Bodyology Exercise Studio

Day two & annoyingly I’ve come down with a cold which doesn’t make thinking or lifting any easier. Today’s agenda requires plenty of both as it’s all about getting weights overhead in various ways: the viking push press, the jerk, the windmill, the side press & the bent press.

Lots of similarities between them & lots of differences too. A plethora of subtle & invaluable pointers of note from the instructors, who can perform these lifts with loads heavier than my bodyweight. (more…)

Ok, day one of the course proper & the culmination of our last six months’ training.

First up were the pull-up & press tests. Job done & the teaching started, taking us through the delights of the hanging leg-raise (touch your toes to your hands while hanging from a bar) & the pistol.

Don’t worry folks, they’re not moves we’ll be dropping into everyone’s program anytime soon….. (more…)

After my first full day of research, I’m sad to report that TV has been lying to us & California isn’t wall-to-wall with cheerleaders & buxom lifeguards. However, the weather has lived up to billing & been a very pleasant change from February in the UK. We still haven’t bumped into Arnie yet, but Claire’s forever hopeful. (more…)

Today brought us across the pond for our attempt at the RKC II certification in California.

Thanks to everyone for the messages of support – we’ll do our best to fulfil your expectations.

Our journey from London to San Francisco went about as well as it could, but 11 hours in a seat still drag. We attracted a few glances as we ‘chopped & popped’ in the aisle to keep our legs loose. I expect the lucky few in first class had a kettlebell area to use, but it was sadly lacking in economy. Must drop a note to Branson about that.

Once we landed, unfortunately, the driver taking us to our hotel didn’t know the way to San Jose [insert your own musical punchline here...]. In a wonderful example of deflection he was even a little miffed that we didn’t either. Darn ignorant tourists!

Eventually the sat-nav delivered us safely & we’re now settled into our twelfth floor home for the next few days. Fortunately, there’s an ice machine just across the hallway so we can soothe our fiery hands after a hard day’s study.

After a travel-weary wander around the city centre we discovered why the streets were surprisingly quiet – everyone was eating in Original Joe’s, the Italian diner a block from our door. So, we joined them & after a day of airline food, greatly enjoyed our first American meal of the trip. For those who haven’t had the pleasure of eating States-side, let me assure really you it doesn’t take long to solve the riddle of the American obesity epidemic.

The weight we have to press for the RKC standard on Friday is dependent on bodyweight: 50% for men & 25% for women. My aim is to dip under the 84kg mark so I have to lift the 40kg bell & not the 44kg. Claire can comfortably press well above her requirement so greatly enjoyed her voluminous steak, knowing I had to watch my calories.

Never mind, I have a sneaking suspicion I won’t starve.

There are several things in life where a strong pelvic floor comes in very useful & this woman managed to combine two of the most demanding in quick succession.

Brava!

Our RKC II course is now only six weeks away & our training to meet the required standards was scuppered by a lousy December. Having lost several kilos to a stomach bug over new year, we’re thankfully back on the ladder again, trying to make up for lost time.

I posted about the bottoms up press before, having hit 24kg back in November. Finally, I’ve been able to string together a week of practice & now the 28kg has succumbed. Of course, it’s always nice to hit a PB & it’s no coincidence that it follows a period of consistency.

It proves a simple lesson that’s particularly apposite in January amidst all the weight-loss adverts & health club marketing:

consistent persistence = progress

Unlike most gym-goers & all the fitness gimmicks polluting the ad-breaks at the moment, that truism will last all year & beyond.

Onwards & upwards…

It seems the thaw may be starting, so here’s a quick tip for making the most of the snow before it disappears.

You’ll need a narrow strip of pristine powder no more than an inch thick. Walk or (if it’s safe) run along the snow to create a nice impression of your footfall. Generally speaking, the trail you leave gives us a few clues about how efficiently your body moves. (more…)

Fresh snow this morning has brought plenty of traffic problems to the area around the studio & across Bracknell. We’re operating as normal, so if you’re confident you can get here safely let us know.

We’ll be in touch with everyone directly if the situation changes at this end.

If you’re booked in for an appointment or class, please let us know as early as possible if you’re not able to come in.

Hope you’re all safe, warm & well.

Our gratitude to a nice Polish guy called Tomasz who found Claire’s mobile a couple of days ago after she dropped it taking a tumble in the snow.

Our faith in human nature was challenged a little last year & it’s nice to have our cynicism knocked down a notch. We’ll endeavour to pay it forward.

Free swings all round!

You’ve probably spotted lots of happy kids playing in the snow this week. Rosy-cheeked & off school, it’s hard to beat their joy at building snowmen & throwing snowballs.

Unless of course, you’re two grown men running through the forest, knee-deep in virgin snow. (more…)