Issue No. 32: Use CrossFit to Train for HYROX
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.
💪 Use CrossFit to Train for HYROX: Today, I will explore how CrossFit can be used as an effective training method for HYROX and how athletes can tailor their workouts to maximize performance. If you are a gym owner, use this to help guide your athletes to a successful HYROX event while keeping them in your gym. If you are a CrossFitter, you can use this guide to help conquer any hyrox that crosses your path.
IN THIS ISSUE:
1. 8 Best Hip Flexor Stretches & Exercises
2. VO₂ Max: The Secret to Next-Level Fitness
3. Swing Into Strength with REP Fitness Kettlebells
4. The Hidden Dangers of Tracking Your Every Bite
5. 10 Must-Run Road Races for an Epic Challenge
🐄 🐄 🐄 — John, Nolan and Josh
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8 Best Hip Flexor Stretches & Exercises
Your hip flexors are crucial for nearly every movement — walking, running, even standing up — so keeping them strong and flexible is the key to moving like a well-oiled machine.
The big picture: Your hip flexors are a group of muscles responsible for lifting your knees and bending at the waist. When they get tight or weak (which happens easily from sitting all day), you might experience pain, limited mobility, or even lower back problems. Flexible hip flexors help prevent injury, improve posture, and enhance athletic performance. If you ignore them, you risk muscle imbalances, discomfort, and movement restrictions. Effective stretches and exercises like the half-kneeling hip flexor stretch (great for loosening tight muscles), bridges (to build strength), and leg raises (to activate and stabilize). Incorporating these regularly can work wonders for mobility and pain relief.
The verdict: Your hips do a lot for you — it’s time to return the favor! A little daily stretching and strengthening can keep them flexible, pain-free, and ready to handle whatever movement life throws at them.
VO2 Max: The Secret to Next Level Fitness
Ever wondered how much oxygen your body can guzzle during a workout? Enter VO₂ max — the ultimate fitness metric that sounds fancy but is crucial for anyone looking to up their endurance game.
The big picture: What is VO₂ Max? It's the maximum rate at which your body can consume oxygen during exercise, reflecting your aerobic fitness level. Why Should You Care? A higher VO₂ max means better cardiovascular health, improved endurance, and a lower risk of chronic diseases. How to Improve It: Engage in high-intensity interval training (HIIT), mix up your cardio routines, and consider training at higher altitudes to boost your VO₂ max.
The verdict: Understanding and improving your VO₂ max isn't just for elite athletes; it's a key component of overall health and longevity.
REP Fitness
Swing into Strength with REP Fitness Kettlebells
REP Fitness has got your back (and biceps, and triceps) with their stellar lineup of kettlebells.
The big picture: REP Fitness offers a comprehensive range of kettlebells, from 4kg (9lbs) to 48kg (106lbs), catering to both beginners and seasoned. Precision and Balance: REP Fitness kettlebells are crafted using a gravity die-cast process, ensuring accurate weight and a stable base for your workouts. User-Friendly Design: The kettlebells feature wide handles that comfortably accommodate both hands, making them ideal for exercises like swings and goblet squats. Positive Reception: Fitness enthusiasts and experts alike praise REP Fitness kettlebells for their quality and functionality, often recommending them for home workouts.
The verdict: REP Fitness's kilogram kettlebells stand out as reliable and well-designed tools, making them a worthy addition to any fitness routine.
These cannabis gummies keep selling out in 2025
If you've ever struggled to enjoy cannabis due to the harshness of smoking or vaping, you're not alone. That’s why these new cannabis gummies caught our eye.
Mood is an online dispensary that has invented a “joint within a gummy” that’s extremely potent yet federally-legal. Their gummies are formulated to tap into the human body’s endocannabinoid system.
Although this system was discovered in the 1990’s, farmers and scientists at Mood were among the first to figure out how to tap into it with cannabis gummies. Just 1 of their rapid onset THC gummies can get you feeling right within 5 minutes!
The Hidden Dangers of Tracking Your Every Bit
Ever feel like your diet app is more drill sergeant than supportive sidekick? Turns out, those apps might be nudging us toward unhealthy habits.
The big picture: A major review of 38 studies found that frequent users of diet and fitness apps were more likely to develop unhealthy eating behaviors, compulsive exercise habits, and body dissatisfaction. Instead of simply being a helpful tool, these apps can become a slippery slope toward obsession. Many diet trackers set rigid calorie goals, praise lower food intake, and encourage excessive exercise — all of which can reinforce unhealthy patterns. Instead of focusing on nourishment, users can get trapped in a cycle of restriction and guilt.
The verdict: While diet apps can offer structure, it's crucial to use them mindfully to ensure they support, rather than sabotage, your health journey.
The 10 Must-Run Road Races for an Epic Challenge
Ready to lace up and hit the pavement? Let's dive into some of America's most iconic road races that every runner should have on their bucket list.
The big picture: Imagine dashing through the streets of Atlanta with 60,000 fellow runners, all vying for that coveted finisher's T-shirt, or perhaps conquering the rolling hills of Big Sur with the Pacific Ocean as your backdrop. From coast to coast, the U.S. offers a smorgasbord of road races that combine challenge, scenery, and a dash of local flavor.
The verdict: These races offer unique experiences that blend athleticism with cultural flair. So, pick a race, start training, and get ready to make some unforgettable memories on the road.
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