Master Your Body: Explode Through Fatigue

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Explode Through Fatigue

"The elevator to success is out of order. You'll have to use the stairs...one step at a time." - Joe Girard

I live by strength endurance and I believe it is one of the most effective ways to train. Strength endurance is defined as the ability to effectively maintain muscular functioning under work conditions of long duration. When training for endurance, the use of high repetitions with full body movements will result in a great expenditure of energy, therefore eliciting tremendous adaptations within the body. I believe that you will develop both physical and mental abilities by improving anaerobic endurance and work capacity, while developing a mental fortitude. It is an amazing feeling, when your endurance shoots through the roof, as your body learns to fight through what was previously unbearable fatigue.

When you are training for strength endurance it is important to reduce rest between your sets. I have seen tremendous results with my clients when you train with endurance. And by reducing your rest periods, an accumulation of blood lactate will occur. This will help to develop increased tolerance to such acidic conditions.

It is important to know that one way to make better use of time is by sequencing exercises so that one movement will not fatigue the muscles required in the next movement. For example, one set of shoulder press followed by a set of db squats. By arranging your circuits/exercises in this way, one is able to improve strength and be able to perform more work, while minimizing fatigue and idle rest. The recovery process between these sets will occur much faster when different muscles are targeted.

When you train you want to see the benefits of improving work capacity. An improved work capacity will allow you to endure more intense work, while recovering between exercises and workouts. The ultimate achievement is that you will enable to body to train harder and more frequently. Your workouts should never be lengthy because INTENSITY is more important than duration. A close friend to work capacity is the concept of GPP.

Verkhoshansky defines GPP (General Physical Preparedness) as "conditioning exercises designed to enhance an athlete's general, non-specific work capacity" (1977). This type of training develops a solid, well-rounded foundation and the benefits include:

Improved Aerobic Endurance
Improved Anaerobic Endurance
Improved Strength
Improved Coordination
Improved Body Composition
Improved Recovery Between Exercises/Workouts

I will be touching on this concept the rest of the week since it shapes my training style and techniques. It is important that you understand the GPP concept and the benefits it can provide you in your training regimen. Below I have included a fun GPP workout for you to try. So sit back, fasten your seatbelts and enjoy the ride...
Goals for this workout: 1)Each movement will be performed not stop, with no rest between exercises. 2)This workout will last 20 minutes. 3)Try to perform as many circuits as possible during the 20-minute time period. 4)Perform each movement as fast as possible but still controlled and without momentum. 5)Pick moderate weight for the exercises that require weight.

Ten Pull-Ups for Men/Five Pull-ups for Women
Ten Upright Row Squats
Ten Burpees
Ten Push-Ups

*This workout blends both strength and conditioning work with explosive body weight exercises. You will definitely fatigue and this has a negative effect on skill. Remember, you will learn to perform in the fatigued state the more conditioned you get. The ultimate challenge is that: YOU ARE TRAINING THE BODY TO EXPLODE THROUGH FATIGUE.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...: Great quote!!! Because it reminds us to WORK for everything we want one piece at a time.

Special thanks to Deb for pushing me during training!! Going on 4 days of a pain free back.; November 13, 2007 at 6:26 PM
Dofitness said...: I am soooo proud of you. You have made so many changes already in a short amount of time and I am excited to see how far you will go. Keep striving.; November 14, 2007 at 3:08 PM
Unknown said...: Okay, I misread this workout thinking it should take 2 minutes to complete the circuit. I will have to try this one again tonight, but I completed one circuit in 2 minutes and 25 seconds after cardio for an hour. I will let you know how many circuits I can complete. Thank you for everything, and I look at your blog everyday to remind myself of my goals and commitments I have made. It is truly an inspiration.; November 15, 2007 at 9:44 AM
Dofitness said...: I am soooooo proud of you. You are making tremendous changes and have literally acheived so many goals. You are a true example of what it takes to be a DEDICATED ATHLETE...you have shown that if you really want it and you work hard at it, YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING. I believe that it is U THAT IS TRULY AN INSPIRATION!; November 16, 2007 at 1:28 PM
Anonymous said...: Wow that was unusual. I just wrote ann vety long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn't appear.

Grrrr... well I'm not writing all that over again. Anyways, just wanted to
say fantastic blog!

Here is my pagee - sexerciseclasses.blogspot.com; June 5, 2014 at 1:36 PM
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Abdominal Challenge #1

NO REST Between Exercises/Keep hands on your head at ALL TIMES when you perform each Sit-up/Keep your legs bent on all Sit-ups/Watch your form and make sure you engage your belly button AT ALL TIMES/Control your motion and DO NOT USE MOMENTUM!
Unassisted Sit-ups- 10x/Hold #10 at the Halfway Mark for 20sec
Core Plank- 30 seconds
Unassisted Sit-ups- 15x/Hold #15 at the Halfway Mark for 20sec
Core Plank- 1 minute
Unassisted Sit-ups- 20x/Hold #20 at the Halfway Mark for 20sec
Core Plank- 1 minute 30 sec
Unassisted Sit-ups- 25x/Hold #25 at the Halfway Mark for 20sec
Core Plank- 2 minutes

Abdominal Challenge #2

DO NOT REST BETWEEN EXERCISES UNLESS IT IS STATED/USE THE SAME RULES FOR ABDOMINAL CHALLENGE #1/Substitute One Crunch + One Sit-up Twist/Twist for Plate Stand-ups if needed/Substitute Roman Chair Leg Raises for Hanging Leg Raises if needed
Medicine Ball Sit-ups (Unassisted)- 25 times/Explosive on the UP- 10 second count on the DOWN/Keep M.B. on your chest AT ALL TIMES
Hanging Bent Leg Raises- 3x15/Rest 10 seconds between sets/DO NOT SWING
Plate Standups/25 times/DO NOT MOVE YOUR FEET/Tempo- Moderate Pace/The lighter the plate the harder the exercise...CHALLENGE/PUSH!
Side Core Plank- Hold 30 seconds/25 Ups and Downs/Do one side at a time
Hanging Straight Leg Raises- 3x15/Rest 10 seconds between sets/DO NOT SWING
Plate Stand-ups + Sit-ups/(2=1) 35 times/DO NOT MOVE YOUR FEET/Tempo- Moderate Pace/The lighter the plate the harder the exercise...CHALLENGE YOURSELF
Side Core Plank- Hold 1 minute/35 Ups and Downs/Do one side at a time

CONDITIONING DRILL #4

In order to MASTER this conditioning drill, each exercise must be performed with perfect form and without STOPPING!

**Be sure that the BURPEES are ALL EXPLOSIVE...JUMP AS HIGH AS YOU CAN AT THE START/LAND IN A LOW PUSH-UP POSITION/EXPLODE BACK UP, LEADING WITH YOUR LEGS

**Make sure that the SQUAT HOLDS ARE LOW (THINK OF AN L-SHAPE/DO NOT LET YOUR BUTT FALL TOO CLOSE TO THE FLOOR)...SIT BACK ON YOUR HEELS AND ALWAYS KEEP YOUR BACK STRAIGHT

1) BURPEES- 15 TIMES
2)LOW SQUAT HOLD (15TH BURPEE)- 10 SECONDS
3) BURPEES- 12 TIMES
4) LOW SQUAT HOLD (12TH BURPEE)- 10 SECONDS
5) BURPEES- 10 TIMES
6) LOW SQUAT HOLD (10TH BURPEE)- 15 SECONDS
7) BURPEES- 8 TIMES
8) LOW SQUAT HOLD (8TH BURPEE)- 15 SECONDS
9) BURPEES- 6 TIMES
10) LOW SQUAT HOLD (6TH BURPEE)- 20 SECONDS
11) BURPEES- 4 TIMES
12) LOW SQUAT HOLD (4TH BURPEE)- 20 SECONDS
13) BURPEE- 2 TIMES
14) LOW SQUAT HOLD (2ND BURPEE)- 20 SECONDS

DEFINITION OF EXERCISES/LANGUAGE IN EXERCISE

1) Straight-legged to Heels-to-Butt Sit-ups- lie flat on the ground with your legs straight and your hands on your head. As you start to do a sit-up bring your heels in to your butt and tap the floor (*the closer the heels come to the butt the harder). As you come out of your sit-up and begin to roll-down straighten out your legs and make sure the heels touch the floor. It should be a smooth, contolled one motion.
2) Burpee In Place-start by jumping straight in the air and then landing in a squat position with hands on the ground. Kick your feet back into the downward position of a push-up. Thrust the feet up and push up with the arms simultaneously.
3) Traveling Forward Burpee- the same concept as the Burpee In Place the only difference is jump forward instead of straight up.
4) Traveling Backward Burpee- the same concept as the Burpee In Place the only difference is jump backward instead of jumping straight up.
5) Burp- also known as a stripped down burpee. Start low and tucked toward the floor. Kick feet out to the bottom portion of a pushup. Then, push with your hands, while thrusting the feet back to the beginnning position (which is low and tucked toward the floor). It is only a half way motion minus without the jump in the air.
6) M.B. or Plate Stand-Ups- lie flat on the ground with your feet planted on the ground. Beginners should use two dumbbells and place on feet. Hold a m.b. or plate over your head (*the heavier the db/plate the easier...the lighter the db/plate or no weight the harder). Quickly move your arms forward and start to sit up. It is very important that you use your arms for momentum and engage your abdominals. Once your arms pass your knees, quickly push forward with your legs, moving into a standing position.
7) Mountain Climbers- start with your body in a push-up plank position. With the hands stationary, alternate the feet back and forth. One leg should be tucked with the knee coming close to your chest and the opposite leg extended. Make sure to place your weight on the balls of the feet.
8) Grasshoppers- your body will begin in the same position you used for mountain climbers. The movement starts by bringing your left foot underneath the body until it touches your right hand. After touching your hand, return the left foot to the starting position and repeat the movement by bringing your right foot across the body to your left hand. You will be on the balls of your feet but when you bring your foot toward your hand you will land on the side of your foot.
9) Wall Sit- place yourself up against a wall and squat down until the thighs are parallel to the floor. Think about forming an L with the bottom portion of your body. Your back is supported against the wall. Hold this position for time. Do not place your hands on your thighs because this takes off the pressure in your legs. Absolutely no movement with this exercise.
10) Bridge- a great exercise that will develop strength and flexibility. It is a static hold that helps improve lower back strength. Start by lying down on the floor with your knees bent and your hands on the floor close to your ears. Lift yourself up with your abdomen pointing upward and with only the hands and the feet on the floor. Your body should create an arched position and you will maintain the upright position for time.
11) Aerobic exercise- means with oxygen. An activity in which demands of muscle for oxygen are met by circulation of oxygen in blood. Distance running, cross-country, skiing, distance cycling are all examples of aerobic activities.
12) Anaerobic Exercise- means without oxygen. Activity in which oxygen demands of muscles are so high that they rely upon an internal metabolic process for oxygen. Short burts of "all-out" activities such as sprinting or weightlifting are examples of anerobic exercises.
13) Burn- also known as "going for the burn." For instance, in endurance exercise, working muscles until lactic acid buildup causes a burning sensation.
14) Concentric- when muscles contract or shorten.
15) Delts- an abbreviation for deltoids, the large triangular muscles of the shoulder which raise the arm away from the body and perform other functions.
16) Eccentric- when muscles lengthen while maintaining tension.
17) Fast-Twitch- refers to muscle cells that fire quickly and are utilized in anaerobic activites like sprinting and powerlifting.
18) Glycogen- can be referred to as a full tank full of stored carbohydrates. Some of it is stored in the liver and some of it is stored in the muscles themselves.
19) Hybrid Lift- is two or more exercise done in one single movement. It is the inverse of a combo lift. For istance, performing a bicep curl while lunging.
20) Interval Training- is a short, high-intensity cardio exercise alternated with longer periods of lower-intensity cardio. It allows you to burn more calories, increase your speed, improve your power, and much more. It is more effective at burning fat while maintaining muscle mass. Combine this type of training with intensity will also increase your metabolic rate to amazing levels. This is because the work you do utilizes a greater percent of the body's muscles.

POWER THOUGHT OF THE DAY

TRADE AFFIRMATION FOR ACCOMPLISHMENT: Accolades fade quickly, but your accomplishments have the potential to make a positive impact on the lives of others.

TRADE IMMEDIATE PLEASURE FOR PERSONAL GROWTH: It takes an oak tree decades to grow, but it takes a squash only weeks. Which do you want to be?

TRADE EXPLORATION FOR FOCUS: The younger you are, the more experimenting you should do. But once you have found what you were created to do, STICK WITH IT!

TRADE QUANTITY OF LIFE FOR QUALITY OF LIFE: Your life is not a dress rehearsal. Give it your best because you won't get another chance.