Hello, New York & New Jersey!

Sports Authority Paramus, NJ at the Garden State Plaza is having their Grand Reopening July 12, 2014 and you won’t want to miss it.   The event begins at 8AM so get there early and enjoy some great prizes. The first 250 customers will have a chance to win up to $500 in mystery bucks, and everyone will have a chance to win $100 gift cards or even a $500 shopping spree.  This is an event you will be able to enjoy with the entire family so don’t forget to bring the kids. Meet Jason Pierre Paul of the New York Giants, enjoy the live DJ, photo-booth, face-painting, balloon artist and more…See you there!

Don’t forget to print the attached flier and enjoy a $10 off your order of $30 or more.

TRUEFORM RUNNER by Samsara Fitness

I recently came across this fantastic product at the Reebok Invitational Spartan Race held April 27, 2014.  Although quite tired after racing the course, I could not resist, but give this puppy a try.  Check me out here:

Awesomeness!  That is the perfect word to describe this innovative way to run in the comfort of your own home or gym space. The new Trueform Runner is a treadmill that provides the fitness enthusiast with a new state of the art product where they feel as if they were running outside.   Since you can change the belt or get the belt of your choice to simulate a particular terrain you will always feel as if you were running on new grounds. Additionally, since you are running on a different type of treadmill structure as a whole, your body and breathing will also feel the difference and at the same time it will help the runner run properly. What I mean by that is that, if you don’t have a proper running stance you will need to work harder, the better the stance the better the run. Actually, for a more thorough description of this fantastic treadmill, I’ll just let you hear it for from Jeff Vernon.

If you want to give one of these babies a try or want to be one of the first to own one, you can contact them here.  http://www.samsarafitness.com/

Coach Aragon
AROO!

Spartan Race 300 Workout Tour - Randall's Island NY, NY

What a kickass experience this weekend was, surrounded by hundreds upon hundreds of fellow Spartans at Randall's Island (NY, NY). This past Saturday on March 22, 2014, alongside Don Devaney, I got to be part of what many would consider, a life-changing event, the Spartan Race 300 Workout Tour. The Spartan Race 300 workout tour is lead by Don Devaney, which will be reaching cities all over the country...

Look for your city here (http://spartanraceworkout.com). 

The workout tour is a free event that consists of a Spartan based workout routine with the simple goal of testing your limits and getting individuals motivated to get off the couch and find out that they are capable of much more than they give themselves credit for. Hundreds showed up to test their limits and found out that they can conquer anything when they put their minds to it. They were left having experienced not only a great workout, but gaining a lifetime of motivating advice from Don Devaney that will help guide them in conquering the next challenge in their lives.

As for me, not only did I get to be a part of this event as the Spartan Street Team Leader, but I was also granted by Don the opportunity to lead the crowd in a Spartan Group X workout. As a Certified Spartan Group X Coach, I was honored for this opportunity because it gave the chance to share with hundreds of Spartans a taste of Aragon’s Spartan Group X Training. 

For more info on when or where NJ Spartan Group X classes are going to be held check us out at (www.aragonfitnes.com).

See you at the Finish Line! AROO!

Photography by Michael Chan

Video clips by Ramon Antonio Frias

                      

Super Powered Oatmeal

I came across this awesome Refrigerated Oatmeal breakfast/snack idea that I couldn't resist to share with you all.  Mainly because, as a Spartan athlete I tend to burn a crazy load of calories and this snack for me is just remarkable.  It replenishes my body with important nutrients and fills my hunger void with good calories. 

I have already made various flavors and I love them all.  The most recent one I made is the Apple Cinnamon flavor.  To give you an idea of the nutritional value of this snack here is a breakdown of the cinnamon flavor one.  Mix the following ingredients in a 16 to 18 oz. glass jar and refrigerate for 24-48 hours.  The oatmeal and chia seeds will absorb all of the liquid and expand.  Make several jars (could be different flavors) for on the go breakfast or snack time.

Refrigerated Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Essential Ingredients	Benefits	Calories
½ cup of dry oatmeal	lower risk of: high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease	75
½ cup of 1% or Fat Free milk	good sources of nutrients: protein, calcium, vitamin D	60 - 65
4oz of Plain Greek Yogurt	contains good-for-you bacteria & loaded with vitamins	65
2 tbsp. of Chia Seeds	boosts energy, stabilizes blood sugar, aids digestion, and lowers cholesterol	15
Ingredients that can change
3 tbsp. of unsweetened applesauce	Dietary fiber keeps your digestive system functioning regularly	18
½ tsp. of powder cinnamon	Can control blood sugar, powerful anti-bacterial against stomach bug	6
1 tsp. of brown sugar	more natural state sugar that is not enriched with industrial additives	11
½ tsp. of vanilla extract	sexual stimulant, alleviates anxiety, high levels of antioxidants	6
	TOTAL CALORIES	256

There are tons of creative ways to make this breakfast/snack oatmeal by modifying the “Ingredients that can change.” You can do so by adding your favorite fresh cut fruits, sweeteners, chocolate ect.  When I say sweeteners or chocolate try to stay away from the really processed stuff; use ingredients such as honey, agave, molasses, brown sugar or dark chocolate, vanilla extract, almond extract or maple syrup, just to name a few.  You can really have fun with these by playing with the fruits and sweeteners.   See more flavors here.

As you can see this recipe includes Chia Seeds which is an essential ingredient to this recipe.  Here are some additional benefits of Chia seeds which I have extracted from the original article which you can find here: http://www.theyummylife.com/Refrigerator_Oatmeal

• have more Omega 3 fatty acids than flax seed (important for heart health)
• are the richest non-marine whole food source of Omega-3 (better than salmon)
• absorb 10 times their weight in water and transform into a gel-like substance--great for athletes for maintaining hydration and helps with weight loss by making you feel full longer
• are as high in protein as quinoa
• are loaded with calcium, potassium, Vitamin B, and anti-oxidants
• help balance blood sugar via the gelling action of the seed and it’s unique combination of soluble and insoluble fiber that slow down your body’s conversion of starches into sugars 
• have a neutral taste so they will take on the other flavors in a recipe
• can be eaten whole (unlike flax seed); they don't have to be ground before adding them to food in order to digest them and benefit from their nutrients
• have a two year shelf life, stored at room temperature (flax seeds quickly become rancid and lose their nutritional value)

  Sources:  Dr. Weil,  NutritionData, LiveStrong, Huffington Post

I hope you enjoy this delightful recipe as much as I do!  Stay active and nourish your body well!

Jonathan Aragon & Karintia De Jesus

SPARTAN UP with Joe De Sena

Use Discount Code at checkout: STFU08

Dear Spartan,

Spartan Up!: A Take-No-Prisoners Guide to Overcoming Obstacles and Achieving Peak Performance in Life

That's right folks, Joe De Sena, the person that fueled the creation of Spartan Race is now releasing his spartan wisdom and knowledge to the rest of the world. This is absolutely a book to check out. With it's real life take on it, this book is sure to touch many lives.

Place at least one order today! By doing so, not only will you be getting a great deal but you will also be aiding me to achieve my quota to get some Reebok gear to compete with this year! 

Reasons WHY to Pre-Order your copy before April 29th:
- SAVE 10% OFF
- FREE SHIPPING
- FREE EXCLUSIVE "Spartan UP" T-Shirt 
- HELP ME achieve my goal by purchasing at least one copy

You will be among the first to get this incredibly LIFE motivating book!

On top of that, by HELPING yourself, you help a fellow Spartan as well.

Click the link Below:

Use Discount Code at checkout: STFU08

Spartan MoMs & DaDs

Lead by example…an active parent leads to an active child!

SPARTAN CODE: “A Spartan LEADS!”

We are very well aware of the high rate in child obesity and as parents it is our job to keep this number as low as possible.  It is no secret that obesity is the cause of many problems in our society, for instance health issues, mood swings, unhappiness, no desire to try new things, just to name a few.  We also, know that our children copy everything we do!  So why not lead by example and teach them the path to a healthier lifestyle, one that will benefit them as they grow into adulthood and one that will benefit us in return in staying active.

Here is the 2013 Statistical Fact Sheet from The American Heart Association

(23.9 million Children ages 2 to 19 are overweight or obese)

Full article here: http://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@sop/@smd/documents/downloadable/ucm_319588.pdf

           

        Children by nature love to be active; they like to jump, run, climb, swim, etc.  Our job is to use that to our advantage and join them in the fun.  Just the mere fact that they see you enjoying those moments with them, not only does it entice them to do it more, but it also helps in their psychological development to be active and happier children.  Although, joining them in their fun times is awesome for them and for you, it doesn't always have to be with children’s games.  For example moms and dads can go out for jogs/walks with their kids in the jogging stroller or bike riding with the child strapped in the child bicycle seat or simply doing a workout video at home while your child is in the playpen or high-chair watching you. Spartan Race is a great activity to bring the whole family together! So join the race, bring your kids to take on the Junior Spartan Race and team up with other parents for many more future family adventures, activities, and Spartan memories! They are absorbing everything they see and there is a huge chance they will copy those great habits. 

        

Me (Aragon) with my daughter Kiara        Kari out for a jog with Kiara

Kiara at Tuxedo Spartan Sprint

Check out Will & Karen Vanderhorst with their daughter Isabel

Another important factor is guiding them to eat better.  For their meals and snacks always choose healthy, yet delicious foods such as, whole wheat grains, cereals, fruits, veggies, yogurts, etc.  

Check out some healthy meals and snacks ideas for kids here:

(1)http://allrecipes.com/howto/healthy-snacks-for-kids/  

(2)http://www.prevention.com/food/smart-shopping/10-healthy-kids-snacks-and-organic-foods-parents-will-want-eat

If we can help child obesity in any way, the best ways is to start with our own children; let’s teach them the path towards health & fitness and help create a healthy-active environment. 

See you at the RACE! AROO!

Coach Jon Aragon

Spartan Beach Workout

Before laying on your beach chair, give yourself a reason to Snooze! The beach is a great place to change up the scenery from the daily gym or park. Plenty of sun, sand, and the ocean waves in the background, make for an excellent Spartan workout atmosphere.

When going on vacation I always take my gym with me, and that’s my empty heavy duty nylon duffle bag. A small duffle bag is perfect for a variety of exercises, which you can do anywhere anytime. To adjust weight, all you have to do is simply add or remove sand to the desired weight. I always prefer to use dry sand; this is the sand you come across near the entrance of the beach. The dry sand makes it easier to fill up your bag and is less of a mess to empty when done. If you want to be a hardcore Spartan about it then feel free to dip it in the ocean and toss your sandbag around.

Now to find the appropriate weight to do most exercises with, fill up your bag and do a bicep curl with one arm. If you are able to curl the bag then it’s going to be too light when you use it for full body movement exercises such as swings, squats, and burpees. The bag should be very difficult to curl or not at all. Of course adjustments during the workout can be made in seconds by removing or adding sand.

Here is a great workout I recently did on my trip in South Carolina:

-         1-2 min Sand Bag Swings

-         1-3 mile Jog

-         1-2 min Sand Bag Switches (Switch hands at the top)

-         1-2 min Sand Bag Curl Cleans (Hold palms facing out, preform clean)

-         1-2 min Sand Bag Beast Crawls (Place bag on shoulder blades, Crawl)

-         1-2 min Single Arm Presses (Spilt time in half, exp. 1min each side)

-         1-2 min Single Arm Upright Rows (Raise hand to chain EVERY REP)

-         1-2 min Spartan Burpee (Chest must touch ground, push press up)

-         Repeat 2-5 times

Enjoy and see you at the RACE! AROO!
SGX Coach Aragon