The good morning was one of the first strength exercises i did during my first 3 months of recover from my L5S1 herniated disc. Why is it such a great movement if you have low back pain? #1. It’s very similar to movements such as the Romanian deadlift or high hip deadlift except the bar […]
Low Back Pain When Deadlifting? Start With Good Mornings Read More »
All 3 of these kettlebell exercises I did before I even touched the barbell again for deadlift. I had to take the time to rebuild my hip hinge position and stability as well as fixed the strength imbalances I had. I love the 1 arm sumo deadlift because it puts your hips and back into
3 Kettlebell Exercises To A Pain Free Deadlift Read More »
Before my injury, I rarely warmed up. I didn’t take the necessary time to prep my body for heavy lifting. After my injury and going through my recovery process with Active Life, I understand the importance of a proper warm-up. I now treat my warm-ups just as, if not more important, than the rest of
A Warm Up For Before Heavy Deadlifting Read More »
3 Exercises For Shoulder Health Even though I had a back injury, these 3 exercises were still incorporated during my recovery process and I continue to do them today. For optimal shoulder health, you must ask yourself these questions and take action to fix them: are you more capable of pulling or pushing? Pulling up
3 Exercises For Shoulder Health Read More »
When you are having low back pain, tightness, or spasming, sometimes all it takes is some light stretching to help the area calm down and provide relief. One of my favorite go to’s when this occurs is the “Cat / Cow.” Start in the quadruped position (on all four’s). Take a deep breath in as
Low Back Pain? Try “Cat / Cow” Read More »
Founder & Head Coach
My career started as a personal trainer at your typical “big box” gym franchise. Although it was a challenge from day 1, I was ready for it – clients at 5 am, clients at 9 pm; clients who aspired to be collegiate athletes; clients who had never exercised; clients who wanted a “quick fix” and crash diets; clients who were lost; and clients who were stepping into the gym for the first time.
It was a daily challenge working with a “one size fits all” program and platform created by executives focused on profit over people. Everyone is so different, so why is the program the same for each person?
I became continually frustrated – how was anyone supposed to hit their individual goals with a program created for an “average” person. How were my clients ever going to feel encouraged when their progress and success was based on impossible standards? It was wrong, and I was determined to do something better.
There needed to be a genuine collaboration of long-term strategies aligned with our member’s unique goals and lifestyles. Couple that with a safe place where they are heard, seen, and understood. Where programs for exercise, diet, lifestyle changes, conquering health battles, and gaining control are creatively designed, individually prepared, intelligently managed, and continually monitored. It took some time to get it right, but I finally curated a program in a place where each member is individually recognized, yet part of a like-minded community. A place we call The X…and a program that is Proudly Different.
My name is Michael Gaines, and I am the proud founder and head coach of The X. Before you ask…the answer is yes – I hold numerous certifications and have put in years of research that serves as the backbone of every individual program we curate. Our members are my family, and it’s hard to articulate the joy I get watching them triumph over their health, fitness, and diet battles. The results are real, long-term, and rewarding. Stop in and say hello. Tell us how you define success and we’ll help you get there!
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