Introducing: The “Ski Squat” – the #1 Exercise for Ski Performance October 24, 2010
Posted by jamieatlas in boot camp, bootcamp, denver, skiing.Tags: bonza bodies ski, denver, fitness, ski, ski clinic, ski conditioning, ski workout, skiing, skiing better
add a comment
If you live in Denver then chances are you have heard me talk or attended one of my classes about ski conditioning and movement specific patterns.
When getting ready for ski season how we workout can be an important decision that either helps or hurts our skiing ability and endurance.
Here’s why you want to squat differently than everyone else in the gym:
Squat with Ski specificity for specific results
When you squat on regular flat ground, your body shares its load between the front and back foot. When you are on the mountain with your skis pointed down, your body instinctively wants to lean back and stay vertical. However, when skiing you must lean into the skis to get best control etc.
Lift it up
By placing a small wedge or lift under the forefoot (it can be as small as a yoga mat or as thick as you can maintain balance with) you effectively stimulate all the muscles that would ‘pull’ your body forward. The result? Your body learns to lean forward while going through movement.
If you were to try to lean forward while squatting on a flat surface the results would be… well, let’s just say that if you leaned too far forward it would be potentially counterproductive (as well asquite painful)
Here’s the video of a quick ski spefic workout I put together. It is for ski conditioning – you will burn some fat and tone some muscle as you do it just as you would if you were to actually go skiing – this is a great way to get a quick workout in while getting yourself in shape for skiing:
Here’s the video that specifically explains why you want to ski with a toe lift as opposed to the conventional (read ‘bodybuilding’) reasoning of having a heel lift when you squat.
Have fun with it! try different loads and speeds to see what feels like it will suit your individual skiing style and you will be carving it up with the best of them in no time!
See you on the mountain,
Jamie Atlas
PS Ski conditioning clinic happening at Bonza Bodies studio Saturday November 6th – see http://www.bonzabodies.com for details
Jillian Michaels and her 17 year old fitness certification October 18, 2010
Posted by jamieatlas in denver, weight loss.Tags: gillian michaels, jillian kettlebells, jillian michaels, kettle bells DVD, kettlebell dvd, la times jillian, yoga video
6 comments
Jillian was unfairly treated in the recent LA Times article. But she only has herself to blame. Her kettlebell DVD crossed the line and she isn’t owning up to it. It’s a shame because the article is ruthless and degrading… but still worth reading. See the link here:
National Ledger says Jillian is sending her lawyers over to rough up the LA times a bit:
http://www.nationalledger.com/lifestyle/article_272635475.shtml
Don't even get me started on whether she has a boxing certification.
I have to say that I read that article and while I think it took an unfair position on her efforts and intent with what she does, it made me think about the current ‘fitness experts’ that are portrayed in the media today.
You know what though, this is what really gets me riled up. If you have completed a certification 17 years ago, don’t say it “doesn’t expire” as if that makes it all ok. That’s a bush league move right there.
If I asked you to get in a plane with a pilot that learned to fly 17 years ago and hadn’t updated his learning from any officially recognized body since then, would you be willing to get in that plane with him?
But we would trust our own bodies with a trainer who was in the same position?…
Have you seen the 450lb people running up hills? Carrying others? Being screamed at? Not sure youwill see that in any nationaly recognized certification curriculum.
Think about this:
17 years ago the Reebok Step was released.
17 years ago you thought Tae Bo was a kind of asian snake
When Tae-Bo's Attack!
17 years ago Jillian Michaels got certified and hasn’t been back since. Think things have changed since then?
Pickin’ up what I am putting down here?
But why pick on Jillian? Haven’t we been brought this on ourselves?, fellow consumers?
"Fit in your Jeans by Friday"? Even if I start on Thursday? Awesome!
Kim Kardashian can have her own butt workout video with no qualifications as a trainer, why shouldn’t Jillian be able to teach a yoga video with no yoga qualifications? Having a good body doesn’t mean you are necessarily qualified to able to tell others how to get one. Each individual has their own journey to get to where they are. Just because one method worked for Jillian (going from fat to thin) doesn’t mean it will work just as well for you.
Ever tried following one of those diets they show every week in US Weekly? The one the helped the star du jour lose 40lbs? Yeah, I don’t think that would work the same way for you as it did for them either.
Back to the Jillian Michaels Fiction Fitness Videos.
Does that mean the yoga world suffers due to poor form/technique/teaching style or does it mean they benefit because more people now do yoga and then are encouraged to try the ‘real thing’ out?
Get it out vs get it right
It would seem Jillian/her team of marketing geniuses have crossed the line and has gone too far into the ‘get it out there’ realm with her latest kettlebell DVD. At least, the KB community seems to think so.
"Please send 12 proof of purchase to receive your 100% genuine personal training certficate"
Certification:
I go back and forth, but my concern is not whether she is certified or not – it is that she at least takes some time to ‘master’ what she is teaching before she releases it to the public.
If you are NOT a personal trainer or fitness professional and have heard this, what does it make you feel?
Feel like Jillian is being singled out?
Or like she has deceived you somewhat? Or am I just hatin’ on Jillian?
I don’t mean to tear down Jillian, honest I don’t. She’s got enough people scrutinizing her every move and looking for ways to bring her down as it is.
'Now, boss'?.. 'No Harvey..not yet. But soon.'
I don’t want her to go away.
I just want her to care more than she seems to be now.
I just believe that she has a responsibility as a public figure, and she is failing to fulfil that responsibility. She has done some amazing things and inspired many. I want to make sure she doesn’t lose focus on what’s important.
Hopefully me writing this post can help others encourage her to do the same through their own conversations about this topic.
Fair enough?
Yours in health,
Jamie Atlas
PS This isn’t new, people. Here’s a link to an article I wrote on Jillian and her kettlebell DVD in April of ’09?
PPS Not to throw even more fuel in the fire, but if you look as good as she does, do you still need photoshop? According to this article, I guess you do.
PPPS If you live in Denver and would like to come to a workout taught by an instructor that trains what he knows (and doesn’t what he doesn’t), come find me www.fitnessbyatlas.com
