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Archive for Boot Camp

How To Do A Butt-Kickin Boot Camp Exercise!

Friday, April 30th, 2010

Last week in boot camp we did an exercise called “The Dive Bomber” and everybody always LOVES when we do that puppy in class (be sure to note my sadistic laugh and devilish eyes)!

That workout was so awesome that I threw it up on the blog, but had a few questions via email and Facebook on how to do the Dive Bomber properly.

So I figured that rather than attempting to describe it (which would be nearly impossible) I would just film a quick video demonstrating it and giving you some pointers and tips along the way.

So, without further ado…

http://www.vimeo.com/11354409

Also, be sure you pay attention to the part where I tell you not to attempt it if you have low back problems.  If not done properly and under supervision, this boot camp exercise can wreak havoc on your low back.

Also make sure you don’t fall on your head…that’s never a good thing :)

I’ll be back soon with more videos and workouts for you!

Until then, have an awesome day!

Ed

Today’s Boot Camp Workout – Sexy Arms and Metabolic Blast!!

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

Hey everybody!

I hope your day is going awesome!  The boot camp workout I made today was a killer and I’ve had a couple emails and a Facebook response or 2 asking if I could send them the workout we did.

So I thought that it would be totally awesome to put it up on the blog rather than sending individual emails that way EVERYONE could partake in the torture…I mean fun!

Here’s the rundown…

Warm-up:
1A) Hatchet – 15 reps
1B) Squat w/Push – 15 reps
2)  Bird Dog – 15 reps per side

Phase 1 of the Boot Camp Workout:  Sexy Arms!!

1A) 1 ½ Shoulder Press – 15 reps
1B) Upright Row – 15 reps

2A) 1-Arm DB Swing – 20 reps per arm
2B) DB Rear Fly – 15 reps

3A) Push-up – 12 reps
3B) Overhead Bodyweight Squat – 15 reps

4A) Seated Overhead Extension – 15 reps
4B) Plank Extension

Take a quick water break, and then go into…

Phase 2 of the Boot Camp WorkoutMetabolic Blast!!

1A) Cross Body Mountain Climber – 12 reps per side
1B) Toe Touch Crunch – 20 reps
1C) Squat Thrust – 12 reps

2A) Jumping Jack – 30 reps
2B) Dive Bomber – 10 reps
2C) Stationary Lunge w/Shoulder Press – 15 reps per side

Phase 3 (If you have time) of the Boot Camp Workout:  4-Minute Tabata-Style!!

1A) DB Swing – 20 seconds
Rest 10 seconds
1B) Squat w/Shoulder Press – 20 seconds
Rest 10 seconds and repeat for 4 minutes – for the math-challenge, that should be 4 rounds…

Hope you enjoy it!

All the ladies were panting and their arms were very jell-o-like, which is exactly what I was going for.

When you really take a look at the workout, there’s nothing overly strenuous by itself, it’s the way the workout is put together – the way the exercises are combined and the reps used that really kick the intensity up a bit.

Just make sure you adhere to my 1 rule…Always work hard! It doesn’t matter what your current fitness level is because everyone can work hard.  Just make sure you keep moving forward and constantly challenge yourself.

Have an awesome day!

And Remember…

…Be A Superhero Today!

Ed aka “The Fit Dad”

P.S. – If you’ve never come to one of my boot camps (which are da bomb-diggity), shoot me an email, call me at 304-7848, or click here to learn more.

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April “L Magazine” Column

Friday, March 26th, 2010

One of my all-time favorite movies is “The Ten Commandments.”  Seeing Charlton Heston play Moses is a very moving experience.

My homeboy Moses

I’m lying.

I’ve never seen the movie and come to think of it, I haven’t seen a Heston film.  The most I know about it is that it’s looooong.

The reason I mention the movie is because I’ve come up with a list of my own Ten Commandments.

I hiked my butt up my very own Mt. Sinai (the second floor of my house), and came down with these Fitness Commandments to share with you.

1.  Thou shalt add good stuff, while subtracting bad stuff.

This one is easy.  We eat poorly and don’t exercise enough.  Add more good stuff and subtract the bad stuff.

It really is that simple.

2.  Thou shalt keep it in and tight.

I’m referring to your stomach.  Your stomach muscles are weak and it shows in the way you sit, stand and move.  Always be mindful of your stomach muscles.

I’m not asking you to suck your gut in like someone is taking a picture of you in your bathing suit, rather think of it as keeping your posture in check.  Sit or stand up straight and pull or “brace” your stomach.

Keeping it "In and Tight" will help you strengthen and flatten your stomach

You also need to do Planks more often – any of the variations…just do them.

3.  Thou shalt not partake in magic pills or potions.

Moses threw a hissy fit when he came down the mountain and saw people worshipping a golden calf.

I throw a hissy fit whenever someone tells me they’re taking a diet pill, or other “wonder supplement” that comes from the farthest reaches of the earth.

Supplements have their value – I take them every day – but any pill whose marketing tells you it’s the easiest way to lose weight is lying.  To learn more about the supplements I take, click here.

At best, it’s an expensive diuretic and leaves you with less money.

Deep down you know the truth, so listen to your gut and don’t do it.

4.  Thou shalt sleep.

Sleep is probably the most underrated aspect of health (and weight loss).  You NEED to sleep more.  Your body does some pretty amazing things while you’re sleeping, and the less you get, the more you screw it up.

Besides, the Late Late Show isn’t that great and you’ve already seen all the Seinfeld reruns.

5.  Thou shalt move…often.

As a society, we sit way too much.  We sit in our car.  We sit at a desk.  We sit on the couch.  We sit at a table.  Sit, sit, sit.

Get off your butt and move around once an hour, preferably every 30 minutes.  Stretch, go for a quick walk, do some push-ups and squats…just do something.

Just like Moses had 2 tablets, I have to cover the remaining Commandments in next month’s issue, so stay tuned lest I go in a Moses-style rage and break the second tablet.

Categories : Boot Camp, Local Flair
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Do You Bust Your Butt?

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

Sometimes you need a shock to the butt to get you rolling.Given that I actually train people on a daily basis, I can control (to a certain degree) how hard they work.

Granted there are situations when I don’t push someone very hard – goals, their mood, how they’re feeling, age, etc. are all factors in how hard I push someone.

But what’s for certain is how hard I push MYSELF in my own workouts – I always bust my butt and keep the intensity cranked up.  If I’m feeling tired or run-down, I’ll still keep the intensity up but I’ll cut the time down.  If I’m feeling good, I’ll crank the intensity up even more and lengthen the workout a bit (but never longer than 25 minutes).

Far too few people actually follow through with the “kick your butt” mentality when it comes to workouts and that’s a shame because it’s vital if you want to see results plus the higher the intensity the better you feel when you’re done.  There’s just something magical about a killer workout that sends your endorphins through the roof.

I made a quick video about the importance of busting your own ass in your workouts.

Like to see it, here it go…

YouTube Preview Image

So what do you think?  Am I off base or does what I’m saying make sense?

Have an awesome day!

And remember…

…Be A Superhero Today!

later,

The Fit Dad

Squeeze The Cheeks

Sunday, February 28th, 2010

There are a couple things I want to talk about today.

First, there’s still time to sign-up for the first class of Superhero School!  It all begins this Tuesday, March 2 at 5:15pm (at my studio) and there’s still room, so if you’re interested shoot me an email and I’ll give you the specifics.

Remember, once the 6-weeks begins, you won’t be able to start until the next 6-week class…so if you’re still mulling over whether or not to enroll, decide fast or you’ll be left out!

If you need more info on Superhero School, click here and watch the video.

Okay, now on with the show!

A couple weeks ago, we went over one of my favorite “Edisms”, which was “Keep it in, keep it tight” (If you missed that one, click here to understand what the heck I’m talking about) and today I want to go over another one of my favorites…

”Squeeze Your Cheeks!”

And I’m not talking about squeezing the cheeks on your face to give them that nice, read glow; I’m talking about squeezing your other cheeks – your butt!

I know this may sound odd, but for most of us, our butts are asleep.

Squeeze The Cheeks To Get A Better Booty

The muscles don’t fire the way they should.

We sit way too much and don’t move nearly enough.

When this happens, our butt muscles don’t work the way they’re supposed to and it’s very apparent when I watch people do squats and lunges.

They don’t bend from their hips; they bend from their knees.  Bending from the knees will put too much pressure on the knee joint and will lead to knee pain.

This is why I tell everyone to start the movement by sticking out their butt – which usually ends up in some confused and strange looks…I’m not a dirty old man!

So to correct this, whenever we do any lower body movement like squats, lunges, hip extensions or any of the other various goofy exercises that involve your legs, I am often heard yelling “Squeeze your cheeks!”

Anytime you raise yourself up out of a squat, lunge of hip extension you should focus on driving your heel(s) into the floor and squeezing your butt like you’ve never squeezed before!

Doing this takes the pressure off the knee joint and puts it back where it belongs – the muscles, and more specifically, your butt.

When you put the pressure and focus back on the muscles and off the knee joint, you’ll work more muscle, which also means you’ll burn more calories, which also means you’ll lose more fat and sculpt a sexier, stronger and more toned legs and booty.

So remember…

…Squeeze Your Cheeks!!!

Have a great day!

Ed

P.S. – Don’t forget, Superhero School starts Tuesday, March 2 and there’s still room in my inaugural class.  Let me know if you

These are bad representatives for Superhero School

want to sign up.  If you decide you want to do it on Wednesday…sorry that’s too late!

And don’t forget that current boot campers get a discount on Superhero School and if you don’t currently do boot camp, but want to do both…you’ll get a discount there as well.  Anytime I say that it always sounds confusing…

P.P.S. – I should also mention that I’ve been talking to many companies around Lincoln about doing Superhero School on-site and they’re very excited about it.  I’ve got 1 company all set to begin next week and 2 more should be starting within the next few weeks.  If you think your company would be a good fit for what I’m trying to accomplish let me know and I’ll shove my big foot in the door.

P.P.P.S. – Don’t forget to Squeeze Your Cheeks!

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