SF's Top Swim Coaches Share Their Tips for a Better Stroke

SF's Top Swim Coaches Share Their Tips for a Better Stroke

Swimming can be one of the safest and most effective forms of cardio. Whether you are trying to lean out or to get stronger, swimming is easy on the joints, scalable to your goals and an excellent way to connect your brain, breath and body. But it can be a big drag (literally) if your stroke or breath are off. Michael Bonella, Claire Love and Megan Nazareno are three of San Francisco's top swim coaches and personal trainers. I asked them "What is the most common issue you encounter with form and how do you help your clients through it?" 

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Ultimate Guide to Ergonomic Workstations

Ultimate Guide to Ergonomic Workstations

If you work in an office like most humans these days, you probably spend a large portion of your day at a desk. This means you can be sitting for hours and hours throughout the day which can be uncomfortable if you don't have the right computer chair or posture. I was pleased to contribute to this Ultimate Guide to Ergonomic Workstations along with 14 other health and fitness pros to explain the best tools for your office and the best ways to maintain great posture throughout your day. Get all 15 tips here

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How CrossFit Helped This Trainer Be The Best Version of Herself

How CrossFit Helped This Trainer Be The Best Version of Herself

I've had the pleasure of working beside the beautiful and amazing Ashley Rutherford at Equinox for the past year. Watching her grow and challenge herself physically, mentally and spiritually through the sport and community of CrossFit has been eyeopening for me. I challenge anyone to read her story and tell me that CrossFit isn't a positive force for the many athletes working with experienced and reputable coaches. 

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The Power of Inspiration: How to Stay Motivated to Achieve Fitness Goals

The Power of Inspiration: How to Stay Motivated to Achieve Fitness Goals

You can have all the strategies in the world to reach your health and fitness goals, but without two key elements, attaining those goals will be difficult, if not impossible. The missing pieces of the puzzle? Inspiration and motivation. Thanks to the amazing Karen Asp for including me in this excellent piece for Delicious Living. Please read the full article article here. 

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Eat Like The Health Snob: Pistachio Matcha Vitality Bites, Curry Salmon Rice Bowl and Breakfast Tacos

Eat Like The Health Snob: Pistachio Matcha Vitality Bites, Curry Salmon Rice Bowl and Breakfast Tacos

I've known the beautiful and talented Diana Cardenas for years as the chicest member of the Equinox early morning crew. It takes a special kind of dedication to get up and train at 5am and to do so with a positive attitude of gratitude. Balancing a career in fashion, a fitness regime and a personal life can be challenging. So when I stumbled upon her food blog The Health Snob I was truly impressed. Her recipes are healthy, practical and mouthwatering. She was kind enough to share some of her favorites with me and some wisdom from her personal journey. Check out our interview and be sure to follow @thehealthsnob on Instagram. 

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Curious About Cupping? Dr. Jay and JJ Demo How It Can Improve Fascia

Curious About Cupping? Dr. Jay and JJ Demo How It Can Improve Fascia

From Michael Phelps to Ryan Seacrest to the girl squatting next to you in the gym, cupping (or "myofascial decompression") is becoming an increasingly popular modality to help with fascial dysfunction. Perfectly round telltale "bruises" are making their way onto backs, shoulders and hips everywhere and are raising eyebrows from those who don't understand what they are. I've personally experienced positive results from cupping as part of an integrated physical therapy program in the past. So I enlisted the awesome Dr. Sarah Jay from GSPORTS Physical Therapy to discuss and demonstrate how cupping can help improve fascial health and mobility. 

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Fit Pros to Watch: Q&A with Kylie Fan Fitness

Fit Pros to Watch: Q&A with Kylie Fan Fitness

Clients 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! 

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SF's Top Spin Gurus Share Form Fixes, Coaching Tips and Programming Recommendations

SF's Top Spin Gurus Share Form Fixes, Coaching Tips and Programming Recommendations

Whether 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. 

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Rowing 101: 3 Quick Fixes for Perfect Form

Rowing 101: 3 Quick Fixes for Perfect Form

When 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.

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Get an Insider's Look at Caroline Jordan's New Book "Balanced Body Breakthrough"

Get an Insider's Look at Caroline Jordan's New Book "Balanced Body Breakthrough"

I was lucky enough to snag a few minutes with the lovely and talented Caroline Jordan of Caroline Jordan Fitness just weeks before her first book, Balanced Body Breakthrough, hits the streets on October 18! Checkout our video and podcast here for a sneak peak at what's inside and be sure to get your copy at one of these retailers: InksharesAmazon or Barnes and Noble.

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123Honesty with SoulCycle's Andrew Stinger

123Honesty with SoulCycle's Andrew Stinger

It's no secret I'm a fan of SoulCycle. I think it can be a great part of a well-rounded physical and mental fitness program that can help keep you lean and strong. For more on my thoughts about SoulCycle, check out my previous post. Like most group fitness classes it's ALL ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR. Last week I stumbled into SoulCycle SOMA for a 930a SoulCycle Survivor class led by Andrew Stinger. And immediately I knew he'd be inspiring. After class I stalked him down and he graciously agreed to share some of his insights for new and veteran SoulCycle riders. Enjoy and I encourage you to give one of Andrew's classes in the Bay Area a try!

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Q&A With Trish Tobin: "Making Time for Fitness Gives Me Back More Time"

Q&A With Trish Tobin: "Making Time for Fitness Gives Me Back More Time"

On any given Tuesday or Friday at an ungodly hour between 6a-630a you can find me and the amazing Trish Tobin warming her up for her training session. And while from an outsider's perspective it may sound like we're having way too much fun, she's serious about her health and fitness. She shows up for every early morning session despite, as she explains, not always being stoked to be there. But she shows up for herself and does the work. And she feels better for it every time she does. So read on to learn why this busy professional makes time for fitness in her very full life and how doing so actually gives her back more time in the energy it provides.  

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If This Busy Law Firm Partner and Husband Learned to Make His Health a Priority, You Can Too!

If This Busy Law Firm Partner and Husband Learned to Make His Health a Priority, You Can Too!

I started training Tom Gaynor about two years ago. And looking back at how far he’s come I can barely remember some of the challenges we used to face. If I squint my eyes and think back really hard I can vaguely remember a heavier guy with an inhaler in one hand and a Blackberry in another frequently complaining about how his back hurt. Now when I see Tom, I see a man with a body that moves pain free, is 25# lighter and has greater capacity lungs. And he still gets to enjoy the occasional steak frites and martini. Tom is the kind of client that inspires me with his genuine commitment to his health while still successfully managing a thriving law practice, clamoring clients and a family (husband - who I now also train - and dog, Louis) in Marin. If you don’t think small changes over time can really add up, then you have to read his story below.

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How to Focus Your Yoga Practice: Foundations for Beginner and Advanced Students

How to Focus Your Yoga Practice: Foundations for Beginner and Advanced Students

Yoga means to yoke or to union. It’s a practice meant to connect us with ourselves and to put us at harmony with the world around us. But we live in fast-paced, technology-driven times and many of us demand perfection of ourselves at work, at home and even on the mat. Whether you’re contemplating taking your first yoga class or you’re a yoga veteran struggling to find that union during your Asanas practice, watch this two minute video of the lovely and amazing Morgan McEvilly. Morgan then demonstrates and cues three foundational poses you can use both at home on your own and in practically any typical yoga class.

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Sarah Schulze on Making Better Choices, Vegetarianism and Why She No Longer Hates Going to the Gym

Sarah Schulze on Making Better Choices, Vegetarianism and Why She No Longer Hates Going to the Gym

Bright-eyed, blond and beautiful on the inside and out. That describes Sarah Schulze. I can hardly believe that it’s been over two years since this amazing woman walked into my gym and into my life. We’ve trained consistently during that time and she’s become not only one of my strongest and most committed clients (she can deadlift, back squat, front squat and hip thrust like a champ and is building up her pull ups now!) but also my friend, my spin sister and my yoga buddy. Sarah embodies the fitness principle of balance. I love her story and her energy and I’m so glad she took the time to share it with us. 

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Why I Love My SoulCycle Saturdays

Why I Love My SoulCycle Saturdays

Years ago, before I became a personal trainer, I visited my best friend in Manhattan. He’s one of those uber connected, “in the know” guys always impeccably dressed and on trend. He couldn’t wait to take me to his newest fitness obsession: SoulCycle. I rolled my eyes with every detail. Candles? Weights on bikes? Motivational coaches? Celebrity sightings? No thanks. But I went. And ever since I’ve included it as part of my balanced fitness program. And here’s why

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Q&A: Jason Levy Tells Us Why Fitness Is One of the Best Investments of Time, Money and Energy He’s Ever Made

Q&A: Jason Levy Tells Us Why Fitness Is One of the Best Investments of Time, Money and Energy He’s Ever Made

I met Jason shortly after his 30th birthday (our first six weeks were a gift from his father). In the eight months since, the dude has worked hard, followed advice and focused on what’s important: long term health and balance. He has lost 26 pounds and 10% body fat, improved his energy, learned how to eat healthy and become strong. He has come to like big lifts like back squats, deadlifts and bench press (despite what he might tell you) and has improved his endurance for running, spinning and even the dreaded Versa Climber. Jason is one of those clients who inspires me, others in the gym, his family and even his officemates to be better. And he was kind enough to share some of his insights and experiences. 

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Q&A with Eric Steiner: Fitness Provides Balance, Focus and a Way to Contribute to the Community

Q&A with Eric Steiner: Fitness Provides Balance, Focus and a Way to Contribute to the Community

It takes a strong resolve to commit to a consistent fitness regime, particularly one that includes training at lunchtime when most FiDi professionals are either slumped over their desks eating a takeout salad or waiting in line at a food truck or Philz. Over the past year my client and friend Eric Steiner has run multiple marathons, recovered from knee surgery, maintained an impressive weightlifting training program and decided to once again ride the 545 miles from SF to LA in 2016 to help raise money for, and awareness of, our continued fight against HIV/AIDS. So I asked Eric to share his insights on how training helps him maintain balance and what his upcoming AIDS/Lifecycle ride means to him.

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Travel Can Be a Pain in the Neck: Mobility Tips from Dr. Adam Jacobs

Travel Can Be a Pain in the Neck: Mobility Tips from Dr. Adam Jacobs

According to AAA nearly 42 million Americans will take a holiday road trip this Thanksgiving and 3.6 million Americans will fly to their holiday destinations. That’s a lot of stiff joints and sore muscles! You wouldn’t run a marathon without training and warming up, right? (RIGHT?!) So put a little forethought into how you’ll take care of your body if you have a long trip ahead of you. For this post I enlisted the help of the Bay Area’s best chiropractor Dr. Adam Jacobs from SF Custom Chiropractic to share some practical tips, breathing drills and stretches you can do while traveling on a plane or in a car to stay limber and avoid common aches and pains.

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Unjam Your Body’s Highway from the Foot Up

Unjam Your Body’s Highway from the Foot Up

Some of the brain’s most important sensory input comes from our feet. When the joints of our feet get jammed (from wearing the wrong shoe, having unstable arches or any number of other issues) the information flow from our surroundings to our bodies to our brains (and from our brains to our bodies in response) gets jammed. It’s like we’re stuck in traffic and the brain looks for whatever detour it can take to make movement happen. Until we unjam these joints and free up that highway we’re stuck with poor movement that can lead to pain, injury and less than optimal performance. Read on for a video of a simple drill that might help you move better!

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