Fire Service & Fitness

Functional strength

• This is one of the greatest issues I see with health and fitness in the fire service. Everyone I speak to seems to have their “own thing”. From the hard core strength guys bench pressing 550 lbs, to the ogre’s packing on an extra 50 lbs in beef, to the body sculptors who focus on looking good to the gazelles that can run for miles and miles and miles.
  
  For the most part, no one argues with anyone who is active. It sure beats the alternative. However, when it comes to the fire service really none of those things apply. If we find ourselves in a position where we have to push 550 lbs off of our chest, then we have more to worry about than the 550 lbs on our chest. Packing on too much size can be very similar to being obese. It’s still forcing your heart to work more than its designed. As far as running, I’ve never seen a fire scene where someone had to run more than 100 feet, nevermind 3, 5 or 13 miles.
  
  In my opinion, the simple answer is to do what is applicable and practical. Functional strength is the key. To do routines that mimic the movements and there by use the muscles that we will use on the fire ground on any given day. But that’s only half of it. This should be done with an elevated heart rate for prolonged periods of time. A good example of this is HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training).
  
  HIT is full body cardio training where you alternate short, very high intensity techniques with longer, slower intervals of recovery. It is used by athletes of all levels to improve their performance. It’s now being adopted by many military and para-military organizations including the US military.
  
  Why? Because its relative. It throws away all the conventional “workout” garbage you can find in any high school weight room or local gym where people are simply doing a routine they learned from someone back in high school, or by watching God knows who, or maybe it’s a routine they picked up out of some two-bit muscle magazine. Fact is, the fire service is progressing everyday, shouldn’t we?

Accountability

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5 x 5 hybrid

• This is a workout that has become very popular among many Beachbody coaches. P90X is a functional strength program that incorporates a lot of core work.
  
  
• This hybrid is very simple. It adds in a couple of simple 5 x 5 routines of bench press and squats on “Legs & Back” days. This helps to add some size where guys want it most (chest and legs).
  
  
• A 5 x 5 routine consists of 5 sets of 5 reps. Set one is a warm up. Set two is a step up (approximately 60% of your working weight). The last three sets are your working weight. (The weight should force you to struggle to hit the last rep of the last set. If you are unable to reach this rep, lower your weight. If it is too easy, increase your weight. In addition, you may vary your bench press to include decline and incline).
  
  Example: (P90X Classic: week 1-3)
• Monday:
  • Chest & Back
  • Ab Ripper X
• Tuesday:
  • Plyometrics
• Wednesday:
  • Shoulders & Arms
  • Ab Ripper X
• Thursday:
  • Yoga X
• Friday:
  • Legs & Back (60% of reps)
  • Ab Ripper X
  • 5 X 5 Bench press
  • 5 x 5 Squat
• Saturday:
  • Kenpo X
• Sunday:
  • Stretch X
  
  
  
  

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About Me

Introduction

• I am a full time career firefighter in the Indianapolis area. I am a devoted husband, loving father and a passionate Beachbody Coach who has dedicated his life to health and fitness.
  
  
• In January of 2009 I underwent a post fossa craniectomy (brain surgery) to relieve pressure in the skull and damage to the cerebellum due to a Arnold Chiari Malformation. Thus began the long road to getting back into shape for duty.
  
  
• P90X and Beachbody changed my life…literally. Originally I had hoped to lose “a few pounds” (20) and get back on duty quickly. Two years later, I’ve lost over 40 lbs and I’m in the best shape I’ve been in 20 years!
  
  
• Michele and I offer FREE coaching through Beachbody. We can help you get the results you want, no matter what your goals. Click here for more info.

What is Chiari?
I’m often asked, “What is a Chiari Malformation”. Here are some answers directly from the Mayo Clinic:

• Chiari malformation (kee-AHR-ee mal-for-MAY-shun) is a condition in which brain tissue protrudes into your spinal canal. It occurs when part of your skull is abnormally small or misshapen, pressing on your brain and forcing it downward. Chiari malformation is uncommon, but improved imaging tests have led to more frequent diagnoses.
  
  
• The adult form, called Chiari malformation type I, develops as the skull and brain are growing. As a result, signs and symptoms may not occur until late childhood or adulthood. The most common pediatric form, called Chiari malformation type II, is present at birth (congenital).
  
  
• Treatment of Chiari malformation depends on the form, severity and associated symptoms. Regular monitoring, medications and surgery are treatment options. In some cases, no treatment is needed
  
  
• Symptoms:
  
  In Chiari malformation type I, signs and symptoms usually appear during late childhood or adulthood. Chiari II malformation is usually noted by ultrasound during pregnancy or at birth or early infancy. Although these types are less serious than the more rare pediatric forms, types III and IV, signs and symptoms still can be life disrupting.
  
  Chiari malformation type I
  Headaches, often severe, are the classic symptom of Chiari malformation. They're typically precipitated with sudden coughing, sneezing or straining. People with Chiari malformation type I can also experience:
  
  
• Neck pain (running down the shoulders at times)
  
• Unsteady gait (problems with balance)
  
• Poor hand coordination (fine motor skills)
  
• Numbness and tingling of the hands and feet
  
• Dizziness
  
• Difficulty swallowing (sometimes accompanied by gagging, choking and vomiting)
  
• Vision problems (blurred or double vision)
  
• Slurred speech
  
  Less often, people with Chiari malformation may experience:
  
• Ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus)
  
• Poor bladder control
  
• Chest pain, in a band-like pattern around the chest
  
• Curvature of the spine (scoliosis) related to spinal cord impairment
  
• Abnormal breathing — specifically, sleep apnea, characterized by periods of breathing cessation during sleep
  
  
• Information reprinted from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/chiari-malformation/DS00839

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Chiari Resources

• www.asap.org
• www.conquerchiari.org
• www.chiariinstitute.com
• http://www.mayfieldclinic.com/MC_bios/Bio_Tew.htm

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What is Chiari?

I’m often asked, “What is a Chiari Malformation”. Here are some answers directly from the Mayo Clinic:

• Chiari malformation (kee-AHR-ee mal-for-MAY-shun) is a condition in which brain tissue protrudes into your spinal canal. It occurs when part of your skull is abnormally small or misshapen, pressing on your brain and forcing it downward. Chiari malformation is uncommon, but improved imaging tests have led to more frequent diagnoses.
  
  
• The adult form, called Chiari malformation type I, develops as the skull and brain are growing. As a result, signs and symptoms may not occur until late childhood or adulthood. The most common pediatric form, called Chiari malformation type II, is present at birth (congenital).
  
  
• Treatment of Chiari malformation depends on the form, severity and associated symptoms. Regular monitoring, medications and surgery are treatment options. In some cases, no treatment is needed
  
  
• Symptoms:
  
  In Chiari malformation type I, signs and symptoms usually appear during late childhood or adulthood. Chiari II malformation is usually noted by ultrasound during pregnancy or at birth or early infancy. Although these types are less serious than the more rare pediatric forms, types III and IV, signs and symptoms still can be life disrupting.
  
  Chiari malformation type I
  Headaches, often severe, are the classic symptom of Chiari malformation. They're typically precipitated with sudden coughing, sneezing or straining. People with Chiari malformation type I can also experience:
  
  
• Neck pain (running down the shoulders at times)
  
• Unsteady gait (problems with balance)
  
• Poor hand coordination (fine motor skills)
  
• Numbness and tingling of the hands and feet
  
• Dizziness
  
• Difficulty swallowing (sometimes accompanied by gagging, choking and vomiting)
  
• Vision problems (blurred or double vision)
  
• Slurred speech
  
  Less often, people with Chiari malformation may experience:
  
• Ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus)
  
• Poor bladder control
  
• Chest pain, in a band-like pattern around the chest
  
• Curvature of the spine (scoliosis) related to spinal cord impairment
  
• Abnormal breathing — specifically, sleep apnea, characterized by periods of breathing cessation during sleep
  
  
• Information reprinted from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/chiari-malformation/DS00839

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Chiari

My Chiari Story:

If you are reading this, then more than likely you either know me, have been diagnosed with Chiari, or know someone who has Chiari.

When I was first diagnosed with Chairi, it was the most unsettling time of my life. I was scared and confused. I knew NOTHING about it. All I knew is what my doctor told me. She said, "I don't know much about it but I know it's not good". Well, I love my doctor because she's humble and honest so her response was typical and appreciated but it left me scrambling to find out just what was going on.

Well, though it was scary as I'm sure it is for many people, its wasn't the end of the world.

I was diagnosed in the fall of 2008. I underwent decompression surgery (Post Fossa Craniectomy) in January of 2009. Basically what that means is that they removed a portion at the base of my skull that was putting pressure on my cerebellum. My skull was smaller than it needs to be and the cerebellum is literally hanging out the bottom. Many times this puts pressure on the spinal cord and decreases the flow of cerebral spinal fluid. Some patients develop whats called Syringomyelia and some even develop a tethered cord (the spinal cord actually moves out of place). I was fortunate not to deveop either of these conditions. My heart goes out to those who do.

It is not know exactly how many people suffer from Chiari in the US but a recent study done at Duke University estimates that it may be as high as 200,000. Many of these go undignosed. Because of the nature of the condition, it affects the nervous system. There are literally dozens and dozens of symptoms. The can range from vision problems, hearing problems, memory loss, loss of coordination, loss of balance, joint pain, muscle pain, numbness, headaches, back pain... The list goes on and on. I've heard many people say that it's the condition where people don't understand because we look so good but feel so bad.

I've experienced some of that. I know others have as well. Some people are ignorant. They think they know more than they do and tend to judge others. I even had one person say to me, "well you didn't have brain surgery, you had skull surgery. There is a huge difference". Be prepared for that. People just don't understand. But we do!

However, this is not the end. After my surgery, I decided to take better care of myself. My cholesterol was high, and obviously I was out of shape from being sedentary for so long from surgery. I was looking to design a program to get back into shape for duty. I stumbled accross P90X. We bought it, started it, incorporated Shakeology daily into our diet, began eating better, and haven't looked back. Today, a little over a year from when we started, I have personally lost over 35 lbs! I am in the best shape of my life. I have signed on with Beachbody to start our own fitness business to share what we've found and help them change their lives. I have charged myself with standing up to champion for Chiari as well. We live in an unhealthy society. We eat poorly, we don't exercise enough and we take pills for everything. Well, I'm living proof that we can, and should do it naturally.

If you have questions, need some direction, want some advice, or just someone to listen, please contact me via Facebook or send me an email to Bradley@bradandmichele.com. Also, follow me on twitter!

Remember, being blessed is a choice! Bradley Hall

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