Physical Subculture

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Today’s workout is a nice, simple squat workout with no serious intention except to play with heavy weights and get our squat up a little. Staying closer to the Max Force Development end of our Spectrum of Strength, we’re doing only a tad of experimenting.

Max Box Squats. I’ve been playing with bands, but in a slightly different way. I’ve been wrapping a mini band around my knees during squats as a tool to keep firing the glutes by constantly pushing the band out. The band gives instant feedback; if the knees happen to be buckling in, you’ll know it. By feeling the constant tension of the band, you are well aware that you are pushing the knees out. BUT this makes the exercise MUCH harder, which I never seem to anticipate. So after hitting a band-around-knee max that is almost 100 pounds lower than my normal box max, I was a tad frustrated. So to be sure i took the band off and, after 2 more sets, almost hit my box max, accepting the fact that I wasn’t a complete wimp and the bands WERE making the exercise much harder.

Goodmornings. 3 sets, 8-10 reps. I TOLD you today wasn’t really exciting. Just heavy and simple.

Lunge Bueler’s/Sled Blast. 6 per side/100 feet. A couple set of this to finish the legs off was plenty. About 3 minutes into this video will feature this particular combo.

Art Therapy

Where most gyms have mirrors, we have original art. It changes monthly to much fanfare during the local Second Saturday ArtWalks. As a homebody who eschews nightlife for episodes of Dexter with my cat, these parties feel like my monthly attempt at inviting the world into my little Tribe and meeting my ‘public’ quotient for the month. While new friends enter my atmosphere, a good number of the Tribe, both past and present also establish contact during these shindigs, making for very successful and pleasant evenings. It’s nice to know that the planet carries on in bright and wonderful ways while my hermit-like pattern indulges in DVD’s and hot baths.

I was reminded of the following blog I wrote on another site over 2 years ago. I guess I’ve been coveting a quiet life for a while…

So I did it. I ordered my Hermit Kit. Comes complete with actual deed for choice real estate amongst remote mountains (the ad promised a 20×40 cave, but I’ll settle for a few feet less. Suffering is, after all, part of the process, says the instructions), and the guerilla marketing techniques to start the pilgrims coming. Of course the instructions also detail how to get rid of them, in fact there are two entire chapters, with many references, about how to be a crotchety old guy.

Although testimonials are understandably sparse (sort of an exclusive group, I understand), they tell the tale I want to hear ”

“Just after the first 8 months in my new dirt and shit haven (could you at least include a fucking hammock, you cheap bastards?) the gifts from the wisdom seekers started taking up too much room. What am I going to do with an iPod fercrisakes? Geez. Beer…fine. Technology… a waste. What the hell am I teaching you folks anyway? Although I don’t have much storage, I don’t have to keep up a yard either. I love being the wise, dirty hermit up in the mountains!”

and…

“The instruction book is hogwash. All written word is hogwash. All philosophy is hogwash. And all hogwash is bullshit! This is the kind of crap I get to spew all day to strangers who seek my guidance. Who could ask for anything more? Well I could, and I do. I get laid so often that if I had any electricity I could start a porn site that would rival anything out there. Heck, thank bejeeseus I don’t like boys or I’d get nothing done ever with the potential tail I could score then. Meanwhile, the chicks dig the dirty wise men, and I’m fed so well from their gifts (both men and women) that I should of become a hermit years ago. Thanks Hermit Kit for giving me this opportunity!”

So now I shall read the manual and start my training. Oh yeah, you don’t just crawl up to your cave and begin. No, there is a lengthy and rigorous training process that, honestly, I can’t really share. Sorry.

So now the importance of these art shows may become clearer. The need for art in y fitness ritual I’ve proselytized about many times in the past, but now the need for art SHOWS may become a little clearer.

And Zac, sorry I didn’t get to chat for any length of time Saturday night. ‘Twas not unlike a 3 ring circus here, as you might have noticed.