Hastings Fire Department

TACTICAL FITNESS AND WELLNESS RESOURCE PAGE

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Great resources and workouts to help you improve your performance, reduce injuries, and prolong your career with HFD.

28-DAY CATALYST PROGRAM THUMB FOR WEBPAGE

Get this 28-day Workout Program from FRF that will help you lose weight, gain strength, and improve your overall health and fitness.

Time to start training like a fire rescue athlete.  FRF is offering a free 28-day workout program to help you lose weight, gain strength and take your fitness to the next level.  The program includes access to the FRF tracking app, eating guides, coaching, and more.  It is FREE for all HFD members.  Give it a try!

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Firehouse Fresh- Recipes designed to fuel hungry firefighters.

Designed by registered dieticians, these recipes are easy to prepare and healthy for your crew. Give them a try!

 

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Addicted to Awake: Sleep Deprivation in the Fire Service

The hard truth is that almost 40 percent of firefighters suffer from a sleep disorder. According to a screening of 6,933 firefighters, 80 percent of those who tested positive had no prior awareness or previous diagnosis of their condition. This is a growing concern in the fire service.

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Health & Fitness: Fitness for the Fire Attack

Here is a great article to help you prepare for the basement fire scenario.   Advancing charged hoseline and fire attack are some of the most physically demanding activities we do on the fire ground.   Make sure you are strong, mobile, and ready for the fire attack with these great exercises.

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Functional Fitness for the Fire Service

Click the link below to obtain a copy of the presentation and slides from Aaron Zamzow's seminar on Functional Fitness for the Fire Service.

Additional Resources for you and your crew.

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Foam Rolling Guide for the Fire Service

Muscles sore and tight from a previous shift or workout?  Have you tried foam rolling?  The compressed foam pieces floating around all the stations might just be the fitness tool you need to start feeling and moving better. 

Summary of Foam Rolling Positions
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Five Steps to Better Nutrition

Eating in the firehouse or any house can be a challenge.  This guide simplifies nutrition and gives easy to follow and applicable steps to help you "clean up" your diet and lean up. This manual includes:

-Five easy to follow guidelines to get you lean and “fit for duty.”
-Nutrition Hacks that will help you prepare and plan healthy meals
-Healthy Snack Options to insure you stay on track
-The 90-10 Eating Plan.  Teaches you how to plan your "cheat meals" and stay on-track with your nutrition.
-Example meal plan

Additional Resources for you and your crew

FRF Special Workout to Honor Veterans…

By Aaron Zamzow (ZAM) | 2 Nov 11, 2017

Today I have a special Firefighter Challenge Workout to honor America’s true heroes….our Veterans.   Thank you for your service and sacrifice! This workout is 11 minutes of strength exercises followed by an 11 minute cardio…

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This 4-minute stretch can improve firefighter performance.

By Aaron Zamzow (ZAM) | 2 Oct 30, 2017

Mobile and flexible athletes move more efficiently and can be less likely to suffer injury.  Unfortunately, from my research, I have found that stretching is the most often “skipped” part of an athlete’s workout.   For one,…

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Do These 3 Things to Stay Fit in (and out) of the Firehouse.

By Aaron Zamzow (ZAM) | 2 Oct 12, 2017

It seems like fitness information is coming from every angle these days.   Experts tell us that we need to “do yoga, do crossfit, do low intensity, do high intensity, do weights, don’t do weights.”  It can…

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Are you FRF (Fire Rescue Fit)?

By Aaron Zamzow (ZAM) | 2 Oct 3, 2017

Are you FRF (Fire Rescue Fit)?  We all may answer that question differently.   The reason behind that question though is simple…   Are you ready for the demands of the day, of the job, of the tasks…

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What is your why?

By Aaron Zamzow (ZAM) | 2 Sep 27, 2017

Why do you workout? Why do you, or should you make healthy choices?  The answers to this question are different for different people.  For me, personally, I workout and stay fit because I never want to…

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Take the "Get FRF" Challenge and Win Cash and Prizes…

By Aaron Zamzow (ZAM) | 2 Sep 25, 2017

Over $1,500 in cash and prizes will be given away to Firefighters, EMTs and Medics this Fall!  YOU can Win and more importantly Motivate Others!   Don’t wait, get your program (click here) and get started today! The purpose…

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The Fire Rescue Fitness 9/11 Memorial Challenge Workout…

By Aaron Zamzow (ZAM) | 2 Sep 10, 2017

Every year around September 11th I like to take a moment and reflect on the significance of the day and honor those that sacrificed (and continue to sacrifice to this day).  I truly believe that one…

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5 Ways to Get Leaner and Stronger on (and off) the Fireground.

By Aaron Zamzow (ZAM) | 2 Jun 22, 2017

Attention Firefighters, EMTs and Medics (Fire Rescue Athletes). Would you agree that a leaner and stronger athlete is a better athlete?  I know this is a “loaded” question.  A lot of the answer has to deal…

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The Best Firefighter Workouts Have these Components.

By Aaron Zamzow (ZAM) | 2 Jun 22, 2017

Attention Firefighters, EMTs and Paramedics! Without proper planning, your fitness program may actually be setting you up for failure.  This topic is one near and dear to my heart and your career–Workouts for Fire Rescue Athletes.…

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Why do Firefighters Have Heart Attacks?

Heart attack and strokes are more likely to kill firefighters than an actual fire. A recent research article just confirmed one of the major reasons why. The research confirms that the physical demands of firefighting may trigger the formation of blood clots and impair blood vessel function -- two factors associated with increased risk of heart attack and stroke. (You can read more about that research by clicking here.) 

Improve YOUR Sleep.

Firefighters often don't get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation can lead to real problems, including safety concerns.  For anyone who has worked in the fire service, this is hardly news. One of the most difficult adjustments for new firefighters can be the shift work: the 10/14 split, the 24- or 48-hour workday. As firefighters age, sleep disorders can lead to serious health problems for them. Click here to read about the "7 Ways to improve your crew's sleep and safety

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Why Firefighters Need YOGA

The truth of the matter is yoga can be as mellow or as arduous as you make it, just like any physical practice. The beauty of yoga is that it goes beyond just the physical. For firefighter’s yoga can be a really great way to relieve stress and center the body and mind. This is especially important considering the high stress of the job. Yoga, if you allow it to be so, could be one of the best ways to combat PTSD.

 

Click here to discover 5 Reasons Why Every Firefighter Should do Yoga.  (Click here for the article.) 

Goblet Squat for more Fireground Strength

 We all know that stairs and climbing are major fire rescue movements performed on the fire ground so… improve your leg strength and you could improve your performance on the fire ground. One exercise is very good at doing just that…. the goblet squat. The goblet squat is a multi-joint lower body exercise that fires up (no pun intended) the glutes, quads, and hamstrings.   Unlike the traditional back squat, the goblet squat is executed by keeping the body in an upright position, which results in less strain on the lower lumbar and spine and places an increased demand on your upper back and core. Goblet squats also help improve mobility in the hip, thus helping you out with other fire rescue movement patterns.  Click here for a great tutorial on the Goblet Squat

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If you have any questions, please reach out to Aaron (click here).