Dojo Seminar 09'

I just want to take a moment to thank Sensei Stan Leach, head instructor of Orland Shorin-ryu karate dojo, and all his attentive students, for a successful FIRST seminar by Wicked Iron Underground. We were kindly invited to Sensei Leach's beautiful NEW dojo (school) to teach what we know about strength and how it can apply to karate and every day life, and we thoroughly enjoyed taking the time to relay some of our knowledge about strength and it's related topics to his students, and seemed as though the students had some fun as well...hard-style!
I'm sure some of you out there can attest to functional strength and how it has transformed at least your body, if not a large part of your outlook on fitness as a whole. The learning part of fitness is a battle, because to accomplish a higher level of strength, flexibility, agility, etc., one has to push through a somewhat painful experience to get to a certain point of technicality and knowledge of one's self, therefore being able to tap into one's potential...and ATTAIN IT!
Even though learning these methods is a great experience in itself, TEACHING them is a whole different ballgame (or bellgame for all you iron-lovin' comrades), and opens up a lot of new things for the practitioner when it's flowing OUT of you, instead of learning, when knowledge is flowing into you. Most people with enough life-experience know that teaching is the best way to learn, and it's certainly the best way to "know your stuff."
To make a long story short, we had a great experience letting the knowledge flow out to others, and we learned a lot about the iron, about ourselves, and about others through teaching the things for which we have such a passion.
If you haven't dived already into the world of functional strength, find someone who knows their stuff, give it a try, then us know what you think. There are MANY professionals out there who are more than willing to pass on some of their knowledge about what they do, given you are determined to make something more of yourself, or to just find a NEW way to throw around the weights.

Keep on keepin' on!
Dan C
Wicked Iron Underground

It's Time!

Alright peoples, the sun is shining, and the pavement is heating up. It's finally ideal weather in Maine for getting outside and using the jungle of nature to better our minds, our bodies, and our spirits. I don't think i stand alone in saying that spring brings a certain pattern of personal growth to our lives, as it does for the trees, the fields, and the beasts. Regardless of where you live, whatever you consider to be "good weather" can make you...no...PULL you outdoors and under the sun. It's time!
Jason and I had a crazy trip down to Zach Even-esh's Underground Strength Gym in Edison, New Jersey (a.k.a. "The Dirty Jerzee"), and found out first hand what the hype was all about. Like Zach often says, he's "killin' it" down in Jersey, and it's obvious to see by just watching his videos and connecting with the underground community, as it was by attending the certification weekend. Both of us are truly inspired by what we experienced at his gym, and recommend it to anyone willing to give their all, for their all.

Now, back to my point...GET OUT THERE!!

I think we underestimate how much we can benefit from being out in the open air with nothing but the will to sow the seed of perseverance and the patience to reap the strength, and maybe a pair of shorts ;-)

I took advantage of yesterday's sunny inspiration and took the kbells for a spin. Here's what i did...

1. 5 reps push-press, left (non-dominant) then right.
2. 7 reps swing-to-clean, left then right.
3. 10 reps kbell push-ups, not too fast, full body tension, parallel grip and close to body.
4. 5 reps, double rack squats, not too fast, smooth full body tension.
5. 2 reps, snatch (1-4) top-down TGU (turkish get-up), left then right, with one press at the bottom.
REPEAT (if you can)
End with farmer walks or rack walks with both bells, then get your protein shake and TAKE A SHOWER you filthy comrade!

Take this workout into consideration as a max-out session. Mix up numbers and/or drop an exercise to better suit your energy needs, but push yourself a little more each workout. As your body advances, so should your discipline.

What are you waiting for? Hop outside and get to work!

Stay strong,
Coach C