Douglas Park Hill Runs

Tomorrow night (Tuesday) at 7:30 I will be at Douglas Park doing hill runs with and without the sandbag. Come join me! 

-Darci

Tutorial on the Kipping Pull-Up

Here is a decent, but brief video that explains the kipping pull-up.  

flux in the park

More classic gym photos

The 'bowling pins' on the floor in the photo on the left are actually Indian Clubs. The British imported them from India and introduced them to the UK, Europe and North America. It was during the colonial occupation of India that the British were first introduced to the Indian Clubs.  Impressed with the physical fitness of the Indian men who were fighting in the British army, the British soldiers integrated the clubs into their regime. Much like the kettlebell, the clubs are meant to be used in a swinging, dynamic motion. They range from 5 lb to probably well over 100 lb. I tried them out at one of my kettlebell certifications and I could barely manage 20 lb.  

Darci

Brendan, Traci, Jane and Fran Lock into the Overhead Squat

For many athletes the overhead squat is a frustrating movement, but yesterday some of you exceeded your expectations. 

The overhead squat has been Traci's nemesis; however, she has been working hard at it and yesterday it payed off. With excellent form Traci completed all 5 sets of 3 reps at 35lb. Traci kept the bar under her center of gravity and with full control she executed the movement. Look how far back she gets her butt to engage the hips.  Take a look at her knees. They are tracked out in line with the feet. Beautiful.

Fran 3 x 90lb A dancer and a powerlifter. Does it get any better than that? 

Brendan 3 x 135lb  solid and humble as ever. 

Jane 3 x 135 What can I say? The OHS is Jane's move.  Thanks to Courtney and Darren for cheering Jane on. 

A Brief History of the Gymnasium

It was Greg Glassman, co-founder and head coach of CrossFit, who first brought my attention to the radical de-evolution of the architecture and hence meaning of the concept of the gymnasium.  The word gymnasium is rooted in two greek words: gymnos - meaning naked and gymnazein - meaning to do physical exercise.  The Greeks, always lovers of the male aesthetic, exercised in the nude as a way to show off the physical prowess of the male body.

It it worth noting that for the Greeks, the purpose of the gymnasium extended beyond physical activity. The gymnasium also was a space of scholarly study and rumination. But the nakedness and scholarly pursuits of the gymnasium are really just a side note for this blog.  What I really want to examine is just how radically different the gymnasiums of the early 20th century were compared to the big box gyms of today. Take a look at the photo on the left that Ryan came across. This is a photo from the New York Sports Club in 1927. There is a total simplicity to this gym. Notice the kettlebells? The focus at these gyms was pretty much the same as at flux CrossFit - Bodyweight exercises or gymnastics and strength training through multi-joint, compound exercises. Gyms were equipped with rings, parallel bars and pull-up bars, kettlebells, barbells and plates. How is it that the Western world and more specifically North America went from this sort of architecture and social space, with its focus on kinesthetic awareness and real functional strength, to a space where the body is butchered and compartmentalized into distinct and unrelated units? Nothing about the New York Sports Club as it existed in 1927  lends itself to thinking of the body in terms of biceps, triceps and quads. What the space does promote is a focus on agility, balance, coordination, strength, etc. 

-Darci

Caitie takes flux to Hungary

Here's Caitie in Budapest.  

I wonder how snatch translates into Hungarian? 

-Darci

AC/DC and flux

Monday's Workout

I love this workout. 

I hope you will too. 

-Darci

Thursday park workout

This Thursday we will be meeting in Victoria park at the cenotaph at 12 noon. It will be a kb workout and a few other surprises. Make sure you have water. 

Darci