Shock Your Body to Get the Results You Want!
by Suzie Cooney, CPT of Suzie Trains Maui

World Champion Greg Minnaar

 

You ask, “shock your body”?  Yes indeed, train really hard! Want to make serious changes in your body, read on. I’ve written many articles about how to avoid the dreaded plateau and burn extra body fat and now it’s time again to revisit this well-known training topic. I want to share in this article a couple different types of training methods that may just help you get through that time when your body is not responding and needs something very different to make these changes, or shed those last 5-10lbs. Let’s burn that fat baby!

I often whisper into the ears of my clients when they are grunting in the sand, covered from head to toe in sweat and I’m trying to get just one more rep out of them, as their teeth are clinched, I softly say, ” this is where your body changes”.   I get the rep and they look at me like I have three heads, but they did it and get the results!

My True Collection team mate, Greg Minnaar trains hard! To pull these tricks and to maintain this kind of speed his routine is intense. Check out these photos:

no images were found

To learn more about Greg, go to: https://www.gmfanclub.com/ride/

There are many styles and types of training that offer many good results. Training needs to be fun, BUT it also  must be effective and not lead to injury.  Starting with a good base of fitness first before exploring more “hard core” training methods is highly recommended.  If you go out of the gate too hard, or mix too many different types of training together all at once, for example, plyometrics, interval training or increase the numbers of pounds you’re lifting, there’s a good chance you could get hurt and you have a set back.

Ways in which you can Shock Your Body safely:

Changing the Variables in How You Train

1. Interval Training Tabata: The first style of interval training is a superior way of burning 9x more fat!  We all like the notion of maximizing our efforts in the least amount of time and one popular method of interval training I enjoy is called ” tabata training”  developed by Dr. Tabata from a well known Fitness Institute in Tokoyo, and defined in Wikipedia as:”  A popular regimen based on a 1996 study^[2] uses 20 seconds of ultra-intense exercise (at 170% of VO₂max) followed by 10 seconds of rest, repeated continuously for 4 minutes (8 cycles).

With a special focus on the larger muscle groups in exercise selection, this kind of training, I’d recommend sliding into your current routine once a week at first. I will do about 3 a week. Also when using weights,  go much lighter on the weight selection than you ever imagined.

THIS IS INTENSE! LET ME REPEAT, VERY INTENSE TRAINING!

To break it down, here’s the timing:

20 seconds all out                 Rest for 10 seconds (recovery)     x 8 sets   DOWNLOAD FREE TIMER HERE or click  : https://www.tabatatimer.com/

Great music matters! If you have the right music, you will feel more positive, have more energy and make it more of challenge than hard work. Trick your brain. The right music will have a strong affect to psyche you up. Your pace will automatically sync with the music.  Simply Google music for tabata or music for interval training. This will keep you on que so you don’t get distracted.

Exercise Selection for Tabata Interval Training:

First and foremost is sprinting is proven to get the fastest results. Focus only on the big muscles to equal big results. I like the front squat ( bar in the front of you on your shoulders, grip on the bar slightly wider than shoulders, keep elbows up ) vs. a back squat, which has a much higher carry over affect.

You can also work into the mix 10-15lb kettle bell for kettle bell swings. Also I’d suggest getting some sort of timer like a watch where you can see exactly where you are in the workout, you don’t want to have to think too much, all of your concentration will be on the exercise. They also have special tabata timers.

Now, if you’re just starting out on the “concept” of interval training, my personal recommendation for you is to take it slow and gradually work your way up to higher intensity and longer bouts of sprints or choice in cardio training exercise.  For example, if treadmill training for 30 minutes, you’ll want to include 5 or more instances where you’re running so hard for 15-30 seconds  you can barely talk! Bring it down, but not to full recovery, say at 75-80% of your max for a rest of 90 seconds and pump it up again and repeat until you’re done.

As your lung capacity increases, so will the seconds increase on that 30 seconds. In a week’s time, try 45 seconds and so on. Keep in mind however, the longer the intensity, the longer the recovery. One can’t maintain above the full lactate threshold, so just be mindful of this. You don’t want to bonk.

Interval training is just one way to shock your body.

2. Fast Paced Circuit Training: The quality and intensity matters for this type of training. Thirty minutes will do just fine. I suggest a total body approach; using light active stretching to include a few core exercises to warm up for about 5 minutes.  

In my studio or the beach I can accomplish the same burn rate affect with little to no equipment. I literally will set up stations starting at the top with shoulders, back, chest, legs, biceps and triceps. Abs are ultimately saved for last. Remember your abs support you all throughout the entire circuit for as long as you can handle.

The pace is very fast, a little lighter on the weight side, with minimal to no rest in-between each .  We always set a goal before we begin and try to hit those numbers. The number of reps are roughly 12-15 and we don’t stop.  This is designed to burn and allow your body to adapt to a higher level of total body endurance.

Another way to approach this style of training, is to “time” each station and do as many reps as possible in 3o seconds, then move on to the next station.

Shocking your body sometimes is necessary. Keep your training fresh and mix it up. I also encourage my clients to have a 3 sport training day if you have the luxury of time.  If I could, I’d surf for 30 minutes, SUP for 30 then windsurf or dirtbike.  If I was totally feeling studly, I then come home to the studio and do intense cardio for 30 and light weights for recovery. Now that would be fun for me!

Hope you enjoyed the article and I encourage you to share what you do to make training interesting and how you’ve maybe tried this style of training.

Aloha,

Suzie Cooney, CPT  Suzie Trains Maui

For inquiries about my training on and off the water go to https://suzietrainsmaui.com

For more athletic inspriation, check out our talented crew at The True Collection Website: https://true-collection.com/index.php