Posted by Chad Anderson CSCS on January 30, 2008 under Golf Fitness | 
Achieving a full backswing and follow-through is crucial in the game of golf. Anything short of a complete turn is sure to cost you plenty of distance off the tee. Hip flexibility plays a critical role in achieving this. Here is a simple test to see if your hips are hindering your game.
Standing straight up with your feet about 12 inches apart, hips and back against a wall, rotate your right foot out (externally rotate) as far as you can without allowing the hips to move away from the wall. Next, rotate your right foot in (internal rotation) as far as you can without allowing the hips to move away from the wall. Repeat on the left side. Read more of this article »
Posted by Chad Anderson CSCS on January 23, 2008 under General Fitness, Nutrition, Weight Loss, Wellness |
While this list is not exhaustive, here are some of the major benefits of fish oil (omega-3) shown through research:
1. May reduce your risk of coronary artery disease.
2. May decrease symptoms of depression.
3. May help with fat loss in overweight/obese individuals.
4. May reduce blood pressure in hypertensive individuals.
5. May reduce inflammation and therefore be an effective therapeutic in acute and chronic inflammatory diseases.
6. May enhance glucose-insulin metabolism.
Posted by Chad Anderson CSCS on January 16, 2008 under General Fitness, Strength Training |
Throughout the years I have come to notice a heavy reliance on resistance machines by the general population as well as personal trainers working with “new exercisers.” The logic behind this is that free weights require a certain level of coordination and skill to perform. Therefore, it is easier for people who are new to resistance training to jump on a machine and learn the movement than it is to learn a free weight exercise. The idea is to move them through a progression of machine movements (bilateral to unilateral) to free weight/bodyweight movements. But is this approach optimal or even necessary? I don’t believe so. In fact, I recommend the exact opposite. Read more of this article »
Posted by Chad Anderson CSCS on January 14, 2008 under Reader Q & A's, Strength Training |
Reader’s Question: Does it matter how fast I lift a weight?
Answer: Yes. Different rep speeds will have different effects. While there is debate when it comes to the “time under tension” rule, there is no doubt a different training effect when you take 4-5 seconds to lower a weight than there is when you take 1-2 seconds to lower a weight.
Traditionally, rep speed should be specific to what you are training for. Athletes usually require faster tempos because it’s conducive to the explosive movements of their sport. When training for general fitness or weight loss, you can take advantage of a lot of different tempos. Therefore, for general populations I recommend varying the tempo so long as proper form is maintained.
Posted by Chad Anderson CSCS on under Core Training, Exercise Library, Strength Training |
1. Starting position: Lying on your side with your elbow directly under your shoulder, body in a straight line, with knees bent to 90 degrees.
2. Slowly lift your hips off the floor as far as you can, pivoting at the knee. Do not allow the shoulder to slouch. Exhale through the movement.
3. Slowly return to the starting position.
Note: To make the exercise more difficult, pivot from the feet instead of the knees.
Posted by Chad Anderson CSCS on January 12, 2008 under In the News |
Sugar-Free Gum
German doctors have linked too much sugar-free gum chewing to bowel problems and unintended weight loss.
Strength Training & Neck Pain
Danish researchers have found that specific strength training protocols can lead to a prolonged decrease in neck pain.
Anxiety & Heart Attack Risk
I don’t think this is much of surprise, but anxiety has been linked to heart attack risk in older men.
