Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 1 of 21)

      A conversation with Drew Brees’ trainer Todd Durkin about TRX Suspension Training

      September 15, 2010 /
      New Orleans Saints quarter back Drew Brees celebrates after the Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 in Super Bowl XLIV at Sun Life Stadium in Miami on February 7, 2010. Brees was named MVP for the game. UPI/Rob Hobson

      At your local gym, you may have been offered a chance to try out a tool called the TRX Suspension Training, which is an innovation by former elite Navy SEAL Randy Hetrick.

      As a Navy SEAL, Hetrick often found himself in remote safe houses with limited means to keep he and his soldiers in shape. Using only salvaged parachute materials, Hetrick created what would eventually be named the ?Best Total Body Tool? by Men?s Health magazine.

      The TRX Suspension Trainer was born.

      One of the many trainers that have incorporated TRX not only in his athletes? workouts, but also into his own workouts is Todd Durkin. Of the many athletes Todd works with during the offseason, perhaps his most recognized is New Orleans Saints? quarterback Drew Brees.

      During the offseason, Brees flies all the way from Louisiana to train with Durkin and the TRX, which obviously speaks to Todd?s credibility as a trainer. And considering Brees is coming off a Super Bowl win this past February, clearly Todd?s methods work.

      We recently had the opportunity to chat with Todd about a variety of topics, including his work with Drew, TRX and the ?Get with the Movement? campaign, which is defined as a rally cry that dares American fitness enthusiasts to free themselves of their everyday routine. It encourages people to get off their exercise machines and take a more dynamic, moment-focused approach to building their overall health and achieving personal goals.

      We also asked Todd to share his favorite Drew Brees story, what specific workouts he uses to train a Super Bowl-winning quarterback and how the TRX can help everybody from the ?weekend warrior? to yes, even grandma.

      For more on Todd, TRX and his new book The Impact! Body Plan, please visit www.fitnessquest10.com and www.todddurkin.com.

      Also for more on the ?Get with the Movement? campaign, visit www.getwiththemovement.com.

      Anthony Stalter: Hey Todd, how are you?

      Todd Durkin: Real good! Things have been a little crazy around here, but it?s exciting with the new book coming out.

      To read the entire interview, click here.

      Endurance, Exercise, General fitness, General training, Interviews, Men's Health and Wellness, Motivation, Sports Health and Fitness

      Is popping multivitamins on a daily basis a risk to your health?

      August 27, 2009 /

      This article by Men?s Fitness.com says so:

      Mom always said to take your vitamins. But she didn’t mean overdo it. Thirty-five percent of adults swallow a multivitamin on a regular basis, but several studies warn that an abundance of extra nutrients may not be as good for the body as previously suspected. Just check out the data.

      DIABETES: While vitamin K and thiamine appear to help reduce risk factors, scientists warn that selenium in vitamins may increase the risk of type-2 diabetes.

      PROSTATE CANCER: Too many multis may increase your risk of developing a form of fatal prostate cancer, according to data from the National Cancer Institute.

      LUNG DISEASE: Multivitamins don’t protect against lung cancer, say scientists at the University of Washington. (In fact, too much vitamin E may increase the risk.)

      LONGEVITIY: Perhaps most alarmingly, vitamin supplements may increase your overall mortality risk. So says a recent Danish review of 67 studies involving more than 200,000 participants. After analyzing the data, researchers found that people taking vitamins were 4% more likely to die during the course of the study than people who weren’t taking them. Yikes.

      THE BOTTOM LINE: If your diet sucks, a multi may help. But if you already eat well
      and buy fortified cereals and breads, you’re likely getting all the nutrients you need.

      Interesting. Like most Americans who believe that they?re taking an active role in their health, I ingest a multivitamin on a daily basis (and actually, I take them on a nightly basis). But I don?t know if this article is enough to scare me away from taking them every day.

      I wish the article had provided more detail as to the appropriate amount of times a week it?s okay to take a multivitamin. Based on that last paragraph, the article would almost lead you to believe that you should take a multivitamin on the days you can?t eat as healthy as you should.

      Cancer, Medical Issues for Men, Men's Health and Wellness, Nutrition, Prostate health, Xternal Fitness, Xternal Furci

      New grip to boost bench gains

      August 12, 2009 /

      Men?s Fitness.com shows you how to perform the neutral-grip bench press to boost your gains on the bench.

      The strongest, smartest lifters don’t bench-press with their upper arms 90 degrees from their sides. They tuck their elbows in on the descent to get more power and reduce the risk of shoulder injury. Performing the neutral-grip bench press for eight to 12 weeks will help you get comfortable with the technique.

      1) Grab dumbbells and lie back on a bench. Squeeze your shoulder blades down and together and arch your lower back. Position the weights at the sides of your chest with palms facing each other.

      2) Press the weights straight overhead, keeping your wrists in the same position.

      Why It Works
      Pressing with the palms facing each other, rather than pointed toward your feet, will naturally cause you to keep your elbows close. Soon, you’ll do it with the barbell, too. This takes excess pressure off your shoulder joints and increases your mechanical advantage, allowing you to lift significantly more weight.

      Check out Men?s Fitness.com articles for more helpful workout tips.

      Bodybuilding, Chest, Exercise, General fitness, Men's Health and Wellness, Weight training, Xternal Fitness, Xternal Furci

      An easy way to strengthen your ankles

      July 13, 2009 /

      Men?s Fitness.com details an easy way to strengthen your ankles for when you?re doing plenty of outdoor running this summer:

      Problem: Tight calves and a weak tibialis anterior muscle (the one next to the front of your shin) are two of the most common causes of ankle injuries.

      Solution: Ankle circles, which can stretch your ankles and strengthen your tibialis. Lie down, grab the back of one knee, and pull your leg to your chest. Begin making circles with your foot. Do 20 to 40 clockwise and then repeat the opposite way. Do these every day and strive for more circles at each session. Increase the effectiveness of the exercise by using a foam roller on your calves beforehand.

      While it may seem too simple to be effective, ankle circles will make a difference right away. By bringing your tibialis into balance, you’ll increase the potential for your calves to get stronger and boost the stability of the joint, lessening the likelihood that your ankles will roll out on you when playing basketball or any other vigorous sport.

      Legs, Men's Health and Wellness, Running, Xternal Fitness, Xternal Furci

      Best options for a healthy breakfast

      July 1, 2009 /

      If you?re like most people, you don?t have much time to make breakfast in the morning after hitting the snooze button a couple times and racing through a shower.

      But breakfast is the most important meal of the deal because it jump starts your metabolism, replenishes a body that has been devoid of food for 7-8 hours (you are getting between 7-8 hours of sleep every night right??), and keeps your brain focused on getting to work and not the hunger pangs.

      Below is a guideline from Men?s Fitness.com to eating a healthy breakfast whether you?re eating at home, on the go or have zero time to waste.

      IF YOU’RE EATING AT HOME, REACH FOR . . .
      ? 2 eggs fried in extra-virgin olive oil
      ? 2 slices whole-grain toast with low-sugar jam
      ? 1 8-oz. glass 1% milk
      ? 1 cup fresh berries

      IF YOU’RE EATING ON THE GO, GRAB . . .
      ? 2 hard-boiled eggs
      ? 2 slices whole-grain toast with low-sugar jam
      ? a carton of milk
      ? a 1-oz box of raisins

      THE NEXT BEST BET . . .
      ? 1 cup whole-grain cereal
      ? 1 cup low-fat milk
      ? 1 slice whole-grain toast with 2 tbsp peanut butter
      ? 8 oz orange juice with added calcium and vitamin D

      Diets, Food preparation, Foods products, Nutrition

      « Older posts

      © 2026 BottomLineFitness.com

      Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑