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

Craig Whittle

Personal Strength Training by Jon-Erik Kawamoto

I chose JKC because I row/coach teams in the St. John’s Regatta and was looking to add strength training to our program. My wife is also running friends with Julia, so I got to meet Jon a few times and heard lots of good things. I like JKC over other gyms because of the level coaching I receive and the gym atmosphere. The energy in the gym helps me through the tough workouts.

Krissy Hussey

Personal Strength Training by Thomas King

I originally joined JKC because I was anxious about passing out and embarrassing myself since I hadn’t weight trained in a while and I’d hoped to find somewhere sympathetic. My husband @terry_hussey had been training at JKC and his success there made me miss the achievement you feel from a good workout. I went to meet Jon and immediately knew it was going to be a safe space for me. I was never judged for the fears I had and where I was starting from. Jon and Thomas made sure to check on me often, and found a way to challenge me but make me feel secure at the same time, and Terry and I were able to book sessions together, so working out became a shared win for us!

JKC is different from other gyms because of the personal growth you have outside JKC (the sessions inside JKC creates a great positive feedback loop!). You gain self confidence, learn how to show up for yourself, meet a community of newfound friends, and get the support of your trainers who are behind you 100%. I’ve left a scattered workout so proud of myself I’ve honestly shed a tear in the car on the drive home. JKC is the mental health relief valve I need to stay positive, and keep my anxiety and health related fears at bay.

Craig McIssac

I originally chose JKC to help me rehab following back surgery. JKC was the first gym where a trainer took the time to help me identify my goals and tailor my workouts to achieve them in a safe and doable manner. 🏋🏼 Jon & Thomas are both highly professional and knowledgeable. 👨🏼‍🎓 With their guidance and informative explanations 🗣 they have enabled me to reach my ever evolving goals. At JKC I’m guaranteed fun 😆, interesting 🙃 and diverse workouts, with Jon & Thomas forever supportive and encouraging. 👏🙌👍👊

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.

Bruce Dyke

JKC is different from other gyms/fitness regimes I have tried in the past because of my level of comfort with the facility and other JKC clients and the amount of knowledge both Jon and Thomas demonstrate through personal attention to form, core development and overall strength is outstanding. JKC is by far the best training hands on attention that I’ve experienced period and I have experienced many over a lifetime of activity and playing various sports. The facility has everything you require plus, as you will learn there are many ways to use every piece of equipment and Jon and Thomas are very creative! There are many age groups and professions who attend this gym from elite athlete’s to the rest of us and the casual but focused atmosphere in the gym makes each visit interesting, friendly and challenging at all levels.

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