Do Animals Play Poker?

If you have a WILD and crazy imagination, it wouldn't be too much to think you can see certain animals playing cards. Poker back in the day (maybe even now) was a guys game where you had your boys shooting the breeze, kicking back, guzzling some beers and have a cigar (at least that's the stereotype) but you don't need to gamble away to have a good time. In fitness, a deck of cards workout is quite the challenge and can be used in a variety of ways. It was made popular by the late Karl Gotch in Japan where he had his wrestlers do Squats, Push-ups and other exercise to torture them to get the most out of their conditioning. Other athletes have used this form of workout such as Ric Flair, Ray Lewis, Mike Tyson and others.

Although it has become a type of trend, there's no denying that when it comes down to the nitty gritty, it can take your cardio to a whole other dimension. With the right exercises (mainly bodyweight style), you can increase your muscular and cardiovascular endurance, speed, long-term strength and overall fitness. I loved doing Hindu Push-ups, Hindu Squats and other exercises in the DOC workout and have hit high numbers when finishing the deck at one time but with my focus on Animal Movements, I switched things up to doing 3-4 Animal Moves and work my way through the deck. This can be done just about anywhere, hell I did it in my own living room.

I took the numbers game I learned from Matt Furey's Exercise Bible and made it into the Animal Realm. I don't like being stationary and love to move around so I felt the need to make it fun for me. The numbers are each step you take and are very simple.....

1-10= Face Valued Reps

Face Cards= 15 Reps

Ace= 20 Reps

Jokers= 50-100 Reps Of Your Choice Of Animal

Pick the animal(s) you want to do and have at it. It's a lot of fun and really kick starts your cardio into overdrive. This is a great combo for athletes in many sports especially in MMA. It takes me roughly 18-20 minutes to complete this workout and it feels incredible every time. Don't like the numbers? You an always lower the face cards and aces & jokers or if you're in crazy shape, you can double or triple them. If you plan on doing Burpees, I'd recommend you keep solid form as possible for those cards because once you become sloppy, you can hurt yourself, let's not let that happen ok.

Although it is a challenging workout, it won't feel like a workout and you're just playing a game. You can do this with a partner where you can either flip a card for each of you or you each have a deck and see who's the fastest to get through it. For the animal moves, you don't have to do reps, you can take it outside at a park or in the yard and go for feet, yards, meters or whatever you choose to do. It is your game and do what you makes you feel good to do it.

Kids can play this game as a way to get out that excess energy and if you have a kid that needs an emotional uplift, this can be an awesome idea. Kids are normally energetic and need to use it productively and if they have friends to play with, it makes it even more awesome. I love these kinds of workouts because it brings out a side of me that is extra joyful, having that spring in my step and creates a phenomenal endorphin high. It helps me stay coordinated forcing to use my brain and my body that isn't in the norm. Whether you're 10 years or over 80, having strong motor skills and being in solid mental and physical condition keeps you healthy and produces strong brain cells and increases in memory, functioning of the organs, strong lungs and gives you greater power in your joints and ligaments.

Have fun with this and don't be alarmed if after a while, you'll have a greater sense of awareness, longer lasting strength, energy that would baffle the average person and for someone older, feel young again. I use this to get my cardio up for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and taking on some guys nearly half my age. Make it a part of your program and see what happens. What have you got to lose?