Push start your training

Strongmen do it

We are all about training on the cheap. When we find something that really works, and costs little to no money, we’re going to pass that tip along to you.

It’s no secret that intensity is what builds real strength. Intensity burns more fat. Intensity builds more muscle.

There are somethings that are right in front of us that make for a great workout. Sometimes they are right in front of us. Maybe even in the driveway.

Who hasn’t had to push their car when it ran out of gas? Maybe a bad starter warranted push-starting a car with a manual transmission. Anybody that has had to do this will say that they were winded afterward.

First and foremost, safety has to be key. I’m going to layout some guidelines that will make for an intense workout, but also a safe session.

WARNING!

This is a two person operation. If you don’t have somebody to help you, do not attempt this.

Git’r done

Find a flat parking lot. Check some of the schools in your area. A grocery store, or strip mall could work as well. Try to pick a time that there are few vehicles around. You’re going to need at least 100 feet at a minimum.

One person will play the part of “driver”. Their job is to operate the vehicle—steering, braking, and making sure that the car is in neutral. Another warning: do not slam on the brakes. This is very bad.

The second person is the “pusher”. Do I really need to tell you what the pusher’s job is? Just in case—it’s to push the car.

Pick a couple of points to push to. 25’, 50’, 100’. These are all good distances. Some short bursts to 25 feet help activate the fast twitch muscle fibers. The longer distances help with the slow twitch fibers.

You can turn around, with your backside against the car, and push to the twenty-five feet mark. When facing backwards, be careful not to fall. A head injury is a very real possibility if it happens. Nobody wants that.

As you can see, this is a pretty inexpensive workout (minus the cost of the vehicle). Pushing a vehicle is a great workout though. What do you like to do that would fall under the frugal side of things?

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Comments

2 Responses to “Push start your training”

• Julie From Momspective says:

  June 28, 2010 at 9:42 am

  I know this one is a guy-centric post but I have a question for you since you know about muscles. I know how to lose weight, but I’m looking for some suggestions on how to make my ass bigger. Like not fatter, but bigger – so it looks good in jeans.

• Todd says:

  June 28, 2010 at 12:28 pm

  Good question, Julie. Check out 3 Steps to Build A Better Butt. There are quite a few exercises that will help you obtain that look. Squats, lunges, and step-ups are what I recommend.

  Also, similar to step-ups-find some bleachers or flight of stairs, and go for a run up and down. Then again, if you’re prone to falling, that might not be a good suggestion.

  Oh, and while this post is largely “guy-centric”, it was my lovely bride that got me started doing this. It’s turned into a Saturday morning workout.

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