Oprah Show , Shoes, Handbags, Bras

I was flipping through the channels and stumbled on to the Oprah Show. I am a HUGE Oprah fan, because I believe that she and Dr Oz are putting out information that is changing human kind for the better. This show, however, was NOT one of them.
The show was aired on Monday November 2, 2009. It was called Shoes, Handbags, and Bras. I was shocked. Adam Glassman, creative director of "O" Magazine, was one of the three who were in charge of setting up the audience members in fashionable footwear. He told a woman, "Your figure looks incredible in these heels", I was in awe! REALLY? I thought? If Oprah wants to so a show on fashionable shoes, then please also include a show, perhaps with Dr Oz, on what types of shoe would be best for the foot, and for health, not just for fashion.

The foot starts the story, and Like it or not, Foot function MUST overide foot fashion. Especiailly for women. Society may dictate what is desirable, but we have evolved enough to understand, what is important, and that should be proper foot function.

Oprah said that "the right pair of shoes can also solve some troubling leg and foot issues,"
I paused, and thought, FINALLY!
She goes on, "Have you ever heard of cankles?"
Well, I CRINGED! Come on CANKLES?
Are we seriously talking about Cankles? What about real problems, like, maybe bunions, Plantar fasciitis, hammer toes, ect, Perhaps these werent discussed, because the very shoes that make your figure look incredible, are also the same shoes that are destroying our feet.

So, is it really important to find the right foot for your figure? To some maybe. I am not saying that we should not have fashionable footwear, I am just saying, lets put a little more effort into educating people on what proper foot function entails, and then giving that some airtime. We owe it to ourselves to start looking deeper. Please Oprah. Help us out!!

AB -Armor, ( patent pending) COMING SOON!

Challenge your ABs as never before!!

Are you ready?

Available 2010.

AB-Armor

For those of you who are have not already figured it out, Let me set the record straight. I am an anatomy and mechanics NERD! I am always looking to learn new things about the muscular system and new ways to appropriately load my clients in an effective, yet safe manner. What people may not know about me, is that I have a very creative side to me. A few weeks ago, while experimenting at the Lab, I came up with a design that I decided to call AB Armor. Within 30 minutes, the design was complete and the research began. Beans, was able to make sense of my drawing and put technical specs to it, a manufacturer was found, and Voila, the design was sent in. Within 2 weeks , I received my Proto-Type. Although there were minor changes that needed to be made, it worked like a charm. So now, I am actively waiting for the second version of the AB-Armor to be shipped to the Lab.

While waiting for version 2 to arrive , I approached Stroops, which is the maker of the Elastomers that we utilize in the TENSION TRAINING program. After having them sign a NDA, I sent my Ab -Armor design to their company for feed back, and to see if there was interest in the product. I have since received and email from the company, and they Like the product, and I have been told, that I will hear news shortly. I cannot tell you the excitement that comes from creating a product and then having that product become a reality. Keep your fingers crossed, that Stroops, will work with me to release the AB-Armor for national distribution!!

Tension Training

Tension Trainingᵀᴹ
Anatomy Based Training




Tension Trainingᵀᴹ is an Anatomy Based Training System that takes and educated approach to fitness. Ensuring that the user understands each and every muscle and movement for better understanding of the body. Tension Training simply asks and answers the following questions BEFORE starting the exercise.

1) Where is the muscle Located?
2) What is the muscle trying to do?
3) What direction is the muscle fibers pulling in
4) What is the best angle to apply resistance.

Fitness is much more then just putting a weight in the hand. Tension Training revisits and restores ranges of motion that have been previously lost or left undiscovered. Training each muscle in the shortened position, ensures that the muscle not only gets stronger physically, but that the neuromuscular connection and proprioception is restored at each and every joint. Once the muscle is identified and contracting, the user simple steps away from the Tension Wall, to challenge the muscle with the appropriate resistance. This contraction is then held for set amount of time, and the process is repeated. Tension Training loads the path of motion, to ensure the most muscle fiber recruitment in each workout.

Tension Training is the preferred system for anyone who is working out, at any level. From beginners to seasoned athletes, to rehab individuals. There is no relying on fancy marketing tools or gimmicks, Just extensive knowledge and re-education of the muscular system. Once the ranges of motion are restored, and the muscle contractions are strong, then you can move on to more challenging workouts or workout modalities. Tension Training is also ideal for other trainers in the industry to help them understand the functions of the muscles.

Tension Training does take time to master. Each session not only opens up ranges of motion at each joint, but also un peels layers of compensation patterns and opens up awareness of the body. This all takes time, and each user responds at a different pace. remember, health and fitness is not a destination, it is journey. Be patient, be aware, and most of all educate yourself on the most important vehicle you will ever own. YOUR BODY!

Tension Trainingᵀᴹ Now available At The Human Motion Lab and The Jewish Community Center of San Francisco

The Foot, The Mobile Adaptor

The foot, it seems so simple, so important, yet so overlooked in our day to day activities.

The foot has 28 bones, 55 articulations ( joints), and has 3 different axis. With all these movable parts, the foot is truly an amazing engineering triumph of evolution!!



With every step, the foot must transform from a mobile adaptor, to absorb the force of
the body coming down on it,then lock out to become a rigid lever,for us to propel off of!
This must happen at every step. This is called Pronation and Supination.

The gait cycle, from heel strike to same side heel strike happens in about.6 seconds, Because this is happening so fast, it is an unconscious action. That is why proper communication between the nervous system and the muscular system is so important. The nervous system dictates which muscles come into play, and just as important, in what specific order the muscles will fire. This is all regulated without our conscious knowledge. It is a subconscious action that occurs weather our conscious mind is aware of it or not.

Now, understand that the foot MUST pronate, and MUST supinate as part of everyday function, Does it really make sense to BLOCK one or more of those functions with an improper fitting shoe or an orthotic. If you block a range of motion at one joint, the body must pick it up somewhere else. Before you go to that really cool running store, and have a sales person try and sell you an orthotic, to go along with your new expensive athletic shoes, ask a few questions:

1) Why are they recommending the orthotic?
2) How long are you supposed to wear it?
3) How is that affecting the joints up the kinetic chain?

If they cannot answer these questions, then perhaps they shouldn't be trying to sell you their product. Ultimately you must decide. There is a reason for all these bones and articulations in the foot. Get to know their purpose before you block their action!

Program Design

Does this sound familiar?

• Warm up and stretch.
• Execute 3 sets of 10-12 reps each.
• Divide each workout into body parts.
• Cardio 3 times a week, 30 minutes each.
• Now, lets get started.

Starting a training program that revolves around these cookie cutter rules sounds archaic, like riding a horse and buggy to work. Times change, and science reveals much about the muscular system. Why should we follow outdated rules?

Take a look around your gym. Witness identical movements, repeated in an almost robotic, thoughtless pattern, by different people with different needs and abilities.

Most of these exercises are copycat exercises found in a magazine, observed in another person in the gym, or taught by a floor trainer, who may prescribe the same one size fits all program to most that come through the door.

Joining a gym usually starts with a free personal training session. This is designed to give you the confidence to work out in that establishment, and with that equipment. This helps to retain you as a paying member.

To be clear, the strength of a gym should come less from the equipment and more from the training staff. Those individuals should be in charge of using the tools to properly progress you.

A seasoned, educated trainer can offer a much more diverse, apparently unconventional program. She may load movement patterns with cables, elastomers, med balls, and your own body weight. This encourages the body to do what it is designed to do: handle resistance in multiple planes and in many directions, corresponding to different muscle fiber alignments.

Adding resistance to the body without first identifying and addressing range limitations will re-enforce compensation patterns, and could open up a host of new issues. Exercise is meant to make you stronger and healthier. It is a powerful tool to keep us functional and mobile. Taking an educated approach is imperative.

Make sure that your trainer pays attention to your range of motion limitations before loading you up with weight. Your trainer should prescribe and progress the appropriate exercises for your specific limitations. She should create a program fit especially to your needs.

One of the foundational tools of a certified Muscle Activation Specialist is the comprehensive range of motion exam. This critical step is a standard practice of Muscle Activation Techniques, and no program would start without it. Your range limitations are identified, and only then will a safe and effective training program be initiated.

If your trainer does not offer a comprehensive range of motion exam, then look for a MAT Specialist in your area. Ask them to provide you with a summary of the results of your range of motion exam, so that you can coordinate with your trainer. The more information you can give to your trainer, the better your exercise program should be.

Here’s an example of a training map I provide to my clients at the Human Motion Lab. It summarizes the results of an example range of motion exam. It serves as the basis for a series of focused correctional training sessions.

Intelligent Fitness at 40

I turned 40 on January 8^th. Hitting 40 is a milestone.

The Human Motion Lab is proud to announce its Fitness at 40 programs. 

Fitness at 40 is much different than fitness was at 20. At 20 we are much more resilient. There has been much less wear and tear on the body and the joints. We can lift more aggressively and recover more quickly.

At 40, many of us have settled into our compensation patterns, injuries, and sedentary lifestyles. Reintroducing fitness at 40 requires a more mindful and educated approach. 

Fit 40 is not a mindless workout, but a personalized resistance-training program. It starts with a whole body range of motion exam. This draws the map and leads the way. Then exercise is reintroduced, and micro-progressed as appropriate.

Fit 40 is about taking care of past injuries, taking into account what injured you, and what compensation patterns you acquired while recovering. It’s also about education. Understanding each muscle’s action will help you understand how to properly challenge them.