PERSONAL TRAINER

An Ex-Commando’s Fitness Tips & Leg-Drive Drills

When survival itself is at stake, one tends to take training just a bit more seriously. Just ask Israeli Dror Okavi, who served three years in his country’s armed forces.

“The world knows how something can happen at any time, and Isrealis try to be prepared, but especially those in the military,” says Okavi. “Being in excellent condition is expected. There is a lot of time given to training. I have always enjoyed it, so it was nothing for me. In fact, I was one of the drill instructors.”

Okavi is still instructing, only now it’s to clients as a personal trainer in Los Angeles. If his military training wasn’t enough, Okavi was also a champion bodybuilder, capturing the Mr. Israel title twice. So he has the knowledge and experience to help all who seek his advice.

“I have found that many trainers ask their clients what they wish to achieve, and then give them a specific program and diet to meet their desires,” he says. “I don’t work that way. In my opinion, there is only one way to get in great shape. And that is to sacrifice mentally and physically. You must eat right, work out hard, sweat a lot and keep up the routine. Then you will be in fine shape. When you have reached that state, then you can fine tune your body for specifics like sports.”

Sweating hard, says Okavi, is the key to health, and not coincidentally, the number one way to get muscles pumping and looking good. “Especially if you want to get your abs showing,” he states. “Regular gym sessions that include sweating tone your body as well as weight training. There are many men in the weightroom who can lift big numbers, but can’t move well and are overweight. They are putting way too much emphasis on pure strength, which they likely don’t need. They are underestimating the importance of stamina and flexibility. Or maybe they’re just too lazy to run or bike. Breathing hard is not fun at the beginning, but as you get into better shape, it can be very rewarding to feel your heart pumping and recovering faster and faster. That is what all men should build up to.”

SQUATS

Stand grasping a pair of dumbbells at your side, with legs shoulder-width apart. Keeping the back straight and head up, proceed to squat until thighs are parallel to the ground. Pause, then rise to starting position. Perform 10
repetitions.

SQUAT JUMPS

Squat grasping dumbbells at sides. Proceed to rise and jump up as high as possible. Upon landing, pause, then lower into the starting position. Perform 10 repetitions.

CALF RAISES

With the balls of your feet on a raised surface, and grasping dumbbells at sides, proceed to rise up on toes. Pause, then lower to starting position. Perform 10 repetitions.

LUNGE JUMPS

Lower into a lunge position with the right leg in front, grasping dumbbells at sides. Proceed to rise and jump up as high as possible. Upon landing, lower with the left leg in front. Perform five alternating repetitions with each leg.

STEP-UPS

Stand grasping dumbbells at sides facing a bench or other suitable object. Proceed to step up on it with the left leg first. At the top, step down with the left leg first. Next step up and down with the right leg first. Perform five alternating repetitions with each leg.

STAIR RUNNING

Find a suitable set of stairs and proceed to run up them at a steady pace. Then step down slowly. Work up to performing for 15 minutes.

SPRINTING

Finally, end the workout with short sprints. Start with 25 yards and work up to 100 yards.