Make Your Body Your Machine : training

It's Called "Work"-Out for a Reason

FitnessAnywhere — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:32:00 GMT

By Fraser Quelch

Do you want to see results from your training? Of course you do, or you wouldn’t be training. You probably have specific goals in mind that you’d like to achieve, whether it’s staying fit for duty, fit for sport, fit for life, or just looking good. But if you want to achieve the results you have in mind, whatever they are, you need to ask yourself whether you’re training hard enough to achieve those goals.

If you couldn’t make it through more than three runs when you were skiing or snowboarding last season and you want to develop the fitness to last all day, then you’re going to have to train smarter and harder then you did last year to achieve your goal. If you find yourself doubled over at the end of your weekly pickup basketball game and you want to be chomping at the bit until the final buzzer rings, you need to dial up the intensity when you’re training. Whatever your goal, your training needs to meet-or preferably exceed- the demands of your goal.

It's Only Natural

In nature, animals stay just as fit as they need to be in order to stay alive. If they did anything extra, they’d be wasting energy and resources on something that didn’t pay any dividends. The human body is no different. It will only become as fit as it needs to be in order to meet the demands you place upon it. ‘Training’ programs the body to be able to respond to higher and higher physical demands and levels of bodily stress. But if you don’t push yourself hard enough while training, your body won’t have the stimuli it needs to adapt and push you to the higher level of fitness you’d like to have in order to achieve your goals.

The body adapts to do what you do and the intensities you do it at. The same rule applies to weight loss. Many people falsely believe that the best way to lose weight is to train in the ‘fat burning zone,’ a pace at which you can easily carry on a conversation while exercising. Wrong. While the human body most efficiently burns fat as a percentage of overall caloric expenditure at this level of intensity, working out at high intensity level actually burns far more fat calories. Want to say adios to love handles? Then dial up the heat.

Achieving your fitness goals requires dedication, discipline, mental toughness, a willingness to reach beyond what’s comfortable - and a willingness to suffer. Embrace the idea of working very, very hard when it’s time to ignite the afterburners, and you’ll see great results!

Free TRX workout e-book!

Nathan McGee — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 21:40:00 GMT

If you are looking for Standup Paddle Surf training, well Jon Ham wrote the book... litterally. His standup paddle fitness book is available to download for FREE! That's right... FOR FREE!

And you don't need to love standup paddle surfing to benefit from this e-book. In Ham's list of why you should get this book he includes...

You love using the TRX,...and are looking for new ways to use it.

These are my favorite reasons he gives why you shouldn't get this book?

You don't believe in exercise
You already own the book
You are too Lazy to exercise

You can read more about standup paddle surf training at fitnesstrainingbyjon.com and sign up to download his e-book!

TRX Community Featured Member: Max Koneczny

Fitness Anywhere — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:07:00 GMT

Max has been an active member of our TRX community for a year now. He is very enthusiastic and always willing to pipe up and help where appropriate. Here's what Max has to say.

Born in England on Sept 19, 1988. At the age of 9 I started to suffer from digestive tract issues (don't worry if you're eating, no details). These issues disrupted my schooling. The doctors treated me through various restrictive diets and medications, which mostly made it worse. At 15 it had got to such a stage that I had to stop attending school, and was educated over the internet. Since I could not accept living like that I started to look for alternative cures, and thought I should try exercise. I went to the book store and bought some books about it, started exercising in my room, and my health finally started to improve. At 16 I joined the local gym, and the improvement continued. But there was one problem; when I got worse, as I do from time to time, I wasn't able to get to the gym and got worse still. At 18 I found the TRX and, using it regularly, my health that summer was better than for 9 years! Under the Doctor's guidance I discontinued all treatments, and despite a few bad periods my health has been so much better, so last year I was discharged from hospital.

How did you first hear about the TRX?

I saw Randy on Fox & Friends spring 2007, showing off his Travel X. It looked interesting so I went to www.travelfit.com (shows how long ago it was) and read most of the website. I was going to visit America for the first time 2 weeks later, so I quickly phoned one of our hosts to ask if they could take a delivery for me, and they agreed.

What excited you most about the TRX?

Going to the gym used to take 2 hours, so it was very difficult to make the time to visit more than 2 times a week, especially when I wasn't well. I had started to exercise at home when I did not get to the gym, but there was a limit to what I could do. I believed that the TRX could really enhance my workouts at home, and allow me to exercise a lot more often. Correct on both counts. I didn't expect how the TRX would allow me to do so much more in less time.

How have you incorporated the TRX into your workout routine/lifestyle?

At first I thought it would just be for when I could not get to the gym. Well, scratch that plan. I now use the TRX as the core of my workout routine along with a few other items. Since the TRX workouts are shorter it also allows me to still get a workout in on all but the busiest of days.

Where do you typically workout using your TRX?

My bedroom, I just have to move my futon, slip the door anchor into the wallmount and everything is ready. When I get to college I may well use it more outside, at least in the warmer months. Hopefully making converts of passersby's.

What are your fitness goals?

My current horizon goals are to improve my health; lose my remaining belly fat (which not only helps with the first but looks good too). Over the horizon I hope to just keep improving those two, and also get stronger, greater endurance, and overall just great functional fitness, which is what the TRX is made for!

How do you stay motivated?

I set myself goals I want to achieve. But really my main motivation is coming on this site. Really helps me, since I feel some what accountable. How could I talk so much about the TRX if I wasn't using it? I'd feel like a fraud. Now if only I worked out as hard as I typed on here....

What does it mean to you to be fit and why do you think it is important?

It means being the best you can be. Being able to give 100%, and while others fall by the wayside, being able to give that extra 10% to ensure completion of the goal.
It's important to me because it helps me overcome health issues, and will prevent other health issues from developing and disrupting my life.

Anything else you would like to add?

I am now about to go College in Casper, Wyoming; to study physical education, something that at 15 I thought my health would never allow me to do. So Thank You TRX for playing a huge role in allowing some of my dreams to come true.

Max can be found in the community as MaxKon and online at:

http://www.facebook.com/maxkon
http://www.myspace.com/maxkon

TRX Community Featured Employee: Nicole Gillett

Fitness Anywhere — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:00:00 GMT

There are many people who are working behind the scenes to ensure that people get trained, products get sent and everything runs smoothly. Nicole Gillett is one of those people, not only keeping everyone in line at the office, but also manages the TRX Training Center in San Francisco and is one of the top instructors.

Nicole Gillett

I started at FAI in Feb, 2007 as the tradeshow coordinator, after a brief stint at a political PR career. The job was on craigslist and this whole Fitness thing sounded pretty interesting. Although when I arrived at the interview (on Taraval street out in the boondocks of SF), I was slightly skeptical. But I fell in love with the team and the TRX. I believe I was employee number 10; within a few months, we were at about 20 people and if you were late for work, you were stuck working on a box instead of at your desk. Luckily, working the tradeshow circuit, I was on the road a lot. Soon I moved into our Events Management role and the following April, I took on the job of being a "Project Manager", working directly for Randy tackling different projects and problem areas in the company.

Where did you first hear of the TRX:
When I interviewed for the job. I had never heard of it before, and I immediately fell in love with it. The day after my first workout, it hurt to laugh.

What excited you most about the TRX:
It was new, exciting and truly different. People latched on to it immediately. I loved that I was able to take it with me anywhere and it was always a conversation starter. The inherent qualities of Fitness Anywhere (authentic, best in class and fun) are also qualities of the TRX. It's amazing that you can kick your ass with a set of straps. And I've never, ever found a better core workout.

How have you incorporated the TRX?
That would be an understatement. I've hung up my "gym rat" title, trading it for a more outdoor focused lifestyle. (Living in SF as opposed to Boston helps). Because of the TRX and my increased fitness level, I completed my first marathon and triathlon last year, and I've gotten stronger, leaner and fitter. I am outside more. I'm more active. My "gym" is Crissy Field, the Lyon Street Steps and the Presidio. My 75 year old dad uses it and my boyfriend, a former collegiate athlete, loves it. I am on the TRX, literally every day.

Where do you typically workout using your TRX?
At the TRX Traning Center, of course! But if not there, I usually use it at the Lyon Street Steps. Hang it at the top of the stairs on Broadway St, do the stairs from hell, and get my TRX work in at the top. Do it again. Incredible circuit based training. My workout is interrupted more than once however with curious onlookers :)

What are your fitness goals?
Now that I've completed my first marathon, I'm totally on board with the running thing. My next Marathon is in October and I hope to improve my time this year. And my secret weakness has recently been revealed by my boss: I cannot do a pull-up. That's next on my list, or else I'm getting downgraded on my review ;)

How do you stay motivated?
This is going to sound strange, but I don't actually need motivation to work out on the TRX. I look forward to my workout each day. Plus I try to motivate others, which naturally helps motivate me. It does help to set goals and to have a work out "buddy" to challenge yourself with (thanks Jennie!) Plus, working for the company helps; encouragment is key!

What does it mean to you to be fit and why do you think it is important?
I think being fit is all about balance. You can be physically fit, but not mentally fit, and I think it is important to keep things in perspective. We all would love to have 6-pack abs, but I know that I love my glass of wine at the end of a long week. Would I be willing to give that up in order to achieve a fitness model body? Nah. I'm pretty happy with my "level of fitness" and I think part of that comes from goal setting, maintaining balance and having a great support team in my life.

What advice or words of encouragement would you give people?
The first time you do anything it feels weird. Especially the TRX! But soon it becomes second nature and you'll be a TRX junkie in no time.

Thanks Nicole! We'll see you at the TRX Training Center!

TRX Community Featured Member: Michael and Rebecca Sweeney

Fitness Anywhere — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:00:00 GMT

This week's featured member is actually a couple. Michael and Rebecca Sweeney incorporated the TRX into their daily workout routine and quickly became fans. Now they utilize the TRX at their martial arts studio, dedicating an area specific for suspension training.

How did you first hear about the TRX?

We were first introduced to the TRX by a student and friend of ours, Taylor Simon, who owns a local fitness studio called Taylored Training. He was using the TRX to train a number of his clients and when we inquired about the device he brought one to our Martial Arts School and gave us a brief demonstration.

What excited you most about the TRX?

Although our first impression was positive, our TRX actually sat unused for at least a couple of months. Because we had no real training in how to use the TRX, we had no idea about its real potential. Ultimately we got smart and arranged for our friend Taylor to run us through a full workout. That is when our eyes lit up and we got excited! We ordered some DVDs and scheduled ourselves to attend a STC taught by Fraser Quelch. The education made all the difference!

How have you incorporated the TRX into your workout routine/lifestyle?

For a period of at least 12 months, the TRX was the only strength training that we did. We were religious in running through the military program, or at least the TRX component of it. When we needed to mix it up we sought out workouts from other Fitness Anywhere DVDs, as well as workouts from the community Blog and Forums. Only recently have we reintroduced weight training into our fitness regime, inspired as well by the Fitness Anywhere Community Forum. One significant benefit of the TRX that we really enjoy is the simplicity of altering resistance and intensity. Because we work out together, and our strength and endurance levels are not entirely equal, it is infinitely easier for us to switch back and forth with a TRX than it is to alternate between traditional weight training exercises.

Where do you typically workout using your TRX?

We run a Martial Arts School full time and because we have an area set aside for suspension training, working out there is easy for us. We do enjoy mixing it up though and getting outside from time to time, and we also always pack our TRX when we are traveling.

What are your fitness goals?

Our lifestyle is fitness and it is important for us to keep in shape for both personal and professional reasons. With that said, we don’t have any concrete goals. We prefer to make fitness just a part of who we are, and enjoy the process of working out for its own sake.

How do you stay motivated?

We have the best motivation going... each other. Sorry if that sounds sappy but it’s true. A workout partner can be super helpful in keeping you on track. When one of us is down the other is there to lead, challenge, push or whatever it takes.

What does it mean to you to be fit and why do you think it is important?

Again, being fit is a part of who we are. We are both smart enough to know that to not only be fit but be healthy is the MOST important thing going. Those people who do not agree have not yet faced health challenges. The day your doctor comes to you and says that you NEED to exercise is not when you want to begin!

Anything else you would like to add?

We lead a fairly unorthodox lifestyle in what we do for a living. We are also in the midst of a huge new challenge. We are well on our way to divesting ourselves of all of our land-based possessions and taking off for a new adventure living on a sailboat and cruising the world. One thing is for certain though, our TRX will be coming with us. We need to workout and we honestly can’t think of a more perfect tool to bring along with us on our new home at sea!

Thank you Mike and Rebecca and good luck!

Mike goes by Mike Sweeney and Rebecca goes by Rebecca Sweeney in the community and can also be found online at the following locations:

Our Martial Arts Gym: Martial Arts Planet

http://www.martialartsplanet.ca

Our Cruising Blog:

http://www.zerotocruising.com