Kettlebells are an amazing tool: posture, strength, and non-impact cardio all in one. And YouTube is an easy way to learn everything from computer tips to changing a bike flat. So why not put them together and learn how to swing a kettlebell by watching a how-to demo? Uh… in a word, no. Protect Your…

Squats are an incredibly useful exercise. Here’s how to do get there safely and do them properly. Quick fixes are suggested for common pitfalls.

Grandiose statements of 180-degree life changes are a classic route to failure. Yeah, right, now it will all be different, just ‘cause you said so! “I am” is better than “I will,” and “I did” is even better…Even if it’s not a perfect fit or a comfortable place to be.

My Range of Motion warmup was featured as the pullout card in the Fall 2014 edition of FitLife BC. Hands down, the best acute injury prevention bang for your buck is a proper warmup, and this simple, non-impact routine is an excellent investment of 5 or so minutes. A range of motion warmup (ROM) not only prepares the body for any work to come, it brings focus to the movement task at hand. It dovetails nicely with rolling out first, then a temperature warmup afterwards as you move into the body of your main workout.

This version has photographs for a few of the moves that may be difficult to envision from reading the words alone.

Why not just call it a straight back? Well, because we do have some normal curvature in our spine. In contrast to a rounded-forward spine, or spinal flexion, neutral spine is the safest back position to avoid injury. This applies whether you’re sitting at a desk, bending over to pick up a dropped pencil, or lifting heavy weights.