After a little more of an extended break than I’d prefer, we’re back!!
First off, a big congratulations to Inga Schlingmann who’s been training with me for the last while. After 8 weeks of training harder than she probably ever though possible, Inga finished in the top 5 at the 2010 Miss New York Pageant. For anyone that still doubts this kind of training leads to not only increased fitness & performance levels, but to even the most stringent of aesthetic goals…here you go.
Inga, congratulations. You did some amazing work in a very short amount of time.
Now it’s your turn. WORKOUT OF THE WEEK
Refer to the videos below for instruction. Record time to completion and loads. Above all else, be safe and operate according to your abilities. Listen to your body folks.
I kind of feel like it’s a back to the basics kind of day. Enough with the new, big, fancy…whatever. This is all about just grabbing a barbell and moving some weight. Practice practice kids. You know what’s coming.
Video demos posted below the workout. If you’re not comfortable with the unilateral high pull, then stick with the bilateral high pull. Record your time and loads.
I’m not sure if you heard about this or not, but apparently many fitness center owner/operators didn’t get the memo. In July a study was published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in The Lancet Oncology that categorically classifies tanning beds as a group 1 cancer risk. This places usage of tanning beds in the most dangerous, highest risk category of carcinogens.
Other group 1 carcinogens include: asbestos, mustard gas, plutonium 239, tobacco and arsenic. Let’s look at that. Indoor tanning has been proven to be as hazardous to your health as arsenic and cigarettes.
In fact, if you go tanning before the age of 30, you’ve just increased your risk of melanoma by 75%.
So then why the hell are so many health clubs still offering tanning services? For all intents and purposes those exact places we go to build our health, strength and fitness might as well sell cigarettes out of a vending machine in the locker room.
A quick Google search reveals that at least 6 of the top 10 major national fitness chains/franchises offer tanning services. Doesn’t make a lot of sense, does it?
Here’s another little bit of food for thought. Last I checked, you couldn’t purchase tobacco products until you turn 18. How 16 year olds were packed into that Beach Bum tanning salon when you walked past it earlier today?
Remember, 75% increase in cancer risk if used before 30 years old.
I hope you’ve been practicing. Each of these is to be performed unilaterally, so with 1 dumbbell. You can switch hands at the midpoint of each set, or when you choose. There are demo videos for all of this, so please, go back and review.
3 Sets.
5 minutes, 3 minutes, 1 minutes of each of the following in this order.
Yes, having a reusable bottle around for your water is a greener alternative to buying bottled water and it’s a very healthy thing in that it encourages you to drink more water.
That being said, yet another study has come out linking BPA, a chemical used in the manufacturing of hard reusable water bottles, baby bottles, aluminum can liners and other such products, to impotence, e.d, and generally reduced sexual desire and satisfaction.
Go out and grab a stainless steel water bottle. They’re everywhere. Just make sure you’re not buying aluminum by mistake.
This is still a controversial subject in that different parties (mainly plastic manufacturers) still argue that there is, in fact, no connection what so ever. You want to be the one taking that chance?
Ok, so we’ve had a little bit of a false start with the kettlebell series, so we’re going to try it again. No matter what else you’re planning for your kettlebell training, the swing is going to be your foundation. So let’s start there.
In the spirit of today’s Long Cycle National Championships here in NY, I’m going to kick off my gs kettlebell demos. If you’ve worked kettlebell with your trainer or at your gym, this is going to look radically different.
That’s ok. Don’t panic.
This is coming from more of a kettlebell sport point of view as opposed to an American styled fitness point of view? Why? Approaching with a softer stance and posture is going to allow you to move more efficiently. More efficiency means more time you can spend working under the load. More time under the load means more progress.
If you don’t have a rowing machine, substitute in 50 SumoDeadliftHighPulls at 45# for men and 30# for women. If you need to sub in assisted pullups, then do it, but only enough to just get through. Unlike some of the other workouts, this one is all about speed. I’m looking for an all out sprint for the entire time. Record your time and any accommodations you have to make.
