The Howells’ Classic workout plan

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Randy and Robin Howell make an inseparable couple and do just about everything as a team. An example is what happens the week prior to leaving for the GEICO Bassmaster Classic in Tulsa. There are travel plans to finalize, hours of tackle organization and prep for what comes next.
Randy and Robin Howell make an inseparable couple and do just about everything as a team. An example is what happens the week prior to leaving for the GEICO Bassmaster Classic in Tulsa. There are travel plans to finalize, hours of tackle organization and prep for what comes next.
Physical training ranks high on the list of Classic preparations. The Howells are six weeks into an intense program called Body Beast. Before the phone begins ringing and emails load their inboxes, the day begins with an early morning workout. Six times a week for an hour each day is the regime.
Physical training ranks high on the list of Classic preparations. The Howells are six weeks into an intense program called Body Beast. Before the phone begins ringing and emails load their inboxes, the day begins with an early morning workout. Six times a week for an hour each day is the regime.
Before taking on the beast of a training session it's warm-up time. Randy isn’t a runner so he chooses the elliptical trainer that simulates walking and running while reducing impact injury. The exercise is all about building cardiac strength and endurance for the long days ahead.
Before taking on the beast of a training session it’s warm-up time. Randy isn’t a runner so he chooses the elliptical trainer that simulates walking and running while reducing impact injury. The exercise is all about building cardiac strength and endurance for the long days ahead.
Elvis looks on as Robin runs on the treadmill. Outside is the campground where the Howells live temporarily in their RV. Their new dream home is under construction nearby, close to the very spot where Randy won the 2014 Bassmaster Classic on Lake Guntersville.
Elvis looks on as Robin runs on the treadmill. Outside is the campground where the Howells live temporarily in their RV. Their new dream home is under construction nearby, close to the very spot where Randy won the 2014 Bassmaster Classic on Lake Guntersville.
The warm-up is complete, and now it’s time for the main event. Robin chose Body Beast after going through a similar program called Beach Body. The idea for both workouts is producing faster results sooner. Getting in optimum shape is the goal. Randy won’t have time to spend on a full daily workout after the season begins.
The warm-up is complete, and now it’s time for the main event. Robin chose Body Beast after going through a similar program called Beach Body. The idea for both workouts is producing faster results sooner. Getting in optimum shape is the goal. Randy won’t have time to spend on a full daily workout after the season begins.
As early risers the Howells are first to arrive at the RV neighborhood community center. Inside the entertainment room is a big screen TV where the residents come to watch movies, play games and socialize. The Howells will watch a movie that will be anything but entertaining.
As early risers the Howells are first to arrive at the RV neighborhood community center. Inside the entertainment room is a big screen TV where the residents come to watch movies, play games and socialize. The Howells will watch a movie that will be anything but entertaining.
Body Beast uses Dynamic Set Training. Lighter weights with increased reps and drop sets are the core of how it works. It’s not easy, either. The dumbbells look light for a workout, but the session goes nonstop. Once the DVD begins playing there are no breaks for the entire hour.
Body Beast uses Dynamic Set Training. Lighter weights with increased reps and drop sets are the core of how it works. It’s not easy, either. The dumbbells look light for a workout, but the session goes nonstop. Once the DVD begins playing there are no breaks for the entire hour.
The DVD begins playing and the ticker shows how much time remains for each exercise. Different muscle groups get worked every day. Today’s session is all about toning the upper body for better core strength. As you can tell from the buff dude in the video, results may vary.
The DVD begins playing and the ticker shows how much time remains for each exercise. Different muscle groups get worked every day. Today’s session is all about toning the upper body for better core strength. As you can tell from the buff dude in the video, results may vary.
Robin chose Body Beast because it fits Randy’s style of fishing. He likes following a disciplined game plan as he does on the water. He’s motivated by the structured and organized approach. He fishes the same way.
Robin chose Body Beast because it fits Randy’s style of fishing. He likes following a disciplined game plan as he does on the water. He’s motivated by the structured and organized approach. He fishes the same way.
Preseason physical training was part of Randy’s daily regime until he won the 2014 Classic. Sponsor obligations, personal appearances and the hectic travel all but eliminated his workout time. It came with a price. About midway through the season his back went out. He vowed during this offseason to get back in shape.
Preseason physical training was part of Randy’s daily regime until he won the 2014 Classic. Sponsor obligations, personal appearances and the hectic travel all but eliminated his workout time. It came with a price. About midway through the season his back went out. He vowed during this offseason to get back in shape.
When sharing news of his back injury with peers, Randy was surprised to find out he’s not alone. He says many of the pros have suffered back injuries. That’s not a surprise considering the jarring boat rides, standing for long hours and quick reflex actions. All of these factors make anglers prone to stress injuries.
When sharing news of his back injury with peers, Randy was surprised to find out he’s not alone. He says many of the pros have suffered back injuries. That’s not a surprise considering the jarring boat rides, standing for long hours and quick reflex actions. All of these factors make anglers prone to stress injuries.
Boat show and seminar season is in full swing. That means doubling up on the Body Beast workouts prior to the weekend. Friday brings travel to a show with the days beginning early and ending late through Sunday night. There’s no slacking. Randy does stretches and sit-ups in the hotel room before leaving for the day.
Boat show and seminar season is in full swing. That means doubling up on the Body Beast workouts prior to the weekend. Friday brings travel to a show with the days beginning early and ending late through Sunday night. There’s no slacking. Randy does stretches and sit-ups in the hotel room before leaving for the day.
Randy has gained about 7 pounds since beginning the Body Beast program. He wants to add more, and these exercises add weight in the form of muscle mass. That’s the best kind of weight to add when you burn so many calories in a day of fishing on the tour.
Randy has gained about 7 pounds since beginning the Body Beast program. He wants to add more, and these exercises add weight in the form of muscle mass. That’s the best kind of weight to add when you burn so many calories in a day of fishing on the tour.
Another challenge is the irregular meal habits coming with the job. Randy burns about 4,000 calories each day, or about twice the amount of the average person. Bulking up muscle mass helps when you can’t eat three solid meals each day.
Another challenge is the irregular meal habits coming with the job. Randy burns about 4,000 calories each day, or about twice the amount of the average person. Bulking up muscle mass helps when you can’t eat three solid meals each day.
Building muscle mass is the goal. Maintaining the weight is a challenge for Randy. A high metabolism burns lots of calories and that fits Randy’s way of life. Today he weighs about 167 pounds. He will lose 5 pounds or more during the hectic pace of Classic week.
Building muscle mass is the goal. Maintaining the weight is a challenge for Randy. A high metabolism burns lots of calories and that fits Randy’s way of life. Today he weighs about 167 pounds. He will lose 5 pounds or more during the hectic pace of Classic week.
Fitness is a high priority for Robin, too. She’s a full-time mom, business owner and entrepreneur for Rodan & Fields. Above all else, she manages Randy’s business affairs. She’ll take on all of the above tasks once this workout is complete.
Fitness is a high priority for Robin, too. She’s a full-time mom, business owner and entrepreneur for Rodan & Fields. Above all else, she manages Randy’s business affairs. She’ll take on all of the above tasks once this workout is complete.
Before Randy’s back injury his cardio exercise came at the basketball gym. He played in church leagues and with sons Laker and Oakley. Occasionally, he still plays, but the more intense and regular exercise plan is now more important.
Before Randy’s back injury his cardio exercise came at the basketball gym. He played in church leagues and with sons Laker and Oakley. Occasionally, he still plays, but the more intense and regular exercise plan is now more important.
Randy is in his 23rd year of professional bass fishing. He wants to remain competitive for another decade or hopefully more.
Randy is in his 23rd year of professional bass fishing. He wants to remain competitive for another decade or hopefully more. “The older you get, the harder you have to work to stay fit” is his mantra.
The beast workout is a calorie burning way of getting in shape. You have to compensate by putting calories and nutrients back into your body. The DVD calls for a quick hydration and nutrition break before picking back up the weights.
The beast workout is a calorie burning way of getting in shape. You have to compensate by putting calories and nutrients back into your body. The DVD calls for a quick hydration and nutrition break before picking back up the weights.
Randy compliments the great Rick Clunn, who turns 70 this year, for his attention to mental and physical fitness. Randy believes staying fit over the years is one secret to Clunn’s success. He wants to follow the same path.
Randy compliments the great Rick Clunn, who turns 70 this year, for his attention to mental and physical fitness. Randy believes staying fit over the years is one secret to Clunn’s success. He wants to follow the same path.
Randy likes doing these triceps kickbacks because the exercise builds an important muscle group he uses all day on the water. Casting, reeling and of course, setting the hook and landing a bass all come into play with the triceps.
Randy likes doing these triceps kickbacks because the exercise builds an important muscle group he uses all day on the water. Casting, reeling and of course, setting the hook and landing a bass all come into play with the triceps.
It’s 8 a.m. and the phones begin to chirp with text messages while the workout winds down. Reaching this point of the nearly one hour workout was difficult in the beginning. It still is but not as much. The work is already paying off.
It’s 8 a.m. and the phones begin to chirp with text messages while the workout winds down. Reaching this point of the nearly one hour workout was difficult in the beginning. It still is but not as much. The work is already paying off.
Randy says he can’t see either of those two bodybuilders in a bass boat, but you never know. They might become inspired to join him on the tour and become famous doing something else.
Randy says he can’t see either of those two bodybuilders in a bass boat, but you never know. They might become inspired to join him on the tour and become famous doing something else.
On second thought Robin doesn’t think so and urges Randy to keep focused on one thing. That is getting in shape and working those triceps to hoist the Classic trophy for a second time in his career.
On second thought Robin doesn’t think so and urges Randy to keep focused on one thing. That is getting in shape and working those triceps to hoist the Classic trophy for a second time in his career.