2018-02-09: Hell's Bells
Light Thoughts
This photo captures the essence of my favorite workout. It starts with a 5-minute warm up on the jump rope and then moves right into a circuit of 9 kettlebell exercises separated by 10 sets of 10 kettlebell swings. It's a quick, brutal, effective workout that I can easily do in the comfort of my home any time of day.
Heavy Thoughts
I'm an amateur athlete swinging a 35-pound wrecking ball around my living room while doing a physically exhausting workout. There's little room for error and plenty to break. . . hardwood floors, plaster walls, glass windows, not to mention the bones in my feet. It got me thinking about why "free weights" are generally so much more effective than machines for strength training, and I'm sure there's plenty of scientific evidence to explain it, but I have my own theory:
Fear
If you're performing a bench press and the only force preventing a weighted bar from decapitating you is provided by
the muscles in your arms and chest, your brain/body will do whatever it takes to complete that last rep. Similarly, I will subconsciously use every small muscle in my hands and every stabilizing muscle in my core to keep that cannon ball from crushing my toe or splintering my floor. For something as primal as a workout, eustress is incredibly effective.
Daily Stats
Cash: 13.0%
Core: 75.2%
Explore: 11.8%
Workout: Kenzai Kettlebell Century Swing, @35lb in 17:52
Alcohol: New Belgium Fat Tire
Supplements: Zinc 30mg, Magnesium 450mg
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I've started going to the gym 2 weeks ago and I can vouch it really makes you want to improve yourself at all levels.
Plus I was never so careful about my diet.
Love the stats section, puts stuff in perspective.
Cheers
Completely agree that regular workouts get my in the mindset needed to tackle everything else that life throws at me. And the more I learn about nutrition science, the more I realize how far out of whack the standard American diet is and how a few simple changes can make a huge difference.
Glad you like the stats, hopefully I can look back on them a year from now and get some perspective as well!
Even though I have not seen you, I am sure your body and soul are very healthy and strong .. You are amazing, I really admire you and your activity.
Thank you very much, I really appreciate that! I know my daughters are always watching me, so I try to maintain a high standard and be a positive role model for them.
Good one, buddy..! 🤗
its good to see u r being regular on gym..! 💪
u changed the label of stats chart..! I guess now it looks more decent.! 🤗
Stay blessed...! 😇
~Greetings from Tennis Girl 🎾🎾
Thanks again for the feedback on my blog format, I'm liking the flow of it better already!
pleasure.. being a fan of ur work..!
keep it up, buddy..! 🙌
Whether your a novice or a pro the fact that you are working out your body is amazing. Keep up the great work!
Thanks, and right back at you!
Self-preservation is a great driving force in a workout, but it can also be very stressful. There should ideally still be some safety measures in place to get rid of accidents.
A broken toe wouldn't really be the end of the world, but in the moment my brain makes it a bigger consequence, so the fear is effective. The worst "fitness" injury I've ever seen is a hand sliced open while trying to remove the pit from an avocado. No matter what you do, life find a way to be dangerous.
I've been wanting to go to the gym for the past... I don't even know how long now. Something or the other just comes up. I am going to grow a pair and do it somehow.
I haven't been to a "gym" in years. . . a jump rope takes care of cardio and some inexpensive resistance bands or kettlebells take care of strength training. I work at home, so getting myself to go to a gym would be an uphill battle, so it's best to just bring the workout home!
I like your post @grolelo
good post thanks for.sharing..
Good luck with your workout. I think you can overcome your fear. "Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. – Michael Jordan"
I'm not really consciously "afraid" of the kettlebells. . . I just think the primitive part of our brain instinctively fears things that can hurt our bodies, so we're just a little more careful around them.
Yes, I love Kettlebells too!
Since I had an accident I have to start from scratch. I found a program where you actually do machines, but only 20 minutes per week, all exercises SUPER slow. This is supposed to make you gain strength in a very short time. I'm very curious about the results. I still can't handle 'less controlled' movements so that's why I'm starting this. If not I would have gone straight to Kettlebell again ;-)
Good luck!