​1. Run/Walk/Bike The City
​          One of my favorite things to do is to explore a new city or place that I’m on vacation. There is something cathartic about exploring a city while being a part of it not sitting in your little air conditioned box. If you fancy yourself a runner, get out and take a couple mile tour around one of the neighborhoods or downtown and see the sights. Or rent a bike and do the same if running just isn’t your game. Even taking the car down into the city proper and then making it a commitment to walk the rest of the day as you explore. No matter, just find a way to explore outside of the car.

     2. Find A Hike
          Usually in the city or just outside the city you can find some beautiful hiking. I can’t think of a better way to enjoy the diversity that our natural landscapes offer across the nation. You may have to have a car to get there, but most are well worth the drive. Even better, take it a step further. Pack drinks and snacks and enjoy the day stopping for a picnic along the way. Check online to find plenty of hiking resources in the area you are going to visit.

     3. Check Out Local Gyms
​          Once you know where you are going, do a little bit of research. If you really just need the feel of the knurling in your hands to help feel complete, look up local gyms in the area. A lot of gyms that fall in that small group fitness studio will have some kind of open gym, or allow you to join a class. Some studios, ours included, will require some sort of preliminary/foundation class. If you are already working with someone, ask your coach to reach out to them and vouch for your skills to see if they will waive a preliminary/foundation since you’ll only be there shortly.

     4. Workout In the Hotel
​          Check in with your coach/trainer before you leave for the trip. Let them know your concerns, and they will more than happily write a workout or two for you to do with limited resources in a hotel gym. Some of my personal favorites include turkish get ups and man makers. Quick, simple, and sure to get you moving and sweating.

     5. Don’t Forget To Rest
​          Don’t be afraid to take a little rest too. One of the nice things about vacation is the ability to reset. While mentally this is big, physically, it’s not a bad idea too. If you normally blast it 5 days a week in your gym, maybe walk it back to only twice during that vacation week. Enjoy yourself, and take that well deserved rest.

          Another month has flown by! We just finished up our Fighter Pull Up program care of StrongFirst's Pavel Tsatsouline and results have been great for our members. Multiple members can now do a tactical pullup completely unassisted after 5 weeks of work. In terms of the numbers most members saw their 5 rep max taken to above 10, one even hitting 17! For those wanting to continue their pullups, the chart will still be up, chat with your coach about the best way to go about it.
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          We are now at our halfway mark moving through our Front Squats, Military Press, and Deadlifts just having hit some heavy this previous week. We will continue in these and begin to see some assistance work on our conditioning days. These will show up with some single leg deadlifts, windmills, and arm bars to help keep us well rounded and able to move properly without injury. 

Before we get into this stuff, I thought it would be fun to give a little background on this guy. I've know Steve for about 5 years now and have seen some pretty cool milestones with his strength training not to mention his life... When he started, I was starting too, both just regular schmucks working out together figuring things out. Been very happy to count his guy amongst one of my closest friends. 
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So what brought you over to BellHaus when we opened?
Followed Matt for great coaching and support. I enjoy the "have fun and lift heavy stuff" attitude.

Aside from the obviously Grammy deserving hit single Hips Don't Lie , what song gets you pumped up for the workout?
Anything from ACDC and Metallica.

What has been your favorite thing or movement to do in the gym?
I like deadlifts. But I'm coming around on getups. Don't tell Matt though.

Other folk may not know, but you tend to run a lot as well as your strength training. How do you feel strength training has affected your running game or vice versus?
I feel I run better. It keeps me strong overall and makes adding mileage easier. I think it helps my lifting too.

What else do you do when not sweating it out at the gym?
I love traveling. Seeing and experiencing new places and people. I'm also a tech guy and like adding and setting up new stuff to my smart home. Totally a nerd.

          Put simply on their Facebook page Whole Heart Yoga is:

a collaboration of yoga teachers and students formed to promote peace
​in our greater Fort Worth community and beyond

          If you could find the understatement of the year on what it is or what they are achieving in our community, this would be it. I've had the pleasure to know Amber Shumake over the years not only in the yoga community, but as a neighbor for two years as well. Finding someone who truly believes in the goodness for people and in helping their fellow man is a rare find but they exist and Amber is proof of that.

          For Whole Heart Yoga Fort Worth, or WHY FW, they achieve that goal above through public fundraising events, outreach in underserved areas, and mindfulness education. This group of teachers is one to keep an eye on through their Facebook page and Instagram currently to stay abreast of events happening all around us.  

          There is one coming up shortly this month June 28th, at Joe T's with yoga on one of the best patios in town. Check out the link to sign up ahead of time.