Planks are so good for you, but sometimes they can be less than fun.

Luckily, there are several ways to make them more enjoyable, and if  you enjoy your planks, you are much more likely to do them on a regular basis.

More planks = a strong core which supports your back and helps you to be more active and awesome in your daily life. Yay! to that.

Ways to make planking more fun:
1. Do them with a friend. Having a plank buddy is one of the best ways to do more planks. Your planking amigo will hold you accountable, entertain you and sometimes holler at you to put your butt down.

2. Sing a song or even better “plankify a song” To do this change the lyrics to any song to make it about planking. Let’s take Michael Jackson’s “Beat it” for example. Usually it goes, “Beat it…beat it…no one wants to be defeated, etc.” So if you plankify it the new song might go, “Plank it…plank it…no plank wants to be defeated.” Now you try!

3. Set a goal and work towards it. If you goal is 60 seconds, try to add a few seconds every day. Just don’t over do it and lose your form.

4. Try different variations. Just doing the same ol’ plank everyday can get tedious. The internet is crawling with plank options, just make sure you don’t do anything too difficult for your fitness level.

5. Try to meditate. Focus on your breathing and when your brain wanders to the pain in your stomach muscles, feel the pain and gently return your focus back to your breathing. Gain enlightenment and core strength all at once!

6. Pass the time by feeling superior to all the people in the gym who are too lazy to do the plank and are going other, far less effective exercises.

7. Plank someplace different and hopefully scenic, like my awesome client Janelle U. recently did in Hawaii.

Remember always stop if you feel any strain or pain in your lower back. 

Hopefully some of these suggestions will make your planking more enjoyable.

If you have more ideas or photos of yourself planking some place cool please share!

Plank on!

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We will improve our strength, flexibility, endurance and agility all while enjoying the great outdoors. Please wear a good sports bra and come ready for action!

All fitness levels are welcome and movements can be personalized to your abilities. Please bring a friend and feel free to forward this to anyone you think might be interested. Let me know if you any questions and please RSVP so I know how much equipment to bring.

RSVP here!

See you in the park!

$10 per class.

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My client Sherri S. tied the knot a while back. For months before the big day she talked about wanting to be a “buff bride” and insisted on lifting as much and as heavily as possible. The girl was an unstoppable metal moving machine. On her own she did loads of cardio as well. Of course the big day was a smashing success and the lovely couple is now happily wed.

Check out the beautiful bride…

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But don’t fret, just because you are impulsive doesn’t mean you are doomed to be tipping the scales the wrong way.  There are lots of things you can to do whip your toddler self into shape.

Take this quick quiz and find out now if you might be a Fitness Toddler…

True or false?

1. Stationary cardio machines seem like the stupidest toys ever invented.

2. You are unable to sleep with a box/bag of your favorite treat lurking in the house.

3. People think you’re fun and spontaneous. You

4. don’t mind walking, as long as there is a treat where the sidewalk ends.

5. You get bored easily and wonder when this quiz is going to be over.

If you answered true to 4 or more of the 5 above questions, consider yourself an FT.

Helpful tips for adorable fitness toddlers:

• Make it fun! Good advice for everyone, but especially for FT’s. So take an unusual class, try a new sport or bring a buddy to the gym.
• Remove temptation. Much like those little plastic thingies new parents put in the light sockets so that their little darlings don’t fry their fingers’ off, F.T.’s must be protected from tempting temptations.
• Find a “fitness parent” who you like and want to please. You tell them you took an upside down aerobics class and they say “good boy!” or “good girl!”
• Don’t expect instant results. Nobody expects toddlers to run marathon on those chubby little legs, and you should expect too much too soon either.
• Don’t compare yourself to other “fitness grown-ups.” They may be more disciplined and consciences, but you will always be more fun at party’s. Plus you’d be totally bored with their workouts before you can say sweat sock three times fast.

Good luck cutie!

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Eating breakfast is like saving for retirement. We all know it should be a top priority, but it always seems like starting tomorrow is a better idea. Yet, study after study shows that people who make time for an early meal are much more likely to maintain a healthy body weight. Plus, eating breakfast can improve focus, energy levels and reduce homicidal tendencies.

Lucky for all of us, there are some breakfast ideas that are so easy, delicious and nutritious that they are capable of helping us to overcome the very strong forces of morning inertia.

The morning breakfast pie is just such an option. It consists of toasted bread (preferably whole grain), nut butter (peanut or almond work great) and sliced fresh fruit. My favorites are apples, strawberries and blue berries.

Make one today for a happier, leaner and more productive tomorrow!

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A good scrambling hike is like a daypass to the world’s most scenic and challenging gymnasium. Somewhere between hiking and mountaineering, a scramble might have you crossing a stream on a fallen log, rock hopping on all fours, or crawling underneath a rebellious tree that decided to grow sideways. Once you get hooked on the challenge and unpredictability of a good scramble, regular ol’ hiking might feel as boring as a walking on a treadmill.

Scrambling is also great for your brain. Instead of just putting one foot in front of the other you are challenged to figure out the best path over various obstacles based on your own capabilities. Can you fit through there? Can you jump that far? After a good scramble your brain will be as stimulated as your body.

Scrambling also encourages team work. You and your trail mates will be trying to figure out the best routes, letting each other know which rocks are slippery and generally working through it all together, helping you to develop A+ communication skill as you get fit. Keep in mind, especially if you’re a beginner, that scrambles are a bit more dangerous than conventional hikes. Always bring a buddy and toss a first aid kit in your daypack for good measure.

What I love about a good scramble is that every component of fitness is simultaneously challenged. You may be strong in a gym, but true fitness is demonstrated with one foot on a rock, one in the air, your body stretched out while you pull yourself forward with one arm. Scrambling will put you into positions that the average gym couldn’t come up with in its wildest dreams.

And speaking of boring, repetitive gyms, a scramble hike is never the same twice because the landscape is always changing. And if you’re the kind of person who’s always looking for ways to improve, this type of hike can also a great diagnostic fitness test. Scrambling will let you know if you need to spend more time working on balance , improving your range of motion or increasing your upper body strength. Pay attention during a scramble and your weaknesses will be revealed.

So get scrambling, the world is your obstacle covered oyster!

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Longest amount of time spent on the stationary bike

George Hood rode for more than 111 hours while raising over $30,000 for charity. Go George go!

Longest non-stop hill walking trek

Emil Llic covered 126 miles (204 kilometers) on rocky and mountainous roads without any rest, even consuming food and drink on the move. Let’s all hit the incline button on the treadmill in his honor.

Longest swim

Martin Strel swam 3,272 miles (5,268 kilometers) down the Amazon River. “The Fish Man” covered this whopping distance in only 66 days while dodging piranhas, crocodiles and Columbian drug lords.  At least when you have to share a lane with other swimmers they don’t usually try to bite you.

Longest solo run around the US perimeter

Reza Baluchi spent six months running around the United States covering 11,000-miles (17,701kilometer) along the way. Now that’s a road trip.

Greatest distance travelled on a treadmill in 24 hours

Edit Berces covered 153.6 miles (247.2 km) on a treadmill set up at the Euro-centre Shopping Mall. She must have been so ready to hit the food court after that! On the men’s side, Arulanantham Suresh Joachim ran 160.24 miles (257.88 km) in one day.

To see more amazing records visit:

World Record Academy

Guinness World Records

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I learned this practice from a very healthful roommate that I lived with for a few months (she also stretched during conversations and danced along the beach wearing her walkman). Each week Super Healthy roommate would visit the local farmers market, stock up on produce and then come home and make a giant salad. She would put the mega salad in the biggest Tupperware bowl I had ever seen and then eat from it for the rest of the week (she ate it without dressing, so maybe she was part rabbit).

This method is brilliant for many reasons. Jumping right on top of the produce before it is even put away ensures that nothing is stashed and forgotten, avoiding the sad, gooey fate of so many vegetables bought by well intentioned people.  Also, making one big salad can be a relaxing meditative experience, as opposed to the daily grind of pulling everything out, chopping a little bit of each and then putting everything away again. Salad mass production is much more efficient than the frustrating piece-meal method.

The best part is that when a salad is pre-made and ready to eat you are much more likely to eat more salad thereby keeping your nutritional halo shiny and green.

So get chop, chopping and let the good health roll!

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Jump ropes are one of the best bargains in fitness. Great ropes are available for $10 to $15.

Jump ropes are eminently portable and excuse proof. They are light, compact and ready to go with you anywhere.

Jumping rope promotes great posture. There is no way to jump rope while slumping or slouching.

Jumping rope is lower impact and easier on the joints than running, because you usually land on two feet instead of just one. Wear good shoes and don’t try it on concrete for best results.

Jump ropes are associated with bad ass boxers and other super fit types.

Jump roping allows for endless variations and moves, which always keeps things fun and interesting. Check out jumprope.com if you really want to be impressed.

Jumping rope is intense; you can cram a lot of sweat and effort into a little bit of time.

Jumping rope combats osteoporosis.

Jumping rope will improve your footwork, coordination and rhythm and keep you from being laughed at weddings.

Jumping rope increases cardiovascular fitness and lower body strength.  

So grab a rope, find a giving surface and get bouncing!

**Clear it with your doctor before starting any new exercise program, especially if you have a history of joint or cardiovascular problems.

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