by Kerry Moynihan | Mar 23, 2020 | Conditioning, Exercise advice, Marines, strength training
Burpees: They are that universally challenging but all-around effective move that works most major muscle groups and ups your cardio endurance.
How to: The basic burpee is a four point maneuver. From standing position, drop into a squat with hands on the ground in front of your feet. Next, kick your feet behind you into a solid plank position then jump your feet back towards your hands. Jump up into the air, then do it all over again.
This exercise is no joke. Since it’s a combo move, the exerciser should have a good master of the plank and good mobility to be able to deep squat.
You’ll notice that arms, back, chest, core, glutes & legs are fired-up as your heart rate raises. The full-body/full-cardio maneuver is super effective at burning fat and building muscle. This is a perfect at-home exercise as no equipment is needed: high intensity interval training anytime & anywhere.
Believe it or not, there actually was a Dr. Burpee who invented this infamous move. Exercise physiologist Royal Burpee created “the burpee” in the late 1930’s as a multi-part exercise for a fitness test – part of his “seven tests of physical capacity.” Its origins were for a WWII military-fitness test where participants were asked to do as many burpees as they could in 20 seconds then 60 seconds.
If you are looking to get into shape quickly for functional everyday living or sport specific training, this is the move for you. Even 90 years after its inception, it’s a training staple.
by Kerry Moynihan | Feb 24, 2020 | shoe wear, Uncategorized
Ideally it would be great to select the most reasonably priced shoe on the shelf or the most colorful in the collection, but so much more goes into proper exercise shoe choice.
Consulting with a qualified exercise shoe salesperson is key to getting the right fit and achieving the best workout possible. That professional can address your individual gait, arch and foot stability needs.
1. Injury avoidance: Ill fitting shoes can lead to shin splints, joint pain, muscle pulls.
2. Improved athletic performance: Proper fitting sneaks provide foot support and stability, enhancing athletic performance.
3. Shelf life: Sneakers last 300-500 miles – that’s total running miles, including “running around” and commuting miles. I can tell when I’m approaching that “need new sneakers” stage – when my shins begin to ache. Aching shins…sneaker fitting time.
4. Multiple pairs: Personally, I find it convenient to have at least two fitted, functioning pair of exercise shoes. When one seems sweaty, they get a rest in favor of fresh pair number two.
Locally in the Boston area Marathon Sports is a great resource for quality sneaker selection, professional fitting and knowledgeable staff. They’ll watch you jog in a variety of sneaker options and hone in on the best choice for your specific needs.
So, don’t short change your exercise performance & personal health by picking the prettiest and cheapest choice on the shelf. An investment in great sneakers is an investment in yourself.
