Archive for the ‘Monday Morning Muscle’ Category

Hyperwear training for rock climbers

January 16th, 2012

Looking to strengthen muscles and increase stamina when scaling a mountain, inside or out? Amp up the intensity of climbing and cross training with Hyperwear training gear so you can increase gripping ability, full-body strength and flexibility.

Generally, a typical route at a comp takes four minutes or so—are you able to static-hang for that long? Most likely, no. Increasing a climber’s grip and forearm strength is the best way to improve climbing ability at any level. The SandBell® and SteelBell® are the most efficient and effective training tools to increase forearm, grip and shoulder strength, as well as for total body conditioning.

Constructed from stretchy, durable neoprene bags and filled with sand or steel shot, the active movement of sand and steel challenge grip ability and work multiple arm and grip muscles. Exercises that require the user to grip into the bag will engage, work and strengthen gripping and arm muscles, as well as challenge the muscle groups activated during regular exercise execution.

For an intense grip, forearm and core challenge take the Sand or SteelBell and stand in an athletic position, grip the outside of the bell with both hands, extend arms to shoulder height and move the bell in quick, shorts bursts left and right. Climbers can also improve dead point and smoothness with Sand and SteelBell exercises. To strengthen shoulders and grip muscles, replace dumbbells with SandBells when doing any type of arm raise or shoulder press. Gripping into the meat of the SandBell engages hand and grip muscles that are not activated with traditional dumbbells or kettlebells.

Weight vest training in the Hyper Vest® PRO gives climbers the ability to add resistance during any type of training or exercise, whether in the gym or during real-time practice. The patented control design of the weight vest secures weights snugly to the core, and eliminates uncomfortable rubbing, slipping and shifting. Whether upside down, right side up, in the gym or on the mountain, the Hyper Vest PRO is the perfect resistance training weight vest to increase strength, cardio stamina and climbing agility.

For climbers, substantial upper body strength is also essential. When cross-training, take pull-ups to another level by wearing the Hyper Vest PRO. Adding weighted resistance increases the complexity and muscle requirements of every exercise; enabling you to get the most out of each movement. What’s more, climbers need strong obliques to control twisting and body tension. To work the internal and external obliques, wear the weight vest during hanging side crunches and twists to challenge and strengthen muscles even more.

“The vest is fantastic for climbers — absolutely brilliant!”- Pamela Shanti Pack, member of the Sierra Salve, awarded the Golden Piton Award in 2009 by Climbing Magazine, and featured climber in Reel Rock

Hyper Like 777 Challenge Photo Contest!

July 25th, 2011

As you all may know, or should know for that matter, Hyper Wear is currently in the midst of the Hyper Like 777 Challenge! For those of you unaware of the Challenge, we are basically conducting a campaign to reach 777 Likes on the Hyper Wear Facebook page. In order to revamp this undertaking, today will mark the beginning of the Hyper Like Photo Contest!

Hyper Wear knows that you just looooove your SandBell/SteelBell/Hyper Vest PRO/Hyper Vest COOL, so show us! We have seen, heard and witnessed all the truly creative and dynamic ways our customers are using their Hyper Wear products. So, participating in the drive will be a snap!

All you have to do is take a cool, crafty, artsy, or whatever picture of your Hyper Wear product of choice, upload it onto our Facebook page and be sure to tag your friends in the photo, whether they use the product or not! It can be a solo shot of your SandBell, you exercising in your Hyper Vest, your boot camp doing a SandBell circuit, anything goes! The point is, we want you out there exercising and showing your Hyper Wear love. Then, by uploading and tagging your friends in the picture, they can be directed to the Hyper Wear page to see how cool and fun Hyper Wear is! (And Like the page, of course)

Also, just to refresh your memory, once the Hyper Wear Facebook page reaches 777 Likes, we will post a special discount code on Facebook that can be used on any one Hyper Wear product purchased through the website.

What are you waiting for?! We know you want more Hyper Wear gear, so get up, grab your camera and get to snappin!

PLAY! Series – Movement Pattern: Bending with SandBell sandbags & Hyper Vest PRO weight vest

June 6th, 2011

Good Monday Morning!

The most popular bending exercise on the planet is probably the Deadlift and its multiple variations. In this week’s video I show you a spin on the traditional exercise by playing a vertical version of “Move the Mountain,” a traditionally horizontal activity.

No matter the age of the student/athlete, Hyper Wear can provide you with the right size of SandBell or SteelBell to make this activity fun, safe, and effective!

Enjoy!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAv3vPM5L8k[/youtube]

Never Stand Still!

Bill Meyer, SCE, USAW
Head Hyper Wear Coach

Monkey Bars = FUN Pull Movement Pattern! Give Pull-Ups a Rest!

May 30th, 2011

Good Monday Morning!

Pull-ups are a fantastic strength exercise throughout the upper body.  Unfortunately, not all athletes or students can achieve a great amount of them, or even one for that matter!  So set them up for success by practicing the drill from this video!

As a child, I can’t remember anything else on the playground more challenging but more fun than swinging from the monkey bars.  Zip up your Hyper Vest PRO for an added challenge and give the pull-ups and chin-ups a rest for a while!

For additional support, add in an appropriate level of superband to aid in the movement, and climb til you can’t climb no more!

Enjoy!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhZ7f3glAp8&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

Never Stand Still!

Bill Meyer, SCE, USAW
Head Hyper Wear Coach

Play Series (2 of 3) – Push Movement with Hyper Vest PRO weight vest

May 23rd, 2011

Good Monday Morning!

This week I’m taking a different approach to the traditional push-up. I can’t think of another exercise that our young children despise more than the push-up, and why wouldn’t they? They’re in such a new developmental stage where their bodies are growing, their head is usually bigger proportionately than the rest of their body, and there we are, the teacher making them get on the ground and crank out push-ups over and over again with each passing day.

Why not create a game out of it? Try the Plank Position Dot Toss game in this video, and bonus points go out to everyone out there that has SandBells to use instead of dots! This game doesn’t have to be the end-all-be-all…create ways to integrate the students or athletes to work together, encourage each other, and work out their minds all at the same time!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq0aqMDqv9A[/youtube]

Never Stand Still!

Bill Meyer, SCE, USAW
Head Hyper Wear Coach

Intro to Play-Based Training MMM #106

May 16th, 2011

It’s summertime and for most of us, that means it’s time to get outside and PLAY! So to celebrate this wonderful weather, I’m putting a different spin on some traditional exercises and movement patterns to help remind us all to allow room for play to be a part of our training sessions.

Whether you’re a strength coach, personal trainer, bootcamp instructor, physical education instructor, or just a fitness enthusiast, this video series is for you. No matter the athlete or student, there is always room for play (or there should be).  You would be surprised at the reaction of your athletes when you allow for an activity or a game instead of the traditional lifts, presses, and throws. I would be willing to bet that the relationship between athlete and coach/instructor would greatly improve if there was an involvement of play in the workout program from time to time.

Hyper Wear’s products allow for safe, effective, play-based fitness and can be used for serious training, as well as serious fun.  The SandBells and SteelBells allow for resistance training, while the Hyper Vest PRO takes any activity, exercise, or game to a higher level with added resistance in a safe manner.

Bottom line: Never forget to have FUN with your training!!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yrdv-ydD1nA[/youtube]

Never Stand Still!

Bill Meyer, SCE, USAW
Head Hyper Wear Coach

SteelBell + Stronger Grip Loadable Sledgehammer MMM#105

May 9th, 2011

Good Monday Morning!

The final week of the Pick 3 Series is upon us. It’s time to work some conditioning with my favorite tools in the toolbox: the SteelBell from Hyper Wear and the Loadable Sledgehammer from Stronger Grip. Equal movement patterns, equal results, two times the fun!!

With proper instruction, the sledgehammer can be utilized for fantastic conditioning and power development. Make sure the focus is on the technique and the speed of the movement. Be sure to never overload your athlete with something they can’t handle.

The SteelBell is safe to slam on all surfaces; however, be careful to avoid any sharp surfaces with rocks or debris. Both movements compliment each other with the SteelBell being more appropriate for younger and inexperienced athletes before using the sledgehammer.

Check it out!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xz_QxmuEdo&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

Never Stand Still!

Bill Meyer, SCE, USAW
Head Hyper Wear Coach

Bill Meyer of Meyer Fitness and Monday Morning Muscle Fame!

May 5th, 2011

Today, our shout of “Thank You!” goes out to Bill Meyer.  Bill has been a supporter of Hyper Wear pretty much from the beginning.  He was one of the first guinea pigs to try out the current version of the Hyper Vest PRO and was a key tester for the SandBell in her many iterations.  He put himself through a grueling workout to prove the effectiveness of the Hyper Vest COOL and tried the myriad fabrics we looked at to make the SteelBells sturdier.

But that’s just on the product testing side!  You’ve seen him in almost every single one of the 100+ Monday Morning Muscles we’ve put out over the last couple of years.  You’ve met him at tradeshows and seen him do awesome presentations ranging from the basics of the SandBell to its supreme level of safety.  He’s posed for pictures.  He’s given up weekends.  He’s created some truly unique and dynamic workouts using only SandBells.

Bill recently moved with his lovely fiancee, Lauren Sparrow, to Virginia Beach, VA, where they will be wed this June.  He has continued to produce the Monday Morning Muscle and helps at tradeshows when possible.  In addition to planning a wedding, he just remodeled and opened his own workout facility – Meyer Fitness.  Yes, he really does have that much energy!!

We would not be where we are today if it were not for the hard work, dedication, and support of Bill Meyer.  We look forward to many more years of working with this amazing trainer and incredible human being!!  If you are ever in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, drop in for a workout.  Tell him Hyper Wear sent you!

SteelBells + Stronger Grip Loadable Swinging Mace = Shoulder Madness MMM#104

May 2nd, 2011

Good Monday Morning!

Round Two of Hyper Wear vs. Stronger Grip involves shoulder mobility. I’m using a 20 lb Loadable Swinging Mace from Stronger Grip and a 20 lb SteelBell from Hyper Wear.  And it goes without saying that I’ve got on the form-fitting, award-winning Hyper Vest PRO from Hyper Wear!

The Swinging Mace is a fantastic piece of training equipment; however, I would recommend building up to the exercise if you are a beginner to fitness. The SteelBell offers a similar training demand with a shorter lever and is a safer option, but I would say places an even more challenging demand on your grip. Enjoy the exercise and check in next week for the final round of SG vs HW!!!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=perS7SGZHu0&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

Never Stand Still!

Bill Meyer, SCE, USAW
Head Hyper Wear Coach

Weekend Warrior – Bill Meyer with SteelBells and SandBells

April 30th, 2011

You’ve all seen Bill Meyer, our Monday Morning Muscle guru, come up with hundreds of unique ways to use his Hyper Vest PRO, Hyper Vest COOL, SandBells, and SteelBells.  So, when I asked him to send me pics of anything out of the ordinary he uses them for, this is what I got:

Bill and his bride-to-be, Lauren Sparrow, are not only planning  a wedding, but they are also opening a new fitness facility in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, called Meyer Fitness.  Their tag line is “Serious Fitness, Seriously Fun” and knowing those two it will be beyond fun!  They are both fitness FREAKS and are so passionate to get people active…it’s contagious!  In fact, I owe much of my fitness transformation to the encouragement and support of these two amazing folks!

So, the picture above came with the explanation that this weekend, they would be laying flooring at Meyer Fitness.  Looks to me like the SandBells and SteelBells would be holding flooring in place as they secured it…  If I know Bill and Sparrow, they did a few slams or lunges everytime they picked them up to move to a different area of the floor!

Thanks, Bill, for being a Weekend Warrior!

Now it’s your turn to show us how YOU are a Weekend Warrior!  Send pics and descriptions of how you use your Hyper Wear gear in different ways on the weekends to suzi (at) hyperwear (dot) com and you could be our next Weekend Warrior!