Category: Martial Arts
So I began a new P90X2 cycle yesterday on 1/9, which a week behind my wanted schedule…Stupid first cold of 2012! Well, at least it has begun. Starting later than I wanted allowed me the opportunity to read other people’s reviews of the X2 Core workout, and I went in not knowing what to expect. You see the other reviews were less than stellar, and I can understand why they might feel that way. Let me elaborate.
X2 is not a stand there and move weights kind of workout, it takes concentration, dedication to maintaining correct form, and patience. (All of these things should be done with every workout anyway) It is not the kind of workout that you will rock the first time through, and you for sure won’t feel its effects until the next day. Only then will you see how good this workout really was. (I was a little wiped, but it wasn’t until the next morning that I really felt sore)
So, contrary to the majority of the other reviews I have read, it is a solid core workout. It is also one of those workouts that will get tougher as you master the form and understand how to activate your muscle groups to be more effective. I actually fear the next few times I have to do this, as I know as my balance improves, the resulting burn will become awesomely brutal.
Now, I must point out, that the love affair Tony started to have with spherical objects in the “One on One” series has continued to deepen. More stability ball work (which I like anyway) and more medicine ball work (which I also like). I can also appreciate (being a sadist) Tony’s love of inflicting pain on himself and others. He has decided to bring foam roller work into his program. I think this is great we have 2 foam rollers her at FitLifeSF central HQ, as well as a number of other fun torture devices. (The stick, spiked roller balls, massage aids, but I digress) Nothing quite as fun as working out knots in your muscles. (OK there is a lot of other fun stuff to do, but I promise, the more you do it, the more you will want to do it again. Sound familiar?)
Well, have your gear handy: Mat, Stability Ball, Foam Roller, Medicine Ball, Towel and Water. (Well water isn’t really gear, but the cup/glass may be) And get ready to “Bring It” once again. For this workout, using great form and moving slow and smooth will give you the best results!
And for the record, this is a great stand alone workout for almost any fitness/sports discipline.
Enjoy & Good Luck!
-Rob
If you find this post helpful and want to purchase P90X or any equipment from Beachbody, we’d much appreciate if you use this link:
http://beachbodycoach.com/fitlifesfrob
If your Beach Body Coach isn’t helping you, be sure to tell Team Beach Body you want FitLifeSFRob as your coach! You then get the combined experience of Smurf and me.
I was going to kick off the program on Monday December 20th. A way to force myself to not over do it over the Xmas holiday. Well, that has been pushed off, as I do want to spend the next 2 weeks (though working out) with a little more wiggle room. I will still do my usual, eat right, train sambo, and get some workouts in.
THEN COMES JANUARY 2ND! Awe hell!
The beginning of my first P90X2 session. Full diet in effect! Oh yeah baby!
Watch for my before pics to be posted, and I will do workout by workout reviews of this program. Will it live up to the hype? We’ll know soon enough.
-Rob
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Saturday, November 5 at 8:00am - November 6 at 6:30pm
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| Location |
Renaissance Martial Arts (@ Capoeira Mandinga)
46 Sager Drive
Rochester, NY
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| More Info |
The first weekend in November top martial arts instructors for across the country will make their way to Rochester NY for the 11th Annual Renaissance Martial Arts Festival. For those who haven’t been to an RMA festival before, it’s an excellent opportunity to gain exposure to new arts and ideas in a friendly environment. These two days will feature hands on workshops in a wide range of workshops covering all ranges of combat — from striking to grappling to weapons.
This years Workshops will include: As always Saturday night features a dinner — held at our school — which is a great chance to mingle with instructors and fellow participants. |
Lot of us spend our days sitting around and not being as active as we could (or should). We then add rich and fatty foods to our sedentary lifestyle, and blam, we have a few to many extra lb’s. This isn’t rocket science, and this is a story that we all can relate to. (Medical conditions not being accounted for here) So, what happens? We get fat or, we do something about it.
All of us find motivation to get fit one way or the other. Maybe it was someone mentioning that you looked bigger, maybe your favorite jeans didn’t fit, or maybe you look in the mirror one day are say enough is enough. Whatever your reason to get fit, you need to look at a method/program to follow. (Any Fitness Program will take dedication and laser focus to get great results.) And this is different from staying or being healthy.
You can lead a less active lifestyle if you choose not to overeat. This does not mean you can get by without some basic exercise. Staying healthy means doing what you need to do to feel good, and live the life you want to live. You don’t have to eat “organic” this or “natural” that, and you don’t have to join an extreme fitness gym. You have to take accountability for your actions (or inaction), and not be a glutton.
To get fit, now there is a challenge. I believe you must follow a meal plan (to the letter) and you must also increase your activity significantly. It will be a ramp up to extreme fitness training, and it will be hard, but you will get through it, and you will be better off. Home programs like P90X, Insanity, and Turbo Fire will give you great results if you follow them. As will gym based programs, working with a personal trainer, or competitive sports/martial arts. There are so many activity choices once you dial in your meal plan.
Me, I like my Beach Body videos. I can throw together a 30,60, 90 day fitness program and get back to being lean and ripped. I can target improving my cardio or just work to look better naked. (Everyone wants that) This isn’t the best way, it is my way, and a way which has been working for the last 5 years. (Plus Soccer, Sambo, and other craziness) The important thing for me is to stay active for several weeks while keeping my eating/drinking in check.
Once I am where I want to be fitness wise, well then the slow slide back to needing a fitness kick in the ass begins. It is called maintenance mode. Still not being a glutton, but having a lot more flexibility in my eating. Many people call this time, “Staying Healthy.” But even when “Staying Healthy” you may (probably will) gain weight, and need to kick it into high gear for a time. And however long you need to kick it into high gear is decided on how far you are willing to let yourself slide.
My typical reset trigger: when I reach 201lbs, and it isn’t due to heavy salt or lots of drinking. This is usually a day or 2 thing. (Bloat) When that weight remains pretty consistent for a week or 2, I know it is time to get back down to 190-195.
Do you have a trigger? Do you have a goal weight? Are you happy with how you look right now? Do you want to feel better? What is your motivation?
-FitLifeSFRob
Ok people. It is ordered, and ready to go. Insanity: The Asylum is a 30 day elite training program and I will be posting my results and thoughts over the next 30 days or so. I am using this program to prepare for my SAMBO conditioning camp in June. What is that? True insanity. I am going to an olympic training center in Alushta, Ukaraine (for the 2nd time) and will spend 10 days with Igor Kurinnoy. Igor is a 3 time world SAMBO Champion, and 4 time SAMBO World Cup Winner, needless to say, he is very good. (And last time I lost 15 lbs in 2 weeks, and I was in pretty good shape)
This year I am going as prepared as I can be. (How best I can really prepare for 8hr training days while working a real job…)
Monday I will take my “before” the program pic, in 30 days the “After The Asylum” pic will hit, and then after the trip, one final pic. If I don’t get hurt, I should be in the best shape of my life by June 19th.
For the record, I will be using Shakeology every day, I will be using P90X recovery drink, AND I will be maintaining a proper diet. Interested in joining me? (Well, doing “The Alyum”)
If you want to order the Asylum or just check it out, follow this link: http://beachbodycoach.com/fitlifesfrob
-Rob
Today I saw that Smurf had another post featured on the front page of yahoo health, and looking at the comments I was set on edge. So much so, that I wrote a response to a number of the negative comments and let it fly into the ether. Nothing mean, but I did call all the “high and mighty” personal trainers who didn’t even bother to read the article a bunch of self serving nitwits. (not that exact verbiage) [I am still waiting to see it posted to the comments]
The article is about getting the most out of your gym membership and not having to spend your hard earned money on personal trainers, unless you want to. With most gym memberships, especially the national chains, there are a number of free classes given. These classes are great if you are looking to motivate yourself to get moving, try something new, or are just getting into being fit. Good information to know, right?
You are reading this because you are one of the normal people who wants to get more fit. I say “get more fit,” because some people want to lose weight, some want to add definition, and some of you want to put on muscle mass. All of you want to improve your fitness level, and are looking for that “magical something” to make it happen.
Well, here’s the secret. 99% of you already have what it takes to get more fit. You are reading this, and this shows me you have the desire to make a change. Now we have to make that desire an action, then a habit.
Sometimes it is the wacky and odd that can help us achieve new goals. I happen to like challenges and contests with my friends… So, I have just started a new fitness challenge with 2 of my buddies. These guys are already “fit,” though we all want to see how fit/ripped we can get in the next 90 days. This ISN’T a P90X challenge. It is a “Get Fit” challenge. We all have to choose our plan of attack, we all have to watch our diets, and we all have to kick ass and take name. This time around both bragging rights AND a creepy pair of fleece SAMBO shorts are the prize.
Here is what we did to start:
Thursday July 1st we all took our measurements and did the first of 2 fitness tests. The following Tuesday (After the July 4th weekend) we did the more brutal of the fitness tests. (Test 1 = P90X Fitness Test. Test 2 = Insanity Fitness Test) I must say, we all did really well and are not making it easy for the final test.
The 3 participants of this craziness are Aaron (Pound for pound, one tough SOB. Aaron leaves it all on the floor every time. He wants to add size and definition), Ben (One of the best fighters and most agile guys I have ever met. He wants to lose some lb’s), and me (Rob. I think it is time I got ripped!) We all have been training/fighting together for the last 3+ years, we are all friends, and we will workout together at least 2 times a week. The rest of the time we are all on our own.
The winner will be based on the following criteria:
- Visual changes in physique
- % Body Fat Lost/Gained
- Initial weight compared to final weigh in
- Improvements in both Fitness Test Results
The losers have to buy the winner the creepy fleece style SAMBO shorts, and have to live with the fact that we were bested. (Oh, and none of us are competitive. No way. heh)
To me, this is not only fun, but a great way to keep several friends motivated. In the end, we all really win with this kind of event!
Here are some really uncalled for pics for your amusement!
Rob and his fighting buddies love these mean little lumps of lead. Learn more about incorporating Kettlebells into your workout for free at the Sports Basement.
Kettlebell Basics
Thursday, March 25, 6:30pm-7:30pm
Bryant Street Store
You may have used them already, you may have seen them at the gym, or you may have heard about the latest kettlebell workout trend, but maybe you aren’t sure what the whole story is. Join the expert Physical Therapists from San Francisco Sport and Spine Physical Therapy to learn the purpose of this new strength-training tool, what kettlebells can do for you, and how to add them to your workout safely.