Valuable lesson remembered....

Today I was playing golf with Brady and Kenn. We played 18 holes at Rivers Edge. Brady is better than me...way better. And I am better than Kenn....way better. We all know how it works...except for Kenn.

Kenn is clearly the worst player of the threesome, yet he gets so damn mad when he gets beat. Instead of trying to get better--he bitches about being bad.

This same thing can be applied to weight loss---instead of trying to get healthier, too many people complain about being fat or weak or sick. If all of that energy could be channeled into positive direction, the world would be a much healthier place.

Just a thought.

By the way, a note for Jeff and Clint:

I shot 81---you better start practicing before Memorial Day or I will own you!...LOL

________________

Anytime details

All of my virtual clients got this info last week in a private email. But I thought I should post what I do know just for everyone else.

The owner of Anytime has sold the facility. I have chosen not to work for the new person, even though I haven't met them yet--I simply don't have the time any longer.

That being said--I have no idea what is going to happen to the gym. I know a few of you have serious questions and I wish I could answer them. The truth is, I don't think that I have been told the whole story--I just don't know.

I would suggest that any of you with questions contact the owner of the facility before the end of the month. I don't know when the hand off to the new guy is...but I would suspect that it would be this week.

In the grand scheme of things, it's just a 2 hour a day job, so I try not to give it too much of my attention. Those of you that know me well; know that my life is my son, my wife and my family. Work is 80% of my day, but 20% of my life---

Have a great week!!

Leaving Anytime and more...

So I am officially gone from Anytime Fitness. I just don't have the time to deal with everything there AND work on my own stuff. I am so busy that working for someone else just doesn't fit into my plans right now.

My own facility will be opening this fall--I have cleared most every hurdle to this point. Only a location has yet to be determined. I have 3 potential places and deals in place at each of them...

I will be at Anytime each morning for the time being, getting my workout in--

The future is bright! Which is a good thing.

The future is busy! That's not so good!....LOL

See you soon!

Are you ready for this???

So today, I open my email and there is a letter from one of my competitors trying to disguise themselves as a potential client...

Oh man that made me laugh. It's one thing to shop your competition, but to not even have the common sense to change your email address so that they don't know that its coming from another facility--well...that just proves my point about the stupidity of most of the fitness people in this town.

These people are so paranoid that they don't realize that if they would offer their clients actual RESULTS, they wouldn't need to worry about little ol' me....

What infuriates me the most is that these kinds of people don't realize that the more QUALITY people in business, only increases the success of our industry. They should be embracing competition, not worrying about it.

It's laughable.

Ok....enough about that.

See you later, gators

Lots to talk about

First of all, I haven't posted in awhile and I have no excuse...I have just been busy and/or lazy.

One thing that you may have missed is Julie's great mid-point results.

When Julie started working out with me, she was 29% bodyfat---after 7 weeks she had dropped to 24%!!!!

Please tell her how impressed you are when you see her.

________

Some of you may know this already, but I am in the early stages of opening my own facility. It is not going to be a 'work on your own' type gym like Anytime Fitness or Gold's or National---it will be a little more expensive per month than a regular gym, but it's a totally new concept that Central Oregon has never ever seen. It's my own original idea and I think most of you will really like it.

I am looking for some additional funding right now and anticipate opening sometime this fall---barring something strange. Anyone wishing to see the business plan, please email me and we will discuss. Please note that the law allows me to show the business plan to potential investors, and family members only--so if you just want to peak at the details, let me know and I will send you something else

____________

You may have noticed that I am not at Anytime Fitness as often now...this is two-fold reasoning.

1. I have been busy outside the gym and with private clients
2. I have been busy working on my business plan and meeting with bankers, property managers, etc...

I will be in every morning until about noon--unless you want an appointment. Then I will be available as my schedule permits.

Have a great week---I will post more later!

Back again

Well things have been pretty hectic since my vacation ended. Lots has happened.

We need to welcome 6 new virtual training clients to the family. When you see people walking around the gym with the tell-tale pages and clipboard--please stop and say "Hi" to them and welcome them to the group.

Julie has been doing great every morning---Here's her questions for weeks 5 and 6

Q: #1. So you had to workout by yourself while Kit was out of town. What was the biggest difference?

A: Without Kit there to encourage me, It was hard to push myself to my maximum potential with Resistance or cardio exercises.
I had a tendency to put my workouts off until evenings and found my energy level was too low to finish strong.

Q: #2.You’ve completed six weeks—what has changed in that time?

A: My knowledge of overall health has increased, and I have a much higher level of dedication. I now view being fit as a life-style instead of a short-term quick-fix.

Q: #3. If having a trainer should be an educational process---what have you learned about exercise, diet or yourself?

Kit is giving me a greater understanding of the physiology behind the exercises. He is teaching me ways to combine these workouts with his ten commandments of nutrition to reach my goals.


Q: #4. What are you looking forward to in the next month?

A: I'm looking forward to making giant strides toward that hot bikini body!

Vacation Post...

Well vacation is almost over. Lots of fun.
The Whale charter was probably the coolest thing I have ever done. The ocean was very rough--we got soaked!--but we saw 6 whales for a total of 9 sightings. We even got a full tail shot right off the bow and a full breach right in front of us as we were back near the stern on the way back to dock.
Of the 6 boats that went out on Monday, we were the only ones to get actual sightings!!

I will tell you all about it as we talk, I am sure.

The downside to the trip is that I have been doing some serious carb-loading. It's a good lesson for this post because most people don't realize how many carbs you eat when you are on vacation. Because of all the carb loading, I have gained about 12 pounds since I left...that sucks, but I know that it's almost all water-retention from the carbs, salt and glycogen stores---once I get home, I will go carb free for a few days and all that water weight will drop away by Monday or Tuesday---

Which brings me to another point.

I know I have preached to you about the ABs Power Diet and how it's truly the right way to eat--but let's pretend that you have just gone on a 10 day carb binge like I have and you really need a guide on how to eat to get the water weight off--

I suggest that you use the rules in the first phase of the Southbeach Diet. It's takes all the guesswork out of it--it gets your carb intake under control, evens out your insulin levels and gets the glycogen stores to loosen up.

I am not a huge fan of South Beach for all the time, but it's a pretty sound way to kick start some serious weight loss (note: I said WEIGHT loss, not FAT loss)

I know I am behind on posting Julies questions--so here are her answers for WEEK 4

Week 4 questions

Q: 1. How about that week 4 grade?

A: I gave it 100% effort. The workouts were tough, but fun! My muscles were sore and my body was exhausted. Close to the end of the week I began noticing a little definition that I didn't have before. I got really excited and couldn't wait for Monday to roll around so I could start chiseling away again!

Q: 2. Anything new that you hadn't done before?

A: Yes. Kit used a new system for the sets, for which I think I was the Guinea pig. He had me lift the heaviest weight possible, for as many reps as I could, until burnout. I felt it was really effective! I think this approach allows each individual to push to the max at their own level. I love it!

Q: 3. How are you feeling after a month?

A: I really feel that I am getting in shape. I notice in daily activities that I am stronger.

Q: 4. Has anyone noticed any changes in you yet?

A: Yes; I have had a couple of comments about my belly shrinking. Also, I personally can see my back muscles beginning to appear, and have noticed some tone in my upper legs.

A little self-promotion if you don't mind

If you go buy the spring issue of Cascades East magazine and turn to pages 102-104--you can show it to your friends and say "That's my trainer!"

By the way, if you read that whole article--ignore the guy that says you should do Cardio before strength training...he is clearly uneducated and has no idea what he's talking about!

Ok--enough of the ego trip. Let's talk about how you can get more out of your workouts....

Here are three little reminders that I am sure I have told you many many times---but just for the sake of refreashing your memory.

1. Log your intentions! If you write down what you INTEND to do, you have made a written promise to yourself--and as we have talked about, it's awfully hard to lie to yourself and let yourself down. So get that log book and get started!
2. Finish every set--even if you have to lower the weight to do so. Lowering the weight is and should be your last resort--but I would rather you do that than fail to complete the sets--so all of your reps and you'll be a more successful person in the gym
3. Stay hydrated! It's been said in recent studies; that a person who drinks two quarts of water DURING the workout can exercise at an efficiency rate of nearly DOUBLE that of someone who doesn't drink at all---

Have a great week while I am gone on vacation-- I will try to post to the blog a couple of times while I am away!

See you soon!!

Doin' the carb dance--

I am not really sure why so many people are being stubborn about their carbs. So let me try to explain it again in simpler terms.

1. Start the day with whole grains. If you're partial to hot cereals, try old-fashioned or steel-cut oats. If you're a cold cereal person, look for one that lists whole wheat, oats, barley, or other grain first on the ingredient list.
   Use whole-grain breads for lunch or snacks. Check the label to make sure that whole wheat or other whole grain is the first ingredient listed.
2. Bag the potatoes. Instead, try brown rice or even "newer" grains like bulgur, wheat berries, millet, or hulled barley with your dinner.
3. Pick up some whole wheat pasta. If the whole-grain products are too chewy for you (which sounds like a pretty lame excuse to me, but I have heard it), look for those that are made with half whole-wheat flour and half white flour. It's not as good for you, but at least I have eliminated another excuse for you.

-----

This week was a little tough. I did something horrible to my back on Friday. It could be a ruptured disc, could be a pulled muscle, it could be nothing. I have been down all weekend going with the "ice/heat/ice/heat" routine. Hopefully all will be fine this week.

-----

Julie had a tough week as well---I will let her explain in her WEEK 3 questions posted here later!

We have has some new additions to the virtual family this week. In Bend, Cassie and Jan are new this past week---in other parts of the world we have welcomed Cindy, Carl and James in the last week! Welcome one and all!!

Have a great week!!

The Bad and the Good.

Well after spending 3 days in Portland, getting very little sleep and not working out (long story), I returned to the gym this morning to discover that I was in no shape to work out--at least not mentally.

Julie was there, but she felt a little drained as well. So I did what I could.

But at the end of the workout, I was upset---I didn't work as hard as usual, nor even as hard as I was capable. I phoned it in, so to speak.

Since I firmly believe that a person should be judged by his bad days, not his good--I shook it off, vowed to do better tomorrow and put it behind me. That combined with 200 pushups when I got home, should do the trick.

Now here are Julie's impressions from Week 2---



1. Q: So tell us about week 2. Give us your grade and tell us why.

A: Week two flew by. It seems like I've worked out twice and I have eight sessions behind me.

This week I will grade myself a nine. I did work hard and give it everything except I realized about mid week my attitude could use a little adjustment. I had been constantly suggesting the weight be lighter before I had even tried it. I decided to let the trainer do what he does best and train. It didn't take him long to figure out where I was at. Honestly being pushed is what I needed. That's why I wasn't accomplishing my goals on my own. End of story.

2. Q: You did cardio together in week 2---tell us about that.

A: First, by doing it together I noticed I actually got it done. secondly, it was helpful learning the difference in cardio and fat burning. I used to get on the stair master and go as fast and long as I could... however long that was. Kit's teaching me to burn fat for energy instead of muscle tissue by working with my heart rate.


3. Q: What about the mind/body stuff? Are you picking anything up from Kit about your mind’s connection with your body?

A: I am learning balance in our core strengthening. I am learning to see and feel my arms strong in the middle of a rep when they've locked up and be able to finish the set. I have figured out if I decide in advance I can finish than I can, and if I decide I can't, I can't. It's definitely mind over matter and the clearer your vision is the closer you get to your goal. Success is as close as your intensity.


4. Q: (From Shawna) Does Kit workout as hard as I think he does? Does he make you keep up with him?

A: The proof is in the pudding. Kit is fit, healthy and consistently works hard. He is capable of much more than I am, but he works with me at my level and he's professional enough to know what that is. He keeps it a challenge- but nobody can make you do more than you're willing or dedicated to do.

5. Q: (From Destinee) I worked out with Kit one time and couldn’t walk for two days. I never went back. What keeps you going back?

A: You get to the point that you want to be in shape and healthy for the rest of your life more than you care about the pain it takes to get there. Once you start seeing results it becomes self motivating. You actually feel the results long before you see them, so you know changes are taking place. It's the long-term vision that keeps you coming back. You have to know what you want to become, then there's no stopping you.


6. Q: (From Cindy) Have you guys done anything other than lifting weights?

A: We do a variety of exercises including core strengthening, cardio, weight training and visualization. Other things would include building body resistance with push ups, abs, lunges, stretching, running and rowing etc.

Excuses, Excuses...


You know I won't post any of YOUR excuses here. That's private.

But yesterday, I heard two people talking in the gym and the excuse was simply mind boggling.

"Where is (name) again today?"
"Oh. She cut her finger."
"Wasn't that like...8 days ago"
"Yeah."

So let's go over the reasons that you shouldn't go to the gym if you are serious about losing weight.

1. You or someone close to you died
2. You or someone close to you is in the hospital
3. You have an injured muscle or major joint (a cut finger doesn't prevent you from riding the recumbent bike!).
4. You have the Ebola virus or some other African disease
5. You have the flu (The ACTUAL flu..not that thing where you have a stomach ache or a 99 degree fever and you TELL everyone you have the flu...INFLUENZA is actually not quite as common as most people would have you beleive).
6. You were burned in an electrical fire at the plant
7. You are being held hostage by the Mujahideen

In other words...if you can drive, go to work, go out to dinner, go shopping, etc...You can go to the gym.

Here is the actual reason that the woman with the cut finger missed her workouts with her dedicated friend...are you ready? It's shocking....Here it is:

She didn't want to go.

And that's ok. But at least be honest with your friends and yourself. If you don't want to go to the gym; fine. Don't go. But at least be mature enough and honest enough to tell yourself or your partner that you simply aren't serious enough about losing weight--or getting healthy. There is nothing wrong with that.

The problem is that people who make excuses, are usually the people who complain the loudest about their belly or their lack of fitness or their fat legs or their rolls of back fat or whatever.

Do I want everyone to be in shape? Of course.

But I would rather everyone understand ONE thing. ONE important thing.

When you decide to accept something, you have given up the right to complain about it.

Either change it, or don't. But don't belittle yourself with pretend excuses and made up reasons. Just simply say to yourself "It's not as important to me...so I am not going to do it."

The same holds true for your nutrition. I got an email from someone the other day complaining that they aren't losing bodyfat at the rate that they think they should---I explained again about how to eat--they said that they were doing everything right---

Last night I saw them sitting in Red Robin eating everything wrong.

You have to admit mistakes to yourself before you can change your life!!!!!

Ok---enough preaching.

Julies Week 2 comments will be the next post---watch for them here!!!

Have a great week.

Julie First Week Q&A

As most of you know, Julie B. has been working out with me for a week now--

On this blog, we'll be tracking her progress in her own words. Here are her thoughts on Week One!!

Kit's questions vs Julie's answers...

Q: #1. What was your impression of your first week?

A: Let me tell you, the first week has been an absolute scream! I am loving it!!!
You definitely made the right call choosing me for your program!
I like the energy level during our workouts. You do a great job encouraging.
I enjoy working out in the mornings and starting my days off accomplishing a goal.
I feel great the rest of the day. Even the soreness of my muscles is a good pain that I know I've earned and it has to bring positive results.
I am much more aware of my nutritional habits- what and when I eat, knowing that I'll have to work it off, or that it will fuel me for my next workout. It's cool knowing I can effect the outcome by making good choices.


Q: #2 Give yourself a grade for week one and tell us why:

A: I will grade myself a 5 out of 10 for the first week. Here's why:

I didn't know what to expect and now I know I can push myself harder. Most everything we did was brand new; as well as learning the expectations of a trainer.
I feel I had a very informative introduction. All my questions were answered well, Kit gave great demos on the use of the equipment and obviously has a lot of knowledge in his field.
I feel prepared to start week two at a good level 10.

Q: #3 What are the ‘soreness factor’ like? Did you hurt much?

A: The muscle soreness is awesome. It hurts so much to move you know you've just done something great! All you can think as you moan and limp around is "this has got to be making me stronger. This is going to show in a really good way". When you're hobbling around and no one else is, you feel like you're on top of the game. You know you're secretly winning. If it were easy everyone would be doing it. The hard is what makes it great.

Q: #4. What was different than you expected?

A: Although I anticipated the challenge, I am even more excited now to finish out the twelve weeks. Kit has helped me understand the end results so clearly that I am excited to work hard. I look forward to progressively growing stronger, becoming increasingly educated in proper strength training, turning by body into a calorie burning machine and incorporating good nutrition as a lifestyle

Q: #5 You got to experience Kit’s workout called “500s”---what was that like?

A: "500s"...One of the funnest things you'll ever do in a gym. I recommend it to everyone! I won't go into detail explaining what that is. No one did for me... and I feel the surprise is riveting.

I am so flippin' stoked...

you almost got the 'no-shirt' pic (but not quite)

I got my bodyfat tested today and I have lost 10 pounds of fat and gained 2 pounds of muscle since my birthday one month ago (Jan. 25th)!

My new program is paying of dividends for me...so I am super excited.

As you know, I ballooned up to 25% bodyfat after my accident and it's very very tough getting it off. As I like to say; a fat personal trainer is like a doctor that smokes...

So I had and have no choice in the matter. It's a fact that I have to be below 10% bodyfat before summer time and I am well on my way.

___________

Now on to other things:

If you come to the gym any day at 9am you will see me working out. Unless I am out of town, I am there. Recently you may have seen me working out with a young lady. Her name is Julie and she is my guinea pig for the next 12 weeks. In this blog, you will see her comments each week as she talks about her experiences and results...I have two guinea pigs actually, but Brad doesn't start with me until May...so it's all Julie for now.

I have come up with some new ideas on nutrition and exercise--basically it's simply a new way of wording things that everyone can remember---if you are already with me, it's nothing drastically new---but for the newbies, it will be a good revelation.

Work hard this week...I'll see you soon.

Man alive it was cold!

Ok. Well Ski day was fun. But it was windy and cold up on the hill today. My ankle was not ready to allow me to snowboard yet--so we had to spend most of the day tubing....and spending entirely too much money in the ski shop, the restaurant, etc...

But I got in some good cardio, which is good and had lots of fun...which is the most important thing about hanging out with your kid!

Busy week--

Did I say busy? WOW!!!

I have been swamped with so much this week.

In addition to new clients coming on board in both a virtual level and private one on one sessions, I have also been studying some CEU's with all kinds of new information and exercises.

My diet has changed a bit as I am now launching into a full blown fat cutting mode--so I have been cranky and kind of a pisser---LOL. What can I say, I love my carbs! I have also begun testing a new energy drink and I will pass on the info if I feel that I can recommend it to you without hesitation.

My personal goals have never changed since putting on all the BF after the accident. At the worst, I was 25% bodyfat, and now I am down to a manageable 17%---the goal is to be below 10% by Memorial day---can I get there? I am damn well gonna be close, I'll tell you that much.

So how are you doing on your goals? Did you set realistic ones? Are you remembering that food is meant to be a fuel, not an over-indulgence? Are you remembering that exercise is meant to be a mechanism for improvement, not a chore to be dreaded?

It's hard, I know----but stick with it. Be better today than you were yesterday---I am!

Oh dear God!

So my Xvest arrived last night.

Here is a short running diary of what happened.

1. Vest Arrived. There was much rejoicing


2. Vest was loaded with 80 llbs of weight


3. Vest was placed in Kit


4. The rejoicing was lessened


5. Kit went to sleep


6. Kit woke up, ate breakfast, loaded vest in his car


7. Kit arrived at the gym and put the vest on.


8. Kit wore the vest while doing 30 minutes on the eliptical


9. There was considerably less rejoicing


10. And some small amounts of cursing

It was very difficult to do the cross country program on the treadmill and the eliptical---but according to all of the research, 30 minutes of cardio while wearing the vest is roughly equal to doing 90 minutes without the vest. I know that the vest is a good thing.. I just have to get used to it. I am anxious to see the results and to help blast through my plateaus---

I will keep you posted.

2/14---Xvest day one!!!

Train with me for FREE!

As you might have seen on the website. I am looking for people to become my 'projects' for the next 12 weeks.

It's a simple concept. You train with me. Do what I tell you to do--and WHAM!--you get in shape!

Call me or email me for details.

I am also going to be starting the golf workouts in March. Watch the schedule for details on the first few seminars. If you are a member of Anytime Fitness, your seminars will be free!!!

Ok...now who is that in the picture? She is one of the most dangerous women in the world--her name is Gina Carano--she is the first female MMA star. Her fight last Saturday night was as dominating a performance as you will see in Ultimate fighting or Mixed Martial Arts--

And I think I love her.

See you around the gym!!

p.s. My Xvest arrived today. I will let you know how it feels to exercise with 80 lbs on my back....

Hey Dude! What's your bench?

Ok then...today I had the opportunity to remember why I lift so much weight 5 days a week.

And I will get to that in just a second, after a quick relevant story.

I was lifting today. It's Monday and like 99% of the world, it's chest day. Everyone works their chest on Monday. Why? probably because you are taught in lifting school and read in every magazine, and hear from every bodybuilder; that you should always lift your weakest body part early in the week and your strongest parts last--

Why do I do it?

Because Mondays are my least busiest days--and Chest is my longest workout---well you get the picture.

Anyway, I digress---

I was working out and the only male in the gym at the time, decided to interupt me (when someone has headphones on--as I did--and a look on their face that says 'I am working, no likey the talkie'--as I did--then don't interupt them) to ask me that quintessnetial man question:
"What's your bench?"

And then I got to give him the same speech I give lots and lots of people--

Here is why I lift and workout so hard--not in any particular order:

1. To feel good about myself
2. To look good to anyone that's looking
3. To be healthy for my family
4. To be upright 50 years from now
5. To fight off the age dragon
6. To continue to recover from the accident that nearly took my walking ability
7. To be strong enough to play with my son, until he is strong enough to beat me at sports

And that's it.

No where in there is "Dude, so I can bench 300!"

What a person's bench press is no mark of health or strength--unless you are in the NFL. It's a manly question that manly men ask each other in the gym. And that's all.

A bench press isn't really even that great of an exercise if you want to get right down to it--unless it's an incline press--or seated press. But a flat bench is really just a middle ground exercise. It has it's place--and we all should do it---but that's about it.

For the record, I am plenty strong enough--my bench is around 225 for 12 reps---not great, not horrible---but there it is.

My point is this: Lift for YOU. Run for YOU. Eat right for YOU--and when you do all of that, you will accomplish all the other things--like being healthy for your family and getting stronger and impressing people in the gym and looking hot for the opposite sex---but it all starts with YOU.

Outside people and the pressure that they can apply.

I may ramble a bit here for a second, but at the end, I am sure I will (try to) make my point.

This week, I have listened to so many excuses from non-clients that it makes me want to give them a free month or a few sessions just so that I can say "Since you are my client, I am gonna tell you what I think of your excuses..."

The other thing I have heard plenty of this week is commentary from other fitness people who think that I need to choose one discipline or the other. The fact is that 50% of my clients are weightloss clients and 50% of my clients are fitness clients who are either athletes getting ready for some event or former athletes trying to get back into their sport.

So many people are trying to tell me that I should choose one or the other--to only serve one part of the population. In fact, some of these people control pieces of my cash flow so I have to at least listen to their points--so I do.

But I also know myself and I got into this to help people, not to make buckets of cash (though that would be kinda cool) and I can't help people if I don't super-serve as many people as possible. If I have the knowledge to pass on--I should pass it.

My point is this: The two biggest distractions that I had this week didn't come from myself. As usual, they came from other people.

Whether is was a potential client wasting my time by telling me every excuse in the book as to why they don't or can't or won't work out or eat right; to outside sources trying to tell me how to run my business. And as usual, I had to find a way around all of this in order to have a good attitude and a good personal life...and then I came up with a new personal quote.

Whenever someone begins to tell me how horrible their life is or how their boss is a jerk or their husband eats like a pig or how their friends don't support their new lifestyle choices, I think I will just say:

"If it makes you feel any better, my life is great!"

Hey, my job as a trainer doesn't stop in the gym. I can help people get centered, get healthy, get in shape, get faster, get stronger or become a slammin' hottie--but only if they WANT to do it.

And finally you see my point. For those of you that WANT the help, regardless of your goals or your current situation; HERE I AM!--Let's do it! Regardless of the outside pressures that we have in our lives, at some point we have to say "You know what...I gotta do this for myself and for no one else!"

Then you can say to all those people who try to bring you down--

"If it makes you feel any better, my life is great!"

p.s. I know you are probably sick of that picture, but I don't have my new ones yet!

Quick reminder--

Just a quick reminder for all you new-beeies---

I can't get your workouts done until you complete AT LEAST part of your fitness assessment online. For those of you that signed up with me early enough to have your F.A. done by me; you're done. But the rest of you need to do that before I can get your workouts completed.

See you around!

Kit

Doing Cardio a New Way

Today I ordered the Xvest and will do my cardio with it for the next 30 days or so and let you know how it goes.

The Xvest looks like a flak jacket, but is filled with 12, 20, 40, 60 or 80 pounds of movable weight. The jacket is worn while running, hiking or even swimming (yes, it's waterproof)!---the purpose is to make your workouts more difficult but it also increases your strength on a level that you could not do on your own. Imagine skipping rope for a few minutes with 40 extra pounds on your body---now imagine doing that for 2 weeks---now imagine what your body will feel like at the end of that two weeks when you begin skipping rope without the extra 40 pounds!----Strong and light!

Not to mention the extra calories that are burned away using the weight as resistance!

This vest is used by the Navy Seals and Army Rangers...not to mention the NFL, NBA, and many other sports---Holly McPeak, professional women's volleyball player used this to increase her vertical jump by a full FOOT! That's kooky talk!

In my efforts to lose the last little bits of bodyfat and get to looking like the picture on the sidebar, I am going to be using this device--in all aspects of my workouts. So when you see me in the gym--please don't think that I am expecting an assasination attempt!