Several years ago when I started to see sneakers with webbed feet (Vibram Five Fingers) and hear of people running barefoot, I thought it was ridiculous. Today I have a different perspective, however, because the amount of barefoot running research supporting the benefits of barefoot running is compelling.

The photo comparison below highlights the impact of wearing tight fitting and heavily padded sneakers and shoes. Notice in the photo on the left how the man’s feet have conformed to the shape of his shoes with his toes scrunched together and feet narrowed. The photo to the right of a man who walks barefoot has a “fanning” of the toes. Can you imagine the implications of running, or playing sports with feet like those on the left? Less stability, less strength, less ability to absorb shock – a whole lot of injuries waiting to happen.

Continue Reading Barefoot Running Research: Why You Should Run Barefoot (even occasionally)

After almost 2 years since launching BuiltLean.com and over 120 articles, this is my first article on supplements.

Why would I wait so long?

In short, I’m not a huge fan of supplements. If you are eating a well balanced diet of nutrient dense foods and exercise regularly, most supplements will be completely useless and some will even be dangerous. In combination with VERY loose regulations, the thought of taking a supplement without considerable research makes me cringe.

Continue Reading Dietary Supplements 101: Definition, Benefits, Risks, & Regulation

Is your low back excessively tight? Do you have chronic pain in your lower back?

If you answered “Yes” to these questions, you’re not alone. Americans spend over $50B per each year on back pain and as much as 80% of the population will experience a back problem at some time in their lives.

Continue Reading 7 Yoga Poses For Low Back Pain

Below is a continuation of the healthy eating article series from Christy Maskeroni, who is a Registered Dietitian and Personal Trainer in NYC.

When I say “Italian Food” what pops into your mind? Pasta, bread, rich and creamy dishes, you say?  True.  But, there is also seafood, chicken, and olive oil.  Actually, if you can dodge those heavy, loaded dishes on the menu, you may find Italian one of the easier fare to make healthy when eating out.

Continue Reading Healthy Italian Food Options: Quick Guide

Millions of working professionals around the world sit in an office chair all day long, which can significantly affect overall health and posture over time (See: Is A Sedentary Job Affecting Your Health?).

I was invited by Business Insider, which is one of the most popular business websites to contribute an article about correcting rounded shoulders, which is an all too common issue with working professionals.

Continue Reading 5 Exercises To Correct Rounded Shoulders From Office Work

Modernization has brought incredibly positive changes to our lives, from medical advancement to modern conveniences it seems we can’t live without.

At the same time, however, our lives are becoming more sedentary and we are tied to our jobs 24/7. Combined with lack of exercise and proper nutrition, no wonder obesity has risen to epidemic proportions.

Quick question for you:
How many hours are you sedentary each day?

For 5 years of my life when I worked in finance, I sat on my butt a good 13-14 hours per day. No exaggeration. That’s counting sitting in an office chair, commuting, then sitting on the couch when I got home.

Continue Reading Is A Sedentary Job Affecting Your Health?

Last summer, I wrote an article about “Divide & Conquer: Small Changes Add Up” where I described how changing your body didn’t have to be an overwhelming experience.  If you “divide” by prioritizing which of your habits you need to change the most, then “conquer” by making the changes over time, you can make MASSIVE changes in how you look and feel.

Continue Reading 1 Can Of Coke/Day = 30lb+ of Sugar/Year!

As I mention in the video, Yoga can be very initimidating for guys, especially guys who are not particularly flexible.

The following are 3 beginner Yoga poses from celebrity Yoga instructor Kristin McGee that are dynamic because you can flow from one pose to another seamlessly and smoothly.  While these are beginner poses, don’t be alarmed if you have trouble doing them.  In fact, when I took my first Yoga class, I was seriously struggling and sweating profusely as the petite girls around me looked like they were about to fall asleep they were so relaxed.

Continue Reading Beginner Yoga For Men With NYC’s Kristin McGee

I recently interviewed Cassidy Phillips (photo to right) who is a biomechanical specialist and Founder and CEO of Trigger Point Therapy (TPT).   Once told he could never be an athlete again because of muscular dysfunction, Cassidy has become a pioneer of myofascial compression techniques to help people of all ages improve movement efficiency and restore muscle elasticity.

Background: I came across TPT at a Fitness Conference in NYC where I was randomly picked from the audience to demonstrate their product, which I had never used before.  To my amazement, within only a few minutes of using TPT’s myofascial compression techniques on the various trigger points (soleus, quads, piriformis, psoas, and pecs), my body felt 10x better.  My posture improved almost instantaneously, my movement became more efficient, and the tightness I normally feel in my lower back no matter how much I stretch was gone.  Ever since then, I use myofascial compression techniques at least a couple times per week and I’m a BIG believer in myofascial release as an essential part of my weekly exercise regimen.

To get you up to speed on Myofascial Release and why it’s an essential component of an exercise regimen, I have the following for you:

Continue Reading Myofascial Release 101: Q&A With Trigger Point Therapy’s Cassidy Phillips

Question of the Week: What Is Lean Body Mass?

I’ve been getting a lot of questions recently about “Lean Body Mass”, so I thought it would be a good idea to address the concept in more depth so you can understand exactly what it is, why it’s important, and how to calculate it.

Continue Reading Lean Body Mass (LBM): Definition & Formula