marianne kaneLast year when I moved east for school, I had to drop many of my regular clients (I’m so sorry!). I directed them to a select number of trainers and also to a couple of fitness websites – one of them being www.myomytv.com – home to Marianne Kane, a passionate fitness trainer, blogger and one of the founding members of Girls Gone Strong.

I can recall one of my previous female clients telling me recently that she’s still following MyoMyTV and incorporating Marianne’s workout ideas into her workouts. (forgot to tell you Marianne!)

Marianne has a very popular Youtube channel where she posts hardcore workouts for all abilities.

I’m stoked as Marianne did a special workout video for JKConditioning, which, she called the JKConditioning Dragon Pyramid [how fitting!?]. I’ll pass things over to Marianne (enjoy!).

Hi everyone,

I am totally thrilled to have this opportunity to provide you all with a Myomytv-style Kettlebell and Bod Weight Workout Routine! There’s nothing I love more than designing a killer workout and then putting it to the test.

After nearly 3 years of mixing my own workouts with traditional gym-based training, I have seen my body change in the best kind of way – better performance and better shape! I know many lifters who just hate cardio and hate conditioning, but I personally love to have my heart and lungs working to their max and the sweat flying everywhere … it’s such a great feeling once it’s all over to look back at what you’ve done. My blog provides me with the ultimate motivation to keep churning out new workouts week after week … it’s addictive!

So, without further ado, I challenge you to this Pyramid Workout!

I have set the reps at a level I knew would challenge me (actually, I didn’t expect it to take as much out of me as it did :-/ eek!), so I recommend adapting it to your own fitness level (this may well be higher than mine).

There are 5 rounds of the following 5 exercises, and this whole routine took me just under 19 minutes to complete. I have written the reps I did and the weights I used in brackets beside the exercises):

1. Bottoms Up Goblet Squat (20kg): x6, x8, x10, x8, x6

2. Two-Handed Kettlebell Swing (20kg): x10, x15, x20, x15, x10

3. Renegade Row (16kg/hand): x6, x8, x10, x8, x6

4. Skater Hops/Jumps: x6, x8, x10, x8, x6

5. Burpee: x6, x8, x10, x8, x6

DEATH!

Okay, maybe not death, but I at one point I thought I’d never catch my breath!

I recommend choosing a moderate weight that will challenge you, but won’t defeat you!

Enjoy!

Thanks again Jon, for letting me invade your cyber-space.

Cheers,

Marianne

JK here again – thanks Marianne.

Make sure to check out www.MyoMyTV.com for more awesome workout ideas.

Thanks for watching,

-JK

I originally joined JKC because I was anxious about passing out and embarrassing myself since I hadn’t weight trained in a while and I’d hoped to find somewhere sympathetic. My husband @terry_hussey had been training at JKC and his success there made me miss the achievement you feel from a good workout. I went to meet Jon and immediately knew it was going to be a safe space for me. I was never judged for the fears I had and where I was starting from. Jon and Thomas made sure to check on me often, and found a way to challenge me but make me feel secure at the same time, and Terry and I were able to book sessions together, so working out became a shared win for us!

JKC is different from other gyms because of the personal growth you have outside JKC (the sessions inside JKC creates a great positive feedback loop!). You gain self confidence, learn how to show up for yourself, meet a community of newfound friends, and get the support of your trainers who are behind you 100%. I’ve left a scattered workout so proud of myself I’ve honestly shed a tear in the car on the drive home. JKC is the mental health relief valve I need to stay positive, and keep my anxiety and health related fears at bay.

trap bar deadlift

A few of my wonderful friends and colleagues recommended JKC. I was told by one colleague that “It’ll be the best thing you ever do for yourself” and she was right! To be honest, I didn’t have much experience in any gym setting. And NO prior weight training experience. It was always so overwhelming! But from the first day, nothing was intimidating about JKC. Each workout is set up just for me, and with my specific skills and goals in mind. There are no stupid questions, you learn as you go, and what I really love, I always feel included and important, regardless of my skills/experience.

Kathryn Sparrow

Nutritional Coaching by Julia Howard

From my initial consult with Julia, she was professional and knowledgeable as both a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and athlete. She was interested in my nutrition and fitness goals and the development of a plan that would set me up for success.

Julia designed weekly meal plans that were complete with recipes and shopping lists. The food choices were nutritious, easy to prepare, and ensured that I felt well nourished and energized throughout my training and non-training days. Not only do I feel leaner and more fit, but I have more energy and I feel much more in tune with my body and food choices. Julia really helped me put everything in place so I can continue this process going forward- I cannot thank her enough!

I saw an article in Men’s Journal that quoted Jon in about 2018 while traveling and was impressed that someone in St. John’s made that international magazine.  Jon spoke about an exercise called the Farmer’s Walk and I started working that into my routine at the YMCA. I tore that article out of the magazine and kept it, meaning to make contact, but got busy. Then I had lunch with an old friend Bruce Dyke. I hadn’t seen Bruce for a while and I remarked that he looked super healthy and fit. He told me about his, and his son Cas’, experience at JKC and then I remembered the Men’s Journal article! No coincidences!

The experience is unique on many levels – great people, camaraderie, passion, purpose, and dedication. Jon and Thomas are attentive, precise and understanding.  Their teaching has unlocked a new perspective for me with what our bodies are capable of. I still appreciate the YMCA, wonderful place, but I can’t imagine working out without Jon and Thomas now.

I had spent a fair bit of time in gyms in my teens and twenties but I turned away from the gym to focus on activities that I enjoyed more. What keeps me at JKC is that I do really enjoy it. I always feel that I’ve accomplished something when I leave at the end of my workout. The environment is really positive and focused on challenging yourself whatever your level of comfort and fitness. I’ve also seen results that I’m really happy with; having someone who really knows what they’re talking about to guide your workouts makes them way more effective and focused than just “going to the gym”.

Shortly after I started at JKC, I sustained a fairly major injury that took me off my feet for several months. When I started to get back to activity, it was very difficult. Jon and Thomas worked hard to tailor my workouts to my goals and what I could do. With their help, I’ve been steadily building back strength and function.

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