punching

The Macros Game Debut

Shannon and I talk about several poignant health & fitness topics on this week’s Addicted to Fitness podcast including the ETT take-home workout, my quest to be alcohol free in July, our active Hawaiian honeymoon and the negative health impacts of air travel outlined in a 2015 Economist article. All those topics are super interesting but the reason I’m so excited about this episode is because it is the debut of THE MACROS GAME! Being a lover of game shows, I decided to periodically include a nutritional trivia segment into the podcast. Listen to me test Shannon’s knowledge of macronutrients with this fun little game. Bob Barker ain’t got nothing on me! If you don’t know who Bob Barker is, shame on you.

Thanks again for all the feedback. Your input is making the podcast better and better each week. If you haven’t done so already, please subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or Google Play. You can also listen to this and every episode on the Addicted to Fitness podcast website. Don’t forget to share it with a friend, thanks peeps!

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(Image created with a template courtesy of http://www.goliath.com/interest/wheel-of-fortune/)

 

 

Going Heavy

A heavy bag may be the most versatile piece of exercise equipment out there today. With the right routine you can increase cardio, tone muscle, improve on your striking technique and relieve some of that unwanted stress. I adapted the workout below from an old bodyrock routine I saw my fiancé do years ago. If you’re interested in trying this workout, the round by round breakdown is as follows:

  • Round 1: 6 Jab+Cross Combos (12 total punches) followed by 2 burpees (pushups optional)
  • Round 2: 6 Lead Hook+Power Hook combos followed by 2 burpees
  • Round 3: 3 Jab, Cross, Lead Hook, Power Hook Combos followed by 2 burpees
  • Round 4: Sit-ups with 2 Punches

I did timed rounds (40 seconds of work/20 seconds of rest) and repeated the format 3 times for a 12 minute workout. Modify the format of the workout to meet your fitness level and make sure to wrap those hands before going to work on the bag. If you do the workout, please let me know what you thought of it. I always appreciate feedback!

 

ETT Exercise of the Week Ep.1

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Elemental Training Tampa (ETT) exercise of the week. An ETT exercise combines striking techniques with a strength building body weight exercise. This week’s ETT exercise combines a jab-cross-hook-uppercut combination with 2 lunges. Feel free to use any punch combination, but make sure you’re practicing proper technique regardless of what strikes you perform. After the punch combination perform 2 lunges that match your fitness level. I suggest practicing your lunges in a mirror to ensure proper form. Check out the video below for more helpful tips on how to perform the ETT exercise correctly. Incorporate this exercise into your next high intensity interval training (HIIT) workout or use it as a warm-up before your next weight training session.

The Inception of Elemental Training Tampa

fatfaceSimilar to many people my age, I grew up participating in organized sports and playing outside for fun. This trend of staying physically active continued into high school and college thanks to intramural and club sports that did not discriminate against someone with average athletic ability. Unfortunately, once I graduated from college and opportunities to stay physically active were not as readily available, my physical health and state of mind started to suffer. I was less active, eating poorly, and participating in other unhealthy vices. I was in the worst shape of my life.

Determined to change myself, I walked into a local martial arts school with the hope of regaining my physically active lifestyle. Not only did I regain my former lifestyle, but I learned something that I could never have learned simply lifting weights at a gym.

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Jeff Morris Photography

Studying different facets of various martial arts was both physically and mentally engaging, but the striking arts provided something that I had never experienced before. Punching focus mitts, kicking heavy bags, and knee-striking Thai pads not only improved my physical fitness, but also boosted my confidence, lowered my stress level, and gave me a sense of accomplishment like no other exercise regimen. The benefits that incorporating striking exercises into a complementary training program can provide ANYONE has led me to create Elemental Training Tampa (ETT). The purpose of ETT is to create training programs that combine basic striking techniques with a variety of plyometric, resistance, and core exercises to help individuals reach their fitness goals. This blog will provide ETT workouts that anyone can perform in the comfort of their home along with posts about nutrition, public fitness venues, and eventually information about weekly FREE group ETT classes. Even though striking is often referred to as a science, it’s my mission to help people master the essentials so they can take ownership of their fitness. HIT IT!