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Firefighter Workout Tip- Unilateral Training
Unilateral training (one weight) is very beneficial for firefighters, EMTs and paramedics. The fire-ground can be very unstable– icing conditions, high steps, inclines, all create challenges for the fire rescue athlete. To combat these unstable conditions you should be using unilateral training exercises. While training with both sides can be better for the ego by lifting heavy weights, unilateral training will balance your muscles and help you perform better on the fire-ground. Here is a great video explaining how easy it is to incorporate unilateral training into your firefighter workout program. Take a look. A great way to incorporate a functional exercise is to use a foam bucket (filled with water) and carry it for a prescribed distance or up stairs. This unilateral carry with a full bucket really requires some great core stability and balance. Give unilateral training a try, substitute certain traditional exercises with their unilateral counter…
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Firefighter Workout- Post Holiday Edition
Happy post Thanksgiving! I hope you enjoyed the Holiday and carry the “thankful” attitude through the holiday season. I do not hope you carry the extra weight and lethargy that can occur during the Holidays. Yes, it is that time of the year where we have a tendency to overindulge and workouts seem to take second place to the holiday rush. To combat the accumulation of holiday pounds I created this Fire Rescue Metabolic Workout… This workout requires minimal time, maximal effort and will give you an extreme calorie burn (throughout the day). Intermediate/ Advanced athletes should use weights that they can handle for 15 reps (even though you will only be performing 10 reps) while beginners will use body-weight for each exercise. Each rep should be performed with control (safety first) and good form. You must perform 2 circuits of the warm-up. After the warm-up follow the appropriate circuit (beginner or…
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Firefighter Workout- FRF Thanksgiving Edition
Happy Thanksgiving! Here is a great “FRF” way to celebrate. This is a little workout that will burn some early morning calories, ignite your metabolism, and make room for some good Thanksgiving food. I always like to do some morning workout or fun run with the family on the Holidays, I find that I feel better all day and don’t eat as much. Please give this a try! Try to do as many circuits as possible in 15 or 20 minutes. Remember to perform an active warm-up before you begin. (Click here for a good active Firefighter workout warm-up routine.) Do the suggested reps of each exercise then proceed to the next, rest as little as possible between exercises. Burpees x 10 reps Pull-ups or Body Rows x 10 reps Prisoner Lunges x 5 reps per leg Squat to Press (around 20% body weight) x 10 reps Feet on Stability Ball…
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Firefighter Fitness Motivation!
Just a little reminder that fires aren’t the number one killer of firefighters….heart attacks and strokes are. Approach your health and fitness like an athlete. Train like a life depends on it….because it does. Enough said. Stay safe and healthy, Aaron Zamzow
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Reducing Sugar in the Firehouse…
Ohhh sugar! It seems to be a common staple at any firehouse, especially around the holidays- donuts on the table, cookies on the counter and ice cream in the fridge. But because its there doesn’t mean you should constantly indulge. It’s been pretty well documented that sugar can have a harmful effect on the your health (click here for a good article on that). Research has linked this sweet substance to obesity, heart disease, liver disease, higher rates of cancer, tooth decay along with other problems. Sugar also has an addictive quality that makes it a hard “habit” to break. According to data from the U.S. in 2008, on average, people are consuming over 60 pounds (28 kg) of added sugar per year and this does not even include fruit juices. In 2008 the average intake was 76.7 grams per day, which equals 19 teaspoons or 306 calories! How…
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Combating Firefighter Obesity…
This is scary…We need to change. Rates of overweight and obese individuals in the fire service are higher than those found in the general public, according to a new study. Researchers looked at the body composition of both career and volunteer firefighters across the nation, with overweight and obesity rates ranging from 73 percent to 88 percent. About two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese on a general, national level. The research demonstrates that a large percentage of firefighters do not meet minimal standards of physical fitness, according to the study conducted by the NVFC National Volunteer Fire Council– “Addressing the Epidemic of Obesity in the United States Fire Service” looks at the impact of obesity, the scope of obesity in the fire service, and why obesity has become an epidemic. The report also adds that “as firefighters gain more weight, research has found that cardio respiratory fitness plummets and…
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Essential Exercise to Get Firefighter Fit
Balance, coordination, power, strength, cardiovascular recovery….all essential fitness traits of the “fit for duty” Fire Rescue Athlete. If you are a Fire Rescue Athlete (or not) you need to plan your workouts to address each of these traits. One of the most overlooked is balance and coordination. As a trainer I get asked how and when is the best time to train for balance? As a firefighter I get asked why do I need to train for balance? The last thing you want to happen as you climb a ladder or lift a patient is to lose your balance; this often leads to injury or possible death. You can easily modify current exercises to challenge your balance by changing your stance (going from two legs to one), standing on a balance board or BOSU, changing your angle of movement (incline or decline), and/or using a stability ball instead of a stable object.…
Read MoreFirefighter Cardio Workout (#2)
A couple weeks ago I posted a cardio interval workout that can be performed at the firehouse with in about 15 to 25 minutes with minimal equipment. Do to the great response (please keep the comments and emails coming) I put together another workout. Once again this is an option for a firefighter/medic that has minimal equipment and time yet still wants a good workout. This can be used as a cardio interval training workout day (for those following any FRF Workout Program) and/or as a good workout to get the blood flowing. Give it a shot! This is a great interval to perform at the firehouse, it doesn’t require a lot of equipment and is very short in duration yet effective. The work intervals can be adjusted to your level of fitness. Beginners should perform 20 seconds of work followed by 40 seconds of rest for each exercise. Intermediates should…
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