Feelin’ Froggy

I got in two more “SEAL Training” videos from the late Scott Helvenston’s company, Amphibian Athletics. Basically, two DVDs, each with the equivalent of three VHS videos on it. It was relatively cheap, and I wanted to see if there was any difference in information in the two, and if they were much different from the original set I had bought a while back. Plus–I don’t have the original set (which I really liked) in DVD, or even in VHS, and I as far as can tell, they don’t have them in DVD yet.

So, I’ve watched through most of both of them, and–they’re okay. I think I still like the originals better, and I wish they were in DVD. The production values on the “True Fit” set are a bit higher, and you can tell he was trying to evolve, and evolve away from the plain ol’ hardcore military style and audience, and appeal a little more to the fitness crowd, whilst still carrying the “SEAL” or “Bootcamp” panache.

In fact, I read one review of the originals I think, and the reviewer said that the way he counts is “strange” or something (“A-one, two, thuh-ree.”). But that’s just the actually military instructor way of counting and motivating, sort of a cadence and a rhythm all together. And I could see how it could get annoying. But having actually been in the Navy, it just sort of seems… homey, I guess, and gets you back into the mood for exercise. Like I said, motivating, in a way. Funny how training affects you.

(Update: watching the True Fit Quick Sessions, “Lower Body Session,” he actually jokes around that he got viewer email about the counting thing. He says that if you do these enough that you start saying “three” wrong, like he does, you’ll be a real hero. He said that his only excuse is that that’s the way *his* instructors did, so that’s how he learned it. )

There’s not really much difference in the basic movements and sequences he does, as far as I can see, though in the SEAL Training Camp ones, the cardio includes kick boxing moves (a la Billy Blanks) that the originals didn’t have. I guess that means that the basics work for him, and so that’s why he keeps them. I will say that by watching them, and seeing he changes things around–a little, you can see that it doesn’t reallly matter how you string things together, except for short bits of time for supersetting, drop setting, and pyramiding.

For upper body strength, for example, it’s one kind of push up, a stretch, another kind of push up, stretch, etc. I’m glad to see all this though, because I was wondering what he was doing for the legs. I didn’t remember the sequence from the original video set. I will bet, however, that I got the original set’s cardio routine still ingrained pretty well, because it was so daggone simple. Which is good–he was trying to make it “sailor proof,” as we say…

Of course, if you’ve read any of my other posts, you’ll know that I also integrate them into my kettlebell work, and/or mix in other types of training, such as sword work or heavy bag, Systema, etc.

But they also included two pocket-sized booklets for them, which I think is pretty handy for remembering the sequences. I also got a nice little card thanking me for supporting Scott and Tricia’s two kids. Which sounds kinda strange until you remember that Helvenston was one of those four contractors that famously got killed Iraq a couple of years back. Then it’s pretty cool.

I was one of those that was struck, and particularly saddened by the news of his death. Maybe it sounds cheesy, but it just struck a little more home to me because of him being in my barracks rooms and later my home’s living room working out along with me via video. Maybe that’s strange, but there it is.

This was my original set, which I can’t find at home, and don’t want to buy another in VHS.
This is the “SEAL Training Camp” set.
And this is the “True Fit System.”

Thanks, Scott. We have the watch, now.