617-254-1711
Go To..

Category: Strength

Four Advantages to Ditching the Straight Bar

September 14, 2022
| No Comments
| Categories: Exercise, fitness, Strength, Training

1) Better Core Stability, Less Lower Back, Hip & Knee Stress For starters, the safety bar sits a bit higher than a standard bar and the camber pushes you forward, forcing you to fight to stay upright. Therefore, you will be a bit more upright than a high-bar squat and a lot more upright than a low-bar squat. Generally speaking, the more upright your torso is, the less pressure is placed on your lower back. And with the safety bar, the pressure will be displaced more towards your glutes and quads without putting your lower back in a tough spot.

Read More›

Strength Training: Using the landmine to build power

July 26, 2022
| No Comments
| Categories: Strength, strength training

What is the Landmine?  It's a barbell anchored to the floor with a weight on the other end. What is Power?  Power is how fast you can move weight. Training for Power:  If power is measured by how quickly you can move weight, explosive strength is needed to accelerate force, hence, speed, elasticity, explosiveness, size and stability all play a role in training for power. Using the Landmine to build power: The movement of the landmine itself can help teach an athlete how to effectively transfer force between the upper and lower body, while also presenting a greater demand on

Read More›

Strength Training: Fatbells

July 22, 2022
| No Comments
| Categories: Exercise, fitness, Strength, strength training
CSC Trainer Evan squatting with an overhead fatbell

Fatbells are a variation on the classic Kettlebell but with a twist. The handle is located inside the bell putting all the weight an equal distance from your wrist and hand. This allows the Fatbell to move with your hand and arm as if it was an extension of your body! This makes learning exercises like The Single Arm Snatch far easier than with a traditional Kettlebell while still getting more of a challenge than a dumbbell provides! Fatbells can be used in place of dumbbells for presses and rows but also for popular Kettlebell exercises like Swings, Snatches, and

Read More›

Calf Strengthening Exercises for Runners

July 22, 2022
| No Comments
| Categories: Athlete, Exercise, fitness, Strength, Workout Tips
calf exercises for runners

Strengthening your calves isn’t just about preventing injury to your calves. It’s about protecting your lower legs as a whole. For example, if your calves are too weak, it puts stress on your Achilles tendon and shins. No runner likes dealing with a painful, squeaky Achilles tendon or going through the agony of shin splints. Include these calf exercises into your training routine two to three times per week to improve your form and help prevent injuries by building muscle in your lower body.  The difference between good calf exercises and great calf exercises is the time and attention you put into

Read More›

Why EVERYONE Should do Pilates

January 23, 2019
| No Comments
| Categories: Core, Exercise, fitness, Fitness Class, Health and Fitness, Motivation, Strength, Training, Weight Loss, Workout

Hello, Maria Barry here! As most of you probably know, I am the Pure Pilates and Group Fitness Manager at Commonwealth Sports Club, Boston. Over the last 20 years of teaching strength, cardio, yoga and barre classes, I realized there was one common factor preventing me from injury: the core strength I’ve developed from Pilates training. After speaking with clients, friends and members, all of whom work out in many different ways, I have put together a list of the top reasons to practice Pilates studio equipment and Pilates mat. 1.       It’s exercise while you’re laying down AND a great workout!

Read More›

It’s that time of year again…

January 17, 2019
| No Comments
| Categories: Cardio, Challenge, Club News, Core, Exercise, Fitness Class, Motivation, Strength, strength training, Workout

It’s that time of year again- New Year’s resolutions and all of the weight loss challenges that come along with it. “Lose all of that weight this year, join this challenge, workout like crazy and starve yourself for this many days!” But is that a realistic goal? Is it a sustainable lifestyle once the New Year’s glow wears off? How many times do we see the weight come back on? Or lose interest after a couple of weeks? So what if this year instead, you commit to staying active through these crucial first few months. Commit to going to the

Read More›

When was the last time you felt truly accomplished?

September 8, 2016
| No Comments
| Categories: Athlete, Cardio, Challenge, Exercise, fitness, Motivation, Strength

CALLING ALL SPARTANS! That familiar feeling is here again. I'd love to call it the calm before the storm but there's no calm. My adrenaline is up. I'm anxious, excited, slightly nervous. I've been here, I've done this, but every time is different. I know that when I jump that four-foot wall that blocks me from the start line that all the new mysteries of this year's course will be revealed to me. (more…)

Read More›

Strength, Stability, Mobility: Train like a Navy Seal

August 23, 2016
| No Comments
| Categories: Exercise, fitness, Health and Fitness, Strength, strength training, Training, Weight Loss, Weight Training

Have you ever wondered how you could strength train without using heavy dumbbells or weights? Ever wondered if using your body weight was sufficient enough resistance to gain the strength, stability, and mobility you want achieve? Ever see those black and yellow straps suspended from the wall and thought what in the world they were? (more…)

Read More›