Shipshape
Rebecca and I may be Newbies at the whole sailing thing, but one thing we do have some experience with is getting and keeping in shape. Having run a Martial Arts gym for well over 2 decades it is almost impossible for us to not see the exercise opportunities that exist, even on a small boat. Yes, being on a boat does present its own set of challenges, but nothing that can’t be easily overcome with some experience and creativity. We plan to use this page to share some of our fitness strategies both on the water and in far off places that we visit!
Here are a couple of examples from our recent trip to Amherst Island, Lake Ontario.
we LOVE the TRX!
First, it should be obvious to anyone following along in our blog that we LOVE the TRX! In our opinion it is the perfect match for the sailor looking to keep in shape. It is small, lightweight, durable and super versatile. It can easily be attached on just about any boat in seconds and can just as easily be taken ashore to use on some nice sandy beach! The following video shows Rebecca and I doing one of our favorite types of workouts with the TRX. We each take turns choosing an exercise until we have both completed 20 different ones (plus a couple of warmup sets). This is fun way to structure a session because we never know exactly what is coming next, and neither of us can simply choose the exercises that we enjoy or find easy!
Don’t have a TRX (yet)? No problem. While suntanning on our catamaran’s trampoline Rebecca concocted the following little bit of exercise fun.
- tread water 1 min.
- climb up and down transom steps 10x
- tread water 30 secs (arms only)
- back out of the water and do 10 suspended leg raises in cockpit
- front crawl to front of boat
- tread water 30 secs (legs only)
- climb rope and climb up onto tramp
- 10 side step ups each leg on front seat
- reverse workout… climb back down rope… tread water (legs only)… etc.
Caution: Boat decks are slippery when wet. Use care when moving about the boat when your feet are wet. We want you healthy, not broken!
More to come!
Sailors ( in training) and Martial artists Cool!
by golly that lady !! really is in good shape !!!
Hi Mike & Rebecca
Were hooked!!!! Love the TRX . Just what the Doctor ordered. We will order one through the link on your website.
It was nice to meet you guys today. Looking forward to a trip to Waupoos perhaps.
Great Website!!!!! I like the Trx demo to!
Terry & Anneke
Pirate Jenny
Hi guys
Very nice to meet you (again) today! We definitely hope that we can get out sailing together this season. Your boat Pirate Jenny is a beauty!
As for the TRX, we really do think it is perfect for sailors/cruisers. If you want some tips on how to use it once you get yours just come and find us. Rebecca teaches both group classes and private sessions with the TRX and would be happy to help.
Mike
I love your website, I have just started cruising and would like to know how you hook up your TRX and to what? My boat is a monohull, Sabre 34.
Keep the great emails coming, thanks.
MB
Hi MB
Thank you.
We attach our TRX to a loop of line wrapped around our mast. We have used the TRX on several monohulls and in some cases, have found their foredecks to be even better for an exercise area than the tramp on our cat. If you have (or get) a TRX please send us a pic of you using it on your boat. We’d love to see it. By the way, if you haven’t yet purchased a TRX and you do so through the affiliate links on this site, we’d really appreciate it!
Hi guys, I like your website and its good to see you are enjoying yourselves but isn’t asking for “donations” a bit below your dignity? Come on, either figure out a way to actually pay for all those drinks at the beach bar on your own or pack it in. You don’t expect the rest of us to pay for your extended vacation do you?
Other wise, nice website.
Jealousy is a wonderful thing
Love Love Love this page! You two are an inspiration! <3 Keep posting!!
Thanks very much, Katie!
I will totally try this! HEY if I get anywhere near the results you guys have I’ll be overjoyed! Love it!
Go for it!
I found your blog by accident when researching the TRX. We use it at the kickboxing studio I go to and I had to have one once I saw your video clips. Is there any way you can post a picture of how you have yours rigged up on the boat? We have a Valiant 40 and would love to use it there! I read the above description, just would love a pic to show my husband since he isn’t as familiar with the TRX.
Hi Erin
Check out this video:
http://youtu.be/hgQ_HVWo5RI
Look at the 1:26 mark to see how we have it rigged. The TRX is simply attached to a loop of line run around the mast above the boom.
I’m so glad I met you both the night before I headed back to Shanty Creek in Michigan. It was such fun to be included in your cocktail party before the BBQ. Scott and Brittany are so lucky to be your friends and join you in firefighting, sailing, and drinking. Now I see why your both in such excellent physical shape! Good luck in your next journey and hopefully I’ll see you again. Thanks so much for the rum and wine! I will be following your blog along with windraveler.
Sue
Thanks Sue. It was great to meet you too. Thanks for joining us on board ZTC.
Hey guys,
Great site. The TRX seems like a perfect sailing tool for working out. But don’t you sometimes miss using weights? I get that you have space and weight limitations, but have you looked at a Power Block? Leaving weight out of the equation for now, you can get a full set of dumbbells that fit in a 2×2x1 area. The bigger question then becomes the weight. Is it possible o sacrifice 100 pounds of payload to carry a set…
Hi John
Yes, we love the TRX and think it’s ideal. Although Rebecca and I have done plenty of weight training in the past, carrying weights on board our boat, even a package as efficient as PowerBlocks, isn’t really in the cards. On a bigger boat, perhaps. Rebecca does quite regularly do sandbag workouts though, using a duffel filled with line and chain (which have other purposes). That is a great adjunct to the TRX.