If you think your kind of out of shape...

[gride]

Hire a proper trainer and see just how out of shape you really are. It'll blow your mind. I'm not talking just weights and cardio. Crazy core stuff and whatever. I'm almost 28 and I have been getting my butt kicked hardcore lately.

[SkiTower]

give it two more years, kid! ;-)

30 is a magical age when things stop working like tbey're supposed to.

[gride]

That's why I'm changing things now. When march rolls around I'll be in great shape and I'll continue to pay my trainer to work me like a horse. Core, hip flexors, flexibility, strength, and endurance. I remember reading an interview with mr mapple where he said he noticed he was about 25lbs over weight recently and said , "no," and got into what he says is the best shape of his life. It's important.

[bchesley]

Try crossfit.... There is no other workout out there that will challenge you more.

[gride]

My trainer is a former SEC player and doesn't train me like anyone in the past. Crossfit is a fad. It might work, but it is.

[Rick]

At 60 my instructions to my personal trainer is; If working the upper body make it so I can't lift a breakfast burrito after the workout. If lower body make it so I can't walk into the taco shop. So far it's working

[bchesley]

Crossfit, a fad? So olympic weight lifting is a fad? Pushups, pullups, situps are a fad? Running, rowing, and jumping rope a fad? Sorry but that has to be the lamest response I have ever heard. You must a have a trainer that is a little intimidated by it and has filled your head with garbage. It's nothing new. People have been doing this stuff for years. Crossfit just happened to be the first to put all of those elements into one workout. I happened to own a crossfit gym and have been using the methodology for years. Nothing will better prepare you for what ever life throws at you.

Brad

[gride]

Like I said. Adding a name to a bunch of workouts. Next year it'll be straight weight or something. I'll put $500 down my trainer, who isn't young anymore will eat your crossfit and still have energy left for Pilates, aerobics, zumba, and a bare knuckle fight, followed by some ice cream. I don't care how you work out. Just do it.

[bchesley]

There is a little competition every year called the CrossFit Games. There is a $250,000 first prize up for the male and female winner. You would think if he is that big of a bad A then he would be first in line to claim his price money. I hear this daily from people/trainers. I have a challenge for you. Have him do "Fran". 21-15-9 reps of both a Thruster and Pullup. you can google it. If he can do that workout in less than three minutes then you can say he is legit. I will need video evidence though...

[gride]

I'll mention it Monday. IMO, the crossfit founder simply took century old workouts and slapped a name on it, then charged an annual licensing fee. I mean I can become a trainer in 2 days. It also let's "owners" not invest in proper equipment. A tire here, a bench there, maybe a big piling. If you're pushing yourself then good. To me, and before I started training, I have always thought it was a joke. FYI: SEC is and has been the most dominant football conference forever. Tailoring workouts based upon what they do makes sense; especially when it's tailored even more for wake boarding.

[todda]

Gride, I am a Physical Therapist, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, as well as Performance Enhancement Specialist with the National Academy of Sports Medicine, and I am so happy to hear of your appreciation for what you can be doing for off-season training! I run performance enhancement training for a few of my slalom buddies who are pro-skiers, and it is really fun in my position to be able to "show" them the appreciation you have found for how difficult core training and "functional sport-specific training" really is. Keep it up, and kudos to your trainer as well. You will be in the best shape of your life if you keep it up!

Todd

[HS]

Searched Fran and found this video of a workout. Notice the other guy to the left (newb, not criticizing, just sayin)
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...0F_MtJoYkAxZxQ

[gride]

Thanks todda. I have been on a very healthy diet te last few months and will continue to fuel my body properly. I stretch everyday as many ways as I can. I'm not an elite athelete and I'm not goin to be, but I can be in the same shape as them. It'll only help every aspect of my life now and in the future. It's a lifestyle. Not an easy one. Thankfully I don't mind eating similar things in small portions day in day out.

[gride]

Proper form would do captain pull up great justice. As would shoes.

[grnking]

The guy doing the pull-ups is doing a butterfly pull-up for speed and a lot of crossfit and other endurance type sports are promoting a primal or minimal type shoe to ensure a firm connection to the floor.
After reading this topic I think we should find something to do in the off season to promote a better level of fitness during the riding season. As for me I enjoy crossfit ... It builds better endurance, balance,and explosive power. That being said find what works for you! To say my way is better than yours is missing the point. In my class we have a former NFL player, 3 former all SEC athletes and several regular joes (like me). Crossfit class ,personal trainer,or treadmill find what works best for you so you can keep it up.