It's that time of year again and folks are beginning to grill me for fitness-related gift ideas. Here are a few of my favorite things that are sure to please anyone trying to fit fitness and nutrition into a busy, balanced life whether working out at home, in the gym or on the road.
Read MoreWhile “Fish in a Pouch” may not sound delicious, this quick, clean and tasty dish is one of my favorites. This all in one meal takes less than 10 minutes to prep and 30 minutes to cook. It’s perfect to make for one person or a big dinner party and requires almost no clean up. You can use any starches, veggies and fish you like including cod, halibut or salmon and you can also toss in shrimp or scallops. Watch the latest episode of "Cooking with JJ" to learn how to make this amazing dish.
Read MoreIt’s always an honor to be asked to contribute to important topics in the mainstream press. Lot’s of good suggestions for prioritizing resistance training in this US News & World Report story: 10 Forms of Resistance Training That Strengthen Your Muscles.
Read MoreI want to share this yummy lower back release/core engagement drill that I've been doing for a few minutes each day with awesome results. This is a great one if you feel achy and stiff in your lower back from too much sitting. You'll need a yoga block for this one (you can get these 2 for $10 on most online retailers). You can use a soft foam roller too in a pinch.
Read MoreSo you finally accepted that eating out for breakfast, lunch and dinner makes it nearly impossible to reach your fitness and health goals? Bagels and breakfast burritos (or no breakfast at all), quick serve sandwiches and salads near the office and takeout (or worse happy hour treats) are killing your waistline and your wallet? Congrats. Acceptance is the first step. The next step is getting onboard with meal prepping and it doesn’t have to be as complicated or laborious as you think.
Read MoreThis is hands down one of my favorite salads. I'm a big fan of creamy Caesar dressings but they can be super fattening and rich. So this recipe gives the same flavor with a fraction of the calories and fat thanks to the combo of lemon juice, hummus and feta. The salad on it's own is great but if you want to make it a yummy, hot meal I'll show you how to saute chicken breast in coconut oil on your stove to top things off.
Read MoreIn the NewsUpNow.org kitchen with me this week is one of my very favorite humans. Morgan McEvilly is a talented personal trainer, yoga instructor and wellness guru. I’ve learned so much from her over the years and I’m so grateful she found the time to come show us how to make her famous Magical Morgan Energy Bars. These yummy, plant-based treats are perfect pick-me-ups for quick, natural energy and make a great pre- or post-workout treat. All you need is a sturdy food processor and a selection of your favorite nuts, dried fruits and fresh dates.
Read MoreIn the NewsUpNow.org kitchen with me this week is the beautiful and amazing Allison Tibbs who has perfected a scrumptious vegetarian "tuna salad" recipe made from chickpeas. Just in time for your Labor Day BBQ, this salad is great as a meal, snack or side and will satisfy even the most avid meat eater and tuna salad snob. It can also be modified to be vegan friendly and as we demonstrate is great for doing bicep curls in the kitchen. Proof! "Cooking" can be easy, fun and delicious.
Read MoreIn this week’s episode of “Cooking with JJ” from NewsUpNOW, I’ll show you how to make super simple and yummy veggie and (optional) meat egg white muffins which are great for meal prepping for the week ahead. The amazing Allison Tibbs taught me how to make these years ago and they are a staple in my house! Check out the full episode and cook along with me!
Read MoreI'm super excited to share the premier episode of Cooking with JJ, a video partnership between Jonathan Jordan Fitness and the incredible producers at NewsUpNow.org. In each episode we'll share delicious and healthy meal prep hacks, recipes and techniques to fuel your life. In this episode I'll show you how to make my famous Banana Blueberry Protein Muffins.
Read MoreWhile a well-balanced diet will often provide you with the nutrition you need for daily life and function, a fitness program or regular exercise might mean that you need a little more of a boost. I've put together a list of five supplements that you probably need to know about.
Read MoreThis is one of my favorite mobility drills for tight hamstrings, IT bands and basically the entire leg from the toes to the hip all the way into the lower back. Why does it work so good? Because it’s a “neurofascial stretch” meaning it targets the muscles, fascia and nerves across several joints as a system. If you’re feeling tight, doing a lot of running or just generally want to improve your mobility give it a try!
Read MoreExercise means sweating and sweating can lead to skin-related issues like irritation, inflammation and breakouts. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can follow to avoid these problems and protect your skin without sacrificing your fitness goals. I used to get terrible adult acne. And it really upset me. So I saw a dermatologist and esthetician and they gave me some great tips for keeping skin in great shape when working out.
Read MoreMany of us don’t have awesome awareness or control of our pelvis. This can stem from long hours sitting which tightens the hip flexors and weakens the glutes and core causing the pelvis to shift into an “anterior tilt”. If we can’t neutralize this tilt we can end up moving through the lower back in a way that hurts and can lead to injury. In this video I'll show you a great drill for mobilizing the pelvis and for strengthening the glutes and core.
Read MoreAbout 50 million Americans participate in some form of running or jogging, according to a 2020 report from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association. This year, with running events like the San Francisco Marathon set to resume in September, it’s a great time to get in gear and start training.If you want to maximize the many benefits of running and prevent injury, you first have to get yourself some dedicated running shoes. Here’s a handy guide to help you find your perfect pair.
Read MoreI first started experimenting with Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) or “Occlusion” training back in 2017. At first I was skeptical of this gimmicky looking technique for “bio hacking” muscles to grow faster with less work. Frankly, I figured it was another unsafe or ineffective scam by the fitness industry trying to sell me something I don’t need. But, as a trainer, I try to have an open mind and test different lifting styles and products to gain firsthand experience to pass along to my clients. In the end I’ve found that with the right cuffs and under the right circumstances it can be a safe and helpful way to build muscle.
Read MoreAs a trainer, I often work together with my clients’ physical therapists to ensure the safest and most effective rehab program from an injury. If you think you may need a physical therapist, it's crucial to choose the right one for your injury. Don’t delay or assume that the issue will fix itself. You only have one body, and you should take the best care of it. Here are some important factors that will help you make your decision and questions you’ll want to ask.
Read MoreRecently a friend asked my thoughts about “mindful eating”. In short, Mindful eating is based on mindfulness, a Buddhist concept. It's a beautiful concept and one I strive to achieve. But it takes a very long time in today’s world. And for folks looking for a more basic, first step to change it can be overwhelming. In my experience success can more often be achieved by first tracking one’s food for a period of time to achieve the right calorie goals while making room for the foods you love.
Read MoreThis is why I do what I do. I'm super proud of my virtual training clients like Dan, Chris, Alycia, Kimberly and Michael. Together we've overcome a lot of challenges to develop customized effective, safe and challenging wellness programs that evolve based on their needs and includes 1/1 virtual personal training, virtual group fitness and nutrition coaching. Seeing my clients thrive all over the country gets me jumping out of bed each morning. Well... that and coffee.
Read MoreJoin me and the legendary drag queens of the Castro Donna Sachet, Paju Munro and Katya Smirnoff-Skyy for a hilarious 45-minute total body workout. All donations benefit the great work at NewsUpNow.org helping to keep the arts and entertainment sector alive in the Bay Area. Choose your own donation from $1-$100 and watch the video here.
Read MoreOnce a month I gather the best fitness and nutrition news, tips and videos from my blog into one handy email. I never share email addresses with third parties and you can unsubscribe at any time. Check out past issues.
