fitness

The Buddy System

The University of New Hampshire’s StudentHealth magazine cites several studies that suggest why working out with a friend or your significant other may be one of the keys to adhering to a healthy lifestyle. One study found that 55% of college students find it easier to workout when they have an exercise buddy. ETT is a huge believer is workout buddies. That’s why we offer special deals for personal training clients who sign up as a team. If you live in the Tampa Bay Area, contact ETT at elementaltampa@gmail.com to schedule a FREE personal training session for you and your exercise partner.

11391435_1650794205154425_31219102561285535_n

ETT Exercise of the Week Ep.6

Summer is in full swing here in Tampa, which means the heat can be stifling at times. Weather conditions can have a negative effect on a person’s activity level regardless of where they live. You have to adapt your training in order to stay dedicated to your exercise regime. If you’re like me and love exercising outdoors, but are faced with less than ideal weather conditions, modify your workout so you get more done in a shorter period(s) of time. You can perform a high intensity interval training (HIIT) workout (20 mins or less) or perform 2 short workouts (10 mins or less) throughout the day. A good way to maximize your workout is to perform total body exercises like this week’s ETT exercise of the week. The hook-uppercut punch combination followed by 2 cross knee strikes provides a great strength, cardio, and core workout all at the same time. Remember, modify the exercise to match your fitness level & let us know how you stick to your workout regime when the weather conditions are less than ideal.

It’s Much More than the Best Part of Waking Up

Caffeine is one of the world’s most popular supplements and most of us ingest it during our morning cup of coffee. However, studies suggest that the best time to drink your daily coffee may be before you perform your daily workout. The benefits of drinking coffee before your workout include improved circulation and reduced muscle soreness. Check out the entire list of benefits coffee can provide as a pre-workout drink and how NOT to indulge in too much of a good thing.

restaurant-red-beans-coffee

Weekend Workout

Become a true weekend warrior and join Elemental Training Tampa for some outdoor group training. The workout will be held near Downtown Tampa and incorporates basic striking techniques with complimentary strength building exercises to help you burn off some of those incessant weekend calories. No experience is required (modifications provided for all fitness levels) and this training session is entirely FREE! Take some time out of your weekend schedule and join ETT because your health is worth it. Check out the event page on Facebook to find out all the details. SEE YOU THERE!

10355804_1626016830965496_3314444147936140909_n

Head Strong

Today’s ‪throwback Thursday pic is from my first black belt test with Amir’s Academy of Martial Arts way back in 2009. One handed knuckle push-ups on cement is just a small snapshot of what the two-day test was like. Over those two days I learned that mental toughness is the key to physical achievement. In case you were wondering, I’m the less muscular one on the far left.

10731050_1576545182579328_845918497335003949_n

Photo by Jeff Morris

ETT Exercise of the Week Ep.5

The ETT Exercise of the Week is back with authority! I have a great ETT exercise that combines a reverse lunge with a properly thrown front kick. To perform this ETT exercise you have to engage nearly all the muscles in your lower body and core. This exercise not only increases strength & cardio but also helps you improve your balance & flexibility. I recommend you practicing your reverse lunges and front kicks in a mirror before combining them to complete this ETT exercise. You can see in the video that I alternate legs after a few repeititions. This will help you avoid fatigue, which is key to performing the exercise with the proper technique. Go ahead and incorporate this ETT exercise into your next workout, but you have to promise one thing. Promise that you won’t hate me for making your legs sore. Embrace the burn!

Homemade Workout

Performing at-home workouts keep me in optimal physical condition and allow me to construct & perfect workouts that I can use with ETT’s personal training clients. As much as I love at-home workouts, the amount of equipment I currently have is somewhat limited, which can be an issue if I want to increase the level of resistance placed on me during the workout. This challenge led to the invention of my homemade weight vest. It’s may just be a book bag with a 30 lb sandbag in it, but anyone who has worn a weight vest knows how it can increase the intensity of simple exercises like jumping rope or pull-ups. The homemade weight vest needs a little tweaking but I anticipate it making its way into ETT’s equipment inventory real soon.

image

Get Ready To Be Motivated

Rick Hoyt was born with cerebral palsy and as a result has been wheelchair bound since birth. When he was 15, he asked his father, Dick Hoyt, to push him in a local 5-mile benefit run. Dick and Rick placed next to last in the race, but Rick told his father that “when (we’re) running, it feels like I’m not handicapped.” This event inspired the father and son team to complete over a 1000 races including marathons, ironman triathlons, and they even biked/ran across the entire United States. Dick Hoyt has pushed, pedaled, and pulled Rick across numerous finish lines to perpetuate the feeling Rick had after their first race together.

Don’t forget that your health is important to you AND your loved ones. Make time for your fitness, it’s worth it.

10672297_1547525992147914_3156085086307077094_n

Team Hoyt