Grayspeed Posted March 29, 2016 Report Share Posted March 29, 2016 I'll once again be training like a Jedi. Blast Shields and Wookiees are optional. Quest 1. Hand Balancing. +2 DEX Continuing from the last challenge, I'll be working on hand balancing skills with the eventual goal of doing a handstand. Last time I did a pretty good job with Crow Pose, so this challenge I'll be carrying that momentum through. For Quest 1 I will practice hand balancing (Crow Pose, Scale Pose, and Wall Planks) every day. Quest 2. Force Push(up). +3 STA, +1 STR That's right, more Pushups! As with my previous challenges, I'll be working towards my goal of 100 pushups in five sets. Last challenge I got to 82, which is making the end goal feel tantalisingly close. This time I'm stepping it up and going for a total 91 reps in five sets. I incorporate a Pushup test into my workouts once a week. Quest 3. Force Pull. +3 STR No, Kylo. You may not have that saber. My force push is moving along, but my force pulling abilities could do with some work. Last challenge I increased my Chin-up Flex Hold time to 27 seconds, now I'll be working on increasing my reps. My current AMRAP is 6 good Chinups, this challenge I aim to complete 10 Chin-ups with good form. Quest 4. Creating a Holocron. +1 WIS A Holocron is a mystical object that Force users create in order to store their knowledge and wisdom. I'm no Jedi Master, but I think it's a good idea to start recording and taking notes on my workouts. As I did last time, I will use this challenge thread to keep track of my workouts, including notes on progression (or lack thereof). Oh, and I'll be needing a theme song.. Grading A (100%), B (75%), C (50%), D (25%), F (0%) 7 Quote Level 19 Jedi/Assassin in-training. Challenges: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | "Life happens wherever you are, whether you make it or not." - Uncle Iroh Link to comment
peelout Posted April 1, 2016 Report Share Posted April 1, 2016 Here you are. Was having trouble find you. I'm enjoying watching your pushup and pullup progression. I'm envious of your pullups. I'm also working on this but can do 1 good rep +3-4 sloppy ones (on a good day). On 3/29/2016 at 10:04 AM, Grayspeed said: A Holocron is a mystical object that Force users create in order to store their knowledge and wisdom. I'm no Jedi Master, but I think it's a good idea to start recording and taking notes on my workouts. As I did last time, I will use this challenge thread to keep track of my workouts, including notes on progression (or lack thereof). Have you looked into Google Sheets for tracking? I'm always the last to find and try new technology so this is probably something you already know about. But I started one the other day and kind of like it. It was easy to put the link in my signature and it was easy to set up. 1 Quote Current Challenge We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit. Diet is 80% of losing weight, exercise is 80% of motivation. The only thing I am 100% sure of is my ability to be wrong. Link to comment
Grayspeed Posted April 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2016 5 hours ago, peelout said: Have you looked into Google Sheets for tracking? I'm always the last to find and try new technology so this is probably something you already know about. But I started one the other day and kind of like it. It was easy to put the link in my signature and it was easy to set up. Funny you should mention this, I've actually been working on an Excel spreadsheet for this purpose . 1 Quote Level 19 Jedi/Assassin in-training. Challenges: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | "Life happens wherever you are, whether you make it or not." - Uncle Iroh Link to comment
peelout Posted April 1, 2016 Report Share Posted April 1, 2016 25 minutes ago, Grayspeed said: Funny you should mention this, I've actually been working on an Excel spreadsheet for this purpose . Spreadsheets far surpass exercise and diet for getting fit. 1 Quote Current Challenge We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit. Diet is 80% of losing weight, exercise is 80% of motivation. The only thing I am 100% sure of is my ability to be wrong. Link to comment
Grayspeed Posted April 2, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2016 Pre challenge pushup test was done today. Got sets of 22|18|16|15|13 for 84 reps. I would love to keep up a 2 rep improvement every week. 2 Quote Level 19 Jedi/Assassin in-training. Challenges: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | "Life happens wherever you are, whether you make it or not." - Uncle Iroh Link to comment
peelout Posted April 2, 2016 Report Share Posted April 2, 2016 1 hour ago, Grayspeed said: Pre challenge pushup test was done today. Got sets of 22|18|16|15|13 for 84 reps. I would love to keep up a 2 rep improvement every week. How much time do you allow between sets? Do you keep the rest period length consistent? Great job on consistent increases. 1 Quote Current Challenge We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit. Diet is 80% of losing weight, exercise is 80% of motivation. The only thing I am 100% sure of is my ability to be wrong. Link to comment
Grayspeed Posted April 2, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2016 29 minutes ago, peelout said: How much time do you allow between sets? Do you keep the rest period length consistent? 90-120 seconds rest between sets. I generally stick to around 90-100 Quote Level 19 Jedi/Assassin in-training. Challenges: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | "Life happens wherever you are, whether you make it or not." - Uncle Iroh Link to comment
Grayspeed Posted April 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 Day 1 What better way to start the first week than by hitting a new Chin-up PR? Hand Balancing 5 minutes incorporated into workout. Soon it will be warm enough to wear short sleeved t-shirts and my knees will stop slipping off.. Force Pull Got 7 reps! Was a total surprise, to be honest. Usually pre-noon workouts are a struggle for me but today's went really well. Full disclosure, I really don't see myself hitting 10 reps in 4 weeks, but placing the shiny just ahead of obtainability is oddly really motivating. Holocron Crow Pose practice - 5 minutes Superset 1 Chin ups - Max reps. 7|5.5|5|4|3 Jump Squats - 10 reps 5 sets, 60 seconds rest Superset 2 Pushups (ball) - Max reps. 10|10|8|8|7 Kettlebell Swings - 20 5 sets, 60 seconds rest Loaded Carry Finisher Goblet Carry Uneven Farmer Carry Rack & Suitcase Carry Rack Carry Suitcase Carry Goblet Carry 60 steps each side. Apart from Goblet squats as they are not asymmetrical 3 Quote Level 19 Jedi/Assassin in-training. Challenges: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | "Life happens wherever you are, whether you make it or not." - Uncle Iroh Link to comment
Suzaqu Posted April 4, 2016 Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 Way to go on the PR! How are the new loaded carries going? 1 Quote Current Challenge 24 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 Link to comment
SnowOwl Posted April 4, 2016 Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 Great way to start the week! 1 Quote Race: Elf ~ Class: Druid Apprentice ~ Level: 12 Current Challenge 2015-2016 Challenges: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven, Twelve 2018-2019 Challenges: (first one in progress) Link to comment
Grayspeed Posted April 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 3 hours ago, Suzaqu said: How are the new loaded carries going? Really enjoying them . Waiter caries are my nemesis, my overhead strength isn't the best.. Quote Level 19 Jedi/Assassin in-training. Challenges: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | "Life happens wherever you are, whether you make it or not." - Uncle Iroh Link to comment
Grayspeed Posted April 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2016 Day 2 Hand Balancing Did 10 minutes while watching YouTube videos 15 minutes total so far Holocron 30 minutes (22.5km) on stationary bike Squats for the mini 1 Quote Level 19 Jedi/Assassin in-training. Challenges: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | "Life happens wherever you are, whether you make it or not." - Uncle Iroh Link to comment
peelout Posted April 5, 2016 Report Share Posted April 5, 2016 Are u doing supported or unsupported hand balancing? Isn't it hard to watch youtube upside down or do you flip the TV over? Quote Current Challenge We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit. Diet is 80% of losing weight, exercise is 80% of motivation. The only thing I am 100% sure of is my ability to be wrong. Link to comment
Grayspeed Posted April 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2016 19 hours ago, peelout said: Are u doing supported or unsupported hand balancing? Isn't it hard to watch youtube upside down or do you flip the TV over? I guess listening to YouTube videos would be a more accurate description . Doesn't matter if I can't see the screen as it was a movie talk show Day 3 Hand Balancing None today Pushups Was determined to make every set count for the mini, which meant I needed at least 15 in each. Sets of 22|18|16|15|15 for 86 reps. I'm determined to get to 100 soon so I can start working on other stuff. Holocron 5 minutes loaded carries - freestyle. Pushup test Goblet Squats - 12 Chin-up drop sets - Max rep Chin-ups then eccentric Chin-ups to get to 8 reps Kettlebell Swings - 20 Jumping Jacks - 30 Note: I don't really like doing the drop sets, I feel I half-ass them for some reason. Next time I might do bent over rows for a bit of variation. 1 Quote Level 19 Jedi/Assassin in-training. Challenges: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | "Life happens wherever you are, whether you make it or not." - Uncle Iroh Link to comment
Grayspeed Posted April 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2016 Wow, I've been really bad at updating my challenge.. Day 4 Complete write off. Maybe did some stuff for the mini, I honestly can't remember. Day 5 Hand Balancing 5 minutes in workout Holocron Hand balance practice (supported Crow - head on medicine ball) - 5 minutes Superset 1 Chinups - MAx. Reps = 7|5.5|4|3|3 Jump Squats - 12 Superset 2 Pushups - Max. Reps = 12|15|15|12|11. Not my best... Kettlebell Swings - 20 Loaded Carries Goblet Carry - 60 steps Uneven Farmer Carry - 100 steps Rack Carry - 60 steps Suitcase Carry - 100 steps Goblet Carry - 60 steps Ender Kettlebell Swings - 20 Jumping Jacks - 30 5 sets, no rest Day 6 Hand Balancing 5 minutes in workout Holocron Fun HIIT/conditioning style workout today as I wasn't feeling the traditional cardio. Started off with some squats and door-rows for the mini "HIIT Circuit" = Burpees, Jumping Jacks, Mountain Climbers, Square Jumps (20 seconds work, 10 seconds rest. 3 sets) Hand balancing - 5 minutes Loaded carry freestyle - 5 minutes HIIT Circuit Loaded carry freestyle - 5 minutes HIIT Circuit Loaded carry freestyle - 10 minutes HIIT Circuit Core Circuit - Elbow plank, side plank, side plank, crunches. Set 5 minute timer AMRAP Day 7 Hand Balancing 5 minutes in workout Holocron Hand balance practice (crow pose) - 5 minutes Superset 1 Chinups - Max 7|5.5|4|4|4 Jump Squats - 10 Superset 2 Rolling Ball Pushups - Max 12|10|10|10|8 Kettlebell Swings - 20 Superset 3 Dumbbell Overhead Press - Max 6|5|4|4|5 Plank (feet on medicine ball) - Max. Didn't measure time, but I'd guess around 15-20 seconds Loaded Carries - 10 mins freestyle Challenge update: as of Day 8 hand balancing practice will be required every day (like in my last challenge) I feel this actually motivates me to practice more than the timed approach I used this week. 1 Quote Level 19 Jedi/Assassin in-training. Challenges: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | "Life happens wherever you are, whether you make it or not." - Uncle Iroh Link to comment
SnowOwl Posted April 10, 2016 Report Share Posted April 10, 2016 We are going to need hand balancing photos at some point... 2 Quote Race: Elf ~ Class: Druid Apprentice ~ Level: 12 Current Challenge 2015-2016 Challenges: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven, Twelve 2018-2019 Challenges: (first one in progress) Link to comment
Grayspeed Posted April 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2016 I'll try to get something up this challenge Day 8 Hand balancing Crow pose as part of warmup and then a few extra attempts during the evening. Holocron 30 minutes (22km) on stationary bike Day 9 Hand Balancing Scale pose scattered throughout the evening, might add a few Crows in later Holocron Chinups - 7|6|4|4|4 Jump Squats - 10 each set Ball Pushups - 10|10|9|8|7 Kettlebell Swings - 20 each set Goblet Carry - 60 steps Uneven Farmer Carry - 60 steps per side Rack & Suitcase Carry - 60 steps per side Rack Carry - 60 steps per side Suitcase Carry - 100 steps per side Goblet Carry - 60 steps Dumbbell Overhead Press - 8|6|5 + a total of 50 ninja vaults for the mini 1 Quote Level 19 Jedi/Assassin in-training. Challenges: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | "Life happens wherever you are, whether you make it or not." - Uncle Iroh Link to comment
Grayspeed Posted April 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2016 Day 10 Hand Balancing Forgot about this. Fail. Holocron Spring is finally kicking in which means trail running! Did 4.1km in 35 minutes, according to my MapMyRun app, wasn't going for speed or anything and I kept stopping to do vaults and test out the camera on my new phone. Also took a bug to the eye. Nice. Day 11 Hand Balancing A few Crow Poses here and there, will do better tomorrow. Holocron Just did the pushup test, DOMS from yesterday's trail run and general fatigue after a busy day at work threw me off my groove a bit. Pushups Shit just got real. Decided that as all I'm doing for a workout are pushups, I should probably do really well at them. made a goal to improve every set by at least one rep. Ended up with sets of 24|19|17|16|16 for 92 reps! Not messing around anymore, I'm going for 100 this challenge. 2 Quote Level 19 Jedi/Assassin in-training. Challenges: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | "Life happens wherever you are, whether you make it or not." - Uncle Iroh Link to comment
SnowOwl Posted April 14, 2016 Report Share Posted April 14, 2016 Bugs to the eyes are the worst! 1 Quote Race: Elf ~ Class: Druid Apprentice ~ Level: 12 Current Challenge 2015-2016 Challenges: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven, Twelve 2018-2019 Challenges: (first one in progress) Link to comment
Grayspeed Posted April 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2016 Day 12 Hand Balancing Tried out Planche Leans for a change, don't know if these are technically hand balances but I'm counting them. Holocron Decided that as all I did on Day 11 were pushups I could get away with another strength training workout as long as it didn't include pushups. Superset 1 Chinups - 7|7|5|4.5|4 Jump Squats - 10 each set Superset 2 Dumbbell Overhead Press - 9|7|6|6|6 Kettlebell Swings - 20 each set Core Circuit Kettlebell Drag Plank - max Hip Touch Plank - max Crunches - 15 5 minute timer, amrap. HIIT Finisher Burpees Jumping Jacks Mountain Climbers Square Jumps 20 seconds work, 10 seconds rest. 3 rounds Day 13 Hand Balancing Will be doing random Crow poses spread throughout the day. Holocron Day off today but did 100 Ninja vaults for the mini challenge. Quote Level 19 Jedi/Assassin in-training. Challenges: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | "Life happens wherever you are, whether you make it or not." - Uncle Iroh Link to comment
Suzaqu Posted April 18, 2016 Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 Way to go! Love that you are trying for the 100 this challenge! and 100 ninja vaults, awesome! 1 Quote Current Challenge 24 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 Link to comment
Grayspeed Posted April 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2016 Remember that time I didn't update my challenge thread in over a week? Blah. This has been a weird week, but I think I've ended it pretty well Just going to do the short version. Week 3 Summary Holocron: I recently got a square-lined notebook for recording workouts. I feel this makes copying them here fairly redundant, maybe I'll post scans for the sake of accountability. Hand Balancing: One day missed (21st) Chinups: Still at an AMRAP of 7 reps, feel like 8 could happen before the end. Pushups: Been hammering the pushups lately. Did I hit 100? read on to find out! 19/04/2016 - 25/20/17/16/16 - 94 reps Next I tried to get 5 sets of 20 rather than going all out each time. It worked pretty well. 21/04/2016 - 20/20/20/17/17 - 94 reps 24/04/2016 - 20/20/20/20/20 - 100 reps!! It freaking happened! I has the pride My first fitness goal (April 2014) - Do a set of 10 pushups. 2 years later I get to 100 in 5 sets. Dragon = Slayed. Gotta say, after the last set I kind of felt like this 2 Quote Level 19 Jedi/Assassin in-training. Challenges: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | "Life happens wherever you are, whether you make it or not." - Uncle Iroh Link to comment
Grayspeed Posted April 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2016 Dammit, I had a grammar fail and I can't edit posts. Dragon =SLAIN. Not slayed... *sigh* 1 Quote Level 19 Jedi/Assassin in-training. Challenges: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | "Life happens wherever you are, whether you make it or not." - Uncle Iroh Link to comment
Grayspeed Posted April 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 Week 4, day 1 Hand Balancing I don't know if Planche Lean counts as balancing, but I did some Crow poses as well Holocron No workout today, but I did do some bits for the mini 1 Quote Level 19 Jedi/Assassin in-training. Challenges: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | "Life happens wherever you are, whether you make it or not." - Uncle Iroh Link to comment
SnowOwl Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 Bits for the mini - I must get on that! 1 Quote Race: Elf ~ Class: Druid Apprentice ~ Level: 12 Current Challenge 2015-2016 Challenges: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven, Twelve 2018-2019 Challenges: (first one in progress) Link to comment
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