"Engagement Rings"...for fitness?

Another great TT workout in the wraps…and another great workout week overall (well it won’t be officially over until tomorrow’s workout)…Really rested out yesterday (that routine was brutal) and last night’s sleep was GREEEEEAAT. That really brought a lot of energy for today’s early am workout. So I got up at 4 am, strapped on a nice hoodie sweat jacket and some sweat pants and just rocked it out in the garage which was about 55 degrees cold in there.

2 words: Beat up even more after today’s workout…

I will never underestimate the power of BW training…I love ‘em and will always incorporate some form of BW exercise in my training…whether for sport, conditioning or what have you.

Anyway, there’s a good fitness guy and great person to have met online whom I’ve been following on the internet. He has a new program out there (Chris Lopez from www.fitandbusydad.blogspot.com) and some of his exercise routines involves the use of a nice and effective use of an interesting type of fitness equipment that I myself had decided to invest in today and bought one online at www.elitefts.com. It’s quite a fitness contraption that has been getting a lot of fitness pub lately in it’s use over recent years. As a matter of fact, I remember just the other day - seeing a trainer and his girlfriend using a pair of blast straps at the top of a power rack station and was quite impressed with it’s uses and functions while watching them do pull ups and face pulls with it (the guy was pretty cut up..but his girlfriend was rocking with those pull ups!). And it’s ironic that a very good friend of mine expressed interest in investing in one as well and we both shared some common views about it (as we both like to involve BW exercises in our routines) so it turns out we both like the fact that it does use something we have both yet to try: Blast straps. Yep, the good Olympic Style ring type (well they look more like metal handles and not ring shaped actually) fitness device that does make a good alternative to what maybe certain BW exercises that can be done on a stability ball be even more challenging. And there’s literally tons of exercises that can be done on them! From suspended dips, curls, push ups, leg curls (which looks pretty cool), tricep extensions…you name it: you can do it on these bad boys…



Here’s a tidbit of what Blast Straps are and what they are used for from a pdf from elitefts.com
-------------------------------------
What are Blast Straps?
The Blast Straps are the newest way to perform bodyweight exercises in a challenging
way. These movements are excellent as they allow athletes to move their bodies
against external resistance in a multi-dimensional environment. They also force athletes
to move their bodies against unstable forces. If you compare a barbell bench
press to a Blast Strap push up, you will notice that the athlete can use the bench, the
floor and the barbell to help stabilize the weight. With the Blast Strap push up, the body
is being moved instead of a barbell and thus the body has to stabilize itself during the
exercise. This incorporates many more muscles because of the stabilization effect.
------------------------

Nice…more muscle confusion! That's what it's all about for me. Make it interesting!

And one thing about the blast straps… because of the ease of it’s portability, I can take this anywhere and workout anytime…any place…park, home, gym, bedroom…even the workplace…and those were big factors for me to want to get one. That ultimately was the selling point for me to go and get me a pair. Can’t say the same for other equipment out there like the perfect pull up or iron gym as those are a bit too much of a hassle to carry around.

So yep, got one online and can’t wait to give it a go with it soon here.
It’s just another great piece of exercise equipment I can definitely take advantage of to make BW exercises even more challenging and interesting here on out.

Hey whadaya know: a new set of “engagement” rings for my workouts!!!! BLAST STRAPS here I come! =)

"HARDCORE" workout...how about the man with the most HARDCORE Abs ever?

Off from work today, I was able to sleep in a little longer than normal which was a good thing for recovery. I think a break was needed. I did absolutely nothing workout related other than watching my nutrition stay consistently solid all day yesterday. Lots of temptations to just say screw this, but hey - kept it in check all day yesterday which I'm very happy to share. Again, great recovery day yesterday so it's back to another day of "HARDCORE"- ness for Day 1 of a new, but very familiar Turbulence Training Program I'm currently doing...

After the gym, it was off to do my weekly groceries and errands (which I normally take care of on Mondays or Tuesdays) and finally was able to take care of everything I think I needed to take care of today which is good. Now I can just sit down, relax and blog for a few here.

As I was at our local grocery chain here, there is one place I like to hang out after pushing a grocery cart for 30 minutes to an hour which is the magzine racks...I like to read sports mags but what I do enjoy reading most are the fitness magazines one in particular is the Muscle and Fitness magazine. And better yet: it's free reading too! Hahaha! I haven't subscribed to this magazine for more than 3 years - I just never had the urge to even try any of those supplements they boast of, and most of their workouts are geared towards bodybuilding ala Mr. Olympia and stuff of that nature. I never wanted to be Arnold huge in that sense and nothing in that magazine really interested me that much because they would never tackle topics like core training, functional strength, circuit training or how to work on lean physiques and improve on muscle endurance and conditioning. But if you've ever read any of these magazines lately - it's funny how the magazine has evolved from 100% Beefcake workouts and supplements to now MMA training and athletic sports conditioning (anybody else notice this trend?). But I don't believe in this magazine because they cater to readers to buy useless supplements.

But if I see a cover story I like, I'll buy it every now and then.

But this issue had something special. The most celebrated abs man of all time: Bruce Lee. It's ironic he was one of the first people I ever posted in this blog...and to this day his name is still iconically legend. His abs are fantastic! That's why this month's issue really caught my eye.

I'd like to point out here a part of that cover story that most caught my eye. It has been reported he never liked to do crunches specifically. I believe he hated them. Instead he would do hanging leg raises with ankle weights. He would hang his legs in a straight position (L position), raise them all the way up to his face and then move them in a circular motion and then bring them down again. That's one rep. How crazy is that?!

I don't believe you have to be in tip top shape to do core work. I think it's something that should be trained at least 3x/week. Stronger core...better power, safer workouts. It all starts from a strong core.

But if his strong, adamant belief that "Power is in the core" is false to the uneducated...I think we should check out the cores of many of the current day combat fighters and athlete's who have tremendous cores: Pacquiao, St. Pierre, Penn, Terrell Owens - and the great female swimmer Dara Torres - to name a few. I think the core training philisophies and approaches that Bruce used to do, only got redefined in the 2k's.

I think Bruce Lee spearheaded the evolution to effective core training and quieted the belief that those endless sit ups were the only way to develop the core. I think with today's athletes...that thought process has changed tremendously.

I remember doing those endlessly...

You da man, Bruce!

Sparta!!!

This should have been a light day..recovery day...took an unexpected sick leave day from work for personal reasons I had to attend to. Anyway, sore all over from yesterday’s brutal workout c which did include bb complexes and intervals - I was literally beat up this morning...my glutes, chest, arms, lats, shoulders...you name it. I should have taken this day as a rest day...

Being it a Saturday and off from work, I seized the opportunity to really do some serious foam rolling, massaging and stretching in the morning in front of the tv in the living room while watching the NFL combine on NFL Network. Anyway, muscles felt really good after that.
Today, I will call this my Reward Day...5 hard weeks of fat blasting so far - it’s hard to imagine there’s still 7 weeks more into this thing. 164 lbs is no joke for me. I honestly haven’t weighed this light in some time.
So, I rewarded myself tonight. We left the kids at home with the nanny and took a couple’s night out with the wife and topped it off with a great dinner together (with kids, they come far and between. Great time tonight.). Knowing this was the plan early on in the day, I knew I had to do something to not feel too guilty if I had to eat more than what I should tonight.

And that I did...

I’ve been wanting to do this workout for since forever. I’ve seen the movie...I’ve read about the workout a gazillion times. Seen it on magazines, on youtube...I even did Craig’s modified TT versions of the 300, 500 and the latest TT 2k9 version of this routine. I have always wanted to do this but never had the guts to, thinking - “this is &*(*&ing suicide if I ever did this! But I want to one day!”. I knew I was going to get a dose of ass whuppin today - and that I got today a good old big time ass whuppin.

I felt this was the day...so I had to give this a try even when I knew it would be in my best interest not to as I can still feel the effects of yesterday’s workout.

Call me a Nutbag...”Go ahead: make my day.”

“Some days were punishment days where our intent was to break guys physically and psychologically.” - Mark Twight

Yep...Mark Twight’s Original “300 Workout” Gym Jones Style.

This was definitely a good punishment....for the reward that layeth ahead.

Time: 3:25 pm
Garage Workout
(Barefooted)

“The Original 300 Workout”

25 pull-ups (wide grip)
50 deadlifts at 135 pounds
50 push-ups (close grip)
50 box jumps with a 24-inch box (using my bench)
50 "floor wipers" – (a core and shoulders exercise, holding the bar above your chest; starting position is with both feet on the floor, raising it to one side of the barbell tips of feet touching, going back down to the starting position and then immediately lifting both feet up again to touch the opposite end of the barbell still holding the barbell above chest at 135 pounds weight)
50 "One arm KB clean and press" at 36 pounds alternating arms 25 each arm
25 more pull-ups (wide grip) -- for a total of 300 reps

Notes:
This is the hardest routine I have ever done. EVER. This is a very rigorous routine. NOT FOR BEGINNERS. I literally was soaking in my shirt and sweat pants...and my heart was beating like a drum already by the time I was at my deadlift station of the routine and that wasn’t even half way through. The floor wiper routine is no *()*)(8 joke. My arms were shaking just trying to keep the load over my chest the whole time. FYI: I don’t have a rack at home so what I did was use 2 chairs which are conveniently convex in shape - situated safely from each other to rack the barbell for breathers in between - this is a killer move. I knew I wasnt going to blast through this test without taking breaks throughout. I actually did take quite a few rests and was breaking the exercises into 5 reps throughout until I got to the last 25 pull ups where I was breaking them into to 2's...

On the last and final rep which was the 25th rep of the 2nd set of pull ups (the 300th rep), I held myself up over the bar for a 7 full second count before cursing the living crap of me in joy that this routine was finally over. It took me literally forever to get this routine done - all with proper form. Again: no cheats whatsoever. Every single exercise was performed - all in good form.

Andrew Pleavin, who played Daxos in the movie - the leader of the Arcadians finished it in 18 minutes and 11 seconds.

My time: 43 minutes and 22 seconds. (Back to reality for me once again people! Hahaha...)

I can’t compare my fitness level to any of those guys...those guys are superbly conditioned and probably have all sorts of physio guys, massage therapists, nutritionists and top notch trainers. Going through it only once tells me one thing: how difficult this Original 300 routine really is. I have gained a lot of admiration for many of the people who have done this especially those actors in the movie. Again, I took a lot of breaks here...a lot of them. Very humbling experience but took it head on with an open mind knowing this was going to be one helluva workout. I just wanted to experience it. Again, it’s not for beginners and I don’t recommend anyone trying it unless you have a good amount of exercise experience under your belt. It’s very humbling and if you’re not really prepared for it: just don’t do it. It took awhile for me to want to give this a crack: and it’s been well over 2 years since this routine was let out to the public.

I always dreamed of doing this one day - and even with the time that I had on it, I’m so glad I gave it a fair and honest shot. You really would have to take a few days off before even attempting this routine. I just finished Synergy yesterday...and I really wanted to test my own will and might here with safety in mind throughout. With a new TT program forthcoming for 2 weeks (HCFL): I would never be able to get the time to do this, so why not now and give it a go.

After the workout, it only took half an hour to realize I was getting super hungry and really tired as well. So after eating some hummus and pita chips and chugging on some water with my shirt slowly drying off from sweat - I konked out for about an hour in bed. Got up still kind of groggied out - but still managed to spend a couple’s night with my wife and a well deserved dinner.


As the 300 pic above states: "Tonight we dine in hell!" I think I earned this one! Hahahaha!!!!!!

A road less travelled

Run towards your fears.

Embrace them.

On the other side of your greatest fears lives your greatest life.

- Robin Sharma

Overcome our fears and take the road less travelled sometimes...that's where we'll find the real challenges in life!

Be Flexible!

Ever put tupperware in a microwave? Like plastic tupperware at room temperature, although bendable..it's still hard and can still break pretty easily. Heat up plastic and it becomes soft, flimsy and easy to manipulate but for only a certain period of time of course until it turns hard again...

How bout frozen meat out of the ref? Thaw it out and you can do whatever you want with it!

That's why I say: Warm up and stretch!!!

I love warm ups and stretching pre and post workouts...I still can't stress the importance of stretching to one's fitness regimen. Just as important it is to establish good nutritional habits, consistency with exercise - as with stretching - it's all relative and you have to do them. Keep the body fresh and flexible as possible to keep on putting the hurt on some great gym workouts, sport or what have you. In the long run..it helps and avoids unnecessary injuries that could have been avoided with proper warm up and stretching. Much as to how important it is to rest, exercise and eat right - stretching helps muscle recovery and flexibility...SO DO THEM!

Speaking of flexibility, I haven't done much of an actual Yoga session as of late (as my workouts have been kicking my ass) - but still maintaining some Yoga specific principles in my stretching routines (as well as static stretching) post workouts and on off days. Foam rolling is also another excellent approach to muscle recovery as well. Do that almost everyday...

Sorry for the rambling...

Anyway, now at 35 years of age...we gotta take of ourselves out there. We aren't the hotly equipped Lambourghini's like we were in our late teens or early 20's but we sure can can be a nice looking fuel efficient Honda or Toyota running on the least amount of gas and running like new even after years on the road...

We may not be as young as we once were back then, but we certainly can avoid alot of injuries that do come with age! Take that to the bank...

Simply look at Shaq and his dramatic introduction at the 2009 NBA All Star Game...anyone see this one? He's been an All Star for 15 years, about the same age as me and boy he's still going strong. Although a pretty big dude at 7 plus feet...it's obvious he takes really good care of his body frame for the most part, or he still wouldn't be the presence he was and still is on the hardcourt. And he still came out co-mvp of this game - in his 30's!!!! And um...if we're wondering about flexibility in our mid-30's, 40's or 50's...think we can't still be flexible at our age? Ha. I beg to differ...Check out this video and check his moves out if you're still in doubt. It's kind of funny but tells you alot about flexibility considering his height, age and sport he plays. Phew! =)

Great Ab Circuit and Tabatas Work today

Konked out last night...with only about a good 4 hours of sleep the other night and catching up with some good shows I like to watch on Monday nights (Heroes Rocks!)...I was literally wrapped around in a blanket last night and took an early night's sleep that was well deserved as the TT workout yesterday was a pretty good kick in the rear.

Feeling some pretty good aches all over. Yesterday was a nutritional disaster but today has been alot better thankfully.


Was reading up on some pretty good advanced ab meal plans from Isabel De Los Rios's 12 major nutritional principles and read some good stuff last night. You get those 12 principles down to a science...you won't have to count calories ever again. Very nice tips.

Did some ab circuits and a great tabatas workout for today....TT workout tomorrow...

Andy

Don't Create Finish Lines...

This may sound like a little MikeZ aka SmoketheBlowFish here, but I'm posting what my thoughts are right now in this blog:

It's a reality my friends...

I've seen the gym crowd trickling by the numbers every time I head off to do a workout at the gym and there was a time this year where I would see the "rabits" hitting all sorts of weird fitness gizmos like gangbusters. Sweating, screaming in pain...you know the whole deal. I look around now and I don't see those faces much anymore. But what I do see is the "tortoises and turtles" - same old folks at the gym who I've always seen there every morning I'm there...at the same hours I go...high fiving and just doing our thing each morning.

Unless it's an injury or your sick or your family is in danger - what is it that makes people not want to keep pushing on when the new year now becomes a distant memory?

Is it the cold weather mornings that make you want to sleep in and skip that drive to the gym to keep your butt from freezing that early? The "Oh, I'll just goof off a bit here and wait to get my abs and beachbody arms ready by the summer. This is the season where we all wear sweaters anyway...so who's going to notice what's under that shirt?". Believe me, that's one classic I've heard a coworker say to me once.

I know this sounds harsh...but please: give me a break. Take the shirt off buddy...

Or are we just that: nutbags without a cause or just insane enough to constantly do what we're doing when others just pack up thier gym gear for next year. How many more next year's will it take?

But really now...what is it that makes the turtle beat the hare all the time. What makes them drive constantly - almost every day for 30 minutes to 45 hours a day (sometimes longer) - when the New Year Resolutioners just seem to die down day by day?

What gets in the way as to why people drop the exercise routines and go back to those old bad habits? Life getting in the way? Of course it does...and it should. I've been that route one too many times but you have to make the time. Again, you owe that much to yourself. Think about it.

Life is what you make it - so sorry to say this: but suck it up and deal with it.

The answers may sound simple but hard: It's inner drive...INNER MOTIVATION and nothing else. Don't make it a competition with others...but rather make it a challenge for yourself to keep pushing on and keep moving on.

You can only push you. But don't be pushed around by anyone else either. Do it because you want to do it.

Don't make finish lines like the resolutioners do...because they always never seem to reach it. But always intend to keep pushing the ticket every time you hit that iron. Expect this: it's always going to be an on-going journey here...and never ever make a finish line.