Friday, September 26, 2008

Christy's Birthday Wish

Friday 26th September

This post is dedicated to one of my most dedicated, hard working and committed clients..........wait a minute, that can be right, this post is for Christy! Just kidding Christy, you know your an ANIMAL!! 

So today is Christy's Birthday. Happy Birthday CB! Being the giving sort of guy that I am, I felt the need to spoil my Christy on her special day. 

Before I disclose how, I feel I need to fill you in on some background info regarding the relationship Christy and I have. You could say we have a "love-hate" relationship, or as Christy put's it "I Love To Hate You!!" And I'm cool with that because I get to kick her ass three days a week and I take pleasure in doing it! With a smile on my face I might add!! 

Anyway, last year for my birthday Christy got me a present, you might say it was a gift for the both of us. She got me full body armor (used for sparring by kickboxers) which I did want, but it came at a price. The deal was I had to wear it that day so Christy could beat the crap out of me and beat me she did, grinning from ear to ear! I mean she really had a good time. 

Christy: "take that you little turd!"-BANG!!

That said, as I pondered on what to do for my dear sweet CB on her birthday, I thought what does Christy love to do above all else and the answer was clear-she loves to inflict physical pain on me! So I strapped on my armor once again and told her she could smash me between every set of her workout! It's a scary thought, but I don't think i've ever seen her so happy. The session consisted of intervals of cardio and resistance training accompanied with bouts of Christy unleashing the fury on me, she jabbed, crossed, hooked, gut punched, knee'd and even kicked me every chance she got. I think she was happy. I even gave her a 60 second free for all to finish the workout off. I tried to post the video below, but was unsuccessful. Posted another pic for now, but I shall keep trying. 

Christy: "eat that!!"- SMASH!!
Ross: "OOOUUUCCHH!! "Watch the family jewels!"

Christy, I know your thinking that I'm making you out to look like a meany, but I'm not. For those of you who don't know CB, she's a wonderfully kind and caring person and she gives me beating's out of love, I know this even though she would never admit it. 

Love you lots Christy, have a wonderful birthday!  


Thursday, September 25, 2008

Even Better Than The 1st!


Thursday 25th September

So today The Edge saw the second kettlebell group workout and it was even better than the 1st! Each of our kettlebell workshop graduates turned out once again, even after the tough introduction to timed sets experienced 2 days earlier. 

Our little group (pictured above), from left to right: Janice, Anne, Me, Sarah, Brian, Lyn and Dianna. 

The mood was relaxed and light as we began the warm-up, even more so following Brian's patented new warm up drill known simply as "Jazz Finger's." A brief explanation is needed here I feel. 

Our clientele here at The Edge think Brian and I are pretty crazy due to our constant antics and they often joke that they think we sometimes make things up as we go. So, a couple of weeks ago Brian decided to put this to the test. During a small workshop he had the clients make fists with their hands and hold them in front of there faces with their eyes closed. Then remaining in this position he instructed them to begin swaying their hips side to side, eyes still closed. This went on for about 30 seconds. From this tucked position next came the completion of the full movement, a sudden explosion of the arms and hands overhead unleashing the JAZZ FINGERS, accompanied by a more vigorous hip side to side motion. Then it was back to the fist tuck and eyes closed. I watched in amazement (and stitches!) as the clients followed along  for several minutes before performing my duty as a good wing man and bursting onto the gym floor and snapping the all important evidence shot (see below). I shall spare the names of the individuals involved, but you know who you are! Don't be embarrassed, we love you for it! 

Work Those Jazz Finger's and Hips People!!

Anyway, severely sidetracked there! Back to the workout. We performed a warm-up with 20x 2 arm swings coupled with 20x air squats for 3 rounds, a quad burner by the way! 

We followed with a timed 20 minute triplet set which consisted of 4 snatches, 4 cleans & 4 jerks per minutes, switching hands every minute (we ended the last 2 minutes with sets of 5 to up the tempo). The KB was set down upon completion of the allocated reps and we rested until the turn of the next minute. Rest varied, some stood quietly, some re-chalked, some chatted a few words, Brian and I chose to work in some poppin 'n' lockin synchronized dance moves (but that's just us), in one of which I almost took Brian's eye out, but it was a new move...complex....my first time in front of a crowd and....well I just got a little excited! Back to the workout, the set called for a pretty decent work rate and clean technique, everyone coped well and we shall definitely hit 15 reps per minute next time out to up the anti. 

We finished things of with 3 timed sets of goblet squats for 1, 2 & 4 minutes with a 1 minute recovery between each. This was work for everyone as we introduced all to squatting all the way down. Set #1 was a breeze, Set #2 should have been until Brian & I decided to start punching out quick squats in bundles of 20. This made for a rather interesting last set. Half way into the 4 minutes my #16kg bell was weighing heavy, but I was confident and steadily clicking off reps as were most of the clientele, Brian however, wasn't doing so well. He was getting some serious arm fatigue and holding the KB looked painful. Suddenly he began to blurt out random things, I think to take his mind off the pain more than anything. So he say's almost resting the KB on his stomach "this must be what it feel's like to be pregnant!" To which Janice replies "I can help you through the birth, let's practice our breathing." Brian's proceeds to take large inhaled and exhaled breaths sweating profusely, man if I didn't no better I would have sworn he was about to give birth to a 70# KB!! As the seconds clicked away everyone struggling now not only to hold their bells, but trying to do so laughing uncontrollably! The final minute drew to a close to sounds of Brian's yelps accompanied by each of us chirping in with comments like "don't push Brian!", "push.....push!", and "You did this to me....I hate you!" It was hilarious, you gotta love the banter!!  

Thanks to everyone who attended and worked their butts off and help make it such an enjoyable session, you guy's rock!

Special shout out to Steve Cotter and Ken Blackburn, thank you for your inspiration and for guiding us in our journey to advance our business and broaden our horizons.  

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

The Edge Fitness Center's 1st Ever Kettlebell Group Workout!

Tuesday 23rd September

At 10am this morning I am proud to say that we at The Edge Fitness Center held our first ever group kettlebell workout! It consisted of myself and Brian instructing, but also working the timed sets with the clients, my wife Sarah, Dianna, Lyn, Janice, and Anne. All of whom have completed our kettlebell workshops and are now very proficient kettlebell lifters in their own right. 

The workout went smoothly, we began with a light warm-up followed by a small superset of swings and jumping jacks (we like to call them "The JJ's"), 3 rounds. Next we hit a little mix up of movements (cleans, jerks, swings) for a pretty hefty 17 minute set working for 2mins, "resting" for 1 min (in the rack). Then we rolled straight into a 10 minute set of the snatch, which I'm proud to say each participant completed, a great achievement considering for most this was their taste of a set over 4 or 5 minutes ever! The atmosphere was light, but focused. We had many laughs but when it was time to work everyone was all business, it was awesome. We rapped things up with some TGU's and everyone left feeling worked but energized including myself. 

I would just like to let all who attended (and all our other kettlebell lifting clientele) know how proud I am of you, you've all come a long way in a short time. Thank you for your commitment to The Edge and for your openness to new things. 

Our next KB group workout is this coming Thursday and shall continue Tuesday's and Thursday's at 11am from here on out. Let us know if you wish to enroll in workshops and get involved, all are welcome.

I look forward to watching our clientele grow and evolve, it's exciting, man I live for this sh**! Pardon my french....