RestoRative Yoga Class - Prime Time Athletic Club
Transcription
RestoRative Yoga Class - Prime Time Athletic Club
this edition spinning orientation..................2 women with weights..................2 pilates reformer tower class.. 3 train with a friend......................3 P R I M E T I M E AT H L E T I C C LU B SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER Getting started trx....................3 2016 Racquetball/tennis news......4-5 1730 Rollins Road, Burlingame 650.697.7311 www.PrimeTimeAthleticClub.com questions & answers...................6 oatmeal pancake recipe.............7 Functional Fitness Kick-Boxing high protein diets are in!..........7 exercises of the edition............8 A re you doing the same exercise routine and not getting the results you want? Then this class is for you. Functional Fitness Kick-Boxing is designed for people who want to get to the next level. Come join Certified Personal Trainers Joseph Solari and Kathleen Washburn for this intense workout using kettlebells, functional movements, plyometrics, medicine balls BOSU’s and kick-boxing on free standing bags. Class starts with a warm up followed by timed interval sets. Each set has a cardio interval, functional strength and kickboxing interval. The kickboxing interval contains a punching and kicking combination on a free standing bag. Class ends with a cool down and stretch to improve flexibility. Functional Fitness Kick-Boxing is a total body workout! This class is designed for all fitness levels, making it possible for each participant to work at their own fitness level! Joseph received his Bachelor of Science degree in physical education from San Marcos University, Lima, Peru. He also earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in hotel industry and tourism in Malaga, Spain. Joseph is certified in personal training from the International Fitness Professionals Association (IFPA). Additionally, he has played and coached soccer in Europe and South America. Kathleen Washburn has 20 years of experience in personal training, dance and fitness performance and instruction. She currently holds certificates in AFAA, ACSM, and AEA Fitness and specializes in body conditioning. She is also a former 49er Gold Rush Cheerleader and helped cheer on the Niner’s through two super bowls! Free Functional Fitness Kick-Boxing demo class will be held: Tuesday, September 27 from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Friday, September 30 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Functional Fitness Kick-Boxing Classes start: Tuesday, October 4 through October 25, from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Friday, October 7 through October 28, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Class is limited to 12 participants and meets once a week for four weeks. The cost is $99.00 and will be held in studio 2. Sign up at the front desk. For more information contact Fitness Director, Cathy Firkins at ext. 613. A Festive FrighT! C Kids’ Annual Halloween Party alling all princesses, superheroes, clowns, ghosts and goblins! On Saturday, October 22, Prime Time will host its annual Kids’ Halloween party from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Our popular event is a free, funfilled party for members and their guests. Partygoers are invited to come dressed in costumes and join in the festivities. The carnival atmosphere features a variety of exciting attractions. Kid’s can select pumpkins from the Prime Time Pumpkin Patch and then join the costume parade which winds its way through the club, making trick-or-treat stops. Partygoers also can board the trick-or-treat express train and ride around the pool and beyond. The fun doesn’t stop there! Young party guests and their parents will enjoy other seasonal surprises and attractions, such as face painting and balloon twisting. The atmosphere is festive and “Halloweenish,” but very child-friendly, so even the youngest trick-or-treaters will have a great time. Come join the fun and don’t forget to bring a friend! For additional information, contact Fitness Director Cathy Firkins at ext. 613. upcoming: Announcements Time to Change the Clocks Back As the seasons change, so does Father Time. Daylight saving time ends at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 6. Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour. Enjoy the extra hour of sleep! Fitness Center Reminders Workout bags and purses are not permitted in group exercise rooms or cardio and free-weight areas. Thank you for your cooperation. Spinning Orientation S pinning, which is an indoor group cycling class, is something that people of all ages and fitness levels can benefit from. If you think Spinning is not for you or tried it and didn’t like it, here are 5 reasons to try Spinning that will change your mind. Burn More Calories: Are you having trouble motivating yourself? If you have the choice are you most likely to choose light, comfortable or moderate exercise vs. challenging yourself? If you head toward the cardio machines and breeze through a so-so workout wishing you were doing something else, then Spinning is for you. A Spinning class will help motivate you! Give Your Joints a Break: Spinning is a low-impact cardio exercise, which means it is easier on your joints, including your knees and ankles, than many other forms of cardio. Many people who are rehabilitating injuries or recovering from surgeries are advised to try low-impact forms of exercise like biking or Spinning in lieu of jarring activities like running. Even if you don’t have joint issues now, it’s a good idea to alternate your high-impact exercises with some low- and no-impact exercises like Spinning to avoid overuse injuries and give those vulnerable joints a break every so often. Stay in Control: How many group workouts have you ever tried that can easily accommodate beginners, people with injuries, hardcore exercisers, young and old, and advanced exercisers in a single room? That is the beauty of Spinning – it’s something everyone can do. You should think of your Spinning instructor as a friendly guide for your workout. He or she usually has a general plan in terms of movements, intensity changes and pace, but really, YOU are the one in control. You decide how much resistance to add, how fast to pedal, and how hard to work. This means that people of all fitness levels can take the same class and all get a great workout. Prime Time’s Pro Shop C ome see what is new in the Pro Shop. Women’s quilted duffle bags, tech belts to hold your phone and keys and also two different color men’s sport bags. If you get to the gym and realize you forgot something you needed; lucky for you the Prime Time’s Pro Shop has all the essentials and more! Our Pro Shop includes swim gear, socks, weight lifting gloves, headphones, water bottles, yoga mats, sun screen and other Prime Time apparel. The Pro Shop also changes seasonally, so be sure to check back in so you don’t miss out on the newest gear. Our Pro Shop is located on the North Side entrance just past the check in desk to the right. So check out our Pro Shop today! For more information contact Gina Joseph at [email protected]. 2 SE P T / O C T 2 0 1 6 Enjoy the Great Indoors: Many people love biking and the benefits it provides as a great cardio workout with low-impact on the joints but don’t love biking in traffic on the streets. Spinning will provide the same benefits without the uneasiness of cycling in a high-traffic area that is unfriendly to bikes. If seasonal allergies or extreme weather, too hot or too cold, forces you to take your outdoor workouts inside, Spinning is a great alternative. Feel the Energy: I always say that people either love Spinning or hate it. When you’re at a class, chances are that everyone there loves it, otherwise they wouldn’t be there. That creates a positive, high-energy atmosphere that can motivate you to push yourself and make you feel good about working out. It makes the whole workout experience more fun. Come join Spinning Instructor Kathie Bianucci in a Spinning Orientation class that is ideal for newcomers or those who just want to brush up on the basics. You will receive handouts about the fundamental movements, hand positions and proper bike setup, as well as a list of frequently asked questions. The Spinning will be held on Sunday, October 9, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and is free to all members. Sign up at the front desk. For more information, contact Fitness Director Cathy Firkins at ext. 613. Women With Weights W omen with Weights meets every Tuesday and Thursday from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. for four weeks. Class is limited to six participants (minimum 4 participants). Cost of the class is $99.00 per person. To see when the next session will start or to register for this specialized program contact the front desk. For more information please contact Fitness Director Cathy Firkins at ext. 613. upcoming: ATHLETEs OF THE EDITION Ab-mazing For Your Abs! Pilates Reformer Tower Classes FREE Reformer Tower Demos T he Pilates Reformer Tower hits your core or in Pilates talk “your power house” unlike any other workout. What is your powerhouse? The torso muscles, the tummy, lower back, hips and behind, are called the powerhouse and are vital to performing Pilates moves correctly. Maintaining a stabilized core is the ultimate goal in any Pilates workout. With the proper form involving the powerhouse, the abs are always engaged when doing any Pilates exercise. One of the best things about the reformer tower is its versatility. Exercises can be done lying down, sitting standing, using the straps, the foot bar, and the shoulder blocks. The reformer can train many parts and dynamics of the body in so many different ways with just one relatively sleek piece of equipment. All kinds of exercises are done on the reformer tower to promote length, strength, flexibility, and balance. Most Pilates reformer tower exercises have to do with pushing, pulling or holding the carriage steady during an exercise using the springs. The springs can also enhance an exercise and make it harder. There are many, reformer exercises, including those for first-time beginners to exercises that challenge the most advanced practitioners. Pilates is for all fitness levels. Pilates Reformer Tower Classes: Group classes run in six-week sessions, meeting twice each week. They are limited to eight participants per group at a cost of $279.00 for the six-week session. Come experience the benefits of Pilates Reformer Tower for yourself with one of our certified instructors. See dates and times on page 8. Train with a Friend M ake it fun and train with a friend, which is also more affordable. Semi-private personal training is a unique way for people to benefit from the quality of service of personal training, while spending quality time with a friend, work colleague or even your spouse. Studies have shown that people adhere better to workout routines when they train in a group setting. Semi-private personal training sessions are meant for just two to three people at a time and may be just what you need to keep you motivated and moving towards your goals. Semi-private training has other benefits as well. Not only does training with a group of friends allow you to motivate each other, it also is cost-effective. So, grab a friend or loved one or someone with similar physical interests and contact Fitness Director Cathy Firkins at ext. 613. The cost of semi-private training is: $50.00 for one session $225.00 for a package of five sessions $425.00 for a package of 10 sessions Getting Started TRX Demo Classes W ant to try TRX? Let us show you the basics with our free Getting Started TRX Demo classes. These sessions will walk you through how to set up and use the TRX and find the best way to adjust resistance and stability. You will also learn easy-to-follow tips for progressing and engaging in an overview of the basic set of foundational exercises that use your own body weight. Join Certified Personal Trainer and TRX Instructor Jack Paul to sign up for the free Getting Started TRX Demo classes. Classes will be held in Studio 2 on Sunday, September 25 and Sunday, October 30 from 10:00 to 1100 a.m. Sign up at the front desk today! O n A p r i l 1 0 t h , 2 0 1 6 Pr i m e Time Athletic Club member Liz Jordan, member for over twenty years, completed the Lavaman triathlon on the Big Island of Hawaii. She competed with six other teachers from Baywood Elementary School in San Mateo. This was the group’s first triathlon, and they trained with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Team In Training. They started training in January 2016, and trained for four months to prepare for the race. The Lavaman triathlon helps to raise funding for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to provide saving services and resources to patients, while funding state of the art research toward a cure. The Lavaman Waikoloa Triathlon bike portion is a 40 Kilometer trek on a portion of the Ironman World Champion Bike Course. The Lavaman swim starts off with a beautiful 1500 meter (.9 Miles) Pacific Ocean swim that starts at Anaeho’omalu Bay at Waikoloa Beach. The swim starts in waist deep water and encountered depths to 65 ft. The Lavaman Waikoloa run is a 10 kilometer run that consists of a mixed terrain of lava rocks, street, and sand. The team cross-trained in order to complete all three portions of the triathlon. Liz regularly took Prime Time’s 6:00 a.m. spinning classes, and also weight trained in the weight room. All six team members trained regularly in our pool, and learned the swim techniques needed to complete the 1500 meter swim portion of the race. Congratulations to Liz and her team on such a great accomplishment! 3 RACQUETBALL RACQUETBALL NEWS NEW Racquetball Leagues Dave’s Pro Tips The Inner Game “T he inner game” is the game that takes place in the mind of the player. It is played against such obstacles as lapses in concentration, nervousness, self-doubt and self-condemnation. In short, it is played to overcome all habits of mind which inhibit excellence in performance. The player of the inner game comes to value the art of relaxed concentration; one discovers selfconfidence; and learns that a secret to winning lies in not trying too hard. Personally, I have found that an excellent author on the topic of “the inner game” is W. Timothy Gallwey. Gallwey first wrote The Inner Game of Tennis, back in 1974. This book can easily translate over to a racquetball player. He has since produced a series of bestselling Inner Game books (Skiing, Golf, Music, Work, and Stress), which set forth a new methodology for the development of personal and professional excellence in a variety of fields. I recently found a new edition of the Inner Game of Tennis (on Amazon), and re-read it. I highly recommend it. You can learn how to: (a) defeat your mental demons and find clarity under pressure; (b) dispel tensions that can sabotage your performance; (c) build confidence; and (d) employ the art of relaxed concentration to improve your swing, your game, and your life. Look into it. Try it. I think you might like it! 4 SE P T / O C T 2 0 1 6 Our Leagues are friendly, competitive, and FUN! Prime Time offers in-house singles and doubles league play, week nights Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Leagues are co-ed for novice, intermediate, advanced and high level players. SUMMER Leagues are currently in session through September 12. Come by and watch the action. FALL League sign-ups will begin September 1. FALL session begins September 19. For more information and/or possibly a trial, email Ray Hom at RayHom@ sbcglobal.net. Racquetball League Spring WINNERS! Congratulations to all our Club Members, including: Monday Doubles Division 1 Champions: Rob Simmons and EJ Noreika Finalists: Roy Lim and Jeff Caparro Division 2 Champions: Howard Louie and Brad Freeman Finalists: JP Piotrkowski and Charlie Williamson Wednesday Singles Division A Champion: Jon Gianini Finalist: Tanuj Chatterjee Division B Champion: Brian Evans Finalist: Ross Millikan Division BC Champion: Lalo Carranza Finalist: Dan Newton Division D Champion: Jasper van Mechelen Finalist: Amanda Fischer Thursday Singles / Doubles Top Gun Singles Champion: EJ Noreika Finalist: Tom Mizukami Division AA Singles Champion: Ron Oliveira Finalist: Ivan Alvaro Division 2 Doubles Champions: Dan Newton and Sergio Raddavero Finalists: Reinhard Weiser and Alan Barnett Junior Racquetball Program Lessons for any children and/ or their parents (members), please contact Rob Barbara at 415.860.6611; or email him at [email protected] for an appointment. Racquetball Lessons/ Services Individual, semi-private (two persons), and small group lessons are available with Club Pro, Dave George (AmPRO Clinician), and Rob Barbara (Assistant Teaching Pro). Lessons are available by appointment. For rates, more information, or to schedule a lesson, contact Dave George by email, at DaveAtTheClub@yahoo. com, or Rob Barbara at [email protected]. Racquetball and squash merchandise is available at Dave’s Pro Shop, along with racquet restringing, by Ray Hom. Located on the upstairs level across from Studio 1, Dave’s Pro Shop is open during League hours, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m. tennis tips TENNIS UPDATES T ennis Tips are essential for a tennis player to improve. The right tennis tip can make the difference between a breakthrough and staying at the same level. The best way to learn how to play tennis is through tennis tips and tennis instruction Tennis tips can propel a player to the next level. It is important to recognize that even with the most accurate tennis tips practice time must be put in on and off the court. Practice with an objective: work on a specific technique (more power on your forehand, sharper volleys, variety on your serve, etc.) until mastered, then work on another and to play with someone who is a better player and more experienced than you. Learn from advanced players: One way is to record professionals play; then watch them play in slow motion! Concentrate on the players’ every movement and you will gain much insight into your own game. Even professionals use these tennis tips, watching recordings of each other. Tennis tips require the right amount of practice and quality repetition: This may mean that slight adjustments have to be made to progress to the next level. Adjustments can be tennis technique of the forehand, backhand and serve, or the tennis footwork, and strategy used on the court. Let a few tennis tips guide you: For example, reminder words .When using your forehand, you may choose to tell yourself, “palm forward”; when using your backhand, tell yourself “finish high.” These tennis tips (reminder words) will enable you to focus on the correct path for your racket. The same applies to techniques to improve your footwork. You can up your game without even stepping on the court by improving your agility and speed. Tennis is a fast game full of quick, sudden movements. Train your footwork accordingly by practicing sprint drills. The tennis tips are merely guides to what changes in your tennis game need to be made, but the change itself must come with the correct mental, emotional and physical state. It starts with the determination and the desire to make the change and fully absorb the tennis tips and tennis instruction. And the most important tip of all… Have fun!!! Round Robin Don’t miss our next Round Robin mixers from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. on Sundays, September 18 and Sunday October 16. The cost is $5.00 per person. Tennis balls, drinks and snacks will be provided. Please email Tennis Pro Dan Kelton with any questions you might have or to reserve a spot. USTA League Men’s, women’s and combo leagues are starting in September. We’d love to have you on the team. For more information contact Tennis Pro Dan Kelton at 650-274-9891 or email him at [email protected]. Advanced Junior Drills and Play Boys and girls ages 7-12 years of age are invited. Children are taught the proper techniques to hit the ball with the use of fun drills and games. Players play matches and are prepared for USTA 10 and under and USTA 12 and under tournaments. Cost is $20.00. Junior League Tennis Boys and girls ages 7-12 years of age are invited. Players will play team matches. Parents are asked to volunteer. Matches will be played on Sundays at noon. Season is mid September to mid November. For more information contact Tennis Pro Dan Kelton at 650-274-9891 or email him at [email protected]. Private Tennis Lessons Take time to work on improving the weak areas of your tennis game. Private tennis lessons will include detailed one on one instruction for those of all levels. Whether you need tips on improving your serve, backhand, forehand, or keeping those ground-strokes in the court, a private tennis lesson is the perfect solution. Members $70 for a one hour lesson $399.00 for 6 one hour lessons $769.00 for 12 one hour lessons Non-Members $80 for a one hour lesson Group Tennis Lessons Prime Time offers group tennis lessons for people of all levels. The cost for these lessons are $15.00 for members and $20.00 for non members. Intermediate Tennis NTRP 2.5 - 3.0 Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Advanced Tennis NTRP 3.5 - 4.0 Mondays Wednesdays Sundays 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. 12:00 noon - 1:30 p.m 5 meet the professionals P rime Time Athletic Club would like to introduce our members to our Personal Training Staff, who have years of experience in the field of fitness. They hold a certification and/or degree in physical fitness, and are eager to help you reach your fitness goals. For further information on Prime Time Personal Trainers, please review our “Personal Trainer Biography Index” at the front desk. Individual Personal Training appointments are available for $70.00 per hour. For more information, contact Fitness and Group Exercise Director, Cathy Firkins, at ext. 613. IN T ROD U C ING : Maria Harper We would like to introduce you to our new Assistant Fitness Director, Maria Harper. Many of you may know her as one of our Body Conditioning or Spin Instructors. Maria has a Bachelor’s Degree in Art History and Interior Design from Cal State Long Beach. She is also a Certified Spinning Instructor, Barre Certified from Barre Above and a Personal Training Certification from National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF). She has been active in sports her entire life. She has completed several half marathons and one full marathon which as she says was, “one of the hardest but most rewarding accomplishments ever”. She enjoys spending her free time with her five children and blended family hiking, cooking and playing tennis. She strives to set a great example for her family with a balanced life of proper nutrition and exercise and having fun. “I try to inspire by doing. I hope to do the same with my clients.” You can contact the front desk to schedule your fitness appointment with Maria or to check the availability of any of the trainers. A bio of each trainer is available for your review to find the one that’s right for you. If you need assistance in selecting a trainer for your specific needs or have any questions, please contact Fitness Director Cathy Firkins at ext. 613. Q: What is the difference between weight machines and free weights? ASK the professionals M embers often have specific questions regarding training techniques or guidelines. For the convenience of our members, Prime Time Athletic Club’s Fitness Director will address questions in each issue of The Newsline. If you have questions that you would like featured, please submit them to the front desk, care of the Fitness Director. Members do not have to include their names with the questions. 6 SE P T / O C T 2 0 1 6 A: Free weights keep the resistance on the muscle constant throughout the joints range of motion (ROM), while the weight machines use variable resistance with the resistance changing throughout the ROM. With machines the movement is guided, and only the major muscles required to perform the movement are used. With free weights, the added task of balancing the weights engages other muscle groups that the machines do not use. Q: What does a good workout look like? A: A good workout takes movements that recruit as many muscles as possible. Try to incorporate a workout using one or two of the following: Leg Exercises: bodyweight squats, lunges, barbell squats or dead lifts Push Exercises: Push ups, dips, overhead dumbbell press, bench press Pull Exercises: Pull ups, bodyweight rows, barbell rows, dumbbell rows Core: plank, side plank, hanging knee tucks. A typical strength training routine will have you doing 3-5 sets, with 5-10 reps and waiting 60 seconds before moving on to the next one. THE HEALTHY COOK’S CORNER ACCENT ON NUTRITION High-Protein Diets Are In L Five Ingredient Protein Pancakes INGREDIENTS: 1/4 cup raw oats 1/4 cup cottage cheese 1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder 1/2 cup egg whites 1 tsp. cinnamon *toppings of choice (blueberries, bananas, agave nectar and peanut butter are a few favorites) DIRECTIONS: 1. Whisk together all wet ingredients (egg whites, cottage cheese) ow-fat diets are out. High-protein diets are in. That’s because many nutritional studies show people who cut down on carbs and boost consumption of chicken, fish, certain cuts of meat, and plant-based proteins reduce their risk for obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Going on a high-protein diet may help you tame your hunger, which could help you lose weight. High-protein foods take more work to digest, metabolize, and use, which means you burn more calories processing them. They also take longer to leave your stomach, so you feel full sooner and for a longer amount of time. The cumulative effect has obvious benefits for anyone who is watching their weight. Your body uses the amino acids in protein to build lean muscle, which not only makes you stronger and more toned but also fries calories even when you’re not active – unlike lazy fat. Ultimately, this keeps your metabolism humming along at high speed so you can burn off the occasional cookie, no problem. While nuts, whole grains, and veggies technically count, they don’t contain all nine of the amino acids your body needs in order to build lean muscle. Those that do – known as complete proteins – are typically found in animal products. Your best flat-belly bets are skinless white chicken or turkey, seafood, low-fat dairy, pork tenderloin, and lean beef. All of these foods have just one to three grams of fat per 50-calorie serving. It’s a good idea to change up your protein foods so that you don’t get tired of eating the same thing everyday which can lead to cheats and binge eating. For instance, you could have salmon or other fish that’s rich in omega-3s, beans or lentils that give you fiber as well as protein, walnuts on your salad, or almonds on your oatmeal. Keeping your meals interesting and diversified is key to success! Vegetarians need to be a little more creative. Pairing incomplete proteins – peanut butter on whole-wheat bread, or brown rice and beans, for example – can pinch-hit for complete ones. Or try complete proteins such as tofu, hemp seed, buckwheat, and quinoa. Remember though, calories still count so be sure to make good choices when picking your protein to not over eat. 2. In a separate bowl mix together dry ingredients (protein powder, oats, and cinnamon) 3. Combine dry and wet ingredients and mix until smooth. 4. Heat a skillet to medium high heat and spray with nonstick spray of your choice. 5. Drop ¼ cup portions into the skillet and cook on each side for three minutes. 6. Top off with toppings of choice. 7 Exercises of the Edition Deadlifts, the king of all exercises, will hit every major muscle group hard and it is the greatest test of strength. There are two types of deadlifts: bent knee and stiff leg. The deadlift is a great exercise to help develop the hamstrings and the lower back. Stiff legged Deadlifts FREE Reformer Tower Demos Mondays, September 19 and 26 and Wednesdays September 21 and 28, from 6:00 to 7:00 a.m. with Sandy Lam Tuesdays, September 20 and 27 and Thursdays, September 22 and 29 from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. with Genevieve Yu. These demos will be held in studio 5 and are limited to 8 participants. Sign up at the front desk. Pilates Reformer Tower Class Schedule: Mondays and Wednesdays, October 3 to November 9 from 6:00 to 7:00 a.m. with Sandy Lam. Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. with Mary Kalbheen (see front desk for dates). Tuesdays and Thursdays, October 4 to November 10 from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. with Genevieve Yu. Private Pilates Reformer Tower Sessions: This is a one-on-one instruction using the Reformer along with various props. The 60-minute session is arranged with the instructor and student based upon availability. Single Session: Five-Session Package: Ten- Session Package: $70.00 $325.00 $625.00 Semi-Private Pilates Reformer Sessions: Semi-private sessions with the Reformer Tower are limited to two or three participants and arranged with the students and the instructor. Single Session: $50.00 per person Five-Session Package: $225.00 per person Ten- Session Package:$425.00 per person For more information regarding our Pilates Program, please contact Fitness Director Cathy Firkins at ext. 613. 8 SE P T / O C T 2 0 1 6 Grasp a bar using an overhand grip (palms facing down). You may need some wrist wraps if using a significant amount of weight. 1. Stand with your torso straight and your legs spaced about shoulder-width apart. The knees should be slightly bent. This is your starting position. 2. Keeping the knees stationary, lower the barbell just over the top of your feet by bending at the waist while keeping your back straight. Keep moving forward as if you were going to pick up something from the floor until you feel a stretch on the hamstrings. Inhale as you perform this movement. 3. Begin to bring your torso up by extending your hips until you are back to the starting position. Exhale as you perform this movement. Variations: The exercise can also be performed with a dumbbell as described above. Bent Knee Deadlifts 1. Approach the bar so that it is centered over your feet. Your feet should be about hip-width apart. Bend at the hip to grip the bar at shoulder-width allowing your shoulder blades to protract. Typically, you would use an alternating grip. 2. With your feet and your grip set, take a big breath and then lower your hips and flex the knees until your shins contact the bar. Look forward with your head. Keep your chest up and back arched, and begin driving through the heels to move the weight upward. 3. After the bar passes the knees, aggressively pull the bar back, pulling your shoulder blades together as you drive your hips forward into the bar. 4. Lower the bar by bending at the hips and guiding it to the floor C a u t i o n : This is not an exercise that is recommended for people with lower back problems. It also needs to be treated with the utmost respect paying special attention not to round the back forward as you move the torso down. The back should always be straight. Finally, jerking motions or doing too much weight can injure your back. Never drop the weight.