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Coaching
What Squat is Best For YOU?
Want to learn more about the squat? Then this video is for you! In this video, my guy Luka and I break the squat down on multiple levels. Here’s a brief overview of what we cover: How to assess the squat, and what I’m looking for when picking the ideal squat for a client or […]
Continue ReadingGot Achilles Pain? Try This…
Whether you’re a weekend warrior, NBA athlete, or just someone who wants to exercise pain-free, Achilles pain can really slow your training down. And while dealing with Achilles issues is a multi-pronged approach, in virtually every situation improving STRENGTH can make positive impacts on how you move and feel. When it comes to Achilles issues […]
Continue ReadingUsing the Ground Prep Series to Unlock Your Back, Knees and Hips
Are you looking for a mobility series you can do in 5 minutes to improve how virtually EVERY JOINT in your body moves and feels? If so, you need the Ground Prep Series in your life! This is a mini-circuit I created years ago because, unfortunately, I keep getting older… …and my body keeps reminding […]
Continue ReadingBetter Set-ups for Better Single-Leg RDL’s
For almost 15 years now, I’ve talked about the benefits of including bilateral, split-stance, AND unilateral activities in your programming. All of them have a place depending on the client/athlete you’re working with, their level of development, their needs and goals, etc. So with that being said, just know that I love the single-leg RDL. […]
Continue Reading1 Set-up and 1 Performance Cue
As trainers and coaches, we REALLY want to help our clients and athletes. We want those squats to be deep. We want those deads to be strong. And we want those split-squats and lunges to be stable and balanced! But sometimes those good intentions get the best of us. Instead of letting our clients and […]
Continue ReadingPrinciples, Strategies and Tools To Be A Better In-Person Coach
Well, couldn’t sleep last night but I guess it was because I was so fired up to share this! 🙂 Last week I went on my good friend Luka Hocevar’s podcast, with the primary theme being “how to be a better in-person coach.” As always, Luka and I could talk forever on these shows, but […]
Continue ReadingThe Scissor Cue for Swaybacks
Let’s talk a little bit of coaching and cuing today my friend! If someone is dealing with an anterior pelvic tilt/anterior orientation, I like to use two cues to clean that up: Soft knees, and Belt buckle up. However, we get ourselves into trouble when we cue all of our clients and athletes the same […]
Continue ReadingHow to Build a Better Squat (or Any Movement Pattern)
As trainers, coaches and rehab professionals, I hope we can all agree that we want our clients and athletes to move better. But how often does somebody just kill it on Day 1? You’re coaching them up, then you just throw out that one magic cue and, BOOM! They’re moving perfectly. Maybe sometimes…but not nearly […]
Continue ReadingWhat Trunk Position is Best for Split-Squats?
When it comes to split-squats and lunges, many people think there’s ONE torso position that’s best. For instance, you’ll often see me cue a tall, upright posture if I’m trying to get someone to load their hips more effectively. OR if I’m trying to get the hip flexors and quads to chill out a bit. […]
Continue Reading12 Random Thoughts for Trainers and Coaches
Well in typical MR fashion, I took what was supposed to be a short and sweet, bullet point post and made it into something much bigger! I really wanted to just give you some quick ideas to stimulate thought, but in that same vein it’s hard to just randomly drop ideas on you without at […]
Continue ReadingCuing in Bullet Points
Unless you’re recapping the latest episode of The Boys or Bridgerton, your clients don’t want to hear you monologue – it’s a sure-fire way to have your clients and athletes tune you out. And this is especially true when it comes to coaching and cuing exercises. Eventually your voice starts to sound like that teacher from […]
Continue ReadingQ&A: Why Does Elevating the Heels Make My Squat Look Better?
Today, I’m going to answer one of the most common questions I get from trainers, coaches, and athletes alike: Why does my squat feel so much getter when I elevate my heels? Now the most common answer you’ll hear in this regard is that you have “tight” or “stiff” ankles. Or more specifically, that “your […]
Continue Reading13 Practical Programming and Coaching Tips
The longer I do this, the more I realize that your journey is never over. You’re never a “finished” product. Take program design, for instance… Since I started in physical preparation, I’ve easily consumed thousands of pieces of content on this topic, including articles, webinars, podcasts, VHS recordings, DVD’s and seminars. And furthermore, I’ve probably […]
Continue ReadingWhich Single Leg Deadlift Option is Right For You? Different Stances for Getting Jacked & Moving Better
There are some crazy exercises out there on Instagram these days. Maybe you have seen some single leg deadlifts exercises that made you a bit curious or made you cringe a bit. Just so we are clear, we will not be talking about doing a single leg deadlift on a Bosu ball! However, there are […]
Continue ReadingStaggered, Split, Parallel – Which Stance is BEST?
When it comes to program design, I’m not sure we put enough thought into the stance we choose. Sure, there’s a time and place for “mixing things up,” but let’s be honest… How much time and effort do we put into whether we choose split-stance? Half-kneeling? Parallel stance? Or even staggered stance? Even for me […]
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