There are a lot of brilliant scientists and engineers working on methods, machines and techniques for achieving measurable, optimal fitness in less time …
One of the great benefits of biohacking is getting more done, more quickly. Cardio and strength benefits still take effort but you needn’t go to the gym for hours or spend large parts of your day running, cycling, cross-fitting or lifting to get the optimal fitness benefits you’re seeking.
What if less than ten minutes on a bike could deliver the same cardio results as 90 minutes pedaling? What if one session per week of intense resistance work could replace lifting every other day?
How about mixing in the benefits of oxygen therapy, cold treatments in cryo and ice baths, using blood-flow resistance to make muscles work better with less weight?
It is ALL possible today, and if your trainer, gym or workout friends aren’t dialed in to the technology, you are wasting hours each week … the equivalent of farming with an ox pulling your plow. You can also get tremendous benefits using your own body weight as a training mechanism to increase strength and flexibility.
So where do I start?
You start with “yes,” i.e. agreeing you want to be fitter, stronger, more stable and thriving instead of sedentary, aging too quickly (aches, pains, weakness) and “settling” for a lesser (or larger) you.
And obviously that decision will incorporate your diet (not dieting) but let’s focus on the resources that let you bring more energy, more agility, better brain health and simply more positive into each day assuming you want to LIVE longer, as opposed to surviving.
AND, it is an important step to have your functional doctor (or a physician with knowledge or time) assess your current status. There are devices for measuring sleep, heart rate (and HRV), blood sugars, ketosis, etc. that are useful for monitoring your progress, but you should have a good baseline (or reality-check) from which to work.
The resources below have all been vetted by our staff and affiliated teams for effectiveness, convenience and simplicity so you do not have to dramatically upend your work or home life to get healthier. We will include those comments in each description.
Fitness Resources:
E S S E N T I A L S | R E A D I N G
BODY FOR LIFE This classic is still relevant in terms of advice and technique for improving strength and fitness while working to improve weight and shape. Learn more here.
BECOMING A SUPPLE LEOPARD Kelly Starrett created one of the more complete tomes for not only getting in shape but for changing the way your body moves. It takes some dedication to follow the lessons and to even get through this textbook-length masterpiece, but devote the time and results will follow. Learn more here.
INTELLIGENT FITNESS Simon Waterson is the coach stars go to to prep for roles requiring better bodies and strength. His advice and techniques bring results and serve to achieve optimal fitness levels quickly for clients. Learn more here.
BOUNDLESS This may be Ben Greenfield’s most complete work for addressing the spectrum of mind, body and fitness. He calls it his blueprint for total human optimization, and we agree. Lots of good resources and connecting the dots to improve your vitality. Learn more here.
E Q U I P M E N T | S Y S T E M S
CAROL BIKE As we’ve mentioned, getting optimal fitness benefit in less time is key to maximizing your health investment. This bike is proven in studies to give you high intensity interval training (HIIT) training in far less time. Learn more here
BSTRONG BANDS B Strong is a proprietary implementation of blood-flow restriction (BFR) training — an exercise technique that manipulates the body’s circulatory system, and when combined with exercise, produces rapid gains in strength and fitness using light-weights, and in a very short period of time. Learn more here.
X3 GYM SYSTEM Dr. John Jaquish set out to simplify strength training using his knowledge of resistance training and designed a band system to create greater force loads leading to faster improvements. His X3 equipment is not only affordable, it is considered a staple in most every biohacker’s home gym. Learn more here.
POWER PLATE Activate multiple benefits simultaneously with up to 50 vibrations a second. The Power Plate has been shown to activate more muscle fibers, burn calories, improve circulation and increase bone density. Learn more here.
MOROZKO FORGE The benefits of deliberate cold exposure, long the realm of “The Iceman” Wim Hoff, can now be found in your home spa or backyard. Morozko offers a few models that studies indicate will boost immune strength, reverse aging, promote weight loss, enhance mitochondrial function and regulate autoimmune disorders. Great people to work with too. Learn more here.
SUNLIGHTEN SAUNA Just as the cold can heal, so can heat, especially when paired with infrared penetration technology. The folks at Sunlighten have brought spa-level treatment to the home with several sizes and configurations to maximize the detoxification, heart health, immunity/anti aging and muscle recovery. Several models and options. Learn more here.
ARX Talk about a game changer. The company’s all-in-one strength training machines dynamically adjust resistance in real-time to personalize every workout through its patented technology. ARX empowers and challenges individuals to achieve their optimal fitness goals one perfectly calibrated repetition at a time. Learn more here. There’s even an ebook.
VASPER Not unlike ARX in terms of footprint, investment and game-changing process, Vasper is a revolutionary health and fitness technology that combines compression, cooling and interval training to help the body restore, harmonize and reach peak vitality. It’s an intense workout, but cooling process negates need for showering. If you’re in the DFW area, a great place to try the Vasper is with the folks at Gladden Longevity. You can hear Dr. Gladden’s podcast here. Learn more here.
E X P E R T S | B R O W S I N G
DAVE ASPREY Known as the “father of biohacking,” Asprey is an advocate for self-actualization via nutrition, workouts, supplementation, fasting, sleep and medical (innovation) management. His many channels of advice, education, and promotion of independent thinking provide a rich resource for those seeking answers for a stronger health span. Learn more here.
BEN GREENFIELD If you can cut through the self-promotion in Greenfield’s podcasts and articles, you can get to some excellent actionable nuggets for improving body and soul. He is a fixture in the fitness landscape for a reason … he knows his shit and will help you know more too. Learn more here.
