3 Awesome Medicine Ball Exercises

In previous posts, I’ve shared exercise equipment like the jump rope, ab wheel, BOSU and exercise ball. Fitness accessories can add creativity to your workouts and offer new challenges. The medicine ball is another great tool for your arsenal. They come in different weights, sizes and colors. Some even have handles. Like other fitness tools, doing exercises with the medicine ball become task-oriented. You think more about the movement and not just completing a set. Instead of doing the same old 10 repetitions on the leg press machine, for example, you can do Medicine Ball Side throws (see below). Now you’re focusing on throwing and catching the ball, twisting your body, shifting your weight appropriately, etc. So check out these three medicine ball exercises and let me know what you think.


Using a medicine ball or short step, get into a regular pushup position. Leave one hand securely on the ground and position the other hand on top of the medicine ball. In a controlled manner, perform a regular pushup. At full extension, take one hand off of medicine ball and place it on the floor. At the same time take other hand off floor and place it on top of ball. Repeat pushup. Be sure to inhale as you lower your body down and exhale as you press your body up.


Stand parallel to a wall with your legs shoulder width apart. Hold a medicine ball with both hands. Squat down while shifting your weight slightly to the outer leg. Then thrusting from hips, thighs and low back, toss the medicine ball against the wall. Carefully catch the ball in the standing side position and repeat. Be sure to exhale as you toss the ball and inhale as you catch it.


Facing a wall, stand straight with your legs shoulder width apart (or staggered). Hold medicine ball with both hands at chest height. Lift ball above and behind head, then throw the ball hard against a wall. This is like throwing in a soccer ball. Carefully catch the ball in a standing position and repeat. Be sure to exhale as you throw the ball and inhale as you catch it.

3 Awesome Medicine Ball Exercises2013-01-04T08:50:19-06:00

Watch the Bras for a Cause Video!

The Bras for a Cause event was a huge success! We raised over $10,000! A BIG THANKS to all of the volunteers and models. Here is some footage from Thursday night. See if you recognize some of the models. I was lucky #7!

Watch the Bras for a Cause Video!2012-01-03T12:13:31-06:00

Pick up the Wisconsin State Journal this Sunday!

Get your paper! Get your paper! Read all about it! Be sure to pick up the Wisconsin State Journal this Sunday (6/19). Writer Andrea Zani is featuring a story in the Sunday Best section about my designation as the “Healthiest Man in America.” What a privilege this is! It will also be on the Wisconsin State Journal website. So don’t miss it!

Pick up the Wisconsin State Journal this Sunday!2012-01-03T12:14:49-06:00

The Healthiest Man in America

I was recently interviewed by Men’s Health Magazine. They were on the hunt for the “healthiest man in the USA”, and well, um, they chose me. Here’s the article.

After the article was posted, I was interviewed by Landon Hall, health reporter and blogger for The Orange County Register in southern California. He wrote a great follow-up story titled “How a UCI grad became Healthiest Man in America.”

Last week I was interviewed by Rob Starbuck from Channel 3 News. This Thursday (May 5th) at 6:45AM, they will air the Healthiest Man in America story. It will also air in their 5AM hour – not sure what time. You can also catch it on their morning show Facebook page.

The Healthiest Man in America2012-01-03T12:35:25-06:00

Fun and Exercise in the Snow

The days are getting longer and the weather is getting warmer . . feels like spring is just around the corner! Before we say farewell to the snow, here are some parting thoughts about winter exercise. First of all, get outside. There’s nothing like clean, crisp winter air. It’s invigorating! Second, get moving. This year, in place of my snowblower, we used a snow scoop. It’s great exercise and there’s no gasoline smell. Lastly, make outdoor activities a family affair. I promised my boys that if they helped me clear the driveway, we’d go sledding and have a snow battle. We had a lot of fun!

Fun and Exercise in the Snow2012-01-03T12:20:52-06:00

Loosen Up!

Before shoveling snow from your driveway and sidewalk, loosen up your back and shoulders with these three great stretches.

Loosen Up!2012-01-03T12:22:22-06:00
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