I'm Waging War Against EXT's...
Has anyone used an elliptical cross-trainer to replace their running during the 'off-season' times of winter? I know in some cases, EXT's (Elliptical Cross-Trainers) are needed for some, due to their low/non-impact status for training.
However, I truly feel for the everyday runner & aspiring fitness enthusiast who wants to improve their overall fitness, they could be holding you back.
Why? Because of the EXT's non/low-impact variable. If you want your body to become stronger & more resistant to force, it has to endure FORCE, i.e. weight-bearing activity. Running is a weight-bearing activity, EXT'ing is not.
A great substitute I have used & currently use is Kettlebell training for conditioning, using exercises like the kettlebell swing, snatch, clean, and the clean & jerk. These exercises place a demanding load upon the body for force production & absorption, which can mimic closely to what the body endures throughout the kinetic chain of movement while running. The kinetic chain for running is primarily the activity of the core, hips, knees, & ankles working together to propel the body forward, & to absorb the forces of each foot-fall. Kettlebell conditioning drills, such as the ones given that I use, help prepare the body for these force production & absorption requirements, moreso than an EXT can.
In my honest opinion, I feel nothing comes as close to the demands of running than KB conditioning drills can. These exercises can tax your endurance & high-level energy systems like nothing else.
Nowadays, you can get a kettlebell from most sporting goods stores, and heck, I have seen them in Target & Wal-Mart lately, at affordable prices. For just a 20# kettlebell & a jump rope to boot, you can sure as heck save a LOT of money in comparison to buying a treadmill for your home, or even a basic EXT from those stores. A 20# K-bell & jump rope could be had for well under $50. That's quite the savings in today's budget economy. Plus, it can easily GO UNDERNEATH YOUR BED, FOR EASY STORAGE!, like most expensive fitness gadgets claim to do (It's not a REAL TV fitness gadget if it can't go under your bed for easy storage, it's like an international law or something...)
You can also order a Kettlebell & a jump rope from my site, http://budgetworkout.com. Once you have them, you can then watch my video, as posted in a previous post, at http://youtube.com/speeddialcoach, by viewing the "Power & Control for Sports" video. This is one of my favorite combo's to do when its winter, too cold outside, and I need a cardio workout to help my running out.
Then, you can wage war against the evil EXT's, save money as well, and watch your mile times improve!
Run Strong, Run Fast...
Run So As To Win!
Coach Rick Karboviak
1MileNation.com
The Countdown Begins For A Faster Mile at:
http://asapworkouts.com/321.pdf
However, I truly feel for the everyday runner & aspiring fitness enthusiast who wants to improve their overall fitness, they could be holding you back.
Why? Because of the EXT's non/low-impact variable. If you want your body to become stronger & more resistant to force, it has to endure FORCE, i.e. weight-bearing activity. Running is a weight-bearing activity, EXT'ing is not.
A great substitute I have used & currently use is Kettlebell training for conditioning, using exercises like the kettlebell swing, snatch, clean, and the clean & jerk. These exercises place a demanding load upon the body for force production & absorption, which can mimic closely to what the body endures throughout the kinetic chain of movement while running. The kinetic chain for running is primarily the activity of the core, hips, knees, & ankles working together to propel the body forward, & to absorb the forces of each foot-fall. Kettlebell conditioning drills, such as the ones given that I use, help prepare the body for these force production & absorption requirements, moreso than an EXT can.
In my honest opinion, I feel nothing comes as close to the demands of running than KB conditioning drills can. These exercises can tax your endurance & high-level energy systems like nothing else.
Nowadays, you can get a kettlebell from most sporting goods stores, and heck, I have seen them in Target & Wal-Mart lately, at affordable prices. For just a 20# kettlebell & a jump rope to boot, you can sure as heck save a LOT of money in comparison to buying a treadmill for your home, or even a basic EXT from those stores. A 20# K-bell & jump rope could be had for well under $50. That's quite the savings in today's budget economy. Plus, it can easily GO UNDERNEATH YOUR BED, FOR EASY STORAGE!, like most expensive fitness gadgets claim to do (It's not a REAL TV fitness gadget if it can't go under your bed for easy storage, it's like an international law or something...)
You can also order a Kettlebell & a jump rope from my site, http://budgetworkout.com. Once you have them, you can then watch my video, as posted in a previous post, at http://youtube.com/speeddialcoach, by viewing the "Power & Control for Sports" video. This is one of my favorite combo's to do when its winter, too cold outside, and I need a cardio workout to help my running out.
Then, you can wage war against the evil EXT's, save money as well, and watch your mile times improve!
Run Strong, Run Fast...
Run So As To Win!
Coach Rick Karboviak
1MileNation.com
The Countdown Begins For A Faster Mile at:
http://asapworkouts.com/321.pdf
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