The New Coffee Room

I've been lifting and running for decades - but both activities actually seem to inhibit, rather than increase flexibility. I tried some online programs such as Dynamic Runner and a yoga program called Asan Rebel - but for the past 18 months I've been using a program called Ladder. I like this program because it offers a variety of different coaches - so if you can change your focus depending upon goals and type of instruction you are seeking. They have programs for bodybuilding, strength training, free weights, body weight only, etc. They have 3 different Pilates program. I chose one called Team Define - and yes, it is primarily focused for women clients. If you're wondering how/why I found this program, Let me post just one of the zillion promotional videos that the instructor has posted online.

Link to video

Link to video
Some folks like the idea of going to a place at a certain time and knowing that the time is dedicated to that activity. I actually like the face that I can choose when I'm going to do the class. While there are 6 new classes per week, they also have a variety of add-ons or substitutes based on a particular focus, strength, flexibility, cardio, etc. - along with full body, upper, lower, etc. And you can pause the program if you want to take a drink or need a break.

If anyone is interested in trying the program, they have a 7 day trial for free- but as a zealot, I can get you a 30 day free trial. They have a sorting algorithm to help select a program in line with interests - but after watching Maia, I went with her.

I started with 3 classes a week commitment but eventually moved it up to a 7 day commitment. She works in yoga, Pilates and moderate weights.

They have a meaner Pilates person - that I tried - but opted out after a bit - because it was a bit too intense for my level of interest. I'm already doing a pretty aggressive lifting program - and her program seemed to interfere with that - my focus is better met with Team Define.

DM me if you're interested in the 30 day Free trial (as opposed to their 7 day) program.

Let’s get a refresh on his status on Tuesday

I was just in DC last weekeend - and ran around the mall. The White House is pretty much closed off by oodles of fencing. There were only a couple of places that you even get a glimpse of anything.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1MQPPupxLe/?mibextid=wwXIfr

It's amazing that they were able to eject so quickly and successfully.

And he plays the piano

Great to see “the celebrated Mr K”

Couldn’t they just do a different formula for Europe and get around the problem? Red Add an ingredient not used in the US, and call it something different.

OK - Set a new personal best on the levergym - 315x8. I'm feeling it the next day - progressive overload is good for us. Two caveats - a levergym isn't the same as free weights AND I'm not touching the chest for a 2 count - just moving it up and down at a reasonable pace. Good for me - but were I to post it on a lifting site, there would be 1200 comments that it's all for crap and I should only feel shame at my feebleness in not using free weights, not using Rogue plates, and/or that it's AI.

Wow, that’s impressive!

Time for me as well - though I could also obtain a Canadian passport if necessary.

As with Trump's past life, the law is to be used a bludgeon - a tool that a minimum requires the adversary to spend a great deal of time and money in self defense. On a recommendation of John Kiriakou I've started reading this book that pretty much says if they want to come after you, you've probably done something that qualifies. Kiriakou tells the story of a woman on Hawaii who had a whale watching business. Someone posted a video of whale watching on her boat when a passenger blew a whistle. That violated a federal law - and over the next few years she essentially lost everything to legal expenses. If they want to destroy you, they can - and will. Discretion of prosecutors is not always reasonable. Another case I heard of was of a woman who when she was 10 years old was bullied by boy. In an act of revenge, she pulled down his pants on a playground. As a 10 year old, she was prosecuted for a sex crime and required to be listed as a sex criminal. She ended up having to leave the country. Even the boy involved admitted it had NOTHING to do with sex.

@jon-nyc said:

Speaking of trap bars, a guy at my gym this morning had FIVE forty-five pound plates on each side of a trap bar and did a dead lift with it.

That’s 495 lbs.

As Clint Eastwood noted, "man's gotta know his limitations" - and Clint has lifted weights for most of his life.

The trap bar is some protection of my L4/L5 issues which is there is nothing between them two discs. I'm trying to do more leg work. I do serious lifting with bench - and leg press - but much more modest weight with the trap bar. Right now, I'm doing about 150 lbs. Even after I get a bit more time with the bar, I don't think I'll be doing anything too silly.

Latest addition to my home gym to help with leg workouts

Yup - sad to see him go. I'll always think of him as a young conductor.

Stalin also appreciated loyalty above all else