JKConditioning, personal training
This exercise is great at challenging single leg hip stability while strengthening your posterior chain (hamstrings, gluteals and para-spinals) and abdominals (indirectly). Don’t be confused with the version where the weight is lifted off the floor between reps – that’s referred to as a Stiffleg Deadlift – two different exercises even though they look the same.  I’ll save that exercise for another post.

Dumbbells can be held in each hand or in just one hand (same side as the leg that is going up – more challenge to the abdominals).  A barbell can also be held so more weight can be an option (as dumbbells only go so heavy).

  • Hold a dumbbell in each hand. Lift one leg slightly off the ground so that you’re now standing on one leg.
  • Puff out your chest and bring your shoulders back.  Slightly bend your stance leg.
  • Pretend you are in front of an audience and that you’re about to bow.  This is called the “hip hinge” and is pivotal in performing this exercise correctly.
  • As you slowly start to lean forward, simultaneously lift your opposite leg.  Pretend it’s connected with your shoulder so that if you bow “so much”, your leg will lift “so much.”
  • DON’T squat with your stance leg – keep that leg slightly bent throughout the exercise.
  • Keep lifting that leg and keep bowing.
  • Think of reaching for the wall behind you with your lifting leg’s heel.
  • Stay flat in your hips and shoulders – keep square with the ground.
  • At the end position (as in the picture above) you should have a flat torso position and should feel tremendous tension in your stance leg’s hamstring.  If you don’t, something is probably wrong.  Don’t round your back by “loosening” the muscles along your spine.  Stay straight!
  • Keep that neutral spine and your shoulders back.  Your chest should still be puffed out, even in this bottom position.  From the side, your body should form a capitol “T.”
  • Bring your mid-air leg down as you stand up.
  • That’s one rep.

I like doing sets of 5-8 with my runners depending on the time of year; also, depending on the week, I’ll typically get them to perform 2-5 sets in a given workout.

That’s a wrap.

Thanks for reading and run strong,

-Jon

JKC was recommended by a previous trainer who followed Jon online. He thought Jon’s approach to training was excellent. JKC employs well educated trainers who are very particular about technique and form. I have never injured myself because the trainers know what they are doing. They can always answer any questions I ask about my training. As well the trainers are friendly contributing to a relaxed and friendly atmosphere at the gym.

I had been struggling with work-life balance resulting in not exercising or playing hockey as much as I had been doing in the past. In addition to being out of shape, I was starting to experience some back/shoulder issues and realized I needed to make some changes. Around this time, a friend (who was also a client) recommended JKC and that’s when I started!

You really feel part of a community where everyone is welcoming and supportive. You get a program that is designed specifically to achieve your goals, with the ongoing coaching, progress tracking and support required to achieve them. The JKC team are very knowledgeable about fitness and conditioning, and very engaging with everyone to answer questions or discuss anything and everything training related. I also like the flexible scheduling and gym times that work for my schedule (I like early mornings and evenings).

I’m 43 and started at JKC just over a year ago. I started at JKC because of multiple recommendations from existing clients. There are 2 main elements that distinguish JKC for me. Firstly the sense of community. I’ve been to multiple gyms in multiple cities/countries, you just  can not manufacture the sense of community and support you get from other gym goers and the team. It’s very motivating and happy to say I’ve made some friends at JKC.

The other major distinguishing factor for JKC is the expertise and passion of the team. Jon, Thomas and Craig craft highly personalized programs based on my fitness goals and know how to push me best without being pushy. They pay close attention to ensuring my form is solid before encouraging me to take on more weight for the exercise. Plain and simple they love what they do and it shows.

I had signed up for other gyms in the past and never went or rarely went. Something always got in the way or I was just too tired and lacked motivation to go. This way I’ve made a commitment to Jon or Thomas and I try very hard to keep my sessions once I’ve booked in. JKC is different from other gyms that I’ve tried in the past because no one is there to be “seen”. We are all there to get a good workout in and go on with our lives. And it’s a small gym so you get to know everyone and it’s like a big family. When I joined JKC, I couldn’t do a chin up with an elastic band, but I’ve slowly worked up to 10 free hanging chin ups. That was big because I hate chin ups.

lisa jumping onto a box

JKC was recommended to me by a fellow runner. I was experiencing injuries, and feeling weak and fragile. When I started with JKC, Jon asked me about my goals and my focus. I wanted to concentrate specifically on running, and preventing injury. Jon developed a program for me that has enabled me to focus on my form and strength and has been flexible enough to enable me to train for many different races. I have been training with JKC for six years, and during that time I have enjoyed Jon and Thomas’s expertise in a very warm and supportive atmosphere.

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