Ugh, I hate time frames. I don’t like the pressure of getting in a workout in x amount of time, I like freedom 
Wow great PR! I see why you were so pumped!
a bench PR!
way to go 
Nikki - I agree! I hate time frames too, but I hate missing a workout more.
Nadia & N - Thanks!
Last night I just taught karate for an hour. I ran around and did push-ups and sit-ups with the kids. The kids always seem to do better push-ups when I am doing them beside them. After playing some dodgeball, we ran the kids through a circuit for the rest of the class. 2 kicking stations, 2 punching stations and a shoulder roll station. They worked their butts off, but had a fun time - best of both worlds.
Today I am gathering a couple of old phone books from work and taping them up. I’m going to try deadlifting from a normal height, as I have been lifting from about a 3" deficit all this time (No 45s). I don’t know how much that affects my lift, but we’ll see tonight.
How old are these kids? I’m teaching 3-11 year olds PE (girls, apart from the 3s which are mixed) and I’m having a hard time maintaining discipline. Trying to teach gymnastics when some of the kids decide to talk, run around or climb on stuff they shouldn’t be is not ideal, so if you have any tips I’d love to hear them.
Cal - In our youth class, we have ages 6-14 plus a few parents. 6 is generally our cutoff unless there is a parent on the floor with their kid. We usually have the 14 yr olds help out with the little ones.
Maintaining discipline can be a bit of a struggle at times for me too. When it comes to discipline we usually give out push-ups and/or have the kid/s sit out of games - nothing revolutionary. If it is a recurring or serious problem we’ll pull them aside and have a little chat. Though we are fortunate to have multiple instructors and student teachers so if we have to take a child aside and give the ‘respect’ talk there is usually someone to fill in. We have had kids quit because they didn’t like the discipline. The parents don’t seem to have a problem with what we do though.
When I first started teaching I was really easy going with the kids and they walked all over me. Maybe I’m just losing my patience, but I’ve given out more push-ups this year than I did last year. Anyway, I’ve developed at bit of a stern attitude that I can pull out if needed.
I don’t know if I have any specific tips, but this is my experience.
Thanks. The problem I have is I’m generally alone with a class so if I start giving special attention to a chlid - either helping them, or telling them off - the others are idle. Push-ups sound like a good idea.
Cal- I find that a challenge too. When I am working kata or technique with a group and we are short on instructors it is hard to pull a child aside when they don’t understand something without neglecting the others. That is somthing I am still trying to figure out.
Wednesday training:
footwork drills
5 min bike
Deadlift
Warm-ups
5@70, 5@100, 3@105
Working sets
3@125
3@140
6@160 (rep PR +2)
RDL
10@100 x 3
Blast strap hamstring bodycurl (taken from Monday’s article)
10 x 3
This challenged my grip strength as well
Plate push
3@35 x 4 w/ 30s rest
So deadlifting from the phone books made a huge difference. My back is not as fried and my reps were a fair bit easier. I attribute my rep PR to this. My last try at 160, 4 reps was a grind. Last night I did 6 with a few left in the tank.
I shouldn’t be lifting from the phone books for too much longer though. I got a nice Christmas bonus so I am hunting out an olympic weight set - kijiji here I come!
yeah for a new set!!! looking forward to some nice new numbers for the new year.
Ooh you’re going to do Oly lifting? Sweet.
That blast strap thing sounds interesting, and way to go on that PR.
Christmas bonus! Awesome. Have fun shopping.
N - yeah I’m really excited, but I don’t want that to get the best of me. So I’m going to be patient and hunt for a deal. I’m going to have to learn my plate math all over now.
Nikki - no I’m not planning on doing olympic lifting right now. I am just looking for an olympic sized weight set (iron, not bumper plates). Right now I’m working with a standard bar (1" diameter, 20lbs) and weights. We have already bent that bar and are having trouble finding standard size 45s, so I figured an olympic set is in order. It would solve my deadlifting height problem too.
Today was pretty laid back. I had a lunch meeting with my boss and a sales rep. We talked a little business, but all three of us lift, so eventually that’s what the conversation turned to.
In karate tonight we had 7 instructors and 13 students (in December our numbers dwindle), so each instructor got to spar 1 on 1 with every kid in the class. I get a kick out of the feisty little ones who try their hardest to muscle their way through me. I got a good sweat out of the night, so I’m happy.
I hear you on the plate math. the new gym has some Oly plates on the Kg. is screwing with my head. Plus the numbers are smaller ;( lolz
Friday’s training:
5 min bike
Blast strap circuit
OHP
Warm-ups
5@35, 5@45, 3@50
Working sets
3@60
3@70
8@75 (rep PR +1)
DB OHP
10@20s x 5
Handstand push-ups
4 ~1/2 ROM
Blast strap face pull ss w/ plyo pushups to phone books (fun!)
10/8
10/8
10/10
Squats
8@80 x 3
I’m going to go (hopefully!) pick up some new toys for our basement gym tomorrow - soooo excited! If it goes down, I’ll be getting an awesome deal. I’m hoping I’ll have pics to follow tomorrow.
what sot of toys? do tell!
Well the list includes:
Power rack
Dip and chin attachment
Lat pull down attachement (free weight - not stack)
Trap bar
Oly bar and 400lbs weight
2 Adjustable DBs
Incline/Decline bench
The only downside is that some of the plates are a bit rusty, but I could care less. It’s going to run me $600. The guy just moved and doesn’t have the room to set it up because of kids etc.
I’ve arranged to pick up and pay tomorrow afternoon. If the deal doesn’t fall though, I’ll be set!
Needless to say, I’m so stoked for tomorrow!
wow…thats a steal! wow I’m stoked, and it has nothing to do with me!
LS, that’s highway robbery what you’re getting all that for haha
Seriously, you’re so lucky. The cold is making it harder for me to want to go to the gym, if I had all those goodies at home I won’t need to get out of my PJs to work out ;D
I actually prefer the free weight lat pulldowns to stacks. It just feels more… real. Like, there’s no debating that that 100 lbs is REALLY 100 lbs, ya know?
I hope it works out, I’m a little bit too excited for someone who isn’t affected one way or the other lol
Holy crap!! That’s beyond awesome!! You lucky girl. And most deserved. You’ll be kickin’ ass with your new toys.
Great training as always. I love your style! Balls out. HAH!