Hyper Wear - Weight Vests and Training Equipment » balance http://www.hyperwear.com/blog Train Heavy - Play Light - Stay Cool Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:57:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Hyper Training Lab: Challenge Core Strength With One-Sided Load http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2011/10/25/hyper-training-lab-challenge-core-strength-with-one-sided-load/ http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2011/10/25/hyper-training-lab-challenge-core-strength-with-one-sided-load/#comments Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:00:16 +0000 HyperCosmo http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/?p=1324 Welcome back to the Hyper Training Lab! In this week’s lab, Diane Vives brings you a great circuit that focuses on challenging core strength with a one-sided load. Rotary stability is the ability to resist unwanted movement and maintain excellent posture and control.  The benefits of training your body to execute good posture come into play when you perform movements that require core strength and stability.

The following exercises are a great way to improve strength training movements and overall performance, and also have the added benefit of loading one side of the body, which places an additional emphasis on targeting rotary stability muscles.

Core Challenging Circuit Exercises:

  1. Squat with one arm carry- Using a SteelBell
  2. Lunge with lateral exchange – Using a SandBell
  3. Upper-body one arm curl to press- Using a SandBell
  4. One leg dead lift with one arm reach – Using a SandBell

All of these exercises are a great addition to building your exercise menu for stability challenging movements. Also, be sure to tailor the weight and number of repetitions to fit your individual workout requirements. Go out, give this circuit a try and let us know what you think!

]]> http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2011/10/25/hyper-training-lab-challenge-core-strength-with-one-sided-load/feed/ 0 Hyper Training Lab: Total Body Combos for High Intensity Circuits http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2011/10/18/hyper-training-lab-total-body-combos-for-high-intensity-circuits/ http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2011/10/18/hyper-training-lab-total-body-combos-for-high-intensity-circuits/#comments Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:30:15 +0000 HyperCosmo http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/?p=1310 In this week’s Hyper Training Lab, Diane Vives focuses on building combination movements throughout an entire circuit. This works to create a more aggressive conditioning circuit by intensifying each exercise. Building intensity throughout the circuit sets can boost overall energy demands, and also allow for great strength endurance when handling higher workloads.

Total Upper and Lower Body Combos:

  1. Squat to band row
  2. Slide knee tuck to push up
  3. Lunge with arc
  4. Rainbow slam

To view this week’s Hyper Training Lab video, click here. Use these movements to build your exercise archive and improve total body performance. This is a great metabolically challenging circuit that can be incorporated into a variety of settings, and used by anyone from fitness enthusiasts to athletes and trainers. Go out, give it a try and let us know what you think!

]]> http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2011/10/18/hyper-training-lab-total-body-combos-for-high-intensity-circuits/feed/ 0 Hyper Training Lab: Metabolic Circuit for Lower-Body w. Diane Vives http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2011/10/11/hyper-training-lab-11-metabolic-circuit-for-lower-body/ http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2011/10/11/hyper-training-lab-11-metabolic-circuit-for-lower-body/#comments Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:00:40 +0000 HyperCosmo http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/?p=1273 In this week’s Hyper Training Lab, Diane uncovers a great metabolic circuit that focuses on lateral movements of the lower body.  This not only increases the energy demands by doing a four-exercise circuit that targets one movement area, but also includes lateral movements that many of us neglect.  Lateral lower body exercises allow us to train movements needed for changes of direction and frontal plane (left to right) stability, which can enhance running efficiency and injury prevention.

Lateral Lower Body Blast:

  1. Lateral Speed Squat: Start in wide position, making sure to sit back in proper position, and lunge from left to right without picking up the feet.
  2. Lateral Lunge with Reach: With this lunge you introduce a step, be sure to load the SandBell on the outside and pay attention to the grip-strength muscles being activated.
  3. Lateral Box Shuffle: It’s important with this exercise to really push off the outside leg. The SandBell load helps emphasize the change in direction when transitioning over the box step.
  4. Skaters with SandBell Reach: Make sure to push off each foot and to take the SandBell toward each shoe to load on your basis of support.

Build from 12 repetitions per exercise for 2-3 sets, once a week for beginners, and more advanced exercisers can begin at 24 repetitions per exercise for 3-4 sets, once a week.

This circuit is a great challenge to keep in your arsenal of training tools. Incorporate these exercises, and ones similar to it, to make sure you’re strengthening those lateral movement muscles. Go out, give this a try and let us know what you think!

To view this week’s Hyper Training Lab video with Diane Vives, click here!

]]> http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2011/10/11/hyper-training-lab-11-metabolic-circuit-for-lower-body/feed/ 0 Monday Morning Scoop: What it takes to be an Olympic athlete http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2011/10/10/monday-morning-scoop-what-it-takes-to-be-an-olympic-athlete/ http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2011/10/10/monday-morning-scoop-what-it-takes-to-be-an-olympic-athlete/#comments Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:30:51 +0000 HyperCosmo http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/?p=1266 For most, finding the motivation to log in time at the gym is a daily struggle. The priority of making time to exercise seems to creep further toward the bottom of the list with jobs, kids and all of life’s daily stresses.

But, imagine being a professional athlete or Olympian.

Working out and staying fit is your job, and that time from 9-5 spent gazing at a computer now becomes eight hours of work, sweat and complete dedication. That hour on the treadmill doesn’t seem so bad now, does it?

“People don’t know the process which athletes undertake in their individual sports to reach the Olympic level. You get there by sticking it out. There are a lot of people that try and give up,” says Jim Ochowicz, men’s professional road racing team Olympic athlete, in the article, “How to Train Like An Olympian” on Forbes.com.

The online article goes on to say that on average, athletes spend four to eight years preparing and training before making an Olympic team. Also, training schedules aren’t planned weekly or monthly, but yearly to ensure they reach specific performance goals.

While less than one percent of us will ever be able to call ourselves Olympic athletes, you can still employ some of their training techniques so you can look and feel like one. The online article, “Go for Gold! Learn to train like an Olympian” reveals some great fitness tips from various professional coaches.

Below are several key training tips from the article:

“Weights are great, but don’t underestimate the power of body-weight exercises. They provide you with a body awareness that you just can’t get with plates or dumbbells, and that translates into more explosive power in the ring and more agility in the real world,” says Larry Nelson, USA Boxing’s 2003 developmental coach of the year.

“Along with flexibility and body control, balance is an essential component of weight lifting. The best way to bolster it is with an overhead squat,” recommends Mike Burgener, father and coach of Casey Burgener—top-ranked US power lifter in Beijing.

“Whether you’re trying to log a faster 10K or just keep up with your bean-thin teen, the key to running more efficiently is to reduce the amount of time your feet spend on the ground. One of the best ways to do this is with hill sprints…” says Brad Hudson, champion marathoner and current coach of Olympic gold medal marathon hopeful Dathan Ritzenhein.

Bottom line, being an Olympic athlete and training like one takes time and dedication. Putting in an hour a day will make you feel better, look better and live a long and healthy life. So, next time you decide to put off the gym because you “just don’t have enough time,” think about those people logging in eight hours a day, every day, of mentally and physically strenuous training, and march yourself straight into that gym!

]]> http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2011/10/10/monday-morning-scoop-what-it-takes-to-be-an-olympic-athlete/feed/ 0 Hyper Training Lab #8: Conditioning Circuit with Upper-Body Movements w. Diane Vives http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2011/09/27/hyper-wear-training-lab-9-conditioning-circuit-with-upper-body-movements-w-diane-vives/ http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2011/09/27/hyper-wear-training-lab-9-conditioning-circuit-with-upper-body-movements-w-diane-vives/#comments Tue, 27 Sep 2011 17:04:59 +0000 HyperCosmo http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/?p=1261 In this week’s Hyper Training Lab, Diane focuses on creating a metabolically challenging circuit that concentrates on upper-body movements. These exercises are a fantastic way to amp up your conditioning routine, as well as improve on upper-body strength endurance.

Upper-Body Blast:

  1. Dive bomber: Start in pike position, pull chest through to low position to challenge shoulders and create a great extension through the lower body
  2. Upper-body  step-ups: Start at the top, executing great range of motion, and as you step up work to stabilize and get single arm involvement
  3. Slide shuffle: This exercises involves the challenge of doing an upper-body shuffle on the slide, works the stabilizer muscles and strength of the upper-body
  4. SandBell punches: Focuses on grip strength and getting a controlled, punching strike with each movement

Make every rep count and follow good form.  It’s your move!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv5U9Ut15gY[/youtube]

]]> http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2011/09/27/hyper-wear-training-lab-9-conditioning-circuit-with-upper-body-movements-w-diane-vives/feed/ 1 Hyper Training Lab #7: Super-Sets with Strength to Power for the Athlete w. Diane Vives http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2011/09/20/tuesdays-training-lab-super-sets-with-strength-to-power-for-the-athlete/ http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2011/09/20/tuesdays-training-lab-super-sets-with-strength-to-power-for-the-athlete/#comments Tue, 20 Sep 2011 16:34:33 +0000 HyperCosmo http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/?p=1259 In this week’s Hyper Training Lab video, Diane shares training floor examples for more advanced athletes.  This could mean these athletes have spent extensive, dedicated time in a planned multi-phase program, or that the athlete has a higher training age in experience. Either way, this super-set increases over all intensity because it combines strength and the immediate transfer to power/speed endurance movements.

Super-set Example #1

  1. Pull-ups
  2. Full body slam with SandBell

Super-set Example #2

  1. Side lunge with dumbbell
  2. Skaters with SandBell reach

Both of these super-sets can be executed with repetition ranges that apply to strength and power endurance by using lower resistance and higher volume. They can also focus on higher intensity/lower repetition ranges with less volume to target the true complex super-set that translates to higher power in performance.

Whether you’re a football player, or an in-preseason women’s basketball athlete, these are examples of how to really target the increasing need for strength and power in your program.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRGsgbqdzz4[/youtube]

]]> http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2011/09/20/tuesdays-training-lab-super-sets-with-strength-to-power-for-the-athlete/feed/ 0 Monday Media Scoop: Top fitness trends of 2011 http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2011/08/29/monday-morning-media-top-fitness-trends-of-2012/ http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2011/08/29/monday-morning-media-top-fitness-trends-of-2012/#comments Mon, 29 Aug 2011 14:00:50 +0000 HyperCosmo http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/?p=1219 Each year it seems that the health and fitness industry receives an overwhelming influx of new fitness trends, pieces of equipment and styles of thinking. It can be hard to weed through the avenues and exercises that actually work and are here to stay, from those that are going to end up on an infomercial and sold at some kiosk in the mall.

Well, for those of you wondering just what are 2011s top fitness trends according to fitness industry leaders, look no further than here!

Jessica Belasco, blogger for mysanantonio.com discloses the findings from IDEA Health and Fitness Association’s Fitness Program and Equipment Trends Report in her blog “Boomers influence fitness trends.” The report, whose findings come from a survey sent out to top fitness program directors and facility managers, gets the scoop on what’s making waves in the health and fitness world.

According to the report, the top five programming trends in 2011 are balance training, functional resistance training, mind-body programs (i.e. yoga and tai chi), body-weight leverage training and personal training shared by two clients.

The underlying theme of “functional training” that guides these top five trends reflects the needs of baby boomers who are looking to improve their quality of life, reduce injuries and stay active as they age, says IDEA’s Executive Director Kathie Davis.

And as for 2011s top fitness equipment, body-weight leverage equipment, like the TRX suspension trainers, foam rollers, kettlebells and stability balls were among the top five.

What’s the best thing about this report? Our Hyper Wear products can be used in each and every top five programming trend. The SandBell, SteelBell and Hyper Vest PRO have shown to be successfully incorporated into nearly every type of workout. Wear the PRO vest while doing yoga, running, resistance training, etc., and use the SandBells or SteelBells in place of traditional weights to make your workouts even MORE challenging, dynamic and safe.

Our prediction for 2012 and beyond is that Hyper Wear is here to stay. No matter what fads and trends come and go, your can rest assured that using and abusing our products will get you fit and keep you fit, no matter what fitness ideology you’re following at the moment.

]]> http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2011/08/29/monday-morning-media-top-fitness-trends-of-2012/feed/ 4 Workout Wednesday: Warehouse Edition 6.22.11 Circuit training with SandBell and TRX Suspension Trainer http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2011/06/22/workout-wednesday-warehouse-edition-6-22-11-circuit-training-with-sandbell-and-trx-suspension-trainer/ http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2011/06/22/workout-wednesday-warehouse-edition-6-22-11-circuit-training-with-sandbell-and-trx-suspension-trainer/#comments Wed, 22 Jun 2011 19:35:55 +0000 HyperCosmo http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/?p=1130 It’s summer, it’s hot and honestly, beating the heat just isn’t an option. So, embrace it! This week, the Hyper Wear staff took to the warehouse to bring you one intensely-fun circuit workout using SandBells and the TRX Suspension Trainer!

Set-up: Depending on how many SandBells you own, you can complete each circuit using the same SandBell, or create each circuit station with multiple SandBells. You’ll also need to find a place to securely attach your TRX Suspension Trainer for the t-pull station.

Warm-up: Five to ten minutes of jogging, jumping-jacks, jumping rope, etc.

Duration: 45 seconds at each station, with a 15 second transition in between stations.

Station 1. Level change with dead lift – For this two handed Romanian dead lift, begin with feet hip-width distance apart, keep your back flat and knees slightly bent. Raise and lower the SandBell to the floor, hinging at the hips and making sure the back is flat and that you’re completing the drill within your range of motion

Station 2. T Pull – Using the TRX Suspension Trainer, set your back and shoulders so you’re in a solid plank position leaning backward with feet slightly raised off the ground. With hands outstretched, forming a “T” shape with your body, bring hands together and apart, slightly lowering and raising your body. This drill focuses on posterior shoulder muscles, so be sure to keep your arms straight and extended and that each motion is smooth and controlled.

Station 3. Prong plank with alternating leg lifts – Begin in the plank position, elbows each resting on a SandBell (this is for comfort, if you don’t have two SandBells then complete the exercise with elbows on the floor). Make sure to keep everything from your shoulders to trunk still and straight, and then alternate raising each leg six to eight inches off the ground. When alternating, raise the leg straight up and not out to the side and focus on maintaining core stability.

Station 4. Scissor locomotion – Start with legs split, in a slight lunge position and feet hip-width distance apart. Slightly jump while “scissoring” your legs front to back and maintaining the lunge position, keep feet hip-width distance apart at all times and land on the balls of your feet.

Station 5. Figure eight – Start with feet spread and knees slightly bent in a squat position. Grab and hand off the SandBell to each hand while making a figure eight motion, going under and over each leg. Focus on grip strength and hand-eye coordination to improve agility, stability and overall coordination.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRDk7fFvI-Y[/youtube]

Repeat the circuit four or five times, and be sure to end with a five minute cool down. For those of you wanting to take this circuit to the next level, complete this circuit series while wearing your Hyper Vest PRO!

]]> http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2011/06/22/workout-wednesday-warehouse-edition-6-22-11-circuit-training-with-sandbell-and-trx-suspension-trainer/feed/ 0 Workout Wednesday ~ 5.18.11 ~ Hyper Vest PRO weight vest + SandBell sandbag weights http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2011/05/18/workout-wednesday-5-18-11-hyper-vest-pro-weight-vest-sandbell-sandbag-weights/ http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2011/05/18/workout-wednesday-5-18-11-hyper-vest-pro-weight-vest-sandbell-sandbag-weights/#comments Wed, 18 May 2011 11:00:12 +0000 HyperCosmo http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/?p=1067

Need a quick workout mid-week that incorporates Hyper Wear’s versatile products?  Try the following mini-workout wearing your Hyper Vest PRO and use whatever size SandBells you prefer.

5 min. warm up (jumping jacks or walking in place work well)

Throw on your Hyper Vest PRO and let’s get started!

1 min. each of the following (count reps)

1.  Scoop Toss – Grip SandBell with two hands, take a wide stance, hang SandBell low between legs.  Swing SandBell up and out and release as your knees and back straighten (you are going for distance on the toss).  Run to the SandBell you just tossed, pick it up and toss it back in the other direction.

2.  Side Lunges – Holding a challenging weight of SandBell on one shoulder, begin with feet about hip distance apart.  Step right leg out far to the side, pointing toes at a 45 degree angle.  Keep the left foot toes all pointing straight forward.  Left leg will straighten and right knee will bend to about 90 degrees (don’t let knee extend past toes on right foot).  Push off of right foot to return to standing and lunge in the other direction.  Switch which shoulder the SandBell is on after two lunges on each side (and continue lunging and switching for the entire minute).

3.  Standing Twists – Hold your SandBell with both hands at chest level.  Elbows pointing out (not by your sides).  Holding your core tight, twist right to left.

4.  Crab walk – Remember this one from PE class?  Sit on your bottom, then put your feet and hands down onto the ground.  Lift bottom off the ground so that you can walk around on hands and feet.  Two options with SandBells: Place a SandBell on your stomach and keep your core tight as you crabwalk around OR Put the SandBell in front of your feet and kick it as you walk along, moving it forward by turning it over slowly with one foot then the other.

Repeat whole series and try to beat your number of reps from the first round

5 min. cool down

]]> http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2011/05/18/workout-wednesday-5-18-11-hyper-vest-pro-weight-vest-sandbell-sandbag-weights/feed/ 0 Impact Performance Training – Single Leg Squat with 50-lb SandBell http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2010/10/19/impact-performance-training-single-leg-squat-with-50-lb-sandbell/ http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2010/10/19/impact-performance-training-single-leg-squat-with-50-lb-sandbell/#comments Tue, 19 Oct 2010 16:12:46 +0000 HyperCosmo http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/?p=670 We’re proud to be part of the Featured Exercise over at Impact Performance Training.  These guys demonstrate a Single Leg Squat using the SandBell and make a very difficult move look easy!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqGrngE2J18&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

Read their description on their Blog then spend some time on their website – they’ve got lots of great resources from healthy recipes to workout moves to helpful articles.  If you’re in the Newberg, OR, area stop by and say hello – tell them Hyper Wear sent you!

]]> http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2010/10/19/impact-performance-training-single-leg-squat-with-50-lb-sandbell/feed/ 0 Balance & Stability Training w/ SandBell Sandbag – MMM #38 http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2010/01/11/balance-stability-training-w-sandbell-sandbag/ http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2010/01/11/balance-stability-training-w-sandbell-sandbag/#comments Mon, 11 Jan 2010 21:58:57 +0000 HyperCosmo http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/?p=503 Good Monday Morning!!

We are going to start off 2010 with an oldie but goodie in the Hyper Wear list of fun activities. We take a game of catch and add a little challenge. First, we all stand on one leg as we toss the SandBell from person to person. We call out the person’s name before we throw it and try to toss it so they have to reach for it, challenging their balance, stability and strength. Longer reaches also add a dynamic stretch into the mix. To make it more challenging, stand on a SandBell as you toss the other set around. If you want to make it really tough, add more SandBells into the mix.

Enjoy!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9YjR2bzhD4[/youtube]

Never Stand Still!

Bill Meyer, SCE, USAW
Head Hyper Wear Coach
Performance Director, CATZ-Austin

MMM #38

]]> http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2010/01/11/balance-stability-training-w-sandbell-sandbag/feed/ 0 Balance & Core Stability Training with SandBell Sandbag http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2010/01/11/balance-core-stability-training-with-sandbell-sandbag/ http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2010/01/11/balance-core-stability-training-with-sandbell-sandbag/#comments Mon, 11 Jan 2010 12:00:13 +0000 HyperCosmo http://hyperwear.com/blog/?p=193 Good Monday Morning!!

We are going to start off 2010 with an oldie but goodie in the Hyper Wear list of fun activities. We take a game of catch and add a little challenge. First, we all stand on one leg as we toss the SandBell from person to person. We call out the person’s name before we throw it and try to toss it so they have to reach for it, challenging their balance, stability and strength. Longer reaches also add a dynamic stretch into the mix. To make it more challenging, stand on a SandBell as you toss the other set around. If you want to make it really tough, add more SandBells into the mix.

Enjoy!

Never Stand Still!

Bill Meyer, SCE, USAW
Head Hyper Wear Coach
Performance Director, CATZ-Austin

]]> http://www.hyperwear.com/blog/2010/01/11/balance-core-stability-training-with-sandbell-sandbag/feed/ 0