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 had spent a fair bit of time in gyms in my teens and twenties but I turned away from the gym to focus on activities that I enjoyed more. What keeps me at JKC is that I do really enjoy it. I always feel that I’ve accomplished something when I leave at the end of my workout. The environment is really positive and focused on challenging yourself whatever your level of comfort and fitness. I’ve also seen results that I’m really happy with; having someone who really knows what they’re talking about to guide your workouts makes them way more effective and focused than just “going to the gym”.

Shortly after I started at JKC, I sustained a fairly major injury that took me off my feet for several months. When I started to get back to activity, it was very difficult. Jon and Thomas worked hard to tailor my workouts to my goals and what I could do. With their help, I’ve been steadily building back strength and function.

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.

Darlene Parrott-Manning

Personal Strength Training by Jon-Erik Kawamoto

Have to thank both Jon and Thomas for their help with my conditioning this past year. After a major injury in 2020, I tried everything. My foot doctor (Dr. D. Sutton) said there was something missing and recommended Conditioning. I then found JKConditioning and it definitely worked for me. Today September 8, 2024 I completed a Half Marathon in 1 hour and 42 minutes and came First in my age group.
Thank you JKConditioning!!!

I’m 29 and I just had my 3rd Liftiversary 🥳 at JKC. I chose to train here because of the great word on the street and the fact that at lululemon, we’re encouraged to support our local community. My day-to-day routine is very busy, and I love showing up and having to think very little about my workout. The vibes are always good, my music choice is usually accommodated, and the bys are incredibly supportive and compassionate, helping me reach my goals (even when I had a broken hand). I also get to be my weird self, and am embraced fully.

I recently turned 40, and I have been training at JKC since the summer of 2020. My partner Michael had already been training at JKC, so it came highly recommended. We had set up a home gym at the start of the pandemic, but needed to mix it up after the first lockdown. JKC differs from other gyms because of the personalized workouts. Jon, Thomas and Craig are great at challenging me to do more than I would on my own.

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