exercise

Addicted to Fitness Show Notes – Interview with Creator of the MP45 Workout Program, Jaret Grossman

We have a great interview for you all on this week’s episode!

Before we get into a recap of the interview with the creator of the MP45 Workout Program, Jaret Grossman, we have a couple general updates for you.

First of all, as some of you have called out to us, we jumped the gun a tiny bit on asking for votes for Creative Loafing’s Best of the Bay contest. The nominations have closed (thank you to everyone who nominated our podcast!), but voting will be opening up at the end of July. Put a note on your calendar now to visit cltampabay.com at the end of the month or just keep listening for more updates.

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Visit cltampabay.com later this month to vote for the ATF podcast

Second, if you’re looking for a jumpstart to a new fitness goal, or just want some inspiration to reenergize your current routine, be sure to take advantage of ETTampa’s free fitness consultation and follow up, by emailing Nick at elementaltampa@gmail.com. Thanks to modern technology you don’t need to live in Tampa Bay to participate, so there’s no reason not to take advantage of this offer and start living a healthier life.

Now onto the interview!

This week’s health and fitness professional actually reached out to us about coming on the podcast (we love hearing from listeners and folks in the industry alike). Even though Nick admitted that he was initially worried the interview could end up being just a sales pitch, after he started his research on Jaret Grossman, he truly started getting excited to speak with him about his diverse experience and numerous projects.

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Image courtesy of mp45.com

You should listen to the podcast for the full interview, but here are some of the highlights:

  • Jaret created the MP45 gym system and is co-creator of the popular Muscle Prodigy fitness brand, as well as serving as a motivational speaker, author and inspirational YouTube personality.
  • He developed a large portion of his work ethic during his time as an elite wrestler (he’s a 3-time collegiate All-American), which taught him about the importance of accountability and how prior preparation can help you achieve the results you want.
  • Jaret actually created the Muscle Prodigy brand with his childhood friend, wanting it to serve as a resource for anyone, regardless of their fitness level, to learn how to live healthier lives.
  • MP45 is a 45-day workout plan and meal plan guide that Jaret created based on High-Intensity Stimulation Training. Jaret incorporated the best training practices from multiple exercise disciplines like bodybuilding, powerlifting and athletic training. The training protocol is the same for all groups, but it’s the intensity that varies depending on a person’s starting fitness level and goals.
  • Jaret is also a YouTube creator. He actually produced one motivational video a day for an entire year!
  • Another part of Jaret’s busy life is as a life coach/mentor for specific individuals, and he admits to not be a fan of the term “life coach” as it’s hard to tell who is truly genuine. Jaret shared some great advice to keep in mind if you’re ever looking for a good quality coach.
  • His book Cracking the Code focuses on bringing your life into balance, in all its aspects, which will allow you to live a more fulfilled life.
  • Find out more about Jaret Grossman by visiting jaretgrossman.com and visit  mp45.com to find out more about the MP45 workout program.

 

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As we wrap-up this week’s episode, Nick talks about why he was so “stoked” to talk to an elite combat sports athlete and we chat a bit about the “cliche′” stigma attached to life coaches. Jaret’s advice on how to tell the good ones definitely helped clear up a few things!

Finally, if you’d like to receive a little guidance with your fitness, don’t wait to email Nick to schedule a free fitness consultation.

We’ll talk to you next week! Don’t be a stranger in the meantime – give us a shout in social or send us a comment.

Links to this week’s episode

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/interview-creator-mp45-workout-program-jaret-grossman/id1121420986?i=1000389711920&mt=2

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/nick-burch-702220833/an-interview-with-the-creator

Website: http://addictedtofitness.libsyn.com/an-interview-with-the-creator-of-the-mp45-workout-program-jaret-grossman

Weekend Workout – The workout you’ll want to do before you hit the beach

Wanna up the intensity of your workout in a shorter amount of time? Then you need to try a superset. These workout sets involve performing the desired number of repetitions for 3 separate exercises in succession. Below is an example of a core centric superset workout that will get those abs popping before you hit the beach.

I recommend performing five 10 rep supersets of this workout. Don’t forget to warmup and modify the workout to match your fitness level. Head to the Tampa Strength YouTube channel (link) if you’re looking for additional exercises to add to you weekend workout.

Let us know in the comment section below if you completed this or any weekend workout. ENJOY!

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Addicted to Fitness Show Notes – What’s Up with Coconut Oil & The 1776 Edition of the Macros Game

Nick let me take over the show notes today for our special holiday episode.

First off a couple of special announcements.

We want to thank you all for your nominations for Creative Loafing’s Best of the Bay 2017! Later in the month, voting will start and we’ll most likely need your help once again. For now, mark your calendars and check back on cltampa.com/botb2017 later in July.

In the meantime, if you’re interested in a free fitness consultation from ETTampa, email Nick at elementaltampa@gmail.com. He’s offering up a 30-min phone/Skype call, regardless of location.

Training Recap

While Nick is lifting more at Tampa Strength, he’s also using some new toys. One, called a landmine attachment, is especially great for rotational exercises.

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Landmine attachment image courtesy of amazon.com

I’ve been making some adjustments due to the pregnancy even on the Peloton, since my heart rate spikes up faster these days during training. I’ve also been taking prenatal yoga classes, which teaches you how to move with your body when you’re going through some pretty incredible changes. It’s definitely helped me to see what an important need for prenatal and even beyond (fourth trimester) yoga is and has me thinking it’s an area I might want to take my training.

Now onto the main events.

Many people have been talking about the recent USA Today article, “Coconut oil isn’t healthy. It’s never been healthy.”

People have been reaching out to Nick for his opinions, which is ironic because it followed a blog post that he published a few weeks before this one was published. The USA Today article reports that the American Heart Association’s (AHA) recommendation is NOT to use coconut oil because it could raise LDL cholesterol which could lead to cardiovascular disease.

Coconut oil is almost entirely saturated fat, which we’ve discussed the beneficial aspects of before on the podcast, but it is still being vilified by certain organizations. Stating that coconut oil doesn’t provide any health benefits is untrue; it’s great for skin, anti-pathogenic and does contain medium chain triglycerides, which are less likely to be stored as fat.

After examining the details, the article’s title is total click-bait because it actually goes on to discuss why you should keep your coconut oil including how coconut oil won’t turn to trans fat like certain vegetable oils, which the AHA recommends you use.

Our recommendation is not to throw the baby out with the bath water. Use coconut oil in moderation and check out some more facts, like those in the TIME article on coconut oil, which is more non-partisan.

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The 1776 Edition of the Macros Game

For anyone that is unfamiliar with the Macros Game, it is a nutritional trivia game that requires the contestants (Nick and I) to guess the macronutrient (fat, protein or carbohydrate) when given its amount in one serving of a specific food.

So, since this comes out in time for Independence day, we’re doing a 1776 edition of the Macros game featuring foods that were popular at that time and are still available today (in some form or another).

You should definitely listen to the full game on the podcast. Some of the food items featured in this edition of the Macros game include:

  • mutton (adult sheep – which particularly grossed me out)
  • oysters
  • scrapple (one of Nick’s fav’s)
  • corn chowder

This Macros game has a shocking result so make sure you listen! Feel free to play along and send us your scores.

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As we wrap it up, here’s a friendly reminder to take advantage of the ETTampa free fitness consultation. If you are looking for a little guidance, whether it be for exercise, nutrition or even accountability, send Nick an email at elementaltampa@gmail.com. We’d also love it if you connect with us on social media (Facebook, Instagram or Twitter).

Links for this week’s episode

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/whats-up-with-coconut-oil-a-1776-edition-of-the-macros-game/id1121420986?i=1000389464597&mt=2

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/nick-burch-702220833/whats-up-with-coconut-oil-a

Website: http://addictedtofitness.libsyn.com/the-fourth-of-july-edition-of-the-macros-game

Weekend workout – Start your holiday weekend on a healthy note

Plyometric exercises can get your heart rate up & increase your maximum force production while isometric exercises can increase strength with little to no risk of injury. Which is why this weekend workout combines both beneficial forms of exercise. ⠀⠀

Make sure you warmup and modify the exercises & intervals to match your fitness level. Let us know in the comment section if you completed this or any workout. Don’t forget to incorporate a little fitness into your holiday weekend.

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What’s on the Menu – Almost everyone uses PEDs

Hi, my name is Nicholas Burch, and I’m a coffee addict.

It’s true. I really can’t live without the stuff. When I wake up every morning I look forward to the fact that I’ll soon be drinking coffee. I enjoy the ritualistic aspects it includes. I actually have fond memories of times with relatives no longer living that are based around having coffee with them. I’m sure my body looks forward to the energetic boost (more on that later) it can provide, but I truly look forward to the act of making & drinking coffee.

Thankfully, my coffee loving vice is healthy. In fact, with the scientific research I’ve gathered, I’m willing to say that coffee is the healthiest beverage on the planet. Shannon and I actually debated this very statement in a past episode of the Addicted to Fitness podcast (click here to listen). Below is several potential positive and negative impacts of coffee consumption. Take a gander and decide whether you’d put coffee in the friend or foe category.

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Coffee & protein – how I start everyday

Pros

  • Contains the powerful antioxidant chlorogenic acid, which can reduce free radicals that damage cells (source)
  • Two or more cups of coffee could prevent alcohol induced cirrhosis by up to 66% (source)
  • Studies have shown that drinking coffee can result in a significant reduction in prostate cancer (source)
  • Studies have shown that the caffeine in coffee can improve performance in endurance events (source) FUN FACT: caffeine was considered a performance enhancing drug by the Olympic drug testing agency until 2004
  • Studies have linked coffee consumption to the reduction in the development of both Alzheimer’s disease and dementia (source) 

Cons

  • Regular coffee consumption can have a negative affect on dental hygiene (e.g. stained teeth, bad breath)
  • Coffee consumption close to bedtime can disrupt regular sleep patterns (source)
  • Excess coffee intake has been linked to hand tremors in a small percentage of individuals (source)
  • Coffee consumption does cause an acute increase in blood pressure (source)
  • Sudden elimination or reduction in caffienated coffee consumption can induce withdrawal-like symptoms (source)

Besides water & tea, coffee provides the widest array of health benefits of any beverage. As you can see, caffienated coffee can cause problems for individuals that suffer from essential tremors or hypertension, but even the consumption of decaf coffee has favorable aspects. It is important to note that the pros & cons listed above are based on BLACK COFFEE. Once you start adding sugar, dairy or dairy substitutes to the coffee, you can seriously affect its merit.

I could go on and on about coffee, but I would rather get your feedback. Love it or hate it, please let me know what you think of. We would really love it if you sent us a pic of your favorite cup of joe on social media (Facebook, Instagram or Twitter).

In addition to your coffee feedback, you can also contact us at elementaltampa@gmail.com to take advantage of the complimentary fitness consultations we’re currently offering. Whether you need advice on nutrition or just want workout tips, I’d be happy to set up an appointment with you to discuss how you can improve your fitness.

Weekend Workout – Get your kicks with this bodyweight workout

Even though it’s important to get a little R&R on the weekend, you don’t want to TOTALLY neglect your workout routine. With that in mind, here is a workout that combines a pair of common bodyweight exercises with two basic striking techniques.

Head to the ETT YouTube channel (link) if you need further instruction on the jab + cross and/or front kick exercises. I recommend performing the workout in interval format (30 sec work/30 sec rest) for 12-16 minutes. Don’t forget to warmup and modify the workout to match your fitness level.

Let us know in the comment section below if you completed this or any weekend workout. ENJOY!

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Addicted to Fitness Show Notes – Our First Dexafit DXA Body Composition Scan

We’re bringing you another “on location” episode on this week’s Addicted to Fitness. I’m extremely excited that I get to share my first DXA body composition scan at Dexafit Tampa (link). I’m always interested in gathering the most accurate information on what’s going on within my “meat suit” and the data provided by Dexafit Tampa definitely did that and more.  If you’re interested in finding out whether or not your current fitness plan is producing the results you really want, you’ll want to check out this episode.

Fortunately for me, and you the listeners, the manager of Dexafit Tampa, Edward, was kind enough to join me on this week’s episode to explain the DXA scan process. A DexaFit DXA scan is a “simple and easy 10-minute test that measures your total body fat and includes the exact breakdown of bone mass, fat tissue, and muscle in your body.” Edward explains that the Dexafit machine uses X-ray to gather this information and if variables are kept the same between scans, it can produce results with 98-99% accuracy. The DXA scan is also the first body composition test that can measure visceral fat, which recent research has shown is much more dangerous to your health than subcutaneous fat (source).

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If you’ve been following @ettampa Instagram stories, you’ve probably seen that I’ve been using a bio-impedance handheld meter to determine my body fat percentage. I’ve done my best to replicate the same variables for the last 8 weeks, and the handheld meter measured my body fat between 8-10%. I know these devices can have up to 20% error, but the DXA scan informed me that the percent error was much higher than that.

After the scan, Edward informed me that my total body fat percentage was 16.1%. I was somewhat shocked by this, but Edward mentions that unlike other body composition tests (calipers, hydrostatic weighing, bio-impedance, etc.), DXA scans measure essential and visceral fat, which usually means higher percentages. More importantly, my visceral fat was very low (1/10 lb) and my stomach to hip ratio, which is a good health indicator, was below the recommended value. In addition to telling you where you carry your fat, the scan can also tell if you have over developed musculature on one side of your body. This is important because muscle imbalances can often lead to injuries.

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Take advantage of Dexfit’s “Commit to Fit” challenge (link)

The scan can also determine if you’re doing weight bearing exercises or not. An individual that plays contact sports or performs resistance training will have a higher bone density than a person that doesn’t do either. My time spent in the gym, both lifting weights and kicking heavy bags, resulted in a higher than normal bone density. Learning your bone density is important because it can help you avert conditions like osteoporosis.

The DXA scan provided by Dexafit can provide you with important health information and help you determine whether or not your current fitness plan is producing the results you hoped for, but that’s just one of the many services they can provide. Dexafit also performs Fit 3D body scans (link), Resting Metabolic Rate testing (link) and VO2 Max testing (link – which I’m super interested in) just to name a few. Check out dexafit.com to see if you have a location near you.

I also want to inform all Tampa and Boca Raton Addicted to Fitness listeners that you should take advantage of your local Dexafit’s “Commit to Fit” challenge. You have the opportunity to win cash & prizes in this 60 day transformation challenge, but more importantly it will help you get in the best shape of you life. Check out CommitToFitFL.com for all the details and if you enter the challenge, make sure you tell them you heard about it on the Addicted to Fitness podcast. You only have till June 30th to enter so don’t delay!

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We hope that this podcast provides you with supportive health & fitness information each week. Our ultimate goal is to help as many people as possible enhance their quality of life by improving their fitness. In an effort to reach that ultimate goal, I will now be offering complimentary fitness consultations via phone and email. If you are looking for a little guidance, whether it be for exercise, nutrition or even accountability, send me an email at elementaltampa@gmail.com. I’d be happy to setup an appointment with you to discuss how you can live a healthier and happier life.

Thanks for listening and please remember to rate, review and share the podcast. I look forward to speaking with you and stay healthy this week peeps!

Links for this week’s episode

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/our-first-dexafit-dxa-body-composition-scan/id1121420986?i=1000386712630&mt=2

Android: http://subscribeonandroid.com/addictedtofitness.libsyn.com/rss

Website: http://addictedtofitness.libsyn.com/our-first-dexafit-dxa-body-composition-scan

Addicted to Fitness Show Notes – How being a new dad affects your fitness

This week’s Addicted to Fitness is an on location, interview and throwback episode all in one. I return to the conception site of the podcast, which is also the home of Tyler, my former cohost. Tyler reached out a few weeks ago with a concept for a podcast that related to his new found vocation, fatherhood. He wanted to discuss life after having a kid and how it impacts willpower in terms of nutrition and workout out. Being that I’m about to become a dad, and we’re less than a week away from Father’s Day, I thought this would be a great topic for us to explore on the podcast.

Before we get into the dad centric discussion, I had to recap my week of training with Tyler. I’ve really been putting a lot of effort into doing more hypertrophy (fancy word to build muscle) training in between clients at Tampa Strength. I’d like to think with these workouts and the addition of 500-1000 quality calories a day, I could add 5 lbs of muscle in 8-12 weeks. Tyler got a real kick out of hearing this and quickly accused me of “BULKING BRO!” I’m only a few weeks into the process, but have still yet to see any significant muscle gain and the workouts are starting to take their toll. I’ll keep you updated on my progress as time goes on.

After discussing my workouts, we move the conversation to how Tyler’s new baby boy has affected his fitness. A lack of sleep and free time has drastically reduced Tyler’s ability and desire to workout. However, he is a big fan of Dr. Eric Goodman’s Foundation Training (workout example above) which incorporates a lot of isometric exercises that help participants increase mobility and alleviate common ailments like lower back pain. Tyler mentions how helpful these workouts have been to improving his posture and they take less than 15 minutes a day, which is perfect for a new dad. Unfortunately, Tyler has yet to find a solution to the obstacles fatherhood has created in regards to his nutrition.

Tyler works full-time and when he comes home, he looks forward to spending as much time as possible with his son and wife. This leaves very little time for meal prep and/or cooking, which has resulted in Tyler eating more “ready to eat” foods. He realizes that eating more processed foods can have a negative impact on his fitness, but believes that spending time with his infant son is paramount. I agree and anticipate I’ll be faced with the same predicament in a few months.

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Tyler and I go off on a couple other topics, some fitness related, some not, in this episode. I found it extremely beneficial not only because I’m about to be a dad, but because it allowed me to reiterate the idea that everyone’s fitness is different. Physical limitations, circumstances at home and access to resources can all affect how fit a person can be. It’s important to remember that you need to set a level of fitness that is customized to you, not to the bodybuilder you see on Instagram or the crossfit athlete you see on ESPN. It’s great to use those individuals as motivation, but don’t let them set your level of fitness.

I truly hope that this podcast is a resource you can use to help determine where your level of fit should be. We really want to provide useful health information that allows you to enhance your quality of life by improving your fitness. We’d love to hear your opinion on whether or not we’re achieving that goal or not. Send your feedback to elementaltampa@gmail.com or reach out to us on social media (Facebook, Instagram or Twitter). Your comments and support continues to help us grow and we are extremely grateful. Keep rating, reviewing and sharing the podcast!

Links to this week’s episode

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/how-being-a-new-dad-affects-your-fitness/id1121420986?i=1000386428965&mt=2

Android: http://subscribeonandroid.com/addictedtofitness.libsyn.com/rss

Website: http://addictedtofitness.libsyn.com/how-being-a-new-dad-affects-your-fitness-0