This simple little cheap treadmill has been a game changer for me. My expectations were low. I honestly had no idea it could be so impactful. Not only has it helped me burn significantly more calories during my workday (helping me stay lean) but it has reduced my lower back pain from sitting and standing. Certainly proof that movement is medicine! Hear all about it in this video.
Read MoreThere are SO MANY trackers on the market. And the landscape changes all the time. The ones discussed in this post are the ones I have personally used at various stages of my fitness journey and have seen work for many of my clients. If you have something that is already working for you, GREAT! Don’t fix what ain’t broke. But if you are looking for something to aid you along in your wellness journey maybe one or some of these can help.
Read MoreI’ve written about BFR (“Blood Flow Restriction”) or “Occlusion” Training on and off since 2017. This modality of resistance training has been clinically proven as a way to effectively and safely “hypertrophy” muscle. So when I was recently visiting my AMAZING physical therapist Dr. Mark Bautista, I was surprised to see patients being treated with BFR cuffs. I asked Dr. Mark about it and I learned about the deluge of recent clinical studies that have broadened the usage of BFR to include injury-specific rehab/prehab, sports performance, endurance, strength as well as traditional hypertrophy.
Read MoreIt's that time of year again and folks are beginning to grill me for fitness-related gift ideas. Here are a few of my favorite things that are sure to please anyone trying to fit fitness and nutrition into a busy, balanced life whether working out at home, in the gym or on the road.
Read MoreI first started experimenting with Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) or “Occlusion” training back in 2017. At first I was skeptical of this gimmicky looking technique for “bio hacking” muscles to grow faster with less work. Frankly, I figured it was another unsafe or ineffective scam by the fitness industry trying to sell me something I don’t need. But, as a trainer, I try to have an open mind and test different lifting styles and products to gain firsthand experience to pass along to my clients. In the end I’ve found that with the right cuffs and under the right circumstances it can be a safe and helpful way to build muscle.
Read MoreThanks to their incredible combo of simplicity and versatility, kettlebells are a hugely popular home fitness item these days. But if you’ve gone shopping for them online recently, you may have noticed that the wonderfully handled weights are a little, umm, scarce. Perhaps even worse, some are being sold for the gouge-iest of prices — as much as $3,000 on Amazon for a product that won’t arrive until the end of next month, at the earliest. Check out this post from my pal Steve Mazzucchi at GearPatrol.com who interviewed me and other fitness pros across the country for the best DIY solutions and homemade hacks that can mimic kettlebells in a pinch.
Read MoreThis one’s for the boys. A client and I were chatting last week that there’s nothing worse than a tank top made of crappy material that doesn’t wick well during a workout. And what’s more annoying than that is a tank top that is ill-fitted, poor quality and the sin of all sins, ugly and boring. So I put together a list of the 10 best sites for the ever illusive functional, fashionable and comfortable tank top perfect for working out or just hanging out. Because #sleevesarebullshit.
Read MoreAre you JJFit.com strong? Show you are part of the JJFit.com family with a custom embroidered JJFit.com/Nike Epic Dri-FIT warm up. These lightweight knit zip ups have side pockets and elastic at the cuff and hem and are great for casual wear or keep warm post workout. Availability is limited. $60 per jacket and price includes US shipping. Order yours today!
Read MoreSometimes a workout can feel more like a fashion show and if you live in the Bay Area a nice dinner out can look more like a SoulCycle class. Fashion and fitness are becoming increasingly intertwined as luxury athletic wear and “fit fashion” are dominating not just the gym but also the streets, our favorite restaurants, airplanes and even the office. I asked three of the San Francisco’s most fashionable style gurus their thoughts on this growing trend, their “go to” gym styles and how those of us on a budget can look current and appropriate without breaking the break.
Read MoreHardbody? Heck yes! Calluses that inevitably result from lifting weights in an attempt to become said hardbody? That’s a nope. But alas, hard pads of skin and lifting weights tend to go hand in callused hand, with calluses most often appearing at the base of the fingers. There are, however, a few simple tricks to prevent and remove calluses (and all those other pesky skin ailments) caused by hitting the gym. Checkout tips from me and dermatologist Rajani Katta in this article from Ian Lecklitner from the DSC blog.
Read MoreLast month Lisa Cadmus-Bertram, PhD and her research team at the University of Wisconsin published a study of wearable fitness trackers in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The study looked at how four popular trackers compared with an electrocardiogram and against each other for heart rate monitoring accuracy. Interpretation of the results by news media so far has been cautiously optimistic. Here's CNN's and ABC's coverage. My pals at LA Radio Studio and the Phil Hulett and Friends Show invited me on the air last week to discuss the study and how it may change the way we interact with our wearables.
Read MoreDr. Kelly Starrett, author of the New York Times Bestseller Becoming a Supple Leopard and creator of MobilityWOD, released this week what I think will be the most important health book in years. I received my copy of Deskbound: Standing Up to a Sitting World yesterday and I cannot put it down. If you sit more than two hours per day (who doesn't?!), use handheld devices or have children in school you simply must read this book. It's filled with loads of critical and practical info that could save your joints and your lives. Pick up a copy, read it and learn how to protect your body and improve your quality of life. STAND UP!
Read MoreWant a free solar battery pack so you can charge and use all your important devices (cell phones, mp3 players, GPS devices, cameras, anything!) while you’re on the go and away from a plug while hiking, camping, at the beach or traveling? I’m giving one lucky JJ Fit 24/7 subscriber a Solio Mono-aTM Battery Pack this month!
Read MoreThe second I saw my first Starbucks red cup this season I knew it was time to start trolling around the Interwebs for the perfect gifts. Being somewhat inept at shopping and pressed for time, I Googled fitness-themed holiday gift guides. And I was disappointed. Frankly, no one needs random exercise cards, junky “fitspo” charm bracelets or days of the week running panties (et tu, BuzzFeed?). Most of this crap will end up in the bottom of a junk drawer, in the trash or at best regifted at the office white elephant party. So I polled my fellow trainers, clients and friends and compiled a list of stuff people into fitness at any level (and at any price point from $2.70 to $249.95) will actually want and use. Check it out! And happy holidays!
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