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!!

USA Hockey and the Workout

The treatment of the world champion USA Women's Hockey Team by USA Hockey is frankly unbelievable. The most shocking part of the whole mess is that after being exposed for their obvious bias, USA Hockey doubled down and pursued what can only be described as "scab" players to step in for the protesting National Team players. It has gotten so bad that even U.S. Senators have stepped in and written a letter to USA Hockey to support the Women's Team. Why is it so damn hard for people to just say, "Wow, you are right. That is a huge mistake on our part and we will correct this immediately"?!

Warm-Up:
Self-Propelled Treadmill HIIT, 8 minutes, 30 seconds
Weight Training:
Dumbbell Chest Press, 5 sets of 4-6 repetitions
Dumbbell Hammer Curl, 3 sets of 8-10 repetitions
Triceps Cable Push Down, 3 sets of 8-10 repetitions
Dip, 5 sets of maximum repetitions
Roman Chair Leg Raise, 3 sets of 20 repetitions
Captains of Crush Grip Trainer between each of the above sets, 15 repetitions per hand
Mobility:
Banded Shoulder Stretches
Chest Stretch

Have a Great Day!!

Quick Feel Good About Myself Workout Post

Row, 20 minutes

Weight Training:

Dumbbell Chest Press, 3 sets of 10 repetitions

Seated Dumbbell Shoulder Press, 3 sets of 10 repetitions

Dumbbell Triceps Kickback, 3 sets of 10 repetitions

Dumbbell Hammer Curl, 3 sets of 10 repetitions

Captains of Crush Grip Trainer, 15 repetitions per hand after each of the above sets

AbMat Sit-Up, 80 repetitions

Mobility:

Chest and Arm Stretches

Have a Great Day!!

Ted is Already Running for 2020 and the Workout

Ted Cruz took a huge political risk last night, clearly aiming for the Presidency in 2020. In a speech at the Republican National Convention, Ted Cruz laid out conservative values and near the end, when given the chance to support and endorse Donald Trump, chose to tell voters to "vote their conscience for candidates up and down the ticket". Cruz was booed off the stage.

If Trump loses this election badly, Ted will be able to say, "See you should have voted for me!" But almost any other outcome is the end of Ted Cruz. If Trump wins, I think that he will crush Ted for his lack of loyalty. But the worst outcome for Ted Cruz will be a close victory by Hilary. First, the Democrats will hold the White House for four more years. Secondly and more importantly, if Cruz pulls votes away from Trump, Donald will have the built in excuse for the loss and the Republicans will blame Cruz. I guess, the only positive there for Ted will feed his narcissism: a giant "Screw You Trump" by keeping him out of the Oval Office.

Warm-Up:
Steady State Cardiorespiratory Training, 20 minutes
Weight Training:
Bench Press, 5 sets of 5 repetitions
Preacher Curl, 5 sets of 8-12 repetitions
Pec-Deck Machine, 3 sets of 8-10 repetitions
One Hand, High Cable Curl, 5 sets of 8-12 repetitions
Decline Bench, 5 sets of 5 repetitions
Dumbbell Hammer Curl, 5 sets of 8-12 repetitions
Captains of Crush Grip Trainer, 15 repetitions per hand after each of the above sets
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

Have a "Grate" Day!!

Nutty Whirlwind Day and the Workout

So, today was a very different day. I started out with a 3:45 am wake up to be at my first day of a job at UPS by 5 am. The job is a part-time package handling job. Basically what I did from 5 am-9 am was stack boxes from sellers that were bound for Amazon. It was hard, honest work in trailers that have no climate control and well... the boxes just keep coming! I found it to be pretty fun but physically demanding. You just have to stay hydrated. The one thing that I will say that I really like about UPS is that the folks doing that job like me.... working 17.5-20 hours a week of manual labor... after one year they get full benefits. That is the reason most of them are in those trailers moving boxes. I was working with a great guy that is a barber in his other occupation and has worked sorting packages for five years to get the health coverage.

I was done at UPS by 9 am and got one of our car's emissions test done on the way home so that it could get licensed and titled in Tennessee. This included a quick trip the Autozone to replace the 17 year old gas cap that could no longer pass the pressure test it needed to pass. Finally got home, ate some food, rested a bit and then worked out for the day.

After that I went to an interview and received an offer for a full-time job at the local Gold's Gym working as a personal trainer. I am pretty excited about this job. The one thing that I have not done yet is work in a fitness facility. The thing that I am most looking forward to is learning to generate a client list and working with a group of clients on a regular basis. I have been fortunate to have worked with a population of fit outdoor athletes and it will be really rewarding to work with people who are excited to take on fitness goals as a lifestyle change to better their lives.

Like I said, nutty whirlwind day.

Warm-Up:
Rowing Machine, 5 minutes
Weight Training:
Incline Dumbbell Chest Press, 3 sets of 10 repetitions
Dumbbell Hammer Curl, 3 sets of 10 repetitions
Dumbbell Fly, 3 sets of 10 repetitions
Dumbbell Concentration Curl, 3 sets of 10 repetitions per side
Captains of Crush Grip Trainers, 15 repetitions per hand after each of the above sets.
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!!

U.S. Men's Soccer and the Workout

I am a huge fan of both the U.S. Men's and Women's National Teams. The men had a great run in the Copa America Centenario making it all the way to the semi-finals. However, last night they ran into a buzzsaw that was Lionel Messi and the Argentinians who trounced the U.S. 4-0. There are a lot of people trying to reason it out.... three of the U.S. starters did not play because they had accumulated too many yellow cards... The reality of the situation is this: The U.S. Men's National Team has gotten a LOT better.... but they are still not ready to threaten the really great teams in the world. The U.S. Women's National Team is another story. Dominant. But at least they had to sue because they make less money per game compared to their male counterparts?!

Warm-Up: Perform each exercise in order to complete a round. Three rounds total. No rest between exercises.
Jump Rope, 50 repetitions
Hand Release Push-Up, 10 repetitions
AbMat Sit-Up, 25 repetitions
Weight Training:
Bench Press, 5 sets of 5 repetitions
Axle Bar Curl, 3 sets of 8-10 repetitions
Dip, 5 sets of maximum repetitions
Dumbbell Hammer Curl, 3 sets of 8-10 repetitions
Pronated Grip Barbell Wrist Curl, 3 sets of 15 repetitions
Supinated Grip Barbell Wrist Curl, 3 sets of 15 repetitions
Core Work: 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!!

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!!

'Nova and the Heels Bring Home the Bracket Challenge Win!!

Today with Villanova blowing up the Oklahoma Sooners and the UNC Tar Heels polishing off the Syracuse Orange, I was able to pull off a win in our NCAA Bracket Challenge! That means I will be taken to dinner by the other two that did not win. Now, Rebecca is a medical student up to her eyeballs in debt and my friend is recently married with a child on the way. So I am only going to make them take me to Five Guys for my victory meal. Quality at a fair price!

Warm-Up: Perform each exercise in order for one minute each.
Jumping Jack
AbMat Sit-Up
Hand Release Push-Up
Weight Training:
Bench Press, 5 sets of 2-6 repetitions
Axle Bar Curl, 3 sets of 8-10 repetitions
Dumbbell Fly, 3 sets of 8-10 repetitions
Dumbbell Hammer Curl, 3 sets of 10 repetitions
Incline Parallette Push-Up, 5 sets of 20 repetitions
Captains of Crush Grip Trainer between each of the above sets, 15 repetitions per hand

Have a Great Day!!

Quick Workout Post

Workout:

Warm-Up: Perform each exercise in order for one minute to complete a set. Two sets total. No rest between sets.

Jumping Jack

Hand Release Push-Up

AbMat Sit-Up

Weight Training:

Bench Press, 5 sets of 4-6 repetitions

Axle Bar Curl, 3 sets of 8-10 repetitions

Dumbbell Renegade Row, 3 sets of 15 repetitions

Dumbbell Hammer Curl, 3 sets of 10 repetitions

Dumbbell Fly, 3 sets of 10 repetitions

Super Set: Perform each exercise in order to complete a set. No rest between exercises. Five sets total.

EZ Bar Curl, 10 repetitions

Dip, 15 repetitions

Butterfly Sit-Up, 20 repetitions

Captains of Crunch Grip Trainers,15 repetitions between each of the above sets

Have a Great Day!!

OK Corral Shootout and the Workout of the Day

We transitioned one of our Southwest Outdoor Educator Courses today from their hiking section to their climbing section. What made this transition so notable was that we did the change over in the town of Tombstone, Arizona about half a block from the OK Corral. While the students were doing laundry and showering, while I was debriefing the hiking instructors... there was a historical re-enactment of Wyatt, Doc and the boys blasting Billy Claiborne, the Clantons and the McLaurys. I have never really debriefed a NOLS course with gunfire in the background?!

Workout:
Warm-Up: Perform each exercise in order for one minute each to complete a set. Two sets total. No rest between sets.
Jumping Jack
Hand Release Push-Up
AbMat Sit-Up

Weight Training:
Super Set: Perform each exercise in order to complete a set. Five sets total. No rest between sets.
Weighted Dip, maximum repetitions to failure
Reverse Grip Axle Bar Curl, 8-10 repetitions
Captains of Crush Grip Trainer, 15 repetitions per hand
Super Set: Perform each exercise in order to complete a set. Five sets total. No rest between sets.
Bench Press, 8-10 repetitions
Alternating Dumbbell Hammer Curl, 8-10 repetitions per side
Captains of Crush Grip Trainer, 15 repetitions per hand

Hand Release Push-Up, 3 sets of 30 repetitions

Have a Great Day!!

Avoided the Debate and Lifted Weights

I pride myself on staying on top of news and politics... but I could not bring myself to watch the GOP debate last night. If I never have to listen to Trump or Cruz again, it will be too soon. Instead, we had a great workout!

Workout:

Warm-Up: Perform each exercise in order for one minute each to complete a set. Two sets total. No rest between sets.

Jumping Jack

TRX Biceps Curl

AbMat Sit-Up

Push-Up

Weight Training:

Bench Press, 5 sets 2-10 repetitions

Axle Bar Biceps Curl, 3 sets of 8-10 repetitions

Weighted Dip, 5 sets of maximum repetitions

Dumbbell Hammer Curl, 3 sets of 8-10 repetitions

Super Set: Perform each exercise in order to complete a set. Three sets total. No rest between sets.

Dumbbell Fly, 8-10 repetitions

Hand Release Push-Up, 30 repetitions

Captains of Crush Grip Trainer, 15 repetitions per hand after each of the above sets

Have a Great Day!!