Tag: Circus Maximus

Godwin

  • 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

  • Circus Conveyor Belt

    5 Circus Maximus regulars gathered for last-day-of-June kettlebell beatdown that went something like this:

    THANG

    Farmer’s carry around the Circus Maximus bus loop

    COP: 20 SSH, 10 slow DQs, 20 Crab Cakes, 20 Hello Dolly, 10 KB Roundabouts each side OYO, 20 KB Figure 8s

    Farmer’s carry around the Circus Maximus bus loop

    CONVEYOR BELT: each member of the PAX sets up 2 parking lot lines apart; perform a given exercise, bear crawl to the North leaving KB behind, guy on end runs South to the end of the line, stop where you started
    10 KB Lawn Mower Pulls (conveyor belt style)
    10 KB Swings (conveyor belt style)
    KB Merkin Rows – 3 each side (conveyor belt style)

    Farmer’s carry around the Circus Maximus bus loop

    TAKING & THINKING: similar to Roxanne…but performing exercises to “Ride” by twenty-one pilots
    KB Goblet Squat or KB Lunge until you hear “Taking” or “Thinking”, when you perform a KB Clean-Rack-Press

    Farmer’s carry around the Circus Maximus bus loop

    BACKWARDS CONVEYOR BELT: same as above but crawl bear instead of bear crawl between stations.
    10 KB Bob and Weave (backwards conveyor belt style)
    10 KB Rows (backwards conveyor belt style)

    Farmer’s carry around the Circus Maximus bus loop

    COT
    Atilla took us out

    MOLESKIN
    YHC received much grief about going back down to a 20lb KB…but nobody was bitching after we shared KBs during the conveyor belts…except White Deer who apparently gets windy pops from lifting lighter weight

    KB Merkin Rows + Bear Crawls X 5 are no joke. Holy shoulder beat down. Might be the only time YHC was happy for a farmer’s carry after that set.

    YHC appreciates the patience of the PAX during the “TAKING and THINKING”. White Deer caught a few extra “TAKE”s that YHC hadn’t remembered! KB Presses for everyone!

  • Ignore Rain but Respect Lightning

    Five of the faithful posed at #Circus Maximus to build strength using kettlebells. The weather was overcast. Johnsonville (YHC) planted a VSF and took the Q. This is how it went down, more or less:

    COP:
    25x SSH
    25x Don Quiotes
    10x Merkins
    40x Arm Circles

    Farmer Walk Mosey to front of bus loop as rain began to fall.

    Dora 1-2-3 in pairs, including
    100x merkin kettlebell rows
    200x squat presses with kettlebells
    300x halos with kettlebells
    Partner had choice of running Circus Maximus or Farmer Walking 1/2 leg of CM.

    Farmer Walk Mosey to front of school. Observe lightning strike in close proximity to AO. Briefly discuss safety and appropriate path forward.

    Scrap planned 2nd Dora 1-2-3, and instead Farmer Walk Mosey to colonnade/shelter beside bus loop for COP as the rain increased to a downpour:

    25x Freddie Mercs
    Protractor (legs at 6″ for about 1 min.)
    15x Single Arm Kettlebell Swings (right)
    15x Single Arm Kettlebell Swings (left)
    10x Single Arm Kettlebell Swings (right)
    10x Single Arm Kettlebell Swings (left)
    5x Single Arm Kettlebell Swings (right)
    5x Single Arm Kettlebell Swings (left)
    25x WWII sit-ups with Kettlebell press at top
    10x Electric slide
    10x Electric slide with Kettlebell press at each side

    Moleskin:

    That Dora 1-2-3 sequence was long and difficult. The PAX did a great job pushing through it.

    Many thanks to DK for suggesting that we move to shelter in response to the lightning. That was clearly the right call, and it was easy to adapt the workout. There is no point in taking that kind of a risk.

    Congratulations to Rosie for a strong 1/2 marathon in Roanoke last weekend.

    Great job this morning. It was a pleasure to lead this group of men!

    Jville

  • Kettlebell Tabata

    4 Circus Maximus regulars posted on this humid June morning to get swing some bells and get stronger.  Seeing no FNGs, YHC skipped the formal disclaimer and jumped right into it.

    The Thang went something like this:

    COP (all IC):

    • Don Quixotes x10
    • Arm Circles 5 small and 5 large, forward and reverse
    • Halos x10 clockwise; x10 counter-clockwise
    • Figure 8s with a twist at the top x10

    Kettlebell Tabata – 20 seconds on, 10 seconds rest and 15 seconds in between exercises; 6 rounds of each exercise:

    • single-arm swings – alternate arms each round
    • bob and weave/electric slide
    • squat & press – hold kettlebell in racked position and press at the top of the squat; switch arms each round
    • double-arm swings and merkins – alternate each round
    • lunge & press – hold kettlebell in racked position and press with opposite arm from the leg you lunge with; switch leg/arm each round
    • clean & press
    • rows & burpees – alternate each round
    • WWII situps & press
    • high pulls – alternate arms
    • double lunges (forward and backward) – alternate legs

    Ring of Fire – PAX holds millennium falcon squat while each PAX member drops and performs 10 merkins in rotation

    ROF – rotating 2-count flutter kicks x10 and pole-smokers – holding kettlebell overhead for each

    Mary — Dolly IC x10; Rosalita IC x10; American Hammers x10 OYO

    Numberama, namearama, COT and YHC took us out.

    NMS – The humidity was palpable, the sweat was rolling and the mumblechatter was low. I’m not sure I ever stopped sweating from yesterday’s Browns’ Island workout — great time but the afternoon heat is killer.  We packed lots of reps and a good mix of upper and lower body work today.  Very little movement.  If sweat were a measure of success, YHC would put this morning in the win column.  It was a true ground and pound.

    Announcements:

    • New AO (Batteau) at Forest Hill Park on Monday 6/20 at 0530.  SF will be planted near the Stone House.  See Hardywood’s Pre-Blast.  I believe this will also be Hardywood’s VQ so come out and support Hardywood and the new AO.
    • The challenge has been issued to get 60 men to post to F3 workouts next Tuesday so EH some guys and let’s hit that number or more.

    Well done gents.  It was a pleasure to lead this morning, as always.

  • Elevens

    6 faithful and strong and 19 faithful and fleet warriors posted at Circus Maximus and 45 MOM this morning. Weather was unseasonably cool, but welcome.

    The Thang:

    45 MOM

    Mosey to COP, Disclaimer, 20x SSH, 40x LBC, 20x Imperial Walkers. Mosey to tree line. Suicide 11’s with WWII situps and Merkins. Mosey to school. Triple Check, Balls to the walls, Merkins, and sprint to fence and back. Repeato x6. Ring of Fire, 5 Merkins, 2 simultaneous rounds. Mosey to tennis courts. Tracers on both sides, suicide, tracers on boths sides, backwards suicides, tracer. Mosey to shovel flag for 3 MOM, 40x American Hammers, 20x Rosalita, 20x Alabama prom dates. COT and prayer by YHC.

    Circus Maximus
    COP 20X Don Quixote 10X Merkins 20xLBc 15X Arm Circles, Luggage carry to Columns, Series 11, Overhead Lifts and Rows, Repeat Back. 10X Turkish Get Ups, Series 11 Squats and Tricep Curls, 20x Figure 8’s, Bus Loop Waiter Carry, Series 11, Side to side lifts, 40X Figure 8’s, Bus Loop Waiter Carry to Columns, Lunge Goblet Carry, then Back to Shovel Flag Area, Six Minutes of Mary Exchange, American Hammer, Rotate Weight to Left, Repeat, Rotate weight to left, Tricep Curls, Rotate weight to the left WW2 Situps.

    COT by Johnsonville

    NMM:

    Although YHC was the Q today, Splinter quickly began calling my shots. As we approached the trees, he yelled out 11’s, before we left the 11’s station, he predicted the triple check. After that, I would just ask him what we were doing next and follow his plan. Made the Q a little bit easier. On the 11’s Hardywood, Swirly, Dutch, Garbage Plate, and Sippy were in the lead. As a result, they had the privilege on doing the last loop once again.

    Each AO has its own personality and flow to it. At Daville this week, everyone arrives a bit early, has some second F before the work out. Then, about two minutes before the workout, silence. Waiting for the impending doom? At 45 MOM, AO is almost deserted until 525. Swirly, myself and Oyster were the only ones there. I was a bit worried that it would just be us. Then the procession of cars began. Ended up with 19 with just sippy as a LIFO.

    Since I am a juvenile at heart, I cannot write this backblast without mentioning that today is June 9th. Yes, middle school humor is still hilarious to me. I grow older, but only in body age, not mind age. IF you don’t get the humor, congratulations you have grown up (if you wanna know, just ask DK).

    DK is now 4/4 at Bleeder workouts this week. Question is does he show up with a bike tomorrow??

    Announcements

    Phonics is sponsoring a Corn Hole and Rock and Roll event Saturday at Marty’s in Mechanicsville. See Lab Rat of Phonics for details. He also has a 5k that he is involved in later this year. More details to come. F3 will have a presence at the event.

    New AO opening on the 20th at Forrest Hill park, Monday morning. Name is Battou (spelling). YHC thought it was a really questionable name until I heard the origin of the name from Hardywood. Now I think it is kick ass.

  • The Parade

    The theme of today’s Ludi Romani was motion under weight around the Chariot Course; and the conditions were dry and warm for the 8 Faithful and 1 FNG who posted at at the Circus Maximus.

    Welcome and continuing disclaimer

    Thang:

    Farmer’s Walk one time around the CM – medley style (Waiter’s Carry Right Hand, Goblet Carry, Waiter’s Carry Left Hand, Goblet, Suitcase Carry Right Hand, Goblet, and Suitcase Carry Left Hand)

    8-Count Body-Builders (Pan Pax Cadence)

    Round 1 (Waiter’s Carry Right Hand) –

    – 20 KB Swings
    – 20 KB Halos (10 clockwise; 10 counter-clockwise)
    – 20 Alternating KB Single Arm Swings (catch and release at top)
    – 20 KB Waist Rotations (10 clockwise; 10 counter-clockwise)

    Round 2 (Waiter’s Carry Left Hand) –

    – 20 KB Swings
    – 20 KB Halos (10 clockwise; 10 counter-clockwise)
    – 20 Alternating KB Single Arm Swings (catch and release at top)
    – 20 KB Waist Rotations (10 clockwise; 10 counter-clockwise)

    Round 3 (Goblet Carry) –

    – 20 KB Swings (overhead)
    – 20 KB Squats
    – 20 KB Pullover (lying on back)
    – 10 KB Lunges left and 10 KB Lunges right

    Round 4 (Suitcase Carry Right Hand) –

    – 20 KB Swings
    – 20 KB Halos (10 clockwise; 10 counter-clockwise)
    – 20 Alternating KB Single Arm Swings (catch and release at top)
    – 20 KB Waist Rotations (10 clockwise; 10 counter-clockwise)

    Round 5 (Suitcase Carry Left Hand)

    – 20 KB Swings
    – 20 KB Halos (10 clockwise; 10 counter-clockwise)
    – 20 Alternating KB Single Arm Swings (catch and release at top)
    – 20 KB Waist Rotations (10 clockwise; 10 counter-clockwise)

    Round 6 (Goblet Carry) –

    – 20 KB Swings (overhead)
    – 20 KB Squats
    – 20 KB Pullover (lying on back)
    – 10 KB Lunges left and 10 KB Lunges right

    KB Presses (Pan Pax)

    COT:

    Counterama and Namearama

    Announcements – Bleeder and TYA have a “Q run” coming up — they (TYA especially) respectfully request ridicule in its most clever and biting form. Bleeder even has a GridIron Q in his sights – don’t miss it – June 11 at 0700 (N.B. pre-game at 0645 — The Deep Water, based on Luke 5:1-11).

    Clark reports that there is a local young man on the cusp of Olympic qualification in gymnastics – RVA proud!

    Takeout prayer by Attila – strong.

    Moleskin:

    Welcome to Clark who qualifies for Respect by default (age) and DC Comics given birth name, and more importantly by his strong performance. Also glad to welcome veterans Chum Bucket and Bleeder to the CM for their first time postings at CM, both of whom showed great affinity for the KBs. The other 6 PAX were CM regulars.

    Today’s recipe was designed for grip strength emphasis – total of 7 times around the Chariot Course under weight. Best estimate of YHC was that we were under weight for approximately 40 of the 45 minutes (the 5 minutes of weightlessness consisted of the 8-count Body Builders, 3 recovery down counts, and, for some nameless PAX, inadvertent use of the ground in the transition from the KB Pullovers to the Goblet Carry – yes, there appeared to be some resistance to the weighted Turkish Getup as a voluntary transitional move).

    Toga continues to tote the heavy KB and does so effortlessly (time to add weight?); DK added weight to his KB repertoire (started too light?); Bleeder seems to like the AO – at least the 0500 access to facilities en route (N.B. keys to J’Ville’s law office executive suite washroom are available upon request); not surprisingly, Chum Bucket appeared to be the first to discover the opportunity for more work by adding the Turkish Getup to the mix; White Deer scoffed at the planned KB Pullovers count and was pleased by the audible increasing same; no discernible yawns by Attila (could this mean he was suitably worked today?); J’Ville impressed with some plyometric supplements and his experiment with a higher weight (to which DK sagely offered the cautionary words “Don’t tell Lindsey” (as in “remember the Spy Rock incident”)); and Clark seems primed for a major weight upgrade at his sophomore posting.

    “When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Luke 5:4

  • Lots of counting

    9 posted for a countdown fest at Circus Maximus.  It went something like this:

    Circle up for an extended COP.  The PAX completed the following exercises for 30 seconds each with the first round including 30 seconds rest between each exercise.  Round 2 = 30 secs on and 25 secs rest, Round 3 = 30 secs on and 20 rest… down to no rest for the last set.

    • Swings (single arm option)
    • High Pulls
    • Goblet Squats
    • Deadlift (single leg balance option)
    • Weighted Sit-up
    • Clean and Press (alternating hands each set)

    Bonus round= 30 secs of Halos, Lunges, Lawn Mower Row, and American Hammers with 30 secs rest between each exercise: repeato x2

    Finish with the Rosie’s prom date to press to extend maneuver

    NMM:  The PAX caught on rather quickly to the descending amount of rest as we went through our little routine, and there was very little mumble chatter.  YHC tried to keep the rotation fair and balanced on the single arm exchanges, but we were off by one.  My apologies to JVille on ruining his bodybuilding career.

    The PAX also had a visit from Henrico 5-0.  The same cruiser came by twice or the first one called a buddy to see the circus.  Either way, we were not stopped for questioning.  This proved helpful as YHC was trying to count the time throughout each set.  As DK so wisely noted, “there are phones for that,” but then maintaining the flow of AC/DC would have been complicated.

    Thanks to all for the opportunities to lead this week.  Strong work by a strong group, Aye!

    Stay Classy,

    Toga

  • Volume and Repetition at the Circus

    7 CM stalwarts and 1 CM rookie posted to participate in feats of strength with kettlebells at the Circus Maximus.  Today’s workout was all about volume and repetition,  and it went something like this:

    Mosey/farmer’s carry around the CM loop, then circle up for COP

    1. Arm Circles IC (5 small, 5 large, forwards then backwards)
    2. SSH IC x20
    3. Halo IC x10 clockwise, then reverse x10
    4. Around the body x10
    5. Modified figure 8s with a twist at the top x20

    Mosey to sidewalk next to the school for a double-arm swing and merkin combination.  20 double-arm swings, followed by 10 merkins, then repeato counting down by 1 merkin to 1 until we complete 200 double-arm swings and 55 merkins.

    Mosey/jog around the CM loop for a short break from the bells.

    Back to the sidewalk for a kettlebell ladder: Round 1 (or the base round) = single-arm swings (x5 each arm), high pulls (x5 each arm), side lunges (x5 each side) and curls (x5 each arm).  Round 2 consisted of Round 1 + up-right rows x5.  Round 3 consisted of Round 1+ Round 2 + squat presses x5.  Round 4 consisted of Round 1 + Round 2 + Round 3 + clean and press x5.

    Partner up for a quick discount double-check.  Round 1 – Partner 1 farmer’s carry to end of the loop and back; Partner 2 perform bridge/press/pullovers. Round 2 – Partner 1 karaoke to end and shuffle back – holding bell out front; Partner 2 perform the bob and weave (basically a side lunge with a squat/avoid the punch move).

    Mary – flutter kicks IC x20 while holding your bell up and then WWII + press x10 OYO.

    COT and YHC took us out with thanks for perfect F3 morning and a friendly reminder of something that I heard at a beautiful memorial service yesterday – one day our time here will come to an end but our spirit and our legacy will live on in our kids, our grandkids and in all those we meet or whose lives we touch while we are here, so be mindful of that in your words and your actions – they do leave an imprint!

    Welcome to CM EF Hutton – hope to see you back out there.  For those who have not tried CM, come give it a shot. DK has the CM Q next Thursday.

    Announcements:

    1. Service opportunity – preparing and serving dinner (well, likely breakfast for dinner) and visiting with the folks at the Doorways – Monday evening.  See DK for details.
    2. Lockjaw has RAMM tomorrow
    3. Honeydo has Gridiron and Sippy Cup has Dogpile for what is certain to be a wet and wild Saturday.

    Congrats on the VQ at 45MOM this morning Marv – sounds like it was a great beatdown!

    Good work men!  A pleasure and an honor to step into the circle and lead a strong group of gladiators this morning at Circus Maximus!

    Have a great day men, Gumbo.

  • What happened at NoToll?

    9 #CircusMaximus faithful gathered early this foggy morning for YHC to take a second swing at a kettlebell beatdown and a little more exploration of the AO.  Here’s how things went down, at least how YHC remembers it.

    THANG

    Grab your bell and farmers walk toward the front of the school.

    COP:  SSHx20, Copperhead Squat x20, OH Clapsx25, Merkins x10

    Partner up:  P1 takes both bells and Farmer’s Walk, P2 does 10 merkins then run to catch up to P1, flapjack.  Continue around to the front of the school parking lot.

    P1 does an exercise while P2 runs the parking lot loop.  Flapjack

    Exercises: 1-arm swing, Goblet Squat, Clean, Press, Halo

    Lunge/Farmers walk to the field behind the school.

    8 count burpees pan pax 1 round.

    30 seconds of each of the following exercise, no rest in between.

    Goblet Squat; 2-hand KB swing, Left arm Clean, Left arm Press, Halo, Right arm Press, Right arm Clean, 2-hand KB Swing, Goblet Squat

    Farmers walk toward the VSF

    Stop behind the school for Mary:  KB American Hammers, Flutter Kicks, KB WWII, Slow count Alabama Prom Dates

    Farmers Walk back to the flag.

    COT

    Announcements:  #RiverRun will start Monday 5/16/16 at Bettie Weaver Elementary to give the Southsiders a weekday hill run option.  West Enders and City dwellers welcome too.

    DK has stepped up to organize an F3 2nd F service project preparing and serving dinner at the Doorways on Monday 5/23.  There are about 6 PAX who have volunteered to help, others are welcome, contact DK.  See his BB about it, another update may be coming soon.

    MOLESKIN

    DK served one up for the PAX when he said he wasn’t sure what Gumbo did to him at NoToll on Tuesday but his ass was still sore.  Let the mumblechatter begin…Needless to say Gumbo’s VQ was a sufficient beatdown.

    YHC decided to explore a little more of the AO this morning so we got a slow lap around the school.  There is plenty of space on the other side of the school for a lot of variety.  The field behind the school was in great shape and provided some nice relief from the typical Circus pavement.  It looks like something the PAX could make some future use of.

    BT was crushing it today with his big bell, maybe the name change approved by Corporate yesterday gave him some added motivation.  The regulars are continuing to get stronger with the bells, a few weeks in and the PAX are all tightening up their form and hopefully noticing the results.

    A pleasure to lead today men, well done.

    -Rosie