Get down with TRX

I am a huge fan of body weight exercise, exercises that are done using just the body as the exerciser's weight is leveraged for resistance. Pushups, dips, situps, planks... all are some basic body weight exercises. I usually incorporate this type of training with my gym peeps and clients, all of which have made great fitness progress with them. TRX is another avenue of gaining fitness using your own body weight. 


What is TRX? TRX is suspension training, made of straps with grips that attach to a fence, pole, or anchor. It is a portable training tool that leverage's gravity and the user's body weight. www.trxtraining.com
 


Advantages of using the TRX:
*Promotes joint and muscular stability
*Development of the core muscles - you have to engage the core
*Allows the user to exercise in 3D - which represents our everyday movements
*Build strength and power without bulking up - women don't get bulk, men get chiseled!
*Great training tool for most fitness levels
*Portable


Disadvantages of the TRX:
*Cost - it is about $200
*Initially the exercises can be awkward for new users
*Individuals with weaker body muscles below the normal range may not have the core stability or joint integrity that will allow them to use this system effectively.

My opinon of TRX:
It ROCKS! As a runner and athlete in other sports, I need to make sure I have good overall body strength to help keep me injury free and performing at the level I want. Runner's especially need to keep their core, hips, glutes, and quads strong to protect the knees, keeping a strong base of support. I can get super low in squats and lunges that allow me to place more load on the glutes, hips, and quads without compromising form. Man my butt gets sore! Many upper body exercises are available without lifting weights and bulking up. In fact I think I have gotten stronger in my upper body because my body weight is more challenging than the 10lb dumbbell I was picking up! The TRX is not the "be all" to training or the only piece of equipment that can get the results I or anyone else want. It is another option of training to choose that allows me variety and movement patterns that help me to reach my goals. If you are looking for something new in your routine or new ways to challenge your fitness, then get down with TRX. It will help you lose your weak!

References:
American Council on Exercise TRX Suspension Trainer professional
Fitness Anywhere: Learn about TRX
http://www.personaltrainersnyc.net/benefits-of-trx-training

To cherry juice or not to cherry juice?

http://www.livestrong.com/article/312268-what-are-the-benefits-of-pure-cherry-juice/
I have been trying this cherry juice thing as a muscle recovery aid over the past 3 weeks and here is my experience thus far...
My workouts have been increasing in intensity with lots of hill runs and strength training to prepare for the SweetH2O 50k in April. Along with that comes more muscle soreness and longer recoveries as my body tries to adapt to the new stresses placed upon it. I read about the benefits of pure cherry juice speeding muscle recovery and definitely wanted to give it a try as my recovery times are not going to get faster on their own. I've come to terms with it... I'm not getting any younger and I just can't bounce back like I was 20! I bought a cherry juice concentrate and took 2 tbsp. daily over a 3 week period. I believe my recoveries have been better with the cherry juice. My muscles seemed to have less fatigue the next day than normal after hard workouts/runs. Also, I did feel like I had less inflammation overall. Other factors to consider during this time frame: 1. I did have 8 hours of sleep each night. 2. I took Epsom salt baths after high intensity work. Both of which aid in recovery as well.
In a nutshell, my opinion is that pure cherry juice aides in recovery and inflammation. Even if it is a small amount, every little bit helps. You gotta' do what you gotta' do to keep on truckin'! I'm going to stick with it for the time being. If you try it, let me know your thoughts.
Peace!

Here we go!

Yep, first blog... encouraging better health, obtaining fitness goals, living a better life and documenting my adventures and training. I'll try to include informative articles and links that can help with all of our #1 goal... get healthy and fit! Who doesn't have this on top of their New Year's resolution? As you can see from my bio, I like to have a foot in various activities and will also include some of my highs and lows in my constant training. I say constant training, but really it is just the life I have adopted outside my family! Hope you will benefit from the info and experiences I post.
Peace!