Lauren Brooks Fitness

I must admit going from 2 kids to having 4 kids was not a breeze. Especially when each of them are picky eaters. Sometimes I find myself making 4 different dishes. Oy vey! I know I could just send them to bed hungry if they don't eat the one dish I make. But I can be a softy at times. I want to find what the kids enjoy! Now I'm finding dishes that are healthy that will sustain them for a few solid hours! The simple egg muffins have become a staple in our house. Our pickiest eaters want them. They  keep well and you just reheat in moments and bam you've got an incredible breakfast or snack on the go. We began this journey with making an egg muffin with organic cheese, organic cooked turkey bacon and organic free range eggs. Lyla and Chloe wanted to make these for everyone so here is how it's done! I tried to keep this around 2 minutes so there are portions sped up. I find it super cute, but again they're my kids. Don't expect you to. :) Maybe this will i...

A Deeper MODIFIED SINGLE LEG DEADLIFT  Many months ago I shared with you all a Modified single leg deadlift that allowed you to use your non-working foot to help stabilize. This newer exercise has been paramount for those who were never able to enjoy the benefits of Single Leg Deadlifts and for those aspiring to have a deeper hinge.  This modification has been a game changer to say the least. Time to take your hinge to a deeper level. Enjoy the power of your strong glutes when putting this exercise into your program. Watch your current Single Leg Deadlift improve as well.

Good morning! I don't know about you, but I love this time of year. This weekend we filmed our first workout for the new Shredder series for the Playground. We will be adding to this series every week. The beach this time of year is perfect and the coolest part about it, is it's quiet! I can't wait to bring my bells back next week and do another workout! I apologize for not writing much over the past couple of weeks. We had some terrible news regarding our 14 month old dog Tank. He was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia lymphoma cancer and our vet as well as the Oncologist said it was terminal.The most difficult part about this is he's just a puppy and we all love him so much. I'm not sharing this with you for any pity. I'm sharing this with you because I know just how hard life can be. I cried for hours on end when the specialist told me he probably has 1-3 months left to live. I tried to hold back the tears during the discussion. I hate c...

Is simplicity better than complexity? I've struggled with this concept for years. During the time right before I began fiming kettlebell workout DVD's, mind you, this is before most knew what a kettlebell was, I wanted to vomit all of the kettlebell information out at once. I was too excited to hold anything back! This was also the time when people would ask me how my "Kettle Ball" or "Cow ball" training is coming along. It's ok if you were one of them. 😂 In the very beginning I felt I had to teach everything I knew. I thought the more I showed my students the better they would be. Or maybe they would share the same excitement for this amazing training that I had. To give you an example when I first taught I student how to swing a kettlebell 12 years ago, I'd take them through every cue and technique in my arsenal to get them to swing. Even if they mastered it I would still show them more drills. Let's say it was overkill! I was overwhelmin...

Fitness After a C-Section   by Melissa Closser First off, I want to apologize to every new mom I saw pushing their 6 month old child in a stroller and thinking "Why hasn't she lost the weight yet? It can't be that hard."  YES IT IS!!! I got into fitness, primarily kettlebell training, after suffering a miscarriage.  Before getting pregnant with my son, I trained for my first kettlebell competition and level 1 kettlebell certification (I certified while 10 weeks pregnant, with doctor's clearance).  I continued my kettlebell training throughout the first and second trimesters of my pregnancy. 2 month after C-section Once I was cleared from my c-section to start training again, I turned to Lauren's article What Doctor's Don't Tell You After a C-Section for help. I wanted to get my strong body back, but wasn't sure how to begin. I followed her programming of planks, pelvic tilts, kettlebell swings and 4-point tummy vacuum. I also add...

Once you find something that works well, it's hard to keep it a secret. Over the years my local and distant students have achieved such raving results with intelligent kettlebell based training, that many have actually gone on to become kettlebell instructors. After 12 solid years of teaching kettlebell training I've had the honor of watching my students share their beautiful success stories with friends and family. I've decided it's time for you to reap even more benefits.  You've shared your love for kettlebells by sending people my direction, so they can take the same road you did, to achieve great success.  I'd like to begin giving you a commission for all that you do. I am literally going to pay you 15% cash for every Playground member, DVD product, top of the line nutrition products, apparel and even my distant coaching services!! Yeah the services count!!  If your referring friend or family purchases over $27 you will get 15% cash back of all sales g...

It's time for another challenge. This challenge can be done in conjunction with other training programs. It's designed so you can go through this protocol in a very calm and relaxed way. If you do this properly watch your pressing strength go up significantly in just 21 days! Not everyone is designed to press a bell over head. If you can not lock your elbow and maintain a straight arm over head, chances are,  pressing over your head may not be a safe option for you. The majority of my students who are unable to press heavy over head or press anything properly over head, switch to a very LIGHT Bottoms Up carry or Bottoms up press bell.  Like with any challenge or new workout regimen make sure you check with your doctor first, proceed with caution and use good judgement. Then have a great time! Details below with video! Pressing options: Kettlebell Press   Tall Kneeling Press Bottoms Up Press  The Kettlebell Press Challenge...

Try this Prying Goblet Squat for an increase in your squat mobility. This exercise is great to do with a light bell before you do Goblet and Double Kettlebell Front Squa ts.  Here is why we do them.  - opens up your adductors and groin area. - creates a deeper squat - grooves a more efficient Goblet or Double Front Squat - activates your abductors  QUICK TIPS - grab a very light bell by the horns - Stand about shoulder width apart. - INHALE, then pull yourself down in to a comfortable squat with your elbows touching the insides of your knees -make sure heels and toes stay on the floor without coming up. - Gently push your elbows in to your knees to pry them apart to open your squat wider which will gently stretch your groin and adductors. - Drop your hips down further, once you've opened up, and take deep breaths at the very bottom. - Try to keep your chest up and tall without collapsing your shoulders. - HISS and EXHALE to stand up safely. Very impor...

Let's set the record straight. I LOVE muscles! I think they're beautiful, especially on women. I don't mind working hard and seeing my muscles grow even if some consider it a  "bulky" look. I don't mind looking strong either. However, these are my personal goals at times. Just because I love it doesn't mean I should expect all of my female students to want the same thing. In fact many want the complete opposite.  "Lauren, I want to BE STRONG but I'm petrified of gaining a bunch of muscle." is a common statement I hear from my students.  Who am I to judge and talk them out of what they perceive is comfortable for THEIR body? If they don't want to gain muscle then I need to be careful of the programs I suggest to them. Low rep training with the proper amount of volume has proven you can still become beastly strong without looking like a body builder. If this sounds appealing to you then keep reading... Low Volume Strength Digit...

Accountability is an absolute game changer. With no accountability you can have the best intention on the planet to improve your health/lifestyle, but if you can't follow through, your intentions mean nothing. Your intentions become a pipe dream. Studies show in real life people are more likely to succeed when they are held accountable.  There are people out there that are naturally self motivated and have enough accoutantiblity within themsleves. If you're in the rare breed of being so driven that nothing comes between you and your training or healthy nutrition, more power to you! This isn't the case for most people! You can have all of the tools in your tool box. Understand the exact path of how to create the perfect nutrition and training lifestyle. You can even have it all at your finger tips. But if you just can't find a reason to commit or have the drive inside, then it sounds like you need an extra push, a bit of a kick in the ole' arse, with motivation...

This is one of the recipes you will find "In The Kitchen" which is our newest nutrition recipe video section in Lauren's Playground. Today I'm going to show you how to make a delicious beverage that has completely helped me shed the last 5 pounds. The ingredients in this quick and easy elixir not only help you feel a burst of energy but it helps keep your hunger under control while easing any bloating you may have. This also helps with digestion and is filmed with anti-inflammatory properties. It's a magical medicinal drink that everyone should try at least once. For more video recipes check out Lauren's Playground . INGREDIENTS 12-16 oz cold water lemon (without the peel) inch of fresh ginger root cinnamon 1 tsp 1-2 T of honey or coconut sugar

I'd like to share an email with you that I received out of the blue. I know many people would like to feel comfortable in their own skin. It's ok to have goals for yourself. After all, you only get one body. I've always been a huge advocate for strength and mobility, but let's face it, people want to feel good in their own skin. Training with Kettlebell Incinerator - the super quick workouts gave Rhonda these results. She's super busy full time working mom and she was able to squeeze this in, in less than 4 weeks. Here's her email and how she did it!  Hi Lauren, I finished the Incinerator Advanced Rotation program and wanted to share some thoughts :-) Amazing. Just amazing.  I waited for this cutting program since I finished BeSlam2 and it was even better than I imagined. As you know, I have been on a journey to get comfortable in my skin again. I keep slipping in the areas that matter most, namely nutrition and generally from stress. I have als...