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Friday, October 12, 2012

Workout: Street Workout 1

 

Equipment Used:
  • Pair of gardening gloves
  • Park Area w/ Pull-Ups bars, Monkey bars, various other bars
  • Optional: Set of tow chains or weighted vest
  • Highly recommended:Water source / Shade
Tip: This workout is outside, designed for a park with some space & some basic equipment. Scout out parks near you.
*** Locations of parks that we frequent that have bar equipment is at the bottom of the page.

Street Workout #1

SUMMARY
***Stretch/Warmup
  1. Pull-Ups/Chin-Ups
  2. Muscle-Ups
  3. L-Sits
  4. Toe-To-Bar
  5. Windshield Wipers
  6. Human Flag
  7. Planche
  8. Dips
  9. Monkey Bar Suicides
  10. Back Lever
  11. Front Lever
  12. Handstand Push-Up

Street Workout #1

This workout is designed to try and build functional upper body strength while learning the basic skills necessary to perform advanced calisthenic movements. Many of these exercises take more than just raw strength and instead require a high degree of technique. Once the technique is perfected any additional strength will help progress you into advanced versions of each exercise. The key here is to slowly master the "progression". A progression is a series of exercises designed to prepare you for an advanced, and usually very difficult, exercise. This is very different and separate from the usual circuits we post and may not be for everybody. It is a fun alternative to hitting the gym and/or track daily. Some of these techniques are used heavily in crossfit/parkour workouts too. Give these a try to diversify your workouts. I guarantee that once you see improvement or master a few basic skills, you will be hooked and want to perfect more. Good luck!

PROGRESSIONS

Pull-Ups/Chin-Ups
  1. Modified Horizontal Rows (knees bent)
  2. Horizontal Rows
  3. Flexed Arm Hang
  4. Slow Release Chin-Up
  5. Chin-Ups
  6. Assisted Pull-Ups
Muscle-Ups
  1. Chest-To-Bar Pull-Ups
  2. Jump into Muscle-Up
  3. Kip Practice (large swing)
L-Sits
  1. Parallel Bar Push-Ups (hands near hips)
  2. Bent Knee Holds (attempt to push hips fwd)
  3. Side-To-Sides
  4. Scoots (fwd and back)
Toe-To-Bar
  1. Bent Knee Raises
  2. Hanging Leg Raises
  3. Knees to Elbow
Windshield Wipers
  1. Hold Pike (toes pointing up, above bar)
  2. Hanging Leg Raises (half and full)
  3. Hanging Side Curl (bent knee)
  4. Hanging L-Twist
  5. Modified Wipers (bent knees)
Human Flag
  1. Form Hold, slighty off ground
  2. Form Hold, knee bent parallel to ground
  3. Form Hold, straight leg vertical
  4. Form Hold, straight leg vertical w/ negative lower
Planche
  1. Master L-Sit progression
  2. L-Sit w/ tucked knees
  3. Rock back into Crow
  4. Crow kicks (single and dual)
  5. Tucked Planche Hold
  6. Tucked Planche Push-Ups
  7. Elevated Planche Push-Ups (feet)
Dips
  1. Bench dips
  2. Elevated bench dips (one or both feet)
  3. Parallel bar dips w/ feet on bar
  4. Negative dips (jump up, lower slow)
  5. Negative holds (lower slow then hold)
Monkey Bar Suicides
  1. Master Pull-Up progression
  2. Perform reps until failure
Back Lever
  1. Skin the cat (bent knee)
  2. Skin the cat (piked)
  3. Lever w/ Knees tucked
  4. Lever w/ legs wide
Front Lever
  1. Hanging Lifts (knee, knee to chest, straight leg)
  2. Toe-To-Bar progression w/ no kip/swing
  3. Torso Raises
  4. Torso Raises (bent knee, legs straight)
  5. Lever lifts
Handstand Push-Up
  1. Master Regular Push-Ups
  2. Pike Push-Ups
  3. Pike Push-Ups w/ elevated feet
  4. Handstands against wall

Examples

1 - Pull-Up/Chin-Up: Video Example
2 - Muscle-Up Tutorial: Video Example
3 - L-Sit: Video Example
4 - Toe-To-Bar: Video Example
5 - Windshield Wipers: Video Example
6 - Human Flag: Video Example
7 - Planche: Video Example
8 - Dips: Video Example
9 - Monkey Bar Suicides: Video Example
10 - Back Lever: Video Example
11 - Front Lever: Video Example
12 - Handstand Push-Up Progression: Video Example
Hydrate, Rest and Recover. Good luck!!!

Local Austin Parks

Brentwood Park
6710 Arroyo Seco Austin, TX 78757
This park has two separate areas of bars. One area has pull-up bars of 6 varying heights. The other area has dip bars, monkey bars and a push-up area. No trails but a large grassy field and basketball court.
ACC Northridge Campus
11928 Stonehollow Dr Austin, TX 78758
One large area in front of the school with all the equipment you need. No trails.
Mueller Lake Park
4550 Mueller Blvd Austin, TX, 78723
This park only has two medium height pull-up bars and equipment for sit-ups. Several miles of trails.
Riata Park
12401 Riata Trace Austin, TX 78727
A couple high pull-up bars and gradually rising parallel bars. Approx one mile trail.

Monday, October 1, 2012

Music: Power Songs October 1st



Some song suggestions to hype up your workouts, Enjoy!!!

1 - I Don't Even Like You - Eva Simons


2 - Die Young - Ke$ha


3 - Around My Way - Lupe Fiasco


4 - Watch You ft Pitbull and The Disco Fries - Clinton Sparks


5 - Louis XIII ft King T and Tha Alkaholiks - Xzibit


Nutrition: Black Bean Pancakes


Recipe

  • 1-2 scoop of vanilla/chocolate protein powder *
  • 1/3 cup of drained, unsalted black beans **
  • 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon of dark cocoa powder
  • 1 egg white
  • 1/3 cup of Unsweetened Almond Milk ***
Substitution Items
  • * I suggest sticking with vanilla/chocolate protein because flavors like "Tropical Punch" taste weird in a pancake.
  • ** If you don't like beans, replace with Whole Wheat Flour
  • *** You can use soy/dairy milk if you wish

Directions

  1. Add 1-2 scoops of Vanilla or Chocolate Protein Powder to a mixing bowl.
    *** I use Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey - Extreme Milk Chocolate flavor.
  2. Add 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder
  3. Add a tablespoon of dark cocoa powder
  4. Add 1/3 cup of drained, unsalted black beans
  5. Add 1 egg white
  6. Add a 1/3 cup of Unsweetened Almond Milk
    ***Optional: Unsweetened coconut flakes
    ***Optional: A couple pinches of Stevia
    ***Optional: Ground psyllium powder for extra fiber
  7. Blend all ingredients well
  8. Heat a pan coated in olive oil or non-stick spray
  9. Cook pancakes using your normal method
  10. Makes about 3 large, thin pancakes
  11. Enjoy.

Review


Black beans are high in fiber, protein, vitamin B6 and antioxidants. When eaten with brown rice, its a complete protein and extremely useful for vegetarians. The pancakes hold together well and taste like normal flour pancakes. If you like your pancakes sweet be sure to add Stevia. You can also alternately play with your black bean to flour ratio. 

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Buffalo Burger

What You Will Need:

Ground Bison Meat
Muenster Cheese, diced
Hamburger Buns
Tomato Slices
***Lettuce Leaf
Red Onion
Avocado, sliced
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
Pickles, optional

I've never eaten bison meat before, it was actually pretty good

*I don't have a grill so I cooked this on the stove top. They would have been better on the grill 
**I used too much chesse with mine, next time I will use less
***I didn't have a lettuce leaf on hand so I used a handfull of salad I had

Make It:

In a large bowl, mix together the buffalo and cheese until well combined. Shape the mixture into a patty a little larger than the bun. Season with salt and pepper

Place the burger on the grill or pan until desired doneness, during that last few mintues of cooking, toast the buns.

Put burger together by stacking all of your ingredients

Pack of ground bison

Muenster cheese

Mix together in a large bowl

Patties formed. I used way too much cheese for my burgers

Buffalo Burger ready to be Enjoyed!!!


Feel free to play around with the ingredients and make it your own

Submitted By Miles

Friday, August 24, 2012

New Balance Minimus Ionix Shoe Review

This shoe was given to me by a #CheFit Team Member for my birthday.


I use this shoe more for the Team Circuits that we do on Sunday’s(#CheFit Circuit). The shoes are extremely light and the upper is made of mesh, so the shoes breath well. These shoes come with a caution tag that says to be careful using the shoe. This had me a little worried about what I was going to get myself into. If I run with these shoes I only do speed work and keep the distance short. The longest that I’ve gone with these shoes is a 5k, since I’m a heavier runner I wouldn’t dare to take them out any longer than that. As for using them for the circuits I couldn’t be happier. They are ultra light and stable enough that I’m able to do each exercises comfortably. I would recommend these shoes for someone who has used minimal shoes before and if you haven’t, only use them for short runs. If you do decide to get these I would take it slow at first to let yourself get comfortable to being in these shoes.

The shoes are on average for the price $100



I log on average 25+ miles a week and I've put about 45 miles in these shoes.

Submitted By Miles

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 12 Shoe Review

This shoe was recommended to me by a CheFit Team Member.

I did have the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 11, but I liked a shoe with more cushioning so I more to the Saucony Hurricane 14(
Saucony Hurricane). I ended up going through 2 pairs of the Saucony. My teammate purchased the Brooks GTS 11 and liked them so much he got the GTS 12. He told me to look into getting them so I did. I like the shoes better than the GTS 11’s. What I like about the shoe is that they are light enough to do some tempo work and have enough cushion for the long run, I'm a heavy runner so I need a shoe with stability and cushioning. I used them to run a 27 miler this past weekend and they felt good, no blisters and no foot pain. Once these shoes are broken in they feel great, they can feel a little stiff at first. I chose this color shoe because they were on sale. I usually like to get simple colors if possible. These shoes would be best for the everyday run.

The shoes are on average for the price $110.


I log on average 25+ miles a week and I've put about 125 miles in these shoes, they have held up nicely.

Submitted By Miles

Monday, August 13, 2012

Workout: Abdominal Workout 1

 

Equipment Used:
  • Balance/Stability Ball
  • Soft ground area / Yoga Mat
  • Flat Bench / Flat Surface
  • A light, medium and heavy dumbbell
  • Highly recommended:Medicine Ball (weighted)

Abdominal Workout #1


Get Fab Abs!!!
Everyone wants that flat stomach but the icing on the cake is to build up a set of defined ab muscles. The expression "Abs are made in the kitchen" is very true however. No matter how much ab work you put in, if you are not down to a certain body fat percentage, your abs won't show. So make sure to diet properly so that your nutrition doesn't cover your six pack with a layer of fat.

This circuit is comprised of all ab exercises to help build up that six pack. Working your abs/core is different than building up other muscle groups. Abs in general have a quicker recovery period that other muscles so we want to limit our rests between sets. You also want to make sure to focus on form and breathing. Perform the exercises deliberately engaging your core and flexing your abs. Make sure to engage your abs on the negative of each exercise too. Squeeze those abs and breathe out at the peak of each exercise rep. You're only cheating yourself if you only put in half-hearted reps!
SUMMARY
***Stretch/Warmup
  1. Walk Outs
  2. V-Ups
  3. Oblique Crunches
  4. Bench Knee Raises
  5. Plank Superset
  6. Scissor Kick into Bicycles Superset
  7. Squat Thrusts into High Knee Superset
Stretch / Warmup
Loosen your muscles (both upper/lower body). Stretch out and hydrate.
1 - Walk OutsClick For Video Example
Stand with your feet shoulder width apart. Bend at the waist and roll down until your fingertips touch the floor in front of your toes. Walk your hands forward, keeping your feet stationary, as you release the bend in your back. Walk until your legs are lowered and your arms are in pushup position, then reverse directions. Walk your hands back to starting position. Repeat 5-10 reps for 3 sets. Optional: You can start on your knees instead of on your feet.
2 - V-UpsVideo Example
Lie supine with hands on floor over head. Hold a stability ball with your feet. Simultaneously raise straight legs and torso. Reach toward raised feet and grab the stability ball. Return to starting position but hold the ball with your hands instead of feet. Repeat the motion but when your reach toward your legs, place the ball back in between your feet. Repeat for as many reps as possible for 3 sets. Optional: If the stability ball is too hard, you can leave it out & just reach for your feet each rep.
Optional: If the stability ball is too easy, use a slightly weighted stability ball or medicine ball.
3 - Oblique Crunches Video Example
Sit on the stability ball and walk your feet out and spreading them as wide as you can. As wide as you feel comfortable with your hips and bring your hands up behind your head. You're going to alternate twisting from side to side trying to bring the elbow up towards the opposite thigh or knee. Each time that you come back, you want to come back as deep as you can so that your shoulder blades will touch the edge of the ball each time. Get the full range of motion coming through and focus on squeezing those obliques each rep. Repeat for at least 15 reps each side for 3 sets.
4 - Bench Knee Raises Video Example
Sit near the end of a flat surface (flat bench or similar). Lean back slightly and hold the sides of the flat bench. Place your legs together and extend them out in front of the end of the bench. Perform reps by bending your knees and pulling them in toward your chest while leaning forward. Release by leaning back into starting position and extending your legs back out. Repeat 15+ reps for 3 sets.
5 - Plank Superset
A - Plank
Click For Video Example
Drop down onto a soft ground surface. Get face down to the ground, resting on the forearms w/ palms flat on the floor. Push off the floor, raising onto your toes and rest on your elbows. Keep your back flat and form a straight line from head to heels. Tilt your pelvis and contract your abdominals to prevent your rear end from sticking up in the air or sagging in the middle. Hold for 20 to 60 seconds to complete a rep. Lower onto your knees to rest. Move into Side Planks immediately after.
B - Side Plank
Click For Video Example
Still on the ground, turn to the side. Lift your body off the ground and balance on one forearm and the side of your foot. Contract your abdominals and relax your shoulders. Hold for 20 to 60 seconds to complete a rep. Then switch sides & hold again for an equal amount of time. Repeat the entire superset 3 times.
6 - Scissor Kick into Bicycles Superset
A - Scissor Kick
Click For Video Example
Find a soft surface and lie down. Tilt your head forward so it is slighty off the ground. Place your hands under your butt to support your lower back. Raise both your feet off the ground a few inches w/ your legs out straight. Now raise your left leg to a 45 degree angle while leaving the right leg out straight. Lower the left leg, keep it straight and then raise the opposite leg 45 degrees. Repeat and alternate to perform reps. After completing reps, move into Ab Bicycles. Perform at least 10 kicks per leg.
B - Bicycles
Click For Video Example
In the same lying position as flutter kicks, place both hands behind your raised head. We will instead bring your left knee in toward right elbow and attempt to make them touch. Keep your right leg out straight. Return to the start position & perform a rep w/ the other leg. Repeat and alternate to complete multiple reps. Perform at least 15 cycles, focusing on form and then repeat the entire superset at least 3 times.
7 - Squat Thrusts into High Knee Superset
A - Squat Thrusts
Video Example
Get down on the ground into a push-up position. To perform a rep you want to bring both feet simultaneously toward your hands by bending your legs and "jumping" your feet forward. Once forward, jump both feet back so that you return to your original push-up position. Perform at least 10 thrusts and then move onto high knees. leg.
B - High Knee
Click For Video Example
Get into a standing position with feet shoulder width apart. You want to start running in place but bringing your knees very high, at least up to the start of your torso. At the same time, take your elbows and alternate bringing them down to meet the opposite knee (right elbow to left raised knee then left elbow to right raised knee). Perform high knees for at least 20 seconds (or until too fatigued). Repeat the entire superset at least 3 times.

Hydrate, Rest and Recover. Good luck!!!