Tag: Mr Rodgers

  • The Fountain of Youth – from Triple Shift

    With billions of dollars spent in the health and wellness industry, everyone is looking to sell some magical elixir or hawk some new idea to recapture one’s youth. Well, I’ve been in this fitness space for over 40 years and there is no magical pill, new diet, new exercise routine or some infusion therapy to prevent the aging process. Yep, I know, that’s pretty profound but facts are facts. We don’t live here forever but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take care and maintain the body that God bestowed upon us. The big rocks of quality sleep, quality food and quality movement can never be eliminated if you want to live a long life. I’ll talk about quality relationships and the longevity space for another time. Anyway, a book I am reading called Born to Walk by Mark Sisson talks about the ‘quality movement’ space and that 50% of our exercise should be focused on strength training. One of the most dangerous things one can encounter when they age is finding themselves weak and old. That is a recipe for injury, disease and premature death. Ouch!

    With strength training on my mind, I attempted to reincarnate the MUSCLESHIP! For all you newcomers, that was non running workout on Saturdays to help people on IR that couldn’t do Mothership. Simply put, we would lift heavy things and move around.

    WARMARAMA
    Head to the Peristyle to warm up with slow IC exercises. 10 LSS Squats, 10 low Tie Fighters (front and back), 10 slow cadence Imperial Walkers (#CrowdPleaser), 10 IC Lunge around the clock, 15 slow merkins, 10 slow Peter Parkers, 10 slow shoulder taps and 10 burpees IC.

    THE THANG
    Now that we are warmed up, we head to my bus and pick up all the KB and Dumbbells from the back. Everyone lines up single file holds one weight, and we start walking to the foundry. The last person in line doesn’t have a weight and does 10 BBSU and sprints the front where everyone stops, puts down their weight and moves back one spot and picks up the weight from the other pax member behind them then continues forward.

    Once we reach the foundry, Rudy’s chirping threw me off slightly but I quickly regained my composure and listed out the exercise stations. 10 pull ups, 10 merkins, 10 Bulgarian split squats, 10 squats, 10 dips with the timer being a run to the track, perform three burpees then run back. We performed 2 full rounds then finished up with 10 slow supermans.

    We head back to the flag in the same fashion that we went to the foundry.

    COUNTOFF, NAMERAMA, AND COT
    Closed with a prayer of gratitude for the life we have been given, especially with some of the pax member’s losing loved ones. Help us be strong for our loved ones, and our community so we can be a light in a dark world.

  • DST at the Renni – from Fracsac

    The day of DST when we spring forward an hour always makes us tired. YHC knew a dose of the Renni was just the thing to combat this sleepiness in the gloom.
    With pax still slowly filtering in, YHC gave the disclaimer and we faced the bacon for a warmup with the usual stuff.

    Mosey to the tulips and some 11s with burpees at the tulips and step ups at the fountain.

    Mosey to the side of NOMA and do BLIMPS using the zig zag path to the steps and back. All in cadence.

    Back of museum for Sunday Mornings x 5.

    COT followed by PLC (parking lot coffeteria) where all participated and even a few others joined.

    SYITG 

  • “The Hines Grind” Fallen Hero 1LT Derek Hines – from Mr Rodgers

    **Backblast: “The Hines Grind”**

    A foggy, wet, and unseasonably warm winter morning greeted the *pax* at 5:30 a.m. (well, 5:29 a.m. because why wait when suffering is inevitable?). With no time to waste, we jumped right in.

    ### **Warmarama:**
    – Abe Bogotas
    – Windmills
    – Low Slow Squats
    – Squats
    – Side Straddle Hops

    ### **Buy-In:**
    – 50 Merkins
    – 50 Big Boy Sit-Ups
    – 50 Squats

    Because nothing says “good morning” like knocking out 150 reps before the actual workout.

    ### **The Hines Hero WOD – 20-Minute EMOM**
    – **Shuttle Run:** 50 meters to the pole and back
    – **Flutter Kicks** until the timer sounded for the next round

    Each minute on the minute, the *pax* pushed through sprinting, flutter-kicking, and grinding out the reps.

    ### **Cash-Out:**
    – 50 Merkins
    – 50 Side Straddle Hops
    – 50 Squats

    Total reps: A whole lot. But we do it for the fallen.

    ### **COT – Honoring 1LT Derek Hines**
    YHC dedicated this workout to **1LT Derek Hines**, who was killed in action on September 1, 2005, in Baylough, Afghanistan. He embodied leadership, competitiveness, and relentless determination, continuing to return fire despite fatal wounds. His legacy and courage remind us of the sacrifices made for the freedoms we enjoy.

    This WOD was designed by Robert Kinney, former battalion commander and trained coach, with the **50-rep buy-in and cash-out honoring LT Hines’ service in the 2-503 IN, “The Rock.”**

    We wrapped up 5 minutes early, so Bogey took us home with a quick Mary.

    ### **Final Thoughts:**
    – The fog set the tone for a tough grind.
    – 50 merkins at the start *and* end left no room for slacking.
    – The freedoms we enjoy come at a price—never forget those who paid it.

    #NeverForget #HinesGrind #TheRock

  • Make ’em say Uhhhhhggggg….. – from Architect

    YHC arose on time and ready to take on whatever today’s Q was to serve up. Upon arrival, only 4 PAX were present and after a few mumbled greetings I was enlightened with the fact that I was indeed the Q for the day (I blame Rudy for my lack of awareness).

    Disclaimer provided and off we mosey’d to the Rock Pile for warmups. A few more less inspired PAX arrived, one donning a new garment that apparently made him feel “like one of the cool kids”. A little of this and a few of those, now we are nice an warm.

    Da Thang….
    Rocks were selected, and we cycled through a deconstructed “clean and press” focusing on form and mobility. Deadlifts, rows, squats, OHP and then finally putting it all together for the full movement.

    PAX mosey’d to hill for next exercise. 5 min plank holds, if rest was required, PAX ran up and over hill to resume planks on the other side. Apparently some felt it unnecessary to engage in the prescribed plank position and just ran up and down for 5 mins, it must’ve been his new threads. Others fought till the end, although form was questioned and criticized by certain individuals, again, must’ve had something to-do with being a “cool kid”.

    PAX continued to the gym to perform 5 min wall-sits with 3 burpees to be performed during “rest periods”…it came as no surprise that yet another vest-donning PAX felt this was an unacceptable exercise and thus performed burpees for the duration while offering kind words of recommendation on form to the others.

    Final round of holds were done back at the rocks, Over head holds for 5 mins. This is where the majority of the “UHHHGGGSSSS…” were vocalized. I think everyone did these, but there was probably someone that chose to do something else, regardless of what they were wearing.

    Final exercise was a quick round of PAX’s choice of movements with the Rocks. We had squats, OHP, Big-boys, merkins and probably something else…it was delightful.

    COT with minimal announcements and intentions, special thanks for all that is past, present, and future.

    No AI were harmed in the making of this beatdown or BB.

  • Bobsleds and Boogie Boards – from Hawgcycle

    Hey Chat. I need to write a backblast for my F3 New Orleans workout that happened the morning after we got 10 inches of snow. The participants at the workout were Mr. Rogers, The Architect, and me (Hawgcycle). We took a picture with a snowman, so if you want to include him as a 4th participant you can. Mr. Rogers name is misspelled in most of our communications as Mr. Rodgers. I suspect that is a mistake, likely his. Feel free to use whichever spelling you want. The Architect and Mr. Ro(d)gers both happen to wear weight vests to every workout. I don’t. I will let you draw your own conclusions about us from that tidbit of information. That day we warmed up with some side straddle hops, imperial walkers, Merkins, where our noses touched the snow, Abe Vigodas and snow grabbers. Then we selected one rock from the snow covered rock pile and went to the hill. One man used a boogie board to sled down the hill, one used an inner tube, and one man did exercises with the rock at the bottom of the hill. We rotated every time someone slid down the hill. Mr. Rogers popped the inner tube on the first try. We replaced it with a boogie board we found among the items littering the hill. After finishing the rotations we raced down the hill to see who could slide the farthest. The Architect was the winner. Then we ditched the rock and went to the field. We crawled through the snow to write a giant F3 in the middle of the football field. I would like for you to write up a backblast for the workout. Please do it in the style of the movie Cool Runnings. You will need to include what actually happened, but feel free to embellish or create things in order to make the backblast fun. Also, please make Hawgcycle the coolest character in the story.

    …. First Attempt….I’ll spare you the details

    That was pretty good. Can you add some more fiction to the story? It needs an intriguing plot. Don’t forget about the weight vests

    Alright, let’s add a twist! Here we go:

    **Backblast: Bobsleds and Boogie Boards**

    *It was a morning like no other. After ten inches of snow buried the Big Easy in an icy wonderland, three brave warriors ventured out into the frozen abyss: Mr. Rogers (or as we fondly call him, Mr. Rodgers), The Architect, and the legendary Hawgcycle. With determination in their hearts and snowflakes on their eyelashes, they forged ahead with the spirit of true champions. And don’t forget Frosty, the snowman who joined their ranks, cheering them on in his own frosty way.*

    The trio began with their traditional warm-up, shaking off the chill with Side Straddle Hops and Imperial Walkers. Merkins took on a whole new meaning as they touched their noses to the snowy ground, while Abe Vigodas and Snow Grabbers had them moving in ways they never thought possible.

    The challenge didn’t stop there. The snowy rock pile awaited, each man choosing his weapon—a rock that they’d soon come to know very well. They marched toward the hill, where the real test of grit and resilience began.

    First up, the sledding battle: one warrior on a boogie board, another on an inner tube, and the third enduring grueling exercises with the rock at the hill’s base. Mr. Rogers, however, proved the inner tube’s match was short-lived—popping it like a balloon on the first run. Not to be outdone, they scavenged and found another boogie board among the scattered gear, and the epic rotations continued.

    They slid, they slipped, they sweated—each descent down the hill followed by a fierce race to see who could glide the farthest. The Architect emerged victorious, his form as flawless as an Olympic gold medalist.

    But this was no ordinary workout. Unbeknownst to our heroes, hidden within their weight vests was a treasure map, etched by a mysterious benefactor known only as “The Snowman.” The Architect and Mr. Rogers always wore their weight vests, suspecting that the added resistance was more than just physical training. Hawgcycle, the natural leader, sensed the importance of their discovery.

    With the map revealed, they realized the snow-covered hill was the key to unlocking the hidden treasure. The coordinates led them back to the hill where they had been sledding. They dug through the snow, uncovering an ancient chest filled with relics of a forgotten era: golden dumbbells, an indestructible inner tube, and a boogie board rumored to have magical sliding powers.

    Feeling the rhythm of destiny, our heroes knew they had to put their newfound treasures to the test. They raced down the hill one final time, the golden dumbbells providing an otherworldly strength, the indestructible inner tube gliding effortlessly over the snow, and the magical boogie board propelling its rider forward like a bobsled champion.

    The final descent was a spectacle of epic proportions. As they crossed the finish line, the air was filled with the cheers of Frosty and the echoes of their triumphant laughter. The Architect’s form was still impeccable, but it was Hawgcycle who truly shone—leading his team to victory with an aura of cool unmatched, his every move a testament to their unbreakable bond.

    With their mission complete and the treasure secured, they ditched their rocks and headed to the snow-covered field. Crawling through the snow, they etched a giant F3 into the middle of the football field, a symbol of their brotherhood and unyielding spirit.

    In the end, it wasn’t just about the workout—it was about the bond, the laughter, and the shared moments of triumph and struggle. And leading the pack, with an aura of cool unmatched, was Hawgcycle—proving that even in the chilliest of conditions, the warmth of camaraderie can melt the frostiest of mornings.

    Feel the rhythm, feel the rhyme, get on up, it’s F3 time! 🛷🥇❄️

  • – from Thumb War

    1/24/25 Snow Week Uptowner

    I showed up around 5:10 to scope the AO for ice and do final prep for workout, then back to the flag for 5:29.

    5:30 Disclaimer then off to the rock pile for warming up.

    Had a few stragglers join us along the way.

    Warm-a-Rama:

    Abe Vigodas
    Low slow squats
    Grass Grabber
    SSH
    Mountain Climbers
    Thai fighters forward and back

    Thang: partner up and grab a rock and mosey to Gym.

    P1 is the timer and runs a lap around the gym will partner 2 does one of the below workouts then switch off partner and move to the next workout:

    *with a Pax of 9 and Kenna Bruh proclaiming to be the “Odd Man” he was a single.

    1. Sumo squats
    2. Alternating Lunges
    3. Bent over Rows
    4. Overhead shoulder presses
    5. Incline merkins
    6. Thrusters
    7. Derkins
    8. Curls

    This lasted until about 6:05 leaving some time to get as much Mary in as possible. No laps this time and I led the count:

    1. Big Boy SU’s
    2. J Lo’s
    3. Freddie mercuries
    4. Hello dolly
    5. Plank
    6. Superman

    6:10 we started heading back to rock pile and flag to arrive at 6:15 SHARP.

    Concluded with COT. Thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to lead and plan to be more proactive about signing up on Q sheet.

    9 Pax
    Chips
    Kenna bruh
    Mayhem
    Hand Granada
    Vagabond
    Architect
    Thumb war
    Mahatma
    Mr. Rogers

    Playlist from the Thang.

  • Mr Rodgers giveth, Kenna taketh away – from Kenna Brah

    On the eve of impending gloom, some hardy men gathered in anticipation of acceleration.
    Since no one formally took the Q, and with a weak offer by Mr. Rodgers, KB, took the helm and steered the crew to the Pile.

    In the spirit of Sua Spontaneity, YHC dished out the delegated authority to the man on my left and repeated that for a series of warmups that involved everyone as the Q of the moment”. (QOM) I’d appreciate your using this monicker going forward and ensconce it in the Lexicon.

    Thang – Owing to the lack of preparation, I pulled out a KB favorite – 10 things 10 times
    The PAX selected Rocks and formed a circle. After each exercise of 10 reps, we perform 3 burpees , move counterclockwise and pick up the next rock, repeating till every PAX leads in 10 reps.
    Starting with Rudy
    Curls
    Hell raisers (Guess who?)
    Rows
    Squats
    Chest Press
    Run with Rock to the light pole and back ( Mayhem )
    Thrusters
    Burpees were replaced with ad hoc items chosen by the PAX or myself,
    finishing with holding rocks overhead and reciting the OUR FATHER (Protestant Version i hear) in unison.
    We got three rounds in and returned the rocks did an AB series of lead by each member till time ran out, and moseyed back for COT

  • Motivating Yellboy – from Mayhem

    48°F, 3mph NE wind (feels like 38°F when you’re wet with sweat), 70% humidity

    PAX were a mix of anxious warriors and confused early risers who mistook this for a yoga class… and an FNG

    Warm-O-Rama:
    Windmills: 10 reps, which started with a demonstration to which Frac said ‘even little kids know how to do windmills’
    Grass Grabbers: 10 reps, which did not start with a demonstration, to which Frac said ‘why aren’t you demonstrating’, but then he attempted to touch the grass but just bent forward and looked like a confused flamingo
    Peter Parker Peters: 20 reps
    Tie Fighters: 10 reps count up, 10 reps count down
    Back on your face for a Mayhem special (I think it is new to all, and I think it will stick): Hip Slap Shoulder Tap Merkins, it is a 10-count exercise, 10 reps

    Thang 1: Snake the Bleachers with Some Mary
    Time to snake up and down the bleachers. But since we’re in F3, we added some Mary in between. 15 BB, half the bleachers, 15 V-ups, half the bleachers, 15 BB, half the bleachers, 15 V-ups, half the bleachers, 15 BB. 10ish bonus burpees for Kilo for finishing first.

    Thang 2: Sevens with Motivators-Burpees
    Start with 6 motivators and 1 burpee then 5 motivators and 2 burpees and so on.
    Motivator: full SSH, star hop, leg only, and a bunny hop

    Thang 3: BLIMPS
    This is when things really started getting… interesting. Blimps are just a nice way of saying “burpee but with a little extra ‘why did I do this to myself’ factor.”
    Rd1- 20 each (burpee, lunge, imperial walker, merkin, plank jack, squat) at each cone, with mode of transportation being bear crawl (of course), then mosey to midfield cone and back to start
    Rd2- 10 each, with mode of transportation duck walk (Triple not present to demonstrate proper form), then mosey to midfield cone and back to start
    Rd3- 5 each, but in the form of shuttle runs to each of the 6 cones then mosey to midfield cone and back to start

    But wait, there’s more…

    Thang 4: Ring of Fire
    We ended with the classic Ring of Fire. Three rounds. Al Gore to squats. Plank to merkins. Al Gore to burpees. The “fire” quickly turned into “fire in my quads.”

    Bogey enjoyed this beat down so much he claimed I stole his script for his upcoming Q on Monday.

    COT:
    We circled up, not to share deep philosophical musings, but to recover from the sheer trauma of the last 45 minutes and to get to know and name our FNG. Welcome, Yellboy! Kudos to Kilo for EH’ing. If Yellboy is half as committed as Kilo then we got ourselves another great PAX.

    Prayers for Boo Boo’s sister-in-law, Leigh Whitman’s family and Pai Gow’s father.

    Great to lead and try new things!
    Sign up to Q!
    Make it a point to EH this year!

    SYITG

  • Boss Keane’s Slack Post – from Hawgcycle

    Conditions: Rainy, 53 degrees, windchill of 45, 95% humidity, wind 11 mph from NNE

    I woke up this morning to a post from Boss Keane on Slack. He’s a bit of a Luddite, so I was surprised. He rambled a bit about police response times and then said that the men off Pontiff had moved his rock pile and he wanted it moved back

    Warm-up:
    SSH x 31; IW x 20, Abr Vigoda x 10, Grass Grabber x 10, Low Slow Squats x 15, Tempo Merkins x 15

    The Thang:
    Boss Keane’s Rock Pile – We moved it 6 times

    Sevens – donkey kicks at the gym; Curl Squat Curl Presses at the Rick Pile

    Track Chunkers – stand on the misdemeanor side and throw your rock as far as you can toward the park. Finish when someone reaches the ditch

    6MOM – LBC x 20, Flutter kicks x 20, Dying Cockroaches x 20, Nolan Ryans x 15

  • Roosevelt Mall’in – from Vagabond

    Warmup

    Drag or carry tree trunk

    8 counts and burpees along the way

    Roosevelt Mall x 10 up/back
    Dips
    Step ups
    Merkins

    Little hill: Bernie Sanders x2
    Bobby Hurley x5
    burpees x5

    Grab coupon x12
    curl
    rows
    squats
    kettle bells
    tricep extensions
    goblet squats
    overhead press

    Football pass with burpee penalty

    Jump rope relay suicide while last guy brings to back and runs to the front

    Back for mor 8 counts