Krista Stryker 
Two weekends ago, I stood on the podium at the World Master Jiu-Jitsu Championship, a gold medal around my neck. This moment was the culmination of 2 1/2 years of relentless training—twice a day most days in addition to my regular workouts—and countless hours spent honing my skills on the mat. But my journey to …
When I first began my fitness journey, I quickly fell in love with calisthenics. There’s something incredibly empowering about using just your bodyweight to build strength, flexibility, and endurance. Over the years, my passion for calisthenics has only grown, and it remains one of my favorite ways to work out. The beauty of these …
When you first start your fitness journey, having a personal trainer can be incredibly beneficial. They teach you proper form, design personalized workouts, and motivate you to push harder. But over time, it’s important to develop the skills to assess your own form and take charge of your fitness routine. Not only does this make …
Have you always wanted to be able to do a pull-up? Pull-ups are one of the most impressive and effective bodyweight exercises, but they’re also one of the most challenging. It took me ages when I was first starting out to be able to do my first one — and I felt like a superhero …
How many times have you set a goal, only to abandon it a few weeks later when your initial burst of motivation fizzles out? It’s a frustrating cycle — one I used to constantly struggle with. The truth is, relying on motivation alone is like trying to build a house on quicksand—it’s unstable and can …
If you’re looking to take your workouts to the next level, the BOSU (Both Sides Utilized) ball might just be your new best friend. I’ve been incorporating the BOSU ball into my workouts for the past year fairly consistently, and I’ve found it adds an extra challenge without needing to rely on heavy weights. As …
Ever since I started 12 Minute Athlete, I’ve received countless requests for workouts tailored specifically for people over 55. And while I understand where these requests are coming from, I’ve always hesitated to create age-specific workouts for one key reason: I don’t believe in arguing for your limitations. When you argue for your limitations, you …
When we watch elite athletes perform, it’s easy to focus on their amazing physical skills—speed, power, agility. But what often goes unnoticed is the incredible mental fortitude these athletes possess. Their minds are finely tuned machines that help them achieve peak performance, push through pain, and stay focused under pressure. But here’s the good news: …
Have you ever felt like you’ve hit a plateau in your sport? Or maybe you’re just looking for that extra edge to boost your performance? Trust me, I’ve been there too. As someone who’s passionate about many different sports, including jiu-jitsu, hand balancing, and calisthenics, I’ve consistently found that cross-training is a game-changer. One of …
If you have tight hip flexors (and let’s be honest, most people do), you probably know the drill: get into a runner’s stretch and sit down as deeply into it as you can. But is this really the best approach?” I used to follow this routine religiously — until my training with Cirque du Soleil …