Twenty years ago I was playing college football...
Today, at 41, I am stronger and leaner than when I was playing college football....
How is that possible?
Here is the answer:
Knowledge
When I was a college kid, I knew very little about training effectively and efficiently. Today, that is all different.
I have spent lots of time studying human performance. As I apply the knowledge, I get fitter and stronger.
I can help you do the same. Ignore the people who whine about getting old.
Take informed action and the results are sure to follow.
Jeff
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
Finish 2008 Strong!
Guess what? It is September already.
Take a few minutes today and set a goal.
Pick one physical goal you want to achieve by the end of 2008.
Maybe lose 10 pounds.
Maybe increase your vertical jump by 1".
Maybe train in the gym an average of four days per week.
Now put it on paper. Place it where you can see it every day.
Goals put to paper are more likely to be accomplished.
3 Steps:
Write down your goal with a deadline.
Look at it every day.
Then achieve it.
Your life will improve as a result.
Jeff
Take a few minutes today and set a goal.
Pick one physical goal you want to achieve by the end of 2008.
Maybe lose 10 pounds.
Maybe increase your vertical jump by 1".
Maybe train in the gym an average of four days per week.
Now put it on paper. Place it where you can see it every day.
Goals put to paper are more likely to be accomplished.
3 Steps:
Write down your goal with a deadline.
Look at it every day.
Then achieve it.
Your life will improve as a result.
Jeff
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Three Benefits of Weight-Training for Athletes
Sometimes athletes ask me how weight-training can help them specifically.
Here is a partial list:
1. Sports are driven by muscles. Weight-lifting strengthens muscles. Stronger muscles generally mean better athletic performance. This seems obvious, but in some ways it is not-the 5k runner's increased running economy from weight training is just one example;
2. Tendons and ligaments respond to weight-training much like muscles-they get bigger and stronger. If you train correctly, you can strengthen your tendons and ligaments. This can lessen the chance of serious injuries (such as torn ACLs).
Hear that, skiiers?;
3. In addition to strength, sports require power and effective nervous system utilization.
Weight-training can dramatically increase sport power production. Power training typically utilizes resistance (including gravity), low repetitions (I prefer sets of 3 reps) and fast movements.;
If you plan on competing this year, you need resistance training during both the off-season and the competitive season. Your performance should benefit as a result.
Designing resistance programs for master athletes is one of my specialities. Contact me at jeffblair@jeffblairfitness.com for information and rates.
Here is a partial list:
1. Sports are driven by muscles. Weight-lifting strengthens muscles. Stronger muscles generally mean better athletic performance. This seems obvious, but in some ways it is not-the 5k runner's increased running economy from weight training is just one example;
2. Tendons and ligaments respond to weight-training much like muscles-they get bigger and stronger. If you train correctly, you can strengthen your tendons and ligaments. This can lessen the chance of serious injuries (such as torn ACLs).
Hear that, skiiers?;
3. In addition to strength, sports require power and effective nervous system utilization.
Weight-training can dramatically increase sport power production. Power training typically utilizes resistance (including gravity), low repetitions (I prefer sets of 3 reps) and fast movements.;
If you plan on competing this year, you need resistance training during both the off-season and the competitive season. Your performance should benefit as a result.
Designing resistance programs for master athletes is one of my specialities. Contact me at jeffblair@jeffblairfitness.com for information and rates.
Jeff
Feel Better for Pennies
If you generally feel "tight", try this quick tip to help loosen you up.
Balance yourself against a wall and stand on a tennis ball. Slowly move between the balls of your feet and your heel. After spending a couple of minutes on one foot, do the same thing on the other foot.
Do this in the morning for a few days and you may feel looser throughout your body (not just in your feet).
This exercise can be a good illustration of how tightness in one area of your body can impact other areas. Try it today and feel better now!
Balance yourself against a wall and stand on a tennis ball. Slowly move between the balls of your feet and your heel. After spending a couple of minutes on one foot, do the same thing on the other foot.
Do this in the morning for a few days and you may feel looser throughout your body (not just in your feet).
This exercise can be a good illustration of how tightness in one area of your body can impact other areas. Try it today and feel better now!
Value of Competition
"Compete"
If you want to energize your training, compete in something. It does not matter what.
Just pick something and compete.
If you are really out-of-shape, give yourself 6 months-1 year to train. If you are in pretty good shape, give yourself 3-6 months to train.
Then compete in something.
It will give you new focus, new excitement, and a sense of anticipation for your training sessions.
Instead of just "working out", train for a sport.
Your training intensity will increase and so will your fun quotient.
If you want to energize your training, compete in something. It does not matter what.
Just pick something and compete.
If you are really out-of-shape, give yourself 6 months-1 year to train. If you are in pretty good shape, give yourself 3-6 months to train.
Then compete in something.
It will give you new focus, new excitement, and a sense of anticipation for your training sessions.
Instead of just "working out", train for a sport.
Your training intensity will increase and so will your fun quotient.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Obama, Palin and You
As I followed some of the political news this week, a few things stuck out to me.
1. Obama and Palin are certainly non-traditional in many ways. I can guarantee you both of them have had lots of doubters along the way.
Obama: from a single parent household, no family money or connections, has only been in the Senate two years, very young by presidential standards.....
Palin: Mother of five (!), only two years as governor, from a tiny population state......
Yet, in a couple of months, one will be at the absolute highest level on the political food chain.
2. Both stories are unlikely in so many ways. I do not know either one, but I can guarantee they are both persistent and work hard.
In this country, ANYTHING is possible. The SKY is the limit. If you set your mind on something and work harder than you think is possible, you can achieve anything.
Here's wishing you untraditional success!
Never Get Old, at JeffBlairFitness.com, offers a blueprint for lifetime physical success. Get started on your dream today!
1. Obama and Palin are certainly non-traditional in many ways. I can guarantee you both of them have had lots of doubters along the way.
Obama: from a single parent household, no family money or connections, has only been in the Senate two years, very young by presidential standards.....
Palin: Mother of five (!), only two years as governor, from a tiny population state......
Yet, in a couple of months, one will be at the absolute highest level on the political food chain.
2. Both stories are unlikely in so many ways. I do not know either one, but I can guarantee they are both persistent and work hard.
In this country, ANYTHING is possible. The SKY is the limit. If you set your mind on something and work harder than you think is possible, you can achieve anything.
Here's wishing you untraditional success!
Never Get Old, at JeffBlairFitness.com, offers a blueprint for lifetime physical success. Get started on your dream today!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
YouTube and Exercise
YouTube can be a good place to learn some good training information. Of course, it can also be a bad place to learn! It just depends on who you are listening to.
I am posting some clips on YouTube.
In this clip, I show you part of an outdoor workout I perform using a weighted vest. Weighted vests can be used for a variety of exercises.
In this video, I demonstrate pushups with the weighted vest.
Check it out and tell me what you think.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIDmrqzGxys
I am posting some clips on YouTube.
In this clip, I show you part of an outdoor workout I perform using a weighted vest. Weighted vests can be used for a variety of exercises.
In this video, I demonstrate pushups with the weighted vest.
Check it out and tell me what you think.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIDmrqzGxys
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