Saturday, September 26, 2009

Workout - Sept. 26

Warm-up:
Pump n' walk in place 1 lb., level 2

Workout:
-pump n' walk in place/on the move 1 lb. - 2.5 kg. , level 2 - 3
-stair climbing 1.5 - 2.5 kg., level 2
-double ski poling standing and seated 1 lb. - 2.5 kg
-shadow boxing 1 lb. and 1.5 kg.

Time: 35 min.
Place: near the computer, listening to Internet radio
Averge HR: 131
Max HR: 151
Calories burned: 314

Fairly vigorous workout. Taking it a bit easy on my back. It's a little tender after a savage double ski poling session (2.5 kg.) the other day. Still, I had no problem pumping the weights high and fast.

The Journey Begins















Age: 54
Height: 5'5"
Weight: 146 lbs.
Waist: 34"
Resting heart rate: 46
Max heart rate: 170

Goal : 135 lbs., 30" waist

History:
I've been exercising with various systems, including Heavyhands, off and on for years. Started running about 2 years ago and ran a 10K race last year. But since my Achilles tendon started acting up 3 weeks ago, I've been doing Heavyhands exclusively 4 - 6 times per week. Until the tendon is 100% pain-free, I won't be doing any more running. With just Heavyhands, I'm resting my legs and generating workloads pretty close to my running workload. I'll be keeping track of my Heavyhands workouts on this blog and will post photos of my progress.

I don't look much like Dr. Schwartz. . .yet.


Friday, September 11, 2009

What is Heavyhands?


Heavyhands is an original aerobic exercise system created by Dr. Leonard Schwartz (pictured at age 80). The principle is simple: pumping hand weights in a virtually unlimited variety of coordinated arm-leg movements such as walking, running, skiing, boxing, dancing, rowing, swimming, stair-climbing, calisthenics and much more.

Heavyhands enables the exerciser to generate enormous aerobic/muscular workloads using tiny hand weights (as little as 1 pound). This translates into simultaneous cardiovascular and muscular work. The results are far superior to the commonly used running/weight training exercise tandem. In addition, heart rates with combined 4-limb exercise are lower than equivalent work with just legs alone. What's more, Heavyhands exercises every major muscle group while burning considerable fat, with practically no risk of injury.

Dr. Schwartz used himself as a guinea pig to test and refine Heavyhands. The results were spectacular. During his initial 5-year experiment, he went from an out-of-shape 55 year-old to the equivalent of an elite athlete. Dr. Schwartz explains and fully documents the system in his two books: Heavyhands-the Ultimate Exercise System and Heavyhands Walking.