Recent Posts
Fitness Business Basics – Selling
There’s a very simple rule when it comes to opening a gym or fitness facility that I’m not sure people 100% grasp. It’s quite simple, really: If you don’t sell contracts, you won’t be in business very long. Period. Now I know what some of you are thinking – “Duh, Mike, I know that!” But […]
Continue ReadingFitness Business Basics – My Biggest Mistake
In yesterday’s blog, I discussed how great people are the foundation to a great fitness business. Today, I want to tell you about the single biggest mistake I’ve made as a business owner. When Bill and I opened IFAST, we had that “Field of Dreams” approach to business – if you build it, they will […]
Continue ReadingFitness Business Basics – The Team
Want to know a really simple way to determine where you stand with people? It’s quite simple, actually – MOVE. The next time you move, whether it’s to a new apartment, a new house, or even your business office, I want you to stop in the middle and take a quick look around at who […]
Continue ReadingBench Press
Let’s be honest: Almost all of us like to bench. It’s pretty much burned into our DNA, from the first time we walk into a weight room and start moving the iron. For me, personally, the bench press has always been the lift that has given me the most trouble. I can do a lot […]
Continue ReadingRandom July Updates
It’s obviously been a while since I’ve blogged, so I figured you guys deserve an update so you know I’m not just sitting around twiddling my thumbs 🙂 Well, technically, I was doing that last week, but it was expected. My wife, daughter and I took a vacation to re-energize and re-boot, but now I’m […]
Continue ReadingPick Your Deadlifting Poison
Deadlifting truly epitomizes the saying, “Pick your poison.” You can start with a nice, flat, neutral spine and be slow as molasses off the floor. Or, you can go with a bit more of a rounded back starting position, only to struggle with finishing the big weights at the top. In this piece you’ll learn […]
Continue ReadingHave you registered yet?
NOTE: If nothing else, skip to the end of this post to find out why it’s so incredibly TIME SENSITIVE! It’s funny, but every year I go to seminars like Perform Better, the IYCA Summit, or Bootcamp Bootcamp, and I see the exact same people. Sure, there are a few new faces each and every […]
Continue Reading5 Life Lessons from a New Dad
Yesterday was pretty special for me, as it was my first official Father’s Day. I’ve played a lot of different roles in my life – husband, son, employee, employer, friend, etc., but I’ve got to admit, being a dad to Kendall has been by far the most challenging, for a lot of different reasons. And […]
Continue ReadingThe Bell Curve of Lifting Arousal
A few weeks back, there was a pretty epic training session at IFAST. Our “Meathead Training Hour” (as I’ve come to call it) is always the most intense training time at our gym, but there was just something in the air that that took this workout to the next level. Along the way, I was […]
Continue ReadingDo You Have Training ADD?
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen it. New guy comes into the gym (or starts posting on the Interwebz), ready to get as strong as possible. He’s just read Wendler’s 5-3-1 and just knows this is the program for him He gets rolling, and he starts to make some progress. His numbers […]
Continue ReadingImproving Your Glute-Ham Raise
Glute-ham raises are one of my favorite exercises. Whether your goal is to run fast, lift heavy stuff, or simply to keep your hammies healthy, glute-hams can help you achieve that goal. Unfortunately, the glute-ham raise is often performed incorrectly. The video above should help depict proper performance, and how to get more out of […]
Continue ReadingTraining Without Sleep
The following is a guest blog from my good friend and DC-based personal trainer, Josef Brandenburg. Enjoy! – MR “What am I supposed to do with my workouts when I can’t sleep?” We get this question from members sometimes. There is a very good practical answer, however, first, there is a very important mindset shift […]
Continue ReadingProper Rowing Performance
Everyone knows if you want to get bigger, stronger and/or stay healthy, you need a strong upper back. But are you getting the most out of your upper back exercises? Are you rowing with proper technique?
Continue ReadingA Quick Coaching Rant
“Exercise X is hard to coach.” “I don’t have time to coach Exercise Y.” It’s strange – the more I read about coaching, the less actual coaching seems to be going on!
Continue ReadingThe 2011 IYCA Summit Registration is LIVE
Just a quick heads up…. I just got word from my good friend Pat Rigsby that the 2011 IYCA Summit Registration is LIVE and ready to rock! The good news? If you sign-up ASAP you will save $100 off the “normal” registration price! I honestly have no idea how long this is going to last, […]
Continue Reading