Those of us over 50 should not shy away from the functional/unconventional training seen here at My Mad Methods. The advantages of these fun and challenging workouts have a lot to offer people coming up to retirement age, and many Baby Boomers who have had limited success with the “standard “ gym environment find that the intelligent application of these techniques rescue us from the boredom of bodybuilding-style workouts. This hybrid/alternative style of training will give you new goals to strive for and can ignite a competitive fire not seen among your contemporaries cruising on golf carts.

By Rik Brown

Being involved in the military might include stress levels that are far beyond the recommended daily allowance. Then again, it might involve only typing or vehicle maintenance. One thing is for sure, most military careers involve doing the push up. Perhaps the most fundamental of all bodyweight drills, the push up not only involves strengthening and localized endurance of the chest, shoulders, and arms, but also the bracing of the torso. This bracing or stability is often referred to these days as core strength. I tend to think that we want to avoid comparisons to aerobics bunnies and harpy-like reality show trainers, so we will avoid the word: core. Let us instead focus on bracing and stability and its primary drill: the plank.

By Tom Furman

Contractors are a huge part of the U.S. Military effort to combat insurgents in the Middle East region. As a Contractor, I am required to maintain a high level of physical fitness for several reasons, not the least of which is being “in shape” makes moving under a full combat load in scorching hot temperatures more tolerable. I added emphasis to the words “in shape” in order to remind readers that being in shape is a highly activity-specific condition. Case in point, a competitive swimmer is undoubtedly “in shape,” however, that particular condition is of no value to me, I operate in a desert environment.

By The Contractor

Physical Training (PT) has been a major part of the American Military since the early days of war and military conflict. American military soldiers have been widely regarded as some of the most physically fit and inshape men and women the nation has to offer. Whether a person is a veteran or not, almost everyone is familiar with the image of a drill sergeant barking out commands while a group of soldiers perform endless repetitions of calisthenics that will ultimately give them a lean, muscular physique that looks as if it was chiseled from stone. A soldier entering the Armed Forces in this day and age can expect to spend his or her first few weeks of service fully involved in various PTrelated tasks that are designed to “whip them into shape,” and also test the physical and mental skills of the soldier.

By Casey Kramer

Over the past few years I have wholeheartedly embraced unconventional fitness training methods. My desire was to take my strength, conditioning, and threshold of pain somewhere it has never been. This desire was rooted in the fact that my job requires me to be in excellent shape; having been a United States Marine for the past fifteen years (and counting), fitness has been a significant part of my life. A few years ago the Marine Corps implemented what is called the Combat Fitness Test in order to ensure Marines are ready for what they will potentially face in combat. We have always used what could be considered unconventional methods. After all, what is our obstacle course if not a step away from the norm? Recognizing the need for this type of conditioning, it is now an evaluated requirement.

By Angel Otero