Dragon Training

how to train your dragon If you recall, I wrote a guest post for the Greatist back in the summer about the importance of GPP-type workouts. Twice a week, along with my regular “gym” sessions, I like to incorporate what I like to call Dragon Training. As you might know, I sell a t-shirt known as the JKC Dragon Tee, so the name Dragon Training is quite fitting. [the poster to the left should really say How to Train Your Inner Dragon.]

Dragon Training is a high intensity workout that incorporates kettlebells, sandbags and sprinting. Yes, I made up the phase Dragon Training, but all gurus come up with their own systems right?? The goal of Dragon Training is to increase cardiovascular output and GPP using the tools I listed above. And who said cardiovascular workouts and resistance training had to be separated anyway? Trust me – explosive kettlebell exercises plus full body sandbag exercises plus sprinting equals a very sweaty t-shirt.

Here’s the template for a Dragon Training session:

1) Sandbag Exercise 8-10 reps (zero sec rest)
2) KB Exercise 20-25 reps (zero sec rest)
3) Sprint 3-5 reps (60 sec rest)

Repeat for 5-10 rounds depending on how much time you have. Using the template, choose your exercises below.

Sandbag Exercises:

-Sandbag Clean
-Sandbag Clean to Zercher Squat
-Sandbag Clean to Reverse Lunge
-Sandbag Clean to Lateral Lunge
-Sandbag Clean to Over-shoulder Toss
-Sandbag Over the Shoulder Clean
-Sandbag Split Stance Clean
-Sandbag Clean to Push Press
-Sandbag Clean High Pull
-Sandbag Snatch High Pull
-Sandbag Rotational Lunge

KB Exercises

-2-hand KB Swing
-Double KB Swing
-KB Clean
-Double KB Clean
-KB Snatch
-Double KB Snatch
-KB Clean to Push Press
-KB Clean to Overhead Press
-Double KB Clean to Push Press
-Double KB Clean to Overhead Press
-Double KB Clean to Front Squat
-Double KB Clean to Front Squat to Overhead Press
-Double KB Clean to Reverse Lunge

Sprint:

-flat sprint (10-15 sec; jog back recovery)
-hill sprint (10-15 sec; jog back recovery)
-AirDyne sprint (15-30 sec; easy peddling recovery)

So here’s a sample week that incorporates Dragon Training:

Monday – Full Body Gym Workout
Tuesday – Dragon Training
Wednesday – Rest
Thursday – Full Body Gym Workout
Friday – Dragon Training
Saturday – Full Body Gym Workout
Sunday – Rest

So, it depends how well you can recover between workouts and how busy you are. I like to fit in one or two of these type of workouts per week…and no it’s not Crossfit. As Hamilton Nolan says on Gawker [The Problem(s) with Crossfit – one of the funniest articles I’ve ever read]:

“You can’t trademark working out, you f***ers. Doing burpees or overhead squats or 400 meter runs followed by handstand pushups does not mean you’re “doing Crossfit.” You’re just working out. You don’t own that shit. You bastards.”

So train your inner dragon with Dragon Training – you owe it to yourself.

Thanks for reading,

-JK

Mike Ladha

Personal Strength Training by Jon-Erik Kawamoto

I was referred to JKC by my sister-in-law and had heard good things about it from many people in the running community. I also saw Jon’s picture on the wall at lululemon years ago! I really like the personalized training and the variety the guys provide. I started for strength training for running. I love cardio and do tons of it but wasn’t motivated to do much strength work on my own. Jon mixes up my strength work week to week so I don’t get bored but also lets me work in a hard circuit for the last 20 minutes of most sessions to get my cardio fix

Keir McIsaac

Personal Strength Training by Thomas King

I recently turned 40, and I have been training at JKC since the summer of 2020. My partner Michael had already been training at JKC, so it came highly recommended. We had set up a home gym at the start of the pandemic, but needed to mix it up after the first lockdown. JKC differs from other gyms because of the personalized workouts. Jon, Thomas and Craig are great at challenging me to do more than I would on my own.

Lisa Dobbin

JKC was recommended to me by a fellow runner. I was experiencing injuries, and feeling weak and fragile. When I started with JKC, Jon asked me about my goals and my focus. I wanted to concentrate specifically on running, and preventing injury. Jon developed a program for me that has enabled me to focus on my form and strength and has been flexible enough to enable me to train for many different races. I have been training with JKC for six years, and during that time I have enjoyed Jon and Thomas’s expertise in a very warm and supportive atmosphere.

Astrid Billfalk-Kelly

I wanted to add strength training to my cardio, but have always felt gyms to be a bit intimidating, and was worried I would hurt myself without some supervision and help. JKC was highly recommended by several work colleagues. Thomas and Jon are both fantastic, making sure that everyone gets a highly personalized work out in a very supportive environment. The attention to detail and professionalism are second to none. The groups are very small, but very supportive and make the workouts even more fun. Since getting pregnant (36 weeks as I write this) I’m so happy that they continue to help me get stronger while always being safe.

Teri Stuckless

After my children were born, I was completely out of shape. I had been active before my first pregnancy in 2008. I saw a post on social media about a charity event that was hosted at the gym. It prompted me to check out the JKC website. I was immediately impressed by the professional content and decided to give it a try. The professionally crafted and uniquely tailored work outs, as well as the sense of accountability and commitment that they foster. I have not missed a workout since joining – contrary to other experiences I have had when purchasing gym memberships. The flexibility of booking and rescheduling workouts, made easy by an online app, also contributed to my success in meeting my fitness goals.

I enjoy every session, working out with Jon, Thomas and Craig, as well as the “JKC Community”. Anytime someone achieves a personal best, I enjoy the celebration and support everyone gives each other. For me, I fondly remember achieving personal bests on bench press, chin ups and the sled push, in particular.

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