A beautiful and amazing film made by Equinox Gyms about Hawaii’s North Shore Lifeguards, minding one of the most dangerous parts of coastline in the world.
To physically prepare for the demands of the job, the guards prioritize functional fitness. “I don’t really do the whole weightlifting thing,” says guard Kumu Blomfield. “You have to be practical, you have to be agile.” Adds Phillips, “Being a muscle man and being bulky doesn’t work for us—you’ll sink.” Instead, they focus on swimming, surfing, mountain biking, trail running, and other activities that keep them lean and flexible for when duty calls.
The reverence for the land manifests in their diet, too, as the guards focus on eating locally-grown and community-sourced produce and lean proteins. “My friends are fishermen, and we’ve got great farms here, so I’m eating locally whenever possible,” says Phillips. To stay energized on their shifts, they downsize portions. “If you have a rescue you want to stay light,” says guard Donovan Silva. “In this job, I eat more smaller meals, I don’t want to feel heavy.”