By Garrett Sylvester
Co-Owner: Axistence

​Most of us could probably live life with a little less tension and be more carefree. However, the tension I am talking is the kind we create with our muscles when we’re training. Specifically, in relation to strength training. You see, most of us go through a strength training session just trying to complete the repetitions by any means necessary. There is a time and a place for that. Most of the time though, we would greatly improve our efficiency in the gym by focusing on creating as much tension as possible for longer. Too often I see people trying to use momentum to get through the movements as quickly as possible. We are leaving so much on the table by rushing through the repetitions. Not only does slowing down and creating tension make us stronger and perform better, it protects us from injuries as well. 

By Ryan Humphries, CSCS
Co-Founder Axistence

​
The FUTURE... 

The PAST... 
​
Plenty of spiritual “gurus” like to tell us that neither one of these time-frames actually exist, and if they do, it’s only in the context that we’re talking about them NOW. If you’ve done any exploring in the realm of personal development, this probably isn’t a new or novel concept for you.

​Two thousand years ago, the Buddha said “Do not dwell on the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment”.  In the 1960’s Ram Dass said “Be here now”. In 1997 Eckhart Tolle wrote “The Power of Now”. In 2015, The Weeknd said “I’m just tryna life life for the moment...” (Yeah, I just quoted the Weeknd and Buddha in the same paragraph). That’s how I roll. 

A personal account of pain,

​by Ryan Humphries
 
Foam rolling is the shit. Stretching is awesome. And they both work to relieve pain and tightness….until they don’t. Although soft tissue work (foam rolling, lacrosse balls, softballs, massage therapy, etc.), has now been incorporated into of many strength training programs, it may not be addressing the real issue(s). 

By Ryan Humphries
Co-Founder, Axistence
​CSCS

​Ladies and gentlemen, 19.4 is… 
 
 - 200’ of Overhead Walking Lunges (50/35)
 - 50 Box Step Ups (24”/20”)
 - 50 Handstand Push-ups
 - 200’ Handstand Walks
 - 12 Minute Time Cap
 
The fourth workout of the CrossFit Open couldn’t have hit at a better time. I was almost finished with Todd Herman’s book “The Alter Ego Effect” and when I first heard what the workout was, I was…discouraged…to say the least. Here are a few of the things that went through my head as the workout was released. (Please remember that I was once a sailor)

By Ryan Humphries
Co-Founder Axistence
CSCS

​“Make sure you’re going to full hip extension”  

“Just a liiiiiittle bit lower”

“All the way up”
 
You’ve no doubt heard at least at least one these cues in the middle of a workout. Perhaps you were even the target of said cue. It doesn’t mean you’re a bad person, it just means that we want you to get results. Your time in the training center is valuable. Every second and every rep counts. We have approximately 60 minutes to help you achieve the results you’re looking for and if you’re doing half-ass reps, you’re only going to get half-ass results. Hence “whole-assing” your workout.
 

by Jake Lott, Coach

​Traditional weight lifting exercises like the squat, and deadlift, along with a myriad of presses and pulls are great for building strength that will no doubt transfer into other realms of your functional fitness. But they are often limited in range to the sagittal plane (think forward and back), which limits the strength you build to that range of movement.

As great as it is to lift heavy things in specifically controlled ways, real life is often less accommodating.  Having the coordination to transfer power laterally (frontal), and rotate (transverse) through your hips can be invaluable to building your overall strength.