Today's Workout

Today was a pulling workout, starting out with 6 sets of hang cleans, 6 reps each set, 65% 1RM. Then onto heavy rack pulls for 4 sets of 2 reps (after warmups). Finished with 3 Sets of Farmers Walk (200lbs / hand, 150 feet with turn) and some light log pressing for fun. Feels good to get back into the implement work again. Thanks to the "barbarians" for keeping me on track!
By summer my own training schedule should be back on full tilt!
-Josh

Favorite Strength Quotes

Here are a few of my favorite strength quotes:

"The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection."
-Thomas Paine

"The true test of any man lies in action."
-Pindar

"Greatness lies not only in being strong, but in the right use of strength".
— Henry Ward Beecher

"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men!"
— Phillips Brooks

"The man who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the man who is doing it."
-Chinese Proverb

Family Day

Today is family day! In keeping with that theme we just picked up my mother-in-law from Russia this weekend, so that she can stay with us for a few months to help out with Baby K (Kaitlyn) and around the house. I'm actually really looking forward to this because I can now get alot more done with the many projects I'm working on, and can also get more sleep and increase the intensity of my training!

First step is to study for the new certifications I'm preparing for, then I need to finish the ebooks I've been working on. I think you guys will like what you see when it's ready! I've already prepared several newsletter entries in advance for my subscribers as well, and have been busy interviewing other experts in the field to get the good stuff out to you guys. If you haven't yet, you can subscribe on the left here on my blog.

If you live in Ontario, happy Family Day! If not, happy belated Valentines Day... and don't forget February is Heart Health Awareness month! Butt out the cigarettes, get off the couch, eat your greens, and take time to relax. (o:

Stay Fit,

Josh

Power Wheel Core Training

As a trainer I’m always looking for ways to improve the quality of the exercise routines for both my clients and myself. I’m also a strong believer in using highly productive, functional exercises, incorporating alot of compound movements and unique training accessories.

In addition to "getting leaner" or "getting stronger", one of the common goals I hear from many clients is that they want to develop their "abs". They want a six pack; a toned midsection; a solid core.

However, when it comes to developing a powerful core, most traditional "ab" exercises such as crunches and sit-ups are relatively ineffective. For a beginner, crunch variations are OK... but once you have been training for a short while you need to look for more productive options. So when I first heard about the Power Wheel I was interested.

This product is awesome for core strength, stability and balance. There are so many exercises you can do with it, using both your hands or your feet. I had used the basic ab wheel before (you've all seen it... sold in every Walmart and Canadian Tire), but the Power Wheel takes it to the next level by adding foot pedals which allows for several more training options.

After using it myself I introduced it to several of my clients… it was a hit! But because there aren't many Canadian distributors, and it's pricey to get one from the US, I decided to stock it myself. Check it out at http://www.strongestcore.com/ ... there's a few pics of exercises you can do with it there as well.

This is one training accessory I highly recommend. Let me know what you think of it.

Stay Fit!

Josh

Baby Reunion

We brought our 10 week old daughter to a baby care class reunion this past weekend. We got to meet all of the new offspring of the parents who took a pre-natal course with us.

Kaitlyn was on her best behaviour, and seemed to enjoy the attention and photos. It was great to see all of the different babies, each with their own unique personalities already developing! The party was a big success, and we hope to meet up with these parents again soon.

Check out the photos... more will be on my Facebook soon.

Josh

Juice Plus+ Whole Food Nutrition

Nearly every health care professional, fitness expert, and nutrition plan emphasizes the importance of including more fruits and vegetables in your diet. These foods are the most nutrient dense, very high in antioxidants, high in fiber, shown to prevent disease, and still more health benefits are being discovered for them all the time.

Despite this few of us actually get the recommended 5 to 10 servings of fresh, raw fruits and vegetables each day. There are many reasons for this, but I'm more concerned with a solution. Taking vitamin and mineral supplements won't cut it, because it is not as bio-available as real food. "Greens" products have some health benefit, but most of them still consist of several extracted and processed nutrients from different sources mixed into one product, and we assume our body will know what to do with it.

I was introduced to a product called Juice Plus+ by Dr. Michael Hardy (who I will introduce in another issue). This is a whole food concentrate of only fruits and vegetables, in capsule form. Note that I said it is a whole food product, not a vitamin supplement. What sets it apart from any other "whole food" product on the market, is that it has a huge number of independant laboratory studies done by recognized universities which have demonstrated not only it's bio-availability, but it's effectiveness at providing the same health benefits of eating fresh, raw fruits and vegies. I may not be able to explain the significance of this as well as a doctor, but I recommend you check it out here: www.StayFitWithJuicePlus.com, and watch this short clip:

JuicePlus+ is the only nutritional product I am a distributor of (and I have been offered to sell MANY products!), because it is the only one I KNOW everyone will benefit from. Let me know if you have questions about it.

Stay Fit (and eat your vegies!),

Josh