Apr 17
As members of the general population, we engage in a wide variety of physical activities. Some of us participate in a broad range of hobbies and chores that keep us active, such as walking our pets, gardening, or completing home improvement projects. For those of us who have children or grandchildren, our physical activities become …
Apr 16
What if getting stronger and preventing injuries wasn’t about doing more exercises, but about moving better? That’s the idea behind functional movement training. Functional movement training grew out of physical therapy, rehabilitation science, and strength and conditioning. Instead of isolating single muscles, it focuses on training fundamental movement patterns your body uses every day (e.g. …
Apr 16
There are two primary forms of stretching we use with our personal training clients: dynamic and static. Dynamic stretching is performed before exercise. Dynamic stretching can be defined as the act of moving through full ranges of motion to create short, repeated stretches that prepare the body for exercise. A few examples include arm circles, …
Mar 30
Commonly seen Lower-body exercises at the gym might include squats, lunges, and leg presses. However, one overlooked movement that is critical not only for refining lower-body strength but also for reinforcing the structural integrity of the stabilizing muscles of the hips, knees, and ankles is side-to-side movement. The lateral split squat targets lower-extremity muscles involved …
Mar 27
“Make sure you look forward,” I cued Tina, one of our personal training clients, as she was performing a set of “zombie squats” during one of her training sessions. Her eyes darted toward me momentarily to receive the instruction and then returned to looking straight ahead. She immediately rotated her head upward, with her chin …
Mar 25
On Sunday, March 1st, 2026, Napa Tenacious Fitness’ own coach, Alec Cornwell, participated in the Napa Valley Half Marathon. This was his first half-marathon, and he completed it in 1 hour, 56 minutes, and 57 seconds, exceeding his expectations and finishing strong. Coach Alec’s main preparation consisted of one long run over the weekend and …
Feb 19
The knee and ankle are commonly overlooked contributors to mobility, strength, balance, and coordination. Walking, climbing stairs, hiking a trail, or participating in recreational athletic physical activities such as tennis, golf, or pickleball all depend on the seamless relationship between these two joints. When they move well together, life feels fluid. When they do not, …
Jan 30
Exercise journeys can be challenging, depending on a person’s circumstances and physical condition. The demands of time spent at our jobs, household chores, and family obligations can make it difficult to find time for exercise. Previous or current injuries and health conditions can create a daunting experience when starting or re-entering a fitness routine, as …
Jan 15
The skeletal framework of bones beneath skeletal muscle is an important component for everyday functionality. The brain acts as the central command center, sending signals down the spinal cord to the extremities, instructing them to move in a specific manner. Muscular strength and neuromuscular coordination are essential for this process to occur efficiently and safely. …
Jan 02
“I took a spill the other day,” commented my friend Marion. After a look of concern hovered over my face, Marion continued to say, “Not really sure what happened. I was taking my usual morning walk after I read the newspaper and, the next thing you know, I’m on the ground.” He pointed to his …
