Simple tutorial video on the “Negative Pull Up” technique. We use a plyometric box as an assist for getting into the “up” or “chin over bar” position. This is the same technique used by women when they first started attending the West Point Military Academy which enabled them to pass their pull up strength testing…… More
We have used “Dynamic Warm-Ups” or dynamic stretching for years in corporate wellness and fitness training with great success. We are posting a few “entry level” mobility videos to help people get started. If you need more details, please visit the credit references at the end of each video for more information. They are ALL…… More
Want to have some real FUN with shoulder and body mobility? Try the “Teacup” drill which originated from Tai Chi practice. There are ground versions too, but in this version, you can stand upright and play. Have fun with it–feels good on shoulders too! *Special thanks to Richard “Army” Maguire of Agelesstrength.com and Primal Move…… More
“Brachiation” basically means to hang like a monkey. Brachiation is one of THE BEST ways to develop healthy shoulders in children. It’s not dangerous–it’s actually productive and healthy! We need to put bars back into our schools and parks instead of removing them under the disguise of “safety” because this mistake is helping to create…… More
One of the great ways to develop both shoulder mobility and shoulder strength on a pull up bar is to…just hang. Once you develop your foundational grip strength needed for safety, you can explore some progressions such as “active” hangs with rocking motions or hand and change of direction switches. A step-by-step overview is given…… More
No this is not a post on medieval torture devices! It’s an important message about going beyond the mere pull up with your pull up bar. Think of the actual pull up bar as a tool for hanging other tools like suspension trainers. We use suspension trainers to modify “off the ground” training–usually making it easier (regressions)…… More
The key to doing a great military pull up without putting your shoulders at risk is to engage your “lat muscles” with the “Scapular Pull Up” technique. Here’s a nice tutorial of how to accomplish good lat muscle activation–which will greatly increase the efficiency and SAFETY of your full military pull ups and other bar…… More
This video is a nice overview of why we want people to use to the pull up bar and how to safely engage with a bar system. There is a lot more to bar work than just a military pull up, but here’s an idea of how to initiate some bar work if you do…… More
Recently, I had the pleasure of taking a day-long Primal Move workshop at Kettlebells South Bay in Torrence, CA. The host and owner of the gym Joe Chalakee, is a real class act, and welcomed us with open arms and great hospitality. I was so “moved” by the experience that I felt compelled to write…… More
I stand here before you in my 40th year of life, and interestingly I don’t feel my age. In fact, I’ve recently been getting a lot of comments from people failing to believe I’m 40. Well, evidenced by my receding hairline (although my shaved head disguises it well), I beg to differ. But hey, if…… More