The Silent Killer: How Your Bad Posture Is Destroying Your Health

We all know that slouching or hunching over is not great for our appearance, but did you know that it can also have serious health consequences, particularly for the neck and spine?

In fact, research has shown that poor posture can lead to a whole host of health problems, from back pain and muscle tension to decreased lung capacity and even digestive issues. And the neck and spine are particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of poor posture, as they bear the brunt of the strain caused by bad alignment.

But don't worry, it's not all doom and gloom! The good news is that by taking proactive measures to improve your posture, you can prevent these health problems and feel better in your body overall. In the rest of this post, we'll be diving deeper into the negative health consequences of poor posture, with a focus on the impact on the neck and spine. We'll also be sharing practical exercises and tips to combat bad posture and strengthen your neck muscles.

So if you've ever struggled with neck pain or noticed that your posture could use some improvement, then you're in the right place. Keep reading to learn more about how your bad posture may be silently sabotaging your health - and what you can do about it.

The Negative Health Consequences of Poor Posture

Alright, let's get into it. So what exactly are the negative health consequences of poor posture? Well, first of all, it can cause a lot of pain and discomfort in your neck and back. When you're hunched over, your muscles have to work harder to hold you up, which can lead to muscle fatigue and tension. Over time, this can result in chronic pain and even injuries.

But the problems don't stop there. Poor posture can also affect your breathing and digestion. When your chest is compressed and your shoulders are rounded forward, it can be harder to take deep breaths and get enough oxygen. And when your organs are compressed, it can affect their function and lead to issues like acid reflux.

And that's not all - research has also linked poor posture to increased stress and anxiety, decreased energy levels, and even a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

But don't worry, there are plenty of exercises you can do to combat the negative effects of poor posture and improve your alignment. One of my favorites is the chin tuck exercise. Here's how to do it:

  1. Start by sitting up straight with your shoulders relaxed.
  2. Gently tuck your chin in towards your chest, keeping your neck long and your head level.
  3. Hold for a few seconds, then release and repeat.

This exercise helps to strengthen the muscles in your neck and upper back and improve your posture. Another great exercise is the shoulder winging. Here's how to do it:

  1. Sit up straight with your shoulders relaxed.
  2. Squeeze your shoulder blades together, as if you're trying to hold a pencil between them.
  3. Then extend your arms above your head.
  4. The goal here is to keep contact with the wall with wrist, elbow, shoulder and head

This exercise helps to improve your posture by strengthening the muscles between your shoulder blades and opening up your chest.

So there you have it - the negative health consequences of poor posture and some exercises to combat them. Remember, improving your posture is an ongoing process, but by incorporating these exercises into your routine, you can start to feel better in your body and prevent health problems down the line.

 

The Impact of Poor Posture on the Neck and Spine

When we talk about poor posture, one of the areas that's most vulnerable is the neck and spine. Your neck and spine are made up of a complex network of bones, muscles, and nerves that work together to support your body and enable movement. But when your posture is off, it can put excessive strain on these areas and cause a whole host of problems.

Let's start with the anatomy. Your spine is made up of 33 individual vertebrae that are stacked on top of each other like building blocks. These vertebrae are separated by small discs that act as shock absorbers and allow for movement. Your neck, or cervical spine, is the top portion of your spine and is made up of seven vertebrae.

When your posture is poor, it can cause these vertebrae to become misaligned, which can put pressure on the discs and lead to herniated discs, bulging discs, and even nerve compression. This can cause pain, numbness, and tingling sensations in your neck, shoulders, and arms.

Additionally, poor posture can also cause muscle imbalances in the neck and upper back. When you're hunched over, your chest muscles become tight and your upper back muscles become weak. This can cause your shoulders to round forward and your head to jut out, which puts even more strain on your neck.

FOTO

To visualize this, try standing up and looking in the mirror. First, stand up straight with good posture - your ears should be in line with your shoulders, your shoulders should be in line with your hips, and your hips should be in line with your ankles. Now, try hunching over and rounding your shoulders forward - notice how your head juts out and your neck becomes compressed?

This exercise helps to strengthen the muscles in your neck and improve your posture. Another great exercise is the thoracic extension exercise. Here's how to do it:

  1. Sit on a ball with your legs in front of you and your hands behind your head.
  2. Slowly arch your upper back backwards, keeping your chin tucked and reach with the stick behind you
  3. Hold for a few seconds, then release and repeat.

This exercise helps to stretch out your chest muscles and improve your upper back posture.

The Importance of Taking Proactive Measures to Address Posture Issues

To truly address posture issues, we need to take proactive measures to correct them. Fortunately, there are plenty of practical steps you can take to improve your posture and prevent health problems down the line.

One of the most important things you can do is sit and stand with proper alignment. When you're sitting:

  • make sure your feet are flat on the floor
  • your back is straight
  • your shoulders are relaxed.
  • Your ears should be in line with your shoulders
  • your hips should be in line with your ankles.
  • If you're working at a desk, make sure your computer monitor is at eye level and your keyboard is at elbow height.

When you're standing:

  • make sure you're distributing your weight evenly on both feet
  • with your shoulders relaxed
  • your head in a neutral position
  • Avoid locking your knees
  • tilting your pelvis forward or backward.

Another important step is to use ergonomic furniture and equipment. If you're spending a lot of time sitting, invest in a chair with good lumbar support and adjustability. Consider using a standing desk or a stability ball to improve your posture and engage your core muscles. And if you're working on a laptop, consider using an external keyboard and mouse to avoid hunching over.

Of course, exercise and stretching are also key components of good posture. In addition to the exercises we covered earlier, try incorporating these moves into your routine:

  1. Scap Retractions: Hold on to a table, chair or an exercise equipment. Lock out elbows and retract your shoulders. Do not bend your elbows and let your shoulders work:

  2. Shoulder Dislocation: Stand up straight and hold a stick. Then "dislocate" your shoulders in a wide grip and go from front to back without bending your elbows. Relax your knees and hips. A regression can be to do it with a resistance band.

  3. Child's pose: Start on your hands and knees, with your hands slightly in front of your shoulders. Lower your hips back towards your heels, stretching your arms out in front of you. Rest your forehead on the floor and take a few deep breaths.

Remember, small changes can make a big difference in promoting good posture and preventing health problems. By taking proactive measures and incorporating these tips into your routine, you can improve your posture and feel better in your body."

Conclusion

In conclusion, good posture is essential for our overall health and well-being. Poor posture can lead to a variety of negative health consequences, including neck pain, back pain, and even breathing difficulties. By improving our posture, we can reduce the risk of these problems and improve our quality of life.

We've covered a lot of ground in this post, including the negative health consequences of poor posture, the impact of poor posture on the neck and spine, and practical tips for improving your posture. Remember, it's not enough to simply be aware of the importance of good posture - you need to take proactive measures to address any posture problems you may have.

Incorporating exercises and stretches into your routine, using ergonomic furniture and equipment, and sitting and standing with proper alignment are all great ways to improve your posture. And don't forget, small changes can make a big difference in the long run.

So if you've been slouching at your desk or hunching over your phone, take action today to correct your posture. Your body will thank you for it in the long run!

If you're still not sure where to begin, book a call with us and tell us what's up. We're more than welcome to help you get started! Check out this full-on workout routine to correct your posture. Do this everyday and feel the improvement!

by nick

Unlocking Hypertrophy: A Comprehensive Guide to Workout Programming

Welcome to "Unlocking Hypertrophy: A Comprehensive Guide to Workout Programming" - the ultimate resource for anyone looking to pack on some serious muscle mass! If you've ever seen Hollywood actors like Chris Hemsworth or Chris Evans transform their bodies for movie roles, you know just how impressive and inspiring a well-executed hypertrophy-focused workout program can be.

But let's be real - achieving that level of muscularity and definition takes more than just a few sets of bicep curls and crunches. It requires a strategic approach to workout programming that's based on scientific principles and customized to your individual goals and needs. That's where this guide comes in - we'll walk you through everything you need to know to design a hypertrophy-focused workout program that delivers real, sustainable results.

Throughout this article, we'll cover the key principles of effective workout programming for hypertrophy, provide specific guidelines for exercise selection, frequency, volume, and intensity, and even offer advanced techniques and strategies for maximizing your gains. Whether you're a beginner just starting out or an experienced lifter looking to take your gains to the next level, this guide has something for everyone.

So buckle up, grab a protein shake, and get ready to unlock your full hypertrophy potential!

 

Hypertrophy 101

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of workout programming, let's start with the basics: what exactly is hypertrophy, and why do you want it?

Put simply, hypertrophy is the process of increasing the size of your muscle fibers through exercise. When you lift weights or perform other forms of resistance training, you create microscopic tears in your muscle fibers. In response to this damage, your body repairs and rebuilds the damaged tissue, making it bigger and stronger than before.

Why is this important? For starters, a well-developed musculature can help you look and feel better - who doesn't want a set of biceps that pop? But beyond aesthetics, increasing your muscle mass can have a range of functional benefits, from improved athletic performance to better metabolic health.

Now, you might be thinking: "But I don't want to look like a bodybuilder! Won't lifting heavy weights make me bulky?" The truth is, building substantial amounts of muscle mass takes years of dedicated effort and a very specific approach to training and nutrition. For most people, lifting weights will help them build a lean, toned physique, not turn them into the Hulk.

So, now that you know why hypertrophy matters, let's move on to how to achieve it through effective workout programming.

 

The Four Pillars of Hypertrophy Programming

When it comes to designing a workout program for hypertrophy, there are four key factors you need to consider: specificity, frequency, volume, and intensity. Let's break each one down and explore some sample approaches.

Specificity

Specificity refers to the idea that you need to train the muscles you want to grow in the ways that you want them to grow. This means choosing exercises that target the muscle groups you're trying to develop and using a variety of techniques to challenge those muscles from different angles.

For example, if you want to build your biceps, you might choose exercises like bicep curls, chin-ups, or hammer curls that directly target the muscles of the upper arm. You might also incorporate techniques like drop sets or isometric holds to increase the intensity of the workout and stimulate more muscle growth.

Frequency

Frequency refers to how often you train each muscle group in a given week. In general, training a muscle group more frequently can lead to faster gains in muscle size and strength, but it's important to balance this with adequate rest and recovery time.

For example, if you're trying to build your chest, you might choose to train it twice a week, performing exercises like bench press, push-ups, and flyes on both days. Alternatively, you could use a split routine where you train chest (and other muscle groups) once a week, but perform more sets and exercises during that session. One of the strategies we use is to end a workout with a 50 Rep BLASTER !

Volume

Volume refers to the total amount of work you perform for each muscle group during a given workout or training cycle. This includes the number of sets, reps, and exercises you perform, as well as the amount of weight you use.

For example, if you're trying to build your legs, you might perform 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps for exercises like squats, lunges, and leg press, using weights that are challenging but manageable. Alternatively, you could use a higher-volume approach, performing 5-6 sets of 15-20 reps for each exercise.

Intensity

Intensity refers to the amount of effort you put into each set and exercise, typically measured as a percentage of your one-rep max (1RM). Training with high intensity can help stimulate muscle growth by recruiting more muscle fibers and causing greater metabolic stress.

For example, if you're trying to build your back, you might perform sets of bent-over rows or pull-ups at 80-85% of your 1RM, pushing yourself to perform as many reps as possible with good form. Alternatively, you could use a lower-intensity approach, performing sets at 60-70% of your 1RM with longer rest periods between sets.

 

That's a quick overview of the four key factors to consider when designing a hypertrophy program. In the next section, we'll explore how to put these principles into practice to create a program that's tailored to your goals and abilities.

 

Creating a Hypertrophy-Focused Workout Plan

Now that we've covered the basics of workout programming for hypertrophy, let's talk about how to create a customized workout plan for your specific goals and needs. This is where the rubber meets the road, and the real progress is made.

First, identify your goals. Are you looking to add size to your upper body, lower body, or both? Are there specific muscle groups you want to target? Once you've identified your goals, you can start to tailor your workout plan to meet those goals.

Next, choose exercises that are specific to your goals. For example, if you're looking to add size to your chest, you'll want to focus on exercises like bench press, incline press, and flyes. If you're looking to add size to your legs, you'll want to focus on exercises like squats, lunges, and leg press.

Once you've chosen your exercises, it's time to determine the appropriate frequency, volume, and intensity. Use the principles we discussed earlier to guide you. For example, if you're looking to add size to your upper body, you may want to train those muscles 2-3 times per week, with higher volume and lower intensity. If you're looking to add size to your legs, you may want to train those muscles 1-2 times per week, with lower volume and higher intensity.

Now, let's take a look at some sample workout templates:

Sample Upper Body Hypertrophy Workout:

  • Bench Press: 4 sets x 8-10 reps - 4111
  • Incline Dumbbell Press: 4 sets x 8-10 reps - 3111
  • Seated Cable Row: 4 sets x 10-12 reps - 3111
  • Pull-ups: 4 sets x 10-12 reps - 3111
  • Lateral Raises: 3 sets x 12-15 reps - 3111
  • Bicep Curls: 3 sets x 12-15 reps - 3111

Sample Lower Body Hypertrophy Workout:

  • Squats: 4 sets x 8-10 reps - 4111
  • Deadlifts: 4 sets x 8-10 reps - 3112
  • Leg Press: 4 sets x 10-12 reps - 3111
  • Lunges: 4 sets x 10-12 reps - 2111
  • Leg Curls: 3 sets x 12-15 reps - 4111
  • Calf Raises: 3 sets x 12-15 reps - 4111

Remember, these are just sample templates. You can modify them based on your individual preferences and progress. For example, you may prefer to do more sets or reps of certain exercises, or you may need to adjust the weight you're using as you get stronger.

In conclusion, creating a hypertrophy-focused workout plan requires a combination of science and art. By identifying your goals, choosing specific exercises, and using the principles of frequency, volume, and intensity, you can create a plan that is tailored to your needs. And remember, the key to success is consistency and progress. Now, go out there and crush your goals!

 

Maximizing Hypertrophy: Advanced Techniques and Strategies

Now that we've covered the basics of hypertrophy-focused workout programming, it's time to take things to the next level with some advanced techniques and strategies. These methods can help you push past plateaus and achieve your maximum potential for muscle growth.

One technique that many experienced lifters swear by is the drop set. This involves performing an exercise to failure, then immediately reducing the weight and continuing to perform reps until failure again. Rest-pause sets involve taking short breaks between reps to allow for more total reps to be performed. Pre-exhaustion is another technique that involves performing an isolation exercise before a compound movement to fatigue the targeted muscle group before moving onto the compound lift.

While these advanced techniques can be effective, they also place a greater strain on the body and require more recovery time. That's why it's important to also focus on optimizing your recovery strategies. Proper nutrition is crucial for providing your body with the nutrients it needs to repair and build muscle tissue. Adequate sleep is also essential for recovery, as this is when your body does most of its repair and regeneration.

Additionally, stress management is an often overlooked aspect of recovery. Chronic stress can interfere with muscle growth and increase the risk of injury. Finding ways to manage stress, such as through meditation or other relaxation techniques, can help support your overall fitness goals.

To maximize hypertrophy, it's important to integrate these advanced techniques and recovery strategies in a way that works for your individual needs and goals. Here's a sample workout plan that incorporates some of these methods:

  • Warm-up: 5-10 minutes of mobility (watch below)
  • Compound exercise: Barbell squat, 3 sets of 6-8 reps
  • Drop set: Leg press, 3 sets of 8-10 reps
  • Isolation exercise: Leg extension, 3 sets of 10-12 reps
  • Rest-pause set: Leg curl, 3 sets of 10-12 reps
  • Cool down: 5-10 minutes of stretching

Remember, this is just one example of a hypertrophy-focused workout plan. As you progress and gain experience, you can modify and adjust your training program to better suit your needs and goals.

By incorporating these advanced techniques and recovery strategies, you'll be well on your way to maximizing your potential for muscle growth and achieving your fitness goals.

 

Avoiding Common Mistakes and Plateaus

As with any workout program, there are common mistakes that can hinder your progress towards your hypertrophy goals. By avoiding these mistakes, you'll be able to maximize your gains and minimize the risk of injury.

One common mistake is relying too heavily on isolation exercises. While isolation exercises can be useful in targeting specific muscles, they should not make up the bulk of your program. Compound exercises such as squats, deadlifts, and bench presses should be prioritized, as they allow you to lift heavier weights and work multiple muscle groups at once.

Another mistake is not tracking your progress. Without keeping track of your lifts and progress, it's hard to know if you're making progress or not. Be sure to record your lifts and measure your progress regularly so you can make adjustments to your program as needed.

Plateaus are another common issue that many lifters face. If you find yourself struggling to make progress, it may be time to change things up. This can include adjusting your training volume, changing up your exercises, or even taking a deload week to allow your body to recover.

In addition to these strategies, optimizing your recovery is also crucial for avoiding plateaus and continuing to make progress over time. This includes paying attention to your nutrition, getting enough sleep, and managing stress levels.

Conclusion and Call to Action

You’ve made it through the entire guide to unlocking hypertrophy! By now, you should have a solid understanding of the principles and techniques necessary for achieving your muscle-building goals.

Remember, building muscle isn’t an overnight process. It takes dedication, consistency, and a willingness to push yourself beyond your limits. With the right workout program, proper nutrition, and recovery strategies, you can achieve the gains you’ve been striving for.

But don't stop here! Apply the knowledge you’ve gained and take action towards your hypertrophy goals. Whether that means customizing a workout plan, adjusting your nutrition, or optimizing your recovery, keep pushing forward and don't give up.

At Seiza, we understand that everyone's fitness journey is unique, which is why we offer customized online coaching programs to fit your individual needs and goals. Our expert trainers have experience in helping clients achieve their muscle-building goals, overcome plateaus, and make progress over time.

So, if you're ready to take your hypertrophy to the next level, sign up for one of our online coaching programs and book a discovery call with one of our expert trainers. Let us help you achieve the body you've always wanted.

by nick

Failing Forward: How to Use Setbacks in Strength Training to Propel You Forward in Life

Strength training is an excellent way to improve your physical health and fitness. However, it can also have a positive impact on other areas of your life, including mental toughness, discipline, and perseverance. Despite your best efforts, setbacks are inevitable in any fitness journey. Whether you've hit a plateau or faced an injury, it's essential to reframe these challenges as learning opportunities to help you achieve your goals.

In this blog post, we'll explore how to fail forward in strength training and leverage setbacks to propel you forward in all areas of life. By adopting a growth mindset, we can view these challenges as opportunities for personal growth and success. We'll provide practical tips on how to analyze setbacks, set new goals, and create an action plan to achieve them. By the end of this post, you'll have a better understanding of how to turn setbacks into opportunities and use them to achieve your fitness and life goals.

Summary

1. Recognize setbacks as learning opportunities

2. Analyze setbacks and set new goals

3. Embrace the challenge and stay committed:

4. Celebrate your progress and enjoy the journey

5. Conclusion

 

1. Recognize setbacks as learning opportunities

To achieve your fitness and life goals, it's crucial to view setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning. When faced with a setback in strength training, such as a plateau or an injury, it's easy to feel discouraged and frustrated. However, by reframing these challenges as learning opportunities, you can use them to your advantage.

Analyzing setbacks can help you identify what went wrong and why. This understanding can help you create a plan to prevent similar setbacks from happening again in the future. For example, if you experienced a setback due to poor form, you can focus on improving your form and technique to prevent future injuries.

Learning from setbacks in strength training can also help you overcome challenges in other areas of life. By developing a growth mindset and focusing on the lessons learned, you can apply these principles to other areas of life, such as work or relationships.

Setbacks are simply opportunities in disguise - opportunities to learn, to grow, and to become stronger than ever before.

2. Analyze setbacks and set new goals

Once you've recognized setbacks as learning opportunities, the next step is to analyze what went wrong and set new goals. By analyzing setbacks, you can identify what factors contributed to the setback and what changes you need to make to prevent it from happening again.

To analyze setbacks, start by identifying the specific problem or challenge. For example, if you've hit a plateau in your strength training, ask yourself why you're not making progress. Is it due to your diet, your training program, or your recovery? Once you've identified the problem, brainstorm solutions and set new goals that will help you overcome the challenge.

When setting new goals, make sure they are specific, measurable, and achievable. For example, instead of setting a vague goal to "get stronger," set a specific goal to increase your squat by 10 pounds in the next 8 weeks. This goal is specific, measurable, and achievable, making it easier to track progress and stay motivated.

Finally, create an action plan to help you achieve your new goals. Break your goals down into smaller, manageable steps, and create a timeline for when you want to achieve each step. This will help you stay on track and make progress towards your goals.

"Setbacks are not failures, but opportunities to recalibrate and set new goals. It's not about avoiding obstacles, but rather analyzing them, learning from them, and using that knowledge to move forward towards success." - Adam Grant

 

3. Embrace the challenge and stay committed:

If there's one thing that sets successful people apart, it's their ability to embrace the challenge and stay committed. In strength training, it's easy to get discouraged when progress is slow or setbacks occur. But the most successful athletes and lifters are the ones who keep pushing, even when things get tough.

One way to stay committed is to surround yourself with a supportive community. This can be a group of like-minded lifters, a supportive coach, or an online community of fitness enthusiasts. Being part of a community can provide motivation, support, and accountability when you need it most.

Another way to stay committed is to focus on the process rather than the outcome. Instead of obsessing over the number on the scale or the weight on the bar, focus on the small victories and improvements you make along the way. Celebrate each rep, each set, and each workout as a step towards your ultimate goal.

"Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful." - Joshua J. Marine

4. Celebrate your progress and enjoy the journey

In strength training and in life, it's important to celebrate your progress and enjoy the journey. While it's easy to get caught up in the end goal, it's the small victories and moments along the way that make the journey worthwhile.

Take time to reflect on your progress and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small they may seem. Whether it's adding a few pounds to your lift or sticking to your nutrition plan for a week, each victory is a step towards your ultimate goal.

In addition to celebrating your progress, it's important to enjoy the journey. Strength training and goal-setting can be challenging, but they can also be rewarding and fun. Find joy in the process, whether it's trying a new exercise, lifting with a friend, or simply feeling strong and empowered.

"Setbacks are part of the journey, and they don't define us. What defines us is how we respond to those setbacks and how we keep moving forward towards our goals." - Jillian Michaels

5. Conclusion

Failing forward is a powerful mindset that can help you achieve success in strength training and in life. By embracing setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning, you can use them to propel yourself forward towards your goals.

Remember, setbacks are a natural part of the journey, but it's how you respond to them that determines your ultimate success. Use setbacks as a chance to reflect, learn, and grow, and keep pushing forward with a positive mindset.

To succeed in strength training and in life, it's also important to stay committed, surround yourself with a supportive community, focus on the process, celebrate your progress, and enjoy the journey.

By incorporating these principles into your strength training and goal-setting journey, you'll not only achieve your goals, but also become a stronger, more resilient person along the way.

 

Seiza Training

If you're ready to take your strength training and goal-setting journey to the next level, we invite you to book a discovery call with Seiza. Our team of expert coaches offers personalized online coaching to help you achieve your fitness and life goals.

Whether you're looking to build strength, lose weight, or overcome mental setbacks, our coaches have the experience and expertise to guide you towards success. Our coaching approach is personalized, flexible, and adaptable to your unique needs and goals.

With Seiza, you'll have access to a supportive community of like-minded individuals who are also on their fitness and life journey. Our coaches are passionate about helping you achieve your goals, and we're committed to providing you with the guidance, accountability, and support you need to succeed.

So why wait? Book a discovery call today and take the first step towards achieving your goals. We can't wait to help you unlock your full potential and become the strongest, most resilient version of yourself. If that's a bridge too far, just subscribe to our newsletter and keep getting fed brainfood like this!

by nick

functional training

The Benefits of Functional Fitness: Why You Should Incorporate It into Your Workouts

In recent years, functional fitness has gained popularity among fitness enthusiasts and athletes alike. This approach to training emphasizes movements that mimic everyday activities and improve overall functionality. But what exactly are the benefits of functional fitness, and why should you incorporate it into your workouts?

  1. Increased overall strength and flexibility
  2. Improved balance and coordination
  3. Reduced risk of injury
  4. Enhanced sports performance
  5. Greater ease in performing daily activities
  6. Time-efficient workouts

Functional fitness offers a wide range of benefits for individuals at any fitness level. By incorporating functional movements into your workouts, you can improve overall strength and flexibility, reduce the risk of injury, and enhance your performance in sports and daily activities. So next time you hit the gym, try adding some functional exercises to your routine and experience the benefits for yourself.

Increased Overall Strength and Flexibility

Functional fitness is a term that's been gaining popularity in recent years, and for good reason. It focuses on building strength, mobility, and flexibility in movements that we use in our everyday lives, such as squatting, bending, pushing, pulling, and twisting.

Unlike traditional gym workouts that isolate individual muscle groups, functional fitness movements train multiple muscle groups at once, and often involve the use of free weights, resistance bands, and bodyweight exercises. This type of training not only helps to build strength and flexibility, but also improves balance, coordination, and stability.

One of the biggest benefits of functional fitness is its transferability to real-life activities. Whether you're carrying groceries, playing with your kids, or doing yard work, functional fitness movements mimic the actions we perform in our daily lives, making these activities easier and less taxing on our bodies.

Functional fitness also helps to prevent injuries, particularly in older adults. By building strength and flexibility in the muscles and joints used in everyday movements, functional fitness can reduce the risk of falls and other injuries.

Here are some examples of functional fitness exercises:

  1. Squats: This exercise targets the muscles in the legs and glutes, which are essential for everyday movements like standing up from a chair or lifting a heavy object.
  2. Push-ups: Push-ups work the chest, shoulders, and triceps, which are important for pushing movements like opening a door or carrying a bag.
  3. Lunges: Lunges strengthen the legs and hips, which are involved in walking and stair climbing.
  4. Rows: Rows target the muscles in the upper back, which are important for good posture and lifting objects off the ground.
  5. Planks: Planks strengthen the core muscles, which are essential for balance and stability in everyday movements.

So, if you're looking to increase your overall strength and flexibility, consider incorporating functional fitness exercises into your workout routine. Not only will it improve your fitness, but it will also make everyday activities easier and more enjoyable. Watch this Follow Along Workout to include all these aspects:

Improved balance and coordination

Balance and coordination are crucial components of overall fitness, yet often overlooked in traditional strength training programs. Incorporating functional fitness exercises into your workout routine can help improve your balance and coordination, which can have a significant impact on your performance in everyday activities and sports. In this post, we'll explore the benefits of functional fitness for balance and coordination, and provide some examples of exercises you can incorporate into your routine.

Benefits of Functional Fitness for Balance and Coordination:

  1. Improved Stability: Functional fitness exercises focus on training your body to move in a natural, functional way. This type of training can improve your overall stability, making you less prone to falls and injuries. It can also help improve your posture and alignment, which can reduce the risk of back pain.
  2. Increased Proprioception: Proprioception is your body's ability to sense its position in space. Functional fitness exercises require you to use multiple muscle groups at once, which can improve your proprioception and make you more aware of your body's movements.
  3. Better Coordination: Functional fitness exercises can help improve your coordination by requiring you to use multiple muscle groups and perform complex movements. This can translate to improved performance in sports that require agility and quick reactions.

Examples of Exercises:

  1. Single Leg Balance: Stand on one leg with your knee slightly bent and your foot flat on the ground. Hold this position for 30 seconds, then switch legs. To make this exercise more challenging, close your eyes or stand on a cushioned surface.
  2. Lateral Bounds: Stand with your feet hip-width apart and jump laterally to the side, landing on one foot. Immediately jump back to the starting position and repeat on the other side. This exercise can help improve your lateral stability and coordination.
  3. Medicine Ball Throws: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a medicine ball at chest height. Twist your torso and throw the ball against a wall, catching it as it bounces back. This exercise can improve your coordination and balance while also working your core and upper body.

Conclusion: Incorporating functional fitness exercises into your workout routine can help improve your balance and coordination, which can have a significant impact on your overall fitness and performance in everyday activities and sports. Try incorporating some of these exercises into your routine and see how it can benefit you!

Reduced risk of injury

Unlike traditional gym routines that often focus on isolated muscle groups, functional fitness workouts target multiple muscle groups at once and help develop a strong foundation of strength, stability, balance, and flexibility. In this post, we will discuss how functional fitness can help reduce the risk of injury.

Functional fitness workouts are designed to improve the overall movement patterns of the body, making it more efficient and less prone to injury. By focusing on exercises that target multiple muscle groups and mimic real-life movements, functional fitness workouts help develop a strong core, improve posture, and promote better balance and coordination.

One of the most significant benefits of functional fitness is that it helps improve the body's ability to move in multiple planes of motion. Many traditional gym routines tend to focus on exercises that are performed in a single plane of motion, which can lead to muscle imbalances and increase the risk of injury. Functional fitness workouts, on the other hand, incorporate exercises that challenge the body to move in different planes of motion, such as twisting, bending, reaching, and rotating, leading to a well-rounded fitness level and a reduced risk of injury.

Another way functional fitness can reduce the risk of injury is by improving muscle imbalances. Muscle imbalances occur when one muscle group is stronger than its opposing muscle group, leading to improper movement patterns and increasing the risk of injury. Functional fitness workouts target multiple muscle groups at once, ensuring that all muscle groups are worked equally and reducing the risk of muscle imbalances.

Finally, functional fitness helps improve flexibility, mobility, and stability, all of which contribute to reducing the risk of injury. Exercises that focus on mobility and flexibility, such as stretching, foam rolling, and yoga, help improve joint mobility and reduce the risk of injury. Additionally, exercises that target stability, such as balance training, help improve overall balance and coordination, leading to a reduced risk of falls and other injuries.

The definition of a functional exercise is the Copenhagen Plank where we ask for co-contraction of the adductors, glutes and abs to decrease the risk of injury:

 

 

Enhanced Sports Performance

Functional fitness is a type of exercise that focuses on improving overall body movements, making everyday activities easier, and enhancing sports performance. When it comes to sports performance, functional fitness can be a game-changer.

By engaging in functional fitness exercises, athletes can improve their agility, power, speed, and endurance. Functional fitness exercises mimic the movements required for various sports, making it easier for athletes to perform at their best. Additionally, functional fitness helps prevent injuries, allowing athletes to stay on top of their game for longer.

For example, let's consider a basketball player. Basketball requires a lot of lateral movements, jumping, and quick changes in direction. By incorporating exercises like lateral lunges, box jumps, and agility drills into their functional fitness routine, a basketball player can improve their lateral speed, vertical jump, and change of direction. This leads to improved on-court performance and reduced risk of injury.

Another example is a football player. Football requires a lot of explosive movements, like sprinting, tackling, and jumping. By incorporating exercises like squats, deadlifts, and plyometric jumps into their functional fitness routine, a football player can improve their power, speed, and explosiveness on the field. This translates to improved performance and a reduced risk of injury.

Overall, functional fitness is a great way for athletes to enhance their sports performance, reduce the risk of injury, and stay on top of their game. By incorporating exercises that mimic the movements required for their sport, athletes can see real improvements in their performance on the field or court.

Here's a video we did specifically for explosive sports and their athletes' knee troubles:

Greater Ease in Performing Daily Activities

As we age, it becomes increasingly important to maintain our functional fitness. This type of fitness is all about training our bodies to move and function in everyday life, rather than just focusing on aesthetics or building muscle mass. Functional fitness can help us with everything from carrying groceries to climbing stairs to playing with our grandkids. And for older adults, it can make a huge difference in maintaining independence and quality of life.

One of the key benefits of functional fitness is that it can make everyday tasks feel easier and more manageable. For example, if you have good balance and coordination, you're less likely to stumble or fall while walking on uneven terrain. If you have strong core muscles, you'll find it easier to get up from a chair or bed. And if you have good flexibility and range of motion, you'll be able to reach for items on high shelves or bend down to tie your shoes without discomfort.

Functional fitness can be especially important for older adults, who may experience age-related declines in strength, flexibility, and balance. By incorporating exercises that mimic daily activities, such as squats, lunges, and step-ups, functional fitness can help maintain or even improve these physical abilities. This can be especially beneficial for older adults who want to stay independent and live in their own homes for as long as possible.

But functional fitness isn't just for older adults. Anyone can benefit from training their bodies to move and function better in everyday life. Whether you're a busy parent who needs to carry kids and groceries, or an athlete looking to improve your performance on the field, functional fitness can help. Check out our warm-up which we use with Online Coaching clients:

Time Efficient Workouts

This is a highly effective way to improve your overall fitness and achieve your goals without having to spend hours on end at the gym. Here are just a few reasons why functional fitness is a time-efficient solution to your workout woes:

  1. Multi-joint movements: Functional fitness exercises often involve multiple joints and muscles working together, which means you can achieve a full-body workout in less time. This is because these exercises are more efficient at burning calories and building strength than isolation exercises.
  2. Increased intensity: Functional fitness workouts are typically higher intensity, meaning you can get a great workout in a shorter amount of time. This is because these exercises involve movements that require more effort and energy, such as squats, lunges, and push-ups.
  3. Adaptability: Functional fitness exercises can be adapted to your fitness level and goals. This means you can make the most of your time by performing exercises that challenge you without taking up too much time.

It's important to remember that workouts shouldn't be time-consuming.

In fact, it's better to have shorter, more intense workouts than long, drawn-out ones. This is especially important for older individuals, who may have a harder time finding the energy and motivation to work out for long periods of time. By incorporating functional fitness into your routine, you can improve your overall fitness and make the most of your time.

This is an example how only 10 minutes a day can reset your posture:

 

by nick

Mastering the Art of Online Coaching for Strength and Conditioning: Key Aspects to Ensure Client Success

Are you searching for a convenient and effective way to achieve your fitness goals? Online coaching for strength and conditioning may be just what you need. In today's fast-paced world, many people are turning to online coaching as a convenient and effective way to achieve their fitness goals, but if you're new to this type of coaching, you may be wondering if it's right for you. In this post, we'll explore the key aspects of online coaching for strength and conditioning, and how they can help you achieve your goals, no matter where you are in the world. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just starting out on your fitness journey, this guide will provide you with the insights and information you need to make an informed decision about online coaching. Read on to discover the benefits of online coaching and why it may be the perfect solution to help you reach your fitness goals.

 

"Strength training isn't about being the strongest person in the gym; it's about being the strongest version of yourself outside of it. Regular strength training has been shown to improve longevity, bone density, and overall quality of life." - unknown.

 

Online coaching for strength and conditioning has become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. With the convenience and flexibility of online coaching, clients can work with qualified trainers and coaches from anywhere in the world. However, to ensure client success, there are several key aspects of online coaching that must be mastered. In this post, we'll explore these seven elements and provide examples of how they can be applied to help a fictive client achieve their fitness goals. We used examples but changed the name of our clients to ensure their anonymity.

 

Goal Setting

One of the most important aspects of online coaching is goal setting. Before beginning a training program, a coach must work with their client to establish clear, specific, and measurable goals. For example, a client may want to lose 3 kilos in the next three months, or they may want to increase their squat max by 10 kilos in six months. By setting these goals, both the coach and the client have a clear target to work towards and can measure progress along the way.

Seiza Example: John is a 35-year-old man who wants to improve his overall fitness level. After discussing his goals with his coach, they establish that John's main objective is to lose 3 kilos of fat while gaining muscle mass. This was discussed with the Seiza coaches and the Nutritional Expert!

Click here to talk goals with one of our coaches.

 

Assessment and Intake

To create an effective training program, an online coach must first assess their client's current fitness level and limitations. This can be done through a combination of online questionnaires, video analysis, and other tools. Based on this assessment, the coach can develop a customized program that is tailored to the client's individual needs.

Seiza Example: Sarah is a 28-year-old woman who has never lifted weights before. We assessed her mobility and flexibility through video and determined that she needs to work on these areas before beginning any strength training.

 

Communication

Clear and consistent communication is key to successful online coaching. Coaches should provide timely and constructive feedback and be available to answer their client's questions and concerns. This communication can take place through a variety of channels, such as email, video calls, or messaging apps.

Seiza Example: Mattias is a busy professional who can only work out early in the morning before work. His coach communicates with him through a messaging app and provides feedback on his form and technique, ensuring that Mattias is on track with his program.

Personalization

Every client is different, and an effective online coach should tailor their training programs to their client's needs and preferences. This includes taking into account any injuries or limitations, as well as the client's fitness level and goals.

Seiza Example: Emily is a 45-year-old woman who has had knee surgery in the past. Her coach designs a program that takes into account her injury and focuses on exercises that are safe and effective for her.
Watch the video below where we go in-depth about breathing:

 

Program Design

An effective online coach will design a customized training program that is progressive, challenging, and aligned with their client's goals. This program should include a variety of exercises, including strength training, cardiovascular exercise, and mobility work.

Seiza Example: Mike is a 30-year-old man who wants to improve his overall fitness level and increase his endurance. His coach designs a program that includes a mix of strength training, HIIT, and steady-state cardio, as well as mobility work. His endurance program was created by a multiple Dutch national champion in Triathlon.

Watch the video below (in Dutch) where we explain how the program works!

 

Accountability

Regular check-ins and progress tracking are essential for keeping clients accountable and motivated. This can include weekly or monthly progress reports, as well as regular feedback on form and technique.

Seiza Example: Rachel is a 32-year-old woman who has a busy schedule and struggles with consistency. Her coach checks in with her regularly and provides her with feedback on her workouts, helping her stay on track and motivated.

 

Education

Online coaches should educate their clients on proper technique, nutrition, and other relevant aspects of strength and conditioning

Seiza Example: We offer online courses about Sleep, Nutrition, Training Philosophy and Mental Prowess! Here's a little sneak peak in Dutch about the Mental Prowess. Don't hold yourself back and do the exercise Tom says!

by nick