First Gym Characters Post

This is the First Gym Characters post

First Fitness and Sports Post

This is the first fitness and sports post

Remembering Coach Kenneth Gibler

Kenneth Gibler was my college football coach at Missouri Valley College, and (next to my father) inspired me the most to be the best that I could be. “The Gib” was the name we all attributed to Coach Gibler when speaking of him in private, but in person it was “Coach” or “Coach Gibler,” because that is the kind of respect he deserved from all the young men who played for him. Coach was a stickler for discipline and doing the right thing both on and off the field. He wanted you prepared for the games, but more importantly, for anything that came at you in life. I know, personally, he made me a better player just because I didn’t want to let him down on or off the field. His constant reminder of “you’re only as good as your word,” was an honor he wanted to instill in every individual he was ever associated with. This is how I have insisted on living my life, and realize I owe so much to my former coach.

Coach treated everyone with respect, unless you disrespected him or your word, and would think little of anyone who so chose to go that route. I still find myself remembering him when times are tough, and contemplate how he would have handled things. Personally, my respect and admiration for him only grows as I get older and wiser, trying to deal with what seems like insurmountable theft, greed, lies, and cowardice. Gib’s prayer before the game, imploring God to give us the strength, courage and desire to
do the best job we are capable of doing, has never been lost on me.

Catch phrases such as, “Pal, you’re gonna be a good one” and “he’s a dandy,” still bring a smile to my face. We used to joke about it as players, but I used the same connotations and prayer when I became a coach. Coach Gibler was able to bring about the best in those who wanted to succeed, and made those who adhered to his ethics both good athletes, and even better human beings. Everything filtered down from the Gib, and when I was a freshman I had great athletes and individuals to inspire me to grab hold of what coach was teaching. Guys like Marty Riggs, Pete Erndyll, Dan Kratzer, Tony Chandler, Dan Wendt, Phil Willard and Gerald Mansfield were a few of the exceptional athletes who inspired me to keep excelling. All had tremendous character besides their athletic ability.

It was not hard to figure out that Coach Gibler was the common denominator for making us strive for success and help others achieve the same. On my recent move to North Carolina, I met a neighbor who was a former coach and played college ball in Connecticut. He informed me that he had a roommate from my home town (Staten Island, N.Y.) who played on the football team with him. It turned out his roommate was a kid I coached while he was in high school. The kid is now coaching the lineman for Lou Saban at Alabama. When my neighbor told him about meeting me, the coach said, “That’s the guy who made me as tough as I was in football.” This made me feel fantastic because that is what life is all about, helping others!

We miss you, Coach Gibler. You were the “Good One” and “the dandy” combined.

By Coach Reilly

My Number One Reason To Work Out

In writing on this subject, I must admit that in my younger days it would have been to get in shape for an athletic event. Now that I’m nearing Silver Sneaker age (I was instructing the silver’s just a few years ago), my number one reason, by far, is the feeling of euphoria I get after completing a workout where I sweated my butt off. Where I may have been depressed and in a foul mood before exercising, I am now in heaven.

Fitness is like a self-fulfilling drug you can never get enough of once you reach your set point (ideal weight you will stay at forever unless you become a #1 slacker). Coming in at a close number two is the ability to be able to eat what I want once the workout is complete. I dream of the pizza I will be enjoying at the New York Pizza at High House Road and Highway 55 in Cary, North Carolina, or the Tuscan chicken pannini and beer I might savor at Cafe Caturra off of High House & Davis in Cary.

It is monumental to be able to keep the physique you desire, and enjoy the foods you want at any age. Without a fitness lifestyle, that luxury would not be possible for “The Fighting Fireman.” The aftermath of a workout is the greatest high you will ever achieve, and it’s healthy.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving, and don’t slack on the exercise!

Yours In Health,
The Fighting Fireman

Ripped Off At Lifestyle Fitness

Holy Cow! I never swear, and this is the reason I am using the old batman show connotation for my opening. It’s corny and stupid, but it garners attention. My wife and I have been members of Lifestyle Fitness, located in Apex since we moved here in Oct. 2009. We initially tried out another local gym for two weeks, but canceled our membership because the fitness director was a know-it-all, and extremely condescending when it came to the members. When I requested to have a heavy bag installed at the small, but adequate gym, he scolded me that it had been mulled over long before my request, and that there was no adequate area to hang it. Since I boxed professionally for ten years and was part owner/ instructor at my own boxing gym, I had already scoped out five different locations where a bag could be safely hung for members’ use. The next day we were out of there, and his boss lost out $145 per month membership.

Cindy and I immediately checked out the Lifestyle facility which was spacious and more affordable. Our salesperson told us the membership for 2 was $69.98 and we could only use the gym in Apex. That was fine by us since this gym had triple the equipment and space, as compared to the latter. What he failed to explain to us was that there was another plan for a mere $20 a person, in which group classes, tanning bed, and personal training was not included. Since we weren’t interested in any of this, the sales guy (who no longer works there) failed to mention such.

I only learned of this because the Lifestyle Health Club was recently acquired by Life Time Fitness and another gym member mentioned that he was paying the $20-per-month fee and was concerned the new owner might raise the rates. This prompted me to question other members and friends who agreed that I had been snickered, suckered, deceived, ripped off, or whatever you might want to call it. One esteemed member only learned of the $20 deal after his daughter signed up (much later) and mentioned the cheaper option that an honest salesperson disclosed to her.

This is the first time I’ve been ripped off by a gym. I’ve met the best and worst of individuals at the health club and now I know to be wary of the sales people. The only positive is that it was cheaper than being scammed by a used car dealer or a government official. Do your due diligence when you join a health club, so you won’t be labeled a sucker like “The Fighting Fireman.”

Yours in health,
Coach Reilly

Lose Your Beer Gut Forever

When males gain unwanted fat weight, it is mostly in the stomach area; hence, the nomenclature, beer gut. Over the years I’ve often heard females asking if potential dating prospects have a gut or beer gut. It is not a thing of beauty, and I often find myself tightening my stomach isometrically to make certain a gut is not in my immediate future. My wife Cindy warned me before we tied the knot that if a gut ever materializes, I am out the door. Just looking at the individuals who strut around with this type of unwanted body part inspired me to make my midsection the focus of my workouts. From a young age I developed a routine to keep me gut-free forever. The fact that I was involved with athletics on a professional level gave me a decided edge when it came to exercise theory and application.

Trunk flexion and trunk rotation are necessities and have to be thoroughly addressed to excel in these sports. The prime mover is the rectus abdominis, to initiate trunk flexion. The origin of the muscle is the symphysis pubis, and the insertion is by portions into cartilages of the fifth, sixth and seventh ribs. The external and internal abdominal obliques are the prime movers for trunk rotation. The lattissimus dorsi, semispinalis, multifidus, and rotatores are the assistant mover muscles. There is no need to know these unless you are taking an anatomy class, so just remember these as various muscles located in the abdominal region. However, at Absolute Intensity we feel it is imperative to remember that a posterior pelvic tilt is spinal flexion. If you flex your hips before you flex your spine, you can compromise your lower back. To optimize chest work you would stay in retraction, but that is for another day.

Absolute Intensity takes all of the science out of doing the proper exercises for losing your beer gut forever. After forty years of competing in athletics, coaching sports teams, initiating athletic competitions and doing every core exercise imaginable, I have come up with a program, so you can be guaranteed to lose your beer gut forever. Coach Reilly “The Fighting Fireman” is living proof because I’ve had a 32 inch stomach since I was sixteen. Not bad for a heavyweight of 220 pounds.

……………Coach Reilly two months ago………………………………………………………Coach Reilly 15 years ago

The secret to my success is the ability to stimulate the muscle properly. There is a proper warm-up with intensity exercises that work in conjunction with losing the beer gut forever. It is not the quantity of the exercises, as much as it is the proper progressions and how they are initiated. You will be astonished as to how all the exercises interconnect to work all the helper muscles involved. We have added exercises (which you can do while sitting at work) to make you feel more empowered about your new midsection. Sign up and we’ll send you our free Absolute Intensity “Lose Your Beer Gut Forever” program. It is not difficult, and you will be happy you lost your old stomach.

Sign up in the “Contact Us” section of website.

Yours in health,
Coach Reilly

Exercising With and Fighting Germs

The pudgy bald guy wearing Pierre Cardin nerd-style glasses made his way onto the stair stepper. He proceeded at a pace of two miles per hour as I attempted to pick it up a notch on the stair stepper, one exercise machine to his left. I named him Lefty because he kept holding his left hand aloft, while scoping out a hot gal on the treadmill in front of him. I had no gripe with that, since the very blond and fit beauty caught every male eye that was heterosexual.

The initial cough without a hand cover for his rather large mouth gathered my attention, but I gave him the benefit of the doubt and chalked it up as a spontaneous miscue on his part. I figured no one would be so inconsiderate to his fellow members in the workout arena. He couldn’t be so stupid as to think his germs wouldn’t infect another nearby member. Baldelli (that was the name on his jersey) coughed again less than a minute later, and I could see the little devils diving from his ample mouth into the air. I felt them zeroing in on me like the Japanese zero’s to our destroyer’s at Pearl Harbor. Would my antibodies be able to fight these things off? was my immediate concern. As I shielded my face, another blast came at me. The beauty he was checking out in front of him shot back a menacing glance, and Baldelli countered with a huge smile. Over the next ten minutes about five more germ throwers were elicited. I tried to stare him down, but he refused to look my way. I prayed that my antibodies were stronger than his germs, but reasoned his germs must be fighting mad for the sloppy manner in which he treated them.

I hung in there until his workout came to a halt five minutes later, and thankfully watched him lumber off to the lockers; but not before giving the blond beauty a glorious smile in passing. She completely ignored him, and must have wondered if she were already coming down with something. It was not surprising that Baldelli did not wipe off the machine when he was finished. It was as if he wanted the entire exercise world to feel his power.

As soon as I arrived home I fortified my body with enough vitamins to combat the Russian Crud. I devoured a well-balanced meal of baked chicken breast, steamed broccoli, whole wheat pasta with non-fat Italian dressing, lemon tea, and a non-fat granola bar. After my respite, I immediately took my super dog Suki for a short walk, and put myself to bed. The next morning I felt like a champ, and was thankful I had given Baldelli’s unforgiving germs a beating.

Yours in health,
The Fighting Fireman

Alexa Soars For The Stars

I’m always searching for talented athletes who I think have the opportunity to excel in their field. I’ve trained professionally ranked boxers, N.F.L players, college football prospects, elite high school athletes, and select individuals who want to be in top notch physical shape. There are certain qualities that shine when you see someone work out for the first time. Anyone who has participated in my fitness classes, or trained with me in a one on one, knows they are in for the workout of their lives and no nonsense will be tolerated. When I do spot that exceptional athlete, I make a note to look for them as a smashing success in the future.

Some individuals have the talent, but not the attitude; while others have the attitude, but not the talent. Recently, I put a young 13 year old through a workout, and am pleased to announce she has all the tools and the exceptional attitude for great success in any sport she so chooses. At the young age of 13 she is a top notch rock climber. Her name is Alexa Russell and she trains in Morrisville. Rock climbing is a sport in which you must have tremendous upper body and core strength, great balance, agility, exceptional focus, and a one track mind to succeed.

I put Alexa through a ninety-minute workout, which included a circuit type warm-up to hit all the major muscle groups, and she never missed a beat. Most individuals cringe at the mention of burpees and walkouts, but Alexa wasn’t fazed. After a quick twenty minutes of getting loose, Alexa performed sets of bar hangs and pull-ups to perfection. Most guys can’t do five pull-ups, and I rarely see women do them at all, but she was pumping out sets of ten with no problem and could have done many more, if warranted. Between sets of chin-ups Alexa did medicine ball work, body weight squats, cross-over lunges, heavy band work, core progressions, and compound exercises with light weights. She finished up the ninety minutes with three two-minute rounds of a boxing routine. Alexa hit the heavy bag for three, and sparred with the focus mitts for three. I was shocked when Alexa mentioned she never did a boxing workout before, because she punched like a “mule kicking downhill.”

We finished up with some abdominal work and stretching, in which her dad Peter joined in. Alexa was making Pete look bad with the exercises, but he did run a half marathon the prior day, so I gave him some slack. Enclosed are some photos from Alexa’s latest competition in Lynchburg, N.C., where she finished first in her age category and was the highest scoring female overall. From watching her train, I can see that Alexa attacks everything she does with reckless abandon. She would be a number one pick on any team I coached, and is a future star. We’ll keep you updated on the future competitions of Alexa Russell.

ALEXA IN ACTION: VIDEO OF 11/19/11 COMPETITION HIGHLIGHTS – 1ST PLACE IN CATEGORY + 1ST PLACE OVERALL FEMALE

By Coach Reilly

Ace Reilly Answers Questions About “Jobs Heroes Zeroes and Thieves”

After speaking with Australian radio talk show host Anthony Puleo this morning on www.mixitupradio.net about “Jobs Heroes Zeroes and Thieves,” I will be joining host Big Ed tonight on www.gashouseradio.com from Philadelphia, please call in with any questions about fitness and the book.

Yours in health,
Coach Reilly

Be Your Own Fitness Book

After 46 years in the exercise business, and now co-owner and chief writer for the Absolute Intensity fitness website, I have seen all the Christmas and Thanksgiving holiday promotions imaginable. The newest at the local gym of which I am a member is the Black Friday holiday promotion. This constitutes a personal training promotion, but rather than explain such details on the posting, you are directed to contact the personal training staff. This is a fantastic and common ploy for sales management, because once you are unfortunate enough to initiate contact, you will be badgered to the point of thinking you might just have one foot in the grave if you don’t sign up for the personal training they are offering.

Most health clubs have smartened up and now offer all-in-one fitness lifestyles that includes athletic wear and gear, nutritional products, health and fitness videos, and fitness newsletters and books. This gets me riled up, because at Absolute Intensity we ask our members to be their own book. There is no charge for our service, and we provide the best and most comprehensive fitness advice in the world. I say this with confidence because I have lived, practiced, and studied this field my entire life. If you read my book, “Jobs Heroes Zeroes and Thieves,” in which all proceeds totally benefit the UFA Widows’ and Children’s Fund and the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, you will learn firsthand how to become fitness oriented.

The most efficient manner in which to become a fitness guru is to become your own book of knowledge by living the lifestyle. Please don’t buy a book to help the gym’s bottom line when you can surf the internet, ask questions of fellow gym members, practice and invent your own exercises and theories (physical fitness is mostly theory, nothing is absolutely set in stone), or tune in to Absolute Intensity and we’ll assist you free of charge. I’m wishing I had this type of service when I was starting out, and I especially like the part it won’t cost you a penny!! Sign up on site or just ask a question, and we’ll respond within 24 hours or I’ll eat my hat.

Yours in health,
The Fighting Fireman

Americans Are Lazy

I’ve worked my behind off my entire life, and recently published a book entitled, “Jobs Heroes Zeroes and Thieves,” detailing the 51 jobs I’ve been employed in 59 years of life. The majority of my employment has been physical, and to say I’ve had to sweat for a living is putting it mildly. My commitment to physical fitness has been a life long career, from my time as a professional athlete in two sports, football, baseball and basketball coach, international fitness presenter, high school physical education teacher, personal trainer, group fitness class instructor, and local gym owner. At my current website, Absolute Intensity, I offer free personal training advice, diet programming, hard core workout regimens, kid’s champ workouts, and a daily exercise blog complete with optimal fitness videos upon request. Most of the individuals I associate with are of the same work ethic. They may do different modes of exercise and be employed in sedentary occupations, but they are workers who want and strive to better themselves on a daily basis.

This is the reason I took it personally when I heard President Barack Obama say two days ago that Americans have been lazy for the past two decades. Please speak for yourself, Mr. President, because I am anything but lazy. I’ll put myself up against you, and the work ethic of anyone else on the government dole. I haven’t had a vacation in years, and don’t use insider trading when I invest my money. I like my traditions and never act with arrogance towards anybody, least of all my clients, friends, fitness professionals, union workers, and fellow Americans. The only movement I find it necessary to join is the physical fitness movement, and I stand on my own two feet and solve my own problems. Leisure sports like golf and pick-up basketball are activities I don’t have time for. I’m fighting my own battle against arthritis in the hip and shoulder, and suffer breathing complications from my response as a firefighter on 9/11/2001, but I have no right to complain. Our soldiers and wounded warriors have it a lot worse off than I do, and they deserve an apology from you for including them in your callous comments about the American people.

I’ll go a step further and say all of America deserves an apology from you! We are not arrogant and are the furthest thing from lazy. I’ve trained individuals from around the world and competed against the best athletes, and Americans are number one when it comes to competitiveness, toughness, conditioning, and heart. We are always ready to go, and at Absolute Intensity Fitness we inspire our fellow Americans to do just that. America is number one in fitness, health and competitiveness, and we want other countries to be our best customer, rather than us theirs, as you supposed with Brazil. You might need vacations and extra sleep, Mr. President, but the majority of Americans love to work, exercise, and enjoy their freedoms. It is about time you joined us.

By “The Fighting Fireman”

Tribute To Smokin Joe Frazier

Smokin Joe was a fearless competitor inside the ring, and a humble and respectful man when outside of it. He just kept coming at opponents from all angles, and his signature left hook was feared and guarded against by all opponents. [Ali learned the hard way] just what Smokin’s vicious left hook could do to you. Joe gave back more heat than what he received on most occasions, and is my most revered fighter of all time. I fought a heavyweight bout on the same card as his son Marvis, and met Joe at the weigh-in. His most dominant feature was his unusually strong thighs, and I could tell he unleashed every morsel of power from his trunk when he threw the vaunted left hook. We only smiled and said hi when we locked eyes at the New York City Athletic Commission that afternoon, but you could sense the respect he gave everyone who participated in his beloved profession.

I watched Marvis’ bout, which was before mine on the card that evening, and though he was knocked down by journeyman Roger Troop in the first round, he went on to his first professional win. You could see the love and pride emanating from Joe Frazier’s eyes when Marvis was declared the winner. Marvis would go on to fight for the championship and lose, which says a lot for the young man, though he didn’t have the talent and determination of his dad But then again, who did?

Joe opened his own gym in Philadelphia, and helped so many young, aspiring fighters that you can’t measure the good he has provided in this world. He worked hands-on by donating his own invaluable experience to his chargers. Anyone can donate some money and sit back and take praise, but it takes a great man to invest his own sweat and life in other individuals.

Many claim Ali is the greatest fighter of all time, but I’ll take Smokin Joe Frazier any day of the year. Joe wasn’t a talker, but a doer. Ali could talk trash, and most of the time backed it up in the ring; but it was his behind sitting on the canvass after he taunted Joe for months before their first fight. I think Joe won the second fight also, but didn’t get the decision. What I remember most was that Joe helped Ali when he got out of prison, and Ali turned on him for his own benefit.

“A man is only as good as his word,” and Joe Frazier was always true to his. We’ll miss you Joe Frazier, for you are the greatest!

By Coach Reilly

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