Social media is pretty bad right now. That’s easy for me to opt out of though.
I choose my words very carefully around certain people, but that won’t last forever. At some point people will have to learn how to cope with disagreement.
I think I would almost rather cops just know how to physically overpower someone on their own…worst case scenario I’d rather one of my degenerate cousins was put into a headlock and subdued or knocked out and woken once in jail instead of potentially being shot, haha.
I suppose the wrong person who’s taught fighting skills could use them for “evil” but if more cops felt confident in their physical abilities it may lead to less unnecessary force.
Part of the problem is that many feel confident when they should not, and then have to fall back on more force. A good BJJ school will expose this very quickly and remedy it over the long term, one step at a time. You’ll know when you’re growing more skilled because it will be self-evident, and that’s when you can start shaping more positive outcomes reliably. You need the ability to go with the confidence.
Knocking people out can be avoided in a lot of cases too. If you out-class the person you are grappling with by a large enough margin, you can sometimes control people fairly easily. If you’re a big, strong guy, as many cops are, a few years of jiu jitsu can get you there fairly expediently. If you’re not a big strong guy, a little more jiu jitsu can still get you there. Get two cops who know jiu jitsu and a lot of people will be controlled very easily.
There’s no magic way to subdue people who are high as fuck, drunk as fuck, non-responsive to pain and ready to die right then, right there. Training jiu jitsu gets you used to, and very good at, using techniques that cause little or not damage but can literally give you complete control over someone if you out-class them enough. If it is just one guy, I can put you down, get past your legs, pin your hips and own both of your arms in a matter of seconds if you do not know how to respond. You don’t need to derange a joint or choke them out if you own their movement, let alone beat them. But you can, if you need to.
You also get used to turning the violence off at the drop of a hat, which is also useful. You get used to training with young, aggressive new students who behave unpredictably. You will have opportunities to train with big, strong new students who behave unpredictably. You’ll also have opportunities to train with all kinds of people WAY better than you who will make you much, much sharper in a real life struggle.
The reality is that we have many more imperfect outcomes ahead of us when it comes to police using force. Improving those outcomes will only come by improving the capabilities of individual officers through training and tools. I don’t believe the people the police must respond to are likely to improve their behavior, so it’s on the cops to get it done.
Improving people’s reactions to those inevitable bad outcomes will require more work from people who do not have an understanding of violence that’s rooted in reality, but have very strong opinions about the policies surrounding LEO use of force. I’m not holding my breath for that to happen.
At $120 a month, it’s a helluva generous offer. It’s not for everyone though, which is fine. People should not expect every cop to be a competent grappler. It takes way more training than most people realize.
My log has been weaksauce again, as has my willpower to do anything consistent and structured with my kettlebells.
Good news, however. First, the gyms are opening back up so barbells will be an option, hopefully next week. We’ll see what the restrictions look like, but the power cage has never been the most popular thing so I should be just fine.
Second, we are starting up closed-group outlaw jiu jitsu in my basement on Saturday. I’m not sure how frequent it will be, but I never say no when my instructor wants to teach for free in my basement. It may become very regular while state-sanctioned jiu jitsu gyms still have distancing guidelines to practice, which could be for a VERY LONG TIME.
Several times a week private lessons again? Sure, I’ll take it. Others will be invited, but we’re curating this group very carefully.
Third and unrelated to training, I saw some compelling evidence of more multi-account shenanigans in PWI. I’ve got an interesting screen grab, but rather than make a stink about it I’m using it as a reminder that I’ve been spending too much time on the computer lately. Part of that is a work from home/everything’s still closed byproduct, but I’m still on way too much lately.
Especially when I’m spending the time talking to the same person posting on multiple accounts.
2 Likes
A few updates…
BJJ mats are out. They are at my instructors place now.
My old squat rack and bench setup has been reclaimed from my buddy who I loaned it to. 305lbs of plates. Just got it back today.
I have an all-chrome Texas Power bar on-order, should be here in a month or so. My current barbell sucks but it will do for now and serve well as a beater when my TPB arrives.
I went ahead and bought a bunch of Rogue kettlebells. I now have…
2x9 lb
1x13 lb
1x18 lb
2x26 lb
2x35 lb
2x44 lb
2x53 lb
2x70 lb
1x88 lb
I also have my spin lock dumbbells and barbell, which is versatile but slow to change out. I’ve also got a double set of Rogue tube bands.
For by the last few weeks I’ve just been moving with kettlebells every day and getting used to double kb movements. I’m approaching it with a similar aim for technical refinement I applied to Jiu Jitsu.
I’m digging it. Lots of new and needed movement.
The general plan is to figure out a good plan with that equipment but mostly squat like I can squat and push the gas hard on my big movements.
More to follow…
8 Likes
So I don’t think I’ll be logging sets/reps regularly until I start doing some kind of structured barbell progression again. As it stands I’m just playing around with movement and wishing I had my Texas Power Bar to squat with. Maybe I’ll squat with the crap bar in earnest this weekend and get some real DOMS to kick in.
I’ve definitely been progressing, but only in general conditioning and reclaiming newb gains with lost strength from not lifting. Strength-wise, my short-term goal is crisp sets of 5 with double 70lb cleans+press and snatches. I got sloppy on the second rep last time I tried either with them. It won’t take much to get there. The double 53’s handle quite well until I get into the 10 rep neighborhood when slop kicks in.
A little slop is good, IMO.
Otherwise I’m feeling really, really good with all of the core kettlebell moves, both in single and double format. My wrists aren’t getting banged up on higher reps anymore, joint pain is nonexistent and my shoulders feel better than they have in at least 5 years. My “progression” has just been spending more time sucking wind, less time resting and working up to heavier weights for more reps. Pretty tame stuff compared to how I used to lift, but I’m not in a rush to work back up to being sore almost 24/7.
The moves I’ve been hitting include…
Single KB movements:
Swings, double handed grip
Swings, alternating hands neutral grip
Halos
Turkish Get-Ups
Cleans
Clean+press
Press
Snatch
Rows
Goblet squat
Loaded carry
Double KB movements include:
Swings between the legs
Swings outside the legs
Cleans
Clean+Press
Press
Snatches
Front Squat
Rows
Loaded carries
The snatch and clean in particular are getting lots of practice. I never got good at them when I only had my crappy CAP enameled 50lb-er and my 88. Having the lighter bells is really great to learn technique and get warmed up. Both of these moves are much smoother now that I am learning to sneak my hand up and under the bell instead of letting it bang into my wrist.
I’ve also been doing lots of rotator cuff work with bands and various pulling movements with the bands. The black color ones from Rogue are actually quite stout.
Oh, Captains of Crush have been dusted off as well. The Trainer is almost ready to become a work stress ball at my desk and I can move on to the #1.
That’s what’s been going on with me and lifting for the last few weeks. Welcome back, calluses.
More to come…
5 Likes
Good.
1 Like
Hey man, did you ever end up dipping your toe into the hunting scene this year? I recall you making some posts about it earlier this year. It may have even been last year and I’m suffering from a time warp.
Curious what your experience was like up in your neck of the woods. Without putting too much info out there, I’m located about an hour from you. I have some friends that have had decent success bagging deer where Simon and Garfunkel attended their Fair.
I’m thinking about dropping ~700 or so on a bolt gun next year and seeing if they’ll let me join them. I also see it as a way to see more of the state and get in some extra hiking and outdoors time. Maybe even some long range shooting if I feel like nerding out.
Hope all is well man.
@mr.v3lv3t Sorry for the late reply, but unfortunately I did not do any sort of hunting this year. Even if you forget about all of the pandemic business, the second half of 2020 was a uniquely bad year for me and my family. We lost some of our best and nobody has gotten a proper send-off yet. I still get angry that I had to say goodbye over facetime instead of holding hands for the last heartbeat, like it would have been if not for COVID.
I’ve not been at my best lately. I haven’t been posting at all on any social media lately.
I did, however, squat tonight for the first time in some time. A coworker asked me if I would teach him how to lift, so we got to work today. He did great. He’s a mechanical engineer, so I think he will be a very interesting person to get into lifting. He really seemed to dig it. We just spent an hour going from air squats and balancing to KB goblet squats, the empty bar and 3 sets of 5 for him at 65lbs. He moved really well overall and was as good of a student as I’ve ever instructed.
I still have not received my Remington Wingmaster 12 gauge that I put a down payment on nearly a year ago. That was what I wanted to hunt with! I may just pick up a used bolt gun if they have one when I go ask for my deposit back from Howell’s in the next few weeks. They’re a great store but they still have no idea when or if the shotgun I want will become available.
I think I’m ready to fall back into love with lifting and I’m ready to spend a little coin to get the home setup I want. That mostly amounts to a proper cage or good squat stand and a bench that’s closer to the Elite FTS competition benches I grew spoiled with when lifting with the powerlifters. Plus more weight.
I feel really good right now though. Squats still work.
3 Likes
Hey man, no worries at all. I’m sorry to hear about how 2020 wound up treating you, I understand that hurt all too well myself.
As I understand it, Remington isn’t doing so hot as a company these days. Perhaps that’s got something to do with the delay there? Howells is a nice shop, I was surprised at how much inventory they managed to keep all year.
Good to hear from you dude. I may want to bend your ear in the future again but regarding BJJ, as I’ve gotten the itch to get back into a martial art and all my previous experience was striking. Someday when those gyms are allowed to operate that is. Be good to get your take on who’s worth the time and money around here.
IIRC you are south of me, not north.
Jay Jack is probably the baddest man in the state who is married to the baddest woman in the state. He’s got a room full of bad motherfuckers he’s created over the years, and I don’t think any other room in the state comes anywhere near the level of top-to-bottom competency. It all aligns very well with what I wanted to get out of BJJ when it comes to the attitudes about training and the techiques themselves. Cross-facing, murder chokes, smothers and other techniques that can be considered “dick moves” at some gyms are explored there as legit techniques. You will learn a lot of stand-up technique as well as ground stuff. I’m encouraged to use all of my attributes on all upper belts, whereas other gyms I might scale way, way back on pressure and brute force to avoid complaints. I wish I could make the trip to train there full time and I’m very fortunate to have trained under one of Jay’s top students who lives in my area.
Rodrigo runs a very good sport school from what I’m told but I have no experience with their curriculum, students or Rodrigo himself. I’ve just heard good things about the man.
KWBJJ is in NH, but might be an option. I know a lot of those guys and they are super chill and very accessible, but their curriculum is definitely sport-geared and the standards for promotion are not nearly as rigorous as the Academy. I’ve had fun every time I’ve trained with those guys.
If I’m wrong and you’re north I know of a few places up there as well.
1 Like
Spot on man, I am south.
Thanks for the detailed response man, that’s exactly what I was looking for. Hard to take google reviews seriously these days. For what I’m wanting to experience Jays room sounds like the best fit. I’ll be keeping my eye on when it’d be feasible to get in there.
Its definitely a more “hardcore” vibe than other area gyms, but that’s who Jay is and it tends to rub off on everyone else. Jay was an early-adopter and an MMA pioneer who turned down a spot on season 1 of The Ultimate Fighter because he just opened his gym in Maine.
Jay’s tone and demeanor definitely can turn people off though. So can his shin across your face after he’s thrown you to the ground like a sack of meat. It did the opposite for me when I first rolled with a drop-in Jay Jack student when I was a one stripe white belt at a now-closed local club. I was immediately struck how one of these fighters was not like the others in the room. My come to Jesus moment, I suppose.
Alexi Cruz is the other option I forgot to mention. I’ve never trained there but he’s got serious sport pedigree, being a DeLa Riva blackbelt. I was not particularly impressed with how his student runs the only remaining BJJ school in my town. They banned my instructor, for starters. Knowing him quite well, I’m absolutely certain his only crime was looking for a place to train locally and then being much better at jiu jitsu than anyone else in that room.
I also did a few drop-in classes there and it was a room full of people who seemed to be going full-blast and trying to murder me and my buddy (a Jay Jack blue belt) during simple drills. The main instructor is good and a legit pro fighter, but the bevy of 20-something meatheads un-corralled by the upper belts was a turn-off for me. They churn out a lot of low-level NEF fighters, one of whom got completely rag-dolled by an untrained bouncer at the old dive bar.
I’ll take the room full of calm killers who can sytematicaly murder me without breaking a sweat.
1 Like
I’d say you and I are very much on the same page there. I’ll be looking forward to reporting back in the near future when I’ve gone from feeling like a grown man to a small child again.
@mr.v3lv3t I think you’ll dig that room. I’d still recommend checking out everyone who offers first class free when you get around to it. There’s no wrong way to train per se. It all depends on what you want to get out of the activity. I did fine in bouncing scuffles long before I ever started learning Academy curriculum. That just moved the bar from “doing fine” to “dictating the terms”.
Monday 3/1/21
Deadlifts
135x5
205x5
255x5
285x5
285x5
285x5
In a strange coincidence to getting back moving due to a co-worker’s request, my old lifting partner stopped by today. He’s just as out-of-shape as I am. We put together the new Rogue ES-1 Squat stand I got on craigslist yesterday and then hammered out some deads on our lunch break.
Sadly, he’s finalizing his divorce in a few weeks, which kinda sorta started way back when I got him a job bouncing at the dive bar a few years ago. Less sadly, he’s going to move into my spare room for now. We’ll both be living on the cheap, sharing rent and as soon as the 45lb plates I’m after come back into stock and make their way to my place I’ll have a very, very nice little home setup going on in the bachelor pad. All I’m missing are another 3-4 sets of 45’s and a simple bench, all of which I’m getting from Rogue.
I should be able to sell my old (quite crappy) squat/bench combo for a decent profit while still keeping the 305lbs of plates and the entire set of spinlock weights. I paid $80 for that on Cragislist years ago. I figure I can get $200 for the rack and barbell alone right now. The ES-1 squat stand will suit me just fine for 5/3/1-ish lifting.
It’s like we’re getting the band back together. I hope my co-worker sticks around too, but my old lifting partner and soon-to-be roommate and I know how to absolutely slay it together.
3 Likes
You guys just need an instant pot and a foreman grill and you’ll have a solid youtube channel in the making for making gains.
2 Likes
I’ve got an instant pot already and a foreman grill is another piece I should pick up. I lost mine in a breakup years ago and never replaced it. I’ve been cast iron since but the Foreman still has applications for quick and easy.
The conditions for success are certainly lining up in a way that can only be interpreted as The Universe Telling Me To Lift Weights Again.
5 Likes
Good to see you back logging here - I had an extended break too from logging (but was still lifting). Will be following along!
1 Like
Thanks @raven78 . I’m glad to have you following along.
2020 was the best year I’ve ever had financially but pretty much everything else sucked aside from my stepson’s continued progress towards mature adulthood (he’s 20) without reproducing just yet. I guess this is welcome to middle age and realizing that no, really, for serious, money isn’t everything. I should feel great about this position I’ve jockeyed for for so long, but it’s pretty meh to me right now.
I want to feel like an animal again. Luckily I know a thing or two about that and I just invited a shouting gorilla to live in my home.
1 Like
I’m still keeping with the spirit of the thread I started about seeking out made in the USA products. This has me going with…
My all-chrome Texas Power Bar. Still my favorite for how I lift. USA-made from top-to-bottom.
This is the squat stand I purchased for $185 yesterday. It is made in the USA with perhaps some percentage of steel sourced from the Canada-folk who dwell in the north. I’d rather it not be so but I still feel good about my lightly-used purchase. In reality it probably only benefited one Canadian at most.
I’m going with Rogue Deep Dish Plates
Rogue Deep Dish Plates | Rogue Fitness
I’ve always had a soft spot for the fat boys in my heart. I don’t have a deadlift platform just yet. Only horse stall mats on concrete. A little less thud.
I realized Rogue’s flat bench is made by foreigners and then imported for sale here on our shores. No thanks.
Elite FTS seems like the reasonable person’s choice for a USA-made flat bench that’s likely to last for at least the next generation. I’ve used these before and they were perfectly fine benches and seemed to be built well.
elitefts™ Scholastic Dumbbell Bench
Then I remembered your much-touted Ironmind bench, and my impulses to spend extra money began to tingle.
Five Star Flat Bench for presses, rows, flyes - IronMind-www.ironmind-store.com (ironmind-store.com)
Care to sell me on the upgrade? My all-time favorite bench pressing surface was an Elite FTS competition bench. I’m sure you’ve benched on something similar before. What am I getting for roughly double the price of an Elite FTS (non-competition) flat bench like I linked above?