L.I.F.T.

Seems like I’ve only been posting book reviews lately…other things ahve been happening, honest!

I just read Percy Cerutty’s book “Be Fit or Be Damned.”

Unfortunately for all of us, this classic is out of print. Why, I have no idea!

According to the All Knowing Wikipedia, Percy was born in 1895 and died in 1975. He was an Australian athletic coach, and coached Herb Elliott, who won a gold medal in the 1960 Olympic games.

Now before you go saying “He only lived to be 80, I’m not taking his advice!” realize that 80 is a pretty ripe old age for someone born in 1895 who once battled with cancer – and who actually died of Motor Neurone Disease (called ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease in the US).

His book is about how to live. I think it sums up Cerutty’s “Stotan” (a combination of Stoic and Spartan philosophies) life-philosophy well.

Through the “manliness” protocol that was very popular in his era, Percy explains that people (men) should exercise regularly. He gives the why and the how in about as simple and down-to-earth a manner as you would ever want.

Check this book out from your local library (or local university library), or buy it on Amazon used for $25. It’s worth the read!

I’m no stranger to the TRX.  I’ve been using one off and on for years.  But yesterday, I was given a glimpse into the use of the TRX that I’d never seen.

I signed up online for the TRX Circuit Training class, with Flavien as the instructor.  The class was at 6:15 a.m., which wasn’t a big deal for me, I’m an early riser anyway.

The next day, I got up early, had a cup of coffee and a delicious piece of high-protein/high-fiber Johnny Cake, and went to the TRX Training Center, which is here in San Francisco, on Pacific St., between Van Ness and Polk.

Since it was so early, I was able to park right outside.  The center is only two miles from my house, but I wasn’t sure what to expect, and had a full client list for the rest of that day.  I had considered running to the center at first, but then thought better of it.

Boy am I glad I did!

There were about 7 or 8 of us at the center, which looks like it can handle roughly double that number.  Flavien started off by describing how to use the TRX, and some of the principles behind the use of leverage to make the exercises more or less challenging.

He then started us off with some basic warmups.  We did squats, high pushups and rows, and a couple of other exercises.

Then he turned on the heat.

Flavien basically went back through each exercise for the body and progressively made it more and more challenging.  At the end of a circuit, we’d jump rope for a minute or two.  He did give us a little rest, but it was tough!

Now, granted, you can go as hard or as easy as you want in the class, but Flavien was a persistent coach, and convinced me on several occasions to go harder than I was.  Thanks Flavien!

When all was said and done, I was dripping in sweat (probably the sweatiest guy there), breathing hard, and had a big smile on my face.

I highly recommend this to anyone who can get to one.  I know that there are many gyms around the country now that are offering TRX group exercise classes.

Between the ability to progressively increase challenge, to generate more strength, or  more endurance; the bodyweight-based resistance and portability of the TRX; the incredible range of movements and creativity that you can generate with the thing; the challenge to stabilization, and whole-body workout; and the (maybe most important) community-based nature of group exercise, I think it’s got to be one of the best choices you can make for your health and fitness.

Try it out, and let me know what you think!