Let PETA begin!

WARMUP: VQ for PETA. He led us in Wind Mills, Produce Pickers, Merkins, Up/Down Dog, SSH, and a mossy with toy soldiers and butt kickers. Finished with MNC at Sonic.
THE THANG: Grassy led a simple DORA which included 100 Hand Release Merkins, 200 SUMO squats and 300 LBC. Ran the gents down to the apartments and back up for a quick hand shuffle at the round about. Ran back to COT.
MARY: PETA lead the last couple minutes with Box Cutters, leg lifts, Slapshot took Flutters and PETA ended with hammers!
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Be on the look out for The Forts 11 year anniversay workout.
COT: Prayers for mental health, over all health for family and friends 🙏

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In Honor Of September, 11, 2001

WARMUP: All PAX but Shield dropped in the plank with their ears wide open to listen to our brother Shield share his experience as an NYPD officer on 9/11/2001. This included the names of a few of Shield’s fallen brothers. Some of us have been fortunate enough to hear him talk about that day but every time I hear it, I take away something new. This morning was no different.
Following the plank, we mentioned a few numbers of significance for the PAX to think about:
9 & 11: This was obvious
22: Years since that day 22yrs ago
100: The number of days Ground Zero in NY smoldered
ALL PAX 100 Side Straddle Hops (50 in cadence) & 22 Burpees

THE THANG: Grab your bell and meet over by Clickbait’s trailer where we had more gear. Everyone has a weight of some kind for the following 9 exercises:
11x Kettle Bell Swings
11x Thrusters
11x Goblet Squats
11x Bent Over Rows
11x Overhead Tricep Extensions
11x Big Boy Sit-ups w/ Weight
11x Bicep Curls
11x Standing Lunges
11x Overhead Press

We went through these 9 exercises one more time and occasionally modified the cadence.

In groups of 4, we all got to experience the 200lb sand bags for 4 reps, taking the bag from the hips, to the shoulders, to an overhead position, back to the shoulders and finally, back to the hips. If we weren’t on the 200lb sand bag, we did the same evolution with our own coupon.

Then, back to 22 Side Straddle Hops & 11 Burpees.

MARY: Throughout
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Lots in the newsletter & THE BLOOD DRIVE
COT: Indeed

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Slapshot Vol.1

It’s been a long week for YHC. Multiple Q’s flag handoffs, memorial workouts, running literally around Charlotte, and last but not least a brutal Iron Pax workout.

As I contemplated what I could do for my scheduled Q at the Golden Corral I was inspired by the very name of the site Q. Yes, it was time I brought some of my own “Jams” to the gloom.

As the Pax slowly but surely assembled around the Flag they were greeted by a Punk cover of Blank Space and a rock cover of Take Me home Country Roads. These were just the B-Side Singles before the full album dropped moments later.

After my disclaimer we moseyed over towards the Walgreens parking lot were we did a brief warmup before the music started.

SSH 20 (IC)
5 Windmills (IC)

The Plan was simple I’m going to play 12 songs. Within Each song there’s one set movement/exercise you will do until you hear a key phrase or word. At that point you execute reps of another exercise.

A note about the music played….most were metal/rock covers of popular songs. A couple were WWE theme songs and one was from the Dark Knight Rises Soundtrack.

The Playlist was as follows :

Running up that Hill ( a deal with god) – Loveless

Mountain Climbers until you hear the word “Running” then you run up the hill behind the Gate and return.

Voodoo Child – Brick + Mortar

Calf Raises until you hear the word Mountain or when you hear Voodoo then it’s 3 Jump Squats

That Energy – Zayde Wolf –

Big Boy Situps until you hear “That Energy” then it’s 4 Flutter Kicks

Eye of the Tiger – MetalHawk (most embraced this song but I was horrified to learn that Change Order has never seen Rocky)

Squats with Punches until you hear where “Tiger” should be in the song. Then you do a lap around the parking lot.

Why do we Fall – Hanz Zimmer ( Dark Knight Rises Sountrack – this is the scene where he climbs out of the well)

Burpees….AMRAMP

Kingdom – Downstait

American Hammers until you hear “Kingdom” then it’s 10 Toe Touches

Phenomenal – AJ Styles WWE Theme

1st Verse – Hold Plank and do a HR Merkin when you hear the word None
2nd Verse – Wall Sit and do a Jump Squat when you hear the word None
3rd Verse Start in Superman or Banana and flip every time you hear the word None

Real American – It Lives It Breaths (Metal Cover of the Hulk Hogan Theme)

Hello Dolly’s until you hear “American” then it’s 5 Rosalita’s

God’s Country – State of Mind & Drew Jacobs ( Rock Cover)

Shoulder Taps then do 10 LBC’s every time you hear “God’s Country”

Danger Zone – No Resolve (Rock Cover)

RUN but drop and do 5 Merkins everytime you hear “Danger Zone”

Everyday I’m Hustlin – Vladss

Lunge walk until you hear the word “Hustlin” then stop and do standing lunges

Fast Car – Luke Combs (Cover)

This was our cool down song. So we stretched and tried to sing along to it……we realized. We weren’t singers.

The mumblechatter during this workout was fantastic and the 45 minutes flew by. I wish I could remember everything that was said but it was a good time. I appreciate the opportunity to Q at my “sister” site within the greater Stockbridge Commons area.

While this is Slapshot Vol.1 ……be on the lookout for Slapshot Vol. 2 Coming to an AO near you……………..BROTHER!

SYITG!

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Shovel Flag Handoff

WARMUP:
– was done!
THE THANG:
– first 30 min by Grinder with focus on legs and abs
– last 30 min by Portal with focus on arms
MARY:
– was done as well!
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
– read your newsletter
COT:
– was held

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A Knightly tale of Heroism

On 1 September in the year of our lord 2023 seven brave souls ventured into the depths of the gloom to participate in a physical and emotional journey that tested their mettle and challenged their sacred sense of honor.

With the charisma of a popinjay and the determination of Atlas himself I provided a disclaimer that forewarned those that dared to enter into this endeavor of the dangers that lurked around every corner.

After my short oratory, inspired by my call to action, and with no fear on the danger, we were off on our quest to vanquish the scourge of the “Sad Clown” and triumph over apathy.

On our way to our first physical test we encountered a BEAST of unparrelled furor and rage. Some legends say the mere sight of this beast traveling portends bad luck and misfortune. (It was a black cat) Nevertheless, undaunted, we continued our quest.

Finally we arrived at our first destination, the church of Luther. We did not nail anything to a door but we did test our selves with the following exercises:

SSH 15 (IC)
Windmill 10 (IC)
Mnt Climbers 20 (IC)
Stretch
Plank Jack 15 (IC)
Michael Phelps 10 (IC)

With our first task complete we ventured off into the good night.(err morning I guess…it was still dark anyway)

After crossing the road of Gold Hills we descended ever so gracefully into the parking lot of “Let’s Crab”. It was there that our merry band first encountered disunion in our ranks as Sir Skipper of Ohio regaled us all with his tales of dining woe at said establishment. To the contrary, Sir Slowest of Jams of the Island that is quite Long stated that his father was quite fond of said food hall. They of course then settled their debate as gentleman often do with a duel. (not true but we should’ve done this)

While we pondered these questions the rest of our company engaged in the following physical exertion:

X 3 Sets
30 seconds Merkins
15 seconds rest
30 seconds Squats
15 seconds rest
30 seconds LBC’s
15 seconds rest
30 seconds Burpees
15 seconds rest.

Upon completion of our task we ventured back out into the darkness. Passing a poultry dispensary we crossed over the road of 160 and ended this portion of our journey at a crossroads. (literally the parking lot of the bar/restaurant crossroads…the former lake wylie brewery)

It was here where Sir Mainframe raised the important point of dental care and the cost associated with this noble pursuit. We all decided that we are in the wrong vocation and to get over our sorrow we engaged in the following physical exertion:

X 3 Sets
30 seconds HR Merkins
15 seconds rest
30 seconds Lunges
15 seconds rest
30 seconds Flutters
15 seconds rest
30 seconds Burpees
15 seconds rest.

After this trial was satisfied we again pressed on galloping down the road like stallions to our next destination and our final test of manhood and endurance. Circling up, Sir Slowest of Jams remarked on one his past battle wounds in which he is now unable to wear his undergarments of choice. We all contemplated this tragedy as we begun our last physical test before our tale of trial would conclude:

X 3 Sets

30 seconds Diamond Merkins
15 seconds rest
30 seconds BBS/Hammers
15 seconds rest
30 seconds Burpees
15 seconds rest.

Upon completion of our final test we ventured back to where our journey began. Some, wept, some bled all basked in the morning light as the trials and tribulations of the past 45 minutes washed over us. With little time left on our journey together we circled up and all shared our plans for the future, now that our honor has been restored. (Most of us are cooking out and participating in Fantasy Football drafts this weekend)

It was indeed an honor…and humbling to lead such a sturdy group of men on this adventure. Until we meet again!

Fare thee Well!

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Cinder Bells

Arrived early to count cinder blocks. We were in luck, one for everyone.

Mosey down the hill, grabbing a cindy on the way

warm up: imp walk, LSS, LBC, Gas pumper, hillbilly walker, shoulder taps, jump squats, calf raise, merkin clock, SSH, dy cockroach, freddie, windmill, jogged it out a bit, from jog to 100

cindy work, triceps, curls, bench press

plank curb walk, bear crawl indian run type deal .. fan favorite

twice half ran up the hill while the others worked, once BB sits, once heels to heaven

We did a jonah hill, 3 broad jumps, 3 merkins, 7 times

we did more cindy work, maybe like 3 times total, calf raises were included

Probably some other stuff

closed with Mahktar N’Diayes

Took the cindy’s home

I was gassed, this group kicked my a$$. Effort level from the group 100%+

Looks like we made it (barely),

Barry Manilow

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Football!!!! (Or something like it…)

Nice Cool(ish) morning here at the Stockade.
So typically my Q’s involve a lot of running, merkins, and of course Burpees. Today though, I was looking forward to Week 0 of College Football and wanted to do something a little different. So myself and my fellow pax did a F3 inspired football Combine.

Brief run to the parking lot of Grace church where I had some cones laid out and some plans to push the Pax but have some fun.

Warmup:

SSH: 43 IC (for Troy Polamalu)
Windmills : 7 IC (For Big Ben the QB not the Clock)
Plank Jacks: 14 IC (for the last Super bowl won by the “Super Steelers” )
LBC’s 32 IC ( For PSU and Steeler Star Franco Harris)

Round 1: 2:00 of Jump Squats
Recovery Lap
Round 2: 2:00 of Merkins (first minute was all hand-release second minute was traditional)
Recovery Lap
Round 3 : 20 Yrd Broad Jump
Recovery Lap
Round 4: 20 Yrd Shuttle Run
Recovery Lap
Round 5: “Hands Drill” We partnered up and played catch with a football while the rest of the Pax would run a lap. Switched out until everyone got a turn.

Round 6: The reason we all were here. The 40 yrd Dash!

The times were unofficial but still proud to say we have some burners here in the Fort:

Italian Job : 4.37
Slow Jams 4.57
Half Shell: 4.52
Skipper: 4.50
Grassy Knoll: 4.49
FishTix: 4.44
YHC: 3.2 (world record)   Again….I said it was unofficial.

After the dash we divided up into 2 teams with YHC as the full time QB. Team Fishtix defeated Team Slow Jams 1-0. My QB rating was sub 70 but I had 1 TD with 1 INT.  

Some takeaways:

I should get a brighter ball
Italian Job is as quick as a hiccup.
Half Shell is an offensive genius. (just didn’t have a QB who could execute)
Skipper has really good hands (especially considering that no one could really see the ball)
Being QB is hard.

Fishtix was the MVP with the game sealing INT.  His trophy and the team championship rings are pending.

Today’s workout was not a traditional workout. There were no coupons (well other than the football), no miles and no pearls on a string. That said, the fellowship was outstanding, we did get some exercise in and the best part nobody tore a hamstring.

Thanks to all that came out. Appreciate any opportunity to lead.

All the best!

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Tortoise and Hare (Slow and Fast Movements)

WARM UP
– Overhead clap tempo x 12
– Tempo merkins x 10
– Upward dog to downward dog x 2
– Repeat Merkins and yoga x2
– Plank kick through x10 (4 count)
– Low slow squat with coupon of choice
– Lunge with torso twist x5 each leg
– Karaoke

THE THANG
Exercise (10 reps each)
– Burpee deadlift
– Bicep curl
– Tri extension
– Squats

Mode of transportation for ~25 yards
– inchworm to frog jump
– Crab walk
– Duck walk
– Long jump

Using coupon of choice, conduct exercises. After completing the list, start with the first mode of transportation followed by a run around the big loop (~0.3mi). Repeat exercises then move to the second mode of transport. Keep going until all modes of transports are finished.

Had enough time to go back to the first mode of transportation. Followed with some cool down.

Cool down:
Michael Phelps x10
Itty bitty circles x10
Deep breathing

ANNOUNCEMENTS: IPX, 9/11 workout and 5K, shovel flag hand offs on Friday.
COT:

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Miles and Merkins

Muggy start to the week at Sweep the Leg

Ruckers rucked. The rest of us ran. Starting at the stop sign by COT we went all the way to the cul de sac past Thomas Gibson Rd. Planked for the 6.

1 by 1 each of us ran back to that stop sign by COT stopping at all subsequent stop signs for 10 merkins and 10 lbcs. We did this 3 times. After a brief recovery we did a pendulum at the top of the hill starting with 10 HR merkins, 3 burpees in the middle and then 10 4 Ct. Flutters at the bottom of the hill. Reduce the exercises at the top and bottom by 1 each trip down and back. Everyone got to at least 5 before heading back to COT where we had 1 minute left for 15 merkins, 15 Lbcs and 5 Burpees

All told 3+ miles and over 150 Merkins to start the day.

Thanks to Badlands for the Opportunity

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