The Experiment Continues

Sorry about not blogging for a few days. I continued to work out, but did not blog...

This morning was short bridges. 2 sets of 15. 2-1-2 count, exhaling during the bridge and inhaling on the way down. The first set of 15 was fine. At number 13 on the second set, my left hamstring started to lock up. I too a few seconds rest, then was able to pump out the final reps without problems. These simple exercises really are fundamentals but, even at the most basic level, they work muscles. When I hit 2 sets of 20, that will be the intermediate standard.

wall pushups

did 2 sets of 15

again, I'm surprised at how difficult these things can be...

Knee Raises and Assisted Squats

Did knee raises early in the morning (about midnight). 2 sets of 10, in good form. The exercises really work the abs, and the legs, and the lower back.

Tonight, for today's exercises, did assisted squats. Went too low on one squat and my left knee really let me know it was not happy. So went back to going as low as I could go, down 2 seconds, hold for 1 second at the bottom, up for 2 seconds. 2 sets of 10 and an extra set of 5 for good measure. The squats are going to take a while to come up to speed.

Wall Pushups

2-1-2 count

2 sets of 12.

These things, surprisingly, work the back, the arms, the chest, and the shoulders. I'm even feeling some residual soreness. Moving the body through space in a controlled fashion feels incredibly good. That said, I am feeling some residual soreness. Different exercise tomorrow.

Short Bridges

Short Bridges

Two sets - 10 per set - very well controlled with a 2-1-2 time pattern. The exercises are a form of meditation. I'm going to switch to the 1 exercise per day schedule and work up the progressions / steps.

Jackknife Squat- Vertical Pull Day

Today was Jackknife Squat Day / Vertical Pull Day. 2 Sets of ten. That's all.

I'm finding that if I turn my feet out a little, it helps, and that I'm only going as low as my musculature will take the weight. I'll continue to lower over time. Hard to believe how much this skill has atrophied.

Vertical pulls are, like the squats, a form of meditation. 2 seconds away from the wall while breathing out. Hold for a second at the bottom. 2 seconds pulling towards the wall while exhaling. Because of our door frame, this gives my fingers and forearms a nice workout

Day 2

Did some stage 1 pushups and leg raises today. They are deceptively easy, and feel good, thus building confidence and enjoyment and a willingness to do the exercises. Surprisingly, I had residual soreness from yesterday's exercises. More later.

Read and Start

Read through most of Combat Conditioning. Tried out:

pushup step 1
leg raise step 1
bridge step 1
squat step 2
pullup step 1

10 reps - 1 set

Most of the exercises felt "good" except for the squat. I've clearly lost a lot of flexibility, and strength.

Starting the New Blood Program Tomorrow.