fizzYcaL

The Blog Has Moved...

2015-03-12T19:22:00.000+00:00

We've made some adjustments to our website and have moved the blog HERE.

You can expect the same quality musings on a fancy new site.

Thanks for your support readers!

The fizzYcaL story continues!

We're 7 Years Young Today...

2015-01-21T09:13:00.001+00:00

We’re 7 years young today!

It’s been a challenge but what’s not to enjoy about meeting, connecting and being inspired by fitness folk on a daily basis.

Here’s to your fitness journey’s whatever stage your at and here’s to another 7 years of fitspiration for us!

Use the code 'Happy Birthday' at the checkout on fizzYcaL.com from now until midnight 22nd January (GMT) and you'll get a 10% discount!

Patience, People! Patience!

2015-01-17T09:53:00.000+00:00

Taken from our YouTube interview "American Calisthenicians in London."

Year Of The Six Pack: Resolution Survival Tips...

2014-12-31T08:40:00.002+00:00

A little known astrological fact, caused by a peculiar quirk of the universe is that 2015 is again the year of your six pack.

And with the season of over indulgence ended what you need are some ideas to help keep your good intentions ticking over for the ENTIRE year.

For a successful fitness regime to survive long past January you'll need ACCOUNTABILITY, FOCUS, STIMULATION and THE RIGHT UNIFORM.

- ACCOUNTABILITY

Having someone in your corner who you're regularly answerable to and who can motivate you when your cup of motivation is running below...runneth over, can keep you on the right path.

You could make a gym buddy fitness pact and commit to x number of sessions each week with them.

Or you could get a personal trainer. Even well weathered highly motivated fitness freaks benefit from employing a PT to coach them through their troughs and plateaus.

If each year you're failing to commit to your fitness resolution passed spring, and you can afford a couple of sessions a week with a personal trainer then shake off the Ebenezer and get yourself that coaching.

Another option is to take a fitness selfie once in a while. A short sharp regular dose of narcissim acts as a public declaration that you're in this for the long haul. Also, if you're open and honest about your journey you'll very likely get words of encouragement and support that'll far outweigh any embarrassment.

- FOCUS

Less is most certainly more. Reduce your fitness goals so they're manageable and acheiveable. Seek and destroy by having one or two fitness goals to focus on rather than crashing and burning by overwhelming yourself with too many.

Step off the scales and learn to love the process. Find the fitness activity that you really enjoy doing. Fitness is not a one size fits all, what's good for Peter may not be good for Paul. Some people reach their fitness goals with CrossFit others with Zumba, some with martial arts and others with yoga!

- STIMULATION
Our mate Ralph, Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "It is a happy talent to know how to play." Whatever you do keep your fitness activity fun. Play with it and leave the boring stuff for the 9-5.

Every so often give yourself a reward for a goal well achieved. Obviously avoid sticky sugary empty carby rewards.

- THE RIGHT UNIFORM

And talking of rewards, treat yourself to some new fitness wear. What you wear can do wonders to how you feel.

Popping into the gym, the yoga stuido or jogging in the park looking like the proverbial million dollars can make you feel like the proverbial million dollars.

That old t-shirt, those over stretched jogging pants and them beat down sneakers ain't gonna cut it this year! Checkout our store for some cool fitness wear.

The Calisthenic Renaissance Man...

2014-12-09T09:20:00.000+00:00

fizzYcaL's gold standard...

2014-12-03T07:49:00.003+00:00

Last week we dropped the first in our new line of 50 limited edition sweaters as part of the fizzYcaL50 range.

This baby here is called the 'gold standard.' Each sweater comes with a numbered authentication card.

Currently there are less than 10 in each of the 5 sizes.

So get yours now whislt stocks last as we won't be printing these ever again - fizzYcaL.com

Ricky Blaze Ft. Kranium & Shaggy - "Overrated"

2014-11-27T10:29:00.001+00:00

photo via thedropfm.com

Brooklyn Bwoy Ricky Blaze has teamed up with Shaggy and Kranium for electro dancehall magic "Overrated."

It's a serious party/workout starter! Press play...and let it move ya!

New Style Hustle Revisted...

2014-11-27T09:51:00.001+00:00

We first posted this video in 2011! And it's still fresh!

Our slogan's "shake up the routine" and New Style Hustle does just that - combining swing, salsa, jazz, tango, house, hip hop, breakdance and in this video a touch of whacking!

The Benefits Of Taking The Stairs...

2014-11-27T09:25:00.002+00:00

These 215 steps of the 'Escadaria Selarón' were an essential part of our leg day this time two years ago.

Here are the benefits of stair walking/sprinting:

Muscle Tone & Strength - The calves, the quads, the hamstrings and the glutes, that's all the muscles of the leg get a bloody good workout.

Full Body Workout - Although the bulk of the effort is shared by the legs, the pumping of the arms and shoulders help propel you upwards and forwards.

Fat Dynamite - Need we explain? Try climbing at least 100 steps a day and see what happens.

Cardiovascular Fitness - It's a great way to strengthen the heart and lungs. You'll find that after doing a few flights of stairs your chest will be beating like a drum (don't overdo it though).

Abbreviated Workout - Some brainy scientists have established that it provides fat burning and cardiovascular benefits three times faster than walking or running on flat ground.

Safer For Knees - Compared to running or walking on a flat surface, stairs are low impact. And as long as good technique is maintained, and there are no pre-existing issues it can be a much better alternative.

Bang For Your Buck - It's cheap as chips! Works your lower and upper body. Torches fat. Provides cardiovascular benefits. Saves time. Better for the knees. That's six for the price of one, or your unhealthy life back.

Challenge Yourself: lunge, hop, take two steps at a time, walk side ways, if your brave enough walk backwards or use weights (try piggybacking someone).

The Last Of The Original fizzYcaL Greens...

2014-11-07T11:41:00.002+00:00

Just a few of the original fizzYcaL greens left. Grab one of the last ones at fizzYcaL.com.

What Wizardcraft Is This?!

2014-11-07T11:37:00.001+00:00

photo: audrey janssens

Hip hop, dancehall, electro, house and the sounds of Africa and South America are just some of the musical influences behind Douster's sound.

The young French man who hails from Lyon recently dropped a track called "Bololoflex" which has a Baile Funk/Funk Cariocan feel about it.

It's pure wizardcraft! Listen for yourselves...

Calisthenics's Renaissance Man Ben Wachenje...

2014-11-07T07:58:00.003+00:00

Ben Wachenje aka Bro Ben is a family man, a filmmaker, an artist, a musician and a fitness enthusiast. The renaissance man has used his talents to pay tribute to his passion for health and fitness. And he is well known in the modern calisthenics movement for giving the sport cinematic shine.

A huge, huge inspiration to me (Ify) and plenty of others connected to the calisthenics movement I thought it would be cool to see the man in front of the camera for once and get to know what makes him tick:

Ben: "I'm not training to look good naked. Even though we do that as well. You want to feel confident, you want to feel good about yourself.

But it is not just about that now. I want to try and shape the body that is going to see me into my twilight years and I won't be a burden on my wife, and I won't be a burden on my children.

I don't want my children to have to push me in a wheelchair because I’ve eaten too much food."

Subscribe to fizzYcaL TV for the full interview coming soon.

One Legged Skateboarder Clément Zannini...

2014-11-06T12:20:00.001+00:00

photo: youtube/fabian doerigClément Zannini you G! If you're born with one leg the odds of becoming a skateboarding star are heavily stacked against you.This young French man done just that by pushing his body and his prostehtic leg to the extreme.According to Fabian Doerig, who shot the video, "He practices almost every day. Sometimes he breaks the fake leg - he told me it happens about once a month."I'll say it again, "Clément Zannini you G!"

Vanna wears fizzYcaL...

2014-11-05T15:46:00.000+00:00

photo by jalu

Vanna of Barz Are My Hustle and Barstarzz rocking our fizzYcaL hot pink hoodie.

Only a few available so head on over to fizzYcaL.com to get yours.

Enjoy The Process...

2014-10-30T18:16:00.001+00:00

Partner Workout Ideas...

2014-10-29T08:31:00.004+00:00

Post by fizzYcaL.

Pak Man's 5 Track Madness...

2014-10-29T08:15:00.000+00:00

Pak Man is a collaboration between Brooklyn based Mixpak Records and Berlin natives Man Recordings.

Inspired by the sounds of the Caribbean, Africa, grime, jackin house and electro the team has created a head nodding, foot stomping, sweat inducing 5 track madness!

Chatting Calisthenics with MR Calisthenics...

2014-10-23T17:31:00.000+01:00

Ukraine, Austria, Russia, Switzerland, Ireland, France, Iceland, Norway, & the UK are just some of the countries a career in calisthenics have allowed Mark Leitz & Rick Seedman to visit and teach in.

For their third time in the UK the American calisthenicians chilled at fizzYcaL's 'HQ', unfolded a couple of deck chairs on an unusually sunny day and had a chat with fizzYcaL!

What A Difference A Decision Makes...

2014-10-07T11:14:00.001+01:00

Silly title but bare with me. When it comes to weightloss there's so much information out there that you can become easily overwhelmed.

In my expereince (and I'm no personal trainer or scientist just a self confessed fitness geek) those that are successful make small and simple decisions, gain momentum then make another small adjustment until the bad habits they lived by become alien.

Sean (pictured above), for example went from unhealthy and overweight to become one of the fittest people I know.

A small lifestyle decision led to many more positive ones which unearthed a passion and a vocation. The father of two now owns Training House Gym a successful fitness facility in West London's popular Maida Vale. And he is currently looking for a second site for a new gym. What a difference a decision makes!

If weightloss is your aim keep in mind that overwhelm is the mother of procrastination and make a small decision today, run with it and when it starts to feel comfortable, maybe even habitual, add another decision that flys you nearer to your goal and so on, and so on.

Good luck!

Taking A Paolo Punch To The Eardrums...

2014-09-14T11:26:00.001+01:00

Screenshot: Daniel Wolfe/Paolo Nutini/YouTube

It's a soulful sunday and Scotland's very own Paolo Nutini is blowing up the speakers at fizzYcaL HQ.

'Iron Sky' is absolutely wunderbar. It sounds like some sort of call to action or a soundtrack to protest.

And what a touch with that Charlie Chaplin speech from 'The Great Dictator'.

If you thought the track was mind-altering the accompanying visuals by Daniel Wolfe are bonkers - seriously f*cking eerily awesome:

If that was too disturbing try the Abbey Road live session on the for size:

Pleasant Seaside Trip Turns Into A Battle...

2014-09-13T07:31:00.001+01:00

'The Battle of Hastings 2014 - 1on1 Freestyle Streetworkout Battle' which took place on the 23rd August in...Hastings was hosted by IAMBARFIT and featured some of the UK's finest bar athletes.

Thanks to special guests, judges and organisers:

Danyal Griffiths (IAMBARFIT), Vanna Chiovanna (24sevenbarz & BarStarzz), Neill Timms (InciteFitness), Kaspars Maksimovs (Maksimum Effort Fitness), Amyn Ali and Maisy Goulding (IAMBARFIT)!

I captured the entire battle on the Go Pro Hero 3+ at 1080p and 30fps (I should have known better. Next time it'll be 60fps)!

Watch the video and subscribe to fizzYcaL TV, thanks! And enjoy...

Punching And Kicking Gisele...

2014-09-11T07:42:00.004+01:00

Screenshot: Under Armour/YouTube

When Under Armour announced that supermodel Gisele Bündchen would be part of their 'I Will What I Want' women's campaign the internet very nearly collapsed under the strain of commentary.

According to reports passionate trolls and keyboard jockeys from around the globe stopped self-massaging long enough to vent their anger and frustration. And guess what? Not a dent was left on the supermodel's billion dollar throne.

Instead Gisele's ad uses a selection of the less vile, PG comments (some are positive) and sees her 'answering' them with punches and kicks.

"Is modeling now a sport?" *Front kick* "Under Armour. WTF?" *Jab* "Stick to modelling sweetheart." *Right cross* "Giselle is soooooo fake." *Headbutt* "She’s old." *Spinning bird kick*

If 60 seconds of Gisele taking abuse and symbolically seeing off attackers is not enough then Under Armour have kindly put together an interactive version of the ad which displays real time social comments.

Poor Sleep Infographic...

2014-09-10T09:36:00.002+01:00

Illustration: Evans Health Lab

Mike Evans is a world renowed Doctor who has the knack of making health and the science behind health palatable to the general public.

He uses video and graphics (like the one above on poor sleep) to memorably illustrate the dos and don'ts, and the how's and how to's of keeping your body in good order.

Checkout his website for more healthful knowledge.

One Of The Strongest Lifts There Is...

2014-09-05T16:38:00.000+01:00

Trying to make sense of it over and over in your head. Asking what ifs and whys and never being greeted with a satisfactory answer.

You're into fitness - you pull, push and lift better, faster and stronger than the average. But grief is a leveller that doesn't discriminate.

Picking yourself up from grief is the strongest lift there is, and using your passion as mission to honour the life of a loved one is quite possibly the best place to start.

From her cancer diagnosis to the worsening of her illness Keetje Steel raised £5,000 for 'The St Peter and St James Hospice & Continuing Care Centre' where she was admitted. The centre provides "specialist care, love and support for those living with progressive, life limiting illnesses," but does so with a little as 14% of funding coming from government.

In May this year Keetje lost her battle with cancer. Her son Aslan, calisthenician and co-founder of the BarMob took up his mother's mission and aims to match Keetje's £5000.

Aslan's fund raising challenge '10 Extreme Holds on 10 Extreme Machines' took place on the 23rd August and covered a distance of 200 miles in less than 10 hours:

Having lost family members to cancer and seeing the positive and constructive way that Aslan is honouring his mother we have donated and ask that you please help him to reach his target too. Full details of the challenge and how to donate are here.

From Suicidal To Climbing Fame...

2014-09-02T07:37:00.000+01:00

Jyothi Raj is now one of the most recognised faces in the rock climbing world. But before his climbing career life provided a different challenge.

A challenge that drove him to suicide and through a twist of fate led him to the notoriety and fame that he enjoys today.

Armed with just chalk powder, a strong grip and unwavering confidence Jyothi free solo climbs some of the most intimidating natural and man-made structures.

This short documentary on the man known as "Kothi Raju" or "The Monkey King" gives us insight into the beginnings of his career, his motivations and his 'pay it forward' endeavours.