What Do Happy Hour and Boot Camp Have in Common?

"Happy Hour is so much fun, you get two drinks and you pay for one!"

I don't know where I first heard this, but for some reason it stuck in my head. It's a little diddy about "happy hour". And yes, there's a tune that goes with it, but you'll have to make up your own for now.

Silly? Absolutely. But it perfectly symbolizes the " 2 for the price of 1" or what we have come to refer to as the "Two fer".

And that brings me to boot camp. We have a "two fer" also. If you are a new member you can join with a friend and "split the cost" of a one month membership. Two people, half the price, the perfect "two fer".

Register Here For "Two for One" Boot Camp

What's really great about this is that it gets people excited for "two" reasons. First, everybody loves a deal and to save money. By getting a perceived value, they feel good about their purchase and that's also a good thing. Second, they have established a low barrier of entry into boot camp.

First time boot campers are often tentative. They don't know what to expect and they have some reservations that they might fail or not be able to keep up with the group. It's easy for us veterans to know that their apprehensions are just FEAR or what is referred to as

False Evidence Appearing Real.

But within a week or so, their fears are gone and they know how boot camp works. Aside from some sore muscles everything is hunkey dory.

But then by the final week, they are beginning to feel awesome and their energy levels pick up. Many are getting their nutrition dialed in and their clothes are a tad looser. And many begin to realize that boot camp exercise works. I live for is the look on people's faces when they talk about how their lives are changing, how amazing they feel, and that they can do things they never could before.

But, they also begin to realize the appreciate the value of boot camp that is far beyond the price.

Here is a recent testimonial I received from a boot camper.

"I was getting ready to leave my office and head over to Boot Camp when I received a call from my boss advising me that our offices were going to be moving and I would have an hour-long commute. While I was driving to Boot Camp I could barely hold back the tears, I was a complete wreck at the thought of such a grueling commute. I got to Boot Camp and Larry put us through another great workout, which is always different and and fun, and always kicks my butt (in a good way though). Got back in the car to drive home and started thinking about work again, and realized that I was in such a great mood that even the thought of that commute couldn't bring me down. I just felt a sense of contentment that wouldn't go away. I was totally amazed that the power of a great workout had changed my mood from being completely miserable to being very happy, and changed my outlook to make a bad situation seem not so bad at all, or at least fixable. If I can change my body to make it better, then I can change anything."

Boot camp is about life. Everything we think and do adds up to the experience we call "our life". It's not complicated, but it is about our thoughts and our actions.

So let me get back on point. If you want to change your life, then you need to start working towards creating the life you want. Fitness goals should not take over your life, they should enhance every other part of it. Your body, mind, and diet aren't stand alone islands. Everything interacts and weaves together.

And boot camp is a place where all of this comes together. It's here for the taking if you want it and if you are willing to do the work.

And we're making it easier than ever because now you can join with a friend for half price. (new members, one month only).

Register Here For "Two for One" Boot Camp

Press on!


P.S. Please forward this blog post to anyone you know that might be able to benefit from our program and this New Year's Special.


Register Here For "Two for One" Boot Camp

Avoid These 5 Fitness Mistakes

It's hard for me to go to the gym sometimes. It's upsetting to me that every time I go, I see people making fitness mistakes. Ultimately these mistakes become habits that waste time, put people in danger, and that are sometimes, well, in a word--stupid. Maybe you even make a few of these mistakes yourself.

By avoiding these common pitfalls, you'll put yourself on the fast track to results. Check out the following 5 fitness mistakes and the solutions you need to avoid danger and to get fit fast.

Mistake #1: Using the wrong weight

The goal is to challenge your muscles, not to simply go through the motions. If you are able to complete 15 repetitions easily, then the weight is too light. On the flip side, if you aren't able to perform an exercise through its full range of motion, and find yourself cheating on form, then the weight is too heavy.

The correct weights will feel challenging by your last few repetitions, but won't force you to sacrifice form.

Mistake #2: Monkeying around with the same boring routine

You may have noticed that most people do the same exercises each time they visit the gym. Maybe you've been doing the same exercise routine as long as you can remember - if it isn't broken then don't fix it, right?

The truth is that exercise routines have expiration dates, and that is the date that they begin to lose their effectiveness. As a rule of thumb never use the same routine for more than 4 weeks.

Mistake #3: Skipping the warmup

Most people consider warm up time to be wasted time - they'd rather jump right into the heart of the routine. What they don't realize is that a good warm up will them to perform at a higher intensity, which means greater results.

The point of a warm up is to increase your muscle temperature. This increases blood flow, muscle contraction and reduces muscle resistance. Your warm up should last 5-10 minutes.

Mistake #4: Improper or bad form

Gyms are filled with people performing exercises with bad form. The two biggest reasons are that they aren't concentrating on the exercise, or they're trying to lift weight that is too heavy. Lifting with improper form too often results in injury.

Take the time to achieve proper form, by doing so you'll avoid injury and will reap the full benefit from each exercise.

Mistake #5: Working out by yourself

People who exercise alone are less challenged, less accountable and typically see fewer results. It makes sense, doesn't it? Why rush to the gym if no one is there waiting for you? Why push yourself if no one is watching? Exercising alone is a recipe for lackluster results.

Not sure where to begin?

The best way to avoid injury and to see results is to work with me, "your trusted source on fitness". I am passionate about seeing my clients achieve results -without wasting time, energy and effort on mistakes.

Call or email today me to schedule a free boot camp trial class. Or, if you want a more personalized program, contact me about one-on-one personal training or my small group training program called "Life Plan".

You'll find my contact info on the boot camp website.
http://bodybasicsbootcamps.com

Committed to your fitness success!

Speaking of Larry Wasserman...

Many of you that know me also know that I'm not shy when the topic is health and fitness. I've been writing and presenting talks for a couple of years now, mostly short presentations for our weekly hiking groups.

I'm now looking to expand and talk to your group or organization, so if you think I might be a good fit, please let me know. If there is an HR contact or club President please send me their contact info. Here's some info about me.

Company Bio:

Larry Wasserman is owner and fitness director of Body Basics Personal Training and Body Basics Boot Camps located in Warren, New Jersey. Body Basics was launched in 2005. Both the personal training and the boot camps share the same philosophy which focuses on developing strength and functional ability in movement, not muscles.

The body works much like a well oiled machine, each part dependent on the other, and needs to be treated as such. This type of training keeps the body ready for everyday tasks that always need strength and balance, especially as we age.

Larry is certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). At Body Basics we continue to study and research the most effective, efficient, and most importantly motivating modes of exercise available.

"Our goal is to not only get our clients into great shape, but to teach them how to incorporate fitness into their everyday lives. Knowledge is power and allows our
clients to take control and implement a healthy lifestyle... a lifestyle where they feel empowered!"

You can read more about Larry and Body Basics at http://bodybasicsbootcamps.com

Here is list of my most popular speaking topics suitable for lunch and learns and other formats.

• Diets Don't Work!
• The Hormone Conundrum (geared for women )
• Oh My Aching Back!
• I'm Not Getting Older... I'm Getting Better
• Help! ... How Did I Gain This Weight ?
• Eat This, Not That! (with Susan Wasserman)

Press on!

What Are Your Fall Fitness Goals?

Okay, so this could be a tough one. I mean "Three" goals? Isn't one goal enough? Well, that depends on what your goals are. If you had one goal to lose 50 pounds, that would be quite significant. But having multiple goals is more in line with human nature. I mean, do you only ever want one thing and "only one thing"? Exactly.

So ask yourself, "what are three things that I could work on to improve myself or my health?" Please know that I am well aware that you might also be motivated to help someone else. And as much as that would be generous and honorable, this exercise is about YOU!

My Goal #1
Last Winter I had a goal to do 100 consecutive pushups without a break. I worked up to 74 and then had a set back as I hurt my shoulder. And as it often happens, within a few weeks I let go and focused my attention on other things. I started that goal at Thanksgiving setting New Years as my target. It's been haunting me ever since. So now that is goal number #1 - 100 pushups! Only now I'm going to start earlier and I'm giving myself eight weeks to complete the task.

My Goal #2
My second fitness goal is to nail 20 body weight pull ups. I can currently only get a clean 10, so twice that is going to be a real challenge. One thing is for certain, I'm going to get a lot stronger as a result and that's not only exciting, it's driving me to want to do it!

My Goal #3
My third fitness goal is to go surfing more often. Although this is a recreational activity, it's about taking time to enjoy life. (I work way too much). There was a period in my life where I spent a lot of time chasing waves along the east coast. My goal is to get out more, enjoy the Fall weather and waves, and share my passion for surfing with my sons...the next generation!

Once the weather gets cooler like it is now, it gets more difficult to be outside and for some reason the Fall is always a busy time of year. I hope that you'll give this some thought and come up with a few goals for yourself.

Consider the many events of the fall season and see if you can't associate a goal with an activity. From football games, holidays, kids sports programs, and how about all those falling leaves? Make a goal to do your own yard clean up this year!

Leave A Reply ~ Go ahead and post your Fall Fitness Goals below!

Not sure what goals are for you? Here's a few suggestions.

- Run a 5 or 10K road race
- Train for a triathlon
- Train to ride a bicycle for 100 miles (a "century")
- Commit to release 10 pounds of fat in six weeks
- Quit smoking
- Learn to prepare healthy meals
- Take up a new sport
- Walk your dog every night after dinner
- Eat breakfast every day
- Join Body Basics Boot Camps (The #1 goal to rule them all!)

This list could be huge if you let your mind go. The point is to "focus on change" and to make progress from where you are now. For example, if your goal is to lose 10 pounds in 6 weeks and you never eat breakfast, then eating oatmeal for breakfast every day will also help you drop those extra pounds of flab. There's two goals that have a synergy between them.

Keep your eye on the prize and find reasons to be 100% committed.

Don’t forget to Leave a Comment
Post your Fall Fitness Goals below!

Just think - by taking action NOW you will be MORE than ready with a new, fit body once the holidays arrive!

Two 4 Minute Workouts

This past Saturday morning we did two 4 minute workouts with a one-minute rest in between. We repeated that cycles three times for six 4 minute workouts. Total workout time: 24 minutes. Total rest intervals: 5 minutes.

As is typical in boot camp we had a range of people that varied in ability and level of conditioning. So we set two protocals for the group. Beginners would follow the traditional Tabata format of :20 work and :10 rest for 8 rounds. More advanced people would follow a :50 work :10 rest cycle for 4 rounds.

Notice the variations that people use. It may look like they are doing a different exercise, but they are all doing a variation of the exercise that is either less, or more challenging based on their level of ability.

This facility already has stability balls and body bars, so we use what is available. Unfortunately, I can't bring in my dumbbells, kettlebells, sandbags, etc. as there is logistical
way to get them in the building for just one class a week. So we'll use what is available and make the most of it. Which is exactly what boot camp teaches us!

Sunday morning hike in the rain

One thing is certain, the weather did not cooperate this morning. The last report I saw said the rain was supposed to move out by today. When we arrived at the park it was overcast and not raining. But as fate would have it, just as we were getting started with the nutrition lesson, it began to rain. I started to speak faster so we could get to the hike. I even moved us over to the park bulletin board that had a small overhead canopy which provided a bit of shelter from the rain. It wasn't raining hard so we set out and hit the trail. But that quickly changed!

Those that showed up this morning are real troopers. No one complained about the rain, and I think most of us felt like kids jumping in puddles, thrilled to get splashed. I did make one very important observation. The rain made the trail a lot more challenging . The trails are hilly, and with wet rocks and wet moss covered logs to walk over, it added an opportunity to easily slip and get hurt. Fortunately, no one did.

We had one "brand new" visitor today, and I don't think she was prepared physically for this hike, especially in the rain. Also, I think the trails were a lot more challenging than she expected. I was impressed as she was very resourceful and quickly fashioned a "walking stick" from a tree branch she found in the woods. I spoke to her as we walked and asked her if she'd come back again. This was a "not so great" first-time experience. I encouraged her to come back and try this again on a dry day. We really have a fun time. I hope she does.

To make matters worse, her sneaker's sole came apart and was flapping at the front of her shoe where it was still attached at the toe. She had no rain gear and she wasn't alone. We were all pretty well soaked to the skin by the end of our 3.6 mile trek.

One of the things I personally enjoy is talking with people as we hike. We walked and talked, touching on the subjects that are on most people's minds, namely our nation's financial crisis and the upcoming presidential election. Good stuff.

We actually wrapped up on time and afterwards three of us met up at Dunkin Donuts for coffee. I don't drink coffee very often, but this cup was sooo good after being soaked to the skin. The conversation continued and we all enjoyed the spontaneity of the moment.

So what does all of this have to do with health? It has everything to do with health!!

Part of being healthy is finding activities you like to do, so that you'll do them and do them more often. Getting together with other like-minded people makes activities a lot more fun. Not only do we meet to hike and get some exercise, but being social is important too as it makes us feel connected and this makes us feel good. Feeling good is a very healthy state of mind wouldn't you agree?

Some of our hikers are not in the Body Basics Boot Camps program ( I know, can you imagine?) For those that are not in boot camp, or any exercise program for that matter, the hikes provide everyone with a great fat-burning workout.

If you are an avid exerciser, the hikes provide you with an "extra" workout. If you are not an exerciser at all, the hikes provide a means for which you can gage your current level of fitness and then find/create opportunities to get more exercise during the week.

If you live locally in Central New Jersey, please join us! I've set up a group on MeetUp.com called "Body Basics Boot Camps Hiking Group".

And if you don't live locally, consider finding a group or starting your own group around one of your favorite activities.