Tag: Circus Maximus

Godwin

  • Thankful to be Q’ing again

    After a hiatus to take care of treating my cancer (which has gone well overall so far) I was back again leading the PAX with some kettlebell workouts. Admittedly I did drop 5 pounds in kb weight; otherwise I would have struggled more.

    The workout went like this:

    COP: SSHs (just kidding I don’t do those for COP), DQs, helicopters, DMH, HRMs, MCs and FMs. Mosey to back of school.

    Doras with a theme of 52 (upcoming birthday): 52 sit and press, 104 bench press and 208 LBCs. Mosey toward other side of school. 2 sets of 13 lawnmower pulls each arm.

    4 corners: 13 burpees, 26 high pulls, 39 curls (I struggled on this one) and 52 coupon squats (gotta build those legs for pool season). mosey back; 2 sets of 13 lawnmower pulls each arm.

    2 sets of 13 triceps and swings combo.

    Finished with coupon wall sits and a couple sets of halos.

    Gypsy is hosting a help him with chainsaws, shoot stuff and drink beer on 3/22. Hope everyone has good medical insurance and a good time. I will be Q’ing on my birthday on 3/29 at Gridiron. Attila took us out in prayer; it was good to see everyone out there. Also enjoyed coffeeteria ala Offshore; Al Gore would have been proud of our discussion.

    Fireman Ed

  • Smooth Up In Ya

    Tani Katane gazed upon us as she slithered around the hood of my car while 80s glam rock got us ready to sling some iron.

    Disclaimer.

    COP: SSHs, 1 Burbee, Arm Circles, 2 Burbees, DQs, 3 Burpees, Cherry Pickers, 4 Burbees, Mt Climbers, 5 Burpees, Fudd finally arrives, Dead Man Hang, 6 Burbees. Now it’s time to work!  

    The Thang: 15 KB Press, Sit & Press, Squats, Lawn Mower Pulls, High Pulls, Curls, & Overhead Press. Then  12 of each.  Then 9. 6. 3. Take a lap.

    Somewhere in the middle of this routine, a song by the Bullet Boys came on called “Smooth Up In Ya” reminding us middle-aged men to make sure we get our prostates checked.  

    Next Up: Lindsay: 30 Step-ups on the picnic tables seats (single count).  10 Flutters/KB Press.  20/20.  10/30.  Take a lap.

    W/ a perfect 12, ya gotta do a Triple Check: Timer runs.  P2: Calf Raises.  P3: Curb Overhead Pulls. 

    BTTS(tamper)F.  

    60 seconds left: FMs.

    Recover.  

    Numbers.  Names.  

    Announcements:  2 events on 3/22:  SOJ Chili Cookoff at Lwood’s crib and Fun on the Farm w/ Gypsy – fellin’ trees, shootin’ skeet and drinkin’ brews.  On 3/24, the Alamo, which has been an FNG magnet, turns 2. On 3/26, Heist turns 40 and will bless the Green Mile w/ a B-Day Q. And lastly, the csaup no one requested, but the one we all wanted is here: Century Classic 2.0. It will start on May 2 and end after your legs fall off. But hey, at least it’s not a Grow Ruck.

    Prayer requests: None spoken.

    YHC took us out.  

    Moleskin: On an average day, when not much seems to happen, remember that we are blessed to have families, jobs, homes, food. So much is going right all the time. We are so fortunate to have the gift of life. May we all recognize the blessing it is just to be alive.

  • ??!? What exercise?

    3rd F (Faith): thank you Atilla for taking us out this morning. Prayers for pax brothers, family, and friends.

    2nd F (Fellowship) YHC will be hosting a field day at my farm in Mineral (Ataraxia) on Saturday 22nd starting at 11am. Bring your chainsaws, shotguns, and beer steins. We will take out a few trees and run them threw the multcher. Once we wrap, I have 2 cases of skeet and 2 skeet launching machines. Let’s see who has the best shotgun skills. Oh did I mention the Cooling pond beer that will be on tap as well.

    1st F: The Thang: Worm Burners

    This one is an easy one to Q: Called exercise to be completed by the PAX while a single pax pushes a 35lb bench plate across the parking lot and back as a timer: Think Bear Crawl, but both hands on the plate pushing it along. Called exercises were given to each pax. You just tel the guy to right what you did and move down the line as the pacer does a Worm burner.. But some how we ended up with all sorts of exercises that were not orginally called. Run through this rotation twice.

    Finish up with a few rounds of burners (the Kettle bell does not touch the ground) :

    7 up-right rows, 7 tea bag squats, 6,5,4,3,2,1.

    7 clean and press, 7 Swings, 6,5,4,3,2,1

    7 American Hammer, 7 chest press 6,5,4,3,2,1

    7 Plank pull troughs, 7 Merkins 6,5,4,3,2,1

    3 mins of Mary remain.

    All done: time for coffee.

  • A True Circus

    A dirty dozen of familiar faces and some welcomed strangers gathered for a mumble-chatter convention attached to a deceptive KB beatdown.  Here is how it went down:

    • COP
      • SSH
      • IW
      • DQ
      • Helicopters
      • Arm circles
      • DMH
      • Merkins
      • LBC
    • KB 4 corners, prostitute-style with weighted lunges between corners
      • 105 KB curls
      • 75 high pulls
      • 45 KB swings
      • 15 tricep presses
    • 4x check
      • Run
      • Overhead pulls
      • Sit ‘n press
      • Lawnmower pulls
    • COT with YHC taking us out

    Fudd was more than fashionably late today.  White Deer made sure he knew that.  The entire PAX knew White Deer was back, as his mumble-chatter/clipboarding was at its normal, high intensity.  As they say in Spinal Tap, “this one (e.g. White Deer) goes to 11. Mr. Rogers went lower weight to combat injuries, but enjoyed a scholarly conversation with Pigskin.  At one point, I hear that Pigskin was all in favor of executing Hitler, a boiling hot take.  Whitesnake reappeared in a boot, yet set a pace on the 4 corners.  Welcome Warby!   Great to see you; hopefully we did not scare you.  Welcome back Fireman Ed!  An answer to prayer to see you brother!  Finally, the outlet for the coffee pot did not work.  Offshore is working with the fine staff at GHS to address.  We have confirmation that the coffee pot still works.

    For those that have not been to Circus, this is par for the course.   Come join the circus sometime!

    God is good all of the time!

    Attila

  • It’s 70 & Sunny Somewhere

    A faithful foursome gathered in the Circus gloom for another week of KB workouts.  Here is how it went down:

    • COP
      • SSH
      • IW
      • Ukrainian soldiers
      • DQ
      • Helicopters
      • Arm circles
      • DMH
      • Jazzercise
    • 12 x 12 de-escalator – 12 exercise, 12 reps; rinse and repeat with dropping a rep each cycle
      • 60 lawnmower pulls – right arm
      • 60 lawnmower pulls – left arm
      • 60 KB lunges – right leg
      • 60 KB lunges – left leg
      • 60 KB swings
      • 60 high pulls
      • 60 curls
      • 60 tricep presses
      • 60 halos
      • 60 sumo squats
      • 60 calf raises
      • 60 thrusters
    • Add a little Mary since the area under the bus loop stayed dry
      • 20 WWII sit-ups
      • 20 cross crunches – each side
      • 20 H2H
      • 20 2x flutter kicks
      • 20 reverse crunches
      • 20 LBC
      • 20 2x hammers
    • COT with YHC taking us out

    A dry Q was the plan.  A dry Q was attained.  T-claps to Offshore for continuing to prepare coffee in these elements.  Thankful the bus loop covering remained dry so we could get some Mary in today.

    Stay safe and sane out there.  God is good all of the time! 

    Attila

  • Advanced Civilization

    After the workout, coffee included a discussion on home electric generators. When the power fails in Goochland, Blue Moon lives ‘off-the-grid’ using a propane powered electric generator. Offshore (and likely the rest of us) just lives “off-the-grid” when the power fails. We have discovered that an advanced civilization has developed in Goochland.

    It was a thoroughly wet day, so we went to the far end of the covered walkway.

    Beginning with the standard disclaimer: “I’m not a professional, while you are here, try not to add any injuries to what is already afflicting you, etc.”

    Warm-up: All in cadence

    • 20 SSHs
    • 20 IWs
    • 20 Copperhead squats
    • Right over left, left over right hamstring stretch

    We stayed in a circle and I passed out 5 sheets of paper inside of plastic sleeves with 2 ‘pictures’ of a KB exercise. If you didn’t like that exercise, you could turn the sheet over as most of the sheets had another KB exercise on the back. We had 5 stations plus a timer. The timer did a Farmer’s carry; carried his own KB in one hand, another 25-pound KB in the other hand and walked part way to the end of the walkway and back. Then we rotated counterclockwise. In that manner, everyone did each exercise, including the farmer’s carry once in the rotation. After finishing with one rotation, we did a farmer’s carry to the end of the walkway and back with our own kettlebell, swapped out some of the exercises and made a 2nd round.

    In total, we did 3 rounds of this except after the last round, we took a mosey around the bus loop.

    Below are the exercises we chose from.

    Single Leg Deadlift Standing on one leg and holding the kettlebell in one hand lean forwards keeping your back flat.

    The same leg that goes back is the same arm that you are holding the kettlebell with.

    Go down as far as your hamstrings will allow and then return to the top position.

    Your standing leg can have a slight bend during the movement.

    Clean Start with the bell between your legs and knees bent, Lift KB to your shoulder. Thumb should point backwards at the bottom of the movement. To prevent banging of the forearms, try to take the arm around the KB rather than the KB around the arm. Aim to keep the KB as close to the body as possible.
    Clean and Press After the clean, press the KB overhead. As you link the 2 exercises together it is important to take a short pause between each movement.
    Side Lunge Holding the kettlebell in both hands close to the chest take a sideways step, push the hips back and drop into a side lunge position.

    Keep your chest up and weight on your heels.

    One leg should bend while the other remains straight.

    Curls There were several versions of these.

    ·       using a towel to lift the kettle bell,

    ·       squat and do the curl,

    ·       curl with the heavy part of the kettlebell out,

    ·       curl with the heavy part of the kettlebell in,

    ·       curl with both hands grabbing the bell instead of the horns.

    Thruster Combines 2 exercises the Squat and the Press for maximum energy expenditure.

    Start from the racked position and drop down into the Squat, next drive up from the floor and use your momentum to drive the kettlebell overhead.

    Next control the kettlebell back down into the racked position and repeat.

    Windmill Start with the KB overhead and the arm locked straight. Spread your feet to double shoulder width apart and angle your feet at 45 degrees. Push your hips out to the side with looking at the KB take the opposite hand down and touch the floor between your legs. Try to keep both legs straight.
    Skull Crusher Lay on your back, take KB with both hands from the ground/top of your head to overhead straightening your arms.
    Bob and Weave Hold the kettlebell high up the chest with both hands and step out to the side, duck down as if trying to get underneath a low doorway and then bring your other foot across to meet the foot that stepped out.

     

    Make sure that all the movement comes from a hinging at the hips rather than bending forwards at the lower back.

     

    The back should remain flat throughout the movement.

    snatch Start with a single hand swing, KB between legs, swing the KB up at around head height, pull the KB towards you and then push up. Next throw the KB out and absorb the mass at the bottom of the swing.
    Overhead squat Hold the KB overhead with a locked out arm. Next drop into the squat position by pushing your hips backwards, all your weight should be on your heels. At the bottom of the squat push up from the floor back to the starting position. The KB should remain overhead throughout the exercise.
    Overhead press Standing position with KB at Shoulder, press up and fully extend arm.

    We finished up with

    • 20 KB Swings OYO
    • 20 Triceps OYO
    • 20 Heels to heaven
    • 20 APDs
    • 15 KB Hammers in cadence
    • 20 KB flutters in cadence
    • 60 count 60-inch leg lift

    Announcements.

    TOMORROW IS VALENTINE’S DAY!!!

    COT

    “If someone succeeds in provoking you, realize that your mind is complicit in the provocation.” Epictetus

    Epictetus was a Greek Stoic philosopher. He was born into slavery at Hierapolis, Phrygia and lived in Rome until his banishment, when he went to Nicopolis in northwestern Greece, where he spent the rest of his life. He died in 135 AD.

    Epictetus taught that people are responsible for their feelings and actions, and that living virtuously is the key to a good life. Epictetus’s teachings had a religious tone that appealed to early Christian thinkers.

    Stoicism is a philosophy that emphasizes virtue and self-control as a way to achieve a good life. It originated in Ancient Greece and was influential for centuries.

    Core beliefs

    • Virtue: The practice of virtue is enough to achieve a good life.
    • Cause and effect: The universe operates according to a rational structure of cause and effect.
    • Self-control: We can control how we approach things, even if we can’t control the events that affect us.
    • Simplicity: A simple, peaceful life is the most virtuous.

    Stoicism values

    • Wisdom,
    • Justice,
    • Courage,
    • Moderation,
    • Temperance

    Stoic practices

    • Focus on what you can control
    • Make choices that are in your character
    • Don’t let what you consider good or bad come at the expense of your values
    • Prepare for unexpected blows, but don’t blame or criticize others
    • Focus on the task at hand

    Stoic thinkers

    • Zeno of Citium,
    • Epictetus,
    • Marcus Aurelius,
    • Seneca

    Stoicism influenced Christian, Jewish, and Islamic thought, as well as natural law and political authority theorists. It also influenced existentialism and Neo-orthodox Protestant theology.

    We finished with fresh percolated Coffee.

  • Stay Dry, Get Stronger

    Ten noble warriors fought off the fart sack on a cold and wet morning to pound some KBs.  Here is how it went down:

    • COP
      • SSH
      • IW
      • DQ
      • Helicopters
      • Arm circles
      • DMH
      • Merkins
      • LBC
      • APD
    • KB escalator – 10, 15, 20, 25 reps; add reps and a new exercise with each iteration
      • 70 high pulls
      • 70 tricep press
      • 70 swings
      • 70 sumo squats
      • 70 curls
      • 70 lawnmower pulls, each arm
    • Run the loop
    • Lindsay with KB presses and WWII sit-ups
    • Run the loop
    • Rifle carry KB down the bus drop off; KB lunge ½ the bus drop off; around the world down the bus drop off
    • Stretch and COT with YHC taking us out

    There was a wet workout Q and a dry workout Q.  We went with the covered, wet plan.  Let’s focus on getting stronger, not sick.  Good to see all of the PAX today, a robust showing for a wet Thursday.  T-claps to Offshore for getting the coffee prepped on a wet morning.  Last I checked rain and electricity were a tricky combination.

    Frozen Triangle on Saturday will be moist.  Lunch next week at Joey’s (Tuesday at 12 noon).

    Continued prayers for our brothers Fudd, Mr. Rogers, and Fireman Ed, plus our injured comrads. 

    God is good all of the time!

    Attila

  • Continuing a theme

    The COT continued the theme brought to us at Heartbreak by Salt Lick this past Tuesday; Resilience.

    But first, Fudd showed up fashionably late wearing his fashionable Head Covering. Fudd: You’ll have to tell Atila where he can buy one. I think we’re all jealous. Maybe Mr. Roger’s Buffalo Bill’s hat might be in the competition for best head covering.

    Offshore was also late. He remembered the coffee pot but didn’t remember his KB until he got halfway here. Details.

    As Q, I appreciated someone other than myself counting in German. Danke, Blue Moon!

    Disclaimer: Don’t leave here with more injuries than you came with.

    Warmup:

    • 20 SSH,
    • 15 IWs,
    • 10 Don Quixote,
    • Plank stretch,

    Countdown:

    • 20 Upright rows, 20 Deep Mountain Climbers (single count), 18 Overhead Presses, 18 Deep Mountain Climbers, 16 Upright rows, 16 Deep Mountain Climbers, 14 Overhead Presses, 14 Deep Mountain Climbers etc. down to 2 Overhead Presses, 2 Deep Mountain Climbers.
    • Run around the island

    Triple Check:

    • The Timer rifle carries their KB to the Propane Tank, does 5 burpees and returns
    • Partner 2 Squats
    • Partner 3 does Curls
    • Run around the island
    • Stretch

    Triple Check:

    • The Timer rifle carries their KB to the Propane Tank, does 5 burpees and returns
    • Partner 2 Swings
    • Partner 3 Flutters while holding the bell
    • Run around the island

    Back to the flag for Mary

    • 20 Dollies in cadence
    • 20 APDs in cadence
    • 20 Hammers in cadence

    Numberama, namerama

    Announcements:

    Frozen Triangle Feb 8.

    Take by YHC:

    Two quotes on Resilience:

    “You are not defeated when you lose. You are defeated when you quit.” Paul Coelho

    “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” Winston Churchill

    We also offered our prayers for Roger Roger and his spouse, Fudd’s sister Mary, Fireman Ed, and the victims and their families of the airplane-helicopter crash last night near Reagan airport in Washington.

    Afterwards, Coffee! It included a discussion on investment advice from Lighthouse (A Random Walk Down Wall Street is my basis for investing) among other worthy topics.

  • Cold as hell, but still slinging that iron.

    9 dudes got after it at Circus Maximus this morning. Knowing the Pax, I brought the 80s rock ballad and left the running shoes behind.

    Here is how everything went down:

    Disclaimers. SoJ takeover. Followed by me saying, “thanks for welcoming us.” Fudd, “us?”

    Warmup: SSH, Deadman hang, Ukrainian Soldiers, CHS, Merkins, LBCs, APDs, Flutters, Cobra/Downward dog

    Round 1: 3 sets (about 15 reps) of KB swings, KB squat, KB calf raises, KB lunges. One lap around bus loop.

    Round 2: 3 sets (about 15 reps) of KB swings, KB teacup (both sides), KB pullovers, Leg raises holding KB above chest. One lap around bus loop.

    Round 3: 3 sets (about 15 reps) of KB shoulder shrugs,  KB shoulder press,  KB rows, KB chest press, KB merkin pull through (only six reps). One lap around bus loop.

    Two farmer carry with KBs around the parking lot

    Time.

    Announcements:

    • Frozen Triangle 2/8
    • Bridge is cancelled this weekend. Fudd requests SOJ guys to roll deep again.

    Prayers for Roger Roger

    Moleskin: Did not recognize Blue Moon at first without the Goatee. Fudd’s fart sounded like air getting let out of a balloon. Thanks to Off

  • Trilogy

    The week of high reps/confined space made its way to Circus Maximus.  Bringing back a Toga favorite.  Here is how it went down:

    • COP
      • SSH
      • IW
      • DQ
      • Helicopters
      • Arm circles
      • DMH
      • Merkins
      • LBC
    • AMRAP – 5 exercises, 30 seconds, 4 intervals with decreasing rest (20 seconds down to 15 down to 10 down to 5)
      • Hi-pulls
      • Curls
      • Squats
      • Tricep press
      • Swings
    • Run the loop
    • Round 2 for AMRAPs, same set-up
      • Sit ‘n press
      • Overhead pulls
      • Skull crushers
      • KB hammers
      • Presses
    • Mosey to the flag for brief round of Mary with one-legged cross crunches (each side)
    • COT with YHC taking us out.

    More great work by the PAX.  A lucky 7 braved the cold with high reps and a full body experience.

    Prayers for Gomer before he leaves this weekend for his medical missions trip, and continued prayers for Fireman Ed as he has started treatments. 

    Frozen Triangle on February 8th

    God is good all of the time!

    Attila