TRX Atomic Push-up on the Road in Pai, Thailand
February 18th, 2010 by Mark Kennedy No comments »Below is a video of me performing the TRX Atomic Push-up in Pai, Thailand. A great exercise for the chest, shoulders, triceps and core.
Traveling with the TRX Suspension Trainer: Beach Workout in Thailand
February 9th, 2010 by Mark Kennedy No comments »Sawatdee kraup from Koh Lanta, Thailand!
We arrived in Bangkok about a week ago and are now in Koh Lanta, which is near Krabi on the southern coast.
Our travels so far have taken us to:
- Bangkok
- Phuket
- Koh Phi Phi
- Koh Lanta
So far I have worked out with the TRX in a hotel and on the beach. Here’s my experience from the beach.
TRX Suspension Trainer Workout on the beach
I must say, I never thought I get get the quality of workout I had using the TRX…and I was on the beach! It was amazing.
Setup: The TRX Suspension Trainer took 10 seconds to setup. I found a great tree in the shade, with a branch that was about 8 and a half feet high.
Workout: I did the TRX Basic Training Workout that came with my TRX. Each exercise in the program has 3-4 progressions, so I am never bored with this workout. With the TRX Suspension Trainer you can make it as easy or challenging as you’re up to on the day. The workout took me about 25 minutes to complete. I did not use a stopwatch to time my rest intervals or set durations, but did keep the rest to about 30 seconds between sets. The temperature was hot (approximately 35 degrees Celsius) and humid, but working out in the shade really helped…as did the light breeze off the ocean. Do not workout at these temperatures without being hydrated and with a large bottle of water nearby.
I plan to write more detailed workout posts and to log my diet for a couple of weeks. So far, the Thai food has been amazing and so easy to eat healthy, natural foods here. Stay tuned for much more.
Cheers.
Let the games begin
January 26th, 2010 by Mark Kennedy 4 comments »So, we fly out to Bangkok via Dubai this Sunday, 31st January! We are both truly excited. I thought I would get a post in before the trip to help set the scene for birth of Backpack Fitness.
The Trip
Our 3-month adventure begins in Bangkok, Thailand. Our travels will take us throughout:
- Thailand
- Laos
- Cambodia
- Vietnam
- India
- Indonesia
I have never been to any of these countries before – the anticipation is huge!
Image source: flydime
Background
Name: Mark Kennedy
Age: 35
Weight: 185 pounds
Height: 6’2
Current Body Mass Index (BMI): 23.8
My current 10km time: approximately 50 minutes.
My objective with this blog is to write and share about my journey to stay fit while backpacking for 3 months. I know what some of you are thinking. It should be a piece of cake to stay fit – especially as we’re going to be walking and hiking lots and the hot weather will not be conducive to eating huge amounts. Well, perhaps you are right. My goal however is to be as fit or maybe, just maybe, more fit than when I left.
I depart for the trip in reasonably good shape (for me). Over the past 3 months I have been running approximately 2 times per week (30 minute runs) and have been performing some kind of resistance training 2-3 times per week. I ran the Dublin Marathon in the fall of 2008. We canceled our gym memberships one month ago (we are also moving back to Canada after the trip) so my resistance training has been on the TRX Suspension Trainer at the local park. To be honest, I am really enjoying the TRX as it is a nice break from the gym and it offers a functional and creative component that my training has lacked for a while. More on the TRX later as I am bringing mine on the trip.
At the end of the trip (and the beginning), my measure of fitness level will be somewhat subjective. But, numbers are not the point as I am doing this partly because I enjoy being fit and want to prove to myself that a 3-month vacation through many amazing foreign countries is not a license for a beer gut. For others that read this blog, an opportunity to learn from me – the good and the bad!
What fitness tools am I bringing?
Checkout the gear page for details.
The Workouts
Logs of my workouts will form the bulk of the posts on Backpack Fitness. I intend to supplement my posts with video and photos where possible.
Other stuff
Staying healthy on the road can be tough and does not simply equate to staying fit. Diet, sleep and many other factors play a health factor when embarking on a vagabonding experience like this one. I hope to touch on these important aspects of health on the road as well.
Okay, I will touch base again from Thailand!
