Tag: Circus Maximus

Godwin

  • Dora 1-2-3 with Kettlebells

    Three of the faithful posted in the dark on a Thursday morning with kettlebells in hand. Johnsonville took the q, first leading the men through numerous warmup exercises (ssh, merkins, don quiotes, LBCs, etc.). Then the PAX mosey-ed around the front of the school and commenced a fairly long Dora sequence consisting of 100 merkin rows (OUCH), 200 halos, and 300 goblet squats. This sequence occupied much of the 45 minutes. The PAX continued around the perimeter of the school counter-clockwise, stopping about 3/4 of the way for some Mary.

    YHC took us out with a COT. Great job #CM Pax!g

    Johnsonville

  • Kettlebell Ciabattas and More at Circus Maximus

    Three of the faithful posted on a wet Thursday morning with kettlebells in hand. YHC (Jville) planted a VSF and took the Q. This is how it went down, more or less:

    Warmup with SSH, scap merkins, imperial walkers, don quiotes, etc.

    Mosey around back of school for COP.
    ciabatta single arm KB swingers (alternating arms)
    ciabatta WWII situp with KB press at top

    Mosey to parking area near bus loop for elevens consisting of:
    Run loop around parking area. At far side, do 10 merkins. At near side, do 1 goblet squat.
    Run second loop around parking area. At far side do 9 merkins. At near side, do 2 goblet squats.
    Rinse and repeat until reaching 1 merkin and 10 goblet squats.
    White deer substituted bear crawls out and lunges back on a shorter loop.

    Mosey to bus loading area.
    ciabatta single arm KB clean and press (alternating arms)
    ciabatta halos (alternating direction)

    Mary

    Atilla took us out.

    Moleskin — We are sorry that Earthworm, a pillar of CM, has been fighting some health issues, and we look forward to his return. We are also very excited about the possibility of getting Loose Goose back out to F3 when his foot heals.

    The weekly kettlebell workout has made a big difference in my arm and core strength. Great job, men!

    Jville

  • Battling low energy at CM

    5 faithful posted to Circus Maximus on what seemed to be collectively 20 hours of sleep to toss around a kettlebell rather than a pillow. Here is how it went down:

    1 Lap around loop Waiter carry. COP – SSH, Merkins, DQs, Flutterkicks, KB Crab Cakes, 25 Swings

    Mosey to curb – 10 Jump ups w/ KB, Lunges, 20 HaLos R, repeato x4 alternating Halo side.

    Mosey to grass – Situp press escalator up to 10. 2 sets Clean press and 1 arm swing, each arm twice. 2 sets Figure 8s. KB Russian Twists. 10 more KB Crab Cakes.

    Lawnmowers and cleans x2. Back to grass for 1 more set of Situp escalators to 10, Mary of- Hello dollys, Freddy Mercurys, LBCs.

    COT , Atilla took us out.

    NMS – Apparently YHC was not the only one who got little sleep last night. Before the beatdown Atilla and Jville shared they were both running on fumes. Once the PAX got moving everyone woke up.

    Having tried KB Alabama Prom Dates on YHC’s original CM Q the next logical normal exercise to try with the KB was Crab Cakes. This was met with mixed results for the PAX.

    Mumblechatter was light and consisted mostly around the lack of attendance by Earthworm. Sounds like he has a lot going on at work, but YHC thinks he was wary of excessive Lunges possibly being on YHC’s Weinke. Instead of lunges the PAX got their fair share of another Earthworm favorite the Situp Press Escalator, doing that up to 10 twice got the PAX grunting. Nice work by all and good to see Flip Phone out at CM.

    Announcements- Bring your KB, ropes, etc. To Gridiron this sat. And at Dogpile be sure to wear a flannel shirt, and any other Grunge related attire.

    Honeydo Out.

     

  • Luna Plena Redux

    A low cloud cover enshrouded the full moon, but a gentle breeze greeted the 5 Faithful. Suddenly the breeze stopped and the humidity embraced us, so we knew it was time to get to the following:

    Thang:

    1st Quarter – 10 Minute EMOM:

    Odd Minutes:
    X7+ KB American Swings
    X7+ KB Squat and High Pulls
    X7+ KB Squat and Presses

    Even Minutes:
    X7+ KB Right Arm Rack Left Lunge
    X7+ KB Left Arm Rack Right Lunge
    X7+ KB Triceps Presses

    Suitcase Carry

    2d and 3d Quarters – The 300:

    X25 Pole Smokers
    X25 KB Right Snatches
    X25 Merkins
    X25 KB Left Snatches
    X25 APDs
    X25 KB Right Swings
    X25 CDDs
    X25 KB Left Swings
    X25 Pole Smokers
    X25 KB Right Clean and Presses
    X25 Merkins
    X25 KB Left Clean and Presses

    4th Quarter – 10 Minute EMOM:

    Odd Minutes:
    X7+ KB Seated Halos Clockwise
    X7+ KB Seated Tricep Presses
    X7+ KB Seated Halo Counter-Clockwise

    Even Minutes:
    X7+ KB Pull overs
    X6+ KB WWII Sit-ups
    X5+ KB Seated Presses

    COT:

    Counterama and Namearama

    Announcements: new F3 RVA signup via text was explained — thanks to HardyWood, Wilson, and DK (others) for this new option.

    J’Ville closed us with prayer of thanksgiving; continued prayer for Toga’s father and family.

    Moleskin:

    Full moon today so the Luna Plena was repeated with some minor modifications. Same result – all business and quick pace with lots of reps (minimum x500 KB reps plus x150 body weight reps).

    Glad to Flip Phone out for his first Circus Maximus posting – solid showing.

    White Deer and Chum Bucket set the pace in the 300. J’Ville and Attila were strong and are getting stronger. Discussions regarding weight increases. Nice work by all.

    A great start to the day with the PAX looking forward to a White Deer ground and pound Q at the GridIron.

  • I don’t even think that’s a Farmer’s Carry

    5 strong gathered for a KB beatdown in the thick humidity. It went something like this.

    THANG

    COP: 20 SSH, 20 DQs, 20 Hand Release Merkins, 20 Box Cutters, KB Roundabouts OYO – 10 each side, KB Figure 8’s IC – 10 each side

    Beast:
    Use the bus loop like a field. 3 stations on each side of loop. Farmer’s Carry in between stations.
    Dealer’s choice exercises
    1) KB Swing – YHC
    2) Burpee – Jville
    3) KB Lawnmower Pulls – 6 each side – Chum Bucket
    Plank-o-rama break
    4) KB Situp – Toga
    5) KB Tricep Curl – Atilla
    6) KB Goblet Squat – YHC

    2 min Parade of Elephants: sitting backs to each other, 2 KB Presses, pass KB to right

    10 KB Bridge Press OYO

    COT

    Atilla took us out.

    Naked Moleskin

    We’ve been doing Waiter’s Carries…not Farmer’s Carries…but no matter, they are difficult…and time consuming. It took almost the entire workout to complete a KB Beast. It was a workout built for Earthworm, but he was a no-show. JVille suggested that maybe he feared the Conveyor Belt. YHC isn’t sure which is more difficult: Conveyor Belt or KB Beast. Either way, well done PAX!

    We worked together as a group for the most part, and there was ample mumblechatter en route. Topics included Orange Fitness Theory and CLT’s Nancy Drew’s focus on heart rate targeting. We concluded we prefer bootcamps over restrictor plates.

    Thoughts and prayers for Toga’s father and family.

    Announcements:
    There’s interest in a re-print of F3 RVA’s Keep Calm & Mosey On shirts. We should be able to make preorders soon. Contact Döner Kebab if you’re interested.

    4 weeks until BRR. We still need 1 driver and 1 runner.

    Grid Iron will include 2.0’s this Saturday. Bring your kids out. My son, CDubs, loves it.

    Enjoy the humidity.

  • A whole lotta swings & lunges at the Circus…

    8 strong, including 2 CM newbies, posted to Circus Maximus in the gloom to swing some bells and get the blood flowing on this glorious morning, and it went a little something like this…

    COP:

    • SSH x20 IC
    • DQ x12 IC
    • Helicopter x10 IC
    • Halo x10 IC clockwise and x10 IC counter-clockwise
    • Figure 8s x20 OYO

    Partner up at top of the parking lot.  Partner 1 takes both KBs and lunges about 15-20 yards to light-post and back while Partner 2 does plank-o-rama, then Flapjack.  Repeato x2.

    Farmer carry mosey around the CM loop and back to the sidewalk in front of the school for a 5-exercise circuit.  Two rounds – x20 reps in round 1 and x10 reps in round 2.  Exercises:

    • Goblet squats
    • Snatches – each arm
    • Reverse Lunges – each leg
    • Double-arm swings
    • Squat & Press

    Swing & Push — perform 20 double-arm swings then 10 merkins and repeat counting down the number of merkins to 1.  Audible called to reduce swings from 20 to 10 after completing 5 merkins.  That is a lot of swings.  Plank-o-rama until the six finishes.

    Mary – pass the KBs around a close circle while trying to keep feet off the ground (American Hammer style) and Bridge x10 OYO.

    COT – Number-rama, name-arama and YHC took us out.

    Moleskin:

    Great work today fellas.  Mumbechatter was low, so I’m hoping that means the work was hard.  Those lunges and swings are going to haunt me all day, no doubt.

    It was great to break out the KB and get back out to CM.  It is always a great change of pace from the other AOs in town.  I highly recommend it for anyone who hasn’t yet tried it.  Bring a dumbbell to try it out or give a shout to some of the regulars and we will try to have an extra KB out there for you.

    Always a pleasure to step out front and lead such a fine group.  Thanks.

    Announcements:

    • 2nd F happy hour tomorrow, 1730 at The Answer
    • Convergence at 0700 Saturday at Dogpile with GROW school and coffeeteria afterwards at ET – no workout at 0600, but I’m sure Swirly will be there to secure the perimeter.
    • Reese Strong 5k in Da Ville 9/17 – great cause, so lets have a strong F3 showing.  See Lab Rat or Phonics for information
    • See Toga about Spartan Race 9/24

    Have a great Thursday!

  • If Chewbacca lives on Endor, you must acquit

    Five of the faithful posted at #CircusMaximus in the muggy heat for a kettlebell beatdown. Johnsonville planted a SF and took Q. This is what went down, more or less:

    21x SSH, 10x burpees OYO, 10x sm. front arm circles, 10x large front arm circles, 12x scap merkins, 10x sm. reverse arm circles, 10x large reverse arm circles

    mosey to back corner of parking lot
    10 sets of KB cleans and presses — EMOM, alternating arms

    mosey along back of parking lot to the other side
    20x kb swings
    12x figure 8 twists OYO

    mosey near SF
    elevens lunging between curb cuts starting with 1x goblet squat and 10x merkin rows and finishing with 10x goblet squats and 1x merkin row

    mosey to concrete pad by bus loop
    21x LBCs, 10x kb get-ups (i.e., sit up with single arm kb press overhead), 10x kb get-ups (other arm), 21x standing mountain climbers (tapping kettlebells soccer style).

    Elizabeth Warren run around bus loop
    21x flutter kicks

    COT by Attila

    Moleskin:

    This workout was inspired by an earlier one by HoneyDo that featured difficult KB walking lunges. The KB lunges here were not as lengthy, but we did more of them and surrounded them with goblet squats and the killer that is merkin rows. That sequence was hard for YHC to put it mildly. No one can accuse YHC of favoring exercises that I am good at.

    YHC was impressed by all, but particularly by Toga’s efforts with the bigger kb on the cleans and presses. We are all going to feel that one for a few days.

    In the aftermath of someone’s silent flatulence, Earthworm counseled the suspect, HoneyDo, that he should probably take an Alford plea. Toga recommended instead that he use the Chubacca defense. Some debate ensued within the COP. YHC does not know which is the better strategy, but is glad to be surrounded by truly deep thinkers.

    Announcement: Convergence at 0700 on August 6 followed by Coffeeteria and Growschool. Many will be out of town, so try very hard to attend. 2nd F TBD Friday night before the convergence.

    Prayers to Toga’s dad for a speedy recovery.

    “Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up. It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful. It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

    Rejoice in truth, Jville

  • Luna plena at the Circus Maximus

    Seven of the able-bodied Faithful posted at the CM under a stunning full moon and ideal conditions. There was little time for pleasantries though, of course, there was a pithy and code compliant welcome and disclaimer. We got right at it as follows:

    Thang:

    1st Quarter – 10 Minute EMOM:

    Odd Minutes:
    X5+ KB American Swings
    X5+ KB Squat and High Pulls
    X5+ KB Squat and Presses

    Even Minutes:
    X5+ KB Right Arm Rack Left Lunge
    X5+ KB Left Arm Rack Right Lunge
    X5+ KB Triceps Presses

    Farmer’s Carry One Lap of The CM – Single KB (alternating R to L)

    2d and 3d Quarters – The 300:

    X25 Pole Smokers
    X25 KB Right Snatches
    X25 Merkins
    X25 KB Left Snatches
    X25 Air Squats
    X25 KB Right Swings
    X25 APDs
    X25 KB Left Swings
    X25 CDDs
    X25 KB Right Clean and Presses
    X25 Curtsey Lunges
    X25 KB Left Clean and Presses

    Farmer’s Carry One Lap of The CM – Single KB (alternating R to L)

    4th Quarter – 10 Minute EMOM:

    Odd Minutes:
    X5-X10 KB Halos Clockwise
    X5-X10 KB Tricep Presses
    X5-X10 KB Halo Counter-Clockwise

    Even Minutes:
    X5-X10 KB Pull overs
    X5-X10 KB WWII Sit-ups
    X5-X10 KB Seated Presses

    Farmer’s Carry One Lap of The CM – Two KBs OR Two Laps Run of the CM

    COT:

    Counterama and Namearama

    Announcements: (1) BRR (see TYA re possible open slots), ReeseStrong 5K (see Phonics or D’Ville PAXters), and Spartan Race (see Toga); (2) Grow school August 6 following special DogPile Convergence at 0700am.

    Toga closed us with prayer and set us out to the workday committed to seek all things good. Special prayer for Toga’s father – appeal to the Great Physician.

    Moleskin:

    All business today – quick pace.

    Glad to have J’ville back from canoe excursion in the Boundary Waters. Also nice to have Jolly Rancher (War Baby) for the first youth posting at the Circus Maximus – well done JR. BTW, J’Ville gives credit to CM for his ability to one-arm hoist his canoe through portage trails requiring serious bushwacking.

    White Deer (War Daddy) accepted condolences as he marks his 55.

    Attila appears to have posted early this am and asked who’s Qing? Learning that it was YHC he uttered something like: “Oh good, I won’t need to lock my car as it will surely be within arm’s reach for the entire workout.” Just 45 minutes later – on the elective two lap run of the CM at the end of the workout – Toga was observed running an extra half lap to usher Attila to the COT – just saying.

    Rosie claims one of the PAX duped him into false starting during the EMOM 10s – the more discerning PAX know better and viewed Rosie’s conduct as part of a purposeful effort to deprive the heavy KB-toting Toga of any meaningful recovery.

    The workout was solid, the fellowship strong. Great way to start the day with each one of you. Blessings.

  • Like a Q Virgin for the very first time

    4 Circus Maximus regular Kettlebell(ers) gathered for a great start to a muggy hummid of a day

    Welcome back Doner Kebab

    COP: SSH, Don Quixote’s

    THE THANG:

    No Mosey around Circus Maximus this morning – just down to “THE” Kettle business!

    30 Halo’s (R&L)

    20 Good Mornings

    30-45 seconds of Side Winders

    30 seconds of “around the world” ( C & CC)

    30 seconds of “Figure 8’s” ( C & CC)

    20 Side Bends Elbow on a 45  (R&L)

    20 Triceps Curls

    30 High Pulls

    30 Squat to High Pull

    10 Windmills (R&L)

    20 Squats

    20 Single Arm Overhead Squats (R&L)

    30 Swings “Russian Style”

    30 Swings “American Style”

    25 single arm swings (R&L)

    10 Bottoms Up Swings Clean to Stop (R&L)

    20 Saws (R&L)

    20 Rows (R&L)

    10 Kettlebell pushups / Partner did 10 Merkins   X2

     

    Moleskin:  I’m always concerned with making sure Earthworm has gotten his $$$ worth. DK looked like he might need another vacation. Atilla was most concerned about his left side peck workout. Only gave the PAX 60 seconds of downtime. Earthworm took 10 more on his count.

    Could have finished my entire workout plan but needed another 15 minutes.  Only a virgin once.

    Great workout – “no pain – no gain”

     

     

  • Enter the Pentagon

    75 and moist pretty much describes the setting for another edition of the Circus.  Here’s how it went down:

    COP: SSH, Russian Soldiers, Don Quixote, Scapula Merkins, Goblet squats

    Behold The Pentagon of Joy/Doom: 30 sec kb swings in center of pentagon, bear crawl to one of the five points for 30 secs of designated exercise, bear crawl with kb back to center and repeat for all five points with swings in the center each time.  Repeato x 2 with stations = Goblet reverse lunge rt leg, goblet reverse lunge left leg, alternating shoulder press, curls, tricep extension

    Mosey around circle and return to COP: lawn mowers, merkins w kb rows, wtd sit-ups, clockwise and counterclockwise kb passes, The Rosie (bridge, press, extend, return), wtd sit-ups, brief Turkish getup training

    NMM:  YHC assumes everyone has a morning ritual.  Without getting into the details, let’s just say that mine didn’t happen due to user error on the alarm.  YHC still made it on time to get the pentagon setup, but YHC felt things were amiss throughout.  Irregardless, the PAX got right to work and tackled the workout without complaint.  Come to think of it, there wasn’t much mumble chatter at all.

    Thanks for the chance to lead!

    COT:  Everyone gave a name of someone in need of God’s grace, and we humbly asked for him to watch over them.

    Stay Classy,

    Toga