Gear and Supplement Reviews

As the blog and my investment (time and energy) has grown I have found that I am fielding more questions about not only the training programs but also the gear and nutritional supplements that I use along with it.  So, with that in mind, I present "Evolution".

Evolution

As fitness has continued to evolve there has been a massive shift in multiple facets of the “life style”.  Everything from the experiences available, the inclusion of individuals from all walks of life, the explosion of various equipment options and also the gear/clothing that is available to athletes.  All of these things coalesce into giving individuals the best opportunity for success.  Success being measured as a benchmark, or finish line, that is as varied as the people working towards them.  That each and every person has to work to their potential and beyond is just another part of the equation.

In future posts I am going to go into all of these items to give you a high energy, yet unbiased approach to the experiences, inclusion, equipment and gear available in an ever evolving life style.

I have been lucky enough to meet with a group of passionate people that are willing to share and discuss not only their part in fitness and being active, but also their brands and their drive.

I hope that you find the information to be valuable to you and I look forward to any questions, or insight, that you may have.

M

It's in my Nature.

There is a fable about a Scorpion and a Frog.  

It goes like this:

A Scorpion and a Frog meet on the bank of a stream and the

Scorpion asks the Frog to carry him across on its back.
 
The Frog asks, "How do I know you won't sting me?"
The Scorpion says, "Because if I do, I will die too."

The Frog is satisfied, and they set out, but in midstream,

the Scorpion stings the Frog.
The Frog feels the onset of paralysis and starts to sink, knowing they both will drown, but has just enough time to gasp "Why?"

Replies the Scorpion: "It’s my nature..."

This fable has followed me around for years.  It has been a ladder, an anchor and everything in between.  This is not to be confused with “fate”.  However, fate is influenced by our nature.  A dog may never bite you, but that does not mean it is not in it’s nature.

We all have a nature. Hero, Villain, Victor, Defeated, Aggressive, Passive…we all have a nature.  That nature though is not positive or negative, it’s both.

“There are two dogs fighting in everyone, one good and one evil.  The one who wins is the one you feed the most.”

I have a capacity for light and a capacity for darkness.  We all do.  It impacts and alters our experiences and the relationships that we forge with others.  A tongue in cheek quote that I found for this piece was “I’m trying to find someone whose demons play well with mine.”

In work, our nature motivates our team or strikes out on our own.  At home, our nature encourages our children and fiercely protects our family.  In sport, our nature bonds us to our teammates and drives us to greater heights.  In life, it determines who are the sheep, the sheepdogs and the wolves.

Our nature evolves as we evolve.  There is not only light and dark, the spectrum is not that simple.  I have been told that I “have a capacity that others do not”, I hope that’s true.  I plan to challenge my nature and my capacity, to fully realize what I am capable of.

I challenge you to do the same.

M

HYLETE

 

Recently, I have had the enormous good fortune of being introduced to an innovative and dedicated cross-training apparel company called HYLETE (Hi-LETE).

I first heard of HYLETE when doing research into Cross-Fit for a youth fitness competition that I put together the last two years.  Their name continued to pop up for events and when athletes described their ideal combination of fit, material, feel and technology.

I researched the company and found that their creed and vision was very similar to the one that I used with my athletes and with the foundation that I was building with them.  I contacted HYLETE about possibly being a part of the event with either technology discussions or event sponsorship.  After a little while I got an energetic reply from Jon who discussed, in detail, my program and event as well as HYLETE and their vision.  We found common ground and HYLETE became a part of the THERMOPYLAE 3K event this fall and the following spring.  His enthusiasm and the enthusiasm of his peers at HYLETE is infectious and is proof of their cutting edge apparel and unmatched customer service.  I have also been in contact with Abbe who has been incredible with some of the HYLETE event details.

Through our talks I also became involved with HYLETE on their Train Team.

I ordered my first shipment to Canada and was impressed with the expediency of the delivery as well as the quality of the gear (which I will go into greater detail with in a Review Post).

If you are new to Cross-Training, Crossfit or Performance apparel you are confronted with basically three options when it comes to functional training clothing: Nike, Adidas, Reebok.  What's missing is a genuine attention to detail (what athletes want) and customer service by athletes for athletes.  Don't get me wrong.  I own plenty of apparel from the big three, but I am always feeling like I am reacting to changes in their brand or purchasing something that is close to what I want...not necessarily what I need.  HYLETE has shown through social media, their online store and within their customer service that they listen to their customers/athletes and respond accordingly.  This takes the shape as changes in their materials, cuts and options on their clothing.  Where else can you modify your shorts length to suit your body type or comfort level before you even order them?

All in all, HYLETE has shown that they are at the forefront of innovation and client needs.  The best materials, technology, comfort and cost for your money.

A brand that is for athletes...by athletes!!

Below I have included both their creed and vision (both directly off their site):

HYLETE'S creed:
train to push yourself both physically and mentally;
compete so as to improve yourself, as well as those around you;
and live to be healthy in mind, body, and soul.

train. compete. live.

HYLETE'S vision:

continuously create innovative, performance cross-training apparel that captures the spirit of the cross-training hybrid athlete.

Back Exercises - TRX High Row

TRX High Row

1. Place feet in a comfortable position.

2. Hands on Handles with wrists face into each other.

3. Keep a straight body with a neutral spine.

4. Full extension of arms but do not allow shoulders to rotate forward out of alignment.

5. Contract back muscles to retract shoulder blades back and together while pulling the body in a straight line towards hands.

6. Maintain neutral spine and neck relaxed.

7. Keep core muscles tight to maintain a straight body line.

8. Slowly release the shoulder blades by relaxing the back muscles

9. As you reach full extension in your arms continue to keep the core tight with a neutral spine.

10. Do not lock out elbows

11. Repeat to personal goal.

Back Exercises - TRX Low Row

TRX Low Row

                                                                                                    

1. Place feet in a comfortable position.

2. Hands on Handles with wrists face into each other.

3. Keep a straight body with a neutral spine.

4. Full extension of arms but do not allow shoulders to rotate forward out of alignment.

5. Contract back muscles to retract shoulder blades back and together while pulling the body in a straight line towards hands.

6. Maintain neutral spine and neck relaxed.

7. Keep core muscles tight to maintain a straight body line.

8. Slowly release the shoulder blades by relaxing the back muscles

9. As you reach full extension in your arms continue to keep the core tight with a neutral spine.

10. Do not lock out elbows

11. Repeat to personal goal.

Garage Workout #2

Garage Workout #2

-        Utilizing a series of equipment that I have accumulated, I created a training program that utilizes both the aerobic and anaerobic systems to develop the entire body.  Each program targets a broad spectrum of muscles groups and works to actively engage the large and small movers.  In addition, each program exploits one area above and beyond the others to encourage stress and change.

Equipment
- Gloves (work, bike, football…just something to protect your hands, more specifically your finger tips)
- Tractor Tire (free from a tire store, weight 80-150 pounds)
- Sledgehammer (8lbs)
- Medicine Ball (12lbs)
- Farmer Carry (some type of suspended weight like a dumbbell, milk crate, log)
- TRX Suspension System (or any other type of suspension type or rope)
- Bar with Weight
- Dumbsbell with Weight
- Heavy Bag
- Skipping Rope

Program
Tire Flip with Plyo Jump (50 ft)
- utilizing a squat lift with a wide base of support.

Sledgehammer Alternating (40 total)
- full extension with a full swing, let the hammer do the work at the end of motion.  Target is the tire.

Medicine Ball Slam (10 repetitions)
- Load ball up to chest, raise above head and slam against the ground. Repeat.

Walking Lunge (100 ft)
- Walk set distance with perfect form.

TRX Chest Press and Tricep Press (10 repetitions, each consecutive)
- Push up position for Chest press.  Keep upper arms locked and bend at elbows keeping core stable.

Overhead Dumbell Tricep Press (10-15 repetitions)
- Elbows in, core tight, press overhead.

Cross Bicep Curls (10-15 repetitions)
- Wrists facing in through entire range of motion, curl up and across chest and finish at collarbone, repeat.

Heavy Bag Throw with Mountain Climber (100 ft)
- Pick up heavy bag so that it is flat.  From low squat load heavy bag into a front squat position and press overhead while rising from squat, launch heavy bag in one motion.  Once heavy bag lands, complete 20 mountain climbers with hands on bag.

Skipping (100 rotations)

                  Each activity is done to repetition completion or distance completion. Repeat 2-3X

Garage Workout #1

Garage Workout #1

-        Utilizing a series of equipment that I have accumulated, I created a training program that utilizes both the aerobic and anaerobic systems to develop the entire body.  Each program targets a broad spectrum of muscles groups and works to actively engage the large and small movers.  In addition, each program exploits one area above and beyond the others to encourage stress and change.

Equipment
- Gloves (work, bike, football…just something to protect your hands, more specifically your finger tips)
- Tractor Tire (free from a tire store, weight 80-150 pounds)
- Sledgehammer (8lbs)
- Medicine Ball (12lbs)
- Farmer Carry (some type of suspended weight like a dumbbell, milk crate, log)
- TRX Suspension System (or any other type of suspension type or rope)
- Bar with Weight
- Dumbsbell with Weight
- Heavy Bag
- Skipping Rope

Program
Tire Flip (100 ft)
- utilizing a squat lift with a wide base of support.

Sledgehammer (10-20 per side, 20-40 total)
- full extension with a full swing, let the hammer do the work at the end of motion.  Target is the tire.

Reverse Medicine Ball Toss (10 repetitions)
- Squat load of a medicine ball, extended arms.  Anterior raise of medicine ball and toss up and over.

Farmer Carry with Lunge (100 ft)
- Walk set distance lunging every 10^th step.

TRX Row and Curl Combination – High Row, Low Row, Bicep Curl (10 repetitions, each consecutive)
- Wrists facing down to wrists facing in to wrists facing up with elbows high.

Bar Shoulder Press (10-15 repetitions)
- Elbows in, core tight, press overhead.

Hammer Curls (10-15 repetitions)
- Wrists facing in through entire range of motion.

Heavy Bag Pick Up to Squat to Press (100 ft)
- Pick up heavy bag so that it is flat.  From low squat load heavy bag into a front squat position and press overhead while rising from squat.

Skipping (100 rotations)

                  Each activity is done to repetition completion or distance completion.