WOW: Brave the Weather
Posted By Mark Sisson On March 28, 2011 @ 9:12 am In Workout of the Week (WOW) | 18 Comments
Complete 4 cycles:
20 Walking Straight Leg Deadlifts (alternating sides)
10 Handstand Pushups
20 Walking Lunges
10 Pullups
5 Burpees
How-to:
Warmup: One minute Grok Squat [3].
Supposedly, spring is here in the northern hemisphere, but I’m not seeing it. I’m seeing rain and overcast skies and cold weather, all staunch adversaries of outdoor workout enthusiasts (among which I count myself). What to do?
A normal person would retreat to the gym, or devise some living room workout routine – anything to escape the elements. But, this week, try something different. Instead of admitting defeat, challenge yourself and the unseasonably harsh cold/rain/snow by exercising outdoors with the express purpose of exposing yourself to momentary hardship. Consider that exercise itself is a type of stressor that, when applied to the body, creates a net beneficial result. Sometimes you fear the weights or the hills, but you do it anyway because it’s good for you. Well, this week, you’re adding another layer to overcome. The weather.
Pick the grimiest day of the week. Check your local forecast and plan to workout outdoors in rain, cold, snow, whatever. I want your forehead slick and muddy from grazing the ground on the pushups. Go hard and get it over quick.
These exercises work your entire body and require balance and concentration. In other words, they require focus. You’re going to have a lot going on with the weather, the balancing, the sheer ardor required of you, but these are good things. They will make you stronger. The burpees will help keep you warm in between rounds.
A few things to remember:
- If you’re not clear on straight leg deadlifts, go over this great simple guide [4]. If you do them weighted, I suggest doing unilaterally weighted deadlifts by holding a weight with the hand opposite from the leg being trained. Right foot down, weight in left hand. Bring yourself up, step forward, switch to the right hand and left foot down. Use a dumbbell, a kettlebell, or a sandbag.
- Use the same weight (or double them up) for the lunges.
- As always, use progressions for handstand pushups [5] and pullups [6] if you need to.
- Go shirtless and barefoot for a nice boost.
Variations:
If you’re blessed with excellent weather right now and can’t find a way to make this WOW work as prescribed, we all hate you. No, but seriously, go out and enjoy it!
What Are WOWs?
- Workouts of the Week (WOWs) are an optional component of Primal Blueprint Fitness [7] that add a fractal and often fun and playful quality to the basic PBF protocol.
- In most cases WOWs should only be completed by those that have mastered Level 4 of each Lift Heavy Things Essential Movement. Also, it’s recommended that WOWs replace one or both Lift Heavy Things workouts or the Sprint workout (depending on the WOW) each week instead of being done in addition to the Lift Heavy Things and Sprint workouts.
- Learn more about WOWs and Primal Blueprint Fitness by getting the free eBook [7]. And access all Workouts of the Week in the WOW Archive [8].
Get the Primal Blueprint Fitness eBook, Free Health Tips and Primal Recipes [9] Delivered to Your Inbox
Article printed from Mark's Daily Apple: http://www.marksdailyapple.com
URL to article: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/wow-brave-the-weather/
URLs in this post:
[1] free weekly newsletter: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/feeds/?utm_source=wwsgd&utm_medium=intro_note&utm_campaign=newsletter
[2] Primal Blueprint 101: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/primal-blueprint-101/
[3] Grok Squat: http://www.marksdailyapple.com../../how-to-squat-properly/
[4] simple guide: http://coachkevcarr.com/2011/01/28/correcting-and-progressing-the-single-leg-dead-lift/
[5] handstand pushups: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/how-to-proper-overhead-press-technique/
[6] pullups: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/how-to-proper-pullup-chinup-technique/
[7] Primal Blueprint Fitness: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/primal-blueprint-fitness/
[8] WOW Archive: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/primal-blueprint-fitness/workout-of-the-week-archive/
[9] Primal Blueprint Fitness eBook, Free Health Tips and Primal Recipes: http://www.marksdailyapple.com../../feeds/
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