Thank You Bert Sorin!

I'm still "high" from the Arizona Highland Games this past weekend! What an event! Aside from the video clips I have seen online, this was the first experience I had of watching the Games and my good friend Bert Sorin compete. Talk about amazing athletes! The men and women competitors are not only extremely impressive, but bighearted and compassionate. Moreover, they were excited and encouraged my workout partner (Kari Parker) and I to begin training to compete ourselves!

I have met quite a few professional and amateur athletes, but the quality that keeps drawing me back to Highland Games individuals is their comradery and closeness. What an awesome group of people to be surrounded by, on and off of a competition field. Kari and I can't wait to get started with training!

After such a fun weekend, it was time to get back to work. Bert was generous enough to hang out with Kari and I at the gym (in Scottsdale, AZ), and even give us some coaching tips. It was awesome to have such an amazing athlete coach us. Thank you Bert!

Meeting great people, hanging out with friends, watching amazing athletes, and the beautiful weather of Arizona in the spring could not have made for a better weekend. Thank you to Bert Sorin, Kari Parker, the Arizona Highland Games, and the amazing athletes I met this weekend, I am truley inspired to keep reaching for my goals and setting new heights for myself!

First Stone Lifting Experience

Strongmen constantly perform stone lifting during practice and competition. I knew it was hard, but I definitely have a new appreciation for picking up those massive balls of cement! I didn't even realize how fun it could be either! But don't let the exciting aspects of it downplay how difficult and rewarding stone training can be.

Because stone lifting is great for developing strength in the core, lower and upper body, and hips, I wanted to give it a try. My upper back ended up being sore for almost a week afterwards! The legs and hips gain an incredible amount of strength by having to lift the stone from the ground to the lap, and then by standing up quickly to lift the stone to chest height or above. Your grip is challenged along with your upper body to pick up the stone, and your core gets a major workout to hold your body in a correct posture while lifting this heavy object. Stone lifting is great for individuals looking for major strength gains, but should not be taken to lightly. A continuous workout regimen is necessary to gain the strength required to perform stone lifting, in addition to the coaching of a qualified instructor to ensure proper form.

Whether your a beginner to fitness, or an experienced athlete, it is always fun to try something new in your workout routine. Feel free to share some of your experiences with odd-object lifting or anything else you've found to be fun and creative. Good luck and great health!