So I am stuck in the basement of my house, quarantined with norovirus, or the stomach flu. Very pleasant, I assure you.
Anyway, I have time to read and write and think and I was thinking about training and some things that I have done that have added immensely to the joy of training. There are the weights of course, that goes without saying, but I am talking about the adjuncts to the weights.
I'll start with my favorite, and that is Boxing or Muay Thai Boxing. I have not come across anything tougher than hitting the thai pads for 5, 3 minute rounds with a one minute rest period done with a competent partner. Kicks, punches, hooks, knees, getting hit if you drop your hands, all of it makes for a super training session. The problem is that it's tough to find a good pad holder.
Boxing is easier, finding someone to hold punch mitts. The holder can be taught simple combinations and you can move around.They can also use body armor (that's what I call it) and you can throw body punches and combinations.
Don't have a partner? The heavy bag is great. A bag that is made to be kicked is even better (don't kick the canvas ones), and you should move around it and treat it just like a person. You aren't allowed to hug it to keep it from swinging. You jab it or foot jab it to stop it or simply keep moving and punching.
No heavy bag? Shadow boxing is fantastic. The best workout that I know of that combines shadow boxing with calisthenics is the Bas Rutten MMA Workout. It comes with a bunch of cd's where bas calls out combinations and exercises for you to perform and even comes with a dvd that explain all of the exercises and call outs. I use it with all of the athletes that I train and have for years.
Don't like those options? Find a hill and run it. I was thinking how fun and simple that is to do. Go driving around, find a good hill and challenge yourself with it. Take your dog and and your kid and have a blast. Race all of them up the hill and before you know it, you have had a great training session.
Try some of those methods. They beat riding a bike or using the treadmill. I get bored of the bike and just need to move.
