Push-Ups. Love them or hate them, they’re here to stay.

They are an excellent, equipment free way to train multiple muscle groups simultaneously, which is why trainers like me like them so much!

Plus, with all the bracing going on in roller derby today, more than ever we skaters need strong backs, shoulders, chests, and arms in order to provide effective defence.

So if you hate push-ups, or if you find them too hard, painful**, or just plain impossible, this video is for you!

First I want to help you fix the two biggest mistakes I see skaters making with their push-ups. These quick fixes will actually make push-ups easier for you (I swear!!), and reduce neck and shoulder pain. We’re going to learn about having a strong back, and “Pecs not Pecks.”

Next, I’m giving you two new ways to modify your push-ups. If you struggle to complete a set of 10 push-ups in full plank position, then finding ways to modify push-ups is critical. Modifications help make push-ups easier, which will in turn allow you to safely build up your strength, instead of just struggling and failing at the full movement (hint: it’s not knee push-ups!).

Take a look:

[rda_video video_url="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zvn1Uc90p3s"] 

If you want to work on those two modifications I showed, to build up your strength for full push-ups, then here’s a routine I recommend.

Do three sets of 10 to 15 reps, for 3 days:

• Do hands-elevated sets on days 1 and 2
• Do Eccentrics (aka Negatives) on Day 3.
• Rest on Day 4,
• …and then keep repeating the sequence!

**A note about pain with push-ups. If you have a wrist, elbow, or shoulder injury, it may legitimately impede your ability to do push-ups. Your best bet is to work with a sports med doctor or physiotherapist to either a) address and correct the issue if possible, or b) find an alternative exercise that works for you.

Your mission now is to try the two form-fixes I shared at the beginning of the video. How did it feel? Is it different from what you’ve been doing? Did they make push-ups easier for you? Please leave a note in the comments area below and tell me all about it!!

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PS: Keep your eyes on this site… next week I have an exciting new training membership launching, and there will be some pretty sweet Bonus offers on the table!! Stay tuned! (Sign up for the email newsletter in the blue box above to be the first to know about it!)

The perfect time to maximize your flexibility gains is when your muscles are nice and warm, like right after you’ve finished working your butt off through a workout or practice. I recently posted my Quick and Dirty Post-Derby Stretch routine, for when you still have your skates on, but today’s video is for flexibility training […]

Exercise: Ab Leg Lifts & Scissor Leg Variation Do: Lower with control, keep your low back in contact with the mat, use your abs to lift and lower. Don’t: Do if you have low back problems, allow your body to move around during the leg movement Easier: keep the range of motion smaller, rest your […]

Exercise: Agility Hops Variations: Front/back, Side-side with feet together; side-side one foot at a time Do: Wear shoes! Use something soft as an obstacle, e.g a rolled towel or t-shirt. Move feet quickly Easier: Go slow Harder: Move quickly! Extend your time   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: One-Foot Balance with Eyes Closed ** if you touch your foot down during your time, just keep going, no need to re-start your timer! Do: Go barefoot! Tighten your core to improve your balance Don’t: put your hands on your hips or touch your raised foot to your supporting leg. Easier: shorter elapsed time […]

Exercise: Bear Crawls Great for: warm up, coordination, core strength, shoulder strength. Do: Get on all fours, then just hover your knees above the ground. Crawl using opposite hand/foot. Keep your core braced and relatively still. Do: When going backwards, take smaller steps with your feet (so that your hands can keep up!) Don’t: Raise your butt up […]

Exercise: Bench Dips (aka Chair Dips) Do: Keep shoulders down, elbows pointed back Don’t: let your shoulders hunch towards your ears. Easier: Place feet closer to your bench Harder: Elevate feet See also: Triceps Push-Ups, Triceps Roll-outs Back to all How-To Videos, in alphabetical order…

Exercise: Bicycle Situps Do: Go slowly, keep your lower torso still, twist strongly Don’t: Go fast, “flail” Easier: keep your outstretched foot higher Harder: lower your outstretched foot closer to the ground   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Bird Dog Do: Go slowly, keep your hips and shoulders as still as possible Don’t: Overextend arm/leg above parallel to the floor Easier: only do one leg or one arm at a time Harder: n/a   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Body Tap Planks Do: Keep good plank form. Don’t: Sway side to side as you swap hands; or, let your butt rise up Easier: Go slow and steady. Harder: Elevate feet on a bench or chair. See also: Planks Back to all How-To Videos, in alphabetical order…

Exercise: Box Jumps (Standard, Squat Box Jump, and Seated Box Jump) Do: Land with feet completely on the box, and come to a full standing position, before stepping down. Explode up with the highest jump possible. Don’t: hit your knuckles on the box! Easier: use a 20″ or shorter box / step Harder: use a 24″ or higher box; […]

Exercise: Bridge – Feet on a Ball (FOB)   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Bridges Variations: Basic, One leg, Marching, One leg with a Kick Do: Keep hips level and as still as possible. Engage your abs and glutes before lifting your hips Don’t: Allow hips to dip side to side Easier / Harder: The variations are listed in order from easiest to most difficult.   Click here to […]

Booty Quake shows how to build your own slosh pipe for roller derby stability training exercises!

Exercise: Burpees Variations:Half Burpees, Squat Thrusts Do: Hit all the ‘stops’ with good form: Squat, plank, push-up, squat-jump Don’t: Rush through it and sacrifice form   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Calf Raises Do: Rise and lower with control; distribute weight evenly across the balls of your feet. Don’t: let your heels splay out to the sides. Easier: hold on to a wall for stabiity Harder: one-leg calf raises; add weight

Exercise: Weighted Calf Raises Do: Rise as high as possible; lower with control Don’t: drop down quickly without resistance. Easier: Use lighter weight; use a calf raise machine at the gym. Harder: Lift heavier weight. See also: Calf Raises (single leg) Back to all How-To Videos, in alphabetical order…

Exercise: Chair Squats Do: Lower with control, keep your supporting knee pointed straight forward over your toe Don’t: Drop heavily into the chair; allow your supporting knee to cave inward Easier: use a higher platform (bed, arm of a couch), or do with both legs Harder: use a lower platform   Click here to see […]

Exercise: Chair Step-Ups & Step-Up / Cross-Under Combos* Do: Drive through your heel, all the way up Don’t: Get only halfway up Easier: Standard step up Harder: Double-time, Up and Over variations *check out the Cross-Under squat video for more tutorial on the combo movement.

Exercise: Clamshells Do: Line up your shoulders, hips, and heels on a straight line Don’t: Race through the reps   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: CoreBuilder Stretching Sequence Do: Perform this sequence after every CoreBuilder workout!   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Cross-Under Squats Do: Keep head and chest lifted, get hips down low, reach far across with the back leg Don’t: take miniature steps, or only bend forward at the waist instead of bending from the knees

Exercise: Cross-Under Swipes Do: Bend your supporting leg; keep a flexed foot with instep facing the sky on your follow-through; adjust your pressure, surface, and footwear to make the exercise doable but challenging Don’t: forget to “reach” with your active leg Easier: Hold the wall for stability Harder: No hands!

Exercise: Crossover Twists with a Ball Do: Keep your shoulders in contact with the mat Don’t: rush, or twist further than you can with control   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Dead Bugs Do: Keep your low back pressed HARD into the ground! Breathe out forcefully as you touch down. Go slowly. Don’t: Bicycle – it’s one leg at a time. Easier: n/a Harder:  1) Add arms in opposition – raise right arm overhead towards the floor while you lower your left leg, and alternate. 2) Lie down with head […]

Exercise: Deadlift; Romanian Deadlift Do: Warm up with the bar only. Set up with weight in heels, bar touching shins, chest lifted, shoulders directly above the bar. Pull first, straighten knees second.  To lower, hinge at hips, then bend knees when bar is past them. Don’t: lean forward with weight over toes and shoulders forward of the bar; […]

Exercise: Duck Walks Do: Take long, low strides Don’t: Pop up between steps Easier: Shorter sustained periods of walking Harder: Keep going! quack!

Exercise: Engage your Transverse Abdominis (TVA) Do: Hold for a count of eight, and repeat three times. This is a good beginning to any on-skate time or an agility or plyo workout, to get your core working for you. Do: Start easy and increase the force of your contraction in set 2 & 3. Don’t:  Easier: n/a Harder: push […]

Exercise: Fire Hydrants Do: Keep hips and torso as still as possible Don’t: arch your back, lift your hip, or look down   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Flying Plank Push-Up Do: Keep your hips neutral – flat line from your head down to your heels; do a full push-up; try to keep your hips and shoulders square to the floor when doing the “flying” Don’t: Allow your hips to rise up or sag Easier: Do push-ups and/or flying from your knees […]

Exercise: Forward Lean-Over Lunge Do: Take a big enough step forward that your back leg is fairly straight; push through your heel to “spring” back to the starting position Don’t: let your front knee “cave in” towards your centreline – instead keep you knee tracking right over your ankle Easier: n/a Harder: Add weight

Exercise: Frog Jumps Do: Jump for distance, not height, try to minimize the number of hops backward you need to get back to your starting point

Exercise: Good Mornings Do: Keep head lifted, focus on sending hips backwards Don’t: Let your weight move forward into your toes Easier: n/a Harder: add weight   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Hamstring Curls on a ball (FOB) Variations: 2 legs, 2-to-1, single leg Do: Keep hips lifted Easier: 2 legs; take more rests Harder: single leg variations   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Heismans Do: Keep feet fast and light; use your abs to tuck and crunch toward your knee Don’t: look for height – the movements should be lateral Easier: go slower and more deliberately Harder: faster feet!

Exercise: High Bridge with Marching on a Ball Do: Keep hips lifted, keep torso as still as possible Don’t: let hips sag Easier: no arms Harder: with arms   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: High Knees Do: Get your knees high! Don’t: look down, let your chest and shoulders sag Easier: fewer reps, go more slowly Harder: step quickly   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Hollow Body Holds, Hollow Body Rocks Do: Keep your low back pinned to the floor, engage your lats, glutes, and basically everything! Don’t: Crunch your chin to your chest. Easier: Knees bent to a tabletop position Harder: Arms overhead (biceps to ears); Hollow Body Rocks can be done after you master this position. See also: Planks, Push-ups Back to […]

Exercise: I, Y, & Tees Do: Engage your core and glutes throughout, keep the motions small Don’t: overdo the pulsing motion Easier: take rests Harder: add small hand weights   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Isometric Stride Push Do: Get low, try to push the wall right over!

Exercise: Lateral Roll on a Ball Variations: Iron Cross, Charlie’s Angels Do: Keep hips lifted Don’t: Easier: Iron cross variation Harder: Charlie’s Angels variation   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Leg Circles Do: Keep your trunk as still as possible; keep circles small enough to allow this control. Easier: smaller circles Harder: larger range of motion   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Lizard Planks Do: allow your hips and shoulders to twist with the side knee movement Don’t: let your hips rise up into a pike position Easier: take rests Harder: n/a   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Long Jump + Tuck Jump Combination Do: Spring up into the tuck jump quickly and vertically. Don’t: jump forward on the tuck jump. Easier: Separate the two jumps with a pause. Harder: n/a See also: Long Jump with Weight, Tuck Jumps, Advanced Tuck Jumps Back to all How-To Videos, in alphabetical order…

Exercise: Weighted Long Jumps Do: Swing the weight out in front of you, imagine it dragging you forward. Take it slow as you get used to the feeling. Don’t: look for height, or swing the weight above shoulder height. Easier: eliminate the weight Harder: heavier weight, more reps. See also: Long Jump + Tuck Jump Back to all How-To […]

Exercise: Basic Lunge & Variations Do: Try lunging in different orientations; keep your knees aligned with your ankles; keep your head and chest lifted; drive through the front heel as you push back to standing. Don’t: let your front knee drive forward past your toes, or cave inward towards your centre line. Easier: Body weight only Harder: Add weight or jumps.  […]

Exercise: Lunge Jumps Do: Jump high! Keep your chest and head lifted Don’t: Allow your front knee to cave in towards centre, or push forward past your toes Easier: Go slower, step between positions instead of jumping Harder: n/a   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Lunge Stretch Do: Focus on tilting your pelvis under; keep your knees aligned with your ankles Don’t: let your front knee drive forward past your toes, or cave inward towards your centre line. Easier: Back knee resting on the floor. Back toes can be tucked under, or top of the foot resting on the ground Harder: Rise up to […]

Exercise: Lunge Twist Do: Practice good lunge form – front knee tracking straight over your supporting ankle Don’t: Allow front knee to “cave in” towards centre or come past your toes Easier: Keep arms closer to your body Harder: Add weight   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Weighted Lunge Do: Warm up with the bar only. Keep knees over toes. Drive through the heel of the front foot to rise up. Keep chest and head lifted. Don’t: allow front knee to cave inward, or take too large a step forward. Easier: Do split squats instead Harder: lift heavier weight See also: Split Squats, Lunges Back to all How-To […]

Exercise: Mountain Climbers and Spidermans For Mountain Climbers, bring your knees straight in towards your chest without touching your front foot to the floor; for Spidermans, bring your front foot to the outside of your hand and transfer your weight to it. Do: Place wrists directly below shoulders Don’t: allow hips to rise up Easier: go […]

Exercise: Pass The Ball Situps Do: Keep head lifted, keep low back in contact with the mat at all times Don’t: Rush Easier: only lower your legs to 45 degrees Harder: lower your legs to within inches of the floor   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Penguins Do: feel it in your oblique muscles (either side of your trunk) Don’t: roll your shoulders up side to side – keep them roughly parallel to the floor   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Plank Do: Keep hips in line with heels and the crown of your head, keep arms “pulled out” of their shoulder sockets Don’t: drop or raise hips, sink into your shoulders Easier: plank from the elbows on all fours Harder: from the wrists; raising one arm or one foot; raising one arm and foot […]

Exercise: Plank – Elbows to Hands Do: Follow all the good form advice for a standard plank; remember to alternate which arm leads   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Planks on a Ball Variations: Feet on the Ball (FOB) and Hands on the ball (HOB) Do: Keep a straight line from the crown of your head to your heels Don’t: allow hips to sag or rise, or sink into your shoulder sockets Don’t: attempt the HOB plank if you have wrist problems or […]

Exercise: Planks with Feet on the Ball & Knee Tucks Do: Initiate the movement by lifting your hips up Easier: straight knee tucks Harder: Side to side knee tucks   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Planks with Single Knee Tucks on a Ball (HOB) Do: Try to keep as still as possible in your upper body and trunk Modification: do this from the ground, or with your elbows on the ball if you have wrist pain   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Power Push-Ups Do: practice good plank and push-up form Don’t: allow your hips to rise or sag Easier: Do push-ups from your knees Harder: n/a   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Praying Mantis Plank Do: Return to good plank form between each rep Easier: Touch outstretched foot to floor near hand, instead of touching hand & foot in the air; or leave both hands in place and just reach your foot out.   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Prisoner Get-Ups Do: take your time, and hit all the “Stops”: 1) lie down 2) sit up 3) tuck your knee under 4) rise to kneeling 5) stand up Easier: Use your hands to support Harder: Add weight   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Push-Up Progression A simple trick for progressing to a full push-up if you can’t do any (or very many) yet! Practice at your lowest comfortable hand position. Work up to where you’re comfortable with 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps at one position, before you progress to the next lower hand elevation. Back to all […]

Exercise: Push-Ups Do: Place hands slightly wider than shoulder width apart, point elbows about 45 degrees away from your torso, get to a 90 degree bend in your elbows at the bottom position Don’t: allow your hips to rise up or sag Easier: do push-ups from your knees Harder: place feet close together (works stability); elevate […]

Exercise: Push-Ups on a Ball Variations: FOB Push-ups; FOB single-leg push-ups; HOB push-ups from the knees; HOB push-ups (lowering motion only); HOB full push-ups Do: Practice good standard push-up form Don’t: Allow your shoulders to rise towards your ears Easier / Harder: variations are listed in order of challenge   Click here to see all the […]

Exercise: Reverse Leg-Lifts on a Ball Do: engage your back and glutes throughout; keep your neck in a neutral position Don’t: overextend your legs, arch your back Easier: One leg at a time   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Roll-downs on a Ball Do: Roll slowly and with control, initiate the roll-down by tucking your pelvis under Don’t: Start sitting in the centre of the ball, or go too quickly Harder: Raise one arm at a time as shown  

Exercise: Roll-Ups Do: Rise and lower with control; engage your abs; focus on tucking your pelvis under before starting the roll-down Don’t: use momentum; forget to breathe! Easier: use hands to support you Harder: n/a   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Rollover & Situp Do: Use your core muscles to roll you over Don’t: use your hands or feet to roll yourself; use momentum to rise up to the situp Easier: Use hands to support yourself in the situp Harder: n/a   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Russian Twists (with a ball) Do: Keep a flat back, keep hips relatively still so that knee caps remain aligned Easier: Sit up at a more upright angle Harder: add weight   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Seated Hip Tilts and Swivels Do: Go slowly, with control, using small movements Don’t: rush   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Seated Marching on a Ball Do: Go slowly, check your form in a mirror Don’t: Allow the ball to roll or dip from side to side as you march; rush through Easier: No arms Harder: Add arm raises   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Side Lifts Do: Align your head, butt, and heels in one straight line Don’t: Look down at your feet   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Side Lunge Do: Keep weight in your heel, hips pointing back; spring back to the starting position Don’t: Look down Easier: n/a Harder: Add weight   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Side Plank Variations: from elbow or from hand; arm lifted; leg lifted; both arm and leg lifted Do: Align your head, hips, and heels in a straight line Don’t: Look at your feet Easier: hand on hip, from the elbow Harder: Variations are listed in order from easier to harder Click here to see all […]

Exercise: Side to Side Switches Do: Hold weight close to body, use core to control the movement, move quickly and sharply Don’t: swing the weight in large arcs or compensate with a wide stance. Easier: n/a Harder: go faster, use heavier weight. See also: Heismans Back to all How-To Videos, in alphabetical order…

Exercise: Sideways Stairs Do: Use “outside” and “inside” leg equally, & remember to swap sides every flight of stairs or two. Don’t: forget to get low and attack the stairs like a speed skater

Exercise: Single Leg Dead Lift, aka SLDL or 1LDL Do: Engage your core, hinge your torso and leg as a unit, send your hips backward and weight over your heel Don’t: use the same forward arm as your supporting leg!  Easier: n/a Harder: Add a dumbbell or kettlebell See also: Deadlifts, Good Mornings Back to all How-To Videos, in alphabetical […]

Exercise: Single Leg Squat Do: Engage your core, shoot for a 90 degree bend, try different leg positions Don’t: let your shoulders and head do all the lowering! Easier: hold on to a wall or counter for support Harder: get lower!

Exercise: Skater Jumps Variation: Skater Jumps & Hops Do: Take speed skater posture, low and bent at the waist. Jump wide and low. For the jump+hop variation, get as much air under your toes on the Hop as you can! Don’t: Pop up and over; transfer your weight to the back foot on each side of the jumps […]

Exercise: Skater Strides Do: Stay low throughout, keep head and chest lifted, use arms like a speed skater Don’t: bob up and down, or half-ass it and wind up looking like a tap dancer :)

Exercise: Split Squat Do: Keep chest lifted, stance wide enough that both knees bend to 90 degrees but no further Don’t: Allow your front knee to cave inward Easier: n/a Harder: add weight   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Split Squat with Raised Back Leg Do: Place about 70% of your weight on the front foot. Drive through the heel of the front foot to rise up. Don’t: allow front knee to cave inward. Easier: Do standard split squats instead Harder: lift heavier weight See also: Split Squats, Lunges Back to all How-To Videos, in alphabetical order…

Exercise: Squats with Weight Do: Keep weight in heels, maintain a slight curve in the lower back at the bottom position, keep chest and head lifted. Don’t: squat lower if you can’t maintain good form. Easier: Use lighter weight; use a Smith Machine at the gym. Harder: Lift heavier weight. See also: Squats & Squat Jumps Back to all […]

Exercise: Squats Variations: Squat Jumps, Squat Jump + Tuck Jump Do: Send hips back first, keep chest and head lifted. For jumping variations, do land with soft knees! Don’t: allow weight forward into your toes; look down Easier: If you can’t perform a squat on your own with good form, hold on to e.g. a door frame […]

Exercise: Sumo Push-Ups Do: Take a wide stance with feet and hands; practice good push-up form Don’t: allow hips to sag or to rise up into a pike position Easier: do the push-ups from your knees Harder: n/a   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Sumo Squats Variations: Sumo-Squat-Tiptoe, Sumo Squat Pulses Do: Rotate your legs from the hip, use adductors (inner thighs) and glutes (booty) to hold this rotation throughout Don’t: Turn your feet out further than your hip flexibility allows; Don’t: Allow your knees to bend forward in front of your ankles! Easier: n/a Harder: add weight […]

Exercise: Supermans (to be grammatically correct, should this be Supermen? Or better yet, maybe Superwomen?!) Do: engage your core and glutes before lifting up to hover Don’t: raise hands and feet too high, creating an arch in your back   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Swimming on a Ball Do: Maintain a straight line from head to heels, keep your neck neutral, engage your abdominal muscles Don’t: Overextend/arch your back, look up or look down   Click here to see all the How-To Videos… Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Tabletop Rollout on a Ball Do: Go slowly, with control; bend at the hips; keep your neck neutral Don’t: pitch forward at the hips as though in a plank   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: TFL + IT Band + Hamstring Stretch Do: Work with a friend or use a strap or band; Play around and find the angle of stretch that works best for you; hold the stretch for at least 30 seconds on each side. Don’t: stretch into pain – pull back until you feel a stretch but […]

Exercise: Thrusters Do: Drive up powerfully with legs and hips Don’t: separate the movement into a slow squat and a slow overhead press. Easier: Use lighter weight. Harder: Lift heavier weight (in the video I have 15 lb dumbbells in each hand) See also: Squats, Burpees & Variations Back to all How-To Videos, in alphabetical order…

Exercise: Tricep Rollout on a Ball Do: Maintain a plank position and neutral neck position Don’t: Pop back up to the starting position (go slowly instead)   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Triceps Push-Up Do: Keep elbows tucked to your sides, practice good push-up form Don’t: allow hips to sag or rise up into a piked position Easier: From the knees Harder: Elevate your feet on a step, bench or chair   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Tuck Jumps Do: Get your knees UP! Land with soft knees Don’t: try these before being well warmed up Easier: take small stutter jumps in between each tuck jump Harder: jump higher, go faster   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Tuck Jumps – Advanced Variations Do: Get low to start every jump. Power up as high as possible and tuck both knees to chest. Attempt to stick the landing each time. Don’t: do these without a very good warm-up. Easier: take more rest between jumps. Harder: n/a See also: Long Jump with Weight, Tuck Jumps Back to […]

Exercise: Upper Body Stretch Sequence Do: Just follow along and hold each stretch for 30 seconds minimum! Here’s the list: Chest stretch on the wall (or door stretch) Door frame back stretch Forearm stretch – inside and outside Back to all How-To Videos, in alphabetical order…

Exercise: Upper Body Warm-Up and Mobility Sequence Do: Follow this sequence before doing heavy lifting or extensive upper body training. Don’t: Let your ribs poke forward during pass-throughs, pull-aparts, or cactus arms. Here’s the sequence: 10 Pass-throughs 10 Cactus Arms 10 Wall Push-ups 10 Pull-Aparts – overhand 10 Pull-Aparts – underhand 10 T-Spine roll-outs in each […]

Exercise: Upper Body Warm-Up and Mobility Sequence Do: Follow this sequence before doing heavy lifting or extensive upper body training. Don’t: Let your ribs poke forward during pass-throughs, pull-aparts, or cactus arms. Here’s the sequence: 10 Pass-throughs 10 Cactus Arms 10 Wall Push-ups 10 Pull-Aparts – overhand 10 Pull-Aparts – underhand 10 T-Spine roll-outs in each […]

Exercise: V-Sit Do: keep head and chest lifted, try to keep a flat low back Don’t: round your back Easier: support yourself with hands behind your knees Harder: longer balances   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Walking Lunge Do: Keep head and shoulders lifted, drive up through your front heel Don’t: let your front knee drive forward past your toes, or cave inward towards your centre line. Easier: hold on to a wall for support, don’t bend as deeply Harder / Stability variation: Add a twist, reaching back toward your back heel with the same […]

Exercise: Walking Push-up Do: Practice good push-up form Don’t: Allow hips to pike up or sag Easier: Do pushups from your knees; step hand and foot one at a time instead of simultaneously Harder: n/a   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Walkout Push-ups on a Ball Do: Maintain a plank position and neutral neck position; alternate which hand leads the march   Click here to see all the How-To Videos…

Exercise: Wall Sits, and one-leg wall sits Do: Maintain a 90 degree bend in the knee When testing your single leg wall sit, get into a 2-leg sitting position, and start your timer when you lift one foot off the ground. Don’t: rest your upper body/arms on your knees