Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Pushup Pyramid

You are about to partake on a fitness challenge I like to call Pushup Pyramid.

This Pushup Pyramid (or "pressup" as they call it in England) workout is a quick and efficient way to blast your chest in 15 to 20 minutes. I do it at home, in the kitchen, the living room, before lunch - whenever. It has been part of my routine for the past 11 years! This is a great thing to do every other day or every third day. It is best to preform it 2-3 times per week. You want to remember to give the muscles in your chest a little time to rest and recover. Okay, lets begin.

Get comfortable, take a few deep breaths and clear your mind. Before you start, set a specific intention or expectation for what you plan to get out of this work out. Now put on your favorite play list and turn it up really loud!

I assume everyone know the basic pushup form but will explain it in detail the best I can:
-Hands are placed directly under your shoulders
-Neck, spine and legs should be in as straight a line as possible - no sagging or raised butt
-Keep your belly pulled in to your spine creating support for your lower back and core
-Keep your elbows in close to your ribs upon lowering yourself
-Let your breath flow in and out - steady and controlled
-Inhale on the way down and give a big exhale as you push yourself up back to the plank position
-Repeat

Tip: It works best if you keep the same push up position for the entire work out. (ie. do not switch between wide grip, diamond, claps, T-push ups, etc.) Blast away.


Now the fun begins!

For the advanced fitness enthusiast, start here:
Get down into your pushup position.
1) 20 push ups
Immediately stand up and do 45 seconds of jumping jacks (or) 30 seconds of jumping jacks with 15 seconds of rest.
2) 19 push ups
Immediately stand up and do 45 seconds of jumping jacks (or) 30 seconds of jumping jacks with 15 seconds of rest.
3) 18 push ups
Immediately stand up and do 45 seconds of jumping jacks (or) 30 seconds of jumping jacks with 15 seconds of rest.
4) 17 push ups
Immediately stand up and do 45 seconds of jumping jacks (or) 30 seconds of jumping jacks with 15 seconds of rest.
5) 16 push ups
Immediately stand up and do 45 seconds of jumping jacks (or) 30 seconds of jumping jacks with 15 seconds of rest.
For new fitness enthusiasts, start here:
6) 15 push ups
Immediately stand up and do 45 seconds of jumping jacks (or) 30 seconds of jumping jacks with 15 seconds of rest.
7) 14 push ups
Immediately stand up and do 45 seconds of jumping jacks (or) 30 seconds of jumping jacks with 15 seconds of rest.
8) 13 push ups
Immediately stand up and do 45 seconds of jumping jacks (or) 30 seconds of jumping jacks with 15 seconds of rest.

...continue on doing 12, 11, 10, 9, 8 and so on until you reach 1 push up. Remember to keep the jumping jacks in between. This will get your heart rate up, nuke stored body fat and also help move the blood around in the body helping speed up recovery so you will be able to crush your next set up push ups.

BONUS!!! Admittedly, this is my favorite set. This is the set where you blast through stubborn plateaus. When you are done with the Pushup Pyramid get down and ready to dominate the bonus round. This is how to preform it - it is easy! Simply do as many push ups in a row as you can until you literally cannot push yourself up off the ground. When you are finished with the bonus round you should have to roll over and sit up because your arms will not let you press yourself up.

Let me know in the comment section below how this workout worked for you. How did it feel? Was it difficult? Was it easy? Have you ever done something like this? Would you be interested in trying out more of my workouts?

Friday, March 29, 2013

3x10min Cardio Work Out

The most common reason people don't like cardio is because it is boring. Is cardio really boring or is your routine boring?

Cardio doesn't have to be boring. Make it fun and challenging

I designed the 10x10x10 work out to keep your mind working and effort high. It's simple - read on.

First start on an arc trainer. You will use this for 10 minutes. Start at a low to moderate resistance for 2-3 minutes, then slowly increase the resistance by one or two notches every 90 seconds until the 10 minutes is up. Your heart rate should be up and you should feels drops of sweat forming on your skin. If not, you need to put in more effort.


Once you've finished on the arc trainer, have a small sip of water and immediately switch to the stair master.  Do not rest. Use this machine for 10 minutes. Start at a mid level pace and increase the level by one or two every 90 seconds. Be aware that this machine will kick your butt! Slowly build the step speed until the 10 minutes is up. Your breathing patterns and heart rate should have changed substantially from when you first started your work out on the arc trainer. If not, you're not working hard enough.


Once you've completed the 10 minutes on the stair master, have a small sip of water then immediately switch to the rowing machine. Start rowing for 10 minutes. When the 10 minutes is up you should be covered in sweat. If not, you didn't work hard enough.



Keep in mind that the cardio machines I suggested above are just examples and you can switch them out for any of your favorite cardio machines. Remember to keep it fun, work hard and be consistent. If you don't know how to use a piece of equipment at the gym don't be afraid to ask me in the comment box below or ask one of the trainers on the floor. Don't be shy!

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Model Body Ab Work Out


WARNING!!!! THIS WORK OUT WILL GET YOU INTO THE BEST SHAPE OF YOUR LIFE!!!!

WARM UP:
10 minutes / low to moderate resistance at 80% effort 
(Use the elliptical!!!)


NOTE: IF YOU CANNOT REACH THE 
SUGGESTED NUMBER OF REPS, 
GO TIL YOU'RE CLOSE TO FAILURE.

CHEST/TRICEPS WORK OUT:
(TYPE OF EXERCISE - REPS) 

REGULAR PUSH UPS - 20
DIPS - 20
(45 JUMPING JACKS)
INCLINE PUSH UPS - 20
CABLE PULL DOWNS - 15
(60 JUMPING JACKS)
DECLINE PUSH UPS - 20
TRICEPS KICK BACKS - 10
(60 JUMPING JACKS)

REPEAT THIS WORK OUT EXACTLY AS IT IS WRITTEN OUT 3 TIMES BEFORE TAKING ANY RESTS. AT NO POINT BETWEEN ANY PART OF THIS WORK OUT SHOULD YOU BE IN A RESTING STATE FOR MORE THAN 8 SECONDS. INSTEAD OF RESTING, WE DO JUMPING JACKS!!!!!! THANK ME LATER.

AB WORK OUT:
(TYPE OF EXERCISE - REPS)

BALL CRUNCHES - 20
BALL TWIST - 20

!!!!!DECLINE MEDICINE BALL WORK OUT!!!!!!
!!!!!!USE PARTNER FOR BEST RESULTS!!!!!!!

BALL CRUNCHES - 20
BALL TRUNK TWIST - 20
CABLE WOOD CHOPS - 10
HANGING LEG RAISE - 10
BALL CRUNCHES - 20
BALL TRUNK TWIST - 20
FLAT-BACK LEG RAISES - 20
BALL CRUNCHES - 20
BALL TRUNK TWIST - 20

COOL DOWN:
TREADMIL CLIMB - 25 MINUTE WALK UP HILL AT 3.6 MPH AT A 5.0% GRADE.

STRETCH PERIOD:
10 TO 15 MINUTES THOROUGHLY STRETCHING OUT YOUR ENTIRE BODY.