Considering the popularity of the homemade suspension trainers, I’m sure many will enjoy the video below.  Within the video, you’ll see several additional exercises that can be performed with a suspension trainer (commercial or homemade).

If you are new to this blog, refer to the links below for a few DIY options:

DIY Suspension Trainer – Part 1

DIY Suspension Trainer – Part 2

Another DIY Option

Yet Another DIY Option

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For more homemade equipment ideas, please refer to the link below:

Homemade Equipment Archives

The video below is an advertisement for HBO’s Boxing After Dark series.  Although just a commercial, the story portrayed within is one that has played out many times in real gyms around the world.  Many young lives have been saved by the gym.  I’ve personally seen kids who went from the street corner to the blue or red corner inside the ring.

If you’ve been involved in the sport in any capacity, you likely know someone whose life compares to the story portrayed below.  Enjoy…

The video below shows an inexpensive way to create your own reverse hyper station.

Those interested in a plate loading option may prefer the following link.

Homemade Reverse Hyperextension

With either approach, you can expect considerable cost savings when compared to the commercial alternative.

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For more homemade equipment ideas, please refer to the link below.

Homemade Exercise Equipment Archives

The videos below were posted to the blog before but were temporarily removed from Youtube.  Due to the quality of each, both are worthy of a repost.  And yes, arguments could be made for other fights to have been included on either list.  There are obviously several great fights to choose from, but the videos below do capture some incredible highlights.

The Greatest Boxing Knockouts

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Top 5 Fights of the Decade

Similar to a past entry, the videos below are merely commercials, but they certainly get the blood flowing.

The only thing you can count on in any given moment is you…

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Knock knock. Who’s there? The guy that finished second. The guy that finished second who? Exactly…

(An updated version can be seen here)

Earlier this year, I created a video that featured an inexpensive pair of furniture glide pads (original entry).  The gliders came in a 4-pack that cost approximately $10.  It’s been 7 months since I first used the gliders.  They receive regular use from myself and others, yet still work as good as new.

Up until recently, I’ve only used two of the four gliders.  I didn’t need the extra pair that came in the 4-pack.  Since I already had them however, I decided to build a simple hamstring device with the extra two.  In addition to the two gliders, I used scrap wood, a 12 inch piece of pipe and a pipe flange to complete the project.  This tool can be used to add weight to the hamstring exercise seen in the original video (see here at the 1:40 mark).

The Specifics

I cut two short strips of 2×4 to form the bottom portion of the device.  I then attached these pieces to a central 4×4.  An extra strip of 2×4 was then secured to the 4×4.  The extra piece was added to raise the pipe flange slightly higher.  I did this to ensure adequate room for my feet.  I then attached a 12 inch piece of pipe to the flange that sits atop the device.  Next, I nailed two thin strips of wood on each side to serve as foot stops.  They prevent the feet from sliding off the unit when heavy weight is loaded.  My heels fit between the two small strips.

Lastly, I glued  two gliders to the bottom of the unit.

The total cost for this device is less than $10.  It took a few minutes to build and is very easy to use.  The added weight greatly intensifies the bodyweight-only variation.  And while the bodyweight version can be performed with a single leg, I find the added weight to be more challenging (once you hit a certain load).  I’ve tested this unit with 120 pounds without any problems.

Below is a brief video demonstration of the tool.

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For more homemade equipment ideas, please refer to the link below.

Homemade Exercise Equipment Archives

Below is a tutorial for a homemade adjustable box jump stand.

Box Jump Stand

A related video demonstration can be seen below:

Thanks to Schwinners for passing along this article.

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For more homemade equipment ideas, please refer to the link below.

Homemade Exercise Equipment Archives

Three and a half weeks ago, Edison Peña was freed from a mine in Chile where he had been trapped for 69 days.  Throughout the arduous ordeal, Peña regularly took to running the tunnels of the mine.  He did so to prove how much he wanted to live.

Fortunately, his thirst for life has only grown stronger since being rescued last month.  With limited distance running experience and a history of knee problems, Peña ran the New York City Marathon this past weekend.  Refer to the article below for a full recap.

The Miner Perseveres

A related video is also available:

We acquire the strength we have overcome. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Update - This entry first appeared here in August, 2009. It has been revised with the Youtube video below.

Below is a video from a recent (ESPN) Outside The Lines episode.  After watching the video, you’ll realize why written words cannot do justice to the power and significance of the story.  I will not even try.

Stories such as this really put our own daily dilemmas into perspective.  It is safe to say that we can all learn from the courage and perseverance displayed by these two young men.

In the words of John Gardner,

“Self-pity is easily the most destructive of the nonpharmaceutical narcotics; it is addictive, gives momentary pleasure and separates the victim from reality.”

And from an unknown source,

“Self-pity will parch your attitudes, it will paralyze your abilities, and it will put off your achievements. It prohibits excellence and prevents expansion.”

Dartanyon Crockett and Leroy Sutton have both found excellence and continue to expand, so I’m guessing that these men agree with the quoted words above…

Following the recent compilation video, I’ve received several questions about some of the equipment that was seen within.  I will use this entry to link back to prior posts about individual tools.

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Instructions for the homemade suspension trainer can be found here:

http://rosstraining.com/blog/2010/01/13/homemade-suspension-trainer/

Here is the original demonstration video:

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The handstand pushup handles were discussed at the link below:

http://rosstraining.com/blog/2010/07/18/handstand-pushup-handles/

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Information on finding a large tire to flip can be found below:

http://rosstraining.com/blog/2008/09/10/finding-a-tire-to-flip/

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The bike seen within is a Schwinn Airdyne (brutal for conditioning).

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The sandbag loading platform was discussed here:

http://rosstraining.com/blog/2009/08/05/sandbagloading/

Here is the original demonstration video:

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The long dumbbell handle used for rows was built from pipe.   Instructions for homemade dumbbell handles are included within the DIY equipment archives:

http://www.rosstraining.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=157

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The sliders that were used for various core and pushup exercises are discussed at the link below:

http://rosstraining.com/blog/2010/04/14/furniture-glide-pad-demo/

Here is the original demonstration video:

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A variation to the bench used for hamstring training can be found below (nicer version than mine):

http://rosstraining.com/blog/2009/02/14/homemade-hamstring-training/

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The rings used for one-arm body rows can be found here:

http://rosstraining.com/blog/2010/07/26/homemade-suspension-trainer-part-ii/

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The T-handle used for swings was discussed here:

http://rosstraining.com/blog/2008/12/31/homemade-t-handle-demonstration/

Here is the original demonstration video:

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The ramp used for rollouts was discussed here:

http://rosstraining.com/blog/2010/10/06/standing-rollouts-with-a-ramp/

Here is the original demonstration video:

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For more homemade equipment ideas, please refer to the link below.

Homemade Exercise Equipment Archives