Thursday, December 15, 2016

Why You Don't Need To Fear Kettlebell Training

Happy Thursday! I can't tell you how many times I've met someone that has never tried using kettlebells the right way, but tells me how dangerous they think kettlebell training is. Some shared how they tried it once and it hurt their back. Or it looked way too scary and they're absolutely convinced that they'll hurt themselves. Others just tell me that they're not in their 20's or 30's anymore and they need to stick to more gentle exercises like yoga, barre and running.


I'm not a confrontational person at all. In fact, I despise arguing with people. I use to have slight panic attacks with mild shaking, increased heart palpitation and brain fog when my philosophy was being challenged. I think it's because I'm so passionate about teaching people the RIGHT way to use their body, many times without a kettlebell first, that I know adding some form of movement pattern training with the right amount of load, will do wonders for their body. Therefore, I become so emotional and frustrated that they won't try it and reap the life-changing benefits!



The fact that people have come to me with their body destroyed from life. Their bodies so weak that they couldn't pick up their own babies without hurting themselves or suffered from back spasms. Teaching people how to hinge properly, squat properly, plank properly (without a kettlebell in sight) gave them their confidence, strength, and body back. Some of these people ended up using extremely heavy loads and going on to even do pull-ups and beautiful push-ups with practice and dedication. Yes, women too!


My point is, you don't have to fear the kettlebell. You should be very fearful with the type of instruction you get. Do your research! If you're going to learn how to use your body using kettlebells, it's best to track down someone who specializes in all body types with this type of training. Always move SLOWLY and carefully with no load or a very light load at first. See how your body responds.


Last story... This past weekend we shot 2 DVD's! Yeah, not 1, but 2. The production team we hired feared the idea of even picking up a kettlebell. They had seen them in the gym and it looked entirely too dangerous when they saw people use them.




Then he spent the weekend filming our DVD's.  The ladies,  I had in my DVD range from 40's to early 50's.  One has had 4 kids and one is a Chiropractor and now uses many of these exercises with her patients. The first one we filmed "Sexy Strong" dedicated to moving slowly and carefully using appropriate loads and focusing on pure beautiful strength with mobility. Designed for the beginner but strong enough for our most advanced students to improve and become better. Funny enough, my strongest students were in Sexy Strong, we all used kettlebells half as heavy as we normally use and with the slowed down the pace, extra instruction during the workouts, we were all surprisingly sore and activated! In a good way!







The second one "Luscious & Lean" dedicated to lighter loads incorporating balance, moving deep within each movement pattern, conditioning, and control.


So AFTER the weekend was over I asked the owner of the production company if he still feared the idea of kettlebell training. He said he didn't realize how much is dedicated to safety, form and moving with control! He is now a believer and is willing to put his fear aside to have a lesson!  Yay!


Those who practice the right way, you know what I'm talking about. It's LIFE CHANGING! YOU KNOW IT AND I KNOW IT! It's about keeping it simple! It doesn't have to be fancy. You don't have to move quickly and lose control. It's about building a strong base so that you can be resilient, healthy, strong and the rest is up to you!


If you are just beginning and ready to take the journey it's important for you to start in the right place. My advice is to begin learning how to hinge at your hips, deadlift, squat and then finally once those feel awesome, you can look into learning how to swing a kettlebell.  If you don't have access to an incredible instructor in person, I have created lessons that have helped thousands of people learn all over the world with simple programs to follow.  You can find them in the beginning video shopping guide here. My recommendation is to check out Lauren's Playground and hang in the demonstrations or basics section for a few weeks. Or spend some time doing The Kettlebell Body. Even if you're not a beginner it's important to go back to the fundamentals and make sure you haven't become lazy or too confident.


Let me know if you have any questions and don't forget to take advantage of our storewide holiday sale of up to 50% off!






Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Holiday Sale - Gift Shopping Guide - Up to 50% off




Gift buying made easy! 

Take 50% off on all of our workouts DVD's including downloads, streaming, Be SLAM'S and our Pull-up Guide

Take 40% off training tanks. 

We're also offering 25% off on all of our high end nutrition products. No code needed except for the Digital purchases such as ebooks and downloadable workout DVD's.  Code for streaming videos and ebook programs is "holiday50"







BEGINNER GUIDE 

50% off all DVD's and Digital Downloads. Code: holiday

This is the place to start. These videos include the foundation exercises and instruction that can be used for years on end. Although beginners fall in love with these videos, the advanced people still go back to these to keep their foundation strong. The book on the right is your step to step guide on how to do every kettlebell exercise plus a 12 week workout program. All of these DVD's or Digital streaming videos comes with a free rotation plan. 

Learn how to use kettlebells, move properly, and become strong and lean like never before from all of our programs. 




Course ImageCourse ImageCourse Image

Kettlebells for Women: Workouts for Your Strong, Sculpted & Sexy Body (Paperback)

PURCHASE A YEAR PLAYGROUND MEMBERSHIP FOR YOURSELF OR A LOVED ONE. 

FREE KETTLEBELLS FOR WOMEN BOOK,  IF YOU JOIN LAUREN'S PLAYGROUND FOR A YEAR!



eBOOK AND WRITTEN PROGRAMS for level just after beginner

Be SLAM 1 

Take 50% off here with code: holiday50

The 12-week plan that will get you lean and strong in under 30 minutes a day.




Course Image







Kettlebell size recommendations for beginners



INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED BUYING GUIDE


50% off all DVD's and Digital Downloads. Code: holiday50

In addition to all of the programs above in the beginning section our intermediate and advanced students love and continue to use, here is the next step up. Free rotation plans come with all of these videos




Course ImageCourse ImageCourse ImageCourse ImageCourse Image


PREGNANCY FITNESS GUIDE

50% off all DVD's and Digital Downloads

Here are two workout videos that are designed to do during pregnancy. First Baby Bells is available in both download and hard copy DVD format. Baby Bells 2 is available in digital only. 





Course Image
Baby Bells 2 Digital here use code: holiday50




eBOOK AND WRITTEN PROGRAMS for level just after beginner

Be SLAM 1 

Take 50% off here with code: holiday50

The 12-week plan that will get you lean and strong in under 30 minutes a day.



Course Image
Be SLAM (Strong Like A Mother)12 Week ebook program that will get you stronger than ever. 



Be SLAM 2 - 12 WEEK EBOOK PROGRAM

Take 50% off here with code: holiday50

The most user friendly 12 week program that will take you to the next level and change your life. - view preview video here.


Course Image
Be SLAM 2 (Strong Like A Mother)
Next step after Be SLAM 1 - 12 Week ebook program that will continue to increase your strength in various ways. 



WOMEN CAN DO PULL-UPS! 


 This simple guide is designed to show you exactly how to achieve one. Take 50% off here with code: holiday50







NUTRITION GUIDE FOR EVERYONE
Optimal immune protection, muscle density and fat loss. 


40% off 

FIT 365� Year-Round Grass-Fed Native Whey Protein


Available in Gourmet Chocolate and Vanilla Bean


Nucleo Immune, Premier Research Labs, (60 Capsules)

Nucleo Immune by Premier Research Labs is a natural immune system and rejuvenation supplement that promotes rapid cellular regeneration, increased vitality, and repair and wound healing. It is the first nano-protein delivery system devised to promote instantaneous immune boost and increased vitality. 







APPAREL FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMEN

Workout in style with these various tank tops. We also have purple as well!












Wednesday, November 23, 2016

HOLIDAY FITNESS SALE GIFT BUYING GUIDE




Gift buying made easy! 

Take 50% off on all of our workouts DVD's including downloads, streaming, Be SLAM'S and our Pull-up Guide

Take 40% off training tanks. 

We're also offering 25% off on all of our high end nutrition products. No code needed except for the Digital purchases such as ebooks and downloadable workout DVD's.  Code for streaming videos and ebook programs is "holiday50"







BEGINNER GUIDE 

50% off all DVD's and Digital Downloads. Code: holiday

This is the place to start. These videos include the foundation exercises and instruction that can be used for years on end. Although beginners fall in love with these videos, the advanced people still go back to these to keep their foundation strong. The book on the right is your step to step guide on how to do every kettlebell exercise plus a 12 week workout program. All of these DVD's or Digital streaming videos comes with a free rotation plan. 

Learn how to use kettlebells, move properly, and become strong and lean like never before from all of our programs. 




Course ImageCourse ImageCourse Image

Kettlebells for Women: Workouts for Your Strong, Sculpted & Sexy Body (Paperback)

PURCHASE A YEAR PLAYGROUND MEMBERSHIP FOR YOURSELF OR A LOVED ONE. 

FREE KETTLEBELLS FOR WOMEN BOOK,  IF YOU JOIN LAUREN'S PLAYGROUND FOR A YEAR!



eBOOK AND WRITTEN PROGRAMS for level just after beginner

Be SLAM 1 

Take 50% off here with code: holiday50

The 12-week plan that will get you lean and strong in under 30 minutes a day.




Course Image







Kettlebell size recommendations for beginners



INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED BUYING GUIDE


50% off all DVD's and Digital Downloads. Code: holiday50

In addition to all of the programs above in the beginning section our intermediate and advanced students love and continue to use, here is the next step up. Free rotation plans come with all of these videos




Course ImageCourse ImageCourse ImageCourse ImageCourse Image


PREGNANCY FITNESS GUIDE

50% off all DVD's and Digital Downloads

Here are two workout videos that are designed to do during pregnancy. First Baby Bells is available in both download and hard copy DVD format. Baby Bells 2 is available in digital only. 





Course Image
Baby Bells 2 Digital here use code: holiday50




eBOOK AND WRITTEN PROGRAMS for level just after beginner

Be SLAM 1 

Take 50% off here with code: holiday50

The 12-week plan that will get you lean and strong in under 30 minutes a day.



Course Image
Be SLAM (Strong Like A Mother)12 Week ebook program that will get you stronger than ever. 



Be SLAM 2 - 12 WEEK EBOOK PROGRAM

Take 50% off here with code: holiday50

The most user friendly 12 week program that will take you to the next level and change your life. - view preview video here.


Course Image
Be SLAM 2 (Strong Like A Mother)
Next step after Be SLAM 1 - 12 Week ebook program that will continue to increase your strength in various ways. 



WOMEN CAN DO PULL-UPS! 


 This simple guide is designed to show you exactly how to achieve one. Take 50% off here with code: holiday50







NUTRITION GUIDE FOR EVERYONE
Optimal immune protection, muscle density and fat loss. 


40% off 

FIT 365� Year-Round Grass-Fed Native Whey Protein


Available in Gourmet Chocolate and Vanilla Bean


Nucleo Immune, Premier Research Labs, (60 Capsules)

Nucleo Immune by Premier Research Labs is a natural immune system and rejuvenation supplement that promotes rapid cellular regeneration, increased vitality, and repair and wound healing. It is the first nano-protein delivery system devised to promote instantaneous immune boost and increased vitality. 







APPAREL FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMEN

Workout in style with these various tank tops. We also have purple as well!
























Monday, November 21, 2016

Simple Egg Muffins for Kids and Grown Up Kids (Gluten Free)

I must admit going from 2 kids to having 4 kids was not a breeze. Especially when each of them are picky eaters. Sometimes I find myself making 4 different dishes. Oy vey! I know I could just send them to bed hungry if they don't eat the one dish I make. But I can be a softy at times. I want to find what the kids enjoy!

Now I'm finding dishes that are healthy that will sustain them for a few solid hours!

The simple egg muffins have become a staple in our house. Our pickiest eaters want them. They  keep well and you just reheat in moments and bam you've got an incredible breakfast or snack on the go.

We began this journey with making an egg muffin with organic cheese, organic cooked turkey bacon and organic free range eggs.

Lyla and Chloe wanted to make these for everyone so here is how it's done! I tried to keep this around 2 minutes so there are portions sped up. I find it super cute, but again they're my kids. Don't expect you to. :) Maybe this will inspire your kids to get more involved in the kitchen.




Simple Egg Muffins for Kids and Grown Up Kids



Makes 12 Egg Muffins

12 Eggs
1 pack of Turkey Bacon
A few pinches of salt
Organic Cheese - 1 T added to each tin

1. Coat tins with non stick spray
2. Cook bacon and chop in to pieces
3. Preheat over to 350
4. Beat eggs and add salt
5. Pour eggs in each muffin tin 3/4 of way full
6. Add bacon pieces to each muffin tin
7. Add 1 T of cheese to each muffin
8. Put in oven for 15-20 minutes

Eat up!!







FOR A HEALTHY ADULT RECIPE that is similar try this  - Personal Egg Quiche -Check it out HERE

http://laurenbrooks.laurenbrookstraining.com/2012/11/crustless-personal-quiche-egg-dish-for.html

Saturday, November 5, 2016

More Glute Recruitment with a Deeper Hinge

A Deeper MODIFIED SINGLE LEG DEADLIFT 


Many months ago I shared with you all a Modified single leg deadlift that allowed you to use your non-working foot to help stabilize.

This newer exercise has been paramount for those who were never able to enjoy the benefits of Single Leg Deadlifts and for those aspiring to have a deeper hinge. 

This modification has been a game changer to say the least. Time to take your hinge to a deeper level. Enjoy the power of your strong glutes when putting this exercise into your program. Watch your current Single Leg Deadlift improve as well.