Imagine coming across a grizzly bear in the wild.  How would that make you feel?  Scared?  Recently, I encountered a grizzly bear but not the actual animal.  I have encountered a fitness routine nicknamed the grizzly bear, and it, too, is scary. This is a workout consisting of numerous calisthenic exercise done in 20 second intervals and working every muscle group.  You can do this exercise anywhere and get a great isometric strength/cardio workout all at the same time.  The program is broken up into upper body, abs and lower body exercises.  You do three sets of the program. All three...

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I just arrived at a professional development school yesterday in the mountains of Tennessee and was rudely reminded about the importance of variation.  The quarter mile hike up a very steep hill to the check-in office was a killer after eight hours on the road.  It was even more fun to learn that my room was further up the hill on the third floor.  All those months of jogging on level ground or running on the elliptical seemed pointless. None of these exercises have prepared me to lug my luggage consisting of six weeks of clothing and three different styles of...

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Great cardio programs have four components.  They are: frequency, intensity, duration and mode.  When you put them to work for you, you will have a ticker that keeps on ticking. First, you need to decide how often you want to work out.  We all have different schedules, and what works for me may not work for you.  You may be able to work out three days a week or maybe even five.  Once you get the days down, you need to determine time.  You want at least 20 minutes to complete a cardio workout. Next, intensity is how hard you...

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When it comes to fitness, there is no secret that you put your body through the wringer.  Afterward your body requires the replacement of essential nutrients.  There are many companies and a trillion dollar fitness industry willing to sell you the secret potions to replenish you after a workout and to get you going for the workout.  Instead of creating an empty bank account, visit your grocery store for better alternatives. Before your workout, drink a cup of coffee.  Athletes used to frown on this because it is a diuretic.  Those working out take in as much water as they can...

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We need variety in our fitness regimes.  Stagnant waters grow algae.  Bored pets tear up the house.  I can't afford to have mold or mischief in my muscles.  Variety is the antidote to stagnation and variety. I always have tackled my conditioning plans to mirror that of other sports.  I did the cardio of boxers, speed of corner backs, endurance of a triathlete and so forth.  My plans change at least once every six months.  Why not daily? Rick Bawsel provides daily workouts to supplement the active person or to use for those with little time.  Every day he offers a workout via...

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