503-705-4762

Category: Fitness

Learning Proper Pull Up Form From Rastafarians In The Park

If you have spent any time with me in the past six months you have probably heard me talk about my pull up goal. I am working on doing a proper pull-up (from hanging with straight arms, not jumping, overhand grip, shoulders down, pulling my face up higher than the bar, then all the way back down to straight arms in one smooth motion). My goal was to do one of these by my 43rd birthday (which was June 28 – mark your calendars for next year). It is now mid July and I am this close! I can jump, grab the bar and pull up, and I can do a chin up (underhand grip) from hanging, so I know that soon I will have it.

 

One of my clients recently brought me this New York Times article the author talks about his struggle with pull-ups, and how after running into some men at the park (not personal trainers by the way, just regular dudes) he realized he was doing pull-ups all wrong. What I love about his story is the way the men offered him corrections on his form. They seemed so sweet, as if they were genuinely trying to help him, not make him feel bad, or show him up.

The author realizes that in addition to correcting his form, he needs to strengthen all of his muscles, not just arms to effectively pull himself up. He writes:

“Novices rely too much on their biceps. A proper pull up is a yogic feat of concentration and grace. It’s possible only when multiple muscle groups are working in tandem: the biceps, the lats, legs, abs, and lower back”

What are your summer fitness goals and how can I help you achieve them?

 

Anne McCranie is a Portland, Oregon based licensed massage therapist and personal trainer. She works with her clients one on one and in small groups to aid in pain relief, build strength and reduce stress.

Creative, Low Tech Workout Journal

What system do you use to track your workouts?

One of my ladies has been struggling with keeping a consistent self care schedule. She is very smart, organized, driven, and runs her own business, so she can set her own schedule. Over the past year she has been coming in to see me about once a month for a movement + massage session. Her goal was general relaxation, and to reduce the chronic tightness and pain in her neck. While she was going to weekly yoga and Nia classes, and walking, she was doing no specific strength work or release work for her neck.

Together we went through a few gentle, easy, neck release moves, and the Five. During her massage we worked on general relaxation with a focus on her neck. She agreed to do her exercises at home, for five minutes twice a week. I emailed her exercises and sent her on her way. When she came back the next month she was disappointed that despite coming up with a plan, she was not about to find the time to do her exercises.

In October she decided to put a reminder on her phone, and when the bell went off she would do her exercises. She did do her exercises a few times that month, then she would just start ignoring the alarm when it went off. She then picked two days (Sundays and Wednesdays), but when I checked in with her she was still struggling with consistency. She felt frustrated that she could be so organized at work, yet fail what seemed like a simple task – take care of herself by doing just a few easy exercises twice a week (does this sound familiar ladies?).

Last month I emailed her to check in, and she was so excited to tell me about her new system. She came in last week with this beauty:

Emily's workout calendar 4.17

Y’all know how I love a paper calendar right? Oh man did this bring joy to my heart! She gives herself a green sticker for her classes, a yellow sticker for walking – half sticker for short walks, full sticker for walks over 10,000 steps –  and a red sticker for her strength work on her own. She is on a roll for April!

Her calendar is simple and easy to use, and is a colorful visual reminder of her success. With a quick glance she can see what she heeds to do to round out her program for that week.

What I love about her story is she was motivated to learn new exercises, she saw the value in adding strength work to her current cardio and flexibility routine, she was motivated to do the work (reduced neck pain and tightness), but still faced roadblocks. Rather than getting frustrated and giving up, she found a solution that works for her!

What do you use (phone apps, paper journal, organizer) to track your workouts? Leave me a comment below about what has helped you be successful…

 

Anne McCranie is a Portland (Sellwood), Oregon based Personal Trainer and Licensed Massage Therapist. She works with her clients one on one, and in small groups to build strength and mobility, and alleviate chronic pain.

Contact her today for your complimentary consultation (503) 705-4762.

Hand Exercises To Relieve Arthritis Pain

One of my clients just mentioned that his wife is suffering from painful and swollen knuckles due to arthritis. He asked me about exercises she can do to alleviate this pain, and I showed him this video. While I initially made this video for a client who plays guitar, these moves are beneficial for anyone looking to improve strength, flexibility and mobility, or to reduce pain in their hands, wrists and shoulders. Check it out and let me know what you think in the comments below, or share this with a loved one suffering from arthritis pain.

Anne McCranie is a Portland (Sellwood), Oregon based personal trainer and licensed massage therapist. This video shows gentle pain relief techniques. Please do not do any exercise that causes you pain. See your medical professional before beginning a new exercise program.

Fluid’s Hip Mobility Workshop Saturday, January 28th

Do you (or does someone you love) suffer from chronically tight hips, limited mobility, or back pain? How easy is it for you to get up off the floor? Can you put on a sock while standing on one foot? Did you know that your ability to move has a direct correlation to your life expectancy?

 

bear-crawl-1-7-15

Join Anne Saturday, January 28th, from noon to 1 pm, to learn a simple, easy hip mobility program you can do at home or one the road using minimal equipment. If you participated in our 2016 September Challenge some of these moves will be familiar. We will incorporate Somatics, Gentry release work, mobility exercises and other gentle movement to loosen the hips, low back, knees and ankles. This class is suitable for all fitness levels.

Call Anne to pre-register (503) 705-4762

 

 

August Feldenkrais With Kim Cottrell

Have you heard me talk about Kim Cotrell’s weekly Feldenkrais classes? I have known Kim for years and popped in to her classes when my schedule allowed. For the past few months I have been regularly attending Kim’s Tuesday morning lessons and I can really feel a difference in my back. Since my back surgery in 2014 my view of “movement vs. exercise” has shifted dramatically. In my twenties if I had a break I was going for a run. Now if I have a break I do release work, somatics, undulation exercises, or myofascial release on the foam roller.

Feldenkrias is subtle, relaxing, frustrating, difficult to explain, and really good for my back. One of the goals of this work is to increase our movement options. I describe this as taking a machete and clearing a new path through the jungle (my brain being the jungle).

The official description is a little more eloquent – a form of somatic education that uses gentle movement to enhance function, increase ease and range of motion, improve your flexibility and coordination, and rediscover your innate capacity for graceful, efficient movement.

In August Kim is offering a pelvic floor focus. If you are available Tuesdays morning at 11 I highly recommend these classes.

 

Anne McCranie is a Portland (Sellwood), Oregon based personal trainer and licensed massage therapist. She offers weekly classes and one on one sessions that incorporate her signature movement + massage concepts to aid in pain relief, stress reduction and improve strength.

Contact her today for your complimentary consultation. (503) 705-4762