personal training st. john's

personal training st. john's
I was lying down on the couch the other day and went to push myself off to get up.

My leg was in such a position that it activated the crap out of my glute. You see, I was propped up on some pillows and the unique position I had my legs bent actually put my glutes in an advantageous position (relative to my hamstrings) to execute hip extension. Referred to as active insufficiency, the bi-articular hamstring muscle which crosses the hip and knee joints, was in a disadvantageous position to activate.

Robert Panariello actually just wrote about this on Bret Contreras’ blog HERE.

In his post, Robert discusses a glute test that utilizes an assessment table and plyometric box.

This position was how I was propped up on this couch, sort-of.

I was thinking how I could simulate this in the gym without the assessment table because this bridge variation is actually very effective at targeting you glutes.

I was playing around in the gym this morning and came up with these two unique bridge variations.

Thanks to active insufficiency, your glutes should dominate this bridge variation. Robert describes this table set-up as a test/assessment, which I agree with, but I also believe the test can serve as the exercise.

If you’re new to this exercise and have weak glutes, do the two leg variation. There is more stability and a lower chance you’ll use your hamstrings. Place two kettlebells at the end of an exercise bench. Move to the end of the bench and form a 90-degree angle at your knees. Find neutral spine and gently brace your abs. Drive your heels into the handles of the kettlebells and lift your hips upward. You should feel a strong contracting in both glutes. As Pavel says, “Squeeze and break the walnut!” Hold for a few seconds and return to the starting positing.

I like performing one or two sets prior to my lower body workouts completing a total of 20-ish reps.

Once your glutes get strong together (e.g. bilaterally), it’s time to try the single leg version. Here, ensure your abs are braced so you don’t hyperextend your low back and so you can control the rotational torque applied to your pelvis/low back. You might notice a bit more hamstring activity in this version, but ensure you butt takes the brunt of the load. Follow the same instructions above but execute with one leg held in the air.

My hands are holding onto the bench so I don’t slide away from the kettlebells. They are not helping in the hip lift.

If you don’t have access to kettlebells, you can place two dumbbells on end.

Happy glute training!

-JK

photo credit: Steve Snodgrass via photopin cc

I was referred to JKC by my sister-in-law and had heard good things about it from many people in the running community. I also saw Jon’s picture on the wall at lululemon years ago! I really like the personalized training and the variety the guys provide. I started for strength training for running. I love cardio and do tons of it but wasn’t motivated to do much strength work on my own. Jon mixes up my strength work week to week so I don’t get bored but also lets me work in a hard circuit for the last 20 minutes of most sessions to get my cardio fix 

I am the oldest client at JKC at 79 years, soon to be 80. I started training at JKC July 2021. I started at JKC because two of my three sons Justin and Michael and their partners Andrea and Keir and one of my doctors recommended JKC. They all train at JKC Now my wife Linda trains at JKC too. My third son Jonathan lives in Kingston. There is a congenial community atmosphere at JKC. People are introduced to each other. There is effective personal training at JKC.

I chose JKC because I row/coach teams in the St. John’s Regatta and was looking to add strength training to our program. My wife is also running friends with Julia, so I got to meet Jon a few times and heard lots of good things. I like JKC over other gyms because of the level coaching I receive and the gym atmosphere. The energy in the gym helps me through the tough workouts.

I saw an article in Men’s Journal that quoted Jon in about 2018 while traveling and was impressed that someone in St. John’s made that international magazine.  Jon spoke about an exercise called the Farmer’s Walk and I started working that into my routine at the YMCA. I tore that article out of the magazine and kept it, meaning to make contact, but got busy. Then I had lunch with an old friend Bruce Dyke. I hadn’t seen Bruce for a while and I remarked that he looked super healthy and fit. He told me about his, and his son Cas’, experience at JKC and then I remembered the Men’s Journal article! No coincidences!

The experience is unique on many levels – great people, camaraderie, passion, purpose, and dedication. Jon and Thomas are attentive, precise and understanding.  Their teaching has unlocked a new perspective for me with what our bodies are capable of. I still appreciate the YMCA, wonderful place, but I can’t imagine working out without Jon and Thomas now.

trap bar deadlift

A few of my wonderful friends and colleagues recommended JKC. I was told by one colleague that “It’ll be the best thing you ever do for yourself” and she was right! To be honest, I didn’t have much experience in any gym setting. And NO prior weight training experience. It was always so overwhelming! But from the first day, nothing was intimidating about JKC. Each workout is set up just for me, and with my specific skills and goals in mind. There are no stupid questions, you learn as you go, and what I really love, I always feel included and important, regardless of my skills/experience.

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