The Clean and Military Press

Looking for one exercise that involves nearly all of your body’s pushing and pulling muscles at once? Well, the clean and press qualifies, big time. Until 1972, it was one of the lifts in the Olympics, along with the snatch and clean and jerk. The reason it was dropped is interesting but for another time.

Watch the video to see how it is done. Use either a barbell or dumbbells. Points to emphasize are: Be sure to bend your knees until you are in a semi-squat position, keep a naturally arched back, your head up, and look forward as you begin the clean. Stay tight and start your pull by straightening your legs, whipping your hips forward, and then pulling with your lats, traps, and arms.

When the barbell or dumbbells reach maximum height, dip under the weight, bring your elbows forward, and catch the weight above your chest. Stand straight (that's why they call it the military press) and keep your abs and glutes tight as you press the weight overhead. Exhale as you press the weight.

Low-rep sets develop overall body power. To get your heart pumping, move into the 10 to 15 rep range. But don't let your form get sloppy and risk injury.

Note: A military press differs from a push press. With the push press, once you have cleaned the weight, you bend your knees and use leg drive to assist in driving the weight overhead.

European Blubber

The United States isn't the only nation with a huge (no pun intended) obesity problem. Here is what many European countries are planning to do to reverse the dangerous trend. Go here.

Love That Fish

Evidence of the value of eating cold water fatty fish or taking fish oil supplements keeps adding up. If you still need convincing, read this.

You Don't Have to Get Naked to See The Problem

Have we gone crazy in America? Our kids and grandkids are getting fatter every year, and parents are letting it happen. Who is in charge here anyway? Take the TVs and computers out of their bedrooms. Get them outside to run and play. Raise hell with schools that provide junk food. Teach kids why it is important to eat healthful foods and in moderation. Take charge. Check out the Naked Chef.

More on The "White Death"

They are the Big Three of crap foods: Sugar, processed flour, and trans fats. Which is the worst? Who knows? They all do their damage. Let's look at sugar. The soft drink people sell, sell, sell their sugar-junk drinks to our kids and grandkids and they get fatter and fatter. Bulletin: Diabetes and heart disease happen! Now here's one more good reason to get sugar out of your life: Sugar significantly increases your chances of having pancreatic cancer, according to a study by researchers in Sweden.