#15 - Log Press

The log press exercise involves another unique implement... a log with parallel handles embedded into it. Traditionally, these were made from real wooden logs, but now steel logs are more prevalent. I will use this implement with some athletes / clients as a challenging alternative to traditional barbell training.

This exercise is a great upper body pushing movement that incorporates full body involvement (as many great compound movements do).

More training tutorials coming up soon!

Stay Fit,

Josh

Baby's First Halloween

Our daughter, Kaitlyn, is having her first Halloween party tomorrow and we got some vid of her "flower costume". (I'm just wearing my usual headgear, LOL!).

Just shy of a year old and she's already started to do a little walkin' on her own... I'm pretty damn proud. What more can a guy ask for in life?

It's moments like this that remind me of what's really important in life, and that becomes increasingly important as life gets busier. I remember something that stuck with me from the movie "The Secret", which is to always have an 'attitude of gratitude'. Well, I'm sure grateful.

-Josh-

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Please take a second to respond to the above Poll. I will be posting a poll such as this every couple of months to ensure that my readers are receiving the content that is of the most interest to them.

Thank you!

Josh

The Mysterious Qualities of Water!

Water is the most important nutrient for our bodies, and is also the most important element to the planet earth. Without it our bodies, and the planet, would quickly die. There are many reasons why water is so vital, including:

• The human body is composed of 60% to 80% water
• Water is vital to almost every bodily function
• Dehydration can lead to headaches, digestion problems, low energy, and other health issues
• Drinking water can aid in losing body fat
• Drinking water helps increase lean muscle tissue (muscle is primarily made up of water)
• Water helps to flush toxins from our body
• Drinking more water can help keep your skin healthy and clear

Most of us by now understand the importance of consuming enough water every day, but as this video reveals there are many other amazing properties of water that most of us have never heard of!

This video is a little long (over an hour) but well worth watching. Set aside some time to watch it later on, or watch a few minutes of it here and there, whenever you get a chance. It's a must see.



Once you've had a chance to watch it, please take some time to comment on this blog below to let me know what you think of the movie.

Stay Fit!

Josh

Overhead Press Variations for Powerful Shoulders

In this short video I demonstrate two great overhead exercises: the Push Press and the Split Push Jerk. These are explosive movements which train your fast twitch muscle fibers and train you to be more powerful, which is especially important for most athletes. Although the push press and push jerk do require significant upper body involvement, I consider them to be full body compound exercises. This is because you must drive with your hips and legs as well as your arms and shoulders in a coordinated manner in order to complete the movement.

If you haven't already, try out these exercises in your program and let me know if you have any questions.

The POWER of Vitamin D!

With winter fast approaching we have been inundated by what I call "flu shot ads"... basically a marketing campaign to promote the importance of getting the flu vaccine. Well, I suppose this makes sense, because this is the "flu season", although the flu vaccine carries with it a whole set of health risks itself; but there is another way to safely protect yourself against the flu virus. Vitamin D!

More and more research is coming out about this amazing vitamin, as you might have noticed recently.

Some of the MANY benefits of Vitamin D include:

* Increase calcium absorption and aids in increasing bone density
* Boosts your immune system
* Helps prevent cancer and several autoimmune disorders
* Aids in protecting against viruses such as the flu
* Blood pressure regulation
* Insulin sensitivity

That's just to mention a few benefits! Watch the following video which describes some of the recent research on the benefits of vitamin D...



Also check out this "controversial" video and article linked below about vitamin D and the flu!

http://tinyurl.com/vitDbenefits

There is more and more information coming out about this Vitamin, and some health professionals actually describe vitamin D as a hormone rather than a vitamin, because of the role it plays in our body. I strongly recommend you take this simple step to improving your health by increasing your intake of this vital nutrient, both through safe, healthy exposure to sunlight as well as supplementation.

Stay healthy!

Josh

StrongKidz Challenge

Footage of a small strength challenge I organized for kids at a local charity event benefiting the Toronto Foundation for Student Success. Funds go towards providing healthy breakfasts for children from underprivileged homes, to help them build strong minds and bodies.

Stay fit... don't quit!

Josh

Conor is Pulling for the Hungry

Here is a short video that a local newspaper, the Toronto Star, produced showing my friend Conor training at my facility for his strongman fundraiser tomorrow... where he will pull a bus for charity!

Check it out:



Be sure to check out the website, www.PullingForTheHungry.com and make a donation if you can!

Stay Fit and Never Quit,

Josh