Happy New Year! I love the first few weeks of January. Many people are still riding high on the festivities of the holidays and there is an air of hopefulness as people set goals and plan the improvements they're going to make in this brand new year — this blank slate.
For me, on a physical level, this year is about being gentle to my body. Over the past few years, I've continued to test my physical limits, without taking the time to understand those limits. I'm hoping that if I put the time into understanding my body and its physical boundaries, I will take better care to not recklessly push it until it breaks. So, I found a mantra for the year (because important things need a mantra):
Mobility on Demand final design assets have been sent to the printer, and we couldn't be more excited. We're working with local printer D&K in Boulder, Colorado (that's right, Mobility on Demand is made 100% right here in the U. S. A.) and they've been an incredible partner in this process.
Thanksgiving is this week, which means that your holiday shopping is likely underway and on the verge of intensifying. One of my favorite things to shop for this time of year are are stocking stuffers. Stockings are essentially a goody bag — it's best to fill them to the brim with tons of fun and unique gifts.
If you're shopping for stocking stuffers for an athlete, there are tons of options for gifts, but it can be difficult to find gifts that are small and affordable. After doing some research, I compiled a list of functional stocking stuffers for your CrossFit friend or family that they will appreciate and use.
Thanksgiving is less than a week away, which means that it's time to start preparing for the abundance of eating and idle time we're about to experience. For many of us, holidays mean travel, and travel means a lot of sedentary time, which can be really hard on our bodies. More specifically, it can be hard on our backs.
This week has been cold here in Colorado — like, booger-freezing cold. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like it will be warming up much over the weekend. So, today I thought to myself, "self, if you're going to be inside all weekend, you better make some progress on your mobility." And! And! Guess what?! Now that we have final designs and the cards are off to the printer, I can use Mobility on Demand to plan my workout.
Today is the day I've been anxiously waiting for. I've been looking at my To-Do List for the past week, obsessing over one item:
I'm happy to report that we checked that box today. That's right, guys -- Mobility on Demand is off to production. Soon enough we will be holding the cards in our hands, and distributing them to our wonderful customers -- spreading mobility far and wide!
The weekend is here, which means you have more time to take care of your body and recover from all of the hard work and physical stress you put it through this week.
We'd like to help you with your recovery, which is why we've put together some Mobility Homework for you. While I'm sure the word "homework" might elicit groans from the peanut gallery, don't worry -- this is GOOD homework. It's the kind of homework you'll be glad you completed over the weekend, so when Monday rolls around, you'll be ready to get back at it!
This weekend I suggest that you spend time mobilizing your hamstrings and hips. This is partly selfish because I did a lot of running and squatting this week and owe my hips and upper legs some quality time.
Lay on the ground with both legs extended on the floor. Raise one leg towards the ceiling, maintaining a soft knee. Hold your leg behind the knee, and pull towards your chest to increase hip flexion. Hold. Switch legs.
Hold this position for thirty seconds on each side, two times through.
Spread your feet very wide, like you're trying to do a split. Use your hands to brace yourself against the floor and continue to move your feet outwards as far as you can go.
Hold this position for one - two minutes. Move your torso towards either leg to increase the intensity of the stretch on either side. If you get a bit of a head-rush, feel free to come out of the position and then return.
Kneel on your hands and knees with the bottom of your feet touching a wall behind you. Your feet should be shoulder width apart and the inside edge of your foot should be flat on the ground. Spread your knees apart as far as possible, working your hips towards the ground. Lower onto your forearms and keep your back flat. Push your butt towards the wall.
Remain in this position for two - three minutes.
This mobility series will take less than ten minutes and then you can get on with doing all of your fun weekend things!
Today is a really exciting day. Today is the day that we make a project a reality. Over the past year, we have worked to build a product that started as an idea five years ago.
The idea was this:
Today, we can say "we have that tool." Awesome.
Mobility on Demand is a card deck that fulfills the need for a portable, convenient, mobility coach. You probably can't bring the coach from your box with you on your business trip and you can't always connect to the internet when you're on vacation.
Solution? Traditional, playing-card sized tool that you can shuffle through to find the best mobility workout for you, depending on the area of your body that you need to work on.
Most importantly, Mobility on Demand isn't just a tool -- it's a way to make yourself a better athlete than you were yesterday. As someone who values physical achievements, I look for PRs in every workout and if I'm not taking care of my body, I don't realize those achievements.
Mobility on Demand helps you go that extra mile to take care of yourself with no opportunity for excuses. Keep it in your gym bag, take it on your next trip, store it in your car or your purse. Wherever you are, you can work on improving your mobility.
While we're starting out with an initial deck of thirty cards that require no equipment, we have plans to go bigger. Much bigger.
If you're looking for a convenient mobility solution to improve your fitness like we were, look no further -- we have it.