Exercises of the Week #29 - Yoga Ball and Ab Exercise #3

Straight Legged Hip Ups from Live Functional on Vimeo.

Core and Back Stability

+ Feel shoulder blades connect into the ground, keep spine as straight as possible, do not loose the integrity of the spine.

+ As you press your feet into the ball, feel the hips leave the ground without any vertebra of the spine shifting, this takes a ton of attention.

+ Squeeze the butt to full hip extension and hold of 2 seconds at the top, now slowly reach the butt toward the ground, do not just flop down.

2-3 sets 10-15 reps exhale as push, inhale as you go down PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR BODY

Exercises of the Week #24 - Another Full Body Move with Free Weights

Dumbell Squat to Overhead Swing (kettleball optional, not needed) from Live Functional on Vimeo.

If you can't afford a kettle ball you are better off, you can do everything with barbell, and here is an example. As with all of our movement corrections, DO THEM, FEEL THEM, THEY MAKE A DIFFERENCE you can feel.

+ Firmly holding one side of a barbell, swing the load overhead, do not let go, you gym neighbor will not like you if that weight flies around.
+ Feet are slightly turned out and knees are facing the direction you knees are facing, knees should not dive in AT ALL, they remain over the feet.
+ Inhale down, exhale over head. Keep shoulders down on back, no shoulder earrings!!

2-4 sets 10-20 reps (depending on load)

Start with a 15 lb weight until you get the swing of it, then move on, most folks do not need to go over 30 lbs, if you do, do not swing over the head, just up to chin and keep your abs full of medium pressure, and keep breathing.

Exercises of the Week #22 - How to Make a Workout From the Blog

Okay, choose 7 exercises that fit into what you want to workout or correct in your body. Most of the exercises are tagged with a problem area of the body: shoulder, leg, lower back. The exercises can help correct poor movement patterns in these areas if it is done over 3-4 weeks.

Do these 7 exercises as a circuit. Do 3 sets of each exercise. This should be a 45 minute to an hour workout depending on the pace. Enjoy the exercises.

Exercises of the Week #19 - An Advanced Leg, Arm, and Shoulder Move

Here is a full body move for the avid exerciser.  Happy Holidays!

Compound Static lunge/shoulder flexion. (advanced) from Live Functional on Vimeo.
If you have shoulder injuries prior to this exercise, you probably know if your shoulder can take the load and range. Please consider the current state of your shoulders and knees before attempting new unfamiliar exercise.

Things to avoid in this exercise:

+ knees do not wobble side to side, back remains strong and straight, shoulder blades stay on back and do not pull the spine into flexion at all.

+ start with low weight (5 lbs) at first, make sure the feet are properly spaced to allow for proper knee flexion, knee never dives beyond the beginning of toes. Keep range small at first, until the timing becomes clear and your body does the move with integrity and smoothness.

2-3 sets of 10-20 reps. Compound moves are multi-joint and multi-planed motions that require a great deal of awareness and can be very fun. You don't even need weights for this move, your arms generally are heavy enough to provide ample load, not to mention the addition of speed. Hehe

Things to avoid in this exercise:

+ knees do not wobble side to side, back remains strong and straight, shoulder blades stay on back and do not pull the spine into flexion at all.

+ start with low weight (5 lbs) at first, make sure the feet are properly spaced to allow for proper knee flexion, knee never dives beyond the beginning of toes.  Keep range small at first, until the timing becomes clear and your body does the move with integrity and smoothness. 

Exercises of the Week #17 - An advanced full body move

This week's move is full body with freeweights. Enjoy.

Please leave a comment and let us know what types of corrective exercises you need to help fix you. Next week, we'll post the exercise for the top comment.

Seated Overhead Press on Bench (Ab stabilization/Back Stabilization, Shoulder Power) from Live Functional on Vimeo.

Big move, watch this move carefully before doing, can be done with dumbells as well. If you have shoulder problems, this is not a beginning exercise for you. Shoulder pain means you are limited until you understand how that pain can be supported and healed!

+ Abs remain active through entire move, chest is lifted, shoulders are on the back, elbows and shoulders feel the squeeze, feel the weight drive your butt bones into the bench, low back is on strong

+Inhale as weight comes down, exhale as weight is pressed overhead, elbows never lock when over head and the weight never goes below the chin

2-3 sets of 10-15 reps (start lighter at first just to get the move understood, then push for fatigue with more reasonably challenging weight)

Exercises of the Week #16 - Free Weights and Yoga Ball Exercise Combo

Here is another corrective exercise for the holidays. Triceps, Triceps, Triceps. Enjoy.

Tricep Extensions on bench (gym name "skull crushers") from Live Functional on Vimeo.

pretty simple move, here's how to make it real juicy!

+ Keep elbows held at a slight angle over your head and don't let them move, the pivot of the weight must be still!

+ You will feel the abs engage/stabilize as you extend and flex the elbow over your skull, weights will be at the side of the head, be careful so that the weight does not land on your head, go slow until you feel the flight path of the weight, then take off!

+Inhale as the weight lands over head, and exhale with pressure as you press weight to beginning position.

2-3 sets of 10-20 reps (10 lbs to start and then find the weight that pushes fatigue)

Exercises of the Week #14 - Holiday Exercise on the Yoga Ball

This week we're going to be switching to the Yoga Ball or Fitness Ball fitness ball exercises. This exercise focuses on correcting, stabilizing, and strengthening the low and mid Back. It also works the abs.

+ Pay attention to the range here, the idea is to not go as far as your back can take it. (farther is rarely better and often leads to injury) Range should be comfortable and smooth, no speedy snapping.

+ Feel shoulder blades on the back, not migrating up into the neck or head. Should feel like the blades are leading the back into extension.

+ 2-3 sets of 10-15 reps. This is a basic back strengthening move, when done properly. Not exciting, but effective. Also is a great back warm up.

Exercises of the Week #11 - One Full Body Move

Enjoy one corrective exercise used by Functional Fitness USA trainers. This exercise will help with correcting the specific parts of the body as listed in the description. Enjoy the movement.

Functional Fitness #183 - Shoulder/Back/Torso/Hips Integration: Single Arm Alternating Overhead Press with Obvious Weight Shift from Live Functional on Vimeo.

Things to Feel:

+Chest open, shoulder blades connected and stable, feet are slightly turned out, knees slightly bent, hips slightly bent, abs are contracted but allow movement.
+Anytime an exercise is divided into alternating segments, it becomes exponentially more complicated.
+Keep the range of arms shorter and don't snap the elbows, squeeze the resistance through the bone.
+We consider this move advanced, if you pay attention to how big the move is, you will feel it.
+Start with 10-15 lbs on cable cross until you understand the components of the move, especially the weight shifting aspect. Move the weight up when you are warm. 2-3 sets of 15-25, depending on enjoyment levels, hehe
+A hint to this move: when your abs start to burn you are on to the deeper purpose of this move, it may take you over 70 sets to feel it so be patient and pay attention.

Exercises of the Week #10 - A Cable Cross Move for the Shoulder Blades

This weeks exercises are corrective exercises for the shoulder and the scapula, the shoulder blade. Enjoy one of our top trainers and movement specialists, Wendy Woods, as she executes the moves with precision.

Functional Fitness #173 - Shoulder Stabilizing: Static Squat Lat Pull Down from Live Functional on Vimeo.

Notice the position of cable cross arms (notch 1,2,3 or 4) Facing the machine.

Things to feel:

+Weight in mid foot to heels, butt is reaching away from machine, knees over the feet, Chest is up, abs are engaged, Head is looking down towards bottom of machine, no looking up, drive the elbows toward the butt keeping the chest open, do not bring elbows in front of you, wrists stay straight, no wrist straining!
+Breath: Exhale on the down pull, inhale during return
+Weight Stack: start around 30+/- lbs. Heavy Maximum is a 7 rep weight, meaning it takes at least 7 reps to reach fatigue. 3 sets
(general rule, do not do this move on a heavy chest day, this move is a part of heavy back day)

Exercises of the Week #6 and #7 - The Cable Cross Machine Begins

We've been talking to some members about what they want to see in the Exercises of the Week.  It's unanimous, "SHOW US CABLE CROSS EXERCISES."  We like to be functional, so please enjoy the Cable Cross Exercises shown here by Wendy Woods, one of our top functional fitness trainer/practitioner. 

FYI:  All exercises are done on a Free Motion Cable Cross Machine.

Functional Fitness #160 - Scapular Stabilization Short Pull from Live Functional on Vimeo.

Watch the move several times, pay attention to the machine position. If you don't have the Long handles, you can create something similar with about 8 feet of rope and some climbing apparatus.
Things to feel:
+ Weight in heels, slightly bent knees, abs engaged, chest up, head lifted towards sky
+ Inhale, fill chest cavity and diaphragm with pressure, squeeze scapulas onto the back, pull the elbows toward the back, not going beyond what you feel is your back, arms ending at 90 degrees,
+Shoulder blades do not move up and down, they stay on the back
+Pace is slower at first, then when the move feels solid, step of the speed and weight to a 10-15 rep exercise

Seems so simple when you don't have to think about what you are actually doing with your body, hehe.

Functional Fitness #162 - Scapular stabilization-Lower W's from Live Functional on Vimeo.

Must have 2 long handles for this move or a long rope tied to a metal ring. Thicker rope works best, not too huge, you want to be able to wrap each end around each hand. Note the position of the machine arm.

Things to feel/track:
+Weight in heels, knees slightly bent, abs engaged, back is lightly engaged, breath is pressurized and moving, no breath holding, chest up, head is looking up slightly, slight bend in elbows, Shoulder blades stay on back, no slouching
+Breath is inhaling when arms pull down and exhaling when they return to beginning, (yes backwards than normal, you can try both ways, try to feel the difference)
+Weight stack is on 10-15 pounds until you feel the move is solid in your understanding, usually over 5 sets the move becomes integrated into your structure. Still a lighter move, do not go over 35 pounds, unless you are just a massive strong person. 10-20 reps 3 sets Speed can vary on this one, slow is good to start, don't over do the breathing, keep this move slower.

Functional Fitness #165 - Scapular Stabilizing: Short Pec Minor Active Stretch from Live Functional on Vimeo.

You will need a rope set up or the long handles sold by free motion. You can also use a rubber band.

Things to feel:
+Weight is in mid foot to balls of feet, knees slightly bent, abs are on harder, chest up, shoulder blades together on the back, the band is on the inside of the arms, elbows are doing the pushing, will feel shoulder blades being pushed together (feels good), make sure arms are 2-4 inches off the body leaving space between you and the cord/handles. no snapping, nice and squeeasy.
+Breath inhale during the push phase, exhaling during the push
+Can be done in a staggered stance, or with a small step forward
+Weight stack is set to 15 at first, when the move feels comfortable, increase load to a 15 rep set for 3
+You will feel what muscles are doing to work, if you are engaging your mind through your body! Remember don't just exercise, you must pay attention to your joints moving in space! It's fun!

Exercises of the Week #4 - 2 Free Weight Exercises and 1 Killer Yoga Ball Move

All the exercises of the week come from the Functional Fitness USA exercise archive.  We're currently, making a series of corrective exercise video work outs.  The Exercises of the Week is a free way we can enrich your work outs and help change the tired and worn out mentality of fad-based fitness.

IF IT'S NOT CORRECTIVE - WHY ARE YOU DOING IT?  Enjoy these corrective exercises from our team of trainers. 


Functional Fitness #130 - Short single leg squat with curl from Live Functional on Vimeo.
Front leg is holding most of weight into heel, hips are reaching behind you. Keep chest up, weight is always moving through the curl in time with the up and down.  Take it slow!  No more than 15 reps per leg for 2=3 sets. 


Functional Fitness #129 - Squat to Over Head Press from Live Functional on Vimeo.
Also an advanced move, squat is not deep, called shallow.  Keep over head press short, no elbow locking


Functional Fitness #133- Ball Plank with Torso Rotation from Live Functional on Vimeo.
Keep weight in heels, hips pushing toward ceiling.  The ball is located under the shoulder blades, head can be held off of ball. Twist the ball onto one shoulder blade then back to the other.  Ball should move under you, torso twisting through midline.  Start slow, no big fast twisting until you can stay balanced.