Blessed Life in Chattanooga and the Workout

In the evenings I drive in to the gym and listen to "All Things Considered" and the NPR Newscast. Often times I have things on my mind like "When am I going to get to the lawn that needs to be mowed...", "I need to make sure the dogs get a long walk before bed..." or "Focus on my leg drive during my clean...." Then I hear the news and it becomes clear that that I am one of the luckiest people in the world. My life is cake. My home is not threatened by fire or flood, there is no excessive lead in my water, there are not car bombs going off in the market where I shop, I am not profiled because of the color of my skin. My life here in Chattanooga is truly blessed.... I need to try to remember that more often.

Warm-Up: Perform each exercise in order to complete a set. No rest between each exercise. Three sets total.
Air Squat, 20 repetitions
GHD Leg Extension with PVC Overhead Press, 10 repetitions
Banded Shoulder Stretch, 30 seconds per side
Weight Training:
Super Set: Perform each exercise in order to complete a set. No rest between exercises. Five sets total.
Clean from the Block, 2 repetitions
Front Squat, 2 repetitions
Push Press, 2 repetitions
Super Set: Perform each exercise in order to complete a set. No rest between exercises. Ten sets total.
Clean from the Block
Push Jerk
Super Set: Perform each exercise in order to complete a set. No rest between exercises. Five sets total.
Reverse Lunge from the Front Rack Position, 6 repetitions per side
Box Jump, 3 repetitions
Barbell Weighted Verticals, 4 sets of 4 repetitions

Have a Great Day!!

Quick Workout Post

Just a quick post of the daily workout.

Warm-Up: Perform each exercise in order for one minute each to complete a round. Three rounds total. No rest between exercises or rounds.
24" Box Jump
Barbell Good Morning
AbMat Sit-Up
Weight Training:
Deadlift 70% of One Rep Max., 5 sets of 5 repetitions
Pendlay Row, 5 sets of 8-10 repetitions
Dumbbell Pullover, 3 sets of 8-10 repetitions
Upright Barbell Row, 3 sets of 8-10 repetitions
Core Work: Perform 30 repetitions of each of the following exercises. No rest between exercises.
Flutter Kick
Lying Heel Touch
Lying Knee Pull-In
Lying Leg Lift

Have a Great Day!!

These Dogs Hate the 4th of July and the Workout

I am very excited for the long weekend after a week of early wake-ups to work at the UPS facility. I love the 4th of July. I especially like the reading of the Declaration of Independence on NPR stations on the holiday. The 4th of July is also my mother-in-law's birthday. The only thing that sucks about Independence Day as far as I am concerned is the fact that my two little Australian Cattle Dogs think all of the firework activity is incoming fire from some unseen enemy that is trying to take them out! As I was typing this, some early bird patriot set off a large device and both dogs came diving for cover in the bunker between the coffee table and sofa! Good luck boys.

Warm-Up: Perform each exercise in order with no rest between exercises to complete a round. Three rounds total.
Jump Rope, 40 repetitions
Barbell Good Morning, 10 repetitions
AbMat Sit-Up, 25 repetitions
Weight Training:
Back Squat with Heavy Chains, 5 sets of 4-6 repetitions
Standing Weighted Calf Raise, 5 sets of 15 repetitions
Barbell Good Morning, 5 sets of 8-10 repetitions
24" Box Jump, 5 sets of 10
Core Work: Perform 30 repetitions of each of the following exercises. No rest between exercises.
Flutter Kick
Lying Heel Touch
Lying Knee Pull-In
Lying Leg Lift

Have a Great Day!!

Gates to Regrexit? The Daily Workout

It appears that we have moved from the world of the "-Gate" to other strange words. This whole thing started with the 1972 burglary at the Democratic National Committee offices at the Watergate Complex in DC. It made sense to call it "Watergate" then, that is where the crime actually took place! But, that led to everything that was controversial taking on the "-Gate" suffix.... to sports fans the most annoying being "DeflateGate". With the British exit from the European Union, it became the "Brexit". And now that there has been a referendum calling for the United Kingdom to pull out of the EU and the consequences are becoming more clear, there are millions of people signing petitions to call for another referendum vote... they are actually calling it "Regrexit". Wow.

Warm-Up: Perform each exercise in order for one minute each to complete a round. Three rounds total. No rest between exercises.
Jumping Jack
24" Box Jump
AbMat Sit-Up
Weight Training:
Back Squat, 5 sets of 4-6 repetitions
Standing Weighted Calf Raise, 3 sets of 15 repetitions
Romanian Deadlift, 3 sets of 10 repetitions
Sandbag Weighted 24" Step-Up, 3 sets of 10 repetitions per leg
Core Work: Perform 25 repetitions of each of the following exercises. No rest between exercises.
Flutter Kick
Lying Heel Touch
Lying Knee Pull-In
Lying Leg Lift

Have a Great Day!!

Two For One and Building Furniture

I spent most of the evening yesterday putting together the mother lode of furniture that arrived here in Chattanooga. The bonus of not owning any furniture paid dividends when we were moving to Tennessee. We ordered a ton of furniture for our new little house but ended up waiting two weeks for it to arrive. Yesterday it all rolled in and I was NOT going to sleep on the floor one more night and got the bed put together.... and slept like a baby. However, I did not get the blog posted.... which I will do now.... and post today's leg workout.

Warm-Up:
Row, 5 minutes
Weight Training:
Seated Dumbbell Shoulder Press, 3 sets of 10 repetitions
Seated Overhead Triceps Extension, 3 sets of 10 repetitions
Seated Dumbbell Side Raise, 3 sets of 10 repetitions
Dumbbell Triceps Kickback, 3 sets of 10 repetitions
Alternating Dumbbell Front Raise, 3 sets of 10 repetitions
Core Work: Perform 20 repetitions of each of the following exercises in order. No rest between exercises.
Flutter Kick
Lying Heel Touch
Lying Knee Pull-In
Lying Leg Lift

Warm-Up: Perform each exercise in order to complete a round. No rest between exercises. Three rounds total.
Jump Rope, 50 repetitions
24" Box Jump, 10 repetitions
AbMat Sit-Up, 25 repetitions
Weight Training:
Back Squat, 5 sets of 4-6 repetitions
Weighted Standing Calf Raise, 3 sets of 10 repetitions
Barbell Good Morning, 5 sets of 8-10 repetitions
25m Weighted Sled Push, 5 rounds
25m Overhead Plate Lunge (45#), 5 rounds
Core Work: Perform 20 repetitions of each of the following exercises in order. No rest between exercises.
Flutter Kick
Lying Heel Touch
Lying Knee Pull-In
Lying Leg Lift

Have a Great Day!!

Ali's Funeral Procession and the Workout

It is amazing to watch Ali's funeral procession as it slowly rolls through neighborhoods of his hometown Louisville, Kentucky.The thing that makes it amazing to me is that many of the thousands of people lining the street never saw Ali throw a single punch! Watching young children chant his name and throw roses on the hearse as it slowly creeps by. This is the impact of this man on our country..... he really was "The Greatest". Black, White, Asian, Latinos.... everyone is out on the street.

Warm-Up: 6 minute, AMRAP
24" Box Jump, 10
Push-Up, 15
PVC Passthrough, 20
AbMat Sit-Up, 25
Weight Training:
Bench Press, 5 sets of 4-6 repetitions
Axle Bar Curl, 3 sets of 10 repetitions
Weighted Dip (Bodyweight +50lbs.), 5 sets of maximum repetitions
Dumbbell Hammer Curl, 3 sets of 10 repetitions
Captains of Crush Grip Trainer, 15 repetitions per hand between each of the above sets
Core Work: 20 repetitions of each of the following exercises. No rest between exercises.
Flutter Kick
Lying Heel Touch
Lying Heel Pull-In
Lying Leg Lift

Have a Great Day!!

Now the Wolves are on Steph Curry and the Workout

The Cavs put a huge whooping on the Warriors last night at home in Cleveland. Instantly, the sports media was off LeBron and onto Steph. Is he injured? Why is the MVP of the league only averaging 16 points per game? Is he tired? The Cavs have figured out how to defend him? Who knows?! Steph isn't telling. But as they say, it isn't a series until someone wins an away game... so far, everyone is holding court.

Warm-Up: Perform each exercise in order to complete a round. No rest between exercises. 3 rounds total.
Jump Rope, 50 repetitions
24" Box Jump, 10 repetitions
Barbell Good Morning, 10 repetitions
AbMat Butterfly Sit-Up, 20 repetitions
Weight Training:
Back Squat, 5 sets of 4-6 repetitions
Weighted Calf Raise, 3 sets of 15 repetitions
Romanian Deadlift, 5 sets of 6-8 repetitions
Sandbag Weighted 24" Step-Up, 3 sets of 10 repetitions
Core Work: Perform 20 repetitions of each of the following exercises. No rest between exercises.
Flutter Kick
Lying Heel Touch
Lying Heel Pull-In
Lying Leg Lift

Have a Great Day!!

Last Workout in Arizona!

Today will mark the last workout while we live in Arizona. Tomorrow we will load up the cars and we will start heading to our new home in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It is all very exciting, its been mildly stressful and slightly terrifying as we send ourselves out into the world to a town we do not know. In the grand scheme of troubles in the world, ours are few and the things that are challenges to us are really just hiccups in life. We live a blessed life.

Warm-Up: Complete a 6 minute AMRAP of the following exercises: 
Push-Up, 10 repetitions
Jump Rope, 40 repetitions
20" Box Jump, 10 repetitions
PVC Passthrough, 20 repetitions
Workout: Complete three rounds for time.
800 Meter Run
Butterfly Sit-Up, 50 repetitions
Kettlebell Swing 32kg, 30 repetitions
Cool-Down:
400m Walk
Core Workout: Perform 15 repetitions of each of the following exercises. No rest between exercises.
Flutter Kick
Lying Heel Touch
Lying Knee Pull-in
Leg Lift

Have a Great Day!

Memorial Day Weekend, the Final Pack-Up and the Workout

Memorial Day Weekend. It is easy to get wrapped up in things like I did today: "Oh crap. I have to close the bank account here in Arizona today because Monday is Memorial Day." For many Americans, Memorial Day is an inconvenience because things like the bank or post office will be closed on Monday. The reality is that we are still at war and there are still Americans dying, now fighting ISIS in Syria and Iraq along with the continued fight with the Taliban in Afghanistan. Just last month a Navy SEAL from Phoenix died as part of a quick reaction force in Syria as he waded into combat helping to extract other American military advisers. Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Charlie Keating IV died a hero at a time when it is easy to forget that there are military personnel out there risking their lives every day.

I am not sure what it is going to look like here Monday on Memorial Day for the workout. We are packing everything up for an early final departure to our new home in Chattanooga on Tuesday. This includes all of the workout equipment so I am going to dedicate today's workout to all of our brave men and women out there that are serving their country and especially in memory of those who have died in that service.

I am going to modify the "Whitten" Hero workout. Since I have sent the wall ball to Chattanooga already on our moving trailer I will replace the wall ball toss with thrusters with a pair of 20# dumbbells. The workout is named for Army Captain Dan Whitten. Whiiten, 28, of Grimes, Iowa, was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, based out of Fort Bragg, NC. Whitten died February 2, 2010, when enemy forces in Zabul, Afghanistan attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. Whitten is survived by his wife, Starr Whitten, his mother, Jill Whitten, his father, Dan Whitten, and his sister, U.S. Army Captain Sarah Whitten.

Warm-Up: Three rounds at a warm-up pace.
400m Jog
Glute Bridge, 15 repetitions
Push-Up Plank Hold, 30 seconds
Butterfly Sit-Up, 20 repetitions
Workout: "Whitten" Five Rounds For Time.
Kettlebell Swing 32kg, 22 repetitions
24" Box Jump, 22 repetitions
400 Meter Run
Burpee, 22 repetitions
Dumbbell Thruster (20# Dumbbells), 22 repetitions
Cool-Down:
400m Walk

Have a Great Day!!

Nobel PEACE Prize, Right? The Workout

Now, anyone that reads this knows that I like Obama. I think that he has been a good President. I think though that even Barack himself must wonder why the hell he was given the Nobel Peace Prize?! Really the committee screwed up. No U.S. President should be given the award for Peace. There are too many things that a U.S. President has to do that should block them from ever being considered?! How many other Nobel Laureates authorize drone strikes on people? I mean, don't get me wrong, I am sure that Mulah Mansour was a bad dude.... but Obama personally authorized that strike. Obama, who is also the Commander in Chief, is ultimately responsible for the gunship strike that mistakenly destroyed the Doctors Without Borders hospital in Afghanistan on October 3, 2015. That HAS to be the first time that one Nobel Laureate blew-up another Nobel Laureate?! This world is crazy.

Warm-Up: Complete a 5 minute AMRAP of: 
Jump Rope, 40 repetitions
Burpee, 5 repetitions
20" Box Jump, 10 repetitions
Butterfly Sit-Up, 10 repetitions
Workout: AMRAP 10 Minutes. Do one rep of each exercise the first round, then two reps, then three reps, and so on, until time is up.
Dumbbell Thruster (33# per dumbell)
Strict, No Kip Pull-Up
Cool-Down:
400m Walk
Core Workout: 15 repetitions of each of the following exercises. No rest between exercises.
Flutter Kick
Heel Touch
Knee Pull-in
Leg Lift

Have a Great Day!!

Quick Workout Post

Warm-Up: 6 minutes as many rounds as possible
20" Box Jump, 10 repetitions
Hand Release Push-Up, 10 repetitions
Walking Lunge, 10 repetitions per side
Strict No Kip Pull-Up, 5 repetitions
Workout: Perform 21 repetitions of each of the exercises below to complete a round. Then complete 15 repetitions of each for the second round and then complete 9 repetitions of each exercise for a third round. Complete the three rounds for time.
Kettlebell Swing (32kg)
24" Box Jump
AbMat Butterfly Sit-Up
Cool-Down:
400m Slow Jog
Core Workout: Complete 15 repetitions of each of the exercises below. No rest between exercises.
Flutter Kick
Heel Touch
Knee Pull-in
Leg Lift
Grip Training:
Captains of Crush Grip Trainers, 5 sets of 15 repetitions per hand

Have a Great Day!!

Tomorrow Will be a Sad Day and the Workout

Today the packing continued. Most things are in boxes and squared away, just waiting for the ABF trailer to arrive on Friday. Tomorrow however things will change here. The Rogue Power Rack is coming down and getting ready for the big move to Chattanooga. It will be great to actually have a real garage for the garage gym once we arrive! It will take the trailer a few days to get there and we will unload it on June 3rd. Starting Saturday morning, workouts are going to either be bodyweight or dumbbell focused.

Warm-Up: Perform each exercise in order to complete a set. Three sets total. No rest between exercises or sets.
Pull-Up, 5 repetitions
Jump Rope, 40 repetitions
PVC Passthrough, 20 repetitions
100m Run
Metabolic Conditioning For Time: Perform each exercise in order. No rest between exercises. Record your time when complete.
Box Jump (24"/ 20"), 50 repetitions
Kettlebell Swing (50#/35#), 40 repetitions
Burpee, 30 repetitions
Wall Ball Shot (20#/14#), 20 repetitions
Strict No-Kip Pull-Up, 10 repetitions
Cool-Down:
200m Walk
Core Workout: Perform each exercise in order with no rest between exercises.
Flutter Kick, 10 repetitions
Lying Heel Touch, 10 repetitions
Knee Pull-In, 10 repetitions
Lying Leg Lift, 10 repetitions

Have a Great Day!!

Dogs Love Dogs and the Workout

We woke up early and watched our friends leave for their summer home in Wyoming. Along with the humans left our dog Ocho's best friend Owen. We are hoping that despite everyone's busy schedules there will be a day that Owen will come visit Ocho at our new home in Chattanooga.... but who knows? Ocho has been very lucky. Since we have found him he has had a lot of canine friends to keep him company. Ocho will not have that in Chattanooga.

Enter the Tennessee Valley Australian Cattle Dog Rescue. We filled out the five page application and plan to visit the rescue to look for a young match for our own little Heeler. Biscuit is a good looking dog!!

Warm-Up: Complete each exercise in order to complete a set. Three sets total at a warm-up pace
Air Squat, 15 repetitions
Double Under or Single Under, 20 repetitions or 40 repetitions
20"Box Jump, 10 repetitions
Wall Ball 16#, 10 repetitions
Strength Training:
Back Squat, 5 sets of 3-6 rep
100m Farmer's Carry, 3 rounds
Metabolic Conditioning: "Nancy", 5 Rounds For Time.
400 Meter Run
Overhead Squat (95# / 65#), 15 repetitions
Mobility:
Couch Stretch

Have a Great Day!!

Same Ol' Caps and the Workout

Caps went down to the Pens in overtime tonight. After the expletives had subsided it was really hard not to think, "Same ol' Caps". We are running out of seasons that Ovechkin will be great to keep getting sent home early from the playoffs.... again. But, hey at least the Nats blew up the Royals!!

Warm up:
Jump Rope, 3 minutes
Warm-Up: Perform each exercise in order to complete a set. Two sets total. No rest between exercises.
TRX Row with Supine Grip, 10 repetitions
Barbell Good Morning, 10 repetitions
24" Box Jump, 10 repetitions
Butterfly AbMat Sit-Up, 20 repetitions
Strength Training:
Deadlift, Seven sets of 1-2 repetitions
Metabolic Conditioning: Perform each exercise in order to complete a set. Five sets total. No rest between exercises.
Strict Wide Grip Pull-Up, 15 repetitions
Dumbbell Pullover, 10 repetitions
Sumo Deadlift to High Pull, 5 repetitions
Cool-Down:
400m Walk
Mobility:
Foam Roller Work

Have a Great Day!!

LeBron and Tim Duncan and the Workout

LeBron and Tim Duncan have to be seeing that things are looking up for them. Steph Curry injured, Chris Paul injured, Blake Griffin injured. Certainly the Spurs are looking to be the team to beat in the West if Steph Curry does not come back. And in the Eastern Conference, LeBron dragged his injured Cavaliers to the finals last year. This year Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love are healthy and the Cavs are ready to make a run at the title again. Still a lot of basketball to be played, still a lot of wet spots on the floor waiting to take out another super star.

Workout:

Warm-Up:

Steady Pace Row, 3 minutes

Warm-Up Super Set: Complete each of the following exercises in order to complete a set. Two sets total. No rest between exercises. Scale weights appropriately for a warm-up activity.

Barbell Power Clean 100#, 10 repetitions

Handstand Hold, 30 seconds

Barbell Pendlay Row 95#, 10 repetitions

AbMat Butterfly Sit-Up, 20 repetitions

Strength Training Super Set: Perform each exercise in order to complete a set. Seven sets total. No rest between exercises. Scale weights appropriately.

Power Clean, 80% 1-Rep Maximum, 1 repetition

Pendlay Row 120#, 12 repetitions

Metabolic Conditioning: Complete each exercise in order to complete a round. Four rounds for time.

24" Box Jump, 12 repetitions

Handstand Hold, 30 seconds

Strict No Kip Chin-up, 8 repetitions

Cool-Down:

Jog with 20# Medicine Ball, 400 meters

Mobility:

Couch Stretch, hold for one minute on each side

Have a Great Day!!

Still the Boss and a Metabolic Conditioning Workout

Bruce Springsteen has cancelled a scheduled concert in Greensboro, North Carolina to protest what has been called the North Carolina "Bathroom Bill". The state legislature passed HB2, officially known as the "Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act". The bill legislates which bathroom a transgender person is permitted to use. The bill also infringes on the the rights of LGBT community to sue if their rights are violated in their workplace. Springsteen will refund everyone in full for their tickets and commented:

"As a result, and with deepest apologies to our dedicated fans in Greensboro, we have canceled our show scheduled for Sunday, April 10th. Some things are more important than a rock show and this fight against prejudice and bigotry — which is happening as I write — is one of them. It is the strongest means I have for raising my voice in opposition to those who continue to push us backwards instead of forwards."

Boss.

Workout:
Warm-Up: Perform each exercise in order to complete a set. Three sets total. No rest between sets.
Ball Slam, 10
Barbell Good Morning, 10
AbMat Butterfly Sit-Up, 20

Metabolic Conditioning: Perform each exercise in order to complete a set. Three sets total for time. Choose a deadlift and dumbbell weight that is appropriate for yourself.
Strict No Kip Pull-Up, 10 repetitions
20" Box Jump, 20 repetitions 
Deadlift (225#), 10 repetitions
Renegade Dumbbell Row, 10 repetitions 

Cool-Down:
400m Walk

Have a Great Day!!

Always Nice to End with a Strong Leg Day!!

Tomorrow I go on contract to work the river section of the NOLS Spring Semester in the Southwest. So, once again I will be out of contact for a few weeks, back at the workouts starting on March 7th. We did wrap up these past few months with a really strong leg day!!

Workout:
Warm-Up: Perform each exercise in order for one minute each to complete a set. Two sets total. No rest between sets.
Squat Jump
Barbell Good Morning
AbMat Sit-Up
Weight Training:
Back Squat, 5 sets of 4-6 repetitions
Metabolic Conditioning: Perform each exercise in order to complete a set. No rest between exercises. Five sets total.
24" Box Jump, 20 repetitions
Kettlebell Goblet Squat, 15 repetitions
GHD, 15 repetitions
Bodyweight Calf Raise, 50 repetitions
Sandbag Weighted Lunge, 10 repetitions per leg

Have a Great Couple of Weeks!!

Hard to Beat 10-2 and the Workout of the Day

Here is a statistic that I think says it all: When the #1 overall defense in the NFL plays in the Superbowl they have a 10-2 record. The Broncos last night became that 10th win. I am glad to see Peyton win what I hope is his final game, riding off into the sunset as a champion. Meanwhile, Cam Newton is getting blasted for walking off the podium during his postgame press conference. Cam has always been a sore loser.... the only difference this year is that Cam did not lose very much. Cam did say that if people wanted him to stop celebrating in their faces on the football field, then they should stop him. Mr. Miller... mission accomplished.

Warm-Up: Perform each exercise in order for one minute each to complete a set. Two sets total. No rest between sets.
20" Box Jump
Hand Release Push-Up
PVC Passthrough

Weight Training:
Power Clean to Split Jerk, 5 sets of 1-5 repetitions
Medicine Ball Push-Up, 3 sets of 15 repetitions
Dumbbell Side Raise, 3 sets of 10 repetitions
Triceps Dumbbell Extension, 3 sets of 10 repetitions
Super Set: Perform each exercise in order to complete a set. No rest between exercises. Five sets total.
Power Clean to Push Press, 10 repetitions
Triceps Dip, 20 repetitions
AbMat Sit-Up, 25 repetitions

Have a Great Day!!

All-Star Games and the Workout of the Day

For about two and a half minutes I turned on the NFL Pro Bowl. Then I remembered that they are not doing NFC vs. AFC anymore.... having Jerry Rice and Michael Irvin pick teams?! Lame. Kobe Bryant made the NBA all-star squad.... very lame. The only one that seems to be worth a damn is the MLB All-Star game with the winner getting home field advantage in the World Series. Not lame.

Workout:
Warm-Up: Perform each exercise in order to complete a set. Three sets total. No rest between sets.
24" Box Jump, 10 repetitions
AbMat Sit-Up, 35 repetitions
Weight Training:
Front Squat, 5 sets of 6-10 repetitions
Romanian Deadlift, 5 sets of 8-10 repetitions
Standing Weighted Calf Raise, 3 sets of 15 repetitions
Super Set: Perform each exercise in order to complete a set. No rest between exercises. 5 sets total.
25m Walking Lunge with GoRuck Sandbag
GHD, 15 repetitions
Bodyweight Calf Raise, 45 repetitions

Have a Great Day!!

Five People for a Crushing Leg Day

We had a great workout tonight with a total of five of us participating in the first real heavy leg day of the season. There were three first timers to leg day... it is always great to have new people to suffer with!!

Workout:
Warm-Up: Perform each exercise in order for one minute each to complete a set. Two sets total. No rest between sets.
Jump Rope
20" Box Jump
AbMat Sit-up
Prisoner Lunge

Weight Training:
50m Weighted Sled Drag, 3
Back Squat, 5 sets of 6-10 repetitions
Bodyweight Calf Raise, 3 sets of 50 repetitions
Romanian Deadlift, 3 sets of 10 repetitions

Super Set: Perform the next two exercises in order to complete a set. Three sets total. No rest between sets.
25m Side Step with Resistance Band
25m Sandbag Walking Lunge

25m Weighted Sled Push, 5

Have a Great Day!!