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Letters To Jane

 "Just checking in with you all to let you know that Geoff and I are leaving for Utah this week for the XTERRA USA Championship... We are very excited about the opportunity to compete at a National level and we wouldn't be able to do this if it weren't for the work you prescribe for us at GJ's. We'll miss the gym while we are gone but we can't wait to hit the gym hard ...(in the off-season)... to prepare for our next race season!" April G.

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Jane Says...

 "The common perception is that a desirable weight, or even a healthy body composition, is the end goal of fitness. The fact is that a healthy body composition is only the starting point for authentic fitness."

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Thursday, December 31, 2009

2010, The Year Of The Athlete


If you care about your ability to function to your highest potential, you are an athlete. You may not have a chosen sport, and you may not compete against others in any organized way, but you share the desire to perform with a high degree of capacity and skill just like any athlete who does.

This notion has many ramifications, but mainly it should help you to avoid comparing yourself to societal norms in terms of fitness. The bar for fitness relative to society as a whole is extremely low and getting lower. Just like an athlete, you would never dream of comparing your abilities to the average citizen. To do so will leave even the most unhealthy people feeling pretty good about themselves. Even when their unhealthy state is entirely reversible. For example, doctors will treat athletes differently from you and me because the expectations for the athlete are so much higher. Which treatment would you rather receive? Likewise athletes have a strong motivation for eating well. Do you?

Consider yourself an athlete and you will begin to act like one. Happy New Year.

If you are not yet eating like an athlete, the first Gravity Janes Nutritional Challenge for 2010 begins January 9th. There is still time to sign up.

posted by Dave Young at 5:02 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

Sunday, December 27, 2009

The Absolutes of Movement



Functional movement is defined by certain characteristics that determine its value. Do your shoulder blades touch down in every AbMat Sit Up? Do your elbows lock out overhead with every Thruster rep? Do you hips drop below your knees on every Wall Ball shot? These are all defining characteristics of their respective movements. Failure to achieve these qualities is essentially failing to perform the movement. In other words, it is no longer a Sit Up, Thruster, or Wall Ball, but something else entirely. Something not nearly as valuable.

You should be completely clear on the defining characteristics of every activity in which you engage so you don't make this very common mistake.

Question: What are the defining characteristics of a 2-handed Kettlebell Snatch? Post your thoughts to Comments.

posted by Dave Young at 7:11 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Merry Christmas



Happy Holidays

Wishing you a warm and wonderful holiday season—good health, good friends,
and happiness. Thank you for being a part of the Gravity Janes family.

Many new programs coming to GJs in 2010. Stay tuned.



posted by Dave Young at 9:00 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

Thursday, December 17, 2009

More Nutrition Challenge Info



"I've enjoyed getting to know more people at Janes and am really proud of the changes I've made. Thank you!"
   Rachel


See what other participants in our recent Nutrition Challenge are saying about their experience: excerpts from Letters To Jane on the Nutrition Blog.
The Challenge was topped by Lynn H. with a 32% improvement in her functional capacity over the 6-week period.
Lynn's largest single-test improvement was 50% in the circuit. A feat duplicated by Lori C. Top 800m run time gain was Lynn's 15%.
Other top scores were Lori's test-wide improvement of 27%, and John C's gain of 23%.
We could not reasonably attribute gains of more than 10% to exercise alone over the period of the Challenge. The rest is the contribution of a vastly improved diet. Hope to see you at the next Challenge in January.


The photo links to video of an example of adaption to a human's environment. Whatever you do, you'll be good at.

posted by Dave Young at 7:14 AM 2 Comments Links to this post

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Nutrition Challenge Results


The results from our recent Nutrition Challenge were determined by the only measure that matters: human functional capacity. Results were measured by a performance test at the beginning and end of the 6-week Challenge. On the basis of those tests, the average improvement among all participants was 22%, and the single best improvement was 32%.


If you'd like to see performance gains like that in yourself, join the next Challenge beginning Jan 9th. Sign ups are now available here. 


On the subject of diet, the best way to avoid those holiday temptations is to have healthy meals on hand that will give you an easy option and keep you from manic eating. This is the very reason that Gravity Janes has complete meals available in our cooler made to our specifications and delivered fresh daily. Please take advantage of this opportunity to keep the holiday damage to a minimum. 


Photo: Greg S. taking time out from his honeymoon for a very picturesque L-Sit.

posted by Dave Young at 5:16 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Swim Meet Results


The Issaquah Swim Team just completed both State and National swim meets where they put their Gravity Janes training to the test. Here is a brief note received from IST coach Kyle Johnson:

"Our girls dominated at the State meet!  Katie K. won 2 State titles including setting a new State Record in the 100 Fly.  Her lead off split for the free relay was faster then the winning time in the 50 Free individual event.  Maria (14) won the 100 Breast with a National qualifying time while upsetting older girls.  All the girls had significant time drops and loads of success."

One week later at the conclusion of the National meet we learned that Katie had won the bronze in that 100 Fly.

These are great kids that take their athletic conditioning seriously. Smart choice for anyone, competitive or not.

Congratulations IST. More great rewards to come.

posted by Dave Young at 2:26 PM 1 Comments Links to this post

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Strength Cycle Results


Results of the latest Strength Cycle are posted on The Whiteboards page. Congratluations to Lynn H on a 20% improvement in her back squat, and to Darlene for a 30+% increase in her deadlift. We witnessed many gains in the 10 - 20% range in all movements.

Time to turn your attention back to your own personal goals. Please update the Goal Board and make sure you notify us of anytime you reach a personal goal. We'll post your accomplishment here.

Picture: Chris "goes commando" with his favorite pair of rope climbing shoes.

posted by Dave Young at 10:54 AM 1 Comments Links to this post