Why This Works....

People often think the more outrageous the training method the more productive it must be. Unfortunately, this is what really has drawn people to using implements such as tires, sledgehammers, kettlebells, and yes sandbags. The truth of the matter is that this form of training has regained popularity because of one thing, it works! It isn't because of it being hardcore, but because it adheres to the training science that has been established for decades.

Recently I had an awesome opportunity to work with two local police departments and take them through my system of training. It was a inspiring and saddening at the same time. The hear that all these men displayed was a testament to their will to get the positions they were training to obtain. Yet, it was also very apparent that they weren't getting the training they really needed. After speaking with Chris who wanted his guys to experience this told me that they were hampered by red tape. However, Chris (who has trained with me several times and adheres to a strict balance of kettlebell and sandbag training) continued to dominate our circuits and outperformed those even half his age! The lessons we can take are the same as every day people could take home.

When you boil down training, these implements do a few important things:

1. Develop flexibility and strength in these different ranges of motion.

2. Teach whole body integration under unpredictable situations, real functional training.

3. Enhance anaerobic endurance which is more practical for sporting and real world scenarios.

4. Improves core strength, not just abdominal strength. True core strength will involve the glutes, low back, and other stabilizer muscles.

Don't believe me? Listen to what Chris has to say the power of sandbag and kettlebell training can be to enhance the fitness of those that need it the most. Oh, btw, you must realize these guys are just like you! Long days (sometimes 24hours up or more at a time), families, and limited time to get fit, but need it to survive!

Starting Again Right!

I hear it all the time, "I'll start right after Christmas", yep getting back on that training horse means not putting it off any longer. That doesn't mean having to join boring or intimidating health clubs. Rather, it means determining what is important to us and what gets our juices flowing. That is why I am going to start introducing two different workout regimes.

1. The Sandbag Fitness System Circuits are based around the power of training with very simple implements that can be used at home, a park, or even the most elite training centers. These circuits will cover my three favorite training implements and how to integrate them into result producing workouts.

2. My X-treme Circuits are more elaborate that will integrate a variety of training tools that continue our philosophy of movement, athleticism, and functional strength. Training needs to stay fun and exciting and these workouts do just that!

Check out this video to get a peak at these new X-treme Circuits

Another Gift

It is getting very close to the big holiday so only a couple of gifts left. Check out this next 48-hour sale offering our most versatile package, the Iron Fitness Package. Ironically named because you don't need any iron to get really fit, in fact, this package of both our medium and large sandbag with all the fillers will make you a piece of iron.

48-Hour Sale Link Here

"Josh,

I've been a subscriber to your newsletter for probably six months. I haven't bought any of your sandbags yet, but have used a friend's and I agree with you that they are a sensational tool for working out. Just brilliant.

I've gotta say, I love your style, your approach, your commitment, your explanations, your
routines - the whole shebang. It is no BS training at its finest.

I have just started using your workouts to train my clients (I do personal training part-time). They love it - blokes and chicks - and the results are fantastic.

So from me, a little old trainer in Canberra, Australia, thanks very much for everything. Please keep it up."-Phil Mayne

Don't Let the Holidays Slow You Down

It is very easy to let this crazy time of year throw you off both your training and nutrition. Let's face it, everyone is willing to give you a pass and most suspend both until after the holidays. This is a huge mistake as such layoffs make it not only hard to start back up, but not to lose much of the hard work we achieved in the previous year.

Of course brief periods of rest are not bad, however, they should be planned and not followed with complete negligence of our eating habits. This makes one feel horrible and lethargic. It is the mental side that starts to get worn down and feel flat out terrible. Plus, who wants to start the New Year feeling like they have to lose an extra 10-20 pounds when you were so close to achieving that body you wanted in the first place?

I see it all the time with my clients, keeping them motivated and focused is tough because those closest to them are sabotaging them left and right. I try to remind them of the year's worth of work they had put forth, the sweat, discomfort, and time they had committed. Guess what? If you have been working hard all year you will find this time of gluttony isn't as much fun as you once thought. Hopefully at this point you are addicted to feeling GOOD, and don't want that feeling of bloat, sluggishness, fatigue, aches/pains, and so forth. If we remember why we started exercising and taking care of ourselves, how could we ever go back?

For those that want to make sure I am practicing what I am preaching, check this workout from the past weekend. Some new cool toys and methods we are going to be sharing in the New Year are displayed. Keeping it fun and motivating is critical!

DVD Bundle Sale

I am the first to admit that I suffer from training ADD. It seems that at my facility I have so many options sometimes I can't think about where I want to spend my time. Then I think about the fact that truly 80% of my results are going to come from 20% of the exercises. The truth is that it is the programs that make all the difference.

Yet, I love new drills as well! So, for the next Christmas gift I wanted to give you six months of training programs and over 100 exercises for under $100! That is four DVDs and my KNOCKOUT! e-book for under $100, that is over $100 savings.

Do you like kettlebells? We've got programs for you! Bodyweight training? Yep, you too! Sandbags, of course and best part combined with all these great training methods. So, make sure to check out this 48-hour sale now!

http://sandbagexercises.com/Copy_of_christmas4.html

In Strength,Josh Henkin, CSCS

http://sandbagfitnesssystems.com/

Becoming Your Own Pro Athlete

A few days ago I posted how former New York Giants great running back, Tiki Barber, was a big supporter of implementing sandbags into his own training routine. So, tell help you out see what the potential of sandbag training really was, I made a short routine for anyone interested in football strength development. This surprisingly does not rely on bench press or back squats, yet, it may be one of the best ways to prepare the body for the demands of football. Heck, this routine would make anyone into a physical machine!!




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Don't Forget Our Holiday Special Going on NOW!!! Click Here

Tiki Barber Gets the Benefits of Sandbags

Tiki Barber was one of the great running backs for the New York Giants. Many argued that he retired before his time was really up, and in fact he may of! However, one thing Tiki Barber was definetely known for was being in fanastic shape and a extremely powerful runner. What made him so?

Well, Tiki has just come out with his book on his training methods called, "Pure Hard Workout". This is one of the few honest workout books that a professional athlete has ever put out. Tiki's workout involved a lot of heavier lifting with lower repetitions, he credits this with much of his strength and stopped his fumbling problems.

That wasn't it though, Tiki's workout also involved sled pulling, strongman implements, and yes, sandbags were an integral part of his program. Sandbags were so much a part of his program that they named his bag the "Tiki bag". In fact, Tiki states very well the benefits of sandbag training, even saying that it simply works muscles that dumbells, barbells, and machines just can't! Well said Tiki!

What are some of Tiki's favorite sandbag exercises? How about these....

Get-ups
Clean and Press
Bear Hugs
Shouldering
Curls
Various Presses
Front Raises
and many more!

If sandbag training is good enough for one of the NFL's best running backs then maybe you should see what it can do for your own fitness program.

Want to get started? Right now is the perfect time as we have our Christmas sale going right now!!

Christmas Sale

Lessons from Competition

Last weekend I put myself on the line, I entered California's Strongest Man Competition. Only six weeks ago I decided to enter wanting to have a measurable, meaningful goal. Since I do love the sport of strongman I thought nothing would be more ideal. However, there were many lessons that I learned along the way.

1. Even with competition one must learn to enjoy the process and the experience.

2. Focus on balanced training even if you have glaring weaknesses, even if you try to overfocus any program injuries are more than likely.

3. Work on weaknesses and strengths, as you will have to rely on both in competition.

4. Expect the unexpected and if you are well balanced you will be able to handle any challenges that are placed before you. Becoming a specialist does very little to create overall fitness.

5. Even if things don't go your way maintain focus. In sports they often say it is best to have short-term memory. Don't get overly high about success or low about failures.

To see how I learned some of these lessons the hard way check out my video from the competition.

TRX and Sandbag Training

For quite some time I have been a big fan of suspension training. I truly believe that this will become a staple of all fitness programs in the next five years. It is a form of training that offers such variety, challenges, and options for all fitness levels.

One of the biggest promoters of suspension training are the guys from Fitness Anywhere that produce the TRX. This form of suspension training is the perfect compliment with sandbags as they offer a new training stimulus and can be done anywhere with bootcamps, athletes, or just in your own home. Here is a video from Fitness Anywhere combining these two great implements as well as one of my favorite circuits.

Better Nutrition for Optimal Gains

One thing I haven't spoken too much about is nutrition. It isn't because I don't believe in it, more so that I have a unique spin that many might find controversial. Having gone through several bouts of horrible illness due to digestive issues I am pretty strict about what I eat and how it impacts me. Poor digestion and nutrition not only lead to poor cosmetic changes, but health as well. It has been estimated that 70% of all diseases stem from a poor colon system!

So, while I was visiting family in Chicago I took an opportunity to take a sneak peek into how I view nutrition, health, and optimal performance.

New DVD Next Week!

Next week I am going to release a new training program that will combine some of the most powerful training implements. Guess which ones? Check out these videos to take a guess. Synergy is going to be the most complete program with a training manual, follow along DVD, and nutritional concepts. See it soon!

Fitness for the Busy Professional

Living in the real world means facing real world obstacles such as commitments to things besides JUST your fitness. This means that the busy person has to be focused and optimize their training time with exercises that work! This past Thanksgiving I worked with my good friend Nick Radonijic who is just that type of person. Nick is a busy attorney that has to balance family, long work hours, and his passion for fitness. The day after Nick performed an Olympic weightlifting based routine he asked me to put him through one of my Power Circuits. Check out the work we did!