past issues.
