Ultimate Home Gym for 2010

It’s been 4 years now since cancelling my gym membership at Gold’s Gym in Redondo Beach…and I’ve never been in better shape!

I went to the gym year after year to keep fit and get stronger for playing beach volleyball competitively…I was even a sponsored athlete with Gold’s Gym for 8 years (Santa Barbara and Venice locations). I actually have no beef with gym’s or gym-goers but I found that hitting the gym 3-5 times per week was too disruptive to my life and therefore decided to make a change and get in my workouts at home.

The departure from working out at the gym had the following up sides:

• saved money on membership fees
• saved money on parking fees (yes, parking costs money in California!)
• saved money on gas to and from the gym
• saved time spent getting to and from the gym
• less exposure to sweat and germs left on equipment
• no more frustration that the equipment I want to use is taken
• no “prime time” hours and high-traffic hours to contend with
• no more seasonal surges in membership to clog the facility with newbies and short-timers
• no more annoying cell phone talkers yappin away while doing cardio simultaneously

Now that life’s distractions have been trimmed down by letting my membership expire it was time to find a worthy replacement for the thousands of pounds or training equipment I was accustomed to having access to (when not in use or out of order). Ironically enough, the solution for me was a piece of equipment that weighed less than two pounds and looked like a three-legged seatbelt – the TRX Suspension Trainer, a bodyweight-based fitness tool that uses your bodyweight and gravity as resistance to provide whole-body workout capability that’s functional in nature, core-intensive and made easy or extremely difficult depending on the user’s ability, desire and fitness goals.

Granted, Suspension Training took me 2-3 workouts in order to really get the hang of it but now that I’m a proficient TRX user, my workout options are endless…and I have no reason to ever spend money and join a gym again!

My investment in TRX cost $150 and the product has held up for over three years, even with regular use (3-5 times per week…and my wife uses it too). That’s a great return on investment when compared to 3-years worth of gym membership fees!

Check out my website, www.VirtualWorkoutPartner.com which is dedicated to helping people stay fit despite living a busy lifestyle. I hope TRX becomes your fitness solution and saviour from undesirable costs, hassel and lost time as well. Please comment and let me know how your life has improved with TRX added to your arsenal of fitness tools.

Here is a great 10-exercise workout routine I do all the time, usually with my wife…we just alternate and there are no plates to replace or re-rack, no pins or seats to adjust either. Enjoy!

Guys, ever get that not so firm feeling?

You know what I’m talking about Guys! You lay off of the gym for a while, take a road trip, get injured or just flat out let yourself go. Now, when you feel your arms, chest, legs and abs they’re no longer nice and firm…they’ve become soft and perhaps taken on some body fat…perhaps more than just some. It happens to the best of us and it doesn’t take long for your body to do a 180 degree turn from putting on lean muscle to muscle atrophy and fat storage.

Even I have to admit that I’ll sneak a feel of myself when I’m well conditioned and firmed up. It’s a matter of appreciation for the results I’ve earned from strength training and conditioning – so why not cop a feel of those guns I made! After feeling yourself with a nice tone muscular physique however, it’s hard to allow yourself to lose that and become unconditioned.

The message here is don’t allow yourself to get out of shape long enough to start reversing the positive effects of exercise. Disuse and living a sedentary lifestyle is a sure way to see the softer side of you…it’s just a matter of time. To combat this, exercise regularly…simple, right? Well, what if you travel a lot, don’t have time for the gym or don’t know what you’re doing? The answer lies within the TRX, a lightweight and portable fitness tool conceived in the Navy SEAL teams and now a popular new way to train that’s been adopted worldwide.

With the TRX, your able to get in a full-body workout within a single station. There are over 300 functional exercises possible and routine options like core training, sport-specific, weight loss or strength building are endless. Every TRX comes with an instructional DVD and there are several videos on how to use TRX, including some from my website www.VirtualWorkoutPartner.com.

So fellas, there are no more excuses to not managing your firmness. Get a TRX and armor yourself against that not so firm version of yourself.

Men's Health Votes TRX as the Best

The Perfect Gift-Giving Scenario This Holiday Season

Just as fitness is all about results, giving a gift is about results too…and in the case of holiday gifts that means having a satisfied customer. So, below is some sample dialogue that’s likely to take place in a post-gift-opening conversation where you (the Gifter) present a TRX to a friend, workout partner, employee or family member (the Giftee).

Gifter: “So, I got you something (hands a geometricaly-funky shaped giftwraped box to Giftee)”

Giftee: “(Giftee rips open the package, then flashes a curious look at Gifter) Oh, my gosh what is this thing?”

Gifter: “That’s a TRX, it’s a fitness tool with origins in the Navy SEAL teams and I’m addicted to it…and now it’s your new workout partner and gym, all in one”

Giftee: “Okaaaay, what does that mean exactly”

Gifter: “It means with the TRX at your disposal you can workout just about anywhere, anytime because TRX leverages your own bodyweight against gravity as resistance – so it’s safe to do and there are no excuses for missing workouts anymore.”

Giftee: “That’s great and all but I don’t want to have a workout routine that’s limited”

Gifter: “Limited?!? (Gifter laughs a bit, then composes him/herself) TRX is empowering; not a 3-exercise wonder…there are over 300 exercises you can do with the TRX, including movements through all three planes of motion for training that’s truly functional and can help with sports performance too. All of this within a single workout station. Plus, whether your feeling weak or strong on any given day you can make simple self-adjustments to make your workout as easy or hard as you want.”

Giftee: “Sounds like I can pretty much train when and however I like with the TRX”

Gifter: “Pop the champagne! I think you’ve got it!!!”

Giftee: “Thanks for the gift – truly appreciated. Now let’s try this out together…maybe you can show me your favorite 5 exercises?!?”

Gifter: “Sounds good, I need to work off some holiday treats anyway! Let’s do this!”

Gifter (alternate ending#1): “I actually have to run but the TRX comes with an instructional DVD to get you going plus you can check out videos from either www.VirtualWorkoutPartner.com or at Fitness Anywhere, where I bought your TRX – enjoy!”

Is that the perfect gift giving scenario or what?

Seriously speaking, I want those I care about to live long and healthy lives and firmly believe in the TRX as one of the most effective and efficient ways to ensure that. Regular exercise can go a long long way. I can’t make anyone workout or follow a program but if they have the tools to be successful and I’m able to help the cause, then I’m all for it. That’s why I created some workout videos to guide people through my favorite exercises and workout routines.

Happy and Healthy Holidays to You and Yours this Season!

Drew Brees’ Training Secret

I couldn’t help but be amazed at the athleticism, mental toughness, power and agility of New Orleans Saints Quarterback Drew Brees lat night as they battled the Falcons on Monday Night Football. The Saints won and are now 7-0 thanks in large part to Drew and his amazing ability to play the Quarterback position.

He’s quick on his feet and has a laser-accurate arm capable of firing off bullets to his receivers – amazing!

Now I know why he’s so amazing…it’s the TRX!

I recommend checking out Drew’s workout videos with master trainer, Todd Durkin. This and other videos are available on Fitness Anywhere’s website…just join the community and check them out!

Home-Based Fitness for the Busy Person

It’s been 6 years since I cancelled my gym membership…and I’ve never been in better shape!

I went to the gym year after year to keep fit and do workouts that improved my ability to play beach volleyball and other sports I enjoy…I was even a sponsored athlete with Gold’s Gym for 8 years (Santa Barbara and Venice locations). While I have no beef with gym’s or gym-goers, I found that hitting the gym 3-5 times per week was incredibly disruptive to my life and therefore decided to make a change.

The departure from working out at the gym had the following up sides:

• saved money on membership fees
• saved money on parking fees (yes, parking costs money in California!)
• saved money on gas to and from the gym
• saved time spent getting to and from the gym
• less exposure to sweat and germs left on equipment
• no more frustration that the equipment I want to use is taken
• no “prime time” hours and high-traffic hours to contend with
• no more seasonal surges in membership to clog the facility with newbies and short-timers
• no more annoying cell phone talkers yapping away while doing cardio simultaneously

Now that life’s distractions have been trimmed down by letting my membership expire it was time to find a worthy replacement for the thousands of pounds or training equipment I was accustomed to having access to (when not in use or out of order). Ironically enough, the solution for me was a piece of equipment that weighed less than two pounds and looked like a three-legged seat belt – the TRX Suspension Trainer, a bodyweight-based fitness tool that uses your bodyweight and gravity as resistance to provide whole-body workout capability that’s functional in nature, core-intensive and made easy or extremely difficult depending on the user’s ability, desire and fitness goals.

Granted, Suspension Training took me 2-3 workouts in order to really get the hang of it but now that I’m a proficient TRX user, my workout options are endless…and I have no reason to ever spend money and join a gym again!

My investment in TRX cost $150 and the product has held up for over three years, even with regular use (3-5 times per week…and my wife uses it too). That’s a great return on investment when compared to 3-years worth of gym membership fees!

Check out my website, www.VirtualWorkoutPartner.com which is dedicated to helping people stay fit despite living a busy lifestyle. I hope TRX becomes your fitness solution and savior from undesirable costs, hassle and lost time as well. Please comment and let me know how your life has improved with TRX added to your arsenal of fitness tools.

10-Exercise Full-Body Workout Routine with the TRX System

I’m often times on the road and have limited time to get in a full-body workout that actually works. That’s why I created this “Tone Up with Ten” exercise routine that I can do just about anywhere, anytime. Through the video link below, I’ll demonstrate each exercise and provide you with tips on how to execute them properly as well as how to make each exercise easier or more difficult so you have a range to work within that will keep you tested for several workouts to come. Enjoy the video!

For more exercise videos or to get your own TRX, visit www.VirtualWorkoutPartner.com

TRX Suspended Burpee – a great conditioning exercise

As a beach volleyball player, I need to do exercises that get my heart rate up and improve stamina so I can go-go-go all tournament long. One of my favorite conditioning exercises is the TRX Suspended Burpee. This exercise challenges the body to work against gravity in an unstable setting – from one foot being suspended.

Watch this video and give it a try for yourself…it’s sure to up your heart rate and condition you to recover quickly.

Surf-Specific Workout with TRX

Surfers rejoice – there is a fitness routine now designed especially for you!

Surfing requires physical fitness. There is a tremendous amount of core strength, balance and coordination involved with riding the wild wild surf and old-school, non-functional workout methods just don’t give surfers that edge they need. The new standard in functional exercise is Suspension Training with the TRX System, and it’s revolutionizing how athletes like surfers train for improved performance.

Check out this video clip of Fitness Anywhere’s new Surf-Specific TRX Workout. Just like the TRX, this downloadable workout program is an incredible value that will provide you with a fun and challenging fitness routine that can be used for years and years.