Fitspiration: Spartan Ultimate Team Challenge
We’re both into yoga, eating healthy, and daily stretching exercises at home. But when it comes to strength-building, there’s a lot needed to be done in that aspect – physically – as a couple.
And as if the universe conspired to remind us in this area, we were recently invited by cable channel RTL-CBS to the special advance screening for the upcoming season 2 of “Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge“.
Spartan Ultimate Team Challenge
After the successful season 1 of “Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge“, RTL-CBS Extreme brings it back with fiercer challenges across an obstacle course that even triathletes need to prepare for.
We watched the special screening of the first episode for the media at Fitness First SM North EDSA The Block in Quezon City. Afterwhich, we got to experience what it would have felt like being part of the Spartan show by doing 10 variations of challenges care of the Fitness First gym team.
It wasn’t easy, but after watching the 1st episode of the Spartan, it served as our ‘fitspiration‘! Check out our Instagram feed @SeatsForTwo and IG stories (within 24 hours) for some of the challenges we tried.
RTL CBS Extreme is available on SKYcable HD channel 209, Destiny Cable Digital channel 104, and Cablelink HD channel 310.
Reebok Spartan Race Philippines
The Spartan Race is also coming to the Philippines!
The rugged terrain in the Spartan Race sends contenders plowing through a series of 20 to 30 grueling challenges including mud, fire, and barbed wire to push mind and body past the limit.
“Spartan Race is 50 percent physical and 50 percent mental—physical training is going to get you there, but it’s designed to test you mentally,” shared Michael Reyes, Director of Spartan Race Philippines. “So keep an open mind, push yourself hard and know that we are not creating something impossible. We’re doing something that anyone can do. It will be hard but know that you can do it,” he added.
Discipline on top of determination will be essential to reach the finish line in one piece. With the first-ever Reebok Spartan Race in the Philippines happening this September 16 at the Timberland grounds in San Mateo, Rizal, here are a few expert tips for Filipino Spartan hopefuls who want to conquer one of the most formidable obstacle courses on the planet.
The 300: Be Ready for Anything!
Personal trainer Kristin Rooke of BuiltLean warns Spartan Race newbies to get ready for anything (just like the soldiers of ‘300’) since race coordinators don’t release the course map until the event itself. With every race a surprise, would-be participants must build endurance, speed, as well as upper and lower body strength so they can prepare for any obstacle.
Fitness First Philippines, the official fitness partner of Spartan Race Philippines, offers a 45-minute Spartan SGX program to help Filipino hopefuls overcome the race. Headed by elite SGX coaches, each session trains participants in a range of movements—from sprints and squats to lifts and lunges—to prepare against any imaginable hurdle while improving physical performance.
Surviving each obstacle is one thing; surviving the penalties for failure is another. Obstacle racing documentary Rise of the Sufferfests director Scott Keneally recounts the pain of having to do 30 burpees for every failed challenge, which made him quit the race midway.
Rooke reiterates the importance of the burpee and urges Spartan Race contenders to include this much-maligned workout in training routines, in case they fail or skip an obstacle.
Inspiration for Filipino Spartans
Rigorous training and proper diet are only part of the equation to a successful Spartan Race. For the resolve to take on and complete the arduous run, inspiration is critical.
American sports competition series Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge delivers motivation with Spartan Race-inspired obstacles that only the strongest, fastest, and most united teams can surpass for the grand prize of US$250,000.
RTL CBS Extreme is available on SKYcable HD channel 209, Destiny Cable Digital channel 104, and Cablelink HD channel 310. Catch the Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge Season 2 premiereon September 2, 2017, Saturday at 9:35PM, first and exclusive on RTL CBS Extreme.
