Lauren Brooks Fitness

Be SLAM ™  Downloadable Program includes: 12 Week Plan for you to get super STRONG and Conditioned 35 Private access simple video demonstrations found on  BeStrongLikeAMother.com Strength Focused Workouts (Practice Sessions) Metabolic Conditioning Focused Workouts (Practice Sessions) Mobility Training Sheets for progress tracking PURCHASE HERE   Ask to join the new Be SLAM ™  Facebook group here *Important Download information* When you purchase the program, on your confirmation page you there will be a small download button that will allow you to download the program and receive your password to see the videos.  Please look out for this button on your confirmation page after you order the program. Thank you!! Testimonials Just a some honest words from my student in England who got a chance to test drive the Be SLAM program. " I have been following and learning from Lauren and her DVDs for ov...

Several weeks ago I was contacted by KIND Healthy Snacks .  They asked me if I had ever tried their bars.  I was excited because this is one of the few bars I like to travel with or keep in my purse for an emergency snack.  In fact, this is normally an item on the shopping list that I give to my nutrition clients. They informed me that they had come out with many new flavors in addition to making an all natural, gluten free granola.  I have always supported KIND because they use all natural products, are low in glycemic, use non GMO ingredients and are gluten free.   Last week they sent me a hefty package of KIND goodies to sample.  When the package arrived I found myself as excited as a little kid in a candy store.  It was perfect timing to receive goodies like this because I was getting ready to leave to teach at the Strong First Girya (SFG) certification in Houston, Texas.  I make sure to always carry snacks with me wherever I go while tr...

Are you ready for the kettlebell challenge? I'm excited to present to you this simple, yet challenging challenge.  The beauty of Tribesports is it allows you to check in and participate with people all over the world!  Strength gains are strength gains. Little or big, you earn it only one way.  SMART PRACTICE!  This challenge will help you with just that when you perform the exercises properly!  Keep track of what size kettlebells you begin with, to where you end up with, after you finish the suggested practice sessions. In this challenge you will find  A full list of instructions and rules to complete the Challenge Guides to help you execute the moves properly if you click on the image Click on the image below to participate for free in this fun challenge with people all over the world.  One more thing! If this isn't enough fun there is more.  All participants who go through this strength workout 12 times will be entered ...

Here's a butt workout that I filmed for F3Nutrition .  These 4 exercises will not let you down.  To see more glute workouts and why it's so important to work you butt "on" rather than butt off,  view my previous article/blog post about it here called " Let's Talk About Butt's "

" He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life. "  Muhammad Ali   Putting yourself out there is no small feat and takes courage.  People will ultimately judge you!  Every action we take someone will have an opinion about it.  You have to decide how important your message is and what you are wanting to express to the world.  By the same token, you must understand that there will always be at least one negative person trying to rain on your parade.  People have different opinions and everyone is entitled to theirs.  If you are worried about pleasing everyone all the time then you've lost connection to your message.   Stay focused on those that you have influenced in a positive way.  Receiving positive reinforcement is wonderful, but the true fire of why you will continue to show up, lies within you.  Getting a pat on the back is not why I continue to share information.  When I physical...

Let's just accept that "kettlebells" and the philosophy behind this type of training is here to stay.  It's not going anywhere!  For 8 years now I've been receiving testimonials such as this below.  This one came in yesterday and I just asked permission to share it.  Not only do "kettlebells" open the door to an enjoyable and efficient way of training your body. Along with strength and conditioning, it just goes so much further than that.  Pregnant females are raving about the positive effects it has on them.   From increased energy, no back pain, to easy deliveries and recoveries.  I can speak from experience,  since many of you know, I was lucky enough to use them wisely throughout both my pregnancies. It helped me recovery from each C-section with a quickness, that most people thought would be impossible!   Another happy camper: Lauren, I have been using your kettlebell DVDs for a few years now... rotating between Ultimate Body Scul...

To lift or not to lift, that is the question.  Despite the popular sayings, "Strong is the new Skinny" or "Strong is the New Sexy," there is still a large portion of the female population that will shy away from lifting solely due to their fear of bulking up or building too much muscle.  I'm not going to tell you that heavy weights won't help build muscle and I'm not going to deny the fact that some women can build muscle easier than others.   Let's start with the photo below.  This is a nice example of the female backside that shows two different body types.  The woman on the left falls in the category of an ectomorph, which generally means skinny, little muscle, and a very high metabolism.  She could probably eat what she wants and stay skinny.  If she committed to a butt strengthening and enhancing program, filled with exercises such as squats, deadlifts, and kettlebell swings , developing the butt on the right would still be unlike...

I will be sending out a New Year's workout to those who subscribe to the On The Edge Fitness newsletter.  If you have not subscribed yet, it only takes a second.  Then you will get the workout we will all be doing at On The Edge Fitness on New Years day!  Perfect way to start off 2013! Don't forget our Holiday sale . Only going on for a few more days.   25% off the ENTIRE online store. Code: holiday25

I filmed a kettlebell swing  video about 8 years ago, when I first began my journey in to kettlebells.   I shared it on YouTube a few years later.  It helped many learn the swing who didn't have access to a live instructor.  The only issue now is I don't swing like that any more nor teach it that way.  I invited Franz Snideman from Revolution Fitness , my first kettlebell coach, to help break down the "current" swing that we practice today.  Believe it or not, the swing has evolved into something more athletic, more powerful and efficient! For those of you who have access to RKC or StrongFirst Instructors, this may just be review.  For those who don't have access to an instructor and continue to learn from videos and/or books , this is a nice breakdown taught briefly in an easily digestible format.  Apply one technique at a time and watch your kettlebell swing become stronger!  Let us know how you do! To view video direc...

(To read this where I originally posted this, which has all the comments, please click here ) "What the hell is that?" I asked as I picked up a big, heavy black ball with a handle on it.  My college and gym rat friend Joel replied, "A kettlebell.  It's a gift for a friend.  It actually costs quite a bit."  I was very intrigued, but it didn't go any further than that.  Little did I know my life was about to change.   In 2005, I was working as a personal trainer at a gym located in Oceanside, California.   They received a flyer promoting a Russian kettlebell workshop for trainers only.  Instantly it brought me back to holding that heavy black ball that I was so curious about.  The flyer hung up on the bulletin board in the back for days and I must have walked by and read it 15 times.  For some reason I was obsessed! They wanted to send a trainer from their gym to the workshop in La Jolla to then come back and ...

I had the honor of writing for Pavel Tsastouline's StrongFirst blog about what it takes to be a strong female.  How strong does a woman need to be to be considered "strong"?   Click on the image below and it will take you directly to the article.   "Masters" women which we refer to ages 50 and older, I will be providing some strength baselines in the comments. I really enjoyed writing this.  Hope you enjoy it!  Continue reading here p.s. For ongoing strength and conditioning classes and programs you can access any where  in the world visit Lauren's Playground

This warming comfort soup is very simple to make.  This red lentil with roasted red pepper soup was inspired by my talented friend Allison.  It does take time, since the lentils and veggies need to simmer and need to be stirred.  I make this at night after my kids are in bed while talking to a friend or listening to music.  You can really get a lot done while making this soup.  Make it on an evening where you can hang around the kitchen. Ingredients: 2 Cups Red Lentils (Washed and separated) 1 Zucchini Chopped 4-5 Carrots Chopped 3-4 Garlic Cloves Chopped Chopped Green Onions 1-2 4 Cups Organic Low Sodium Vegetable Broth 2-3 Cups Organic Low Sodium Tomato and Roasted Red Pepper Soup 1 tsp of Turmeric Himalayan Pink Salt to taste Add Cilantro to taste Directions: Heat up deep pan or pot on medium with 1 Tbs of Olive Oil.  Stir the soaked Red Lentils in olive oil and quickly add the Vegetable Broth and cover.  T...

Update : Since writing this article I've had an influx of emails from women confessing to me their struggles relating to these females highlighted in this article.   I took a chance writing this article and have definitely received some rebuttals with no scientific backup.  Dr. Berardi, from Precision Nutrition, has shared this article on his main Facebook page for the females considering some sort of fasting approach to health to give it a second thought.  He's worked with over 10,000 women and has had lots of success and continues to experiment on himself and keeps diligent records of what works and what generally does not work.  To have someone of his caliber along with Dr. Krista  Here is a study he found backing this article up.  New study he found here plus a 60 minute lecture he just did on Intermittent Fasting  here. Sharing the untold stories of Intermittent Fasting (IF) and other dietary fads. This article is exclusively written for B...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! Grab 2 Kettlebells and let's have some fun. Follow along or set your timer for 15 seconds of hard work, 15 seconds of rest. Nothing wrong with eating pumpkin pie and enjoying your favorite foods over the holidays.  Don't forget to have fun during this time with your workouts, move, invite the family to do an easier version, and again HAVE FUN!!!!! Happy Thanksgiving from Della, Katie, and Lauren from On The Edge Fitness!

When it comes to meal time, sometimes it's hard to please everyone!  The other day I made some pretty awesome quiches with a homemade almond flour crust.  However, I was the only one that actually thought having the crust was cool.  They looked beautiful, but when it came down to it,  the crust wasn't necessary, just extra food that I didn't need, and my kids only liked the inside.  I think I'll save the crust taste for a personal pie that I'll make sometime. These muffin tins are the perfect solution if you want to make an egg omelette or egg dish for a group of people who all have different tastes.  Each muffin tin can be personalized so you CAN please everyone!  One of these were filled with onions, arugula, and cheese.  Another just plain cheese.  One pepper, mushrooms, and spinach.  It's an easy way to please a family! Large Oversized Muffin tin They turned out awesome as well! Recipe Ingredients: 6 serv...