August - 2018

N A N C Y B R O W N

New York, NY

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How Getting a Trainer Changed my Life and How it Will Change Yours

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Why Belly Breathing's Not All It's Cracked up to Be

Why Belly Breathing's Not All It's Cracked up to Be

Many people have been told they're breathing wrong. They've been told they're not using their diaphragm. Further, they've been told that diaphragmatic breathing involves pushing out the stomach on the inhale. This is generally cued as "breathing into your belly." But if the lungs are in the ribcage, which they most certainly are, how can we possibly breathe into our bellies? What exactly is going on with belly breathing and is it the "right" way to breathe? Is it possible tha

The Stigma of BIG

The Stigma of BIG

It seems like every time I get on Instagram, I see a post assuring women that lifting weights won’t make them bulky or “manly.” Generally these posts talk about the difference in levels of free testosterone between men and women. I know these posts are well intentioned. The benefits of resistance training are staggering, from metabolic health to improved bone density (not to mention being able to install your own a/c with ease), and these trainers and lifters just want to rec

How to Fall in Love with Working Out, Part 2

How to Fall in Love with Working Out, Part 2

Finding a Movement Practice A wise man once said, “Consistency trumps intensity every time,” but if you look at any mainstream fitness magazine, they’re going to have workout templates to get you “bikini-ready” in six weeks. You’re sold a magic bullet workout, the one that will deliver the body of your dreams with a minimum of investment. If only it worked that way. I’m sorry to say that there is no magic bullet workout. If you invest minimally, your return will be minimal. R

How to Fall in Love with Working Out, Part 1

How to Fall in Love with Working Out, Part 1

A lot of fitness gurus want you to believe that they have an insane amount of grit, and that’s what keeps them going. But while grit comes in handy when the going gets rough, relying on it for your whole (hopefully lifelong) fitness journey sounds downright awful. Besides which, what’s more likely is that they got to where they are because they love it. What if it’s not about getting on a streak? What if it’s not about white-knuckling it? Maybe it’s just about getting past th

Squatting: Putting the Knees-Behind-Toes Cue to Bed

Squatting: Putting the Knees-Behind-Toes Cue to Bed

(10-12 minute read, 7 minutes for first part) Whenever I come across an awkward squat, the first question I ask the squatter is, “Have you heard the rule that you shouldn’t allow your knees to go past your toes?” Most of the time, the answer is yes. When I left the insular world of the strength gym and began working in a large commercial gym again, I was surprised to find this cue alive and well. The general argument for it is that allowing the knees to travel past the toes