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Firefighter Fitness and Metabolism… Part 2
How to Make Your Body Burn More Calories. Here is the low down on weight gain/loss. Metabolic Rate is the rate at which the body burns up calories. A body that consumes 2500 calories a day, and burns 2500 calories a day will stay at the same weight. A body consuming 2500 calories daily but burning only 2000 will gain weight at the rate of about 1lb a week. This may explain why that ‘lucky’ person across the table from you does not get fat from all that junk food; they consume less calories than they burn. You can do quite a lot to speed up your metabolism – the secret of burning calories lies in knowing what determines your metabolic rate and what you can do to influence it. 1) Basal Metabolic Rate (Metabolism or BMR) — This is the amount of calories you burn just by being alive…
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Eating Lean in the Firehouse- Rule #1
Cooking for a group of hungry firefighters is not easy– if you don’t cook something tasty you will hear about it from your crew…for a long time. To help firefighters, EMTs and Medics get their nutrition in check, I created the SOPs to Eating Lean in the Firehouse. Here is one of the Rules to Eating Lean in the Firehouse. Limit or eliminate all liquid calories – fruit juices, soda pop, Gatorade, and alcohol. Of course in this day and age you won’t be drinking in the firehouse but it is something to minimize when off the job. Alcohol provides nothing but empty calories and provokes bad choices (about food and other things). If you’re going to drink beer, wine, or liquor, just keep in mind it will add calories and could keep you further away from getting fit for duty. BUT, we’ve got to have a little fun…
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Firefighter Fitness and Metabolism
What is Metabolism? You may often here around the firehouse someone say “I have a slow metabolism.” Usually these individuals are a little on the larger size and often like to joke about their size. Unfortunately, these people are at a very high risk to keep the trend of heart related Firefighter fatalities in tact. I’m not saying that larger individuals cannot perform the job, in most cases they are great firefighters. What I am saying is that there is more to the picture than a “slow metabolism.” There are a large number of individuals that believe the reason they are overweight has nothing to do with their appetite, and/or level of activity. They assume it is an inherent problem with their “metabolism”. So, today I wanted to clear the air around the firehouse (and other houses) about what metabolism really is. Taber’s Medical Dictionary defines Metabolism as: The sum…
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Snacking Around the Firehouse
Everyone (especially around the firehouse) loves a good snack. But what actually is a “good” snack. If you ask some, they will define a good snack as something that tastes great but doesn’t fill you up like a meal. If your stomach starts rumbling and lunch is still two hours away, you’re going to need a snack to make it through the day. What firefighters/emts/ must remember is that the foods you eat at snack time can make a big difference in your energy level, decision making, performance, and overall health. Choose the wrong snack, and you’ll feel dragged down, tired and cloudy. Choose wisely, and you’ll get the boost and performance you need. Choose your snacks wisely, you never know when you will need the exra energy. Before your next snack break, think twice about what you are about to eat and remember the following information when you’re craving a snack!…
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Firefighter Fitness- Recruit Academy Fitness Programming
As firefighters we protect life and property by any means necessary. And by “any” we mean the “safest and the best.” This means we do not marry ourselves to any one response modality or school of thought. We don’t always go interior on a fire attack…or always use a Halligan to force open a door (sometimes it’s already unlocked) right? We take into account certain factors along with the environment, resources, etc. and make the best tactical decisions we can. Granted, we do have protocols and procedures to follow that help guide us along our process but we must be able to adapt and compromise. Trainers, chiefs and officers should take this same approach to creating a fitness program for recruits. There is no “best” workout program for recruits, just as there is no “best” way to force a door. Going into a situation, a well…
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Firefighter Fitness Tip- Workout Smarter…
Today I wanted to give you some great workout tips. Over my years of training clients and athletes I’ve learned two very important fitness tips that will help you see and feel the best results. Tip#1. Recovery is Essential for progress. I know that many firefighters, emts and paramedics like to challenge themselves during a workout but its the ability to recover afterwards that leads to a greater results. Did you know…your body changes after a workout, when your body rests – not during. Taking the time to rest between strength workouts (or after a tough shift) is when your body begins the repair and recovery process – increasing lean muscle – making you stronger and able to do more come the next workout. Recovery can be accelerated by choosing a good post workout shake and taking the time to stretch and foam roll (click here it to see my blog on foam rolling) major…
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Firefighter 300 Challenge Workout
300 Rep Challenge for the Firehouse This is a great 300 challenge workout that you can do in the firehouse with minimal weight. The goal of the workout is to finish in the shortest amount of time possible, not by rushing your reps but by not resting…. All you need for this challenge workout is a stability ball and a weight. The object of the workout is to complete 50 reps of each exercise (300 total) as quickly as possible. There is a catch of course, each rep has to be performed in a controlled manner and bad reps don’t count. Safety first, form is your biggest focus. You can do the reps in any order and even mix and match if needed as long as you do 50 of each. Personally I like to choose two exercises and alternate between them until the reps are completed. As a guideline…
Read MoreChallenging Firefighter Core Exercise..
I love a good challenge. Lately around the firehouse I’ve been challenging my crew with new workouts and exercises. One exercise that is fairly difficult has become a crew favorite. The 4-point Opposite Arm/ Leg Raise is a great exercise to strengthen the core, the shoulders and help develop better balance and coordination. Give it a try! Stay Safe and Healthy, Aaron Zamzow
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Firefighter Exercise Upgrade- Shoulder Press
This post shows you a way to change the traditional shoulder press to a more fire ground functional exercise. We, as Firefighters, EMTs and paramedics are constantly required to lift loads in very awkward positions. In order to prepare for these scenarios, fire rescue athletes must focus their workouts on training not only on and in stable positions (machines) but unstable as well. Here is a great shoulder exercise upgrade to engage more stabilizing and core muscles. Please note that this exercise requires a lot of core strength and shoulder stability, lower your weights until you feel comfortable with the exercise. Remember to focus on your form and posture. For more exercise upgrade ideas, please continue to check back to www.firerescuefitness.com. For a great workout program that incorporates exercise upgrades for Fire Rescue Athletes, get great results, with the FRF Ultimate Fire Athlete Workout (click here for special bonus pricing…
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