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Cardiovascular Training for Firefighters, EMTs and Paramedics (FireRescue Athletes)

I heard someone once say running long and slow teaches your body one thing, how to run slow. If that’s all you’re after, you can stop reading; I don’t want you to be late for your water aerobics class.  But in our profession you need to move quickly and with purpose, I’m not saying that long and slow cardio is totally worthless, I’m saying it has its place.  In fact, I recommend performing a lower intensity, longer cardio workout at least once a week to flush the muscles.  But, what I am talking about here is training your body and your heart to function under higher intensity.   The cardio intervals not only prepare you for the fire ground but also blast away a lot of calories and body fat (as an added bonus). The purpose of any firefighter’s cardiovascular program is to help them work more efficiently under the stresses…

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great routine for firefighters to try yoga

Firefighter (Truckee) Yoga Routine.

As a firefighter, it’s time to embrace the incredible benefits of yoga by rolling out your mat and discovering the perfect combination of physical and mental exercises that have captivated practitioners around the world for thousands of years. The beauty of yoga is that you don’t have to be a yogi to experience its transformative effects.

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Workouts that Incorporate Fireground Movements and Boost Metabolism…

I believe that interval training is very applicable to what we do on the fire ground. What are intervals? In their simplest form, they’re short bursts of high intensity exercise separated by periods of lower intensity effort.   One of the unique components of all FRF workouts are, what I call, afterburners and/or interval overhauls. They are interval options performed at the end of the strength workouts. These interval overhaul or “afterburner” options are a combination of the fireground movement exercises that challenges your total body, allows you to work on firefighter skills, and can simulate the work intensity of the fire ground.  And… they can really “jack-up” your metabolism too! You can do them in gear, in the firehouse, or in the gym, or even do them at home. You also don’t need a lot of equipment, the only required piece is a good interval timer (which you can get…

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Firefighter Cardiovascular Workout Options…

I heard someone once say running long and slow teaches your body one thing, how to run long and slow. If that’s all you’re after, you can stop reading; I don’t want you to be late for your water aerobics class (lol, just kidding).  But, as a fire rescue athlete,  you need to move quickly and with purpose.  I’m not saying that long and slow cardio is totally worthless, I’m saying it has its place.  In fact, I recommend performing a lower intensity, longer cardio workout at least once or twice a week to flush the muscles.  But, what I am talking about here is training your body and your heart to function under higher intensity. The purpose of any firefighter’s cardiovascular program should be to help them work more efficiently under the stresses encountered every day on the job, be it on the fire or rescue ground.  I feel…

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Great Bodyweight Workout for First Responders- No equipment needed

Lack of equipment and time is not a valid excuse for first responders and/or firefighters. Here is a great workout option that can be done at home or the firehouse. This workout will help improve mobility, core strength and stamina and will improve performance on and off the fire/ rescue scene. Give this a try!

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A First Responders Guide to Cortisol

What is cortisol and why do you need to know about it as a first responder? This great post from FRF will explain and answer that question and, most importantly tell you how to manage it for better health.

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Improve Your Performance with this 500 Rep Firefighter Workout

Looking for a great workout that will help you as a firefighter improve performance, burn fat and challenge your cardiovascular system? Try this workout…

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The 5 Fitness Tips Every First Responder Needs to Follow

Being a first responder offers challenges when it comes to keeping your fitness, health, and mind in check.  The long hours, the stress of the job including exposures to traumatic scenes, and the sometimes unhealthy food options do not make it easy.  Here are 5 of the best fitness and nutrition tips that every First Responder (firefighter, EMT, medic, police officer, and/or nurse) needs to follow. These tips will help you improve your performance, reduce your chances of injury, and help you enjoy a longer and healthier career.

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First Responders- Reduce sugars with these 5 tips.

First Responders- 5 Ways to Reduce Sugar

Sugars are found in a lot of common foods. These added sugars can wreak havoc on your health and physique. Never fear, these 5 tips will help you control that sweet tooth and lose that extra weight.

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