Author Archive

The Top 10 WM Tracks of All-Time!

Tuesday, March 29th, 2011

I hope you are well and gearing up for a great spring/summer!

My wife, Naomi, and I just got back from a great week in South Beach… so tropical down there- love it!

Anyways, for a while now, we have been getting daily emails and Facebook messages from loyal WM customers asking when the iWorkout Muse app series will be ready for the Droid Platform.

We lovingly refer to them as “Droid Stalkers” ;)

Please know that making the Droid app is at the top of our priority list as soon as we add the saved workout feature to iWorkout Muse PRO (coming soon btw).

Plus, it’s an expensive undertaking as it requires a completely different coding as a different platform.

However, we came up with a great solution to provide our customers with a killer deal featuring the best of WM and to subsidize and accelerate the development of iWorkout Muse for the Droid…

The Top 10 WM Tracks for ONLY $10- Available for ONLY 72 Hours!!

http://www.workoutmuse.com/music/the-top-10-wm-tracks

These are my 10 favorite WM interval tracks since its inception in January of 2008.

Proceeds from this sale will go towards the development of the iWorkout Muse and iWorkout Muse PRO apps for the Droid due to popular demand.

This product includes the following tracks:

1.) 10-3 Core Stability

This was the first ever core stability soundtrack and incorporates the latest research and real world case studies showing short 10-second max effort isometric contractions with a short 3 second rest period are superior to the typical 30-60+ plus long-duration holds. Perfect for a Core Class and EVERYONE loves to work their abs… now you can make your belly burn and tummy tighter without crunches or sit-ups by just pressing play ;)

2.) 15-45 Power Intervals

This very well may be my favorite workout template- I LOVE training for power and making those fast twitch fibers pop! Bodybuilders and fitness competitors know that training these fibers are key because it gives you better myogenic tone. In other words, your muscles look hard and flexed in a resting state which is a huge plus when you’re on stage or when you hit the beach. Plus, this track is great for anaerobic sports and power athletes. And from a general fitness standpoint, fast twitch fibers are the first to atrophy as we age. Regular power and elasticity training is the key to keeping your springs and maintaining muscle mass and thus metabolism. Lastly, don’t let the short work periods fool you… by the end of the workout, the cumulative fatigue will hit ya hard ;)

3.) 30-15 Metabolic Circuit

This 30-15 Six-Exercise Metabolic Circuit is the classic metabolic circuit training template and was the featured workout template in my chapter of the recent new book I co-authored called Total Body Breakthroughs. I don’t know of a more effective template to burn belly fat, build muscle, and skyrocket metabolism. This workout features short high-intensity work periods with incomplete rest in a circuit of non-competitive movement patterns including hip-dominant, push, knee-dominant, pull, pillar, and total body exercises. Whether you’re a start-up or veteran bootcamp program, or a beginner or advanced exerciser, this interval track should be a staple in your fitness routine.

4.) 50-10 Reggaeton

This track blew off the roof when I presented at the first ever BOOTCAMP BOOTCAMP event in Louisville, KY back in 2009 with it’s latin, hip-hop feel and is part of the original Bootcamp Dynamite 12-track set. 50-10’s are great for pre/post-workout templates for self-massage, flexibility, and mobility/activation drills and have been a staple of our bootcamp warm-ups for nearly 3 years now. They are also ideal for endurance circuits and really test one’s conditioning and work capacity. Women tend to like this workout better than guys (especially bigger men) though, as women tend to have better natural endurance.

5.) Adrenaline Abs

This was an incredibly unique interval template I created in the fall of 2010. It’s truly a one of a kind incorporating short 10-second work period of a total body exercise to boost fat-burning adrenaline (e.g. battle ropes variations, swings, snatches, squat to presses, burpees, plyos, etc.) and 10-second core stability holds (e.g. plank, push-up, and bridge variations) to work your abs with short 5-second rest periods between each. Plus, there’s an INSANE 2-minute finisher that will totally rock your world. I think this was the best workout I created in 2010 as studies keep showing that shorter work periods result in better quality of work when total exercise volume is held constant and thus leads to better a better overall training effect. Plus, Topher really put his foot in this track from a music standpoint as well.

6.) 30-Second Succession Complexes

This was the first ever interval track for complexes and features a 6-exercise complex we created in partnership with Jason C. Brown and Pamela MacElree of Kettlebell Athletics. It may very well be the most difficult workout template that I know of and will totally break you if you push yourself to the max. Here’s my favorite complex for this track:

1- KB Curvilinear 1-Arm Snatch (L) @ 30 seconds of work, 0 seconds of rest
2- KB Curvilinear 1-Arm Snatch (R) @ 30 seconds of work, 0 seconds of rest
3- KB Goblet Squat @ 30 seconds of work, 0 seconds of rest
4- KB Push-ups @ 30 seconds of work, 0 seconds of rest
5- KB Swings @ 30 seconds of work, 0 seconds of rest
6- KB Threaded Lunges @ 30 seconds of work, 0 seconds of rest

Then take a 1-minute transition period and perform for up to 5 total rounds for a 20-minute massacre ;)

7.) MMA Rockout 40-20

Many our raving fans claim this is one of their top 3 favorite tracks of all-time because of the hardcore rock and heavy metal music and the popularity of the 40-20 five exercise circuit format. Though designed for MMA and combat athletes, this track has big applications for nearly any fitness setting and will melt fat and build strength and endurance like few other workouts can. That 40-second work period is the perfect sweet spot between a 30-30 strength and a 50-10 endurance template and the 2:1 work to rest ratio is just money for a huge metabolic response a la 20-10 Tabatas and 30-15’s. Lastly, this was the track I used to put on one of the top 5 most legendary bootcamp workouts I have ever ran where ALL of our campers finished in a pool of their own sweat face down as their raging heart beat was making their bodies visibly pulse off the floor… it was priceless!

8.) Pyramid Interval Trisets

My campers told me this was their favorite workout in all of 2010 and that says a lot because I really put them through the ringer, ha! Here’s how it works- pair 3 exercises that work your entire body and perform the following ascending and descending ladder with short 15-second rest periods between exercises, switching exercises every set:

15-30-45-60-60-45-30-15

This will totally shock your system and help you break past any plateau you may currently face with the constantly changing work periods. It’s also really fun to mix it up like this from time to time and you’ll feel like you are on a roller coaster ride throughout!

9.) 30-30 Rock/HipHop

I think this is our best 30-30 track ever. I love the music as I think the mixing of rock and hip-hop are second to none for powering an incredible high-intensity interval workout. 30-30’s are among the most popular interval templates ever because they work great for both cardio intervals and metabolic circuit training. Here’s my favorite 30-30 workout of each:

30-30 TRX Strength Circuit:

1- TRX Rear-Foot-Elevated Split Squat Variation (L)
2- TRX Rear-Foot-Elevated Split Squat Variation (R)
3- TRX Push-up Variation
4- TRX Leg Curl Variation
5- TRX Rows Variation

30-30 Cardio Intervals:

Battle Rope Variations- choose a different variation every round for 20 total rounds. Stretch or roll something during the rest periods.

10.) Thunder and Lightning Complexes Training

This was a groundbreaking track being the first ever complexes training track which pairs a 30-second strength exercise (THUNDER) with a 15-second power exercise (LIGHTNING) for the same movement pattern which is scientifically proven to result in greater muscle activation and total power output.

It was also the first to use a vocal tempo metronome during the 30-second strength work periods (”1, 2, 3, pause, explode…”) to really provide an eccentric training effect, which is a focus on the lowering portion of an exercise where many experts believe to be the key to eliciting max muscle growth.

Again, this is one of the reasons why WM is so special- we put together workouts and/or interval tracks that most people have never seen or experienced before and T&L is a perfect example of both ;)

BONUS- The Original 4-Minute 20-10 Tabata Track

This was the first track we EVER released to the general public using the world famous 20-10 Tabata protocol- it’s a total classic!

You’ll hear monkeys and the ad lib line “you know you LOVE Tabatas” that pretty much signifies our mission at WM to provide a unique and fun fitness experience in a world that is way too serious.

You have until Friday, April 1st at 11:59 pm US EST to get well over $200 of tracks for ONLY $10… INSANE! Yes, we know…

http://www.workoutmuse.com/music/the-top-10-wm-tracks

Plus, we’re also holding a store wide 69% off sale (get your head out of the gutter Nate Trenteseaux) for the same time frame on all products except our membership offerings and the 10 for 10 track deal since it’s already such a killer deal.

Just enter the following coupon code prior to check out:

musedailydeal

http://www.workoutmuse.com/music/the-top-10-wm-tracks

Crank it for the Droid!

BJ

BJ Accepts Workout Challenges from Band Man and Kettlebell Karate Kid!

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011

I’m never one to back away from a challenge or two…

When Dave “The Band Man” Schmitz and Jason C Brown called me out with some rivalry workouts they created specifically for me, needless to say I was up for the task!

Check it out below:

To see the challenge workouts I made for Dave and Jason and to see their hilarious response videos, check out the BANDS, BELLS, AND BOOTCAMPS Facebook Fan Page:

http://www.facebook.com/bandsbellsbootcamps

Crank it!
BJ

The Top 20 Battle Ropes Exercises and The Sam Pace Let the Big Dog Eat Album

Thursday, March 17th, 2011

Since I get so many questions about different exercises using battle ropes, here is a cool highlight video of my top 20 battle rope exercises:

I did a 20-40 interval workout with my brother for 20 total rounds and it was an unbelievable workout.

The best part?

I was cranking it to the bluesy tunes from Sam Pace and his new album “Let The Big Dog Eat”

Sam is one of my best friends and is truly the funniest man I know.

Little did I know how talented of a musician he was until I saw him perform LIVE a couple years back.

Please support my good buddy Sam and LIVE musicians as they are a dying breed in today’s auto-tuned, overly produced world of music:

http://www.sampacemusic.com/

And if your purchase a song or the whole album at his website, we’ll even give you a free WM track of your choice! Just please email/forward the receipt to support@workoutmuse.com and tell us which interval track you’d like ;)

Thanks a million for helping support my good friend and his awesome music!!

Crank it!
BJ

Saint Patty’s Day Ladder Interval Workout and Tsunami Relief Effort in Japan

Thursday, March 17th, 2011

Happy St Patrick’s Day!


When most folks hear the words “St Patrick’s Day,” they may think of Irish celebrations and green beer!

“In a study, scientists reported that drinking beer can be good for the liver. I’m sorry, did I say ’scientists’? I meant Irish people.”

-Tina Fey (comedian)

Well my days of spring break partying and drinking green beer are long gone! So instead I’ll probably celebrate with green eggs and ham with my 3-yr old daughter (which goes right along with my lower carb nutrition plan!)

And I’m also celebrating St Patty’s Day this week with the special ladder interval soundtracks Workout Muse has put together. These include some pretty cool Irish Rock music to really get you in the celebration mood!

If you’re not familiar, ladder intervals are traditionally an incremental change in the prescribed repetitions from set to set.

An ascending ladder is where the length of the work period incrementally builds from set to set. A descending ladder is where the work period incrementally declines from set to set.

The Workout Muse St Patty’s Day product includes 2 workout mp3 soundtracks:

1.) Descending Ladders Superset- You alternate between 2 exercises in descending 60-50-40-30-20 and 10-second work periods with a brief 10-second transition between exercises.  10 total minutes

2.) Ascending Ladders Superset- You alternate between 2 exercises in ascending 10-20-30-40-50 and 60-second work periods with a brief 10-second transition between exercises. 10 total minutes

You notice that these tracks are for a 2-exercise superset workout.

If you’ve been around for awhile then you’re probably familiar with super setting.  A superset is simply when you perform two exercises back to back with virtually no rest in between the exercises.

Sounds pretty simple right?

But don’t get fooled by the simplicity. Supersets are a proven technique for increasing the intensity of your workouts big-time!  And performing ladder interval supersets can really get it going!

One of my favorite type of supersets is a push-pull superset alternating between an upper body pushing exercise and an upper body pulling exercise.

Below is a video clip where I’m using the St Patty’s Day ascending ladder track while super setting resistance band pushups and resistance band high pulls.  The black resistance band had me smoked by the time I got to the end of this workout!

Ladder intervals provide a unique challenge to your muscles due to the constant change in duration of work periods and exercise intensity. And supersets provide a quick and simple set up yet really overload your muscles to help create some killer results!

If your training program is getting a little stale, combining ladders and supersets can definitely help relieve any boredom. They’re great for keeping your workouts fun, fresh, and exciting and for busting through training plateaus.

PLUS, all proceeds from the sale of Saint Patty’s Day Ladder Intervals Tracks will go towards the relief efforts in Japan so please help support a good cause ;)

http://www.workoutmuse.com/music/saint-patty-s-day-ladder-intervals-digital-downloads-mp3-s-and-mp4-s

Start implementing these into your workouts and you won’t need the luck of the Irish to start seeing results!! lol

Clint Howard MS, Exercise Physiologist

Founder/Director, Tulsa Fitness Systems

Being Fit and Healthy Requires Commitment and Action!


Clint Howard, MS is the Founder/Director of Tulsa Fitness Systems located in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Clint holds a bachelors degree in Health & Exercise Science and a masters degree in Exercise Physiology, both from the University of Oklahoma. Clint is a certified personal trainer through the National Strength & Conditioning Association and American College of Sports Medicine and is also a Certified Boot Camp Instructor through the National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association.

The Bandzilla Exercise and BJ Challenges the Band Man to a Rivalry Workout!!

Wednesday, March 16th, 2011

Check out the video below to:


- Enter the BANDZILLA: Try the world’s GREATEST band exercise to activate every muscle in your body!! Post a comment below if you like this exercise!

- Rivalry Workout: See the 30-15 Core Workout that I challenge Dave “The Band Man” Schmitz to do. I know he’s getting older, so I didn’t want it to be too hard for him ;)

- Bands, Bells, and Bootcamps: Stay tuned for an incredible 1.5 day event that Dave, Jason C. Brown from Kettlebell Athletics, and myself will be doing at THE FITNESS ASYLUM in Milwaukee, WI on May 5th and 6th!!

March Madness Hoops Workouts 2.0

Thursday, March 10th, 2011

Get Crazy Fit With Workout Muse

Ohhhhhh yeah!   It’s that time of the year…MARCH MADNESS!

For the college basketball lovers it’s all about the big tourney.

For many of us in the Upper-Midwest it’s also the time of year we start to lose it from being cooped up inside for so many months.  Ugh, the grey skies…

Anyway, spring is just around the corner and before you know it…bathing suit season!

If you want to look great at the lake (lots of lakes in MN) then you better start your training NOW!

Beyond the bikini body, it’s also great to be able to run and play on the beach, jog or bike around the lakes, or play a game of pick-up without being sidelined by poor cardiovascular conditioning.

That’s why my clients and I love getting in great shape (inside and out) with the Workout Muse March Madness Hoops Soundtracks.

The package includes two distinctly different interval training programs:

1.     15:45 power intervals that explode your metabolism for all day fat burning

2.     30-second work periods with descending rest periods to burn an insane amount of calories and ramp up cardiovascular conditioning

To get the best of both worlds along with maximum calorie expenditure and metabolic boost we’re doing Program 1 on Tuesdays and Program 2 on Thursdays this month – that’s between our regular Monday, Wednesday, Friday Bootcamp Automator workouts.   ;-)

Program 1

Explosiveness is critical in just about every action sport, especially one like basketball.  Power training with 15:45 intervals is an awesome way to develop sports-specific explosiveness.  It’s also a great way to do metabolic training for weight loss.

One way to use this protocol is in your regular boot camp or personal training workouts using non-competing exercises in a 5-exercise sequence.  For example:

Exercise 1: Squat Jumps Variation

Exercise 2: Plyo Push-up Variation

Exercise 3:  Kettlebell Swings Variation

Exercise 4:  TRX Chin-up/Row Variation

Exercise 5:  Medicine Ball Slams Variation

Another way to use this metabolic boosting explosive training format is on the days in-between like we do in our Tuesday/Thursday Cardio-Core Conditioning Class.

For our program, I just had to feature everyone’s favorite exercise to hate – BURPEES.

C’mon.  How could I resist?! ;-b

I call this my Burpee Breakdown Series:

Exercise 1:  Burpees

Exercise 2:  Speed Jacks

Exercise 3:  Speed Squats

Exercise 4:  Mountain Climbers

Exercise 5:  Sprint in Place

Perform each exercise with maximum intensity for 15 seconds followed by a 45 second rest and transition.  One round takes 5 minutes.  Perform up to 4 rounds for a 20-minute metabolic boosting workout that will knock the unwanted fat right off ya!

Program 2

For the second interval program featured in the March Madness Hoops Soundtracks, there are 3 different protocols.  I chose to work with a couple locomotion drills and one of the most basic exercises out there… although it’s deceivingly KILLER.

Protocol 1 – 30:30 Intervals: Alternate between 30 seconds of work and 30 seconds of rest.  Perform 6 total rounds followed by a 1-minute rest and transition.

Protocol 2 – 30:20 Intervals: Alternate between 30 seconds of work and 20 seconds of rest.  Perform 8 total rounds followed by a 1-minute rest and transition.

Protocol 3 – 30:15 Intervals: Alternate between 30 seconds of work and 15 seconds of rest.  Perform 10 total rounds followed by a 1-minute rest and transition.

By the way, Boston University Athletics Strength & Conditioning, Coach Glenn Harris, MS, CSCS inspired this particular interval-training format.  He uses the descending intervals to get his players “Game-Fit” so they can play at maximum intensity all the way through…

I use it to get maximum calorie expenditure, boost metabolism, AND have my clients and I feeling great when we’re at PLAY.  The endurance benefit of this program is amazing!

Check out the video below to see my campers in action…

If you’re looking for something totally crazy this month to accelerate your weight loss & fitness program then give the March Madness Hoops Soundtrack a try.  You will absolutely love it!

Note to my fellow boot camp instructors: members have an absolute blast with these workouts.  They’re the kind of workouts they hate to love, and can’t stop talking about…

HAVE FAITH & TAKE ACTION!

Justin Yule, BS, CPT

Owner, Fitness Revolution – Chanhassen, MN

Director of Franchise Support – Fitness Revolution International

P.S. – If you want to get last year’s March Madness Hoops Tracks for 50% off Until Sunday at 11:59 pm US EST go to the link below and enter “halfhoops” coupon code prior to check out:

http://www.workoutmuse.com/music/march-madness-hoops-soundtracks-digital-downloads-mp3-s-and-mp4-s

Justin Yule, BS, CPT is the owner of Fitness Revolution in Chanhassen, MN as well as the Director of Franchisee Support for Fitness Revolution International. Justin holds a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with a Concentration in Adult Fitness. He is a contributing author to the best selling book, Total Body Breakthroughs, and maintains a fitness blog at chanhassenfitnessrevolution.com.

2 Sick Cardio Interval Workouts

Monday, March 7th, 2011

Give these 2 killer cardio interval workouts a shot!

Perform some foam rolling, stretching, or mobility/activation work during the active recovery periods to boost injury prevention and recovery between strength workouts.

30-90 Cardio Intervals Workout w/ Kettlebell Swing Intervals

60-180 Cardio Intervals Workout w/Battle Ropes Alternating Waves with Alternating Reverse Lunges

If you want these sweet interval training workout music soundtracks as a free bonus, stay tuned tomorrow for the official launch of the SOUNDTRACK OF THE MONTH CLUB!!

It’s only $20/month and you can cancel anytime.

In essence, it’s basically just the 3 new monthly Bootcamp Automator soundtracks (no workouts or any other content, but still a $60 value for 3 total tracks) for those people who want to make their own workouts for their camps or just use the tracks for their personal workouts ;)

And for only 72 hours, you’ll also be able to access TONS of fast action bonuses so be sure to act right away tomorrow morning!

Crank it!
BJ

Soul Sitting Volume I Meditation Tracks by Sharon Farrell

Friday, March 4th, 2011

New Meditation Tracks by Sharon and Topher Farrell (yep, Topher’s Mom!)


Just the other day Topher sent me a link to check out the new meditation tracks that he’s been working on with his Mom for the last year or so:
It’s called Soul Sitting Volume I and it’s a great product for those in need of relieving anxiety and finding a more peaceful and restful state.
No surprise that it’s incredibly well done and clearly the Farrell’s were blessed with golden voices as Topher’s mom has the type of vocal tone that will instantly relax you (where Topher’s scares the s%$t out of you, ha ha).
There’s actually a ton of research out there about how meditation can boost fitness performance.
One such benefit? If you are too tight and anxious during exercise it negatively affects your breathing which will dramatically impair your exercise performance.
Please do me a big solid and head over and listen to some of these tracks to see if they’re the right fit for you and please be sure to forward the link to anyone you know of who may benefit from them ;)
And if your purchase these cool new med tracks, please forward the receipt to support@workoutmuse.com and we’ll hook you up with a free track of your choice for supporting Topher’s wonderful mother ;)

Exercise Progressions Contest

Friday, March 4th, 2011

Outlined below is a large group challenge I just put Bootcamp Automator LIVE attendees through this past weekend to test their knowledge on how to properly progress and regress exercises.

You’ll see the Trevor “Legs” Buccieri and Nate “The Fruit Fly” Trenteseaux in rare form as they lead their group through the endless levels of exercises for their designated exercise.

This is invaluable training for both you and your staff for personal training, semi-private training, and group exercise plus it’s a lot of fun too, see below ;)

Large Group Challenge- 20 Minutes

The entire group is split in half. Each group has the task of creating as many possible levels of progression for their prescribed exercise variation in 5 minutes. Group#1 is assigned the TRX Rear-Foot-Elevated Split Squat Variation. Group#2 is assigned the Kettlebell Burpee Variation. Each group must then quickly and concisely show all progressions with at least one member who is able to demonstrate each level of progression they programmed for. The group with the most satisfactory levels wins!

Crank it!
BJ

3 Incredible Undulating Battle Ropes Complexes to Get Shredded

Thursday, March 3rd, 2011

If I could only use ONE training tool to cause the biggest metabolic impact, it would be battle ropes… hands down!

Why?

1.) Low to no impact on the joints which is huge for people with back and knee pain and key for longevity for all

2.) Burns as many calories and elevates heart rate just as much as sprinting and running is already difficult for many people to properly perform as it is

3.) Allows for continuous power output where other tools have a clear stop and go or easy and hard part during a typical repetition

4.) Involves the whole body

5.) Works the core muscles in ways that few other training tools can by both smoking your shoulders, hips, and abs but also forcing you to learn how to brace your core and stabilize your spine during violent limb action which is very specific to sport

Here are 3 incredible battle ropes complexes we did this past weekend at Bootcamp Automator LIVE using a 20-second succession complexes format:

Battle Ropes Undulating Waves Complex#1-

1- Battle Ropes Alternating Waves with Lateral Slide Variation @ 20 s of work, 0 s rest

2- Battle Ropes Jumping Jacks Variation @ 20 s of work, 0 s rest

3- Battle Ropes Outside Circles Variation @ 20 s of work, 0 s rest

60-second rest and transition

Battle Ropes Undulating Waves Complex#2-

1- Seated Battle Ropes Waves Variation @ 20 s of work, 0 s rest

2- Kneeling Battle Ropes Waves Variation @ 20 s of work, 0 s rest

3- Standing Battle Ropes Waves Variation @ 20 s of work, 0 s rest

60-second rest and transition

Battle Ropes Undulating Waves Complex#3-

1- Split Stance Battle Ropes Waves Variation (L) @ 20 s of work, 0 s rest

2- Split Stance Battle Ropes Waves Variation (R) @ 20 s of work, 0 s rest

3- Parallel Stance Battle Ropes Waves Variation (L) @ 20 s of work, 0 s rest

60-second rest and transition

I get questions all the time about what ropes we’re using at our facility, and we use the training ropes from Perform Better:



I recommend starting with 30 foot ropes that are 1.5 inches in diameter as it’s much more space efficient and is a great starting point for rope training.

The bigger ropes can be a bit too challenging where the waves start to look like baby ripples in a pond and the goal is to get lots of speed and velocity so lighter is better for beginners.

The options are endless so have fun with training ropes like we did in the videos above. We literally just free-styled within the 3-exercise 20-second success complexes template and had a blast doing it ;)

Just in case you don’t have access to battle ropes but wanted a great bodyweight complexes workout, see the video below:

Crank it!
BJ