Archive for December 7, 2011
Foam Roller
The Foam Roller
Fad or Functional?

The foam roller has been around for awhile now but is becoming more popular among fitness professionals and at gyms.
Many times though the foam roller is used for exercise itself or they just sit in a corner.
I know that I have had my doubts with the foam roller but over the last few years those doubts are completely gone!
The benefit of using the foam roller are
1. Getting rid of “tight” muscles
2. Reducing muscle soreness
3. Helps recovery from exercise
4. Helps performance in workouts
5. Decreases the likelihood of injury
The disadvantages if you can call them that
1. You have to pay for one but it is well worth it
2. It takes a little of your time but it is well worth it
http://www.sportsmedicine.about.com/od/flexibilityandstretching/ss/FoamRoller.htm for further reading.
Personally we recommend the grid because it does not indent or lose it structure and it works awesome.

The Toe Shoe
The Toe Shoe
Fad Or Functional?
Today lets take a look at the toe shoes that are popping up all over the place.
Is this just another fitness fad or is this a functional, helpful pair of shoes?
I have seen fitness professionals and others wearing these shoes for awhile and thought it was a fad at first.
Overtime though I had been reading and hearing the benefits of this shoe.
A few weeks back I heard a presentation and I knew I wanted or maybe even needed a pair.
What has the experience been?
1. My feet feel great when wearing them.
2. My toes are spreading apart.
3. I can feel my feet getting stronger.
4. They are light and seem durable thus far.
What are the negatives?
1. They must be kept clean because socks are not worn.
2. They can be hard at first to get on to your toes.
3. They are not super inexpensive but are worth the price.
4. They have made my feet itch.
5. They look funny but for me it is function not looks!
Below are two longer articles on toe shoes. Please check with your doctor before getting the toe shoes for yourself!
http://birthdayshoes.com/why-toe-shoes
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/toe-shoes.html
Functional Rating
Please post your comments below!
Perform Better Wisdom
The Wisdom of Perform Better Chicago 2011
Here are the top things I learned at this years perform better.
1. People are learning that being educated is more important then ever. I have went to perform better for several years. The number of attendees is increasing. When it comes to fitness education, Perform Better Seminars are the best or at least one of the best in the business!
2. Our glutes are weak.
3. Anything worthwhile is going to usually take effort.
4. Dropping a kettlebell on a hard floor might break the kettlebell:) It wasn’t me.
5. We need good fitness professionals more than ever. People do not know how to lose fat, get their bodies moving properly, and want some help to be able to function throughout life.
6. FMS – Functional Movement Screen is a great system.
7. Al Vermeil is genius and a super cool guy.
8. Barefoot training and the weird shoes are no longer a fad but this needs to be introduced slowly especially untrained individuals.
9. That I need to become the absolute best fitness coach I can be. This will help me become more successful.
10. That most people will not keep weight off without continual support, lifestyle nutrition habit changes, and gradual progressions in exercise intensity!




















