This past weekend, wifey & I took an impromptu weekend trip to our new 2nd home, Austin, TX. I love to go there to just clear my head, or get some inspiration from one of the fittest/healthiest cities in America. This particular weekend did not disappoint. Along with all of the great places to eat in Austin, we always love to catch a good movie, while we’re there. One particular movie I have been anticipating the release, was the martial arts action movie. “Ninja Assassin.”
Now, let me let you in on a little secret. Since I was a youngun, I’ve always dreamed of becoming a ninja. In fact, it was reading about ninjitsu in magazines such as Kung Fu and Black Belt, as well as watching old school martial arts movies on Saturday afternoons, that helped create my love for MMA to this day.
Let’s face it, Ninjas are bad a–. How can you not fantasize about being a dark suit-wearing, hood & mask dawning, sword swinging, chinese star-throwing, walking, hardly-talking, human weapon? Sigh……Ok…..I’m back.
Well, one of the things most noticeable in the movie “Ninja Assassin” in pop star/model-turned-actor Jeong “Rain” Ji-hoon’s physique. While doing a little research on how Rain got into action hero shape, I discovered that Rain’s training was not too far from how all of we New Warrior’s love to train….plyometric bodyweight exercises….kettlebells…and various martial arts techniques. Of course, proper nutrition was a must for Rain to reduce his normal 12% bodyfat down to 5% for this role.
Now, most of us may not want to get down to 5% bodyfat, but how can you not want to be more agile, stronger, and possess a sleek, shredded physique? While most of us may not dream of becoming a dangerous “Ninja Assassin,” we can at least aspire to look and move like one….at any age.
Here’s a “Ninja Assassin” inspired workout I created for you. Perform this program for 4 weeks, or simply add this workout to your current program, in order to break the monotony and break through any plateaus you may be experiencing.
Sincere’s Ninja Assassin – New Warrior Inspired Workout:
- Perform Workout A on 3 non-consecutive days per week (i.e. M, F)
- Perform Workout B on 2 non-consecutive days per week (i.e. Tu, Thurs)
- Perform 1 Active Rest activity 1-2 times a week (i.e. Wed, Sun)
Be sure to warm up & cool down 5-10 min before and after each workout.
Perform each exercise for 1 min. each w/no rest between all 5 exercises. Once you’ve completed all 5 exercises, rest for 90 sec & repeat. Perform 5 rounds.
1. Kettlebell or dumb bell swings
2. Fast Step Ups (Quickly run up and down, in place, on 1 stair step or a curb. Move your arms as you run in place)
3. Dips (for the more advanced: Plyo Dips)
4. Kettlebell or Dumb bell Farmers Walk (use stairs/football field/track/perimeter of backyard, hills, etc.)
(Keep your shoulders pulled down and pulled bacxk, as you farmer’s walk. Also, keep your abs engageds, and your steps shorts and quick)
5. Static Leg Lift
(lie flat on the floor w/hands flat on the floor, near your butt. With both legs together, lift your legs a couple of inches off the floor, while engaging your abs/squeezing your butt/ & keeping your lower back and shoulders on the floor. Do not hold your breath!
1. Sprints (Stairs, Track, Football Field, Hills) x 1 min x 2 min rest x 10 rounds 2. Jump Rope Skipping + Shadow Boxing: Skip Rope x 1 min/ Shadowbox x 1 min/ Rest x 1 min x 20 min.
If you think this is hard, check out Rain’s training in action. All I ask is that you just get it done without the whining….lol!
By the way, if you’ve seen the movie, “Ninja Assassin,” what did you think of the movie? Rain’s training results? Let your fellow warriors know by sharing your comments below.
Here are some video highlights from one of our Team AM (awakeningsmovement.com) training sessions at the playground. We are a few weeks out from competing for the first time, in the Men’s Health Urbanathlon.
During the time that we shot this footage, my focus was to help build up the guys’s muscle endurance, improve their overall conditioning, and build some killer strength, using only their bodyweight.
It started to get dark outside, during this training session, so some of the clips are not shown, due to the quality. However, this session’s program is listed below.
The workout circuit consisted of the following:
1. Box Jump Squats
2. Decline Push Ups
3. Bulgarian Split Squat
4. Incline Plyo Push Up (bonus: add a chest slap & behind the back clap)
5. Decline Mt. Climbers
6. Step Ups
7. Dips
Perform each exercise for 1 min. before moving to the next one. Rest 30 sec. between each exercise. Perform 5 rounds.
Take this workout for a spin, and get back to me. I’m sure you’re heart will be racing, but it will definitely add some spice to your current routine.
What’s up fellow Warriors & She-Warriors. I just got back from the Fast Track To Fitness Millions Summit in New Jersey, and I’m still amped! Not only did I discover even more ways of bringing you the best warrior tools here on NWT, but I recorded some killer videos of my fellow warrior trainers from around the globe, doing some killer workouts.
Well, I wouldn’t call them workouts. It was more like a bunch of big kids playing on the playground. By the way, there’s nothing like crashing an Indian wedding than performing feats of kettlebell and body weight strength, nail bending, impromptu Capoeira play, Aussie Rules football – medicine ball style, and jump rope show-and-tell, in the middle of the wedding party’s waiting area. Gangsta!
Ok, in wrapping up my series of X-Men Origin inspired workouts, which began with Wolverine and Sabertooth, I am wrapping things up with one of my favorite mutants of all time. With such a heavy creole influence here in Houston, thanks to our Louisiana neighbors next door, how could I not have love for the Cajun mutant that is, Gambit.
Gambit’s, (aka Remy LeBeau), primary ability is the manipulation of potential or kinetic energy. This is manifested both internally and externally, energy charges his body giving him greater strength, stamina, and agility than any non-powered human, as well as being able to charge matter resulting in the violent and powerful explosion of said matter through touch. The objects that he charges explode with a force somewhat proportional to the size of the object, though a playing card is as powerful as a hand grenade in Gambit’s hands.
I love combining various tools with bodyweight training, in order to mix things up (as well as keep training fun). Here’s a video combining dynamic bodyweight exercises with tools such as, Lifeline’s TNT cable & the perfect push up, to burn fat, increase strength, build long lean muscle, and ramp up your cardio.
The cool thing about this workout is, you can do it just about anywhere, anytime. Therefore, there’s no need for a gym, and no need for excuses.
