Viva Los Thrusters

I interned at a Crossfit gym over the summer and had an awesome experience. (Insert shameless plug for Crossfit Sun in Poway, CA. While I was there, I learned a lot about functional fitness, working as a team and pushing past one's perceived limits.

On a more micro level, I learned a BUNCH of exercises -- and proper form for executing them -- that I have incorporated into my own workouts, the regimens at my boot camps, and am excited to use with future clients. One of those that I love the most are thrusters.  They're a part of many Crossfit WODs and have brought me to my mental and physical limits many times, which is a good thing.

I love them because they're tough, they're a full body workout, and they really force good form in order to execute them. They are basically a combination of a front, dumbbell/barbell -weighted squat and a push/shoulder press. They work legs (squat), core (balance/posture), shoulder and triceps (press) and forearms (grip/press) in one fluid motion.

If you've never tried them, use an unweighted bar first to get the movement down. I'll save you step-by-step explanations and link to a video for you to check out. Once you've got the form down, use them as a great anchor for a full-body workout. And remember, you can ALWAYS go a little further/harder than you think.

In the Beginning

About two years ago I left a career in PR and decided to move into something more rewarding. So I'm teaching now. English, to be exact, at a language academy. About a year ago, I realized that despite my fondness for the work and the relationships I build daily, I wasn't doing what I "love." And, as we all know, we have to (cliche alert) "do what we love to truly be happy."

It is cliche. But I'm also finding it to be true. Fitness is my life. Has been ever since I shed 100+ lbs after high school and became addicted to running. At first, I was just addicted to losing weight. Then I became addicted to the routine. Then the pheromones. Now, learning about it all. Sucking it all in. That's where this little experiment comes from. It's in conjunction with the near-completion of a one-year certificate program through a local community college and I hope it keeps me on my toes, up to date and involved with others like me.

I'll try to keep things brief. I'll try to be a resource (PRspeak alert). I'll try not to ramble on about irrelevant topics. I'll try to limit the parenthetical statements despite my adoration of them. In short, I'll try to be useful and interesting while using this as a forum to learn.

Please let me know what you think and please share this with anyone who you think might be interested.

Until next time ...