The Best Exercise Machines for Lower Back Strength
The best exercise machines for lower back strength will build muscular strength and endurance, encourage good posture, and prevent pain.
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Best Rear Delt Exercises: Strengthening Your Shoulders
The best rear delt exercises can help with posture, performance, injury prevention and balance while bodybuilding. Read all about rear delts here.
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Push Pull Squat Workout
The push pull squat workout is a great framework for getting a complete training session. Here’s how to implement it for the best results.
How to do Standing Calf Raise + Modifications
How to do the standing calf raise plus modifications, for calf and ankle strength and increased balance and mobility.
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From UT Student to Personal Trainer
In a guest post for Austin Fit Magazine, I explain how to go from being a student at UT to becoming a personal trainer.
Dua Lipa, Michael B. Jordan Workout: How They Got Fit
Dua Lipa and Michael B. Jordan workout hard to prepare for their roles in movies. Here are some ways they train to get fit.
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Ask Kathryn attitude Austin Bala brides clients Dave Draper featured in home gym how to love notes New Years Resolutions nutrition and diet online training personal trainer austin personal training protein real people recipes start here strength strength and conditioning success stories success story testimonial testimonials The Home Team Train Heroic training Vince Gironda weight loss where to start
Curling in the Squat Rack
No curling in the squat rack! It’s literally a meme now but there’s truth to it. Learn squat rack etiquette, and when you can break the rules.
How Much Does a Personal Trainer Cost?
How much does a personal trainer cost? Many things factor into this, such as location (Austin is more expensive), and trainer experience.
How to do the Back Extension Machine
Learn how to use the back extension machine to make your back, glutes and hamstrings strong and effective.
How to Get in Shape Fast
How to get in shape fast! Wondering how fast you will see results? here is the quickest way to getting shape and see progress.
5 Minute Health Tip
5 minute health tip: when you feel like you are stressing, snowballing, or losing control of a situation, take 5 minutes to be still and breathe.
Quad Exercises at Home
Try these quad exercises at home! With some dumbbells and creativity, you can do the best quad exercises for home training.
How to Do Pushups
How to do pushups. With these exercises, tips and tricks, you’ll be able to get your first pushup and more!
Does Alcohol Make You Gain Weight?
Does alcohol make you gain weight? Sure can! Drinking can affect fat metabolism and causes the dreaded beer belly.
How To Make Exercise FUN
How to make exercise fun again! Try these easy tips so you’ll stick to it, and see the results you are looking for!
Gym Mistakes to Avoid (and What to Do Instead)
Working out can seem really complicated: lots of rules, lots of mistakes that can be made. Generally, you can do a few things well, and avoid a few major mistakes, to see the results you want. Here are a few of the more common mistakes and easy ways to avoid them.
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Austin Fit Fest
The Austin Fit Fest is coming up on August 19 here in the capital city! Featuring strongman, powerlifting, MMA and more!
Home Gym Essentials
Home gym essentials. This is a list of the basics I suggest you have when you start investing in home gym equipment.
My Favorite Fitness Things in North Austin
My favorite fitness things in North Austin: why you can find what you need for your fitness journey all the way up here. I lived in Houston for sometime and I found that you pretty quickly develop your little pocket…
My Current Favorite Ab Exercise
Check out my current favorite ab exercise, which works your whole core. It’s harder than it looks, and will challenge you in a fun way!
The Benefits of Working Out Alone
The benefits of working out alone: training alone can be really fun, and I highly encourage you to exercise alone occasionally.
Full Body Workout You Can Do Inside
This full body workout that you can do inside focuses on calorie burn and conditioning. Spare yourself from the summer heat and try this!
Modify Don’t Miss; How to Train Around Light Injury
Modify, don’t miss; specific tips and tricks for building a training strategy to allow you to work around light injury.
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Love Notes, Volume 1
Love notes from my clients 🥰 I save every happy comment a client sends me. Here are some of the funny and sweet ones.
When Will I See Results?
“When will I see results?” is a common question client ask me. This client case study illustrates what to do when you are wondering the same.
How to do Triceps Kickbacks
Learn how to do triceps kickbacks properly, so you can build your triceps strength and tighten your upper arms.
How to Overcome Gym Intimidation
How to overcome your gym intimidation for good. Learn some short term mindset shifts that lead to long term confidence.
What is the Best Training Split?
What is the best training split for your workout goals? Full body, upper/lower, push/pull/squat? Read on to find your best option!
10 Best Ab Exercises
Having a strong core can benefit you in your day-to-day life. Learn the 10 best ab exercises for at home or the gym!
How to Use the Hammer Strength Leg Curl
How to use the Hammer Strength leg curl, which can be a great machine for building hamstrings strength and power.
Why You Should Buy a Grill
Why you should buy a grill: from the ease of use to the flavor you can’t replicate. Get your protein in a fun easy way by grilling.
2 Common Lifting Myths Debunked
2 common lifting myths debunked, so you can gain muscle and lose fat and not let myths slow your progress.
How Much Exercise You Need To Do
Determining how much exercise you need to do can be tough. Consider these factors to come up with an exercise plan that works for you.
10 Surefire Ways to Get More Protein in Your Diet
Here are 10 surefire ways to get more protein in your diet. Protein is vitally important, but sometimes takes planning to get enough.
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Be High Maintenance
Be high maintenance; make maintaining healthy habits, daily self care and routines a priority for your life.
How to do Bulgarian Split Squats
Learn how to do Bulgarian split squats, a uniquely challenging, versatile and beneficial exercise.
Grilled Venison Fajitas Recipe
This grilled venison fajita recipe is delicious and healthy. Give this a try to add variety to your regular meals.
How to Make Your Training Session Quicker
How to make your training session quicker. Four ways to adjust your session and still get quality work if you are short on time.
How Much Protein Do You Really Need to Eat
How much protein do you need to eat? If you google “How much protein do I need” you get a variety of answers. Here’s the real truth.
My 5 Favorite Exercises
In this very non-scientific, highly biased list I present to you my 5 favorite exercises: deadlifts, squats, and more!
How to do the Hammer Strength Iso-Lateral Row (Plate Loaded Iso-Lateral Row)
How to do the Hammer Strength iso-row, also called the plate loaded iso-lateral row. This is a great machine to build back strength.
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SummerStrong 16 Recap #SS16
SummerStrong is an annual gathering of strength coaches, lifters, and physical culture enthusiasts at the Sorinex facility in Lexington, South Carolina. It’s education, fellowship, competition and reunion.
How to Use the Dynavec Gluteator Glute Machine
How to use the Dynavec Gluteator glute machine as part of your training to build strong, athletic, functional and aesthetic glutes.
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Training Philosophy at Alexander Training
Training Philosophy of Kathryn Alexander, personal trainer in Austin, Texas, and owner of Alexander Training.
How to Choose a Training Program
There are so many different fitness training programs, it is hard to know which one is best for you. Learn how to choose a program that fits your goals.
How to Make Time for Exercise With a Busy Schedule
How to make time for exercise with a busy schedule. Adjust your gym sessions, do home workouts, and find more time to exercise.
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Top 5 Reasons You Should Follow a Program
The top 5 reasons you should follow a program include getting the best results, ensuring a return on your time investment, and more.
How to do B-Stance RDLs
How to do B-stance RDLs: a staggered stance Romanian deadlift is a stable exercise for building posterior strength.
Social Benefits of Exercise
The social benefits of exercise are abundant. From seeing fun people at your gym every day, to having a workout partner you trust with your life, to having friends you mutually support through common and individual goals, the social connections…
Best Gyms in Austin
Finding the right gym is a huge step in consistently training. My 4 favorite gyms in Austin are Hyde Park Gym, Big Tex Gym, Lord’s Boxing and Blacksheep Boxing & Muay Thai.
How to Break Through Your Bench Press Plateau
Are you stuck in the gym? Learn how to break through your bench press plateau with these 5 tips from Alexander Training.
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How to Stay Fit With a Desk Job
The challenge of how to stay fit with a desk job is often overlooked. If you sit for much of your job, you know how easy it is to fall into a sedentary lifestyle. Try this free program if you need a simple, workable plan to follow.
Discipline vs. Motivation
Discipline vs motivation is everywhere these days. I don’t know about you, but I read about discipline vs. motivation all the time. Rely on discipline, not motivation, they say. Develop your discipline because the motivation will not always be there,…
How to Follow Gym Etiquette
How to follow gym etiquette, so you can feel more comfortable, work well with others, and get your training done.
How to Goblet Squat
Learn how to goblet squat as we cover the benefits, variations, and training techniques to implementing this beneficial lift.
Morgan’s Transformation
Morgan’s transformation. Morgan shows his amazing transformation, the collaboration between his hard work and Alexander Training.
How to Begin Lifting Weights
In case you were wondering if this is a good time to begin lifting weights: any time is a good time to begin lifting weights! You are not too old, and you are not too weak, you are not too…
What is the Importance of a Workout Plan?
A written workout plan is extremely important to help you reach your goals faster and more effectively, take the brainpower and mental stress out of the process, and help you avoid blind spots to get the best out of your fitness routine.
What is Semi-Private Personal Training?
If you have spent any amount of time in a gym, you might have noticed people working with personal trainers. Sometimes they are working one-on-one, sometimes in a pair, and sometimes in a small group. Maybe you have seen semi-private…
Lower Back Pain from Squats? What You Can Do
A common fear for many is lower back pain from squats. We will show you some ways to prevent and reduce your lower back pain.
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Managing Client Expectations
I recently contributed to a piece published on BecomeaPersonalTrainer.org called “40 Personal Trainers Reveal How to Manage Client Expectations.” The article contains a wealth of insight from many trainers and is a great read for both clients and trainers alike.…
Pushups on Vacation: A Success Story from the Beach
One of my favorite clients texts ever: my client became so good at pushups, she enjoyed them, and even did them on vacation!
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How to do Bear Crawls
Learn how to do bear crawls. The bear crawl is a full body, energy intensive exercise that is beneficial to almost everybody. It is equipment free and has many modifications to suit your goals and space.
Back to the Basics for the New Year
This January, instead of adding in complicated, lofty goals, or removing things you love, I encourage you to go back to the basics.
This January, my clients and I are going back to the basics. My clients will see the inclusion of squats, pushes, pulls, hinges and carries in their training. We will work in moderate rep ranges and do both interval and steady state cardio.
The goal this month is establishing and maintaining healthy habits. Getting the reps in. The result will be strength, increases in cardiovascular capacity, and health.
How to do Band Pullaparts
Learn how to do band pullaparts. Band pullaparts are a great exercise for your rear delts, traps, and rhomboids.
Remembering Dave Draper
Dave Draper, The Blonde Bomber, is my number one inspiration in the world of physical culture. A legend, an icon, a writer. Dave is introspective, brilliant, and hits you with a combination of realism and romanticism that makes you want to be on Muscle Beach in the golden era of bodybuilding.
Ask Kathryn: What Exercises are Best for HIIT?
Ask Kathryn: Are there certain moves that would be most beneficial during HIIT intervals? Could you provide suggestions to structure those sessions?
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How to do Lunges and Lunge Variations
Lunges are a fantastic exercise because they are effective, versatile, and can benefit nearly everyone. You can do lunges without equipment, with equipment. You can make them harder or easier by adjusting the distance and load. They can work on strength, endurance and even balance.
If lunges aren’t in your program, what you doin?? 🙂
Read on for how to do lunges and when to use lunge variations.
How to do the “Y”
The “Y” as I call it, is an exercise primarily for your rear delts, or the posterior muscle of your shoulder. This is a small, nuanced movement, so you can even do it effectively without weight. In fact, I want you to master it without weight first, so read below how to do it well.
Personal Training in Austin in 2021
Personal training in Austin is alive and well in 2021 and the industry is more motivated and creative than ever. If you are interested in working with a personal trainer, there are many reasons why this is a great time to jump in.
The Best Workout Tips
The best workout tips for making sure you get a great training session in! Tips by Kathryn Alexander, Austin personal trainer.
Top 10 Benefits of a Home Gym
The top 10 benefits of a home gym! Read on for all the benefits a home gym can have on your training routine.
How to Do The Dead Bug
How to do the dead bug. The dead bug is a trunk and core stability exercise that can be done at beginner to more advanced levels.
Backyard Conditioning
Sometimes you just need a backyard conditioning session. Find yourself a little bit of grass and try this session.
How to do the Floor Press
How to do the floor press, an underutilized chest exercise.
Benefits of Training Alone
The benefits of training alone are worth considering. Sometimes it can be the best thing for you.
How Often Should I Workout?
“How often should I workout” is a question I often hear. Read on to decide what is the best answer for you and your training.
7 Squat Variations to Make Home Sessions More Challenging
7 squat variations to make home sessions more challenging. Burning out at home and need more variety? Try these ideas in your next session.
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Spice Up Your Food with These Calorie Free Flavors
Spice up your foods with these seasonings. Lemons and garlic, bay leaves, and interesting salts and peppers make meals more fun.
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How to Band Deadlift
How to band deadlift so you can get the full body strength benefits of deadlifting without a bar or gym.
Smoked Chicken and Green Beans & Tri-Color Potatoes
Smoked chicken and green beans is one of my favorite simple and healthy meals. It provides protein and veggies. Full recipe here.
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Tips for Meal Prep for One Person
Tips on how to meal prep for one. I often cook for others or cook purposely for leftovers. But sometimes, I just want to cook for one. Read on for tips.
There is No Finish Line
There is no finish line. Exercise will always make you better, stronger, fitter, more creative, happier, so please keep going!
Home Ab Session!
Try this free and simple home ab session. Includes crunches, planks and some new ab exercises for your core and back work.
Exercise as Meditation
Exercise as meditation; exercise has numerous mental health benefits, including its similarity to meditation.
Different Styles of Cardio and How They Can Help You
Cardio can improve your health, quality of life and athletic and physique goals. Try these cardio styles and find what’s best for you.
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How to Avoid Weight Gain and Unhealthy Habits While Working From Home
How to avoid weight gain while working from home. Adding movement and healthy habits back into your workday as you adapt to a workplace change.
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Shoulder Circuit with the Bala Power Ring (or a Dumbbell)
Learn a shoulder circuit with the Bala Power Ring. This is a workout you can do from home with a dumbbell or Bala Ring.
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Top 3 Big Picture Tips for Losing Weight
Losing weight seems like a daunting task, but I can assure you it is possible. I’ve seen people from all kinds of backgrounds and different stages of life be successful in losing weight and becoming healthier. Here are my top three simple but effective tips.
On Being Strong
Very literally speaking, there’s no downside to being stronger. Not one. Either physically or emotionally stronger is a step in a positive direction.
Every time I meet someone new and we discuss potentially working together, I have them start at the beginning and tell me what exactly they want.
It is impossible, I believe, to separate what you want in the gym from what you want in life. Leaving the gym feeling better than you did when you walked in 61 minutes ago is a victory that sets you up for a more enjoyable day.
Increase Your Exercise Capacity for an Easier Life
Exercise can make every day better by improving your physical capacity. If your body is trained to do more, then your activities of daily living with take less out of you. You’ll have more strength and energy left to do the things you want to do. Read here for a different perspective on strength.
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Improve Your Mind Muscle Connection to Get More Out of Your Training
Developing and utilizing the mind-muscle connection is one of the most overlooked lessons to learn about training. If you are able to develop the mind-muscle connection, all your training will yield greater results.
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3 Exercises for Improved Posture
Optimal posture can help you breathe better, alleviate and prevent back pain, and look and feel more confident. Read on for 3 exercises to do to develop and maintain good posture.
One Pan Chicken & Veggies
This 1 pan chicken and vegetable dish is simplicity in a delicious meal. It requires a few minutes of prep, but cooks in one easy step. Read on for the full recipe and ingredients list.
The Home Team FAQ and General Info
The Home Team training program is a workout plan for those who prefer to exercise at home. Read on for a FAQ and get your first week free.
Home Training Program now available!
The Home Team, my new home training program, just went live!
The Home Team is a training program designed to be done at home with a few dumbbells and resistance bands. It is a 4 day a week program with the option of a bonus day.
If you are ready to start your first week free, click here!
Outdoor Training for Power, Part 2
Do you ever feel like your training needs a bump? Are you in a rut more than you are in a groove? Take your training outside! Track training is a great opportunity to challenge your body in a different way.
Power movements and sprinting increase calories burned, increase conditioning and cardiovascular capacity and build muscle. Read on for training protocols.
Texas Trout
Try Texas trout with this healthy recipe. This was prepared on a cedar plank on the grill with veggies and hummus sides.
Gym Training Post Coronavirus: 4 Things to Consider
When deciding how to return to the gym post covid, consider the following factors.
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Outdoor Training for Power
Do you ever feel like your training needs a bump? Are you in a rut more than you are in a groove? Take your training outside! Track training is a great opportunity to challenge your body in a different way.
Power movements and sprinting increase calories burned, increase conditioning and cardiovascular capacity and build muscle. Read on for training protocols.
In Defense of New Year’s Resolutions
I am 12,871.75 days old (as of this writing, 1/1/2019).
Everyone’s talking about resolutions right now, just like every new year.
I LOVE New Year’s Resolutions! I just can’t help it. They’re so fun! I love planning! I love looking to the future, and knowing it’ll be better, because I can make it that way!
That’s why it makes me so sad to hear people say stuff like this, true quotes taken from the internet:
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Start the year with making a promise to myself that I know I will break and end up feeling like a failure? I’ll pass, thank you.
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Why bother?
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Nope. Life is hard enough as it is without setting yourself up for failure by making dumb resolutions
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Mine is to overthrow the puppet regime of a third world country, and then install myself as Grand Poobah! Oh, RESOLUTIONS, not revolutions. Sorry, my bad. (Kathryn: Ok, this one made me laugh.)
(All resolutions from Ask Someone Else’s Mom Column, 1/1/2019. I love advice columns. Don’t judge me.)
What if Resolutions Can Help You?
Why not re-assess your goals and where your life is going? It’s really not much different than assessing and planning quarters, as in the business world.
What if a calendar wasn’t little 30-day chunks that hung on your wall? What if it was a big string of days that kept going from left to right along the way across all the walls in your room, little one inch squares to represent the days with no differentiators of week or months or years?
Is it Too Late to Get Your Summer Body?
What if you are still working on your summer body? What can you do right now, to make a difference, today? Lots of things!
Guillermo Gets Deadlift PR!
Guillermo, one of my earliest fully online clients, worked hard and reaped the benefits when he hit a deadlift PR at a recent power meet.
Emily’s Testimonial & Repping Pull-ups!
Emily shares her testimonial of training with Kathryn Alexander, and of doing pull-ups before her wedding.
Stack the Odds in Your Favor in 2019
This might sound like a big ole “DUH” but the easiest way to reach your goals is to be crystal clear about them. It’s too easy to get through just this workday, this week, or the next little project. Before we know it, time passes and we haven’t really gotten anywhere.
If you are intentional about moving toward goals, instead of passing through time, you will infinitely stack the odds in favor of reaching your goals.
Press On
I had the greatest client session yesterday and wanted to share with you the lessons learned.
My client let me know before her session that she was not feeling up to par. Nothing catastrophic or contagious, but that we might need to take it into account.
Since she let me know ahead of time, I was able to look at her program and keep in mind some potential adjustments. Some Plan B’s, if necessary.