The days are getting longer. The sun is getting hotter and hotter. Summer is here, a time to travel and see family and friends. This is the time to go to the beach, the pool, parks and to picnics. It’s a time to get physical, climb mountains or ride bicycles with your significant others. Let’s not forget it’s also the time to wear shorts, bathing suits and bikinis. Isn’t it ironic that this is the season where you wear the least amount of clothing yet, the time when most people stop working out? Some stop all their physical activities weight training, dance, soccer, martial arts or whatever activities they do to go on vacation. It’s been six months since some of you started your new year’s resolutions and possibly five since you gave up on the notion of being physically fit. Don’t wait until January to start getting in shape or wait until the end of summer to resume your fitness program. Fitness is a year long activity. Workout until the day you leave on vacation. Walk, jog, hike, ride bicycle and/or do push ups to stay in shape while enjoying your vacation. The same day you get back get started with your fitness program.
I can still remember my bodybuilding years in the late 70’s and 80’s training harder to go to the beach in the summer or to compete in the Mr. Miami contest. Over 20 years later I don’t wear the Speedo’s that I wore on the competitive stage yet I take pride in being in better shape than most people half my age. Today my motivation is to train harder so when I go on vacation I’m not ashamed to take my shirt off on the beach or wear a tank top. Yet, I could not say the same thing a few summers ago. After I stopped teaching Fitness Kickboxing and began concentrating on building one of the largest most successful martial arts school in the Miami Dade area I neglected my body and forgot that the body deteriorates a lot faster in as you are nearing 50.
Always making a negative into a positive I decided to experiment and take this unfit body and get in great shape by my 48 birthday (last year). It only took a few months working out with the same passion that made my martial arts/fitness center one of the most successful in the greater Miami area. The experiment was a success I put together my over 30 years of experience and certifications in the martial arts and fitness (kung fu, tai chi, Israeli martial arts, Fitness Kickboxing, bodybuilding, personal trainer, Pilates, medicine ball, Indian Clubs and Kettlebells) and as a Marine Corps Sergeant to develop a program that will get you in great shape working out only 2 or 3 times a week for only one hour. I call it the XFT (Xtreme Functional Training) Challenge because it is not a magical pill but a true mind, body and spirit challenge. Mind you this is not your typical aerobic health club, infomercicial or weight machine workout. It doesn’t matter what shape you are in what matters is your attitude and determination to finally look awesome this summer.
A typical routine involves a warm-up, swinging Indian Clubbells, followed by a rapid-fire Fitness Kickboxing routine, explosive Kettlebell training, functional abdominal workout, all ending with a fusion of mind, body, and spirit exercises. The body follows the mind so if you believe in yourself and make a commitment to be fit for the rest of your life including vacation time you will see incredible gains in just 2 or 3 hours a week. You can defy the laws of nature by building the most incredible body in your teens, twenties, thirties, forties, fifties, sixties and beyond. Take the challenge and finally get in the greatest shape of your life this summer.
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