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Showing posts from 2011

My Time in Houston and Women's Kettlebell Workshop

This past weekend I flew to Houston, the city where I lived for a good part of my childhood.  I don't go back to Houston often with my crazy schedule, but really glad I made this work.  Let's face it, Houston is not known for the beauty or great weather.  I will say Houston has some of the greatest and warmest people I've had the privilege to meet in my life.  The few days I was there just wasn't long enough.  Next time I'll have to go back for longer. I was lucky enough to arrange a unique Women's kettlebell and Self Defense workshop with Jay Armstrong.  Jay is an incredible person, athlete and teacher.  I really enjoyed learning from him as well. We had a great intimate group and it was a very productive day!  There were some very inspiring ladies there and it was a pleasure to meet each and every one of them. Jay Armstrong/ Lauren Brooks Women's Kettlebell Workshop with Self Defense Here are some quotes we have received from the attendees.

The Walking Computer Station That Will Save Your Body!

As I write this blog post I am walking at a 7.5 incline at a comfortable pace.  I decided that I can no longer sit at the computer.  Yes, I do get my strength and conditioning training in with kettlebells and various body weight drills, but then I have more than 5 hours of computer work to do everyday!  Between writing a book, articles, designing nutrition/training programs, and keeping up with emails, computer time for me is a lot more hours than I've ever wanted.  At first, I was getting frustrated at the fact that I'd rather be moving, since most fitness people gravitate to a more active job.  Second, the excessive sitting was making me more tired than usual.  Since I began writing the book, I have been feeling lower back discomfort for the first time in my life.  All from too much sitting!  I work with people daily that have desk jobs.  Unfortunately, research is beginning to show that desk jobs have much more detrimental effects than just being sedentary. Most people kno

No Nonsense Approach To Get You A Shredded, Lean Body (written for My Mad Method's Magazine)

T his article was written exclusively for Onnit Academy and appeared in the hard copy issue of My Mad Methods, in the earlier part of 2011.  I have been given permission to share this with you.    No Nonsense Approach To Get You A Shredded, Lean Body Nutritionist and trainer Lauren Brooks has helped people get fit and lean for years using unconventional training methods and a simple and effective approach to diet and nutrition. Check out this easy to implement diet plan to help you cut fat and stay healthy. Everyone wants a quick fix, that’s human nature, right? People tend to be lazy. They want to do something the easy way and expect to see great results. Well too bad! If you want to have low body fat and a lean looking body, you probably need to make a lifestyle change. I can’t tell you how many people have come to me and said, “I lost 50 pounds last year when I was on the “blah blah” diet, but then gained it back

Kettlebell Workshop with Women's Self Defense in Houston

Learn how to be  POWERFUL, FLEXIBLE, STRONG, LEAN , and  Move better  while having fun doing it.  For the first time ever , Jay Armstrong and Lauren Brooks will be teaming up together in Houston, Texas to present a very unique Kettlebell Workshop.  This workshop will cover all the foundation kettlebell drills along with Women's Self Defense and extreme Joint Mobility!  You will not want to miss this combination workshop.  If you have never met Jay you will be in for a treat.     Jay Armstrong, is not only an incredible kettlebell teacher, he is a mobility expert, and earned his 6th degree black belt.  Jay is an extremely talented individual and knows his stuff!  Learning from Jay will be a privilege. You really don't want to miss this! Here is a little bit about  Jay Armstrong .  Tae Kwon Do: Jay's enthusiasm and dedication to the Korean martial art, Tae Kwon Do, has earned him a 6th degree black bel

My Review of the book "Live Life Aggressively! What Self Help Gurus Should Be Telling You"

Not very often do I make the time to read a book that doesn't have 100% to do with training or nutrition.  This book was one of the few I knew had an important message!    Here are my thoughts! This book is a true GEM! I highly suggest anyone who wants to actually do something with their lives. If you are sick of living a mediocre life, strive to be successful and happy, but live in fear to do something about it, this book will help with your paralyzing excuses .   Mike has a special gift, in being able to make you take a serious step back and look at your own life. Even if it makes you upset about some of the choices you have made or habits you have picked up along the way. This book is not a cheese ball, feel good, cozy and warm inside self-help book. You may laugh and you may cry, but there is nothing I found written in this book that will waste your time. He shows you how to overcome failures and to strive to be your best, by also sharing his own experiences and fail

Touched By This Gift

Today I received a surprise gift in the mail.  I recognized the name since I received this wonderful email from her before regarding my kettlebell DVD's. " H i Lauren! First, I have to say that you are my introduction to kettlebells and I am glad I started here!  I have been through only 10 workouts and I am seeing a difference!  You make the kettlebell approachable and your training style and work along dvds are REALLY wonderful for teaching proper form and being motivating!  I am 43, mom of 3 girls, 118lb and 5'5".   After many types of exercise, supreme pilates, the Firm step videos, treadmill, Tracy Anderson Method... I realized I needed a program that  wasn't high impact  (old knees!) and that had cardio and weight training.  I found you!  I only use a 15lb bell but just ordered a 22lb off dragondoor and have your first 2 dvds.  I see that they will keep me busy for some time to come!   Anyway, i will let you know of my progress as you may want to know tha

Mini Plank for Optimal Core Activation

  This pre-exercise is phenomenal for anyone who has ever had a baby, C-section, hysterectomy, abdominal surgery, sits at a desk, or has core weakness. Elise Badone, Muscle Activation Technique Specialist, has come up with this isometric.  This looks like a "knee plank" but there is much more to it.  You will actually feel your TVA and pelvic floor muscles waking up and firing much more efficiently with the way that Elise has you do this exercise. Since I personally have had 2 Cesareans in a 24 month time span, I lost proper communication from my pelvic floor and abdominal muscular system to the brain.  The fact that I had two babies that were very large for my frame, in such a short time span, didn't help either!  With that being said as I became stronger my body became a very good over compensator.  Which happens to anyone who has had any trauma in that region.  Same goes with anyone who has had hip, knee, foot, ankle, or any sort of injury! Those with C-sections

Hand Protection for Kettlebells and Pull-ups? Reviewing the New Grips

Since I began using and teaching kettlebells, I laughed at the idea of using any sort of gloves.  Of course I tried it first before laughing.  Reasons why I have not recommended using gloves with kettlebells in the past is as follows:  1. The gloves can hinder the kettlebell to maneuver around in the hand seamlessly.  2.  Weight gloves will bunch up and cause the kettlebell to dig in to the hand even more.  3.  Gloves can mask the sensory connection from the hand to the brain.  4.  They are just not very cool looking, so toughing it out is just the way we do it! Now as much as I agree with the reasons not to wear gloves, I have come to the terms that there is a time and place where specialized hand protection can be very useful.  Anyone who uses kettlebells frequently in addition to doing pull ups and other hand trashing activities, should be able to relate.  No matter how hard I try to keep my calluses under control I still get the pain in my hands from time to time, when I use