Discounts on Boot Camp Fitness Equipment

I am constantly checking for good deals on exercise equipment.  Currently there are some great year end discounts on some of the equipment used in my Boot Camps.  I received an email the other day from these companies letting me know about their current deals.  The equipment that my clients use at our bootcamp is the same equipment that I have purchased and use for my personal workouts.  If you haven't had a chance to try the TRX suspension trainer or a set of sandbells, then I highly recommend that you do.  Individually, they are a great total body workout, but pair them together and its even better.

Sandbells Grip it. Toss it. Swing it. Slam it. SandBell^®

Sandbells are a great replacement for traditional weights.  The sand-filled core shifts around inside giving targeted muscles a new challenge while simultaneously activating core muscle groups.  Sandbells are safe and are also a great way to work on grip strength. As a P.E. teacher in Austin ISD, I have been using Sandbells with my kiddos for a couple of years now.  As a matter of fact all of the P.E. programs in Austin ISD use Sandbells.  We use 2-8 lbs in P.E. and all the way up to 25 lbs in my bootcamp.  Plus, HyperWear is an Austin based company.
They also have a cool 10lb weighted vest called the Hyper Vest.  I've been wanting to get one for a while, so I'm going to take advantage of their discount and get one before the end of the year.  I'll post a review of it after the new year.

Discount: 20% off all in-stock merchandise at hyperwear.com
Ends: Dec. 31, 2011

TRX Suspension Trainer
Suspension Training utilizes bodyweight exercises to develop strength, balance, flexibility and core stability at the same time.  Hundreds of exercises can be performed on the TRX suspension trainer using only gravity and bodyweight.  I take my TRX with me when I travel and set it up in my hotel room.  It easily connects to the door or tree or monkey bars when I'm working out in the park.  It is a great portable piece of equipment that gives me a challenging total body workout.

• Get a fast, effective total body workout
• Benefits people of ALL fitness levels (pro athletes to seniors)
• Can be set-up anywhere (gym, home, road, outside)

Discount: 15% off TRX Pro Kit, plus Free shipping (use code TRXLIVE) at TRXtraining.com

Reilly Boot Camp Week 4

Well it has been a few weeks since I checked in so I just wanted to give everyone an update on the Reilly Elementary Boot Camp. We just finished week 4, and everyone is still going strong and working hard with only 2 more weeks to go.

There is such a wide range of fitness levels, ages and abilities in these classes. The classes are upbeat, fast paced and challenging. In this first 6 week cycle, the focus is on the development of functional strength, conditioning and cardiovascular endurance. I encorporate full body, multi-planar exercises by using body weight, Sandbells, kettlebells, TRX Suspension Trainers and Battling Ropes.

I will try to get some videos posted of the classes and exercises. Below is one of the circuits from the class.

Warm-up: Partner Sandbell

Sandbell mountain climbers and Sandbell slams

Exercises
1. Lateral Slide Push Press
2. Forward Facing Side Toss
3. Lateral Lunge w/ Side Toss

Circuit 1: Week 4
Work: 40sec
Rest: 20sec
Rounds: 2

Exercise
1.TRX Sprinter Start
2.Rolling Push up
3.P-ball Hamstring curl
4.KB Row
5.Battle Rope: Alternating + Plank

Post Workout Smoothie

One of my favorite parts of the workout is the end. That's when I get to go home and make my post workout smoothie. After the workout is the beginning of the recovery phase and there are benefits to drinking a recovery drink as apposed to eating a meal. Whole foods can take up to several hours to be digested, while liquids can be digested in as little as 20-60 minutes.

Organic blueberries, apples, banana and spinach

It is important to get some high quality and easily digested protein and carbohydrates within 30-45 minutes after a workout. It should be about a 4:1 ratio of Carbs to Protein. I like to make my own shakes because it's less expensive and I can put exactly what I want in there without all the extra "junk" that most store bought shakes contain. I use a few organic, whole food ingredients and also add a few vegan supplements, like plant based protein powders.

Post Workout Smoothie Recipe

2 handfuls organic baby spinach
1 large organic fuji apple (you can use any variety, but I'm partial to fuji)
1 organic banana
1 cup organic raspberries or blue berries (frozen)
1 tbsp organic flax seed oil
Plant based protein blend (Organic Brown Rice, Non GMO Pea, Organic Hemp)
1 tsp Bee Pollen
1 tbsp Chia seeds
1 tbsp Spirulina
1 tsp Raw Honey

Blend everything up smooth in my Vitamix!

Summer Challenge Final Results

Well, I didn't quite reach my goal, but I came close.

Before Weight: 200 lbs
Before Body fat: 9%

After Weight: 205 lbs
After Body fat: 7%

Goal Weight: 210lbs
Goal Body fat: 5%

Before photo: 7/6/11

After photo: 10/6/11

Reilly Boot Camp

I'm excited to announce that for the next 6 weeks teachers, staff and parents will be getting fit at the Reilly Boot Camp.  The focus will be on functional strength, conditioning and cardiovascular endurance.  I will post updates on the class and the progress of the participants.  You can also find sample workouts and maybe an occasional picture and video.
The class schedule is located below. Click on the class time for more info.

My Summer Fitness Challenge 2011

It happens to us all at some point in our lives.  The clock keeps ticking as the seconds turn into minutes, those minutes turn into hours, those hours turn into days, and those days turn into years.  It is inevitable that time will continue to pass and there is nothing we can do about getting older.  But, we can do something about feeling and looking younger and healthier.

After turning 35 earlier this summer, I took some time to reflect on my life up to this point; where I was at professionally, personally and physically.  Not too much time though, because that can get depressing.  I decided to focus on my mental and physical health, because I believe there is a positive correlation between them.  As ones physical health improves so does ones self esteem.  As ones self esteem increases then ones personal life and professional career improve.  Well, at least that's what I'm hoping for.

Now, at 35 I am in pretty good shape already and consider myself to be one of the healthiest people that I know.  But I believe that there is always room for improvement.  So, this summer I have decided to challenge myself to a duel ("My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.").  Okay, it's not a duel, but a 90 day fitness challenge to see if I can get my 35 year old body in the best shape of my life.

I will chart my progress and keep track of weekly body assessments and measurements, daily workouts, daily calories (I usually don't count calories, but I will give it a try for the challenge) and anything else of importance.
I will also post my meal and smoothie/shake recipes as well as updates on any supplements used.  Sounds easy enough.

Goals:
1. 5% body fat

2. Gain 15 lbs lean muscle
3. Weight 210 lbs (199.5 lbs lean muscle, 10.5 lbs body fat)

Currently:
1. 9% body fat
2. Weight 200 lbs (182 lbs lean muscle, 18 lbs body fat)

Wish me luck!