Category: Varsity

HIIT Jams

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Seven pax came out to the Varisty sing-along workout.  Weather was rainy at 41°.

Disclaimer given, noted that singing along was mandatory.

Warm Up
Mosey ‘laps’
SSH (IC 10x)
Windmill (IC 10x)
Imperial Walker (IC 10x)
Low Slow Squats (IC10x)

Thang 1: HIIT Routine
The tunes start at this point. Playlist below.
Set A: Do the below 32 seconds on, 10 sec standing rest in between
>Merkins
>Cherry Pickers
>Squats
>Dips
>Bobby hurleys
Set B: Do the below 40 seconds on, 20 sec rest in between (rest is a Low Plank)
>Mountain Climbers
>LBC
>Derkins
>Amer Hammers
>plank jacks
Set C: Do the below 45 seconds on, 15 sec standing rest in between
>Burpees
>Imperial Walkers
>Squat Jumps
>step ups
>SSH
Rinse/Repeat sets

Thang 2: Big Balls Routine
Played AC/DC’s Big Balls; do a monkey humper at each “Balls”.

Fini, COT

NMM: Pax stayed dry beneath the awing at the school entrance. Lots of quality mumblechatter revolving to favorite albums, favorite bands, best concerts the pax have attended.
Playlist:
Rock and Roll All Nite, KISS
Werewolves of London, Warren Zevon
Surrender, Cheap Trick
Bang the Drum All Day, Todd Rundgren
We Will Rock You, Queen
That 70’s Show Theme, Cheap Trick
Down Under, Men at Work
Lump, The Presidents of the United States
Born in the USA, Bruce Springsteen
Cum on feel the noise, Quiet Riot
I fought the Law, the Clash
Ob La Di, Ob La Da, the Beatles
Big Balls AC/DC

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50th Birthday Beatdown Repeat

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We started the chilly morning with a warm up that consisted of  windmills, cherry pickers , imperial walkers and Hillbilly walkers…we jogged up to the benches at NaFo.

The WOD was a repeat of my 50th Birthday beatdown

50 of each exercise:

Merkins.      Squats.    BIG boys.    Dips.   Shoulder taps.   Mt climbers.      Plank Jacks.   Lunges.    Flutters.    SSH.     LBC’s.  AM hammers.   Bomb jacks.  Donkey kicks.  And.  Derkins….when we were done with some time left they were able to pick what they wanted to do again….2 PAXs decided they had enough and did pull ups at the bars

Fun was had by all and we ended with COT

 

 

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Lucky Jokers, My Calves Hurt

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8 HIMs reported to Varsity this morning, undeterred by the threat of cold weather and rain. We met at 0515 at the front entry awning of Nation Ford High School and promptly shared the requisite disclaimer, followed by a warmup.

We did some SSHs and then a bunch of planks, honey-mooners, downward dogs, and shoulder taps, and then I explained the game.

I decided to revise my deck of pain workout from The Armory to be used at Varsity, and I thought it worked out great.

We each took turns picking cards from the deck to determine what exercise and number of reps we would do…

Number of reps was determined by the face value of the card drawn, 2-13.

Spades = Jump Squats

Diamonds = Bench Dips

Clubs = Peter Parkers

Hearts = Derkins

Aces = 10 Burpees

Jokers = 100 SSH

We made it through the whole deck with about 7 minutes to spare, so you guessed it… Mary.

Each of us got a turn to pick an ab exercise, and we finished right at 0600 in time for COT.

Count-o-rama, Name-o-rama, and ended with prayers and praises.

Kelbasa shared a story with the group about a therapy patient he met who was a Green Beret in Korea and Vietnam who had a good attitude and kept moving even through a Covid diagnosis.

Prayers for those affected by Corona, and other needs. Many of us are battling mental and emotional demons, every day. Some are open about it, some have a harder time sharing our struggles. Never forget that sometimes we are the light or the rock for others around us, even if we don’t realize it. Post for eachother!

Thanks Splinter for the opportunity to lead this morning, I wouldn’t rather have shared this cold and gloomy morning with anyone else!

 

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First Post of 2021

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What better way to start the new year than with your brothers in the rainy gloom? Well, 4 at Varsity did just that.

Today was really special for several reasons.

It’s F3’s 10 Year Anniversary.  I wonder if DREDD and the other Redwoods had any idea what this would turn into?  In Honor of that, we did the same workout they did on 1/1/2011.

First we started with a little mosey where we talked about who was up the latest and Harry Caray’s smart plan to go to bed, take a nap and then wake back up for the ball drop with his M and 2.0’s.  I’ll have to remember that for next year 😉

Since it’s 2021, our warm-up consisted of 21 reps of SSH, Marocain Night Clubs, Imperial Walkers, and 7 windmills (because we do them really slowly and I couldn’t cadence count 21 windmills).

Then it was a lap around the track and into the Thang.

Run a lap.

10 merkins, diamonds, and wide-arm merkins.  Run a lap.

Shield fell so far behind that we went back to pick up him.  He said he had to stop and tie his shoe to which we all said was a “likely excuse”.

10 knee up dollys (think bring your knees to your chest, back out, apart and back together is 1),  Freddie Mercury’s and LBC’s.  Run a lap.

10 Side Straddle Hops, squat thrusters, and mountain climbers. Run a lap.

Since it rained most of the night and was drizzling most of the morning up to this point, we decided that instead of running up and down the bleachers that were slick to do Jacob’s Ladder, we ran over to the hill by the pull-up bars.   We got an extra burpee in b/c YHC forgot that you have to run to the top first before doing the burpee.  The extra burpee was my NY gift to the group.

Since that only took about 25 minutes, I had to fill some time, but since we were at the pull-up bars, I figured why not.

21 pull-ups followed by 21 squats x2 rounds.

Then it was time to play with Cindy. 10 counts of bent-over rows (each arm), overhead press, goblet squats, curls, and KB swings. 2 rounds.

We finished COT with a discussion of our One Word from last year and this year.

On a personal note, these HIM’s are my SheildLock and were my quarantine workout partners.  I would be in a very different place (and not for the better) if it had not been for these men who I have learned so much from.  I hope I have impacted their lives as much as they have mine.  Here’s to 2021!

Cheers!

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Varsity 12.04.20

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Seven men attended the Varsity workout on Friday.  We began with a few warm-up exercises (SSHs, IWs, WMs, MNCs) before the main event.

Next, we made our way over to the pull-up bars.  Earlier in the morning, I wrote the exercise routines on the pavement using chalk.  The problem, it was dark and my writing was a little sloppy.  I spent a couple minutes going over the routine.  One exercise at the pull up bars, run to the stop sign for the next two exercises, up the hill for the next two exercises, and back down to the pull up bars for the next round.

Round 1:  Bar – Jump Grabs ; Stop sign – Lunges, Monkey Humpers; Top – Squats, Calf Raises

Round 2:  Bar – Toe Touches ; Stop sign – LBCs, Flutters; Top – American Hammers, Hello Dollies

Round 3:  Bar – Pull-ups ; Stop sign – Merkins, Shoulder Taps; Top – Dips, Carolina Dry Docks

Rinse and Repeat

Rounds 1 – 3, rep count:  Bar – 5; Stop sign – 10; Top – 10

Rounds 4 – 6, rep count :  Bar – 10; Stop sign – 20; Top – 20

Rounds 7 – 9, rep count:  Bar – 15; Stop sign – 30; Top – 30

Great conversation and encouragement by all.

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Post-turkey day accountability

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9 PAX converged on The Varsity for a post-Thanksgiving session of brogan with Sasquatch, a boot camp with YHC or a ruck/run option.  Harry Caray was prepared to lead the run but after no runners showed, he joined us for boot camp.  3 ruckers – Cake Boss, Wegmans & Body Wash – departed for the gloom and YHC announced us off with disclaimers, assumption of risk and advice to tread smartly and modify as needed.  Off we moseyed to the stadium.  Here what happened:

One 1/4 mile lap around the field and a left turn into the South end zone for a little COP – we didn’t need as much here due to the broga session that took place prior.  Nonethless, a combination of windmills, SSH’s, burpees, merkins, imperial walkers, etc.  moved us to the main event.  We moseyed to the North end zone and began at the goal line.

The number of exercises corresponded to each yard line and after each exercise was completed, the method of transportation to and from each 10 yard line back to the North Goal Line varied (NUR’s, moseys, 75% run, 100% all out run, etc.).

North 10 yard line – 10 burpees OYO

North 20 yard line – 20 Hand release merkins OYO

North 30 yard line – 30 double count American Hammers in cadence

North 40 yard line – 40 double count shoulder taps in the plank position and in cadence

Mid field – The 50 – 50 double count overheads claps in candence

South 40 yard line – 40 double count side straddle hops in cadence

South 30 yard line – 30 double count mountain climbers in cadence.  We stopped at 15, halfway through to throw in 3 burpees……..just because.

South 20 yard line – 20 single count marking OYO

South 10 yard line – 10 burpees OYO

South end zone – 10 double count LBC’s and 10 double count flutters in cadence

We then moseyed to the parking lot for the four corner light pole 10-20-30 round – we got through 3 of 4 corners before 0559 was upon us

Pole 1 – 10 H/R merkins, 20 lunges, 30 SSH’s

Pole 2 – 10 diamond merkins, 20 double count American Hammers, 30 squats

Pole 3  – 10 kracken burpees (crowd favorite), 20 jump squats, 30 single count LBC’s

A quick mosey to COT left us 45 seconds for a few varying angels of the protractor and then time was called at 0600.

Announcements – Read your newsletter.

Prayers and praises were offered up and YHC reminded the PAX that even on days not labeled Thanksgiving, we should strive to be examples of thankfulness and gratitude each day.

It is always an honor to be called upon to lead the PAX.  My thanks to Splinter for the call to the bullpen and helping keep YHC accountable on a morning where sleeping in would have been a really easy thing to do.

You never know who needs you to show, besides yourself.  Keep posting and being the example to others that our world needs so much.

Until next time…….

Cyclops

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Venice or Vienna

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7 PAX on a perfect South Carolina morning in November.

Disclaimer was given

Mosey to Band Practice lot
Warmup in cadence
Side-straddle Hops
Imperial Walkers
Hillbilly Walkers
Shoulder Taps
Some Yoga
Squats
Split Squats (L, then R)
Some more Yoga

100 yard runs
1x @ 50% & some exercises for the six to rejoin
2x @ 75% & some exercises for the six to rejoin
1x @ 90% & some yoga for the six to rejoin
4x @ 100% & a walk back

Mosey to the Pull-up Bars for the HIIT portion:

20 seconds on, then 20 seconds rest

Pull ups
Mountain Climbers
Chin ups
Merkins
Burpees
3 rounds

Squats
Knee Ups
Split Squat Left
Split Squat Right
Monkey Humpers
2.25 rounds

Mosey to COT

NMM:
How hard would you push if it weren’t for the guys around you?
How important is it for you to show up so other guys are encouraged to push themselves merely by your presence?

—
Band Camp dismissed

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RPG/Varsity Convergence

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It was a beautiful rainy morning. 17 dudes converged under the awning at NaFo. A dozen or so arrived by 05:00 for some Sasquatch Broga. Around 05:20 we started the Varsity Bootcamp. This is usually when the RPG guys would take off running but since it was raining cats and dogs, everybody decided to stay for my beatdown. I appreciated the crowd.

The Warm Up: Broga w/ Sasquatch and then 25 SSH
The Thang: HIIT as follows:
Burpees: 60s
Rest: 45s
Merkins: 45s
Rest: 20s
Squats: 45s
Rest: 20s
LBCs: 60s
Rest: 20s
Mountain Climbers: 45s
Rest: 20s
Bear Crawls: 1 lap around the circle
Rest: 45s
Imperial Walkers: 45s
Rest: 20s
Plank Jacks: 45s
Rest: 20s
Monkey Humpers: 45s
Rest: 20s
SSH: 60s
Rest: 20s
Flutter Kicks: 45s
Rest: 20s
Rosalitas: 45s
Rest: 20s
Alternating Shoulder Taps: 45s
Rest: 20s
Bomb Jacks: 45s
Rest: 20s
60s Intro to the new Site Q Splinter
Rinse and Repeat from the top

I enjoyed this workout more than I thought I would. I love the Seconds app and HIIT style. I encourage the Pax to give it a try for a workout. It’s worth the price to upgrade to the full version.

COT
Shovel Flag Handoff off from Harry Carry to Splinter

I am extremely proud of my good friend Splinter. It took 2.5 years of EH’ing to get him out in the gloom. Now he’s running with the Big Boys 4-5 days each week and responsible for an AO. ‘At a boy Splinter!

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9/11 NaFo Tower Climb

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Today on the 19th Anniversary of September 11th I had the privilege and honor to lead the men of The Fort in my version of the Tower Climb.

We honored my friends who gave it all to make sure the citizens of NY would be safe.

POLICE OFFICER RAMON SUAREZ TD-04 NYPD

POLICE OFFICER MARK ELLIS TD-04 NYPD

POLICE OFFICER ANTONIO RODRIGUES PAPD

We started with a two lap ruck walk around the track and then jumped right into the climb.

The goal was at least 30 times up and down with 9 inclined merkins and 11 squats at the bottom. There was some mumblechatter, it was hot and humid but the men of the Fort did not disappoint….if you completed 27.5 times you climbed the equivalent of the Towers.

I was proud to lead and share my experiences from that fateful morning that changed the world as we knew it.

It was also great seeing DIRTY HARRY return to the gloom

We end with COT and prayers for all the people lost and the people affected still.

FIDELIS AD MORTEM…..ALWAYS FAITHFUL

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Be Men!

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1 Corinthians 16:13; Be vigilant; stand firm in the faith; BE MEN; be strong. (Shatnerized)

I’m grateful for the opportunity to VQ this fine group of HIM this beautiful muggy morning at Varsity. Thanks Harry Carry for the invite!

7 was the count for a moderately hardish full body workout, good way to end a long, hard week. Effort = Reward and all present put forth the effort this morning.

0515 Circled up at the shovel flag for a quick disclaimer, YHC most likely forgot a couple things, but we were off anyway.

Moseyed on down the way toward Sugar Creek Elementary, but stopped about halfway there for some warmups. SSHs, windmills, imperial walkers, Moroccan nightclubs… YHC was informed that I needed to let everyone know when we were starting each warmup exercise… so we continued down the hill for the main event.

Thang 1

At the bottom of the hill we were introduced to the board of moderately hardish pain. This included 4 groups of exercises split up by a little movement, all to be done OYO. Dark Helmet took a look at the board and decided to go do something easier at the IPAX makeup… J/K

Group 1

50 Highknees

30 Makhtars

20 Half-burpees (down and up, no jump)

Run backward up hill to stop sign at JROTC building, then run back to the board.

 

Group 2

50 LBC Toe Touches

30 Squat Jumps

20 Wide Merkins

Side shuffle around elementary school rear parking lot, and back to the board.

 

Group 3

50 SSH

30 Hip Thrusts (on your back)

20 Alternating Lunges

Sprint up hill to stop sign at JROTC building, then run back to the board.

 

Group 4

50 Parker Peters

30 Seated Flutter Kicks

20 Merkins

Run rear parking lot loop, back to the board.

A few did Group 1 again while waiting on the rest of the PAX to finish, and then on to Thang 2.

 

Thang 2

Since Harry Carry called out Capt. Kirk’s natural Bear Crawl technique, PAX bear crawled up the hill, from the Sugar Creek parking lot to the stop sign at the JROTC building. A couple PAX made it all the way, most needed a break. After that enjoyable crawl, we returned to the shovel flag for the following 6 or 8 minutes of Mary;

 

High planks, then reached out with left arm and right leg and switch. Balance was an issue for some…

Side planks, including side hip thrusts and switch.

Super mans

Went around the circle, each PAX picked an ab exercise to include protractors, merkins (core was engaged), box cutters, leg lifts, flutters, LBCs, and body destroyers.

 

Was that Mars in the sky? It looked bright and red to me so yeah, Mars.

 

Count-o-Rama, Name-o-Rama, Announcements, Prayers/Praises, Closing Prayer

Thanks again for the opportunity, thanks all for the effort and support. Be men!

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