I've compiled over 100 of my favorite workout songs from my Body Challenge class and personal playlists into one master 2018 mix on Spotify. Here's the link. Enjoy! And if you have a song you'd like to add, please email me the Spotify link and I"ll keep the mix growing!
Read MoreThanks to my friends at the Dollar Shave Club for this cheeky interview on what to do (and not do) with your junk in the locker room. I can’t believe I have to explain these things to people.
Read MoreIn February I'm riding for Cycle for Survival for the third year in a row to help end various rare cancers. Cancer affects us all and together we can make an impact. Please consider helping if you can. Even $1 helps and 100% goes to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Click here to donate.
Read MoreYou 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.
Read MoreThe grunter. The socialite. The hoarder. The trainer who isn’t actually a trainer. The talker. The lurker. The gym can be filled with all kinds of characters who inhabit various points on the annoyance spectrum. Checkout this article written by my pal Ian Lecklitner for the DSC with my tips for how to deal with these folks so you can get back to your workout.
Read MoreOne of the many awesome things about teaching Body Challenge is that each week I get to comb through all my favorite tunes and put together a 45-60 minute mix of movement inspiring music. I try to combine the best of what's new with my favorite vintage tracks so there's something for everyone. I'm a personal trainer, not a DJ. But I have to tell you, there's an art and science to mixology that I find rewarding. So if your playlist is leaving your workouts lackluster, try one of these 10 mixes and see if you get inspired.
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 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 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 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 MoreI didn't set out to dis Chipotle with this post. I have tons of family, friends and clients who love Chipotle. And yes, I agree, it's a "better" option than a lot of fast food places. But the calories, carbs, saturated fat and sodium can quickly add up at Chipotle even when you customize your own burrito bowl there. So I offer you this "homemade" alternative which takes less than five minutes from start to finish to throw together (including the two minutes it takes to microwave) and has fewer calories, less fat, fewer carbs, WAY less sodium and more protein than Chipotle.
Read MoreI 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: Inkshares, Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
Read MoreIt'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!
Read MoreAllison Tibbs of Allison Tibbs Fitness is my meal time motivational guru goddess. No one can inspire by example better than Allison. She is Madonna, Oprah and the Dalai Lama all rolled up into one fierce package. If you don't follow her on Facebook and Instagram you should. She shares free recipes, videos and resources many of which have inspired some of my favorite meal prep staples and healthy treats. I'm so thankful that she once again is sharing a handful of recipes from her most recent 5 Day Clean Eating Challenge with us here.
Read MoreIt's no secret in my house and among my friends and clients that I have a sweet tooth. I love dessert. I don't drink. I don't do drugs. I eat clean and track my macros. I do cardio. I lift heavy. And mother f*cker at the end of the day I want a cookie. And sometimes I go for it hard. When we work hard sometimes we deserve to play hard. But when we're really trying to watch our sugar intake, keep calories down and steer clear of processed foods, there are healthy alternatives to the SUGAR MONSTER that can scratch your itch without ruining your gains (or loses). Here are 22 of my favorite healthy/healthier treats.
Read MoreA huge part of being fit and healthy comes from nutrition. Duh. Frequently I recommend clients get more protein, water and almost always recommend incorporating more organic vegetables and fruits. Eat the rainbow. Inevitably, for those who follow my sage and expensive advice, comes the push back. I ask how the changes are going and they say something like “Well… It’s going okay, but, uhm… I kind of… Well…” And at this point they get a shy, embarrassed look. I quickly jump in with “You’re using the bathroom more and noticing you have more gas?” Most remain a little embarrassed but that fades as they begin to ask me a barrage of questions about pooping. So here are a few common questions and answers.
Read MoreHey Gang! I'm continuing to add songs each month to my growing JJ's Top Monthly Spotify playlist. These are songs that I'm living for right now and hope they help inspire you to push through that next hill, sprint or big lift. Enjoy! And please feel free to email me your favorite songs and maybe I'll add yours next month!
Read MoreQuick and dirty post here. I've been sharing on Instagram some of my favorite songs I listen to at 5:30am on my way to work to get me pumped and during my own workouts. These are my current 10 go-to tunes when motivation is lacking and I need something to get me moving. Hope you enjoy these! Let me know what yours are and I can add them to future playlists! Click here for the Spotify List.
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.
