By Mike Mahler
Eischens Yoga
"After shoulder surgery, Eischens Yoga (aka High Energy Yoga) was the foundation of my successful comeback to competitive barefoot waterskiing. In September 2006 I had surgery on a torn labrum and rotator cuff in my right shoulder, preventing me from competing in the 2006 World Championships in Adna, Washington. When I was cleared to workout after surgery I began with a series ofone-on-one therapeutic yoga sessions with Ali Dwyer, CNT and Eischens Yoga Instructor at the Monkey Bar Gym. Ali meticulously studied my shoulder, and was
tremendously helpful in realigning it with the rest of my body. Eischens Yoga laid the foundation to rebuild my strength through Monkey Bar Gym training. As a result, my shoulder is stronger and more stable than ever! Through Ali’s instruction I also gained an awareness of how I distribute my weight across my feet, which enhanced my performance on the water. Thanks to my yoga training with Ali, I quickly returned to competition and won gold in the tricks event at the 2007 National Championships. Eischens Yoga is a central component in my training program as I prepare for the 2009 World Championships in New Zealand." ~Teri Larson, World Ranked Barefoot Water Skier
"Let me start with the general positive changes I’ve noticed in my body. Of course, the more outwardly obvious is being leaner and stronger, which feels great and is reassuring for long term health. I read in the New York Times that contrary to previous assumptions about loss of muscle mass due to aging, we can maintain and increase our muscle mass as we age as long as we continue to work at it.
Less obvious, but in some ways more significant general body changes that I’ve noticed are a lower resting heart rate and better breathing. I can clearly feel slow, calm, strong and steady heart rate when my body is at rest. I think my breathing is more efficient because my core muscles are stronger, because we concentrate on breathing in the gym, and because we practice maximizing our endurance. My breaths are fuller and deeper now all the time, not just when I’m working out. My allergies bother me much less. Again, both of these factors are key to long term health.
I’ve been a bike commuter all my (working) life, and biked everywhere as a kid too. I’m now in my forties, and worked out at other gyms. But in the two years I’ve been at MBG I am leaner, stronger, with better blood flow and breathing than ever in my life. These things help me to be a better cyclist. I can move faster with more efficiency and do not tire readily. My stronger muscles mean I can sustain proper posture for maximum power while riding. I feel more prepared to manage difficult riding conditions and enjoy my rides more than ever. When my ride is over, I feel energized and relaxed at the same time." ~Jennifer Munger, MBG Madison Member
“How can Kettlebell training help me get fit?”
Kettlebells are simply amazing at improving strength, power AND endurance. Kettlebells were originally made in Russia by putting a handle on cannonballs to condition soldiers for battle by enhancing all the things a soldier needed; grip strength, full body power and conditioning for ultimate long term intensity. Lets look at some of the basic movements done with kettlebells that achieve all of the above attributes. By themselves or matched with other exercises Kettlebells can result in incredible power / endurance training which provides ultimate levels of fitness.
- The Kettlebell Clean, the Kettlebell Swing, the Kettlebell Snatch - All powerful posterior chain movements, meaning they strengthen the very muscles most people are weak at like the back of your legs, hips, low back and upper back.
- The Kettlbell Military Press, Kettlebell Push Press, Kettlebell Jerk - All great pushing movements.
- The Kettlebell Front Squat, Kettlebell Lunges, Kettlebell Jumps, Kettlebell Pistols - All wonderful leg exercises that train full range of motion, balance of the legs and torso.
- The Turkish Get Up, Windmills, Renegade Rows - All great core/full body exercises.
Now I mentioned quite a few Kettlebell exercises above, also we covered all the basics you want to hit in full body training (pushing, pulling, squatting, core, conditioning). Here is the kicker: they can all be done with a kettlebell! By training the above Kettlebell exercises your body is forced to adapt and increased power, strength and endurance is the end result.
Kettlebells, my friend, will not only get you fit, but they can give you AMAZING FITNESS!!
I promise if you add Kettlebell into your training routine your going to get hooked and incredibly fit at the same time!
Kettlebells, my friend, will not only get you fit, but they can give you AMAZING FITNESS!!
I promise if you add Kettlebell into your training routine your going to get hooked and incredibly fit at the same time!
Check out our online store for a great selection of Kettlebells at the lowest price around!
Until next time,
Jon Hinds, Owner/Founder of the MBG
Kettlebells
Learn proper Kettlebell form! Jon Hinds shows you some variations of Kettlebell Cleans, Kettlebell Squats, Kettlebell Presses, and Kettlebell Swings. There are lots of great Kettlebell exercises and routines and you can go from fat burning to muscle building routines in seconds! If you like what you see and want to get your own pair of Lifeline USA Kettlebells, visit our Online Store
Why do Bodyweight Training at the Monkey Bar Gym?
This is not an easy feat by any means! Try it yourself and see how well you do! The Monkey Bar Gym focuses on natural training and bodyweight exercises!
Inspiration from the Monkey Bar Gym
Our #1 goal at the Monkey Bar Gym it to help heal people and teach them how to be as healthy and as strong as they can, thus increasing happiness, life span, self worth, etc. Our idea is that families, couples, friends, etc can all start to do out workouts at home together. This video is about one of the Certified Natural Trainers at the Monkey Bar, who is using what she has learned to help others beat the odds!
Tour of the Monkey Bar Gymnasium
Get a glimpse of the unique training that takes place on a daily basis inside the walls of the Monkey Bar Gym. Natural training and bodyweight exercises are the emphasis, and performance is stressed instead of cosmetics. Can’t make it to Madison to give our Online Training a try?