Eric and I have been working with a client who came to us from her concerned daughter and have been working with her for over a year now.  She is in her mid sixties and has never worked out very much at all her whole life, but has been busy with her teaching/research career and raising a family.  Her daughter being concerned with her mother’s health contacted us after researching places that might be a good fit for her to work out. In a lengthy discussion it was evident that her mother hated exercise and was in no way motivated to start.

After several weeks, the mother agreed to give it a try and brought her husband along with her.  Needless to say she has been coming with her husband two times a week working with Eric and seeing many physical and emotional improvements along the way, although she is very reluctant to admit to any positive changes that have occurred. She makes it very clear that she still doesn’t like to exercise (which is probably true for most of us) but she has latched on to some kind of physical/emotional anchor point important enough to continue her two times a week program with Eric.

She and her husband have been wonderful to work with and we are honored to have them as part of our Age Performance family.

A client ask this morning about the origins of the term, “medicine ball.”

Medicine balls were mentioned in the writings of ancient Greek physicians, such as Hippocrates. The balls were used for exercise and to aid in injury recovery, leading some to believe the term originated there.

Dan John in his book “Never Let Go,” talks about Strength should be the Glalss and all other physical modalities go into the glass.  For example, flexibility, power, mobility, balance, speed, cardiovascular, core are all things that support the foundation of Strength.  Interestingly enough, when real strength is achieved then all of the other physical aspects occur.  Lets look at the Front Squat or Goblet Squat for strength.  If you focused on that one move with real intent to improve strength then you will increase strength in your core, improve hip mobility, anaerobically,  power, speed and balance.

I was invited to a friends Yoga class a few weeks ago and was quite satisfied with my ability to do the things that were asked of us by the teacher.  I had not done Yoga for fifteen years when I had a pretty good practice going, but because of my recent years of Strength and Conditioning  I did quite well in my friends Yoga class.  In fact, I didn’t even hesitate or have any fear of injuring myself from any of the poses or moves.  I was able to perform “wheel” with out a problem although I did feel tight in the shoulders.

This past summer one of my clients had pretty good success in a long distance running relay and a triatholon.  Now we did not do any training in the long distance arena, running, swimming or biking.  (He signed up for these races on a whim with no planning.)  Our program was pure strength and conditioning.  In his age group in the running race he finished first.  In the triathalon he finished 3rd.  Several of the other participants questioned him about his training program in terms of long distance work per week. They were surprised when they learned that he program was strength training and conditioning work exclusively.    He did run but his longest runs were no longer that 1/4 mile.

A good comprehensive training program should consist of all of the above mentioned, but nothing trumps strength from strength training.

Try this “big bank for your buck” workout:  Front Squat or Goblet Squat with weight 8 rounds of 20 seconds of work and 10 seconds of rest.