February 9, 2023
The Math Lesson You Never Knew You Needed: 2 Proven Weight Loss Hacks
There are two lessons we learned in math class years ago that can help us achieve our weight loss goals with less stress. I use these everyday with my clients to help them not only make progress in their weight loss goals, but to do it in a way that is sustainable for them! Here are the two rules we follow:
Rule #1: Faster Weight Loss Results with The Order of Operations
The “order of operations” rule in math tells us how to prioritize exponents, parentheses, multiplication, and addition when solving a problem. Unfortunately, most people with weight loss goals don’t use this concept in their lives, causing them unnecessary stress and guilt.
Applying this to our daily routines, we learn to prioritize tasks. For example, in the morning, I might make breakfast and dirty some dishes. But instead of cleaning them right away, I leave them for later in the day when my willpower is lower, so I can focus on more important tasks, whether it’s for health or work. This is because my willpower is strongest at the beginning of the day, and I want to conserve that energy for tasks that really matter.
To determine what tasks are truly important, ask yourself, “will I regret not doing this five years from now?” For example, I might not regret not doing the dishes, but I could regret not working out or not putting more effort into a business idea. Just keep in mind, while this can be great for your goals, your wife MIGHT not like dishes sitting around all day! You have been warned!
Rule #2: Say Goodbye to Scale Worries with the Power of Averaging
Stepping on the scale every day can be overwhelming. When you want to see the weight go down, but it goes up instead, it can be discouraging. Try to avoid daily judgment by using weekly averages instead. Add up each daily weight entry and compare week to week. This helps avoid fluctuations from lack of sleep, water retention, or sickness. Use the numbers to determine if you need to adjust your calorie intake.
Example: Two Week Weight Log
Week 1:
Monday: 150 lbs
Tuesday: 149 lbs
Wednesday: 151 lbs
Thursday: 153 lbs
Friday: 152 lbs
Saturday: 151 lbs
Sunday: 153 lbs
Weekly Average: 151.7 lbs
Week 2:
Monday: 153 lbs
Tuesday: 151 lbs
Wednesday: 150 lbs
Thursday: 152 lbs
Friday: 151 lbs
Saturday: 150 lbs
Sunday: 149 lbs
Weekly Average: 151.1 lbs
Comparing the weekly averages, we can see that there has been a slight decrease in weight from week 1 to week 2. This can give a clearer picture of progress, rather than being discouraged by daily fluctuations. Based on this information, the you can determine if you need to adjust your calorie intake or keep it the same!
These are the two rules we learned in math class that can help us achieve our weight loss goals with less stress! If you need further guidance, or need some accountability and coaching to help you reach your health goals, check out hybridfitnessgym.com and apply to learn more!

Hunter grew up using fitness as a way to boost his low self-esteem. This led him to later found Hybrid Fitness in 2014, where him and his team create a fun, safe training environment for busy adults looking to better their health without doing crazy crash diets or excessive burpees.
January 24, 2022
Cuddling Up In a Blanket with Ramen Noodles
The blowing cold wind off of the harbor is biting the uncovered skin on my face.
Snow, shooting downward from the sky, is accumulating into “dip n dots” on my mittens.
The year is 1999, I just turned 5, and I’m outside with my parents sledding down the small hill in our front yard.
Up and down the hill I go; my parents laughing and cheering to me.
“Wow! Good job Hunter!”
“Way to go! Want to go again”?
I repeat the cycle, tired by restricted movement of my snow suit… But determined to slide down the hill and go as far as I possibly can.
I will go farther than last time.
But, the longer we are outside, the cold starts to take it’s toll.
What started as so much fun, starts to slowly fade.
The chill of the cold is beginning to leak through my boots, and my fingers are going numb through my mittens.
It’s time to go inside and get warm.
My dad drags me on my sled by the thin rope attached to the long plastic blue sled he got me for my birthday.
I take off my boots outside of our door so I don’t track snow through the house, and run inside as quickly as I can to keep my toes from getting cold.
Squeezing out of my snow suit, I sprint to the the living room couch and throw my Winnie The Pooh Bed Cover All Around Me.
AHHH, finally warm again. I quickly transform into a human burrito, and poke my eyes out to see what journey Ash, Brock, and Misty are foregoing today on the television.
Before I know it, mom brings me a warm cup of Ramen, with one icecube in it to keep me from getting burnt.
Life is good again.
2 hours later, I BEG my parents to bring me back out.
Sometimes, all we need is a break and a warm cup of Ramen to be ready to give it our all again.
Time away from the “grind” and rat race is not being lazy, it is being productive.
Step away from your regular routine, and you will find clarity…
…and realize the cold wind and snow (the stresses of life) are more easily solvable than you thought when you were in the midst of the storm.
Have a great day,
Love,
Coach Hunter
#SmallStepsBigResults
If you can’t take a day or two away from your normal routine, even an hour can help you find clarity and slow things down. Yoga helps me do that. We just added 12 new yoga classes at Hybrid Fitness -> Check them out here! https://joinhybridfitness.com/yoga-and-pilates

Hunter grew up using fitness as a way to boost his low self-esteem. This led him to later found Hybrid Fitness in 2014, where him and his team create a fun, safe training environment for busy adults looking to better their health without doing crazy crash diets or excessive burpees.
January 18, 2022
Why I love Planet Fitness (but wouldn’t send my Mom there)
It’s been 6 weeks now since my workout partner, Dusty, and I have been hitting our workouts at Planet Fitness…
It’s been comical because I keep seeing people I know who look at me confused and ask:
“Wait, you own Hybrid Fitness, but you’re here? Why? Is Everything alright?”
And the answer is “YES!”
Everything is alright!
In fact, I have actually loved going to Planet Fitness, and here is why!
I love Planet Fitness because It’s everything that Hybrid Fitness isn’t.
– At Planet Fitness you do everything on your own – at Hybrid everything is guided by an experienced coach
– I got my Planet membership 4 months ago. When I didn’t go for an entire month, no one ever reached out to me to see why or how I was doing. If you miss consistent sessions at Hybrid Fitness, we text or call you to check in!
– At Planet, there’s a good percentage of young adults wearing very revealing clothing. At Hybrid, we rarely ever see that.
For me personally, I like those features because I enjoy doing my own workouts (And feel confident I can do them safely and effectively). I’m also motivated by seeing others’ physiques because it inspires me to work harder – I don’t get discouraged by it!
So why did Hybrid Fitness end up the way it is?
It’s that way because I didn’t create Hybrid Fitness for me (a 26 yr old, mildly ego driven ex-athlete)
I created it for my sister, my mother, and my father.
I created it for those who haven’t felt welcomed at a gym before (or even felt left out!).
I created it for those who need and want a little extra accountability to help them succeed!
And I created it for those who do better with instruction and coaching, and don’t have time to get injured!
If that’s what you value, too, I highly recommend you check out Hybrid Fitness! (We’ve got a brand new 6 week challenge going on now -> click here to learn more!)
But if you don’t as much and are like me… then Planet Fitness is the right fit for you!
Neither is right or wrong, it’s just preference!
And by the way – we have a handful of members to go to both, and I think that is awesome!
So anyways, this is why I love Planet Fitness, but would never send my mom there.
Have a great day,
Love,
Coach Hunter
#SmallStepsBigResults
Brand New 6-Week Challenge >> https://joinhybridfitness.com/application-form

Hunter grew up using fitness as a way to boost his low self-esteem. This led him to later found Hybrid Fitness in 2014, where him and his team create a fun, safe training environment for busy adults looking to better their health without doing crazy crash diets or excessive burpees.
January 10, 2022
Pain Free in 3 Months (New Yoga Classes!)
My back was completely smoked.
Sharp pains shooting down my right leg…
The fear of getting out of bed knowing one wrong move could ruin the entire day.
Stretching always helped (especially since I couldn’t even touch my toes!)…
…but I never was disciplined enough to stretch on my own.
Then one day, I decided to sign up for a yoga class one time a week.
After a few weeks, I saw almost immediate relief.
It was actually crazy how much it helped me.
Try your first yoga class with Hybrid Fitness today!
I wasn’t very flexible to start, but the instructor was very helpful in helping me modify some exercises so it worked for me!
I continued on for 3 months, and for several years the pain was minimal or non-existent.
I can’t say it would do the same for you… but this was just my experience.
Try Yoga for yourself! <<Brand New Classes in Warren, ME!
I had others who took the class beside me who weren’t in pain at all!
They were just looking for a way to have more energy, build strength, & keep themselves in good shape!
Yoga is a fantastic, low impact way to do that!
We want to offer a very individualized program in our new yoga sessions, so we are limiting them to 8 people a class!
You won’t have to worry about getting lost in a big group!
Try Hybrid Yoga out for (1) Month!
Click here to sign up: https://joinhybridfitness.com/yoga
Have a great day,
Love,
Coach Hunter
#SmallStepsBigResults
https://joinhybridfitness.com/yoga

Hunter grew up using fitness as a way to boost his low self-esteem. This led him to later found Hybrid Fitness in 2014, where him and his team create a fun, safe training environment for busy adults looking to better their health without doing crazy crash diets or excessive burpees.
January 7, 2022
How to Not Suck at Your New Years Resolution
If you want to reach your goal of weight loss (despite the time of year it is), there are a few simple rules you need to follow! Also, I am the utmost expert on reaching goals by any means, but this is what I have found to be true for me and my experiences, so I hope this helps!
1. Understand the difference between Action Goals and Outcome goals
The gold at the end of the rainbow. Millions of dollars. 6 Pack abs. These are all common “outcome goals” that we look to bring into our lives. This differs from what I call “action goals”, the frequent habits or daily actions you chose to do in order to reach that outcome. It’s important to have both.
Set an outcome goal worth going after… something that excites you!
Then, find someone who is an expert in that field (someone who has already achieved the thing you want) via personal relationships, books, courses, trainings, etc…
and break that goal down into daily actions, or action goals.
2. Factor of 3
Let’s say your goal was lose 75lbs in 9 months. Take that 9 months and multiply it by 3 to 27 months.
Here’s why. When you finally do lay out the “perfect daily action goals” to reach your outcome, you aren’t going to be perfect. It’s going to take you time to have great adherence, 90%+, on those actions.
You’ll also have to change your plan. There will be bumps in the road and adjustments that you can’t account for ahead of time. Give yourself time.
3. Understand it won’t be easy.
No matter what path you go down in life, you will always have problems. The path you chose will determine the problems you have. So, take a second to introspect on what problems you want to have. For example, you can chose to be a bit more tired because you lose a little bit extra sleep to make breakfast and get your workout in VS feeling tired because you are out of shape and not taking care of yourself.
4. Watch this podcast
Coach Dusty and I did a podcast episode on this exact topic, and go much more into depth on how to stick to your daily goals and achieve your dream outcome! This is great to listen to in the car or in the shower when your mind isn’t occupied by anything else!
You can watch the podcast here:
I hope you found this helpful!
Love,
Coach Hunter
#SmallStepsBigResults
P.S – If you need a little more help with your nutrition and workouts – or just need a little accountability… I have an Online Coaching Program that helps just with that. Email me at Hunter@HybridFitnessGym.com if you’re interested and we can talk to see if it could be a good fit for you!.

Hunter grew up using fitness as a way to boost his low self-esteem. This led him to later found Hybrid Fitness in 2014, where him and his team create a fun, safe training environment for busy adults looking to better their health without doing crazy crash diets or excessive burpees.
January 6, 2022
Can’t Stay Consistent? Read This.
5 years.
For 5 years the so-called “Best of the Best personal trainer of the Mid-Coast was inconsistent with workouts.
At first, it was easy to ignore.
But as time went on, the feeling of an “imposter” began to set in.
This “imposter” was me.
A dozen times, I started and stopped.
I’d go for walks. I’d strength train. I’d count my calories. But no attempt lasted over 30 days.
But finally, one day, something clicked.
I started scheduling sessions with Coach Brandon.
We started with 2 days a week (which didn’t seem like enough – 3 and 4x a week would obviously be better, right?!)
I felt like a wimp. I used to do so much more.
But I just kept showing up, because Brandon was there waiting for me.
A month later, we moved to 3x a week.
Several months later, 4x a week.
We’re now at ~9 months of consistent workouts.
THIS FITNESS THING ISN’T EASY!
But, you can do it.
If you’re struggling to get some momentum going in this nutrition thing…
Try just starting with just 1 thing!
No, you aren’t wimpy for not doing 3 things daily.
Just master 1, and eventually, do 2!
Then, do 3.
All that matters is you do a little better than the day before!
You can do this 😀

Hunter grew up using fitness as a way to boost his low self-esteem. This led him to later found Hybrid Fitness in 2014, where him and his team create a fun, safe training environment for busy adults looking to better their health without doing crazy crash diets or excessive burpees.
August 2, 2021
Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation: The Nitty Gritty with Lee Ann Dinofrio, PT
Afraid to do jumping jacks at the gym?
Scared to sneeze or cough in public?
Always scouting for a restroom?
If having a weak pelvic floor is preventing you from having fun and getting the exercise your body needs, then this article is for you.
This interview with Lee Ann Dinofrio will clear up questions about pelvic floor dysfunction that you are too timid to ask.
Time to Share the Best Kept Secret in Midcoast Maine
Lee Ann Dinofrio is a physical therapist at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport, Maine. She specializes in pelvic floor rehabilitation.
Lee Ann is known as the best kept secret in Midcoast Maine because most people do not know that there is this kind of valuable help available for those suffering with pelvic floor dysfunction.
First, your pelvic floor is often referred to as the bowl or sling that holds the bladder, vaginal cavity, uterus (women), prostate (men), and rectum, which is the end of the large intestine that stores feces.
Lee Ann explained that pelvic floor rehabilitation is a treatment plan to strengthen the three layers of pelvic floor muscles to address issues such as, urine and fecal leakage, pelvic pain and postpartum issues.
Yes, you read that correctly. There are not one, not two, but three layers of muscle that make up your pelvic floor whether you are female or male. That anatomy is the same.
All three layers need to be strong for easy daily function to prevent embarrassing, inconvenient and possibly even painful incidents.
Disclaimer: If you feel you are in need of pelvic floor rehabilitation, please seek professional advice before following the information provided here to address your particular issues.
Visits with a Pelvic Floor Therapist
The first step to rehabilitation is evaluation. The evaluation visit is about 90 minutes and is an intimate procedure to assess the pelvic floor issue.
We say intimate because the only way to assess pelvic floor issues is vaginally or rectally.
Visits following the evaluations are about 45 minutes once per week for approximately 6 weeks. If more time is needed, then a patient’s health insurance is contacted for an extension.
Be ready for some homework
For progress to occur patients need to do their homework. Maybe you thought you were done with school, but now you are given what may be the most important homework ever to help you function easily in daily life.
Fortunately, this homework is very different than the high school algebra you speculated never using in “real” life.
This homework will help you EVERY day and involves exercises to strengthen, or even relax in some cases, the muscles of your pelvic floor.
Contracting these muscles with specific exercises for your pelvic floor are essential for addressing pelvic floor dysfunction. It works just like if you perform bicep curls to strengthen the bicep muscles of your arms only it’s muscles you cannot see.
Pulling the Drawstring
You may have already guessed that Kegels are the go-to exercise for pelvic floor strengthening and you’d be right for most cases.
Think of it as using your pelvic floor muscles to pull up and in as if lifting a drawstring bag in your abdomen.
What’s marvelous about Kegels is that you can do them anywhere at any time because nobody can tell if you are doing them. The muscles are internal. Nobody notices.
There are many variations to contracting your pelvic floor muscles.
1) Your therapist may suggest doing what is known as quick flicks, which are contracting your pelvic floor muscles quickly and letting them relax without holding them contracted.
2) Another option is to contract the muscles and hold for a few to several seconds before relaxing.
An A+ pelvic floor student
Lee Ann and other pelvic floor therapists prescribe exercises that benefit each patient depending on their specific needs.
To get on the honor roll with your therapist and benefit yourself the most, it’s imperative that you perform your therapist’s prescribed exercises correctly and consistently.
For Lee Ann’s recommendations for exercises fill out the form below!
No Squatting Allowed?
Some exercises may have to be put on the back burner for a while. Your therapist may suggest being careful with squatting because your pelvic floor muscles relax when performing a squat.
You may be thinking, “How am I going to build my quads and lift anything if I’m not supposed to squat?”.
Well, to be more precise, if you can contract your pelvic floor by performing a Kegel while simultaneously squatting, then you may be good to go.
Until then, working on strengthening the pelvic floor muscles needs to happen before squatting in the gym. In lieu of squats, consider wall sits and glute bridges.
Check out how to do proper glute bridges in our free guide (just fill out the form at THIS LINK to gain Instant Access)
Why do you have a weak pelvic floor?
You can experience a weak pelvic floor for a multitude of reasons.
Is it in your genes?
There isn’t significant research to support that having a weak pelvic floor is genetic. However, Lee Ann has seen in the history of her patients that there does seem to be a connection, such as a daughter, sister, mother, aunt, grandmother, etc. who all have suffered in some way from weak pelvic floor muscles.
Have you housed a human?
Pregnancy certainly can take its toll on pelvic floor muscles while carrying a child and whatever happens during the birth, either vaginally or cesarian section.
Muscles that are torn, cut or damaged in some way can mean that those muscles are not as strong as they were prior to pregnancy.
Retired muscles?
Our age may be another factor contributing to a weak pelvic floor. As we age our muscles get weaker due to wear and tear and overwork.
How is your fitness level?
Similar to all other muscles in our bodies, muscles that we do not use and do not continue to strengthen get weak and cannot perform their responsibilities appropriately.
Sufficient exercise each day is important for the muscles of your pelvic floor and your overall health.
What can I do to prevent weak pelvic floor muscles?
Exercise can make a significant difference in how well your pelvic floor muscles perform. The phrase “use it or lose it” comes to mind. If you do not exercise the muscles in your body, including your pelvic floor muscles, then the strength of those muscles can decline over time.
An option for preventing severe issues as a result of a weak pelvic floor is to seek out a therapist before the situation interrupts your daily living activities. Maintenance and consistency are key to keeping the pelvic floor strong.
I want results today!
Once patients take the leap and initiate a visit with Lee Ann, they tend to want results on the first visit. However, pelvic floor issues take time and dedication to remedy.
That said, most patients feel better emotionally and mentally after the first visit because they now know what the issue is and that there are steps to follow to strengthen their pelvic floor.
Many patients haven’t confided in anyone about how they are suffering in their daily lives with their weak pelvic floor. Once in Lee Ann’s office, the flood gates open through sharing their experiences and asking a plethora of questions.
Do not be nervous to ask any question of your therapist. It’s best to throw it all on the table, so to speak.
Yes, but I’m a man…
We associate weak pelvic floor conditions with women, but, as mentioned above, all the pelvic floor muscles are the same for both women and men.
For the most part, men seek Lee Ann’s help for incontinence and issues that may be related to their prostate.
Again, Lee Ann and other pelvic floor therapists have heard it all. They can provide the answers you seek or refer you to a specialist in another area that can help.
It Depends
Clothing and other products to help with weak pelvic floor issues are not necessarily helpful. Let me explain.
Lee Ann revealed that even though there are items that work very well and provide an element of confidence for going out in public, they may not instill the urgency necessary to remedy the underlying concern of weak pelvic floors in a timely manner.
Some folks tend to rely on these products, such as incontinence pads and underwear, and this can decrease the incentive to do their homework to improve the primary problem.
Understandably, you need to function in public life with confidence. It depends on how much you rely on using these products.
Going under the knife
There are scenarios when Lee Ann recommends a consultation with a surgeon.
However, before seeking out a surgeon to address your weak pelvic floor, please see a pelvic floor therapist. Take their advice to heart and give their recommendations your best effort.
In Summary
If you have any issues related to your pelvic floor that affect your daily living…
1) Please see Lee Ann Dinofrio at Pen Bay Medical Center or a therapist near you that specializes in pelvic floor rehabilitation. It can change your life for the better!
2) Do your pelvic floor homework EVERY day
3) Eat a balanced diet with fiber, exercise, attain adequate sleep and enjoy life
There is hope and help to address pelvic floor dysfunctions. You do not have to constantly worry about embarrassing situations, finding a restroom in public or jumping jacks at the gym.
Lee Ann Dinofrio currently practices at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport, Maine and has over 36 years of experience as a physical therapist. She received her training to specialize in pelvic floor therapy at the Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute and has been practicing pelvic floor rehabilitation since 2014.
She addresses urinary and bowel issues, pelvic pain and postpartum pelvic issues. Lee Ann helps women AND men and includes any necessary orthopedic steps in her treatment plans, as well.
Lee Ann is also certified in Integrative Dry Needling and finds this to be a very useful tool in the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunctions. (please note, no “private parts” are needled!).
To see Lee Ann, all patients need to be referred by their primary care physician, certified nurse practitioner or certified midwife.

Cathy grew up in NH surrounded by a large, loving family, where she learned generosity and hard work. She now models that for her two children. She was inspired to become a fitness coach when searching for ways to become more healthy herself after a life-threatening illness.
April 30, 2021
Best Exercises To Fix Neck Pain
What a Pain in the Neck!
If it’s not your boss with a last minute request on a Friday afternoon, or your in-laws showing up unexpectedly for the weekend, or even your dog shredding your couch cushions while you’re out on a hot date, then maybe the pain in the neck in your life is just that…pain in the neck.
If your neck is annoyingly sore, especially by the end of each day, let’s dive into why that is, and what you can do about it. This article shares a few simple tips, tricks, and the best exercises to fix neck pain.
Before following any of the suggestions in this article, please consult your physician if your neck pain:
- Is getting significantly worse.
- Exists for more than 6 weeks.
- Comes on sharp and quickly.
- Is accompanied by nausea.
Do You Really Have Rocks in Your Head?
One reason why your neck aches is that it may feel like your head is filled with rocks. Not necessarily true in most cases, but your head is HEAVY!
Weighing in between a whopping 10-12 pounds, your head not only affects your neck, but it also has a significant impact on the rest of your spine. Envision trying to balance a bowling ball at the top of your spine!
Seven small vertebrae in your neck, as well as, muscles, ligaments and tendons all working together support everything you do with your head. It’s a big job and something that most of us take for granted. So, making sure you maintain good posture is key to putting less torque on the neck.
The Impact!
The position of your head impacts the pressure on your spine, meaning that for each inch your head moves forward, an additional 10 pounds of weight is felt on your spine.
So, for example, looking down at your phone (45 degrees) elevates the pressure on your spine from about 11 pounds (neutral) to 48 pounds. That’s huge!
If your neck and back are painful, what is happening at the top of your spine may be a contributor.
Let’s talk about perfect posture:
- Hold your phone up in front of your face instead of looking down
- Make sure you are looking straight at your computer monitor with your head neutral over your shoulders
- Ears over the shoulders by pulling chin in slightly and lengthening the back of the neck
- Shoulder blades pulled together and down slightly
- Chin parallel to the floor
Stretching Your Sore Neck Muscles
There are a variety of stretching exercises that you can do to alleviate and avoid neck pain. Here are some of my favorite:
Chin Tuck:
- Standing or sitting tall
- Chin parallel to the floor
- Pull chin in with ears over shoulders
- Hold 1-3 seconds
- Repeat for 10-15 repetitions
Wall Slides:
- Standing against a wall
- Pull chin in and lengthen the back of the neck
- Place arms laterally against the wall bending at the elbow for 90 degree angles
- Keeping your back against the wall by engaging your abs
- Extend arms directly over head by sliding arms up the wall to feel a stretch in your chest
- Return your arms to the starting point
- Repeat for 10-15 repetitions
Shoulder Blade Squeeze:
- Standing or sitting tall
- Ears aligned over your shoulders
- Squeeze shoulder blades together keeping shoulders down
- Hold for 1-3 seconds
- Repeat for 10-15 repetitions
Look Both Ways:
- Standing or sitting tall
- Ears aligned over your shoulders
- Slowly look directly left over your shoulder
- Return to center
- Slowly look directly right over your other shoulder
- Repeat for 5-10 repetitions each side
Beware of Traps!
Is your neck sore because you are holding a lot of tension in your trapezius muscle?
It’s the large triangle shaped muscle that runs from the base of your skull (occipital bone), down the center of your back (thoracic vertebrae), and laterally to your shoulders (scapula).
Simple Suggestions to follow to avoid being tripped by your traps are:
Shoulder shrugs:
- Hold arms down by your sides
- Lift shoulders up and back in a circular motion
- Repeat for about 10-15 repetitions
Trap stretch:
- Interlock fingers behind you and pull your fist to the left side of your waist
- Hold your left elbow out laterally away from your body
- Slowly lean your left ear to your left shoulder toward your elbow.
- Hold for 30 seconds
- Repeat on your right side
If interlocking fingers behind you is a challenge:
- Simply lean your left ear toward your shoulder
- Loop your left hand over your head
- Apply light pressure to the right side of your head, increasing the intensity of the stretch slightly
- Hold for 30 seconds
- Repeat on your right side
The above exercises not only help to increase neck strength and flexibility, but help improve posture, too!
Postural Kyphosis, Say What?
Postural kyphosis is curvature of the spine that forms a hump on the upper back. The hump can be located at the base of the neck, or slightly lower between the shoulder blades. Because of this, the hump is referred to as buffalo hump, round back, hunch back, as well as the outdated and offensive term dowager’s hump.
Accordingly, contributors to the formation of a back hump are:
- Carrying extra weight – extra pounds are a challenge for the skeletal structure of your whole body. However, fat also accumulates on the spine as protection and increases the presence of a hump
- Poor Posture – allowing your body to slouch can create physical misalignment
- Lack of Fitness – keeping your muscles strong and your limbs mobile allows your body to hold it’s frame properly
- Injury or vertebral compression fractures in which part of a vertebrae collapses
- Degeneration of the spine, a.k.a osteoarthritis, in which function and ability are impaired
How You Can Prevent or Correct Your Hump
You can prevent the formation of a back hump or decrease the hump you have by making some changes that involve more than just exercises for your neck and back, such as:
Sitting and standing tall, as well as sleeping with appropriate support – Your posture determines how your tissues support your bones in proper alignment – see the Hybrid Fitness posture article HERE
Stretching the pectoral muscles of your chest to allow the front of your torso to open, and your shoulders to move back and align with your hips. To do this:
-
- Stand in an average doorway
- Place arms at 90-degree angles on either side of the door frame
- Step one foot forward and lean forward with your sternum while relaxing the muscles of your chest
- Keep your head aligned with the spine, with ears over shoulders
- Increase the stretch by leaning forward a little at a time as you inhale and exhale
- If the doorway is too wide, do one side at a time
- If this stretch is easy, raise arms higher against the door frame
- Hold for 30 seconds
Stretching the muscles of your upper back to pull the shoulder blades together broadening the chest. To do this:
-
- Face a wall standing a few feet away with feet at least shoulder width apart
- Place both hands flat against the wall above head height
- Keep your neck and head aligned with your spine
- Slowly push your butt back as you lean into the wall
- Inhale and with each exhale sink a little deeper into the stretch
- Hold 30 seconds
Building strength in your back, shoulders and arms by doing a variation of a push-up.
*Note – before you discount this exercise thinking it’s too hard and no fun, see the Hybrid Fitness article on how to get your first push-up and variations of push-ups HERE.
The Miracle of Massage
Another option is to receive a massage from a licensed therapist in order to help target muscle “knots” specifically. It’s beneficial to relax as much as possible while the therapist is massaging the muscle. Slow inhales and exhales can help here.
In a pinch, an alternative to a massage:
- Place a tennis ball in a long sock and hang the ball over your shoulder
- Stand with your back to the wall with the ball between your body and the wall
- Locate the ball just below your neck to left side of your spine
- Bend your knees to roll your back over the ball in a vertical line between your shoulder blades on the left side of your spine.
- Then, move the ball to the right side of your spine and roll vertically again.
- Concentrate longer on areas where you have muscle soreness or pain until the muscle relaxes.
Be sure to hydrate with water after any massage in order to help your body flush toxins that have been released into your bloodstream. As if you needed another benefit to drinking more water!
The Next Step!
There you have it! The best exercises to fix neck pain.
These exercises will help you stretch parts that are sore, and build strength in your neck and back muscles to prevent the pain from returning.
You don’t need to large chunks our of your day to do these. Implement them slowly, and one at a time. Build a habit of doing them, and I promise, you’ll see relief!
I would even recommend adding them into your routine even if you don’t experience any pain currently. This will help prevent any soreness or pain from even starting!
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Cathy grew up in NH surrounded by a large, loving family, where she learned generosity and hard work. She now models that for her two children. She was inspired to become a fitness coach when searching for ways to become more healthy herself after a life-threatening illness.
April 21, 2021
Top Tips for Beginner Weightlifters
The first time you step into a gym can be very intimidating and confusing. Free weights everywhere, Machines that look like death traps, and a lot of people with headphones in that obviously don’t want to be bothered.
Where do you start?
How do you do it safely?
How do you not look like a newbie?
These are questions that every person ponders when they first start weightlifting.
Looking back to when I first started lifting, I realize that there are a lot of things that make me shake my head at, and wonder to myself “What was I thinking!?”. Clearly, I wasn’t
I usually come to the same conclusion that I simply just didn’t know what I was doing. I made a lot of mistakes, and it makes me think of all the people that are starting out who may be making those same mistakes.
Below are my top tips for beginner weightlifters influenced by my mistakes as a beginner, and if I had a time machine, would go back and do differently.
Tip #1: Forget Everything You Think You Know
There are a lot of people in gyms who believe they have enough knowledge to do it for a living. Usually, they are wrong. Because of this, a lot of bad information tends to seep into peoples minds, and gets stuck there.
Over time it turns into concrete, and you find people all throughout gyms doing things they shouldn’t be. If you want to see changes in the gym, and become stronger and healthier, it’s sometimes best to forget everything you’ve been told, and seek advice from someone who has the knowledge and experience to help you reach your goals.
Always going into something new with an open mind is going to give you an advantage later on down the road. This is applicable to almost anything in life!
Tip #2: Learn the Basics and Progress Them Slowly
This has got to be the number one thing that keeps people from being consistent over a long period of time. If you are brand new to weightlifting, and are starting out with Barbell Back Squats, or Barbell Deadlifts like so many people do, then there is a massive problem here. While I am a huge advocate of the big barbell movements, they should only be performed after you’ve learned how to properly squat, hinge, and press.
There are great alternative exercises to all of the big barbell movements that will keep you safe, and lifting for a long time to come.
Below are just a few of my favorite moves to perfect before someone moves on to the barbells.
Back Squat: 4 Point Squat, Goblet Squat, Split Squats
Barbell Deadlift: Good Mornings, RDL, SL RDL
Barbell Bench Press: Push-Ups, Floor Press, Flat DB Press,
Tip #3: Forget about your Ego
This is a tough one for me personally, and really hits home. I was the biggest ego lifter out there. Each workout was about getting more and more weight on the bar.
After time, the extreme stress I was constantly putting my body under began taking its toll. This is because I was never giving my body the rest it required. As a result, all of my lifts started getting weaker and weaker, even though I was working harder and harder.
The human body is incredible at adapting to stress, but at a certain point it just can’t keep up. This is where intensity sometimes has to take a back seat in order to allow your body to recover properly. This is also when the risk of injury can be significantly higher than normal.
Deload!
The term “deload” gets tossed around a lot in training circles, but most people are either unsure how to properly program one, or they just don’t understand the importance of them.
Deloads give your body a chance to recover from the constant stress that working out places on it. A common mistake made while deloading is going too far in the other direction, and putting your body under almost no stress. They should still have a certain level of toughness.
An example of a good deload could simply be doing less sets than normal. If you normally do 4 sets of Squats per workout, do only three on your deloads. What you don’t want to do is something like 60% of your one rep max for 3 sets of 3-5 reps. Generally, 60% of one rep max can be completed for 10-15 reps per set.
Although, it may seem like good idea, you’re mostly just wasting time. A deload should still be challenging but not to the degree your typical workouts are.
Tip #4: Ask for Advice
One thing I have found in gyms is that most people don’t mind helping out. Even the “gym bros” I mentioned earlier who always have headphones in, generally don’t mind answering questions. Most people would prefer a “newbie” ask for advice instead of just going with what they think they know, and getting hurt.
The training community is generally very accepting and willing to help. Be careful who you take advice from, though. Just because someone may have a good physique doesn’t mean they necessarily should be giving advice to others.
And on the flip side, I’ve met casual gym goers who have more knowledge than professional trainers. Find people you trust, and soak in all the knowledge you can.
Take Action!
There are many things I wish I could go back and do differently. Learning these lessons earlier on in life would be one of my first do overs if I were given the chance. I could’ve avoided injuries, frustration, and wasted time.
If you are just starting out in the gym, or have been working out for years, these top tips for beginner weightlifters will aid you for many more years of training to come.
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And, as always…
Small steps, BIG results!

Brandon started working out as an athlete in high school, striving to push his limits and reach his full athletic potential. As he spent more and more time working on his own goals, he found a passion in the science of strength & conditioning, and using that new-found knowledge to help others. Brandon is exceptional at giving his clients the extra push to get stronger in a safe manner, while going above and beyond to making sure they feel comfortable and safe.
March 25, 2021
Top Women in Strength Sports
Strength training equipment and gyms started to gain in popularity in the 1960s with a big leap throughout the 1970s. It was in 1977 when the legendary Pumping Iron documentary was released following the training of legends such as Lou Ferrigno, Franco Columbo and of course Arnold Schwarzenegger, as well as other greats from the “Golden Age”.
But strength training dates back much further into history than just the 1960’s and 1970’s. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Chinese and Scottish, as well as others had some form of strength training for their warriors. Obviously strength training has evolved into much more than it was in ancient times.
A New Era
One thing that has grown in the strength world is the involvement of women. Women have been documented as exercising since the times of the ancient civilizations listed above, but real strength training wasn’t a popularized thing among women until the last 20-30 years, with a great influx over the past 10-15 years.
Today you can walk into just about any gym and find women throwing around chalk, and blasting Metallica. But, there is still a long way to go before women’s strength training and sports becomes as popular as it should.
Below are just a few of the top women in strength sports, and really pushed the boundaries for what we thought was possible.
Donna Moore
Donna Moore was the first strong woman I remember watching and my personal favorite strongwoman. She has won the 2016, 2017 and 2019 World’s Strongest Woman competition, as well as wins at the Arnold’s Strongwoman competitions in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Donna has set numerous world records including an incredible 171kg (377lbs) Atlas Stone Over Bar record set back in September of 2020 at the age of 40. Donna is also one of the only women to ever successfully lift the legendary Dinnie Stones!
Andrea Thompson
2020 was a rough year for most people. Not Andrea Thompson, though. Andrea set three world records in 2020 which included:
- 281kg (621lbs) elephant bar deadlift
- 135kg (297.7lbs) log lift
- 290kg (638lb) deadlift for the strongwoman deadlift world record.
Andrea just turned 37 years old in 2020, but with fellow strongwoman Donna Moore staying strong in her 40’s, I expect a few more records from Andrea before her career is over.
Rhianon Lovelace
Rhianon Lovelace is a little bit of a unicorn. While small in stature she brings a very rare blend of strength, power and quickness that is completely unmatched in male or female strength sports today.
In September of 2020, Rhianon won the first ever Pound for Pound World’s Strongest Woman, and many believe (myself included) she is pound for pound the strongest person on planet Earth today regardless of gender. A few of Rhianon’s accomplishments in 2020 included:
- 600lb Deadlift
- Overhead axle press of 202lbs
- 312lb atlas stone
- 800lb silver dollar deadlift (traditional deadlift with bar being raised up 18 inches)
All four of these lifts were lightweight world records, and both deadlifts were also middleweight world records! She also completed those lifts while only weighing in at 138lbs!
We’ve already seen some remarkable feats of strength from Rhianon, but the best is yet to come as she is only 24 years old!
Jill Mills
Jill Mills was a bodybuilder who pivoted to the strength world. She dominated the sport for much of the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. Jill won back to back World’s Strongest Woman titles in 2001 and 2002. She undoubtedly would’ve won more, had she not stopped competing.
Jill was an all around great athlete. She could lift heavy on static lifts, was quick on all moving events, and seemed unbeatable on any overhead lifting events with her broad and perfectly sculpted shoulders.
Jill did an incredible job blending strength while keeping a physique with very low body fat. A lot of women in the sport today credit their love and desire for the sport to Jill Mills.
Rebecca Swanson
No list of strength athletes would be complete without Rebecca Swanson. Rebecca is simply the strongest woman to ever live. Even though she had a short but successful career in Strongman, most of her success came in Powerlifting where she holds records with:
- 854lb Squat
- 600lb Bench Press
- 683lb Deadlift
Arguably her most impressive moment came in 2006 when she squatted 804lbs while only weighing in at 197lbs! More than four times her bodyweight!
What’s Next?
Strength sports have grown in popularity, and continue to grow with increasing turnouts each year. But, the growth and acceptance of women in the sport is what really fires me up! Strength sports need to grow into something more than just a day of entertainment a couple times a year. In order for this to happen, women need to be encouraged and more accepted throughout the strength world.
Listed above are just a few of the incredible top women in strength sports that have, or continue to push the boundaries of the sport. If you are reading this and feel the fire in your belly to see what you can really push yourself to become then get into a gym, seek advice from others and be the best you can be!
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And remember…Small Steps, Big Results.

Brandon started working out as an athlete in high school, striving to push his limits and reach his full athletic potential. As he spent more and more time working on his own goals, he found a passion in the science of strength & conditioning, and using that new-found knowledge to help others. Brandon is exceptional at giving his clients the extra push to get stronger in a safe manner, while going above and beyond to making sure they feel comfortable and safe.