Shaking My Head

“Hey man, are you doing a Crossfit workout?”

Insert annoyed look.  “NO!”

It never fails.  At least once a week someone in the gym will associate my workouts with Crossfit.  “You doin’ another Crossfit today?”  “Hey will you put together one of your Crossfit workouts for me?”  “How long have you been doing Crossfit?”  This annoys the absolute shit out of me.  It’s not so much that I have an issue with CF, as much as I do with the knowledge, or lack thereof, that most people have regarding this type of workout.  Let me explain.

The concept behind CF is relatively simple.  It’s circuit training with a few of their own unique twists and tweaks.  Guess what, people??  Circuit training has been around for DECADES!!!  It’s not a new concept.  People have been doing CF exercises (minus the rope climb and their GOD AWFUL excuse for a pullup) for years.  What really gets under my skin is when somebody sees me doing a circuit of my own, breaking a sweat and breathing hard, they automatically assume I’m doing CF.  Let me be clear… Crossfit is circuit training, but not all circuit training is Crossfit.

Now, I love circuit training.  I think it’s the most efficient way to workout in terms of strength and stamina.  But don’t get it twisted.  I’m not one of those “Crossfitters” who is blind to every other form of exercise.  And I’m damn sure not paying over 120 bucks a month to do something I can come up with on my own.  I could write on this topic for a long time, and probably will soon, but just trust me for now… Every time someone asks me about Crossfit, and whether of not I do it, I’m left Shaking My Head.

 

Hump Day Motivation

Don’t let the nasty weather get you down.  Get out there and make the most of your favorite day of the week – Hump Day

Workout of the Week

It’s about 12:30 as I sit down to write this post.  So, in honor of that (it’s a very special time of day for me), I’m giving you guys 12 exercises to do.  You’re going to do 30 repetitions of each exercises.  For bilateral exercises (lunges, mountain climber, etc), complete 30 repetitions for EACH SIDE.

1. Split Squat Jump
2. Crossover
3. Tricep Dip
4. Squat Jump
5. Bicycle Situp
6. Burpee
7. V-Up
8. Reverse Lunge w/ Knee Up
9. Situp Jack Knife
10. Pushup
11. Body Weight Squat
12. Mountain Climber

As always, go through as quickly as possible while keeping CORRECT form on all exercises.  Rest when needed.

Monday’s Motivation

Plain and Simple.

Shaking My Head

“Do you know of any good books to read while I’m working out?”

Umm… Excuse me, WHAT?!?!?  You want to do what while you what???  I don’t think you quite understand what the term “working out” really means if you think you can read while doing it.  So let me be clear:  WORKING OUT AND READING ARE ANTONYMS.  For all of you non-scholarly types out there, that means OPPOSITE.  They are not one in the same.  They go together about as good as Ryan Seacrest showing up at a biker rally.  It just doesn’t work.  If you’re silly enough to think you can really read and workout at the same time, then I’ve got some oceanfront property in Idaho I’d like to sell you.

Now, I can’t necessarily take credit for this entry.  It was given to me by a friend.  In all honesty, I believe it has never crossed my mind because everyone that knows me knows that this would be my reaction.  It seriously upsets me that some people are dumb enough to think they can accomplish both at the same time.  Reading is for the couch.  You can do a lot of things on the couch.  But I’m sorry, friends, working out is just not one of those things.

Like I said, this question has never been asked to me directly.  People know better.  Nevertheless, this one is a head-scratcher, and has left me annoyingly Shaking My Head.

Fitness News and Views of the Week

For your reading enjoyment while avoiding the real world….

• Think eating high protein diets will prevent weight gain?  Think again… It doesn’t always have to be complicated.  Sometimes it is as simple as calories in verses calories out.

• Anyone who has eaten with or near me lately knows that I am on a sweet potato kick right now.  So, if you’re like me, you will appreciate this sweet potato fry recipe.  The good thing about these??? They’re baked as opposed to fries.  Now, sweet potatoes aren’t the absolute healthiest thing you can eat, but they are better than some alternatives.  And hey, you’ve gotta enjoy a few things in life, right???

• Think sleep is over-rated???  Well, your fat cells may disagree.  GET YOUR 8 HOURS!!

• Wanting to pack on some muscle??  Or just have a healthy meal to get some protein into your system??  Check out these protein-packed recipes to get your fix.

That’s all for this week.  Now back to your procrastination…

 

Hump Day Motivation

We all have bad days every once in a while.  That’s life.  The key is to not let one bad day turn into one bad week.  Let your successes and failures be short-lived, and move on to the next challenge.

Workout of the Week

They’re back!!! PYRAMIDS!!!! We haven’t done them in a while, and I know you’ve all missed them.  So worry no more, friends, they’re back in full force this week…

• 10 Tuck Jumps
• 20 V-Ups
• 30 Pushups
• 40 Lunges (20 Each Leg)
• 50 Bicycle Situps (25 Each Way)
• 40 Lunges (20 Each Leg)
• 30 Pushups
• 20 V-Ups
• 10 Tuck Jumps

Rest 2-3 Minutes.  Repeat 1-2 more times for a total of 2-3 pyramids.

* Tuck Jumps – Very similar to a squat jump.  Squat down, jump up.  This time, bring or “tuck” your knees into your chest on the way up.  Act like you are trying to jump over a hurdle.  Go through them as quickly as possible.

Monday’s Motivation

If you are going to be good at anything in life, exercise or not, you’ve got to be passionate..

BodyFIT Weekend Workout

This is a timed workout including 4 body weight exercises.  Your 4 exercises and repetitions are:

1. Burpees – 10
2. Pushups – 25
3. Situps – 50
4. Squats – 100

Here’s what you’re going to do.  Go through the exercises however you want, just get the prescribed reps.  Go as fast as you can, and time yourself.  Then, rest for 2 minutes.  Next, go through all 4 exercises again, timing yourself.  Try to at least match your time from the first round.