Snow Day Workout

Now grant it…I’m from Utah and today’s snow conditions are pretty elementary from my experience. So with that being said, this workout will still require some equipment and actually making it to the gym for most of you.

The theme of the workout is more for getting out some aggression that comes with cabin fever and is a better alternative to the “All work and no play” approach as we’ve all seen with our “dull boy” in the clip above.

So without further ado…here’s what I felt inspired to do on today’s snow day.

Dynamic Warm Up – 10 Minutes

Anaerobic Circuits: 3 rounds total. Complete the first circuit for the designated reps. Alternating between the two exercises as many times as you can for the full two minutes. At a minimum you should complete each exercise at least one time through.

Rest 1 minute. Then use the same approach for circuit #2. After completing both circuits recover for two minutes, then repeat two more times with the same rest schedule. Note that the reps descend each set as indicated below.

Anaerobic Circuit #1 – 2 minutes
1. Straight Punches (Heavy Bag) x 100-90-80
2. Burpees x 15-12-10

Anaerobic Circuit #2 – 2 minutes
1. MB Power Getup to Wall Ball 20# x 10-8-6
2. Jumping Jacks with Battle Rope x 50-40-30

Rest 3-5 minutes after completing 3 rounds of the anaerobic Circuit.

Strength Circuit (Push/Pull): Pretty straight forward.  Complete both exercises for the outlined reps below (Descending Rep Scheme).  Complete both exercises without stopping, then rest 1 minute between each compound set.  Strict form on the chin ups.  Use a superband or minimal kip if needed.  But try to stay as strict as possible.  For you stronger ladies and gentlemen…you can put your feet on a plyo box if it’s too easy 😉

1. Ring Pushups x 10-10-8-8-6-6-4-4-2-2

2. Chin ups x 10-10-8-8-6-6-4-4-2-2

Rest 2-3 minutes after strength circuit

Core Circuit:  Complete each exercise for the designated reps.  Minimal rest between exercises.  1 minute recovery between rounds.  Use a 8-12# Med Ball for the first two exercises.

1. Long lever crunch with vertical leg raise x 20-15-10

2. V-Sit with rotation x 20-15-10 (per side)

3. Plank with spiderman kick x 20-15-10 (per side)

4. Cobra (McKenzie Press Ups) x 20-15-10

That’s it!  Go home, kick your feet up by the fire and relax…you earned it!

 

Body Weight Strength Training

 

BODY WEIGHT STRENGTH TRAINING

As the name implies, body weight strength training is a form of strength conditioning focused on building strength solely with the use of body weight exercises.  In terms of strength training we generally think along the lines of building absolute strength, which is the maximum force that an individual’s muscle can produce against an external resistance (i.e. dumbbells, barbells, kettlebells, etc.).  While this is an important component to building strength, it is only one piece of the puzzle.  Most sports and functional activities require higher levels of relative strength more than anything.  Specifically, relative strength is the maximum force that an individual can generate per unit of body weight.  This style of strength requires the exerciser to control their body weight against gravity as opposed to “lifting” an object. Think of sports like wrestling, rock climbing, hiking, running, biking, martial arts, and gymnastics.  All of these activities require high levels of relative strength. Being able to lift massive amounts of weight doesn’t carry over into the activity as effectively as the use of body weight exercises.   

Some examples of body weight exercises include:

·         Pushups

·         Pullups

·         Single Leg Squats

·         Pistol Squats

·         Floor Bridges

·         Back Extension

·         Rope Climb

·         Lunges

·         Planks

·         Pikes

·         Box Jumps

·         Split Jumps

Of course, experienced exercises will get to the point to where their muscles are no longer overloaded enough for continued results.  That’s where the use of fitness devices like weight vests, gymnastics rings, TRX suspension trainers, and balance boards come in.  Any of them are very effective increasing the “relative” load in a progressive manner as strength and endurance levels increase.  Other effective ways to add challenge is by simply slowing the tempo.  Performing pushups with a 3 second descend and 2 second pause at the bottom is an entirely different animal than simply banging out reps.  Don’t believe me?  Try it…I dare you!   The same approach can be used with other exercises like single leg squats, lunges, etc.  

So next time you’re ready to hit it hard with a strength workout, I challenge you to stay away from the weights and try a 5-6 exercise circuit with the sample exercises listed above.  Or even better…here is sample of one of my favorite Body Weight Strength Circuits.

 

3 Sets

Reps: 20-16-12 reps (Descending each set)

Rest: 30-60 sec between exercises/1-2 minutes between sets

1. Chinups

2. BOSU Up and Overs

3. Ring Flys

4. TRX Hamstring Curl to Hip Press

5. Single Arm Rope Pull

6. Stability Ball Prone Overhead Press