Published By
Created On
3 Mar 2023 04:44:08 UTC
Transaction ID
Cost
Safe for Work
Free
Yes
Half Hour Deadlift Challenge
It was time to test my muscle endurance and mental toughness again. I had done the challenge before, doing the published two reps every minute on the minute (EMOM), but I wanted to ramp up the difficulty this time. With my strength level still not all the way back where I would like it to be, adding weight on the bar didn't seem to be a good option. How about THREE reps EMOM for thirty minutes straight instead?
I realize that the footage gets rather repetitious (for some reason) and tedious, so feel free to fast forward or skip ahead. Just be sure to stick around for the dramatic conclusion!
Note that I don't recommend this challenge for most people. It's something you generally need to work up to gradually. However, if you already do other high-rep sessions, or if you are strong enough that 315 is an easy warmup weight for you, this may be a good one to try out. If grip is a concern, consider using straps in order to focus on pulling without any worries of dropping it.
The rest of this month I'll be focusing on moving with weights (loaded carry variations, sled pushing and pulling, weighted ladder climbs, etc.). In April I'll return to some occasional high-rep lifting and see how my conditioning is at that point.
I realize that the footage gets rather repetitious (for some reason) and tedious, so feel free to fast forward or skip ahead. Just be sure to stick around for the dramatic conclusion!
Note that I don't recommend this challenge for most people. It's something you generally need to work up to gradually. However, if you already do other high-rep sessions, or if you are strong enough that 315 is an easy warmup weight for you, this may be a good one to try out. If grip is a concern, consider using straps in order to focus on pulling without any worries of dropping it.
The rest of this month I'll be focusing on moving with weights (loaded carry variations, sled pushing and pulling, weighted ladder climbs, etc.). In April I'll return to some occasional high-rep lifting and see how my conditioning is at that point.
Author
Content Type
Unspecified
video/mp4
Language
English
More from the publisher
Controlling
VIDEO
BUDGE
Budget-Outdoor-and-Emergency-Gear
This is a quick overview of some of the fairly inexpensive gear I have for camping, EDC, and/or emergencies. Some are items I carry in my SAR pack, a couple I carry on my person every day, and a couple reside in my vehicle. If interested, see item links below. I do not receive any commission; these are simply items that I use and think are reasonable options.
Grabber emergency blanket: https://www.amazon.com/Grabber-Outdoors-Original-Weather-Blanket/dp/B002CQUA28 (this one is green instead of red)
Cold Steel Bushman: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BD4W3ZM/
Finn Wolf: https://www.amazon.com/Cold-Steel-Folding-Camping-Knives/dp/B07CKV3FX8/
Fiskars folding saw: https://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-Power-Softgrip-Folding-Pruning/dp/B00QITRIR0
Sure Strips fire starters: https://www.amazon.com/SURE-STRIPS-Genuine-Military-Tinder/dp/B0765ZS9ZL
painting dropcloths: https://www.amazon.com/Piece-Plastic-Roller-9x12Feet-Repair/dp/B077NXS8DF
Wowtac flashlight/headlamp: https://www.amazon.com/WOWTAC-Rechargeable-Detachable-Waterproof-Flashlight-CW/dp/B07YJLKGN2
drop leg platform: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005OL72RO/ (currently unavailable – see similar options such as Condor or OneTigris)
inflatable pillow: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XCYYWX3 (currently unavailable - see similar options suggested on the product page)
Transaction
Created
2 weeks ago
Content Type
Language
video/mp4
English
Controlling
VIDEO
TRULY
Functional
No gimmicky, elaborate exercises are needed to work on instability and build the core muscles. It really is basic and simple.
Be sure to watch until the end...
NOTE: I am not a doctor, or even a kinesiologist. Any opinions expressed here are based solely on my experiences in the gym and critical analysis of other videos on YT. Also, be aware that all exercises I describe - surprise! - place the body in inherently unstable positions. Use them at your own risk, and with caution.
Transaction
Created
2 weeks ago
Content Type
Language
video/mp4
English
Controlling
VIDEO
FOOLI
Fooling-Around-with-135-for-Reps
So, I recently saw a short video by @BattleBunker where they were challenging people to squat with 135 for a dollar per rep. A guy who was either 53 or 54, wearing work clothes, stepped in and managed 23 reps. Many of the comments made it sound like it was amazing someone that old could do many reps, even if they were questionable depth. And many comments mentioned the work clothes, as if that's a big handicap.
Since I'm a couple of years older than the guy in the short (practically ready for a retirement home), naturally I couldn't resist testing it out when I got home from work. To make it more comparable, after I parked my Jeep in the barn I just headed for the squat rack in my slacks, polo shirt, and "tactical" boots. I did take keys and pocketknife out of my pockets, but did the set cold with zero warmup. I wasn't sure if it was supposed to be straight reps or a rest-pause style, so I did a near-maximal straight set of reps, then limited myself to only one additional cluster after a pause.
Because I've fairly recently managed over 50 rest-pause reps with 185, I'm certain I could do quite a bit more than that with 135 before racking the bar, but who wants to sit through that? I think it's obvious that 56 years old isn't completely over the hill. And, if I ever run into a challenge like that on the street, I could pick up a decent amount of gas money!
Transaction
Created
2 weeks ago
Content Type
Language
video/mp4
English
Controlling
VIDEO
ACFT
ACFT-Tomfoolery--Seriously,-a-PLANK_!
Here are my thoughts concerning some of the changes to the Army Combat Fitness Test since the last time I discussed it a couple of years ago. The removal of the leg tuck especially grinds my gears. The change in scoring, not so much, but it's still a bit odd (and likely political).
Note that after reviewing the footage I'm aware my plank position was not ideal. However, if I had an observer to warn me to lower my butt, keep my knees straighter, etc. then I could adjust my position and continue to hold it with no problem. Also, monologuing while performing a plank does increase the difficulty just a tad, so there's that. My main point in doing the plank in the video is simply to show that I'm not just blowing smoke about the scoring on this event being too easy. If this overweight 56 year old can do it without much effort, there is nothing "rigorous" about this particular event.
The official ACFT site: https://www.army.mil/acft/
My original video about certain ACFT events: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyQSD7xLqGI
Half hour trap bar deadlift challenge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPEl2zWitmU
Core workout video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HepOIIne8R0
Transaction
Created
2 weeks ago
Content Type
Language
video/mp4
English
Controlling
VIDEO
HIGH-
ProgressiveOverload2
This was my third time doing high-rep squats with 205 pounds. In my second attempt on May 2nd I managed 30 total rest-pause reps before re-racking the bar. The mission today was to use the same weight but get more total reps. When I took my first short rest I knew I had at least a few more reps in me than last time, simply based on my increase in unbroken reps to start off the set. Then I just had to keep grinding, ignore the pain and fatigue, and get it done.
By the time I hit 30 reps my quads were trembling quite a bit, I was struggling to get adequate air, and my back was raw from the knurling. That's when I had to dig deep and knock out just one more, and then another and another... There's really nothing I have experienced that I can compare to the full-body agony of high-rep squats. Stairs may be a challenge tomorrow, which makes things interesting, since my office is in a basement.
If you want to skip the talking and jump straight to the squats, go to about the 3:20 mark.
Transaction
Created
2 weeks ago
Content Type
Language
video/mp4
English
Controlling
VIDEO
SOME
Some-Harsh-Realities-of-Snowshoeing
Here are some realities that many people probably never hear before venturing out on snowshoes for the first time. Snowshoeing is fun and it's an awesome way to get to places that are otherwise unreachable during the winter in snowy regions, but you need to have reasonable expectations. I hope some beginners will be able to benefit from this advice and get into snowshoeing safely and with maximum enjoyment.
Also, I forgot to mention it, but it is best to snowshoe with others, especially if you are going into backcountry or on a difficult trail. Companions will be able to assist regaining one's feet, and can greatly improve the odds in case of emergency or extreme weather.
Transaction
Created
2 weeks ago
Content Type
Language
video/mp4
English
Controlling
VIDEO
FALL
Fall-Cold-Adaptation
Early fall discussion about deliberate cold adaptation and what I'm doing to kick start the process. For more on cold adaptation, brown adipose tissue, and thermogenesis, see my "BAT Man" playlist.
Transaction
Created
2 weeks ago
Content Type
Language
video/mp4
English
Controlling
VIDEO
IT'S
It's-Nettle-Season-Again!
I love when the nettles come into season! This year it looks like we will have more than ever. They are not an undesirable weed at all, but rather a great (free) edible and medicinal resource. I will enjoy fresh greens in salads, cooked in omelets, etc. We are going to have to take the time to harvest a lot more this year and dry a bunch for tea as well. The growing season is relatively short but the benefits can last all year!
NOTE: Do not try this at home! I'm what you call eccentric.
If you are ever remotely tempted to experiment with deliberate exposure to nettle stings (known urtication, which is definitely not recommended), start out very cautiously with only one sting to check for any severe allergic reaction, and then build up tolerance gradually. Of course you should probably consult a doctor first. They will doubtless say it's a terrible idea and recommend multiple pills and/or shots instead. Trust the experts.
Transaction
Created
2 weeks ago
Content Type
Language
video/mp4
English
Controlling
VIDEO
HIGH-
High-Rep-Squats---Progressive-Overload
Since I finally reached my goal of 50+ rest-pause reps with 185 pounds at the end of January, it was time to add weight to the bar and work at increasing reps once again. The first time I tried 205 pounds I thought I was dying and I only managed 25 total reps. It turns out an extra 20 pounds makes a significant difference when doing high reps! Who knew?
This time I stuck with 205 and just worked at grinding out a few more reps. Some of them were a bit sketchy, but I actually improved a bit after the first 20. However, the longer the set drags on, the more uncomfortable that bar gets on the back. I really wanted to rerack it near the end! There's still a long way to go before I have the strength and stamina to do 50 reps with this weight. Probably I'll need to be able to do at least 15 unbroken reps before I can make a legitimate run at 50 total. We'll see how the next several months go.
Transaction
Created
2 weeks ago
Content Type
Language
video/mp4
English