Jump Ropes - buyjumpropes.net REVIEW

Those of you who follow the site or know me personally know that the events and programming that I run continue to evolve.  The mindset has stayed more or less the same but the personnel, location, size, resources and gear have continued to grow and gotten better.

I am not a huge advocate of Crossfit.  That is not to say that I have anything against Crossfit or those that participate/compete in it.  Now, before the site explodes with negativity, give me a moment to explain.  I am an advocate of fitness.....fitness.  Not as a specific entity or type.  Rather, I embrace anything that works and is safe for those looking to create the best version of themselves.

Crossfit has billed itself as "fitness".  I think that is a little elitist and limits the scope of what fitness can be for anyone looking.  Again, it takes all types and all (yes, all) of the crossfitters I have met are salt of the earth types who want nothing more than to share their passion for their sport and to generate interest in the goal of being the best version of ourselves that we can be.  I love the lifestyle and the culture.

Now, on to why I bring up crossfit.  Crossfit has had a couple of "side effects".  As a trainer, a pretty good one I thought, I find new and creative ways to motivate my clients and make them sweat.  In the past, this would often require a change in mindset or what was possible.  Even more often the gear or modalities that I wanted to use were non-existant and had to be created (see: made) by myself or those with talent (if I could coerce them).  This was less than ideal.  Sometimes the gear was great, sometimes it broke, sometimes it was a little scary (I remember a funny story of my administrator calling me into his office because my students were trying to deadlift the back of my truck with a collar they had made for the tow attachment...my poor, poor pickup truck).  Either way, the industry that supports the fitness industry didn't exist, or wasn't equipped, to adapt or create the gear we needed to be successful.  Enter crossfit and it's best "side effect".  There has been an exponential growth in the equipment, apparel, and locations needed to achieve better results.

Exhibit "A" - the Skipping Rope.

This was usually a plastic or leather affair that would not fit, would break or would brand you with it's use.  The technology was simple.  Length of plastic/leather held inside two other handle pieces of plastic/wood.  In short, it got the job done but, it wasn't worth the maintenance and cost of replacing them became quite high with how often they were replaced.
In fairness, I basically cut skipping from most of my training programs.  The gear was outmoded and wasn't worth carrying around.  Years later, and years ago, I went to the Nike Basketball Academy conference in Las Vegas and came across a vendor who was selling...skipping ropes.  Toting them as the newest and greatest advancement in cardiovascular and footwork coordination.  Fighters (boxers, MMA, Martial Arts) everywhere laughed or rolled in their graves.  This wasn't news and it certainly wasn't rocket science.  This is common practice for most, if not all, combative programs and a consistent training tool used by most fitness individuals focused on footwork, coordination, speed and cardiovascular fitness.
Enter the new breed of Skipping Rope crafters/creators.

Buyjumpropes.net

I contacted Matt from buyjumpropes.net to ask his advice and to also find out some fundamental questions about this new breed of ropes/equipment.  Matt is a 23 year PE teaching veteran and a 10 year competitive jump rope coach.  The company that he stands behind is a family affair.
Matt's company is the originator of probably the greatest advancement in jump rope technology.  The 90 degree angle that the cable leaves the handle at.  This minor change in technology has had a quantum leap in the bio feedback of the rope and the ergonomics created to make a more seemless fitness experience.  Matt's reason for creating a "new" technology hit to the main crux of the skipping rope issue; he didn't want it to break.
After this technological improvement his company's focus was to "Provide the competitive community with the best possible jump ropes at low pricing.  If our ropes were being used, and they were, by the best jumpers in the work, then they are certainly good enough for the rest of us."

Light weight handles, custom options for both cables and colors, as well as branding opportunities rounded out the new ropes.

Matt was kind enough to send out two of the Elite Surge Crossfit Jump Rope: http://www.buyjumpropes.net/elite-surge-jump-rope/

High-End Workout & CrossFit Speed Rope
Our top-of-the-line speed rope, made specifically for CrossFit athletes who want the best for speed and double-unders. The patented ball bearing system makes it the most efficient jump rope on the market. Ball bearings have been placed just above and below the insert of the cable giving an incredible feel of balance while jumping. Competitive jumpers are doing an amazing seven jumps a second with the Elite Surge.
Machine cut aluminum handles with a specially designed foam grip makes this a tough and durable rope. We are so sure about its durability that we have given these handles a two year warranty. The rope is amazingly light at only 5 oz, which translates into less arm fatigue. A key feature: easily switch out cables of different weights and lengths.
A favorite of fitness centers and fitness retailers.
Accepts 5 Types of Cords/Cables

1. 3/32" Nylon coated - general speed and double under use. (7 assorted colors)
2. Bare cable - for competition use.
3. White coated cable - heavier for those who need to feel the weight of the cable.
4. PVC Cord - for beginners
5. Outdoor Heavy Cable - For use outdoors on abrasive surfaces.

Cords/Cables Descriptions
When ordering cable for your jump ropes, always make sure it is USA made cable. Cable made overseas is coated with poor quality materials.
1. 3/32" nylon coated - This is the most common type of cable used in doing double unders for CrossFit users. It is also commonly used in competition speed jumping. We use a tough nylon cord that is kink resistant, but should only be used indoors. Comes in an assortment of colors. Recommended for those that are experienced jumpers.
2. Bare Cable - The fastest cable. Used in speed and double under competitions. Very light and cuts through the air with ease. It has no coating, however, and can wear out quickly.
3. White coated Cable - This is a beginners/intermediate cable that can be used for those who want to feel the weight of the cable. 1/8" cable with white nylon coating.
4. PVC Cord - A beginners cord that has good weight and is forgiving. 5mm solid core PVC. Can be used indoors or outdoors.
5. Outdoor Heavy Cable - Our toughest cable. Heavily coated in nylon to take a beating on concrete surfaces. It will eventually wear out, but will last longer than any other cable on the market. 3mm Black cable.
Product Features

• Scientifically patented designed head provides optimum turning momentum.
• 2 year warranty on high grade aluminum handles.
• Handles specially designed for comfort and control. Comes with foam grip.
• Comes with a choice of 10' USA made nylon-coated cable or PVC cord. Jump rope assembled in the USA!
• Easy to change lengths with Philips head adjustable screw/collar. Holds more secure than thumb tightend screws.
• Very popular CrossFit rope for double unders and speed jumping.
• Stock length is long enough for athletes 6' 6". (Using proper form.)
• We recommend using the Jump Rope Fitness Mat if jumping outdoors with non-outdoor cables. (Another outdoor option is to use the Boxers Training Jump Rope with PVC cord.)

With similar CrossFit jump rope systems, the customer must know exactly what length to buy. If they get it wrong, they are stuck with an extremely overpriced rope. With our system, you can make the size of the cable perfect for your height.

The Science Behind the Rope
A jumper is trying to produce rotation in the handle's axle. He does this by moving the handle in a circular motion with the cable trailing behind. This puts tension on the cable creating the centripetal force that causes it to rotate around the handle.
This motion permits the jumper to move her hands in more of a reciprocating (up and down) motion rather than a circular motion by implementing theories of a crank mechanism. This causes less fatigue, produces faster rotation, and allows the jumper to maintain a more consistent speed. It is likened to maintaining a consistent pace in a reciprocating motion (like drumming) is easier than while in a circular motion.
The advantage to having two bearings is that it handles the axial load much more efficiently. With 1 bearing, there is the addition of detrimental axial torque. The added axial torque on the bearing will cause it to wear out faster, and adds friction so it spins less freely (by canting the inner race). Radial bearings are not designed with axial torque in mind. It is assumed that they will take only axial load and/or thrust load. A one bearing design, would at least need to have the addition of a bushing at the other end of the axle to prevent axial torque on the front bearing.
The two bearings surround the cable. One on top and the other below. This gives an incredible balanced feeling as you turn. Overall, the design makes the handle to be very rigid and feel 'solid' in your hand as opposed to the feeling of stress and torque you may feel in another design. We believe there are very few, if any, changes that could be made to the design of this rope that could reduce friction any more than it already does.

Sizing
Comes with a 10 foot cable. One size fits most (will fit anybody up to 6' 6" tall). Resize for your purposes according to our sizing guide. Cut off the extra cord after adjusting the cord with the adjustable screw/collar system.

 
One with a bare cable.  Their fastest option for competition.  The other has a multi use coated cable for all purpose training.
I then got these ropes out to a variety of athletes from Junior Hockey players, Crossfitters, Law Enforcement personnel, weekend warriors, and even to a competitive Olympic athlete.  My instructions to them was simple.  Train with the ropes and put them through the ringer.  Each athlete had the rope for a month.  A complete copy of their reviews with photos will be posted in a future post along with my personal review of the ropes.

The responses ranged from "Wow, that's fast" to "Super durable...not a mark on it." to "Ah...I lost it...you didn't want it back did you...kidding." (Bloggers note, when it's really good gear, try to leave it with the athlete after testing)

When I spoke to all of the individuals involved their echoed a common sentiment.  This wasn't their parent's skipping rope and showed where technology can advance to adapt to new fitness modalities and goals.

Both ropes came through the testing with a minimum of wear.  The recommendation in the site's section (in blue above) in regards to the use of the coated cables on an outdoor surface are bang on and some wear on the cables is the only real damage done to the ropes with the exception of fading of the logo on the padded handles.

From the people at Buyjumpropes.net their message is simple.  "You are buying a jump rope from an expert in the field and we care about the customer.  We travel all over to get feedback on how to improve."

All in all, an amazing product at a price point that shows the commitment that Matt, and his family, have in producing top quality ropes.  If you haven't tried these yet, get to the site and order yourself one.  Doesn't hurt that they look pretty cool too!!!

Training Log - October 13, 2014

Shoulders/ Chest/ Triceps
(Nothing crazy, just a basic workout to get back into it)

Warm Up - Stationary Bike (alternating levels)

Bench Press (Descending ladder)
1 set @ 10 reps - 185
3 sets @ 5 reps - 225
2 sets @ 6 reps - 205
1 set @ Failure - 135

Incline Bench Press (Pyramid)
2 sets @ 10 reps - 185
1 set @ 6 reps - 205
2 sets @ 10 reps - 185

Incline Dumbell Chest Press
3 sets @ 8-10 reps - 80/side

Flat Bench Dumbell Chest Press
3 sets @ 6-8 reps - 80, 75, 65

Dumbell Push Ups (Hyper Extension of Chest)
3 sets @ failure

Seated Shoulder Press
3 sets @ 8-10 reps - 65

Lateral Raise
3 sets @ 10 reps - 35

Anterior Raise
3 sets @ 10 reps - 30

Toro (Isolation Lateral Raise)
3 sets @ 10-15 reps/side - 22.5

Tricep Rope Press Down
5 sets @ 8-10 reps - 65, 65, 60, 60, 55

Tricep Overhead Rope Extensions
5 sets @ 10-12 reps - 70, 70, 65, 65, 60

Tricep Bar Press Down
5 sets @ 8 reps - 65, 65, 60, 60, 55

"Y" Tricep Press Down
3 sets @ failure - 60, 55, 50

Cool Down with a 15 minute Cybex Row or 5 Km row....whichever comes first!!

Cross Training Short 2.0

I want to briefly discuss the new Cross Training Short 2.0.  I plan on doing a much more detailed review once I have used them for multiple hard sessions in a variety of fitness modalities.

I own multiple pairs of the 1.0 Board shorts that I am very happy with.  Recently though, I added a pair of the 2.0’s to add some variety, and I liked the black on black Stealth look.

They are a tremendous addition to the gear lineup.  HYLETE has always done a stellar job of listening to their customers.  The main changes have been the removal of the Velcro front fly, pockets and a slight change in length/sizing.  I have come to count on the little wiggle room that I got from the Velcro front fly and was a little concerned that I would be shimmying into these new shorts as they don’t have that extra gap.  This has not been the case.  The shorts fit true to size.  In truth, they fit like a glove.  They also fit about a half inch shorter in the leg length.  They have also replaced the Velcro pockets with two zipper pockets.  The logo is much more distinct and looks sharp with the color choices but also in the stealth black on black.

All in all they are a pretty sharp all around package.

I have recently worn them to the gym (weights and cardio), in the lake, on a wake surfboard and tube, back in the lake, and then off for a run.  Versatile and gets the job more than done.

HYLETE Support

Well, it’s been a pretty incredible first half of the summer filled with training, time spent with my family, and our long vacation to the lake.  I have been very lucky this summer to have the warmth of an incredible vacation spot and the support of an understanding wife for my training and competition goals.  Support is hard to come by sometimes.  It can take many forms.  It can be colleagues or teammates, family, friends, the athletic community or possibly a company that you have come to rely on to make great gear at a reasonable price.

It’s no secret that I thoroughly enjoy HYLETE products and that I personally feel that they have the best people working for them. (Makes me want to look for employment at Solano Beach)

I am also a member of the Train Team, although I could do a lot more to contribute to that facet of my relationship with HYLETE.  This though in no way alters or affects my judgement of HYLETE, their gear or their people.  I'm not the HYLETE poster child and I do wear other gear, from other companies.  I can make an educated choice and I hope to help others make educated choices on their gear and the hard earned money that they spend on it.

I have been in the industry long enough to have a clear head, and a sense of responsibility, to my readers to give them the best information possible.

This all leads to support.  HYLETE looks after their customers.  To not put too fine a point on it.  You have a problem….they will fix it.  You have a suggestion for them….they will listen and move forward.  You want the best gear you can get at a cost that makes sense….they are your place to go.  You want an unheard of backing of TWO years on their gear….it’s only here.

Contact customer service….you get Abbe, the Brand Experience Manager, who works with you to resolve any issues you may have. 

Custom gear for events/gyms/competitions….you get Jon who knows his stuff, knows all about their products and is the mover and shaker to get it done.  He moved heaven and earth to get a logo done for a youth event that I organize.  Well above the call of duty.

Event Promotion and Athlete contact….you get Jenn who is a social media savant and takes care of the athletes with the best gear.

I am excited to see what HYLETE has coming up in the future.

Badass Wod Wear - Interview with Manda Freyman

Recently I had the unique opportunity to speak with Manda Freyman, one half of the dynamic duo that makes up the founders of Badass Wod Wear.  She represents the best of a new breed of Canadian athletes that are driving innovation, style and a little bit of edge.  The brand is purebred Canadian with a mandate of supporting sport, fitness and the athletes that drive them...regardless of the brand they wear or where they call home.

Manda was very upbeat when I interviewed her and you could hear the passion when she spoke about the sport she loves and the brand she has built.  She spoke of her time developing her love of the sport of Crossfit as well as the competitive nature it continued to foster in her as a long time athlete.  She was very forthright with the direction that they want the brand to go in and the deep attachment they have to community and community development.  Manda, and Badass, recognized that many incredible Canadian athletes go unnoticed, unsponsored and lack the support from the community to take their sport to the next level.  To this end, Badass Wod Wear infuses the Crossfit community with 25% of their revenue.  Badass Wod Wear's mandate is support Canadian athletes and the community as it moves forward in it's growth.

One of the biggest things that got me fired up to do the piece on Manda, and Badass, were the parallels that exist.  Manda, and the people at Badass, and I both have similar goals when it comes to fitness.  Fitness for life is bigger than an individual or particular sport, but you have to be willing to see the individual's needs as well and address the "tree for the forest".  Manda is driven by the potential in all of us.  This potential will see the next great athletes in the sport rise from virtual obscurity to the eventual pinnicle of their human capability.  Fitness is unique in that anyone, anywhere can challenge themselves and others to be the absolute best that they can.

We are both the marble and the artist.

Badass was started for the people that they would build and design gear for.  The people, as Manda explained, "immediately feel that something is different and it's interesting to watch the transformation when new people settle into Crossfit and it's community."  Badass Wod Wear is a company that "embraced the same virtues that Crossfit instills in it's members."

Badass Wod Wear has a brand as unique as those who run it.  #REP THE BEAVER is their motto, their motivation and their rallying call for others with similar interests and competitive natures.  They are proudly Canadian and their brand logos and clothing designs reflect that proud heritage.  Upon visiting their site you are inundated with the Canadian national animal in all of it's glory.  The gear is meant to be as tough as the people who wear it and to stand up to whatever WOD, workout or adventure the wearer could put it through.  The customers are the "face" of the company and the company strives to have a human element in their brand.

When it comes to Social Media, Bad Ass is no slouch.  Manda describes their social media work as a "party".  "When you're at a party you need to keep it going and keep it interesting to keep people involved.  You have to keep the conversation going."  Badass accomplished this goal in spades by being a vendor at the 2014 Crossfit Games and being a hugely visible presence within their social media community.  Athlete interaction and a who's who of those in the sport made regular appearances on all of their social media platforms.  Each and every time they continued to #REPTHEBEAVER with their innovative logo and variety of gear options.

The future looks very bright for Badass.  From the creation of their "Super Jocks" competition, where they will challenge sponsored athletes to compete for their sponsor with the goal of generating funding for a charity of their choosing to collaborations with top Canadian athletes, and other fitness brands, the only way for Badass to go is up.  The brand, like the athletes it supports, will continue to evolve.

www.badasswodwear.ca

When I asked her what people should know about the brand she got directly to the point.
"This is only the beginning for Badass, our clothing will continue to evolve as the brand does and know this; the face of Badass is like Crossfit in Canada in it's infancy.  We have some exciting new designs and evolutions of the beaver that will be coming out early fall with the collaboration with some great Canadian artists.

Summer Series (Part One)

Each series is done for four compound sets of both exercise groups.  Very standardized exercises.  Program is just there  to get it done and allow you to move on to other summer activities.

Thursday - Bicep & Shoulder Day
1. Bicep Rotation Curl & Isolation Lateral Raise
2. Bicep Hammer Curl & Anterior Raise
3. Cross Curl & Shoulder Press
4. Concentration Curl & Arnold Press
5. Alternating Curls & Shrugs (TO FAILURE)

Friday - Lake Swim, with repeat diving to 20 ft, and a tread water finish

Saturday - Tricep & Shoulder Day
1. Tricep Kickback & Lateral Raise
2. Tricep Overhead Extension & Anterior Raise
3. Band Press Down & Anterior Alternating Raise
4. Double Overhead Press & Lean Flyes
5. Band Press Over & Shoulder Presses (TO FAILURE)

Sunday - Stand Up Paddle Boarding with dock to dock lane swims (40m)

Enjoy the summer and have fun!!!

Hylete Training Shorts going from training to treading.  Use code: WARMACHINE25 to save on your next purchase from www.hylete.com

Obstacle Course Race Training Series - #1

Welcome to an Alberta Summer.  What that means to the uninitiated is that summer has just arrived (better late than never).  The weather is finally with us and it's time to put it to good use.  As a result, I will be capping off a series of posts with exercises or combinations that will help you attain your personal goals in the Obstacle Course race of yours choosing.
First off, for those of you that are new to obstacle course racing or OCR, welcome!!  It is a blast and a lot of fun whether you take yourself seriously or not.

The purpose of OCR races is to test you in a non-linear race environment.  In other words, kiss the road, trail or treadmill behind.  You will be faced with a variety of challenges that will test your endurance, your strength, your mental toughness and your "ick" factor.  My brother, who is a bit of a princess, will be going through his first race this season and I really hope he wears his nice shoes.
As a result, we need to train in some non-linear ways.  Cardio is a must.  You need to be able to run successfully at some type of distance.  Whether that is 5k or greater is up to you.  Most races start at around 5k, or 3 Mi, and go up from there.  However, if a 5K seems daunting to you, you need to remember that the obstacles will provide a bit of respite from the running portions.  Not that they are sunshine and roses.  I am not a runner...at all.  Running gives me hives and a perpetual feeling of failure.  However, I love OCR races because it's not all about the running.
Training
1. Running.  
This is a three (3) week series so we need to get rolling.  You need to build your run capacity.  Start with a series of run/walks.  Run for one minute, walk for one minute.  Then run for two minutes, walk for two minutes. Progressing to run for two minutes, walk for one minute...you get the idea.  Set a realistic goal that challenges you and go from there.  Don't worry about anyone else or there times.  Worry about you.  I had a buddy that did one of these with me a few years back and beat me by three minutes.  It didn't matter that I had run my first race and put in a good time.  It didn't matter that I gave it my all and that we ran in different heats.  I let that three minutes consume me and it really hurt my memory of that first race.

2. Getting down and Getting up.  
This is probably going to be the most ridiculous thing I will ever post but it does have value.  People are crap at falling down.  We are.  As kids we do it all the time.  We wipe out, we pick ourselves up as fast as we can and we keep on going.  Elapsed time...nothing.  Or we go down, take a moment to collect ourselves, contemplate the inner meaning of the GI Joe cartoon we watched that morning and off we go.  Elapsed time...2 seconds.  As adults, we suck.  We fall down, get our bearings, do a damage check, do a wardrobe check, see if anyone saw it, address it if someone saw it, establish an effort factor to getting back up, get back up, shake it off, make sure our clothing is still in place, then set off again.  Elapsed time...A LOT!!
So, fall down, get back up and fall down again.  Practice the following.  From a standing position, squat low, lower or fall to your butt, roll down your spine to your shoulder blades.  Roll yourself over onto all fours, get your feet under you and stand back up in an active stance.  Then do it all over again.  It will help you get a feel for your body and the numerous times you are going to have to pick yourself up.

3.  Fencing.
You're thinking Antonio Banderas in tight pants, a sexy mask/mustache combo, and a sword.  I'm thinking of the thing you have to stain every few years unless it's pressure treated, cedar or chain link.  Every OCR worth it's salt has at least one, if not many, climb over obstacles.  These can be A Frames, Walls, Cargo Nets, Bars or any other variation.  The result is the same.  You have to go over it.  You should be comfortable doing so.  You should have the basic technique down so that you can avoid the following pitfalls.
A) Inappropriate behavior on a wall.  That's right...you.  We saw what you did to that wall as you shimmied, shook and basically looked like a love starved wildebeast.  Somewhere, someone has that on a phone and is uploading it to youtube.
B) Sad Struggle. Your butt has just taken on the gravitational pull of a mini black hole.  Your arms are doing everything they can just to keep you hanging on while the rest of you has resigned itself to a slow and drawn out fall.  So there you hang.
C) The Crusher.  More typical of boys but definitely a gender equal opportunity activity.  This is usually done by the gung ho first timer that launches up the wall, breaches the summit in mid leap, throws one leg over to signal the return from your lofty visit to the top, only to come crunching down on the top of the 2x4/pipe/cable/bar that makes the top of the obstacle.  This is usually followed by a sense of dread, nausea and a responsibility that you have abandoned to your future progeny.
The training for this is simple.  Find a fence, your fence...not a stranger's.  Then climb it.  Get over to the other side and repeat as often as possible.  You will be amazed at your strength gains, your body awareness and your agility.

Muddy Times!!!!