Global Gossip

I thought this week I would give a little information on this little test that the Army has deemed capable enough to test how physically fit their soldiers can be in a combat environment. It’s a simple series of events starting off with the push-up, an exercise that tests the strength and endurance of the upper body. The second event is the sit-up, which tests the abdominal strength and endurance. After these two events you will usually be given a 10-15 minute break before you begin the third and final event which is a 2 mile run. This event is also the only one which has alternate events in case you are not capable to run. These events include an 800 meter swim, 2.5 mile bike ride, and a 2 mile walking event. There is a chart which the Army goes by that is made up by your age, I have added the link below if you would like to take a gander.

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/army/a/afpt.htm

Now onto what this article is really about. I know most people will say the best way to train for this is to just do it but after awhile the push-up just gets kinda boring. Since I have longer arms I can only go down as far as the floor then back up which  doesn’t leave much room for an extended stretch so since I am stuck in the desert I decided to try something different. If you take a look below I added a desk, and two chairs to suspend my entire body in the air as well as elevate my feet. This not only gives my chest a great downward stretch it also helps build strength with a higher lift.

For improving my abdominal strength besides the common sit-up and crunch I like to use the beams in the roof of my building to throw in some more intense ab action, you will see from the pictures below that this might not be the most clean or best equipment but when you are out here you have to learn to use what you have. Though I didn’t get a chance to take the picture to hit the obliques I like to bring my knees up in a twisting action.

The third and final event leaves not much for ways to improve except building leg strength with a simple single fuel can leg lift which I will show after the paragraph. I do recommend using water cans but where I am at I really don’t have much of a choice. Other then that the best way to improve a run is to run.

So hopefully everyone got a little something out of this, I know it may not be much but some soldiers enjoy keeping themselves fit by any means while others prefer to waste away and coast through the service. I hope all of you have a great April Fools day and I wish everyone the best!

From here in Iraq this is SGT Greene, over and out!

Wanted to go ahead and say how excited I am to be here among others who hold personal fitness and nutrition to such a high standard. I was thinking this evening about what it is that I could express to everyone about working out while deployed, and with the Army in general, things you may or may not have known and I decided that a weekly blog would do wonders, not only would I be given the chance to show you around our location but maybe you will be able to get a feeling for what your fellow soldiers are doing on a day to day basis.

    A little about myself first so you can get to know me and maybe I can get to know a few of you out there as well. My name is Richard Greene, I’m 25 years old and have been serving with the United States Army for six years now. I have been deployed four times, better yet I have been deployed to Kuwait once and Iraq three times. As you will see from the pictures I post here with the next blog I am not a big guy, actually I am about 5′10′’, 183 pounds as of today and according to the Army I have a BF% of about 16.26%. But this write up is not about me, well this one was but the next one is going to be about soldiers staying fit in Iraq with the gyms and without. I will give you an inside look at the food we have to endure since Wal-Mart has it’s hands everywhere but Iraq I guess.

   I hope everyone had a good Easter, as for me I will be heading out now, gonna start getting the pictures ready so I can start letting all of you live in my world for awhile. If anyone out there ever has any questions please feel free to ask, you can send a message here or use my personal email address whichever is more convenient for you. I can’t want to talk to you all next week.

   From here in Iraq this is SGT Greene..over and out.

Hi from Australia, this is my first posting from sunny downunder and I’m proud to join the wider bodybuilding community spreading the good word and showcasing our fantastic aussie athletes.

We have our own website http://www.anb.com.au and have a terrific team of natural amateur bodybuilders getting read to tour in Canada and the USA later this year.

Pose Down Magazine is very excited about bringing updated information of who is doing what, where and when in the South.

We just returned from the Arnold Classic. We are now focusing on coverage of as many shows as possible. Texas alone will host 15 shows in 2008 with the first show beginning on March 29th promoted by Andrew and Kat Zamora (The West Texas Classic).

We will also travel to Oklahoma and Louisiana this year concentrating on coverage of these NPC events as well.

Our March highlights are:

Bryan Barth- Featuring a Leg Workout in this issue. Bryan also writes a column within the publication called “Wheels Of Steel“.  
Bryan began his competitive career about 8 years ago and has steadily moved up the ranks. From his first 1999 Novice show to the ‘07 Nationals, he has added 80 pounds of solid muscle to his frame. Standing 5’7" Bryan steps on stage at 230lbs. That is a long way from 162 pounds back in 1999.

As with most top level amateurs, Bryan is looking for his pro card.  He took 7th in the Super Heavy weight class this year at the ‘07 Nationals in Dallas. Currently in full off season mode, Bryan is making the improvements it will take to win the ‘08 Super Heavy class and that pro card.

Courtney Dion “Our Future Of Fitness” - Featuring an article hosted by Trish Warren and written by Mike Norris. Meet our future of Fitness- Courtney Dion. She is only 14 years of age however her talent supersedes her age.

In a world filled with too many people making too many excuses for their poor state of condition and general health, it was most rewarding to hear of an upcoming young athlete willing to make the sacrifices necessary to live a healthy lifestyle and achieve her goals.

And last but certainly not least featuring Brian Dobson who also writes for Pose Down Magazine (Raw Power). We had the opportunity last Dec 2007 of covering Raw Power and Wild Game Feast! Proceeds went to the Open Door Ministry and Food Bank. Some highlighted features were Rendy Delacruz pulling an impressive 745 lb winning the 308 pound class and Best Lifter.

Brian also promotes the “Ronnie Coleman Classic” and along side Branch Warren “The Warren Classic”. Brian certainly stays busy with several promoted competitions and running MetroFlex Gym in Arlington TX.

For all of the latest information go to:
www.posedownmag.com

I usually write a piece each month for BB.COM called West Coast Gossip and have just started to write a blog each week instead.

On March 8, I was back home in Oahu, Hawaii where I have a Nutritional distribution business set up with the beautiful Joan Villanueva, owner of Bellissima Health and Wellness business.

On this Saturday we featured John Scott’s Nitro as our sponsor to Powerhouse Gym and the event.  Alvin Paguio and his wife Keri just opened Powerhouse so they held a block party for the Grand opening, and what a great job they did.  Not only did they have the strongman event but also live bands starting at 6:00 pm till about 11:00 pm, food vendors were there and many more events and contest with plenty of free prizes.

I always love going back home because the people there are so open and helpful.  As I was using a dolly to move boxs from the car to set up with our product a few boxs fell off but when I stopped to pick them up  I heard a voice say ” Ah no need brother I get em for you”, when I looked over it was a Honolulu Police Officer who was working the event so he picked them up leaving his post and carried them the other 100 yards for me.   This is the attitude you can still find back in the Islands.

The Hawaii’s Strongest Man Competition had a Professional division and Amateurs with over 27 people competing, coming from places like Australia, North Carolina, Texas and all over the US.  Im not that big at 5″9 weighing about 235 so standing next to some of these guys weighing 375 lb and up I felt like a little kid.  One Pro competitor I have to mention is Odd Haugen of California, Odd has won more Hawaii strongman competions than anyone having lived here in Hawaii for many years.  But the thing about it is that Odd is 58 years old.

Today he came in 4th place and when I spoke with him he said that today is just a normal workout that is back is hurt so he’s just training to rehab things, and the guy still takes 4th!  My main profession is Im a R.N and during the event they came to get me because one of the competiors was hurt, as I got there I could see it was Big Jeremy Hogg of Australia he had dislocated his thumb and it was just hanging out of place.  Jeremy said I have another event coming up so can you just put some tape on it for me?  These guys are true animals they dont quit easy.  The contest had the:

                                            * Farmers Walk with 275 lb for 200 feet total
                                            * Tire Flip 1000-1200 lbs for 25-30 yards
                                            * Yoke 800-850lbs for 25-30 yards
                                            * Log lift 275lbs clean and press for reps
                                            * Truck Pull
                                            * Stones with staggering heights

In the crowd were alot of visitors wuth National Competior Shavis Higa who won the overall at the LA and his weight class at the USA last year.  Shavis has his sights set back again on the USA and he should do well with the new size he’s added. IFBB Pro Clifton Torres was at the Nitro booth and said he starts his diet in 2 weeks for the show in Flordia coming up.  Good luck Clifton! Ernie “Mongo” Chang who will be done the Nationals was looking thick as he was working the John Scott’s Nitro booth.   Guy Leong who promotes the Paradise Cup Bodybuilding Conest now in it’s 25 year.

After the strongman event one of the local guys here put on a demo with a 900lb bench press.  After that there was some groups that performed different things like martial arts, the Dragon Dance.  For a first time event it was a great turn out for Alvin and Powerhouse Gym.  If you find yourself on the Island of Oahu come check out Powerhouse with all the great new state of art equipment they have, just ask for Johney.

Taking the overall Pro Division 1st place was Brian Shaw from Colorado who was 6′8 andd 370lbs, when I spoke with Brian he said he has been doing these events for 2 years now and turned Pro after 7 months.  At 26 years old he feels since he’s still young he can get bigger and stronger for the upcoming World’s this year.  We at BB.COM wish you the best of luck Brian!