In my previous post I posted a top five wishlist of fitness items that I have been wanting to buy. One item on that list was the Schwinn Airdyne bike. I am happy to report that I can cross it off the list as I picked one up on Craigslist for $150 last week. It is about 4 years old but in like-new condition. I will be using it primarily for intense interval training but I found this video that demonstrates ways to use the bike in ways I would never have thought of to get a full body workout. Enjoy!
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
My Workout Equipment Top 5 Wishlist
I am fairly satisfied with the workout equipment I have in my garage gym but to keep things interesting I am always looking for some new items. Over the past few years I added a pull-up bar and the Ultimate Strength Apparatus - a unique type of suspension trainer. Last year, I added ropes from Cal-Ropes. A couple of year ago I purchased the Bulgarian Training Bag, weighted chaps, the hypervest and a talking jump rope. All this in addition to my medicine balls, kettlebells, and other stuff. With all this old school equipment it is easy to arrange my workouts so that they keep me interested. So this year I figured I would list 5 more items that I would love to add to my collection...
1) The Ultimate Sandbag - I have wanted one of these for awhile but never purchased one. I like the variety of exercises that can be done with them.
2) The Bulgarian Training Bag - The Bulgarian Training Bag is similar to the Ultimate Sandbag but you have to buy it in fixed weights. It also has a much different look than a typical sandbag. As I mentioned I already have one - the 26 pounder - and love it. I got the leather one. It is very well constructed and it can take a beating. There are loads of exercises you can do with it and it comes with a very helpful DVD. My favorite exercise is the spin - a great transverse plane exercise. The reason I want another one is that I think I am ready to move up to the 37 pounder. Unlike the sandbag, there is no shifting sand but it is still one great piece of equipment.
3) Schwinn Airdyne Bike - I first tried one of these bikes at my local Crossfit and my last place of employment had one of these as well. I think I may have been one of the few people that used it. The faster you peddle - the harder the resistance. It is great for building tremendous cardio. If you watch The Ultimate Fighter - the bikes are a mainstay in their gym. The funny thing about these bikes is that they look really old-fashioned but they are rather pricey if you buy one brand new - upwards of $600. They are fantastic for interval training. Best place to look for one is on Craigslist.com where you can often pick one up for well under $300.
4) A Heavier Kettlebell - I have a 16kg, 20kg, and 24kg kettlebells. Lately I have been doing a great number of two-handed swings with the 24kg and think I can benefit by moving up to a 28kg - or maybe - dare I say a 32kg. When I first started using the 24kg I could hardly move it - I am sure a 28kg will feel that way at first too but I welcome the challenge. I usually get the gray series kettlebells from MuscleDriverUSA.com.
5) Hyperwear Hypervest COOL - This one I currently don't need so badly with the weather getting cooler - but would like to pick one up before next summer. I already have Hyperwear's 10 pound hypervest. I have had it two years now and use it regularly to add extra resistance to my workouts. It is very well made and fits me perfectly. What I like best is that it does not limit my range of motion when I am wearing it - it just makes the workout tougher. Based on this I would assume that their cooling vest will also fit perfectly and allow full range of motion as well. I want to try out their cooling vest for next summer as my garage gets hot even in the early morning hours. I would also like to use it for trail running in the hot weather to see if it helps my performance. I do not run well in the heat and prefer cooler temperatures.
Well, there you have it. My current fitness equipment wishlist. If you know of a piece of equipment I might want to add to my list let me know!
1) The Ultimate Sandbag - I have wanted one of these for awhile but never purchased one. I like the variety of exercises that can be done with them.
2) The Bulgarian Training Bag - The Bulgarian Training Bag is similar to the Ultimate Sandbag but you have to buy it in fixed weights. It also has a much different look than a typical sandbag. As I mentioned I already have one - the 26 pounder - and love it. I got the leather one. It is very well constructed and it can take a beating. There are loads of exercises you can do with it and it comes with a very helpful DVD. My favorite exercise is the spin - a great transverse plane exercise. The reason I want another one is that I think I am ready to move up to the 37 pounder. Unlike the sandbag, there is no shifting sand but it is still one great piece of equipment.
3) Schwinn Airdyne Bike - I first tried one of these bikes at my local Crossfit and my last place of employment had one of these as well. I think I may have been one of the few people that used it. The faster you peddle - the harder the resistance. It is great for building tremendous cardio. If you watch The Ultimate Fighter - the bikes are a mainstay in their gym. The funny thing about these bikes is that they look really old-fashioned but they are rather pricey if you buy one brand new - upwards of $600. They are fantastic for interval training. Best place to look for one is on Craigslist.com where you can often pick one up for well under $300.
4) A Heavier Kettlebell - I have a 16kg, 20kg, and 24kg kettlebells. Lately I have been doing a great number of two-handed swings with the 24kg and think I can benefit by moving up to a 28kg - or maybe - dare I say a 32kg. When I first started using the 24kg I could hardly move it - I am sure a 28kg will feel that way at first too but I welcome the challenge. I usually get the gray series kettlebells from MuscleDriverUSA.com.
5) Hyperwear Hypervest COOL - This one I currently don't need so badly with the weather getting cooler - but would like to pick one up before next summer. I already have Hyperwear's 10 pound hypervest. I have had it two years now and use it regularly to add extra resistance to my workouts. It is very well made and fits me perfectly. What I like best is that it does not limit my range of motion when I am wearing it - it just makes the workout tougher. Based on this I would assume that their cooling vest will also fit perfectly and allow full range of motion as well. I want to try out their cooling vest for next summer as my garage gets hot even in the early morning hours. I would also like to use it for trail running in the hot weather to see if it helps my performance. I do not run well in the heat and prefer cooler temperatures.
Well, there you have it. My current fitness equipment wishlist. If you know of a piece of equipment I might want to add to my list let me know!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Why We Get Fat...
If you want to know why you are fat and what you can do it about it - read this article. It explains the whole fat storage process and why it is different for obese people. http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/low-carb-library/why-we-get-fat/
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Raw Revolution Bars
I just recently tried Raw Revolution bars and have to say I like them. I like that they contain no soy, are organic and are made of mostly raw ingredients. I also like that many bars contain coconut. My local health food store sells them for just over $2.00 a piece but you can get them at Vitacost.com in boxes of 12 for only $20.33 or less than $1.70 per bar.
On days when I have an early workout I will have one in the morning well over an hour before my workout. As an added bonus, I spread some coconut oil on it for added energy and flavor. It keeps me satisfied during my workout - even high intensity ones.
On days when I have an early workout I will have one in the morning well over an hour before my workout. As an added bonus, I spread some coconut oil on it for added energy and flavor. It keeps me satisfied during my workout - even high intensity ones.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Coconuts Can Save Your Life?
As you may know from reading my blog, I am a big fan of coconuts especially coconut oil which is perhaps the most versatile oil in the world. It is one of the most stable oils for cooking at high temperatures or can be used as a moisturizer or hair conditioner. Some people use it as a deodorant since it has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. It also tastes great over sweet corn on the cob and over veggies but did you know these facts about coconuts?
COCONUTS CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE
by Jeremy Safron (www.lovingfoods.com)
Here is another great article on Coconut Oil:
http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/organic-coconut-oil/health...
iHerb.com has the best deal on Nutiva Organic Coconut Oil - 54 ounc...
Use the code KEN707 at checkout to receive $5 off your first order at iHerb.com. Orders over $40 receive free shipping!
COCONUTS CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE
by Jeremy Safron (www.lovingfoods.com)
- The coconut is one of the greatest gifts of this planet.
- Coconuts are a prehistoric plant which can survive many months floating at sea.
- The coconut is a natural water filter that takes almost 9 months to filter each liter of water. The water travels through many fibers being purified where it is stored away STERILE in the nut itself.
- This coconut water is pure clear and is one of the highest sources of electrolytes known to man.
- Coconut water is identical to human blood plasma which makes it the universal donor. Plasma makes up 55% of human blood. By drinking coconuts we give ourselves a instant blood transfusion.
- Many peoples lives have been saved in 3rd world countries by the coconut IV.
- Coconuts in their young stage of growth are the most health enhancing.
- Drink at least one a day (I drink 5 or 6).
- Coconuts are a great blood purifier.
Here is another great article on Coconut Oil:
http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/organic-coconut-oil/health...
iHerb.com has the best deal on Nutiva Organic Coconut Oil - 54 ounc...
Use the code KEN707 at checkout to receive $5 off your first order at iHerb.com. Orders over $40 receive free shipping!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
SealFit Workout of the Day 4-30-2011 and Upcoming Race Challenges
I wasn't going to work out today but then I stumbled upon the SEALFIT website which was advertised on the Super Spartan Race website which is coming to South Carolina on June 25th. Today's (4/30/2011) workout of the day or (WOD) as they call it looked interesting to me. They called it Old School and that grabbed my attention. All bodyweight - no weights. The workout is as follows:
Work Capacity: Old School Pyramid (see notes):
Seems simple enough and at first glance it appears easy - at least the first round appears easy. If you complete the entire pyramid you have done 400 air squats, 300 sit ups, 200 push-ups, and 100 dips. Not too shabby for a day's work.
I gave it a go even though I was sore from yesterday's workout and was able to complete up to the 10th round to the top of the pyramid but my arms were smoked and rationalized that if a 44 year old guy could do half of what a Navy Seal can do in the gym - he's not doing too bad. My goal is to do the entire pyramid before the Super Spartan Race event in late June.
I am looking at three races over the next couple of months. First, the Rock2Rock Run on Friday May27th at 5pm. I have done this challenging 10K for the last two years. My goal is to break under an hour. Last year I did it in 1:09 after doing it in 1:16 on my first visit. My time improved even with taking a wrong turn on the way down and getting a bad cramp in my left calf which slowed me down considerably. Both times I did the race , the 3.5 mile climb to the top of the mountain kicked my butt more than any workout I have ever done. I hope to get better at it as I get older. For more info on the Rock2Rock Run click here.
The next race I am looking to partake in is the Metro Dash. This is an endurance obstacle course being held on the field of the Charlotte Motor Speedway up in Concord, NC on June 11th. No mud in this one - just crazy obstacles and less running than I am usually used to. You can enter as an individual or a team of 4. I will run solo for this one. For more information and dates and locations, check it out here.
Finally as mentioned earlier, the Super Spartan Race on June 25th looks like a pretty tough challenge. It is an individual and team mud race with 8 miles of running with lots of tough obstacles. You can find out more about it here.
That should provide me with some motivation. Until next time!
Work Capacity: Old School Pyramid (see notes):
- 1 x Dip
- 2 x Push-up
- 3 x Sit Ups
- 4 x Air Squat
Seems simple enough and at first glance it appears easy - at least the first round appears easy. If you complete the entire pyramid you have done 400 air squats, 300 sit ups, 200 push-ups, and 100 dips. Not too shabby for a day's work.
I gave it a go even though I was sore from yesterday's workout and was able to complete up to the 10th round to the top of the pyramid but my arms were smoked and rationalized that if a 44 year old guy could do half of what a Navy Seal can do in the gym - he's not doing too bad. My goal is to do the entire pyramid before the Super Spartan Race event in late June.
I am looking at three races over the next couple of months. First, the Rock2Rock Run on Friday May27th at 5pm. I have done this challenging 10K for the last two years. My goal is to break under an hour. Last year I did it in 1:09 after doing it in 1:16 on my first visit. My time improved even with taking a wrong turn on the way down and getting a bad cramp in my left calf which slowed me down considerably. Both times I did the race , the 3.5 mile climb to the top of the mountain kicked my butt more than any workout I have ever done. I hope to get better at it as I get older. For more info on the Rock2Rock Run click here.
The next race I am looking to partake in is the Metro Dash. This is an endurance obstacle course being held on the field of the Charlotte Motor Speedway up in Concord, NC on June 11th. No mud in this one - just crazy obstacles and less running than I am usually used to. You can enter as an individual or a team of 4. I will run solo for this one. For more information and dates and locations, check it out here.
Finally as mentioned earlier, the Super Spartan Race on June 25th looks like a pretty tough challenge. It is an individual and team mud race with 8 miles of running with lots of tough obstacles. You can find out more about it here.
That should provide me with some motivation. Until next time!
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