Issue No. 29: HYROX Training Plans to Crush Your Race
Good Morning! Welcome to this week’s edition of Morning Cowbell. Let’s take a look at the top stories and coolest trends shaping fitness and health.
💪 HYROX Training Plans to Crush Your Race: HYROX combines endurance, strength, and functional fitness, making structured training essential for success. To help you reach your goals, we've compiled the best free HYROX training resources available online.
IN THIS ISSUE:
1. 9 Unconventional Exercises You’ve Never Tried
2. Best Hack to Make Kettlebell Swings Twice as Explosive
3. Normatec Elite: The Ultimate Wireless Recovery Boot
4. Reverse Aging is Real: How to Turn Back the Clock
5. The Perfect Bedtime for Health and Aging
🐄 🐄 🐄 — John, Nolan and Josh
Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now
9 Unconventional Exercises You’ve Never Tried
Tired of the same old gym routine? Squats, deadlifts, and bench presses are great, but sometimes your body craves something different — something that shocks your muscles into new growth. Here are nine unconventional exercises that will push your strength to new heights.
The big picture: Handstands improve shoulder stability and balance, while claw fingertip push-ups develop insane grip strength. The double kettlebell snatch builds explosive power, and the Jefferson deadlift targets your core and lower body from a unique angle. Zercher squats force your upper body and core to work harder, while sled drags enhance endurance and full-body strength. The Turkish get-up is a total-body stability builder, thick bar training improves grip and forearm power, and sandbag training mimics real-world strength challenges.
The verdict: If you want to get stronger in ways that actually translate to real life, these nine exercises are worth adding to your routine. They challenge your body in new ways, build functional strength, and make workouts way more interesting.
Best Hack to Make Kettlebell Swings Twice as Explosive
Looking to supercharge your kettlebell swings? A simple grip switch from both hands to one can enhance your form and boost power.
The big picture: Switching to a one-handed grip improves form – a two-handed grip often shortens the spine, leading to poor posture. By going one-handed, your body naturally lengthens into a better position, optimizing strength and movement. More power, less effort – this grip change encourages better hip drive, meaning you generate more force while staying controlled, making each rep more effective. Engages stabilizer muscles for a full-body workout – when you remove one hand, your core, shoulders, and back have to work harder to maintain balance, leading to greater muscle activation and improved overall strength.
The verdict: A simple change in grip can completely transform your kettlebell workouts. By switching to a one-handed grip, you’ll improve form, boost explosiveness, and engage more muscles—leading to faster gains and more efficient workouts.
Hyperice
Normatec Elite: The Ultimate WIreles Recovery Boot
The Hyperice Normatec Elite brings pro-level muscle recovery to your home with wireless compression boots designed for faster healing, improved circulation, and ultimate convenience.
The big picture: The Normatec Elite boots are fully wireless, eliminating cumbersome hoses and control units. Each boot has an integrated control panel and compressor, offering up to four hours of battery life for on-the-go recovery. With seven intensity levels and a ZoneBoost feature, users can tailor the compression to target specific muscle groups, enhancing blood flow and reducing soreness. Weighing just 3.2 pounds per boot, the Normatec Elite is portable and easy to use, making it a practical addition to any fitness routine.
The verdict: The Hyperice Normatec Elite compression boots offer a premium, user-friendly solution for effective muscle recovery, making them a worthwhile investment for those serious about their fitness and well-being.
Looking to kickstart the new year with better sleep?
Cornbread Hemp has you covered with their all-natural, melatonin-free sleep support. Their gummies are crafted with USDA organic ingredients like full-spectrum hemp extract, valerian root, lavender, and chamomile, ensuring you avoid the groggy hangover often associated with melatonin. Vegan and guilt-free, they seamlessly fit into your bedtime routine, helping you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Embrace the new year with calm and restful nights, knowing sweet dreams are just a gummy away.
Plus, Cornbread is giving Morning Cowbell readers 30% off your first order when you use code RESOLUTION at checkout.*
*One-time purchases only, cannot be combined with subscription discounts.
Reverse Aging is Real: How to Turn Back the Clock
Science suggests we might be able to slow down, or even slightly reverse, the aging process at the cellular level. This concept, known as "reverse aging," is gaining buzz thanks to longevity enthusiasts and biohackers.
The big picture: It's about reducing your biological age — the true age of your cells — rather than your chronological age. Promising animal studies have shown potential in rejuvenating cells. Factors like regular exercise, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and stress management play significant roles in slowing biological aging. A study highlighted that environmental and lifestyle factors have a more substantial impact on aging than genetics. Research indicates that Omega-3 supplements, Vitamin D, and strength training can contribute to slowing biological aging. However, more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness.
The verdict: While we can't stop the clock, adopting healthy lifestyle habits and staying informed about emerging research can help keep us feeling youthful and vibrant.
The Perfect Bedtime for Health and Aging
Ever wondered if your bedtime could be the secret to aging gracefully? Turns out, hitting the hay between 10 and 11 pm might just be your golden ticket to a healthier brain and heart.
The big picture: Optimal Bedtime: Research suggests that turning in between 10 and 11 pm aligns with our natural circadian rhythms, enhancing deep sleep quality. Brain Detox: Deep sleep activates the brain's glymphatic system, a "deep cleaning" process that clears out toxins linked to dementia. Heart Health: Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, especially with bedtimes between 10 and 11 pm, has been associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases.
The verdict: Prioritizing a bedtime between 10 and 11 pm can be a simple yet effective strategy to support both brain and heart health as we age.
Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now