Last week I had the amazing opportunity to go visit my little sister in Hawaii. Not only did I get to experience beaches, sunshine and ocean, but also life on a military base. I've never been on a base before, and it was really a cool thing to experience. My brother-in-law is stationed at Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base (could be worse places...huh?) and they just moved onto base earlier this year.
Watching the guys run their morning PT, hearing helicopters overhead, and experiencing the flight line were all fun, new, eye opening experiences. While my life is surrounded by competitive college athletics, spending some time on base really made me realize that there are real athletes serving our country all over the world. When is the last time you went for a run with a 60+ lb backpack?
While we're on the topic of military life, I want to give a shout-out to all of the military wives out there. I was impressed by all of the active women on base, pushing jogging strollers, biking with kids and walking all over the place. I know it's not easy to make fitness a priority when you've got a million other responsibilities. Military wives, like sports wives, often have to go it alone for long periods of time and have become pros at running power tools, teaching kids sports and running happy, healthy households. While I only have to deal with an off-the-grid husband for a football season and some recruiting time, these women spend months on end with their husbands gone, often without much communication or knowledge of their whereabouts. Military wives are strong, amazing women and their service is just as important to our country as their husbands'. Stay strong ladies!
My brother-in-law Chris is currently deployed overseas, but he was kind enough to share one of the core workouts that he and his unit does as a part of their daily workouts. It's called "The 500 Workout". He gave me a rep range, and said it's really just a goal of as many reps as possible in a set. If you get to the max numbers - you're hitting 500 reps in 1 core workout! Give it a shot - who wouldn't want a core like the Marine Corps?
The first time I tried this workout after Chris sent it to me I did the "250" version - with 30 second planks and 50 reps of each exercise. Still a HARD CORE workout! I did it after lifting upper body and my arms were shaking during those planks!
Get your abs on fire today - and then go say thank you to someone in the military. Their commitment, strength and loyalty can not be taken for granted! Semper Fi.
Disclaimer: Although I am an AFAA certified Personal Fitness Trainer, you should consult a physician before starting any exercise program or diet. If you choose to do any workouts on this website, you do so at your own risk.
Get your abs on fire today - and then go say thank you to someone in the military. Their commitment, strength and loyalty can not be taken for granted! Semper Fi.
Disclaimer: Although I am an AFAA certified Personal Fitness Trainer, you should consult a physician before starting any exercise program or diet. If you choose to do any workouts on this website, you do so at your own risk.