Whether You Like it Our Not, Donald.... The U.S. is a Player in the World

Clearly Donald Trump has learned that his buddy Bannon that helped get him into the White House lives in a fantasy world. America cannot be isolated from the rest of the world and President Trump has this week realized that at times we will have to engage in international issues. Now if he can somehow avoid a shooting war in the Korean Peninsula?!

Warm-Up:
Cardio Machine, 20 minutes
Weight Training:
Incline Dumbbell Chest Press, 3 sets of 10 repetitions
Dumbbell Hammer Curl, 3 sets of 10 repetitions
Plate Loaded Chest Press Machine, 3 sets of 4-6 repetitions
Barbell Biceps Curl, 3 sets of 8-10 repetitions
Roman Chair Toes Raise, 3 sets of 20 repetitions
Captains of Crush Grip Trainers, 15 repetitions with each hand after each of the above sets
Mobility:
Banded Shoulder Stretches
Chest Stretch

Have a Great Day!!

Schedules Do Not Always Cooperate

I was hoping to get to the gym to get back to Olympic lifting today, but my work schedule conspired against me. I did get to workout at home.

Warm-Up:
Jump Rope, 100 repetitions
PVC Passthrough, 20 repetitions
PVC Wraparound, 20 repetitions
Weight Training:
Front Squat, 5 sets of 3 repetitions
Overhead Barbell Lunge, 5 sets of 5 repetitions
Romanian Deadlift, 5 sets of 3 repetitions
Deadlift, 5 sets of 3 repetitions
AbMat Sit-Up, 60 repetitions
Mobility:
Banded Shoulder Stretches
Quadriceps Stretch
Hamstring Stretch

Have a Great Day!!

When You Want The Most Strength Training Bang for Your Workout Buck....

Squat. After working from midnight to 7:30am I spent a good chunk of the day resting. I did however want to get a workout in tonight and focused on the big three: squat, deadlift, and bench press. Time was at a premium.... and if I only have time for one strength training exercise it will always be the squat. Tonight it was the front squat.

Warm-Up:
Jumping Jack, 50 repetitions
Weight Training:
Front Squat, 3 sets of 10 repetitions
Deadlift, 5 sets of 1-2 repetitions
Bench Press, 3 sets of 10 repetitions
Mobility:
Banded Shoulder Stretches
Quadriceps Stretch
Hamstring Stretch

Have a Great Day!!

Rest in Peace Gwen and the Workout

I have to say that I was pretty devastated to hear that Gwen Ifill passed away today. For a very long time we have allowed Gwen and Judy into our home in the evening as part of the PBS Newshour. We will miss her... Gwen was fun, smart, and held people she interviewed accountable... but mostly Gwen was just down to Earth. I know that she died after battling cancer.... I sure hope that she passed peacefully.

Warm-Up:
Airdyne, 3 minutes
PVC Passthrough, 20 repetitions
Foam Roller Work
Weight Training:
Snatch from the Block, 75% of 1-RM 6 sets of 2 repetitions
Snatch Pull, 90% of 1-RM 2 repetitions, 95% of 1-RM 2 repetitions, 100% of 1-RM 2 repetitions, 105% of 1-RM 2 repetitions
Back Squat, 83% of 1-RM 3 sets of 5 repetitions, 60% of 1-RM 1 sets of 5 repetitions
Power Clean, 65% of 1-RM 6 sets of 2 repetitions
GHD Sit-Up, 30 repetitions
Mobility:
Banded Shoulder Stretches
Hamstring Stretch
Quadriceps Stretch

Have a Great Day!!

Family Schedule Change and the Workout

Tomorrow as a family we are getting up at 3:25am. That is pretty normal for me working my morning shift at UPS. Tomorrow however, Rebecca starts her trauma shift in the ER. We will get through this as we always do but the life shift will be interesting. This is where I think we have an advantage being middle aged and going through residency versus being in our twenties. We have experienced some life, some hardship and we have come out the other side. That experience will get us through this rotation.

Warm-Up:
Row, 500m
Foam Roller Work
Weight Training:
Hang Clean from the Knee plus a Clean from the Floor, 80% of 1-RM 4 sets of 1 repetition of each,
Super Set: Perform each exercise in order to complete a set. 4 sets total. No rest between exercises.
Back Squat, 93% of 1-RM 2 repetitions
Weighted Pull-Up +15 kgs., 5 repetitions
No Feet Snatch, 80% of 1-RM 4 sets of 1 repetitions
Super Set: Perform each exercise in order to complete a set. 4 sets total. No rest between exercises.
Snatch Pull with a Stall at the Knee, 100% of 1-RM 2 repetitions
Weighted Push-Up +50 kgs, 6 repetitions
Mobility:
Banded Shoulder Stretches

Have a Great Day!!

Cubs' Fans and The Workout

The Cubs have fallen behind in the World Series after dropping Game 3 to the Indians 1-0. Now it is a best of seven series and the series is only 2-1 in favor of Cleveland. But, after 108 years Cubs fans are starting to feel the sense of impending doom. What were record high ticket prices took a downward turn after Chicago was shut out last night. Hang in there Cubbies!!

Warm-Up:
Row, 500m
Foam Roller Work
Weight Training:
Super Set: Perform each exercise in order to complete a set. Five sets total. No rest between exercises.
Banded Front Squat, 60% of 1-RM plus bands 3 repetitions
Overhead Press from the Split Position, 3 repetitions
Clean and Jerk, Each set a percentage of 1-RM. 60% 2 repetitions, 70% 2 repetitions, 75% 1 repetition, 80% 1 repetition, 85% 1 repetition, 87% 2 sets of 1 repetition.
Snatch, Each set a percentage of 1-RM. 60% 2 repetitions, 70% 2 repetitions, 75% 1 repetition, 80% 1 repetition, 85% 1 repetition, 90% 1 repetition, 92% 2 sets of 1 repetition
Mobility:
Banded Shoulder Stretches
Quadriceps Stretch
Hamstring Stretch

Have a Great Day!!

Olympic Lifting and the Riverwalk

It is a gorgeous day here in Chattanooga. I got in a great early morning lifting session and then had a very nice breakfast at home. In the afternoon we took the dogs down the Chattanooga Riverwalk as far as we could where dogs are allowed. They had a great time and are now exhausted.

Warm-Up:
Row, 500m
Foam Roller Work
Weight Training:
Super Set: Perform each exercise in order to complete a set. Six sets total. No rest between exercises.
Banded Front Squat, 1-1/2" band on each side of barbell with 50% of 1-RM, 3 repetitions
Overhead Press from Split Stance, 3 repetitions
Snatch, 80% of 1-RM, 5 sets of 2 repetitions
Clean and Jerk, 80% of 1-RM, 5 sets of 2 repetitions
Mobility:
Banded Shoulder Stretches
Foam Roller Work

Afternoon Walk, 3.5 miles with the pooches

Have a Great Day!!

Wisdom Panel and More Rowing

I spent the morning sorting packages at UPS and got back to a gift for my birthday: A DNA test for our first dog Ocho from Wisdom Panel. We have been pretty sure that he is an Australian Cattle Dog but who really knows since we found him almost 9 years ago at a boat ramp on the San Juan River in Utah?! I think he is mostly ACD/Red Heeler, but his ears are PRETTY BIG!

Tomorrow morning is another Olympic lifting day. I am still recovering from this oblique/rib injury.... I have no idea what it is really but there is not much that I can do about it. It seems to not bother me too much unless I sneeze... and that REALLY hurts. I will stick to the rowing machine again along with more shoulder stretching.

Workout:
Row, 20 minutes
PVC Passthrough, 10 repetitions
PVC Wraparound, 10 repetitions
Shoulder Girdle Stretches

Have a Great Day!!

"The Lesser of Two Evils..." and the Workout

I missed who was being interviewed on the radio this morning as I drove into the gym. The interview had started before I got on the road and ended some time after I got out of the car. I did find the words of the political commentator valuable as he brought up a very valid point: "People have been saying that they may not vote because choosing either Trump or Clinton, depending on your perspective... is simply 'Choosing the lesser of two evils...' When given this choice in life, one should always choose LESS evil. Good rule for life having less evil in the world." So vote.... and choose the lesser of two evils.

Warm-Up:
Banded Shoulder Girdle Stretch
Banded Barbell Overhead Squat, 5 sets of 10 repetitions
GHD Back Extensions with PVC Behind the Neck, 5 sets of 10 repetitions
Weight Training:
Super Set: Perform the next two exercises in order with no rest between each exercise to complete a set. Six sets total.
Behind the Neck Jerk to Overhead Squat, 2 repetitions
Trap Bar Deadlift, 5 repetitions
Farmer's Carry 80m with 70lbs. Kettlebell per Hand, 5 rounds

Have a Great Day!!

Whooping of a Week and the Workout

Today is going to be a day away from the weights. After a full week of sorting packages for UPS in the mornings and training with Olympic lifts and Crossfit in the evenings, it is time to let the old bones take a bit of a break. Today I will row, do some core and shoulder mobility work.

Workout:
Steady Paced Row, 5000 meters
Core Work: Perform 35 repetitions of each of the following exercises. No rest between exercises.
Flutter Kick
Lying Heel Touch
Lying Knee Pull-In
Lying Leg Lift
Mobility:
Banded Shoulder Stretch
PVC Wraparound, 10 repetitions
PVC Passthrough, 10 repetitions

Have a Good Day!!