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Improve Balance & Reaction Time: Indo Board Training Gear & Suzie on the New “Gigante” 24″ Disc
Waves are a force of nature like no other. Susan does a superb job to illustrate this and more. A great read!
My Cause: Mental Illness Awareness
Train With Me While You Experience Lumeria Maui
Suzie's Health & Fitness Team/Target Heart RateSimone Reddingius Maui Photographer
Surf Stronger Order This!
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Eat This Simple and Stay Sexy
 photo by Simone All Rights Reserved 
It’s hard to make food sexy, but it’s easy when I know first hand this keeps me in my bikini all year round. On Maui, we live in our bathing suits and as a fitness trainer, athlete and model I need to eat lean, eat for energy so I can look good and perform.
This is what I reach for before any serious long distance paddling, or before a big workout. I need low calorie, low fat energy food that will not make me bloated or feel sluggish. I love that in one cup with the combination of quality Greek yogurt, such Fage 0% One cup of this yogurt has zero fat, 130 calories, 9g of carbs and 23 grams of quality protein! Then I combine this with a 1/2- 1 cup of GO Lean Crunch this gives me an additional source of more protein, fiber, potassium and a touch of honey to make it a little sweet. The additional 80 calories I can afford and need.
What a winning combination that sustains and fills me. I never feel hungry and I won’t crash when I enjoy this for a meal or pick me up. You can also add a bit a fruit too.
Remember to keep food and nutrition simple. Calories, fat content and sugar in your foods does matter. I also suggest to my clients who want help with counting their calories for shedding weight or maintaining weight, the highly rated, easy and fun to use, food diary smart phone application, called My FitnessPal. It’s free! click here to learn more: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/
Thanks for stopping by. Please feel free to share or leave a comment. We’d love to hear from you.
Mahalo, Suzie Cooney, CPT Owner of Suzie Trains Maui, LLC
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Suze’s Photo by Simone Reddingius: Check out her work here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/by-simone/
References: Fage 0% http://www.fageusa.com/products/fage-total-0-percent/
GO Lean: http://www.kashi.com/products/golean_crunch
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Special Trainer’s Note from Suzie Cooney, CPT
How to Be “Pro Self”
You can waste a great deal of time trying to find your waist line if you’ve tried without success. Are you on track after you’ve made countless New Year’s Resolutions year after year? Having a pro in your corner can make all the difference and save you lots of money, calories and improve your overall “life” performance.
Let’s face it shedding weight and getting toned, in either order can be difficult, frustrating and take a really long time if you don’t know how or where to start. We all need a cheerleader, a person to hold us accountable besides our boss or spouse; someone that can find a “fun” way to make it all happen.
If you’re ready to really get real, I’m real serious about helping you. It takes two and I can’t do it alone, so if you’re ready to hold yourself up, look in the mirror and start loving what you see, how you feel, you’re halfway there. You’re amazing!
 I’m available via SKYPE world-wide or in person while you’re on Maui, or if you live local even better. Your health matters, how you feel about yourself matters. You don’t have to be a pro surfer, just the pro of yourself to be ”pro self.” Make the time, make the investment and your life will change.
Suzie Cooney,CPT
Owner of Suzie Trains Maui, LLC
Questions? Feel free to contact me through our website.
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 In my line of work, I meet so many people who leave a lasting positive impression on my life. But when I learn that I’ve done the same for them, it makes what I do even that much more meaningful!
At the risk of tooting my own horn, I’d love to share this blog post with you from two of my very spirited clients, Ed and Judy from Bend, OR (you might remember them from an earlier article: Eddie’s SUP Fitness Journey Part One: Goal Olukai Ho’olaule’a SUP Race Maui 2013).
Original article published by Elder SUP on elder-sup.com
“Sometimes fate seems to send a subtle message in ordinary observations. This time it came from a name and the resulting initials – Suzie Cooney, SC. Ed and I are in week 8 of our “Eddie Will Go on the Olukai Ho’olaule’a” race – comeback from extensive shoulder surgery. Week 8 is the best one yet. We are actually in Maui and are SUP surfing and doing sweet down-winders every day on our Naish 14? Glide GX. Last night we had dinner with our trainer-from-a-distance, Suzie Cooney, CPT of Suzie Trains Maui.
There’s nothing like a face-to-face conversation over ono burgers at the Fish Market Restaurant in Paia, especially after all the support we’ve gained from Suzie over the past months. How did two 63 year olds from Oregon come to be trained by Suzie Cooney on Maui? That’s quite a story.
We were casually playing at down-wind riding while on vacation in Maui in May 2011. Hearing that the Olukai Ho’olaule’a offered a “fun race” of just 4 miles we grabbed our rental surfboards and registered. The day of the race we were all butterflies and doubt. Ed was having shoulder surgery 4 days later and we were second-guessing everything. Then the announcer gathered us all for a pre-race warm-up, and we met Suzie.
With a warm smile and ultimate encouragement she talked and moved the nervous group through breathing, stretching and a warm-up. Surprisingly, by the time we were done the group had a relaxed and solidified feel. Then we were off for one of the most exhilarating fun-runs ever. We decided that when Ed was able to train after his surgery, just seven weeks ago, we would start training with Suzie. We set a goal to do the 8-mile run from Maliko Gulch to Kanaha. Suzie’s regimine has been just what Ed needed.
Meeting up with Suzie last night confirmed it, she has the absolute best initials for her spirit and talent:
1. SC – Sincere compassion: Ed is coming back from an injury and Suzie’s compassion for the struggle is obvious. It takes quite a bit of digging to gain the information that might attribute to that. Suzie is no stranger to injury, rehab, set-backs and the value of dedication and solid training. She has walked the talk, and then some.
2. SC – Social commitment: Much like Olukai, the sponsor of the Ho’olaule’a, Suzie has always had a strong commitment to her community and sharing her expertise and talent. We love that and it sets the same tone that we go for at Elder SUP
3. SC – Strategic communication: Suzie is about the busiest person I know. There is no place for the luxury of time wasted. When we use SKYPE or e-mail to gain insights and training strategies Suzie is always ready to communicate, but to the point and with Continue reading Eddie from Oregon SUP Training Continues To Stroke & Stoke on Maui
Maui, HI
November 27, 2012
Stand up paddlers of all skill levels gathered on the serene grounds of Lumeria Maui on November 3rd for the SUP Pro Talk Workshop with Suzie Cooney. The educational (and fun!) land-based event touched on many important topics for paddlers, including the health benefits of SUP, water safety and ocean preparedness, SUP fitness techniques and training demos, and equipment reviews.
Clay Everline, M.D., co-author of the Surf Survival Health Hand Book, was on hand with a valuable lecture on First Aid, and pro paddler, Jeremy Riggs, heated the afternoon up with his tips on downwind paddling. Suzie Cooney, as charming as ever, kept the crowd entertained and engaged with her informative and “hands on” teaching style.
The big winner of the day was the organization Bring Change 2 Mind, as 90% of the event’s proceeds went to supporting the group’s fight to erase the stigma and discrimination of mental illness. The organization, founded by actress Glenn Close, provides educational material and a meeting place for a broad coalition of organizations that provide service, screening, information, support and treatment of mental illness.
Suzie shares:
“We were thrilled to sell out three months in advance. That really confirmed to me that people are eager to learn and support the sport. I’m a big advocate of those dealing with mental illness, so I wanted to spread the word about the organization I support, Bring Change 2 Mind.org.
Clay Everline, M.D. was very informative and entertaining, as was Jeremy Riggs, our local downwind pro who shared some of his helpful tips. The participants had great questions, which was helpful for the entire audience!
The event supporters and sponsors including, Naish, Kaenon Polarized Eyewear, Indo Board Balance Trainer, Pocket Fuel Naturals, Scosche Health & Fitness and CamelBak Hydration Packs, were all very generous in providing some great raffle prizes. People were stoked to win products that compliment their SUP lifestyle.” -Suzie Cooney, CPT, owner of Suzie Trains Maui, LLC
 For more information about Bring Change 2 Mind, visit: bringchange2mind.org
For more Stand Up Paddling Fitness Techniques, Success Stories, Workouts and Upcoming Events, visit: standuppaddlingfitness.com
THIS SPECIAL HOLIDAY OFFER ENDS, DECEMBER 17th!
If you’ve not tried the Indo Board Balance Trainer’s full line of training gear, it is the most “functional” fun you’ll ever have. Whether it’s a gift for you or someone you know, no matter what level of fitness or goals in your training you may have, this gear will deliver!
I’ve written so many articles about the benefits training with the Indo Board Balance Training equipment on how anyone can build their total body strength, no matter what level of fitness. Here’s one on leg strength. My clients and pro athletes range in so many arenas and levels of performance to the person returning to fitness. This is also excellent for cross training for any athlete or sport.
Your legs, hips, abs, and even your upper body will benefit from all of the exercise you can perform on this training gear. You advance or progress accordingly to your currently level of strength and it’s so fun and easy. You can perform endless exercises and make your training program totally efficient. When you order your Indo Board Balance Training gear, it also comes with a helpful DVD.
 Pro SUP paddlers Kody Kerbox and Casper Steinfaith showing off their strong leg training My background is working directly with orthopedic sports surgeons, the patients and then myself. I broke both legs several years ago and the Indo Board Balance Trainer Gigante Cushion coupled with the Kicktail board was my main source of rehab. Granted I check in with my doc, but wow I was back to surfing amazingly and SUP and windsurfing with new found strength.
You hear of the “core”. What is the true definition of the “core” ? It is everything in your body excluding your extremities. It’s not just your abs as many mistakenly thing. Your butt muscles, or “glutes” need to fire in addition your brain needs to send signals to the deep pelvic floor muscles and then to the main joint to stabilize the appendage you may be stressing. See this article on more on the core. Here I am with Indo Board’s founder and amazing surfer, Hunter Joslin:
 Hunter Joslin and Suzie Cooney Now THIS is core training:
I’m a believer in what is called “brain training” and this also allows you to incorporate the neuromuscular uses of all the finite muscles around the major joints, such as the hips, knees and ankles, to fire in the necessary pattern to help develop one’s sense of reaction to a platform that is always moving. This is also referred to as reaction training; the ultimate level of training that recruits the muscles that tend to be under-active to join in on the challenge.
 Here Suzie is on the IndoBoard Gigante Flo Cushion and the Kicktail board
Bottom line, it’s SO fun you don’t even know you’re training. The sports that really notice the immediate cross-over affect are surfing, windsurfing, kiting and stand up paddling;- all sports that have the common element of water that is changing underneath you.
However, you do not need to do any of these sports to enjoy the benefits.
Hop aboard and order yours today! If you need help deciding on what you may need for your health and training needs or for someone else on your list, please feel free to contact me through this website. I’m happy to help.
Suzie Cooney, CPT
Owner of Suzie Trains Maui, LLC
November 20, 2012
Maui, HI.
These are my quick tips I’ve shared today on my weekly health and fitness and all about SUP radio show, on how to enjoy this holiday’s feast and not have a guilty conscious. I was thinking of something different to offer the public, and maybe create a pre-thanksgiving help line, but not for how to cook a turkey but to help counsel those who are already stressing about gaining weight. I think I could be on to something!
According to online surveys the average person will eat over 4,000 and 229 grams of fat, the Thanksgiving Day Holiday. Yikes. Not to mention the additional increase in sodium intake may leave you feeling bloated and miserable. Do you know how hard you’ll have to work to burn that off? Very!
Continue reading Listen Here on How to Have a Guilt Free Thanksgiving Holiday
One of the many rewards of helping people with their stand up paddling stroke/fitness/technique is getting emails, photos and updates of their stoke and even better, wins in their local events. Makes a coach proud!
I had the chance to catch up with Scott Boyles at this year’s Battle of the Paddle at Dana Point where I could see from the fire in his eyes, discipline and strength in his body that this was only the beginning for him.
 Suzie & Scott2012 BOP Dana Point, CA. Scott came to Maui with his wife Cheryl last year and took a lesson with me to improve his stroke. He was incredibly technical which I enjoyed all the more. He got it and he got it fast. As a student, he was a quick study and understood the finer nuances that take most people a little more time to grasp. With his anatomical knowledge and practice, I knew he’d have big breakthroughs too.
As he was already in excellent shape, it didn’t take him long to find his true core power ( about 5 minutes! ). He was able to understand how to use and transfer that power directly to the board and water. Impressive.
Scott writes:
“I had paddled[only twice in my life. My wife Cheryl and I went to Maui, called Suzie Cooney. She invited us on a community downwinder from Paia Bay to Kanaha. Could barely stay on the board! Then I took a personal paddle lesson from her, and she demonstrated the great ability to coach technique, but more importantly communicate in an effective way. She was also so laid back as was the community she introduced us to, it really made it a awesome experience.
Went home, bought a board and set the goal to complete the 22 miler across Tahoe race (supported by a lovely wife who knows I need a "focus" on a physical activity). [I] achieved that in 2011. Did a number of other races, many sponsored by South Lake Tahoe Stand Up Paddle. Trained more, paddled lots, coached more by Tracy Day, bought another board a Flatwater Paddle, a fricking rocket. Then won the 18-55 age group in the 12′ 6″ class in the 2012, 22 miler. By the way, all at age 50!
Suzie is definitely a high ranking ambassador of SUP awesomeness, along with many others.”
So when I saw Scott again, as a trainer, of course, I noticed his ripped abs and asked if he’d share his training secret. He makes it look so easy!
 - Scott Boyle defying gravity in plank pose on his SUP
“For my abs: I do crunches once every couple months or so, up to 5 reps maybe 3 sets max. They are hard on the back and really unnecessary! (I learned a lot about true core strength following my second lower back surgery.) Ab strength is totally built on exercises that are based on core and balance as the primary foundation.”
Scott also came in 3rd in age group and 8th overall in the famous Tahoe Nalu long distance race.
Continue reading Nevada SUP Paddler Scott Boyles checking in with a Big Win and Big Stoke
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Aloha Windsurf Enthusiasts,
I’m so grateful of the kindness and feedback that every so often comes my way, as it is the greatest reward. My clients inspire me everyday with their dedication to their water sports and health. As a trainer who specializes in water sports performance and windsurfer myself, it’s pretty awesome to get emails like the one below written by my client, Mike Abrams of Pukalani, Maui. Mahalo Mike!
“To all those water sports men and women it may concern,
 After my sailing sessions yesterday and today, I simply felt compelled to write this endorsement about Suzie’s training methods, that I have been blessed with for almost 5 years. I am the luckiest windsurfer on the planet to have found Suzie as my personal trainer. Every day, I find that I am performing moves and controlling my board and sail better than ever before. I am a very humble person, with I hope a low ego and no expectations of how I am going to sail with each session.
However, I can honestly let my fellow sailors know that I have improved, and sail with much more confidence and balance skills than ever before, no matter what the conditions seem to be. Like today, I sailed an hour and a half and never missed one jibe and yesterday sailed in overpowering conditions, and performed jibes on the outside (while most folks fell into the over choppy and gusty blown water) with total control.
I directly attribute these increased balance skills to Suzie’s training which includes not only balance training, but core strength training too, along with regular weight lifting. I can actually feel my legs lifting up from a squatted position (because of having to keep the board on the water in over powered conditions around the turns) towards windward to help keep my balance. Also, I can now jibe in light winds with much greater confidence because of Continue reading Balance and Strength Training Pays Off for Maui Windsurfer
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Health and Fitness Radio Segments with Suzie Cooney of Suzie Trains Maui May 2012
Tune in every Tuesday to KNUI 900 AM @ 7:30am on Maui’s Best Talk Radio Show
The Maui Breakfast Club
Suzie talks with host Tom Blackburn Rodriguez on trending health and fitness topics that interest you! Listen live here,
http://knui900.listen2myradio.com/
May Topics:
 Listen to Suzie's segment here May Day May Day for brides to be: The Feeding Tube Craze! What? Women are desperate to lose weight before their wedding day and will do anything at any high ridiculous cost is the doc is willing too. Restricted to just a feeding tube through the nose down to the esophagus, a good look? Why not just do it the way everyone else does, because after the marriage those pounds will likely sneak back in faster than it took to get them off!
Poll on the Today Show stated that out of 7121 votes, 95.2% thought it was nuts and only 4.8% thought it was okay as long as it was safe.
Exercise 101
Exercise benefits, guidelines and principles for weight loss and health
The Benefits of Exercise
Motivating Yourself to Exercise
Cardio, Strength Training and Flexibility Guidelines
Strength Training Guidelines
Flexibility Guidelines
Listen to Suzie's radio segment here! Continue reading Health and Fitness Radio Segments with Suzie Cooney of Suzie Trains Maui May 2012
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A Simple Training Tip For SUP to Maximize Leg Strength and Endurance with the Indo Board Training Gear
 
By Suzie Cooney, CPT Owner of Suzie Trains Maui
More and more people are stand up paddling and I get flooded with emails on how to strengthen the legs to help reduce fatigue, increase performance for distance, wave paddling and simply cruising. There is not one answer but I have a tip that can help all the above at some level.
From beginners to professional paddlers, everyone can benefit to learn how to maximize your leg strength and endurance to you can enjoy paddling longer, possibly reduce injury or to push your limits and improve your performance.
I’ve been a Team Rider for Indo Board for years now and love how the sport and gear have evolved together to allow for smooth paddling and more water time. I’ve had numerous major injuries over the years, and seriously, my Indo Board gear has brought me back faster and stronger than ever.
When folks are making transitions from flat water to wave paddling, it’s all footwork and water reading. It’s pretty awesome when you can train your body to connect to your brain’s intention and have it all right there. Connect your body to the waves, bump or trough if downwind paddling.
This simple tip I offer will wake up all the fine muscles around the feet, ankle, knees and hips independently of your other leg. I like this exercise ( see blow ) because although all the muscles of your body work together, by breaking it down and loading up each joint; we can then maximize each point to perform with it’s own strength and consistency, then ultimately allowing for every joint to excel in unison.
Additionally, the strength you gain will then allow for quicker reaction times to changing conditions, increase muscle endurance and hopefully minimize injury or overuse syndromes and other compensations. ( I am not a physician but have worked in sports orthopedics. Always consult with your personal specialist with regards to any injuries or if embarking on a new fitness routine.)
Gear: Indo Board Balance Board ( pictured here: Indo Board Kicktail ) and Indo Board IndoFLO Gigante Cushion In addition, to add to challenge add a 10-20lb Kettle Bell or dumb bell. Any of the Indo Board models will work well.
Even though I’m a “regular” surfer and paddler surfer, funny thing is I skateboard and snowboard “goofy”. So fortunately I will benefit from training with left foot and right foot forward. My point is, even though you may be one or the other, train both legs.
Inflate the Gigante Flo Cushion with less air for more difficulty or more air to slow it down. Place the Indo Board Rocker or Indo Board Kicktail on top with nubby side up for maximum traction of board to cushion. I also suggest that you kick off your shoes because any rubber will act as a false barrier between you and the real thing.
- Step onto board slowly in a surfer’s stance with kettle bell or dumbbell in the hand of the opposite side of the foot your approach with. So if goofy or right foot, step up and hold weight in left hand.
- To maximize results, hold weight “above” the joints we intend to stress, so up to shoulder. My joint targets: ankles, knees and hips.
- I suggest “time” your set. For example, beginner would hold for 5-10 seconds, and advance to 30-60 seconds in each direction or with each foot.
- Lower body into squat position, gaze forward, breathe and hold. Burn to fatigue. Shaking is okay and expected.
You will begin to feel your ankle, knee and hip burn and or shake! This is good! Hold on to this position as best you can and time yourself now. See how low you can go. Relax your feet and don’t look down.
 Rise up slowly, step off the back of board onto ground rest then switch it up over to the opposite leg. Repeat.
If you have the opportunity to try both boards, the Ying and Yang ( links here ) and then the Kicktail, wow what a difference. The Kicktail, which is my favorite, is very challenging and offers a lot more ankle and foot action. This requires the small, tiny stabilizers to fire and fatigue, which is the result you want.
Again, the point I’m also attempting to illustrate is that by holding a weight over and above the joint or muscle group that you’d like to strengthen and train, you will maximize the benefit and outcome. The fact that we also get to add the variable of an unstable platform gives us the ultimate opportunity for your training. If the weight is below or at joint level it will produce a different result.
This kind of training is efficient and I promise you that you will definitely notice a difference the minute you get on the water. People who train with me are blown away of how much easier it is to literally step onto the wave, or last longer in channel crossing, or for any distance paddling.
This particular exercise can also transfer well to surfing, kiting and windsurfing.
I hope you enjoyed this tip. Here is a link to other articles I’ve written for SUP Fitness.
If ever on Maui, I’m available for private specialized training and can show you all my training tips to maximize your results and SUP water performance. I also offer private and semi-private professional SUP lessons.
Don’t forget to order your Indo Board Equipment here. Here is a photo of my training quiver from Indo Board. Having good balance, strength and leg endurance is key for more time on the water. Other articles you may enjoy allows you to learn more SUP training applications.
Indo Board Training Equipment for Stand Up Paddle Training For Every Condition and Every Season and
More on the Core: Increasing your Padding Power
Photos for Indo Board by Tracy Kraft Leboe
Rip it up, blade forward, dig in and charge ahead!
Aloha and see you on the water.
Suzie Cooney, CPT Owner of Suzie Trains Maui
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