first responder fitnes

10-minute Interval Overhauls (Firefighter Skills Training)

By Zamzowfitness | Feb 1, 2012

Now, as you probably know from reading my previous blog posts that I think that interval training is very applicable to what we do on the fire ground.  A unique component that I’ve added to my workouts is a 10-minute Interval Overhaul.  These interval Overhauls are a combination of exercises that challenges the total body,…

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

By Zamzowfitness | Jan 29, 2012

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…

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Firefighter Fitness- Should You Exercise While You're Sick?

By Zamzowfitness | Jan 23, 2012

It’s that time of the year.  The flu bug is in full affect and is probably making its way through a firehouse near you.  We get exposed to lots of different viruses through EMS responses, hospital transports and via the close confines of the firehouse.  I get a lot of people asking me if they…

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A new weapon for Firefighters war on Heart Disease

By Zamzowfitness | Jan 19, 2012

Heart disease kills more on-duty firefighters than anything else — and it is definitely linked to emergency duties, a Harvard study shows. Most people think firefighters’ biggest death threats are fires and collapsing buildings. But over the last 30 years it’s been shown that 45% of firefighters’ on-duty deaths come from heart disease.    Over these last…

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Snacking around the Firehouse

By Zamzowfitness | Jan 12, 2012

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…

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The Importance of a Strong Core for Firefighters, EMTs and Paramedics

By Zamzowfitness | Dec 18, 2011

Each year, tens of thousands of Firefighters, EMTs and Paramedics are injured while fighting fires, responding to incidents, transporting patients and training for the job. While a majority of the injuries are minor, a significant number are debilitating and career-ending.  Of these debilitating injuries almost 50% have to do with low back pain and a…

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Firefighters…the ultimate athlete?

By Zamzowfitness | Nov 29, 2011

As a firefighter (paramedic and emt included), you train to mitigate the risks that you are sure to face on the job.  Your fitness cannot be a liability, it must be on par with the skills you have spent so much time learning.  Like an athlete, you must be game ready at all times. What…

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Get fit for duty, stay fit for duty.

By Zamzowfitness | Nov 26, 2011

Train like your life depends on it…because it does.  I’m sure you’ve heard that slogan before either at a seminar or around the firehouse.  What exactly does it mean?  In the context of this website we (I) mean that every fireifghter, emt, and paramedic should look at their level of fitness as another tool like…

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