Just before temperatures went from cold to freezing I was invited outside to Times Square, NY to a press event announcing the global partnership of Spartan Race and Reebok. To honor this co-branding in the heart of this mega tourist destination where billboards line the sky hundreds of onlookers gathered to witness the first ever extreme obstacle race. Actress/model Brooklyn Decker was invited out to take part and although I didn’t stick around long enough to see her man-handle the course I can bet she stirred up a lot of attention. I did however get to see former NY Giants All-Pro Tiki Barber and Spencer Hendel, winner of the Obstacle Course event at the 2012 Reebok CrossFit Games take on the challenge.
The race course
Rock climbing at the Times Square obstacle course
Sure they made it look easy, but don’t be fooled this is no makeshift course. If you think you’re in pretty good shape Spartan Race would be the test you would need to pass. It’s one of the few obstacle courses that is clocked and it taps into a wide range of skills including a 7 foot wall climb, a mud crawl with barbed wire,high Hercules Hoist and a 75 foot sandbag carry. This year alone a half million participants are expected to compete in this grueling race.
Hot guy alert! Ladies, this is one good reason to try out an obstacle course race.
Emergence of partnership with Reebok
Founder of Spartan Race, Joe De Sena, believes Reebok and Spartan work in perfect harmony. He says, ” Reebok shares our vision- they think, act and live exactly like we do down to the last detail.” Reebok started a partnership with Cross fit a few years ago, which in a lot of ways emulates the style of training and taxation on the body that participants in Spartan Race undergo. Between 18 and 19 percent of Spartan competitors are cross-fitters. Yann Martin, founder of Reebok, believes obstacle course racing is fitness of the future.
(pictured left to right) Spartan Race Founder, Joe De Sena and Reebok founder Yann Martin
Cross training is the way of the future
Here I am pictured right with the man who stole the show! If amputees can do obstacle course racing, so can you!
Kern and I always say variation in your type of training is most important in reaching your greatest potential and we practice this philosophy in our own workouts and training style. Each and everyone of our workouts is varied in some way. Like both Martin and De Sena would agree, fitness has evolved quite a bit in recent years. Most people are moving away from traditional forms of exercise we utilized 10 years ago and are now taking on newer and even more daunting challenges with their bodies. We realize that strength is not just measured by how much weight you can lift. Some of our fittest athletes have learned to cross train in order to better develop their skill-set. To be a well-rounded athlete or even just to optimize your own fitness level you need to tap into every faucet of your body’s mechanics to do things like enhance efficiency, increase power, and prevent injury.
Changes to occur with Spartan Race and Reebok Partnership
Reebok is already talking about creating a new apparel and footwear line designed specifically for obstacle course racing. And on April 13, 2013 NYC will be hosting the first Spartan and Reebok partnership obstacle course race. Word has quickly spread because already there are approximately 20,000 expected attendees for this race. Ten years ago, when Spartan Race was first introduced only 1,500 people showed up so to have such a large number of participants on a new course is phenomenal.
Special FitFluential introductions
The opportunity to attend this Spartan Race partnership premiere was made courtesy of FitFluential! I’m all the time blogging with other healthy living bloggers from FitFluential, but never get the chance to attach a face to a name. On this very special day I had the pleasure of meeting several ambassadors including Christine Yu from Love Life Surf and Sylvia Targonski from Frolic Through Life! Thess gals have stellar blogs that are definitely worth a browse!
Have you ever done a Spartan Race or another type of obstacle course race?
What activities do you enjoy doing outside of the gym to stay fit?
Disclosure: Reebok provided me with complimentary workout apparel as compensation for my coverage of this press event. All opinions are my own.
Very cool! I’ve never done a Spartan race but I’ve done lots of other mud runs / obstacle races! They need to bring the Spartan to Michigan!
Betsy recently posted..pv.Body Update
I have a feeling they will have it in Michigan soon, because they’re working on a lot of expansions! The course is hardcore though, I’m wondering if I should start with something like Tough Mudder first? Are there any courses you’ve done and loved? I’m a runner so that’s all I know when it comes to racing, but after watching the obstacle course go on it looks like so much fun!
If you haven’t done an obstacle race before I would suggest your start with Warrior Dash. That was the first one I did and it got my addiction going!
Betsy recently posted..I Went to Zumba!
Great thanks for the info! I haven’t heard the Warrior Dash before there’s so many now-a-days! Do you prefer obstacle course racing over other road races?
Hey Noelle, if you’re looking to give obstacle racing a try then do a Rugged Maniac!! I like their courses a little more than the Warrior Dashes, and their afterparty is a lots of fun too. I think they have a NYC race
Oooo looks like so much fun! How does it compare to Tough Mudder? I like how they offer a 5K so I can ease into it ha ha!
Great Article – thnx for the info!
You’re welcome! It’s only going to get more exciting from here as this partnership unfolds =)