personal training Archives - Tucson Strength

Professional Personal Training in Tucson

Danny — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 22:13:09 +0000

We started as a personal training studio in 2010 and have expanded over the years to become a full service gym, offering open gym, group training, and personal training. I came up in the Big Box scene and saw the revolving doors of trainers that came through. Here one day and gone the next. The trainers were treated like a commodity to the ownership.

Here at Tucson Strength our trainers do this for a career, they are professionals and we treat them accordingly. We are proud that we contribute thousands of dollars per year towards there continuing education. All of our full time staff receive matching 401K, vacation pay, and health insurance benefits. When you look around the gym you will see that our trainers have been with us for 5,10, and even 15 years! That is unheard of in the industry.

If you are looking for a personal trainer in Tucson consider scheduling a consultation. Our team of coaches is diverse in there expertise will understand how to meet you where you are at and get you to where you want to be.

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A Gym for Everyone

Danny — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 00:24:52 +0000

We aren't just a bunch of meat heads

Yes we are a strength focused gym. People have known us as the hub of powerlifting in southern Arizona, but Tucson Strength has something for everyone!

Shelly is 80 years old and crushes her workouts with the help of her trainer, Diane Zibaoui. At Tucson Strength we meet you where you are at and help you build a solid base of mobility, strength, and conditioning to improve your overall health.

We are gym that caters to the elite athlete needing a place to train as well as the beginner just starting their journey. We have some of the most dedicated personal trainers in Tucson that can guide you in one on one personal training, group training and programming. If you are an advanced athlete come on in and enjoy some of the best Strength Training equipment around.

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YOUR PERSONAL TRAINER ISN’T A POWERLIFTING COACH

Danny — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 23:48:58 +0000

YOUR TRAINER ISN'T A POWERLIFTING COACH

Powerlifting is the definition of an inclusive sport. When you come to a competition you will see people ranging in age from 13-85. You will see monsters squatting 700lbs and a person stepping on the platform for the first time squatting 135lbs. The best part is the crowd loves them all. The sport involves 3 lifts: the squat, bench press, and deadlift. For those that can’t squat, you can do Bench Press and Deadlift only. Many people will see someone on the platform that they can resonate with and say “I can do that!” For the most part they are correct. They can. Powerlifting is in the reach of most people.

Hire a Coach, not a personal trainer

There are some people that show up to their first competition with no assistnance. They have watched a couple of YouTube Videos and have figured it all out. This usually doesn’t workout great, but I have seen some people succeed with this approach. The thing that will boil my blood is seeing someone that seeks out professional guidance and then they hire their friend’s grandson who is a certified personal trainer.. Trainers should know the basics of how to lift, but powerlifting is a sport. In sports you need to hire an experienced coach that not only understands the technical aspects of the three lifts, but also has a knowledge of how to prepare for a meet, teach you the rules of the meet, and how to prepare you for the long day that is awaiting you.

I can’t count the number of times I see lifters show up with a trainer and from the moment they start the weigh-ins they are already confused and stressed. They don’t make weight because they registered for the wrong division and weight class. Then they show up on meet day don’t time their warm ups appropriately. They then go to step on the platform and haven’t trained commands appropriately. They don’t understand how to get their net attempt in to the score table. All of these things add to an already stressful day. The worst part is, they paid someone good money to prepare them.

What to look for in a powerlifting coach

One of the key things to ask is have they competed in the sport and know the rules of the federation you plan to compete in. Experience varies but having a coach with at least 3-4 meets under their own belt should be a minimum requirement. Experience on the platform is crucial. This doesn’t mean they need to be a world class lifter and have super human strength themselves, but they should be able to guide you from where you the beginning until you finish that last deadlift on meet day.

Ask them what type of programming philosophy they follow. If it’s Starting Strength walk the other way.lol But seriously ask them about their training philosophy. If everyone they train is on the same program, it is not a good sign.

A good powerlifting coach should be able to set you up on a program that will prepare you and not over work you. If you are an adult with other responsibilities besides lifting heavy, they need to be able to make sure you are on a program that meets you where you are and doesn’t drive you into the ground before meet day.

Most of the time most trainers in a big box gym can’t help you. Seek out a locally owned gym that specializes in the sport.

Feel free to reach out with any questions. If you aren’t close to us we will help you find someone that can guide you in the right direction.

Check out some of our past blogs on Powerlifting!

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Why Personal Training

Danny — Sat, 27 Apr 2024 01:43:33 +0000

Unlocking Your Potential: The Benefits of Personal Training

In a world where self-improvement is a constant pursuit, personal training stands out as a beacon of guidance and support. Beyond the stereotypical images of muscle-bound trainers yelling commands at their clients, personal training offers a multitude of benefits that extend far beyond physical fitness alone.

Tailored Guidance

One of the most significant advantages of personal training is the tailored guidance it provides. Unlike generic workout plans found in magazines or online, a personal trainer designs a regimen that suits your specific goals, fitness level, and even medical history. This personalized approach ensures that every exercise is optimized for your individual needs, maximizing efficiency and safety. Many people have tried the gym before, but eventually the fade out because they don’t know design the correct plan. Is it high reps and low weights or Low reps and heavy weights? Do you push to failure or stop short of failure? Should you increase the weight every week or increase the reps? A good personal trainer will be able to assess your situation and make the appropriate program for you.

Accountability and Motivation

Staying motivated on your fitness journey can be challenging, especially when faced with busy schedules and competing priorities. Personal trainers act as both mentors and cheerleaders, holding you accountable for your commitments while offering unwavering support and encouragement. Knowing that someone is invested in your progress can provide the extra push needed to surpass your limits and achieve your goals.

Proper Technique and Injury Prevention

Improper technique during exercise not only diminishes results but also increases the risk of injury. Personal trainers are skilled in teaching proper form and technique, ensuring that you perform each exercise safely and effectively. By mastering the fundamentals under expert supervision, you can prevent injuries that might otherwise derail your progress and sideline your ambitions. Understanding how to modify exercises and working around old injuries is crucial for your success.

Efficient Use of Time and Resources

In today’s fast-paced world, time is a precious commodity. Personal training optimizes your workouts, eliminating wasted time on inefficient exercises or ineffective strategies. With a clear plan of action tailored to your goals, you can make the most of every moment spent in the gym, maximizing results while minimizing the time investment required.

Long-Term Success

Unlike crash diets or temporary fitness fads, personal training emphasizes sustainable lifestyle changes that lead to long-term success. By fostering healthy habits and providing ongoing support, personal trainers empower you to not only achieve your immediate goals but also maintain your progress far into the future. A good personal trainer will also teach you and prepare you to be self sufficient in the gym and not become dependent on them to train. At Tucson Strength we even offer programming services so that you have a plan to follow on your own once you have all the fundamentals mastered.

If you are looking for some guidance feel free to reach out to us for a complimentary consultation. We will sit down and discuss your goals and help you figure out a plan of action that fits your availability and budget. We have a very diverse team of trainers that specialize in everything from corrective exercise to powerlifting, athletic development, and general strength and conditioning.

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So You Want to be a Personal Trainer

Admin — Wed, 28 Oct 2020 00:30:43 +0000

I am celebrating 20 years of being a personal trainer. When I started this journey it was because I loved being in the gym and thought that I had something to offer people that were struggling to find success working out. I cringe when thinking back upon some of my early days of training people. Even with a college degree and certification in the field, I was relatively clueless on how to train people effectively. If I want to be really honest, when I first started training others I did’t even know how to teach a compound lift correctly.

Here are a few are a few other things I like to share with people before they make the jump into the field.

YOU HAVE TO HUSTLE

Being a Personal Trainer or Strength Coach is a life long journey of continual education, experimentation, and hustle. My first 6 months as a trainer I made less than minimum wage. I spent 10+ hours per day at the gym trying to attract clients. I had to work construction part time to just have some cash on hand and lived with my parents for a few months. The hustle really never ends as a trainer. There are countless hours of building your clientele. When you are busy it is great, but when the holidays come and your clients are out of town your pay check can get crushed. To be a successful trainer you have to constantly market yourself and be able to save your money for slower seasons. To be successful in any field you have to work hard, but as a trainer there are no salaried positions that pay you to build your clientele book. You have to enter it with thinking that are running your own business and are responsible for your own success.

TRAINING YOURSELF ISN’T THE SAME AS TRAINING OTHERS

“I love being the gym”……..” Working out is the most important part of my life and want to make it a career.” …. ” I have transformed my life and I want to help others”.

Though all these thing are assets when wanting to become a trainer, they don’t mean you will be successful. Just because you changed your life with exercise doesn’t mean you can help others do the same. Being able to work with people with different injury histories and mental attitudes is very different than overcoming your own battles and doing what you love. Remember many of the people you ill be training don’t love it, that is why they are hiring you. Being a great gym rat won’t transfer over to being a good coach. That 62 year old guy that is stiff as a rock might not need an upper/body push pull split that you have in your back pocket. Believe it or not they may not even need to touch a weight for a long while. They may need some breathing and mobility work while focusing on mastering the fundamentals of learning how to move their body again.

WORKING WITH ELITE ATHLETES ISN’T THE STARTING POINT

So many new trainers tell me they want to work with athletes. I get it. It is glamorous, it looks exciting and fun. Seeing that NFL wide receiver with his trainer doing explosive drills is awesome. Here is the truth. If you don’t have an “IN” with University or other athletic program you will need to start where everyone else does, In a gym filled with regular people. Even if you have an “IN” you will still need experience to get your foot in the door. In the beginning you won’t have dozens of athletes just blowing up your phone to train with you because you just earned your NSCA cert. Most of the people looking for training that can afford your services, are regular working folk or retired people that need your help.

I had a prospective trainer (new trainer) tell me on an interview once that he prefers to work with athletes and hopes focus on higher level athletes. I immediately asked “What would you do to make a pro athlete better with an injury history and gross asymmetries in their hips?” I was met with a blank stare and stuttering…. Exactly. Most new trainers wouldn’t even know what to do with a pro athlete if they had one ask them for help. At best, they could make them better in the gym but wouldn’t be able to help them perform better in their sport.

Many of the sports performance training centers that are known for training athletes for the combines etc still make most of their money training regular people. Sure they have the walls lined with pictures of athletes and framed jerseys, but those athletes aren’t what usually pays the bills. I have personally trained a few high end athletes in my life including a couple of Olympians, and It was awesome, but my business can’t grow only catering to pros. The reality is, if you can learn how to get that 45 year old computer engineer to move better, become stronger, and injury free, you will have the ability to get busier as a trainer. It may not be as glamorous, but it is a start and crucial to learn.

On another note, if you get an “IN” with a University as an entry level strength coach, expect to work 70+ hours per week and not make much money. It’s a grind to get in and work your way up in that industry. Most burn out pretty early on.

IT IS A LIFE LONG JOURNEY OF LEARNING

I really had no clue what I was getting into. My first few years I did some fill in the blank continuing education worksheets to keep my certification active. I did the bare minimum to learn anything new. I was in my 20’s and probably had too big of an ego. I stood at a turning point one day and was strongly considering changing careers. I dove into some deeper learning of the human body and felt energized in the field again. I started building some very effective tools and training became exciting to me again. That began the journey of spending 10’s of thousands of dollars on my continuing education over the years. Continual learning differentiates you from the rest of the industry and builds an amazing base.

There are so many solid workshops and certifications in the industry now that can transform your life and career. Specializing in, strength training, corrective exercise, kettlebell training, mobility training, nutritional education, and behavioral modification are abundant. There is no shortage of quality education in the fitness field. The sooner you start to embrace learning the better your career will be. It won’t be cheap, but it will be worth it!

LEARNING DOESN’T JUST COME FROM WORKSHOPS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Over the years some of my best learning experience have been from working with other coaches. I have hired nutrition coaches, running coaches, and strength coaches to program for me and teach me new things. I have learned a ton from them. I have picked up new skills like learning to swim for a triathlon and entered a 70.3 Ironman after years of being a strength athlete. Being a beginner again was an amazing experience that transformed me as a coach. Pushing yourself to learn in this field is huge.

These are just a few things that come to mind and wanted to share. IF you have any other question about the industry or training feel free to email or reach out on social media and I’m happy to answer them for you.

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Training As You Approach and Surpass 40…

Admin — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 23:55:15 +0000

As we approach and surpass our 40s we can still push our body’s to amazing levels of strength and fitness if we choose to do so. I have personally worked with people in their 60s that went from sedentary to fit and extremely strong humans. The important piece to consider is how we structure our training as well as our mindset. Understanding that our muscles, tendons, and ligaments are not the same as they were is important. Being patient with ourselves and setting up a process for success is crucial.

A huge mistake I consistently see is people finding the motivation to train and become healthy, only to get discouraged with injury or a relapse in lack of motivation. All of these scenarios are usually due to not having a plan except to just workout. Many do what they “used to do” or they jump into a program that is completely inappropriate for them at that time. If you haven’t trained in years and you start your old lifting routine from your 20s you will most likely not last long. Same goes for people that decide to jump into a hard core group training program that some movie star is doing. It feels great until it doesn’t.

Training should add to your life, not deplete it. We have changed in how we move and ramping up our training to build mobility, strength, and conditioning is crucial. Think incremental gains over a period of time. Not ass kicking results in only a few weeks. The more intense and the more aggressive you start, the easier it is to quit and fizzle. Five consistent training session per week at a moderate intensity, trumps 3 ass kickers that leave you overly tired or slightly injured.

Here are a couple videos where I break down a few concepts.

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Not Just Another Gym

Admin — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 02:21:13 +0000

Tucson Strength, (formerly Evolution Fitness), has been a around for nearly nine years. If you’ve been around for a while, you know things are rarely stagnant: something’s always happening, sometimes subtle, other times extreme.

In the early 2000s I couldn’t keep employment at a facility for more than two years because I was always pushing the limits and seeking better ways to do things. Unfortunately, I wasn’t the one writing the checks. To innovate I had to put my money where my mind was. I wanted to create a training environment offering personal training as well as strength and movement based group instruction. In 2010 I started Evolution Fitness Systems.

At our first 1000sf location we developed an approach using kettlebells and barbells that attracted the people I wanted to train. Those that believed strength was important and looking for a place that understood them. We designed programs focused on mastering the fundamentals while pushing hard, but not to the point of losing form. As word got out, we expanded to become the place for people who didn’t want an LA Fitness or a Crossfit box. Those who found us loved our approach and philosophy.

Evolution Fitness grew strong over the years. Our offerings expanded to mobility classes, Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, indoor rowing, nutrition coaching, and a running group. Each specialty was led by an experienced coach and I felt extremely proud of everything we offered. Then and now, our coaches are truly the best people I have ever been associated with.

Though we increased our offerings I knew we were still missing the mark. In 2016 I changed our name from Evolution Fitness to Tucson Strength, fully expressing who we are through our name. We wanted to bring in people who already believed in the value of strength and needed a place to learn how to become stronger. Tucson Strength continued to grow.

Weekly I got calls from powerlifters asking me if they could train on their own at my gym. They were frustrated at their big box gyms because they couldn’t get a decent bar to lift with or they had to wait for a squat rack because some bro was curling in it. I also had Crossfitters calling me because they wanted a place to do a WOD on their own. Big boxes don’t accommodate Crossfitters and I couldn’t accommodate them in my training facility either without interfering with our classes. Though Tucson Strength was thriving, I knew we could make a bigger impact. I knew Tucson needed more and I really wanted to be the solution.

Then the answer hit me and I couldn’t sleep until we made it happen.

I dreamed of building a facility with space enough to run our group training while also accommodating strength enthusiasts looking to train on their own with the best equipment. Tucson Strength could be more than a place for people to learn to become strong. We could be Tucson’s home for the strength enthusiast. To do that we had to move from the out-of-the-way warehouse that made us Tucson’s hidden gem and take strength to the main street. After months of searching for a building the opportunity came up to take over the former Chuck E. Cheese just a mile or so away. Without hesitation we moved on it.

The result has been nothing short of mind blowing. The average person walking through the doors sees just bars and weight machines. But seasoned strength enthusiasts light up when they see our specialized equipment: numerous hand-built deadlifting platforms and Olympic lifting platforms — both equipped with competition plates; competition benches and squat stands; a belt squat; Texas Power bars and deadlift bars; and too many specialty bars to list. Our cardio area boasts self-propelled treadmills and other pieces not found in most big box gyms. The monkey bar obstacle course rig and turf area really highlight the space.

This carefully curated collection of equipment is just a small piece of why Tucson Strength is special. We’re special because we aren’t just a gym. Tucson Strength is a community of individuals pursuing strength, health, and better movement. Our community, more than any of the equipment we can boast about, makes this place amazing. Members here for 1-on-1 training, group training, or open access help each other and create a great environment you won’t find in other fitness gyms.

We aren’t a sales organization that sells a thing called gym memberships. We are a strength training community maintaining our values over money. Everyone who trains here agrees to a code of conduct which outlines our expectations. Members here for 1-on-1 training, group training, or open access help each other and create a great environment you won’t find in other fitness gyms. At Tucson Strength you’ll see a powerlifter who squats over 600lbs hugging and chatting with an 85-year-old 1-on-1 client because they’re both here for the same reason: to become stronger as part of a community. Anyone can copy our equipment, but they can’t copy our diverse community, brought together here because we believe strength has a greater purpose.

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3 Exercises to Loosen Up Tight Hips…

Admin — Thu, 27 Sep 2018 21:56:35 +0000

“My hips are tight. Can we stretch first?”

Tight hips are probably 1 of my top 3 conversation topics for personal training sessions. They are up right along with people trying to explain Game of Thrones (I’ve never seen an episode) and others asking me when I’m going to shave my mustache.

I’ll probably never watch Game of Thrones and the mustache is staying for some time. However, tight hips are something I can definitely help with.

Most people experiencing stiff/tight hips has to do more with mobility than flexibility.

Wait, what’s the difference between flexibility and mobility?

Flexibility is how much range of motion you have through passive movement. Basically, how far I can move your leg without you helping me.

Mobility is how much range of motion you have control over. So, without any help, how far can you move your leg.

Got it, back to tight hips…

While it’s beneficial to work on both flexibility AND mobility. The application of one or the other plays an important role in helping you move better.

Flexibility, generally, are long steady hold type exercises (i.e the classic toe touch hold for 30 seconds) that are supposed to lengthen tissue. How much that tissue lengthens is arguably due to the many factors in effect. During a stretch, muscle tissue is being lengthened, as well as connective tissue, and there may be general tension being eased due to the nervous system relaxing. The ability to maintain this post stretch is also argued across the internet because everyone responds a bit differently.

Basically, stretching is good for you and you need to do it. EVERY DAY, but preferably not right before your strength training. Why? As you lengthen the muscle through a static stretch (we’re still talking about flexibility here) you lose some tension and ability to contract fully. This could reduce the strength of the muscle and increase the risk of injury when using heavier weights.

Ultimately though, you know your body best and maybe light stretching as part of your warm-up makes you feel like Thor when he got his new hammer. Go for it!

Mobility exercises work a bit different. Generally, they are more dynamic. They’re friendlier, tell funny jokes, engage in a conversation with you and pick up the tab…jk. Dynamic movement refers to the ability to take joints and limbs through their range of motion by voluntarily moving them.

Instead of being passive and letting the tissue lengthen via gravity, and forcing the neural tension to subside through forced surrender, you work back and forth using concentric (shortening) and eccentric (stretch) muscle movement to create a synergistic medley of an active stretch, muscular warm up, and increased range of motion.

It sounds super complicated and it really doesn’t have to to be. The basics of mobility work:

Take a specific movement(i.e squat) or a joint (i.e. hip).
Move it safely through its’ range of motion, all the movement you can think of. Start slow and build up. Don’ make it painful.
Repeat.

These bottom videos I shot to focus on mobility for tight hips. Try them out and apply the principles to other movements, joints, and/or areas of your liking.

Quad and Hamstring Rocking
Begin on your hands and knees, then extend one leg forward and rocks forward and backward. Do 10-15 reps on each side.

Hip mobility: Adductor rocking

Begin on your hands and knees, then extend one leg out to the side and rocks forward and backward. Do 10-15 reps on each side.

Hip Mobility: External rotation

Begin in a modified pigeon position, keeping a straight back fold over your hip and feel the stretch in your glutes as you move back and forth.

Let me know how this is working for you.

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Why Your Deadlift isn’t Moving Up

Admin — Sat, 26 May 2018 04:43:58 +0000

The deadlift is either someone’s favorite lift or something they despise. Lets face it, when it comes to powerlifting there are certain levers and physics that help people lift more weight than others. It’s not to take away from the hard work of individuals, but I have met many a person that can pull over 2.5x bodyweight with minimal training on the deadlift, but struggle to squat 1.5x bw. The guy with arms dragging on the floor while standing tall loves deadlifting and hates bench. Though levers can play a big role in the deadlift, there are numerous things that most people don’t pay attention to while trying training the deadlift. There are so many factors to consider while completing this simple lift, but here are just a couple of points among many to pay attention to.

SPREAD YOUR SHOULDER BLADES, DON’T SQUEEZE THEM TOGETHER

Fully engaging the lats is one of the most important aspects of the deadlift, but many people think engaging the lats means squeezing the shoulder blades together. This is exactly what you DON’T want to do while deadlifting. When you squeeze or retract the shoulder blades together, you engage the rhomboid muscles. The primary focus of the rhomboids is to serve as scapular stabilizers. They are not meant to hold a 500lb deadlift. When you squeeze the shoulder blades together you put all the stress on these smaller muscles, and you will make the weight heavier than it needs to be.

Instead of squeezing, think about protracting or spreading the scapula apart, this doesn’t mean rounding your upper back. Then,engage the lats by thinking about pulling your scapula into your back pockets. The lats are some of the biggest and strongest muscles in the body. They have an attachment point on your upper arm, and another at your hips. When you can get them to engage you can “connect” your upper and lower torsos so that your legs and hips drive the movement. There needs to be a big focus on wedging your body into the bar.

Watch the video below for a cool drill that will give you some feedback on your lats.

START THINKING ABOUT YOUR QUADS AND PUSHING….. STOP PULLING

I know that people call the deadlift a “pull”, but pulling the weight can usually start engaging the lower back and hamstrings to do all the work. Once your lats are locked in, your hips need to be in the optimal position so your legs and glutes can help drive the lift. When you start pushing the ground away you will feel your quads become part of the movement. The deadlift should still be a hinge and not a squat, but some people start the movement with their hips too high which makes driving with the legs nearly impossible. In order for leg drive to work hips need to be in the correct position, and the body must be wedged into the bar with lats locked.

BE PATIENT

This piggy backs off the last point. Many times lifters get everything else right. They have a great set up, lock the lats in and right as they start the lift the bar doesn’t want to break the ground immediately. This happens when the weights become heavier. Many lifters immediately abort the mission of leg drive and wedging and shoot the hips up in the air and start pulling with the back the moment they think about lifting. Lots of people can get relatively strong doing this…..until it gets heavy. Eventually they hit a wall and feel like their deadlift has been flatlined for months…. or years. It is so important that once the set up and wedging is dialed in and the push starts, that pushing the ground away rather than trying the get the bar to move, continues to be the driving force.

WATCH YOUR HEAD AND EYE POSITION

Neutral neck at the bottom is crucial, eyes can be looking out or up, but keeping a straiter neck is important. Many people will hyperextend the neck at the bottom and this cause undo stress on the neck and make you weaker. At the bottom of the deadlift, you are in knee and hip flexion, and pulling the neck into hyper extension at the bottom doesn’t work. As the movement starts the eyes can look up(not down), but the neck should remain neutral. As the bar passes the knees extending the neck slightly may help. Next time you deadlift pay attention to eye position and looking up and see if it helps your lockout and bar speed.

ACCELERATE

Don’t lift the bar gingerly. Once the bar breaks the ground, continue to accelerate the bar and drive your hips into the bar. As the weight gets heavier, this concept will help get through “sticking points”. Practice this on warm up sets, not just your heavy sets. Acceleration doesn’t mean reckless and fast lifting. It means you follow all the concepts of leg drive and finishing with the hips with speed. Don’t turn the deadlift into a shit show to practice this principle by just lifting fast.

Here is a video of Paul Carter working with me on my deadlifts a few years ago. I thought I was lifting with some speed, I guess I was wrong:-)

If you are looking for hands on instruction on these principles as well as many others RSVP for our upcoming deadlifting workshop at Tucson Strength and Tucson Barbell Club or inquire about our other coaching options.

We will cover

Individualized set up and foot position
Breathing
How to engage the lats
We will cover the fundamentals of Standard and Sumo deadlift and how to choose
Assistance Work. There are dozens of different exercises we will teach a few that offer the most bang for the buck
Programming: understanding higher volume vs. high intensity programs and how they fit in with an overall powerlifting program

WHEN?

July 14th from 10am-1:15pm.

COST

$99…. RSVP BY June 21sth and its only $89…

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Step Up Variation for Your Glutes

Admin — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 03:10:59 +0000

Unilateral leg work should be a staple in anyones programming. I love squats and deadlifts but putting the attention on each leg is a great way to build a solid foundation in strength.

This variation of the step up is one of my favorite unilateral exercises. It is a hybrid between a step-up and a single leg deadlift. Though step ups are great, many people end up jumping off the bottom foot and using it too much, when the stress should be on the leg on the step.

Keeping the abdominals engaged , and really sitting back into the glutes is key for this exercise. If you feel the body not being able to control the descent all the way to the bottom make sure to sit back into the buttocks and keep the abdominals braced.. If that still doesn’t work and you have a good Single leg deadlift, try these off a lower step and only move up in height once each level is mastered.

Don’t feel the need to add weights to this exercise until you can do 10 in a row with good form.

If you don’t have a great single leg deadlift do not try this variation yet. You don’t want to turn this into a circus act. If you cannot find balance and are struggling through out you are better doing other unilateral exercises that allow you to perform them with good form. It drives me crazy when I see personal trainers making their clients do things that are so difficult that they struggle to complete it. Remember, challenging is different than difficult. Own the movement, challenge the movement with repetitions, load, or timing.If you’re looking for help getting stronger, improving your technique, or you’d like to meet with one of our instructors for a free consultation, please give us a call at (520)445-6800 today and we’ll be happy to help. OR, fill out the information below and we can reach out to you.

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