Tom Jones is an ultra-endurance athlete, certified fitness trainer, kickboxing champion, marathon runner, standup paddled record holder, owner of Quitproof gym and if that’s not enough, he’s training to set a long distance Hydro-foil record in 2021.
The former Marine combat veteran shared his expert advice on how to stay motivated during these tough times as well as some suggested exercises to stay strong and shift your mood.
Q&A with Tom Jones
Q: HOW HAS COVID CHANGED YOUR TRAINING?
TJ: I’ll be very honest, COVID really hasn’t changed the way that I personally workout; at least not too much. I pretty much already isolate during most of my ‘personal’ training and workouts. I normally ride my bike alone and if another person wants to ride along, they’re usually 6-feet away from me. Same when I am open ocean swimming. I am alone and when someone wants to train with me, they are 6-feet or more distanced from me. Even before COVID, I’d workout by myself before and after training my clients. Many people might know me now because of Stand-Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) which I do in the ocean and of course, normally all by my lonesome. I am currently preparing for a world record Hydro-Foiling event off the coast of California. This is also a solo event on the hydrofoil with a support vessel.
Q: HOW DO YOU INSPIRE OTHERS DURING COVID?
TJ: I motivate people by maintaining a positive attitude. I suggest staying focused and living an active lifestyle in the ‘here and now’, rather than getting stuck in the past with fears and expectations of the future. I encourage individuals not to give into their fears as that tends to derail them from achieving their personal fitness best. Physical fitness success needs to remain strong in their minds and anyone can achieve that by keeping faith in themselves, their God, and by managing and also checking themselves routinely.
I recommend having a specific plan for each day rather than going any which way the wind blows. Make sure to set realistic goals that are achievable each day, as opposed to a plan that’s so big it sets you up to fail. It is paramount to make sure you have a good nutrition and rest agenda, healthy food, the proper amount of rest and most of all, be a champion for yourself and also others during these tough and challenging times.
Q: HOW CAN WE STAY FIT WITHOUT A GYM DURING COVID?
TJ: There are many calisthenic types of exercises that I have my clients do at home. I customize those programs according to my client’s physical abilities, time availability, and level of experience.
Here are 5 exercises anyone can try at home. Each exercise is :30 with a recommended 3-5 sets.
5 EXERCISES FOR BEGINNERS
Walking In Place
Beginners – Pace simply walking in place.
Intermediate – Walk in place and bring your knees above your waist
Advanced – Walk in place at a faster pace keeping your knees above your waist
Jump Rope
Jump rope as if you have a real jump rope in your hands
Beginner – Pretend jumping rope while walking slowly
Intermediate – Pretend to jump rope at a steady pace
Advanced – Pretend to jump rope at a fast pace bringing your knees above your waist
Walking Jab Punch
Beginner – Close your hands into a tight fist and jab punch while walking in place
Intermediate – Jab punch at an upbeat pace while bringing your knees above your waist
Advanced – Jab punch while jogging in place and bringing your knees above your waist
Fast Feet With Uppercuts
Form fists similar to the walking jab punch and bend your arms as if doing dumbbell curls or an uppercut
Beginner – Shuffle feet at walking pace, bring your hands up to chest level and alternate hands as if you were throwing boxing style uppercuts
Intermediate – Shuffle feet at an upbeat pace while bringing knees above waist and throwing boxing style uppercuts
Advanced – Shuffle feet at a fast pace while bringing knees above waist and throwing boxing style uppercuts
Jumping Jacks
Beginners – Stand at the attention position with both arms straight down next to your hips. Now step one leg out laterally while bringing both arms straight above your head together, touching your hands together in a clapping position; alternate legs & repeat.
Intermediate – Do jumping jacks at a moderate pace
Advanced – Do jumping jacks at a fast pace
A FEW OF TOM’S PREVIOUS ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- 7-Time Muay Thai Kickboxing Champion With 2-World Titles And 3-U.S. Titles
- Ran the Length of California Several Times at A Marathon Pace Each Day
- Ran 121 Consecutive Paced Marathons In 121 Days Ending in The New York Marathon For His Final 121st Marathon
- Stand-Up Paddled Around Smith Mountain Lake Virginia, 520 Miles In 16 Days
- Stand-Up Paddled from Oregon To the Mexican Border, 1,250 Miles In 90 Days
- Stand-Up Paddled from Key West, FL To New York City, NY, 1507 Miles In 92 Days
Tom Jones
Ultra-endurance athlete
Jones is a certified fitness trainer, kickboxing champion, marathon runner, standup paddled record holder, and owner of Quitproof gym.
