Customize your workout with the NEW Adaptive Motion Trainer!
Based on the survey results, the MAC has brought in the latest Precor Adaptive Motion Trainer (AMT) to the gym floor. With the open stride concept, exercisers can now personalize their workouts with the option to adjust their stride height and length at will. This enables an infinite range of motion paths and the capability to duplicate the workout of treadmills, elliptical and bikes. (more…)
Getting Back into the Swing of Things
Golf Prep Series @ the MAC with Scott Jansen
Participation is open to both MAC and Arena Sports Members.
A 6-week series of workouts designed to help the novice golfer improve torque, strength, and balance to prepare for the spring and summer season.
Throughout the series the golfer will develop:
- More explosive power and strength to add yards to their drives
- Increase ROM (Range of Motion), core stability, and balance, which will decrease the chance of injury and improve their short game.
The Golf Prep Series will start with one classroom session establishing a foundational knowledge for the golfer. That basic understanding of the fundamentals and biomechanics of the golf swing will lead to more efficiency and reduce injury. (more…)
30 Minute Abs with CX WORX
Looking for a short, sharp workout that’ll inspire you to the next level of fitness, while strengthening and toning your body? CX WORX is for you!
- Based on cutting-edge scientific research
- Brand new 30-minute format
- Combines the best of personal training with the energy of a group fitness class
- Choreographed routines and chart-topping music that’ll bring you back for more (more…)
SGT. Mike’s Boot Camp is Back!
SGT. Mike Lawson is demanding, inspiring, knowledgeable, athletic, and tireless. He is an experienced leader who successfully coaches people to overcome their own obstacles, achieve goals, and tap the power within. He is a master at combining just the right elements of old school gym class, real military basic training, and highly effective functional training in his classes and coaching programs. Between the groans and the sweat, there is plenty of laughter in his classes. (more…)
5 tips to improve treadmill workouts
Follow these five tips for improving your treadmill workout to see better results, says fitness columnist Kelly Turner.
By Kelly Turner
On Fitness
As the cold and wet of winter set in, many prefer the shelter of a gym to the great outdoors. With that, many people head to the treadmill for their cardio workouts.
But many people make critical mistakes while using the treadmill. Simply racking up minutes isn’t going to get you results. Don’t waste your time and effort. Make every one of those minutes count. There are several variables you can play with to get the most out of your treadmill workout. Try one or try them all, in any combination, to burn more calories and see better results in less time. (more…)
The New Reason To Strengthen Your Knees
By Bari Lieberman
If you’ve ever tripped over a few steps, or barely saved yourself from doing a face-plant on the sidewalk, you know the importance of being quick (and staying steady) on your feet. Strong, healthy knees are vital to capable legs—but new research warns that the way women are going about knee strengthening could be upping their risk of injury.
An estimated one in four women experience knee pain on a daily basis, and women are also more prone to knee injuries than men, earlier research has shown. Given that data, researchers at the Loyola University Medical Center sought to explain this increased risk. (more…)
Feast on Fitness this December and earn your FREE workout shirt!
Feast on Fitness this December! During the holiday season we are tempted with sweet treats and hearty meals all month long. At Magnuson Athletic Club, we want to encourage and challenge all members to counter balance these impulses with fitness driven habits and healthy choices. (more…)
The Hardest Workout You’re Not Doing
by Brian Dalek February 10, 2012, 10:00 am EST
Thomas Dold has mastered the stairwell of the Empire State Building. See how you can get on his tail.
On Wednesday night, 666 people (seriously) put themselves through their own form of hell by taking the long way to the top of one the tallest buildings in the world when they scaled the Empire State Building from its stairwell. That’s 1,576 steps and 86 flights of hamstring- and gluteal-writhing agony all the way to the building’s glowing observation deck. (more…)
Lose your holiday pounds!
Join Breanne this winter to get a tighter butt, slimmer gut and great eating habits to brag about in her new Body Breakthrough Weight Loss Series.
This 12 week course starts on January 10th, where you and fellow MAC members will be challenged and kept accountable with twice a month weight loss coaching and fat blasting workouts!
(more…)
Use yoga to stay injury free
Sprained ankles, torn knee ligaments, neck and back pain… let’s face it, injuries and tension pain sucks. Whether your body woes come from overdoing it during your workouts, or overdoing it in front of the computer, there is a way to work hard and still rest easy. Learn to optimize all that hard work by staying injury-free. (more…)
What’s with the Kettlebells?
What’s with the kettlebells? This high-intensity combo of strength and cardio will bring you real results!
Starting September 20th, join Breanne for a one month sign-up commitment and learn the fundamentals of working out with kettlebells.
Options to Fit Your Level
Hardystyle 1: Thursdays, 5:45 PM
Learn kettlebell fundamentals and moves: the Deadlift, Swing, Goblet Squat, and Turkish Get Up. Involve every muscle in your body for results you will see and feel!
Hardstyle 2: Fridays, 6:00 AM
Advanced elements. Take those kettlebell fundamentals to the next level. Develop higher strength and endurance. (Pre-requisite Hardstyle 1, or test into level)
Limited space is available! So contact Breanne today for details.
bcurran@macseattle.com │ 206-931-3605
10 Shape-Up Shortcuts
By The Editors of WOMEN’S HEALTH | Healthy Living – Wed, Aug 8, 2012 7:02 AM EDT
These genius tricks will help you drop pounds and sculpt muscle in record timeIt flies. It’s tight. You rarely feel like it’s on your side. Of course, we’re talking about time. You can blame it–or more accurately, the lack of it–for standing in the way of many things, but scoring the body of your dreams is no longer one of them. The latest research shows that sculpting lean legs, a tight tush, and flat abs doesn’t require extra hours at the gym. (more…)
Superhero’s for your Gut
I recently saw the new Batman Movie ” The Dark Knight Rises” Christian Bale once again struggles to keep Gotham City safe from Crime and Harm to citizens.
- Did you know that certain foods you eat, destroy your gut and it’s ability to fight off infections, weight gain and zapp your energy and moods?
Get some Superhero’s in there to kick some bad guy booty and clean up your gut!
They’re called Pro-Biotics ( they mean literally “for life”)
The best and most powerful enzymes – are found in fermented foods
EAT FERMENTED VEGETABLES!
Get thinner, gain energy, reduce bloat and digestive issues, and boost your immune system! (more…)
Olympic Foods – What world class athletes need
I decided to celebrate the Olmpics this year with an Opening Party!
My husband and I had some friends over and watched the Opening Ceremonies from London with some amazing foods!
OLYMPIC FOODS! – stay tuned this week for recipes!
1. Jicama Watercress salad with citrus vinagrette
2. Black rice and mango salad
3. Cinnamon beef
4. Fish
5. guacomole (avocado)
6. corn on the cob
7. pickled onions
8. corn tortillas
Foods world class athletes eat. Why?
These foods increase
- circulation
- energy
- heart health
- cellular metabolism
- immune system
- mineral absorption
- bone density
- digestion
they also decrease
- inflammation (overtraining induced)
- weight gain
- oxidation (from bad foods and pollution)
Jicama Watercress salad with citrus vinagrette
Why athletes eat it:
Jicama Anti-inflammatory, high in B vitamins, potassium, iron, magnesium, increases cellular metabolism (a must for endurance athletes)
Why you eat it:
it’s loaded with all sorts of healthy benefits including vitamin C, lots of iron, and a dietary fiber called inulin that speeds up your digestive system! The best thing about eating it? Virtually no calories!
Watercress
A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition reports that eating a small amount of this leafy green each day raised levels of key antioxidants that fend of damage caused by exercise. – Overtraining causes stress on the body and inflammation
Why you eat it :
Decreases inflammation and oxidants from bad foods and environments.
This salad is chock full of nutrients and deliciousness – Read on for recipe!
Breakfast Club, Final Meeting!
Are you eating breakfast? Could it be better?
Last week I posted options for rushed days, to keep your sanity, energy and pant size (or DROP ONE!)
This is the last of the breakfast club! I have given you two more options.
For more relaxed days and in-between days. Get on the breakfast train!
All Olympic Athletes eat breakfast! Be awesome and beautiful, join the club! Read on
25 Most Deceiving Exercises (They Tone More than You Think!)
Pistol Squats
Walking Your Way to Health
Walking has more health benefits than most people realize.
McClatchy-Tribune
SHANE KEYSER / MCT
Margie Warden, left, and Gladys Johnson walk along a trail at Kansas City, Kan., Community College. Warden and a group of friends have been walking six miles a day for 41 years.
Can you really walk your way to better health? Research continues to show both the physiological and psychological benefits of the exercise, yet many individuals continue to underrate walking as a health booster.
“The studies are overwhelming; the data is there to show that walking provides all of these health benefits, including reducing the risk of heart and cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer, as well as reducing blood pressure and enhancing mood,” said Dr. Edward Laskowski, co-director of and specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine Center in Rochester, Minn. (more…)
Legs up the Wall, Easy and necessary!
sit close to wall – knees bent and arms around knee- rt shoulder and knee pressed against wall – then turn onto your back. Adjust accordingly. Keep back flat and legs straight – bend knees if too intense
The previous post on Flexibility is and awesome and much needed post! This has been a recent focus in my weight loss group class – COVER SHOT. Did you know that if you are more flexible, you will gain more muscle? And that more muscle burns more calories? To burn brighter.. learn to lengthen and let go ( stay in the stretch.. try 2 mins per stretch)
Last Wed ( 7/ 18) We were joined by Jasyoga http://www.jasyoga.com
Erin Taylor, Owner and RYT , along with associate Kendra – let participants through a stretching sequence and letting go exercises, to release tension and stress in both their body and mind. With more flexibility you can strengthen much more and reduce setbacks.
One exercise – Super simple , than ANYONE can do every night – legs up the wall.
Contact Erin Taylor at http://www.jasyoga for info!
Flexibility a key component of staying fit
Don’t forget to improve your flexibility as you work on fitness.
 |
By Kelly Turner
Special to the Seattle Times
Cardio is great for the heart, strength training is great for the muscles, and both are amazing for burning calories, but there is one more part to the fitness equation many people overlook: flexibility.
Improving flexibility, or the range of motion of a joint, is important for proper muscle balance, and alignment and to prevent injury. (more…)
Join The Breakfast Club
Last week I posted an entry on beautiful people (surfer’s) and what they eat. One big component to a great body is BREAKFAST!
Listen to your mother – Eat your breakfast! If you would like
1. Clearer thinking
2. Weight Loss
3. Better mood thourghout the day
4. More Energy
5. More Money and Friends
Allright – # 5 is not guaranteed, but if you are thinking clearer and have more energy and better mood at work – you definitly should be in the running for a raise and people should be flocking to you !
If you’re not eating breakfast within the first couple hours of your day I challenge you to
Check yourself before you wreck yourself!
Smart and Gorgeous people eat breakfast!
Read on for easy ways to join the club and get results!
Get a surfers’ bod!
Surfer’s bodies are gorgeous! They are long and lean and strong!
With nice defined muscles and not bulky – also these wave riders are glowing! Yeah this could be the sun and surf – But they also fuel up for this demanding sport – for that they need energizing grains, high vitamins and minerals and protein!
Keep your Energy high and waist line down with these great meals.
Make ahead and keep on hand for great take to work or travel options!
I have found two great recipes- both chock full of anti-oxidants, fiber, nutrients, metabolic boosting and energy boosting!
1. Bon Appetite- Surfer Granola July 2012
2. PCC Indonesian Rice Salad – tons of beautiful color and flavor! I can’t wait for lunch tomorrow!
Read On for recipes!
Oh – and if you need a guide to your getting to your kick ass physique and eating habits to brag about – contact me! New workshops in both group training and nutrition this Sept!
Bcurran@macseattle.com
What’s Cooking! July 6th
Hello! Currently I am sitting at a coffee shop at Greenlake – looking at the beautiful weather and happy people. Cooking in a hot kitchen does not sound so delightful – so I have chosen a great Summer salad
I got this recipe out of Bon Apetite magazine – it’s got everything I love ; Bursts of color, Asian flavor , heartiness without heaviness.
This dish will satisfy your belly and make it presentable for summer viewing as well! i’m gonna double it and use it for lunches next week!
Click on my profile for more great Recipes and tips!
Breanne Curran
Health Coach, Nutrition Specialist, Personal Trainer
or … your arsenal to a kick ass body and eating habits you can brag about !
Cold Sesame Noodles with Summer Vegetables
We like vegetarian mains in summer; for a heartier dish, add shredded rotisserie chicken or sliced grilled steak.
Former UW strength coach Brett Brungardt takes guesswork out of athletic testing
Originally published Saturday, June 23, 2012 at 4:47 PM
By Jerry Brewer
Seattle Times staff columnist
———-
Brett Brungardt likes to joke about his failures as a strength and conditioning coach. It’s funny because he didn’t really fail; he was just the victim of deceptive testing.
“I came to the realization that I wasn’t a very good strength coach because, every year, the head coach in whatever sport I was working with, would come to me and say, ‘What’s so-and-so benching? What’s his 40 time? What’s his vertical?’ ” said Brungardt, whose 25-year career in professional and collegiate sports included a stint at Washington from 2002 to 2008. “I’d look it up and recite where he was. And the coach would say, ‘When I recruited him, he was benching this or running 4.5 40-yard dash. And it’s still the same. Why isn’t he better?’ I’d just shake my head. During the recruiting process, coaches weren’t getting reliable information.”
Throughout his career, Brungardt kept those stories in the back of his mind. Between chuckles, he often pondered what he could do to get less biased information. Four years ago, after leaving Washington, he traveled the world in pursuit of better ways to test. Then he decided to start his own business, Basic Athletic Measurement, which marries training and technology to evaluate athletes more accurately.
BAM testing is a local hidden gem that is growing in popularity. The NBA uses Brungardt and his team to measure draft prospects. Brungardt oversees the testing at all the major pre-draft events, including the NBA Draft Combine, Portsmouth Invitational and Eurocamp.
