Photo Credit: Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Sambazon
When Gabrielle Reece gives workout tips, you should listen: this former pro volleyball player, TV personality, author and model has one of the best bods in the business. Luckily, the recent host of NBC’s fitness reality competition, Strong, is sharing her wisdom. Reece and legendary big wave surfer husband Laird Hamilton whipped journalists into shape recently at Sambazon’s “Train Like a Warrior” event in Malibu; attendees were led through her signature HIGHX training program, which features high intensity circuit training in group formations. After her land training, Hamilton demonstrated his signature XPT Extreme Pool training, which involves intensive underwater workouts to improve strength, endurance, cardiovascular fitness, and mental focus, wrapping up the workout with sauna and ice training as well as breathing exercises to cool down the body after an intense workout session. Sambazon,a pioneer in acai and superfood nutrition, hosted a post-workout snack session, highlighting Gabby and Laird’s go-to recipes to recover from the strenuous and successful the day. And without further ado, she’s going to whip your butts into shape, too: here, Reece shares her six fitness tips on how to train like a warrior.
Photo Credit: Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Sambazon
“First, let’s define warrior. In my mind, a warrior is yes, of course strong, but not in a bodybuilder none functional way. A warrior is a well-rounded human that is of the mind, body, and spirit in a functional way. The warrior focuses on the internal and that then reflects on what you see in the mirror. Not the other way around.”
1. A warrior should start with he or she’s reality and making that the most balanced place they can start from and Meditation can be helpful with this practice. For those of you who can’t sit quietly with your thoughts (yes that’s me) you could do an active meditation. This is all about what works for you. I like Tummo breathing, Wim Hof, and Pranayama, which are for the A.D.D. Of course you have the more still mediation, and if you can do it, more power to you. Let’s start from the most centered place we can before we go out and kick ass in our lives.
2. Warriors train in a functional way. The body moves in 6 ways, squat, lunge, hinge, push, pull, and twist. The more often you can train combining compound movements the better. Use your own body weight first and then begin to incorporate dumbbells and barbells.
3. Diversify your training. A warrior does a wide variety of exercise from martial arts, powerlifting, yoga, athletic endeavors etc. A warrior does not limit themselves to one modality of training and is open to trying new things. Variety creates more balance and not only benefits you physically but challenges you mentally as well.
4. Put the best possible fuel you can find in your machine. A warrior eats as close to the source as possible. Regardless if you are a vegan or vegetarian or eat animal protein, invest in yourself and your long term health by finding the best possible ingredients. One of the products I always have on hand is SAMBAZON. I use the frozen Acai packs to make smoothies and bowls at home for pre or post workout. Not only do I love the taste, it is also a great source of protein. Your food and nutrition should serve you, you should not be a slave to your food, having said that, it’s OK for the warrior to relax a little. Do not put stress around food, create a system that works with your real life and schedule.
5. Sleep is essential for a warriors recovery and the time we actually build our muscle. A fun little machine is called the chilipad. It goes underneath your sheet and it’s a pad that circulates cool or even warm water to give you a more restful sleep. In the days we slept on the ground, the earth was cool and then we covered ourselves with a warm fur or something like that. My husband swears by it and we have it only on his side of the bed. A game changer.
6. Sign up for an event. If you have been training hard and developing your inner warrior then why not grab a friend or two and sign up for an adventure series competition. Maybe even do it in a nice place where you can tack on two days of sightseeing or connecting with nature. A warrior needs to be challenged and put to the test from time to time.
Photo Credit: Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Sambazon
