CLEANING IT UP.....

  I have received the latest copy of the instructors manual. I just finished reading the parts that are newer or have been unclear to me so I will pass them on to you. First, the Max VO2 is to be completed with the 16kg bell for the men. Very strong men can/could us the 20kg but the 24kg bell is reserved for mutants. Ladies use the 12kg bell. 18kg bell if your under 110 pounds. Women may use the 16 kg bell but they need to be serious mutants. The max VO2 is performed 15:15 (15 seconds of work:15 seconds of rest). 40 work sets is the goal. The beast challenge for women is done with the 24kg bell. No exceptions. The rest of the stuff  we are up to speed and current.

  I want to thank everyone for taking in the newer folk. Their pain is our pain. We remember the first time the bell took a bite from us. They are progressing just fine but please share YOUR stories with them about how you overcame your own hurdles. We are a group of very well conditioned folk. I know it doesn't seem like it but we really are top shelf. The last time we did the max VO2 we went  the distance...and then some.

  There will be some days in June that class will be an open for general play. Class is still held but the "dice" may be used or a game of "round robin" might be employed. If you have never been to an open class don't sweat it. Nothing changes. It is just like any other Friday or Saturday in spirit. Fast and loose!!! Take a beating and go home with a smile.    

VO2 Max

  It was never about the first 40 sets or 280 snatches. It was always about the last 20 sets or 140 snatches. Are you gripping the bell too tight? Are you pulling with your back instead of driving thru our heels? It the bell landing on top with a nice packed shoulder or are you getting yanked around. These things are not detectable only doing a few snatches. but, do 560 snatches and your form/technique speaks volumes. I have a generalized ache this morning after doing the 80 sets with the 16 kg bell. Nothing too big. I feel generally tight or packed. Feels good. Next time I will step up to the 20 kg and open up that can of whoop-*ss. I am sure the world will be a different place. 

   I think we need a beer meter in addition to the sweat meter. It seems to me the more pain that is delivered...the more people stick around for a beer. It could just be me.

  Congrats to everyone that made the journey last night. Ben made the comment and I have to agree...we have a very strong group. Have a great weekend!!

NEW AND IMPROVED !!!!!

  I had two conversations in the past two days. One was with Deb which I started the other was with a random person in a coffee shop. He made the comment and I added the chorus. The thrust of the talks were how much is recycled. If your have a subscription to any magazine for a year, you can take the fist issue and read it again starting the second year. Nothing is new. Same old recipes, shoppers guides, workouts, health tips and cheerleading. As I read the Kettlebell Forums I have come to the same conclusion. The info' and conversations are recycled as each new group of new RKC's hit the forum. Stuff that had been discussed is re-discussed as if it were a new thought or idea. I find I am getting less and less from the forums. There is still the 'industry' back slapping and 'high fiving' to look forward too. People getting praised for mediocre lifts. It may be good or great for them but it is not worthy of national attention...just my opinion. A lot of really great lifts and feats are being buried by average stuff. Being proud of yourself is great. Feel good about it. I would pause before I got on a forum. Lose 110 pounds? Announce it to the world!!! Lose 40 pounds? Let's go celebrate with a pizza! Bottom line...hard-style is hard-style. Six or seven basic moves to keep your body satisfied with multiple variations to keep your brain satisfied. It's not rocket science. It's hard-style. Some will thrive in this environment. Some will become discouraged and leave to die elsewhere. It's all good. 

CAN'T LOOK BAD????

  Why not. Why is it we must be great at something before we try it in a class. Blows me away. I went to my first KB class raw. Unattended. By myself. In a room full of great KBer's. I keep getting emails from people that want to get in shape before they come to our classes. How do you get in shape for KB class if your not using KB's. Running will only help your running. Not your KB'ing. Drives me nuts.

   It is the Art-Whirl this weekend. Saturdays class is up in the air. I will know more on Thursday. The rest of the week is business as usual. No changes.

   Last Saturdays class was great. Actually it was more of an event. Won't get that at 'Curves'. Tonight we will do ground work. Building the better mouse trap.

ON THE FLOOR.....

...laughing my *ss off. I wanted a picture of a pig for this blog entry. So I did what I usually do and stuck a key word into a google search.  I googled  "swine photo" and the above photo popped up. I love it! Gotta love the search engines AND they are never wrong. The reason for this post is the MN Dept of Health has confirmed the first person to have the H1N1 flu virus. They dropped the 'Swine' in flu. The pork industry was taking a hit. The creepying thing about this virus is the symptoms are so mild. Then you get nailed and your past the point of recovery. We should always be aware of who is coughing around us but be very careful over the next couple months. If the pattern stays the same this thing should die off fairly soon. Just be careful.

RKC !!!

  Had a great time at the RKC on Sunday. Many of you made it a point to be victims. Great effort. I think it is important to go and size us up with whatever else is out there and then come back knowing we are keeping step if not leading the pack. The Graduation training was changed due to the weather and it was nothing different than what we have done in the past when I say 'grab a weight you can hang with.' Roxanne had a great experience and she passed!!! Now she needs to heal for a week. I came across many old friends from previous Cert's. It is always good to rub shoulders with like minds. Thanks to everyone for participating. I highly encourage it in the future. See everyone tonight!! I am motivated for a fast and furious session. I have some inner demons that need un-leashing.

WOW.....

   I can't believe it has been ten days since the last entry. Summer is in full swing! The classes are getting smaller  since the days got nicer. It will be interesting to see who sticks out the training thru the hot months. KB aren't just for winter anymore...just kidding. Tonight will be fast and furious. Grab a weapon and hang on for as long as possible. Roxanne is dealing with her first full day at the RKC certification. I am going to cheer her on Sunday afternoon for the graduation workout I hope to see others there as victims and then getting there fair share of the discounted products. Bring a towel to class today. I think we will be pouring water.