Category Archives: Exercise and Training
How to Kettlebell Pistol Shoulder Press Exercise Galore.
Description: How to Kettlebell Pistol Shoulder Press Exercise Galore. Stand with feet shoulder width apart and hold kettlebells of equal weight in each hand with palms facing forward and elbows and shoulders at 90 ° angles. Slowly extend arms until they are straight above the shoulders, then lower back to starting position maintaining a straight back throughout the movement.
Primary Muscles: Anterior Deltoid
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Ray Binkowski is the owner of FitWorkz a hybrid training gym in DeKalb, IL, author, and trainer. He has lost over 60 pounds and kept it off for over 15 years. He has worked with thousands including professional athletes, police/fire/military, physique competitors, even corporations like 3M, and most often people looking to make a long term change in health, wellness, and weightloss. Plus the Get Fit and Live Healthy podcast.
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Deadlifts, the Exercise We See Done WRONG the Most and How to Do Them Right
Deadlifts, the exercise we see done WRONG the most and how to do them right. We see deadlifts done wrong all the time. We see them done wrong in our own club and even worse by internet coaches and gurus.
Deadlifts are a great whole body lift. You will burn a ton of calories doing them and build some of the largest muscles of the human body. As long as you do them right you will experience all of the benefits with out injury.
The deadlift is not really complicated as long as you keep a few things in mind.
- Make sure your shoulders are inline or behind the bar, NEVER in front of the bar.
- When you start the lift push through your heels. Many mistakenly initiate the lift with their back, this is wrong.
- The glutes and hamstrings should initiate the lift, think pull back as you lift as long as there is enough weight on the bar you will not fall back.
- Don’t be afraid of skinning your shins! Wear pants or socks. Trying to keep the bar from traveling up your shins is a sure way to let the bar get in front of your shoulder, your back to round both open the door to injury.
- Skip the high rep sets or max reps per unit of time. High reps mean fatigue and fatigue means a break down in safe lifting mechanics. This is a recipe for disaster for both the newbie as well as experienced lifter.
- Don’t use straps. If you start off using straps your grip will never be adequate to hang on to big weights. The only way your grip strength is going to be improve is by pulling with out straps.
Want to learn to deadlift along with over 100 other exercises? Check out Exercise Galore!
@fitworkzdekalb @eatbycolor #eatbycolor #iifym #fitmom #fitdad #fitkid #SSMF #antidiet #flexibledieting #ExerciseGalore
Ray Binkowski is the owner of FitWorkz a hybrid training gym in DeKalb, IL, author, and trainer. He has lost over 60 pounds and kept it off for over 15 years. Ray’s books Eat by Color, Get Fit and Live Healthy, and Exercise Galore can all be found on Amazon! He has worked with thousands including professional athletes, police/fire/military, physique competitors, even corporations like 3M, and most often people looking to make a long term change in health, wellness, and weightloss. Plus the Get Fit and Live Healthy podcast.
Follow us for daily exercise, motivation, and recipes!
Train in 3-D and make your Injuries go away.
Are you an athlete? Not sure. Well in this case we are loosely going to define athlete as anyone that exercises regularly. More specifically as anyone that does the same type of exercises week in and week out. Bodybuilders, powerlifters, runners, cross fitters… you are definitely in this category. Training in 3-D means not doing the same old same old. Many of us fit in to one of the categories above. We do the same exercises over and over and over again. This is done in a very 1 dimensional manner. 3 dimensional means training outside of our norm. See the video above and tips below. PS>..would love to hear from you so post, comment or message us!
Gym goer/regular exerciser
Make sure you include variety in your trainer. Don’t just do the same machines and same cardio. Every two to three months take a week off. When you return do something fun for a few days then back to a normal routine. By fun, try some new exercises. If you normally hit the free weights try some machines. If cardio is your game on the treadmill try the rower. You get the idea try something different.
Runner
If you put the miles in and run 5K/10K/13.1/26.2 make sure you include some time away from your next race. We see many train and run race after race after race. The result is chronic pain and in some cases having to give up running. To avoid this make sure you hit the weights as part of your training. Also pick a few fun races a year and leave them at that, forget the “it is just a 5K this weekend” which leads to a race every week or few weeks. We see many clients quit running, hit the weights and then run their BEST 5-10Ks. Add weights, take a break and back off on the race every weekend even if it is just a 5K.
Bodybuilder
Back off on the volume. Changes the lifts and movement patterns. Take a week off completely every few months. We have seen drug free competitors make real progress by training for 8 weeks then taking 5-7 days off. Gains? 9 lbs of lean mass in 6 months and another client gained 16 lbs in a year on their contest weight.
Powerlifter
There is more than just the big three. Take some time away form the big lifts. Don’t do a meet every few months indefinitely. I worked with a 6 time USAPL drug free for life bench press champion a few years back. He would rock Nationals every August if and only if he did NOT do a meet in the first quarter of the calendar year. Every time he did a small local meet in the first part of the year he would bomb at nationals. Since he kept incredible training logs and meet records we could see this trend. Take time offer.
____Fitter
Max reps for time of the same exercises often leads to overuse injuries. This is of course if you are in good enough shape to do the to begin with. Take time off and do some traditional weight training. Even hit some machines. Back off the oly lifts and their hybrids for a bit. Let your body rest. Take a week off.
Interesting in learning how Eat by Color can help you? Click here an then the FREE consult.
Raymond M. Binkowski is the owner of FitWorkz a hybrid training gym in DeKalb, IL, author, and trainer. He has lost over 60 pounds and kept it off for over 15 years. Ray’s books Eat by Color, Get Fit and Live Healthy, and Exercise Galore can all be found on Amazon! He has worked with thousands including professional athletes, police/fire/military, physique competitors, even 3M, and most often people looking to make a long term change in health, wellness, and weightloss. Plus the Get Fit and Live Healthy podcast. The podcast is FREE on Itunes.
Over 900 Videos on our Youtube Channel!!!
Jake Arrieta Training at FitWorkz, Pilates Sport has Arrived
For an elite sports program, you need elite athletes. For elite athletes, you need the right training. At Fitworkz, we can offer athletes the opportunity to get ahead of the competition. With our sports performance training, we can personally train an athlete for his/her sport, and allow them to improve in their skills and overall strength, speed, and power. We have helped thousands of athletes so far, and can help yours too. The 6 week program allows athletes to come in up to 6 days a week*. If you are looking for ways improve your athletes, and eventually your team, this is it.
Sports Performance* offers athletes the ability to:
-Get Fast and Reduce 40 yard dash time by .1-.2 seconds or more!
-Get Higher with 1-2 inch Increase in Vertical Jump
-Change Direction Faster and Reduce Lateral Foot Speed by 50%
-Add Distance to Long Jump
-BRAND New Train like Jake with Pilates Sport
-6 and 12 Week Training Packages Available
-And more!
For the younger, soon to be athletes, Fitworkz has an amazing Total Youth Conditioning program. Teaching kids proper mechanics and fundamentals for running, jumping, etc., and also having fun while doing it. Having good form and mechanics is crucial for lessening future injuries. For (time details) kids will be given a head start at the athletic world.
Total Youth Conditioning* gives kids the chance to experience:
-Physical Education meets Sports Training
-Kids will learn the fundamentals of Running and Jumping
-Fun Team atmosphere to keep kids moving this Summer
-Proper and SAFE movement mechanics
For more information, feel free to contact us at:
[email protected] or (815) 756-1188
Or check us out on social media
@FitworkzSP Youtube.com/FitworkzDekalb Facebook.com/FitworkzDekalb
*Some restrictions may apply see club for details.
As a bonus, Just click to get our 100% FREE explosive core strength exercise program for Athletes!
7 Core Exercises to develop that explosive core strength and power athletes need.
We’ve had a lot of athletes come through the doors at FitWorkz, and a common need is a core workout that will prepare our clients for elite levels of performance. With that in mind, we’ve created a simple seven exercise workout that can take your athlete to the next level. As sport seasons come up, give your athlete the competitive advantage they need. Download our free workout and get your athlete off the bench and into the game! 7 Core Exercises to develop that explosive core strength and power athletes need. We put them into to awesome training programs and you can get them by clicking below.
Yes! I want the 7 Core Exercises for Explosive Athlete Power and Training Program!
Athletes come in to FitWorkz with a lot of old school ideas on how to train the core. Most of them have been told that all core training requires is crunches, side bends, and sit ups. For our athletes, these exercise simply aren’t good enough. These three exercises are known to put unnecessary strain on the lower back, which can potentially injure them. To create more durable, powerful, and faster athletes, we use the following exercises.
1. Plank
A. Side Plank
2. Superman
3. Wallballs
4. Pallof Press
6. Single Arm Kettlebell Carries
7. Deadbugs
These exercises create athletes with better body awareness, core strength, and durability when compared to their peers. We use variations of these exercises before each of our FitWorkz Sport Performance workouts, and have seen great improvements in our athletes. With our free core training workout, you can create explosive core strength. Sport seasons don’t wait, so give them the advantage on the field with our proven training by downloading our free PDF.
Yes! I want the 7 Core Exercises for Explosive Athlete Power and Training Program!
Plus, find out how our athletes have gained 2-4 inches on their vertical jump, 6-10 feet of distance on their opponents, and increased their peak power by 20%.
Raymond M. Binkowski is the owner of FitWorkz a hybrid training gym in DeKalb, IL, author, and trainer. He has lost over 60 pounds and kept it off for over 15 years. Ray’s books Eat by Color, Get Fit and Live Healthy, and Exercise Galore can all be found on Amazon! He has worked with thousands including professional athletes, police/fire/military, physique competitors, even 3M, and most often people looking to make a long term change in health, wellness, and weightloss. Plus the Get Fit and Live Healthy podcast. The podast is FREE on Itunes.
Work Out Of The Week
Cable Incline Press
Start with bench at a 45⁰ angle with feet firmly planted on ground and butt, back and head on bench. Hold stirrups from low-pulley position on each side at chest height with arms bent under each wrist. Raise stirrups straight up until arms are straight, then lower slowly to beginning position.
- Seated Concentration Curl
Begin seated on a bench with feet planted firmly on the ground. Hold dumbell in one hand with elbow on the thigh of the same side just below knee height. With dumbell in between the knees lift to shoulder height and slowly return to starting position.
- Rope Pull Down
Attach tri-rope to cable cross machine, hold rope with heels of hands touching knobs at the end. Extend arms and be sure the knobs are pulled outward at the end of the movement.
Cable Lateral Raise
Stand to the side of the cable machine with a single handle attached to the low-pulley position. Grasp handle in hand furthest from pulley at hip height with palm toward the body. Raise handle up and away from the machine while keeping arm straight until it is at a 90⁰ angle to the body, then slowly lower to starting position and repeat on opposite side.
- Leg Extension
Sit at leg extension machine with butt and back firmly on pads, thighs under upper pad, and shins behind lower pad. Lift lower pad by extending at the knees until legs are straight and slowly lower into starting position.
Dumbbell Row
Begin with one foot flat on the ground and then other knee firmly planted on a bench. While keeping your back flat and head up hold weight extended out from the chest with palm facing the bench. Pull weight straight up to the chest leading with the elbow and slowly lower to starting position.
Work Out of the Week
Delt Raise
Stand with knees slightly bent and hips bent so that torso is slightly above parallel to the ground. Hold dumbbells below shoulder with palms facing each other and a slight bend in the elbows. Squeeze shoulder blades together to extend arms out to shoulder height then slowly return to starting position.
- TrxBicep
Start by holding a TRX handle in each hand facing the anchor point with palms facing upward. With the body completely straight other than the arms extended at 90⁰ slowly curl arms up to the shoulders moving only at the elbows then return to starting position.
- PecDec
Begin seated at pectoral fly machine with butt and back firmly against pads. Hold handle in each hand with palms facing forward. While keeping arms straight, slowly bring handles together in front of the body, then return to starting position.
- Db Lunge
Stand with dumbbells grasped at sides, step forward with one leg and lower body by flexing hip and knee until the knee of rear leg almost touches the floor. Forcibly extend hip and knee of front leg to return to starting position, then repeat on opposite leg.
- Machine Shoulder
Begin seated at the shoulder press machine with butt and back firmly on pads. Grasp handles to the sides with palms facing inward, toward the body. Raise lever while keeping elbows in line with the torso until arms are completely extended. Slowly return to starting position.
- Db TriKick Back
Position your body with one knee on a bench and the arm on the same side of the body on the bench for support. Hold a dumbell with the other hand with the other foot planted firmly on the ground. Hold arm at a 90⁰ angle with upper arm parallel to the floor, extend lower arm upward to straighten arm, then slowly return back to starting position.
Your Weekly Workout 12/6/2013
Bent DB Row
Begin standing with a slight bend in the knees, bent over at the hips to about 45⁰ with the back straight and head up. Hold dumbbells with palms facing the legs and arms completely extended from the shoulders. Lift dumbbells to chest height while squeezing the shoulder blades, then slowly return to starting position.
- Rope Hammer Curl
Begin by attaching the E-Z bar to the low-pulley position on the cable machine. Hold the E-Z bar with palms facing each other, elbows tucked in and a straight back, slowly curl arms toward chest until forearms are vertical, then lower to starting position.
- Trx Fly Chest
Hold a TRX handle in each hand facing away from the anchor point with arms extended straight out from the shoulders. Keeping a slight bend in the elbows, slowly extend arms out to the sides of the body, then pull back to the center in front of the chest.
- Bar Bell Dead Lift
Grasp barbell with shoulder-width grip on the ground with palms facing backward by bending at the knees and hips. While keeping the back straight, extend the legs and pull shoulders back to lift bar off the ground.
- BarBell Shrug
Begin standing with feet planted firmly on the ground and barbell held with palms facing the body in front of the body with arms completely straight. Shrug weight upward as far as possible by only moving at the shoulders and relax into starting position.
- Dips
Mount shoulder width dip bar with arms straight and shoulders above hands. Slowly lower body until a slight stretch is felt in the shoulders, then slowly straighten arms back to starting position.
Your Weekly Workout, Pics and Descriptions
Seated Row
Start with butt and feet planted firmly on seat and foot plates, grasp close grip handles and extend legs. Start with arms extended and pull handle to chest then slowly return to starting position, being sure movement only occurs in the arms.
- Alternating Bicep Curl
Begin standing with feet planted firmly on the ground and dumbbells at your sides with palms facing away from the body. Starting with the weaker arm, curl arm until the forearm is vertical, slowly lower and repeat on the other arm.
- Chest Fly
Begin by lying on a flat bench with feet planted on ground, butt, back and head on bench. Hold a dumbbell in each hand with palms facing each other fully extended above the shoulders. Without bending arms, slowly lower dumbbells to the sides of the body so that palms are facing the ceiling at the end of the movement. Lower weights as far as possible, then raise back to starting position above the chest.
- Barbell Squat
Position bar high on back and grasp to the sides of shoulders. Bend knees while allowing hips to bend backward, keeping back straight. Be sure to keep knees in the same direction as the feet. Descend until the thighs are just below parallel to the floor. Straighten knees and hips slowly until back in starting position.
- TRX Shoulder Fly
Grasp both TRX handles in one hand while facing the anchor point with palm facing downward. To get into starting position lean back and completely extend arm in front of the body. Raise arm straight up and back until it is in line with the body over the shoulder. Slowly lower into starting position then repeat on opposite arm.
- Trx Tricep Extension
Start by holding a TRX handle in each hand with palms facing the floor and face away from the anchor point. With feet together begin with arms extended 90⁰ at the shoulder joint. Without moving the upper arm, bend at the elbows as far as possible, then slowly extend arms back to starting position so arms are once again straight.
