Skólahreysti: Building Strong Kids in Iceland

I came across the VICE News piece about Iceland's culture around strength and fitness.  I got into the story because I have been focusing on strength training for the last few months.  I was impressed with another aspect of Iceland's commitment to fitness though. 

The reporter met up with family that runs a national physical competition for kids called the Skólahreysti.  This is a televised event similar to Ninja Warrior or the Crossfit Games.  Sölvi Fannar appears to be the mastermind behind this initiative for Iceland.  His comment that training to be better at this style of obstacle course will benefit athletes in any other sport.  I agree.

Unfortunately the trend today for kids in the US seems to be towards focusing on a single sport.  While there a host of reasons why I don't think this trend is postive, maybe something like the Skólahreysti, Crossfit or Ninja Warrior could take hold more broadly to help balance out the physical imbalances that single sport athletes might develop.  Maybe training for a fitness as a sport event could empower us to see lifelong physical fitness as a goal.

Smoothie for starting the day off right

I'm not a real disciplined eater so I've looked at ways of sneaking in as many good things as possible into my diet.  The right nutrients can help us function and look better.  Unfortunately we don't have an overwhelming consensus on exactly what to eat but a few trends seem to be emerging.

Adequate amounts of fiber, water and protein are important.  As is consuming foods that reduce general inflammation in the body.  With this in mind, I created a morning smoothie that fits the bill for me.

Green Tea (cold for liquid base)
Frozen spinach
Frozen berries
Banana -- 1 whole
Ground flax seed -- 1 tbsp
Chia seeds -- 1 tbsp
Greek yogurt -- 1/2 cup
Whey & hemp protein powder mix -- 1 scoop
Coconut oil -- 1 tbsp
Cinnamon -- 1 tsp
Ginger (ground) -- 1 tsp

I've added Turmeric as well but I'm not sure consuming it this way will absorb into the body in the intended way.  I've read that combining it with black pepper and possibly heating it is required to make it more bio-available.

Give it a try and let me know what you think.

Tabata Fitness

Tabata training is a specific protocol within the broader classification of High-intensity interval training (HIIT). Tabata is sprint training where short bursts of activity (20 seconds) are broken up by even shorter rest periods (10 seconds) and repeated over a pre-set number of repetitions (8). The promise of this style of training is greater physical benefit in a shorter period of time. Compare the body type of elite sprinters with elite distance runners and you'll see for yourself the metabolic effect of training in these different way. You can apply the Tabata protocol to almost any exercise but my favorite is running sprints Tabata-style.

4 minutes of pain for a lifetime of benefit

The two ways I do Tabata sprints are on the treadmill and outside. Warm up with some callisthenics and light jogging for about 10 minutes so that you get your legs ready for full-out exertion.

On the treadmill, I set the incline to 12% and the speed to be around my 5k race pace. For a 25 minute 5k, the speed should be 8 mins per mile or 7.5mph (5 mins per kilometer or 12kph). Hop on the treadmill for 20 secs then off for 10 secs holding the side hand rails and straddling the moving belt. I like to wait for the treadmill timer to hit a minute mark before beginning so I don't have to do much math in my head. Leave the belt running between sets. Repeat 8 times.

Outside, I like to use music that has Tabata time built into it. Google Tabata Songs and you'll find a ton of options. The music tells you when to work and when to rest. I sprint at max effort and then walk during the breaks.

Sprinting builds muscle unlike slower jogging

Running outside is more realistic and enjoyable but I think the steady pacing of the treadmill is advantageous too. Mix both into your weekly workout schedule and be prepared for extreme exhaustion in a short period of time either way.

There are claims that Tabata running alone can prepare your for longer distance running but sport or race specific training is always necessary for a particular sport or race. I put Tabata in the General Physical Preparedness (GPP) category not as a replacement for work towards specific goal accomplishment.

- Intensity is key to achieving a metabolic benefit for your body

Sitting on the Floor

Sitting still on the floor comfortably takes practice

I'm a fan of capturing small moments throughout the day for a little bit of movement and mobility training. I live is a city so I default to walking as much as possible. I take the stairs when possible. Another easy example of this would be to sit on the floor as much as you can.

Floor sitting is incredibly simple yet particularly difficult for many of us due to modern life. Sitting comfortably in a cross-legged requires hip girdle and leg flexibility along with low back and neck strength. You engage your core in a way that builds in intensity rather quickly if you aren't practiced at floor sitting. Chair sitting, as we normally sit, works at odds to all of the components that go into floor sitting.

Practicing yoga asana (postures) was originally focused on making the body more comfortable in a seated position for meditation. Sitting quietly on the floor is literally grounding--you become directly connected to the ground which has calming mental benefits.

Kids can do it and so can you

Sitting on the floor also connects you to children better because you meet them on their terms. You can participate in their play and learning more directly. Kids love it when adults get "silly" by getting down on the floor with them.

There are many examples of different ways to sit on the floor. Mix it up. Sit with your knees tucked under you. Sit wide legged. Sit with one knee tucked back and the other crossed in front. Sit with the soles of your feet together. Variation will allow you to go longer stretches of time without having to get up. Holding a deep stationary squat is also a great way to open your hips to allow for a more comfortable seated position.

Start by sitting a few minutes at a time while watching TV; maybe just during the commercials at first. Your knees, low back and neck may become sore but consistent practice will minimize this with time.

- Master the basics before charging ahead to advanced exercise and there's not much more basic than sitting quietly on the floor.

MovNat has a number of great ideas for helping you to sit better

Steve Maxwell on Joe Rogan

From my first post, you know that I'm a big fan of Jack Lalanne. He had tons of old school wisdom about living in an optimal way physically. Listening to the Joe Rogan Experience podcast recently, I came across Steve Maxwell, a modern day Jack Lalanne in many ways. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing Joe and Steve talk about diet, joint mobility, strength development and life in general.

Here are the two podcasts that he did with Joe:

• JRE #504
• JRE #491

Check 'em out.

Pathetic Physical State of Americans

The fact that most kids in America are officially unfit is pathetic. I don't blame individual kids though. I blame parents and schools. Chances are that most parents are unfit too though.

You don't need a fancy playground but they can be a fun way to get physically fit.

The solution is simple. Play (exercise) with your kids. It's a chance to bond with them, you will improve the health of both of you and it can be very fun. Go to the playground with them today and scramble around with them for an hour.

Ask me about playground activities for all ages.

Go for a Crawl

"Going for a Run" is an expression that most of us instantly understand. When you say this, you intend to put on different clothes & special shoes, go outside (or jump on a treadmill) and shuffle along at a rapid rate until you get tired and sweaty. The goal is exercise for health, conditioning or body adaptation to accomplish a distance/time goal. Going for a run equals weight loss and healthiness in the minds of most people.

He makes it look so easy

It's really not the best way to lose weight or keep it off though. It's boring for many people. It's damaging if you do it incorrectly (you actually do need to learn how to run). Watch people's faces when they jog and you'll see many pained expressions or at best blank, zombie faces. People dread to do their run, but they feel compelled by social norms that it is the best thing to do for exercise.

How about mixing a "Go for a Crawl" day into your workout routine? If you're training for a race, consider this a cross-training day. If you run for weight management, this will replace a run in your weekly training schedule. If you're into conditioning for some other sport, crawling in the grass will be a great augment to any sport. You will get cardio and strength training in one activity.

What do you do? Go to a field & crawl around like a bear in the grass. Repeat until you are tired and sweaty. That's it.

Maybe don't crawl until you bleed. Watch your wrists though and go slowly.

It is silly so you will laugh at yourself. It is difficult on your coordination, balance and muscles so you'll get a workout. Kids will want to join you because it will be funny to them too. Other adults will question you about it and probably want to try it themselves too. It's a natural activity even if it feels a bit unnatural at first. Crawling is fun so you'll want to do it and wanting to exercise is key to reaching your goals.

When you use all your muscles at once, you get the best possible workout.