Fit System-Core

Fit System-Core

Today’s top American marathoners like Meb Keflezighi, and Kara Goucher run fewer miles than their counterparts of my youth. Their times are faster. Their careers last longer. Yes, part of the reason is Economic. Today’s top marathoners do not have incomes like top baseball players, but they can make a decent living through sponsorships and appearance fees. The main difference to me is how they train. When you see pictures of Meb and Kara, you see prominent six pack abs. They are doing core training.
The core is basically your upper body. I think of it as my stomach and my back. They can also include your lats (side muscles).  Regular resistance training of your core can help alleviate minor back pain. The FIT system workout does a good job of working our cores.  My 3 day a week routine seems to be helping my lower back problems. Remember the old song-“Your ankle bone is connected to your shin bone-etc.” Everything is connected.

Each one of the bands has 3 resistance tubes. Each tube that is attached provides more resistance (weight). There will be some exercises that you can do with all 3 tubes attached. Some you can use 2. The rest you can just have one of the tubes attached.  I just detach or attach 1 end of the tube and leave the other end attached. It is very easy and that way I don’t have to go looking for the tubes when I want to add resistance.

It has a decent chest press. With your bands connected to the back wall, and you seated facing forward on the edge of your bed, grab the bands and press forward.  This affects the same muscles as the bench press we did in high school.  While your bands are still attached to the back wall you can work your upper back. Stand between the seats and face the back wall. Grab the bands like a hammer and pulling back works your upper back.

The next core exercises are done with the bands attached to your floor mounts. You work your right lats and left lats separately. Basically you stand between the seats and lean your upper body one way or the other while pulling against the resistance bands.  The lower back gets worked while the bands are still attached to the floor mounts.  Sit on the edge of your bed.  Lean forward. Grab the bands next to your chest. Then you lean back into an upright seated position.

You work your abs with the bands attached to the back wall mounts. Sitting on the edge of your bed with the band held against your chest. Lean forward. That’s it. You’ve done a core workout as part of your routine. Now, go for your daily walk.