I can finally sit on the floor in straddle with my legs straight!

A few months ago I tried sitting in straddle for 1 min., about 2-3 times a week, as inspired by this video:



I did it as part of my cooldown routine after strength/hypertrophy training. I kept it up for a few weeks, then changed my cooldown to focus more core work.

I just could not get my legs straight because of my perennially tight hamstrings. The adductors might have been tight as well. Ryan does say in the video that bent knees is fine, as well as leaning your torso back with arm support.

During the 4/7 mobility session, I noticed I was able to spread my legs wider than I did last week, during practice of the straddle side bend from the Pike superset. I was following the instruction to sit on an elevated surface so I could sit in straddle with straight legs and straight low back. For elevation I was using a stack of almost all my puzzle mat tiles.

So today I thought I'd test my straddle sitting. I was able to straighten both legs! My low back was curved, though I found I could straighten it by contracting the abs with medium effort. I'm only in the middle of the 2nd week of Strength Side's Master Mobility program, so I'm impressed with the flexibility gain after just a short time.

For the straddle side bend exercise, I still want to sit at a height that allows my back to stay straight, when upright, without additional effort from the abs. This exercise is done with a weight held in the hands to help deepen the stretch. Even though I do use a light weight as recommended, I still don't want to take any chances with the low back. So, tried straddle sitting on 5 stacked mat tiles, and still felt I had to consciously straighten my low back. I then tried 8 stacked tiles and found that was a good height for me - with legs and back all being straight without extra effort. This new height is still quite a bit lower than before. So at this new, lower, height I should be able to stretch my hamstrings more than before.

I'm using a 4kg plate for my straddle side bend practice. To reduce shoulder fatigue, I don't force my arms to be straight, and hold the weight above and slightly behind my head, so that the load goes more to the back than the shoulders. I only try to straighten my arms when it's time to hold the stretch for the prescribed number of seconds.

IsoMax 6x6: Week 3 1-Rep Max Retest

One of the underlying concepts of the 6x6 program is training with a target load of 70% of 1-rep max force. Setting the IsoMax to this target load ensures the trainee is applying at least 70% 1RM force to get the bar to start beeping. The trainee is advised to retest 1-rep maxes for the chosen exercises every 2-4 weeks. So, based on recent performances in the Zercher Squat and Drag Curl in excess of the originally tested 1-rep maxes, I decided to retest today. These are the new 1-rep maxes, with new target loads generally rounded up to the nearest whole number from the calculated 70% values:

• Zercher Squat - 140.67, up from 101.4. The 40lb jump is a reflection increased comfort and confidence in the position. New target load = 99.
• Overhead Press - 85.27, up from 83.9. Modest gain but I'll take it. New target load = 60.
• Drag Curl - 153.4 up from 124.67. My force output in this exercise is as high as it is because I use the back-to-hands spiraling technique taught in this video. This technique recruits just about all the upper back muscles as well as the lats and abs. The My CNS seems to find more muscle groups to recruit on my highest performing days.

IsoMax 6x6: Week 2

This was the first week incorporating the Master Mobility program from Strength Side into my weekly routine. Master Mobility focuses on the Pike, Horse Stance, and Bridge; and thus programs exercises to improve performance in each of those 3 positions. Great performance requires great flexibility, so working towards getting better and better at those positions should result in improved flexibility. Scheduling options are flexible - you can get all of Week 1 done in one session, which would take about an hour, or spread your practice of the Pike, Horse Stance, and Bridge routines over the course of the week. I chose to do the latter.

3/30
Last-rep max force (lbs):

Zercher Squat 133.6
Overhead Press 72.8
Drag Curl 158

MM Pike

My performance on Monday tends to be lower than the rest of the week.

3/31
MM Horse Stance
MM Bridge

4/1
Last-rep max force (lbs):

Zercher Squat 144.4
Overhead Press 90.4
Drag Curl 162.6

MM Pike

Gratifying to see improved performance compared to Monday. I leaned too far backwards on one of my Zercher Squat reps, and fell on my butt. I typically shift my weight back to my heels to avoid rounding my back, then I try to stand up. The thumb side of my right forearm was still flaring up on some reps of overhead press. However with a closer grip, I managed to press with more force. It was surprising to see the jump from 72.8 to 90.4.
4/2
Side Plank Micro Workout:

T-Plank 12 reps
Suspension Side Plank Hip Dips - 4 sets of 8
Suspension Side Plank Hold - 5 breaths/side

MM Horse Stance

This time I raised the suspension foot straps to just under knee height. The exercise felt a little harder at the new height so i just went for 8-pre sets.

4/3
Last-rep max force (lbs):

Zercher Squat 133.2
Overhead Press 78.8
Drag Curl 153.8

MM Bridge

My Zercher Squat performance has consistently exceeded my tested 1-rep max of 101.4 lbs. This is probably because when I tested my 1-rep max, I had no previous experience with IsoMax training at a low Zercher Squat position. After several sessions, I found I could tuck in my tailbone and apply force - by trying to stand up - with more confidence that my low back will be fine. My Drag Curl performance has consistently exceeded my 1-rep max of 125 lbs. So next Monday, I'll retest my 1-rep maxes. My Overhead Press progress hasn't been as dramatic but I'll retest it anyway.

IsoMax 6x6: Week 1

The Strength Side Youtube channel was mentioned a few times on the Strongfirst forum, so I started watching some videos on it. This led to buying their Master Mobility program. This program has exercise routines designed to be practiced 2-3 times a week. It also has exercises that should be practiced daily. Thus, I adjusted my warmup routine for 6x6 as follows:

1. GMB wrist routine (quick version) - Overhead Press and Drag Curl on the IsoMax bar both work the wrists. I feel the thumb side of the forearms working hard on the overhead press. I feel the wrist flexors working on the drag curl.
2. Diaphragmatic breathing in Child's Pose 1 min. - Breathing practice to wake up the core. Helps loosen the lower back
3. Dead Bug 1 min. - Activates reactive core stabilitye
4. Crab Walk 1 min. - Warm up the posterior chain and stretch the anterior chain including the pecs
5. Bear Walk 1 min. - Stretch the posterior chain, warm up the shoulders, etc.
6. Tabletop Hold (also called Crab) 30 sec. - One of the dailies from Master Mobility. Warm up the glues. More intense stretch of the anterior chain (hip flexors, pecs, etc.)

As usual, I recorded the max force on the last rep for each exercise. My Zercher Squat max jumped from 84 lbs. on Wednesday to 137.6 lbs on Friday. I think most of the gain is from looking for body positioning that makes me feel confident I can exert as much force as possible without pain in the lower back. I was tentative in my Zercher Squat execution on the testing day, and on the first day of 6x6 training. On Friday I felt like I found a good body positioning and thus more confidence, which was reflected in the force increase.

My Overhead Press performance was more modest. I'm more familiar with this drill, so a dramatic jump from first to second session was not to be expected. Lingering sensitivity in my right wrist, on the thumb side, had some impact on how much force I could put out. For the Friday session, I tried different grip widths. I could feel that sensitive thumb side of the wrist get irritated when the grip was too narrow, as well as too wide. On the final rep I settled on a grip that was slightly wider than the grip I used on Wednesday, resulting in about a 10 lb. force gain.

I did the initial assessments for Master Mobility. Pike assessment was not good. Hamstring flexibility was the limiting factor as always. Couch stretch assessment looked great but maybe my knee was too elevated. I had not trouble sinking low enough into Horse Stance that my thighs were parallel to the floor while still maintaining an upright torso.

Progressed to Side Plank Training on Suspension Trainer

I progressed on side plank training on suspension trainer, as shown in this side plank micro workout video on Matt Schifferle's Red Delta Project channel. My suspension trainer is a NOSSK Twin Pro suspension trainer, which I bought after watching one of Matt's NOSSK review videos. I was able to do 3 sets of 8 reps of the hip dips with moderate effort. My quality of movement and ease of execution was higher on the left side. I'll try starting on the right side first next time, since that seems to be the weaker side. In any case, the previous side plank training I'd done proved effective for preparing me to move up to using the suspension trainer.

For warmup I did 10 reps of T-plank. My control in the exercise was the best so far.

For the finisher I was able to do 5 breaths per side of the side plank hold on suspension trainer.

Going forward, I'll follow a similar pattern of progression that I did with side plank training with feet on the floor. I'll do 4 sets of 8 next workout, then gradually increase reps per set, etc. Then I'll try repeating the progression with the feet moved a few inches away from the supporting arm as shown in the video.

I will eventually go back to practicing the side lying drills under Sore Joint Solution. I've progressed to Level 3 side lying in SJS. Level 4 side lying is identical to side plank with feet on the floor, just like in this micro workout. When I do go back to SJS side lying I may swap out the Level 3 side lying position for straddle side plank. Straddle side plank is a regression from SJS Level 4 side lying, just like SJS Level 3 side lying is a regression from Level 4. Thus the difficulty levels should be close enough for swapping. Why swap? I like how the legs are straight in straddle side plank, and how there is no turning of the thighs to one side. I think it'll be fun to do SJS style training with the straddle side plank, and see how much time it will take to achieve 30 breaths, 30 nods, and 30 neck rotations in that position. As an aside, Systematic Core Training For Ketlebells also has side lying, but it's levels are a bit different, as well as some details.

I'd like to complete Level 4 side lying in SJS, so that I can start doing SJS Phase 3 sessions without having to do side lying first, per SJS guidelines

IsoMax 6x6: Initial Testing Day

I haven't done an overcoming isometric strength training block for quite some time. Kettlebell cleans with my right arm have feel annoying anyway, with the way my forearm/elbow has been acting up for the last couple of weeks. Hopefully the isometrics will give my elbow a break. So, I'll do a 6-8 week block of the overcoming isometric program 6x6 from Paul Wade's book The Ultimate Isometrics Manual, in the hopes of increasing the maximum force output of my muscles - aka "strength" - without further wear on my joints or tendons. This video has a good explanation of the 6x6 protocol. The book says to test your 1-rep max force for each of your chosen exercises, then train at 70% of 1-rep max, until you re-test. Retesting every 2-4 weeks is recommended. These are the selected exercises for this block:

• Zercher Squat - My favorite lower body isometric exercise is the Zercher Lunge at the lowest possible IsoMax bar setting, to get the longest possible muscle lengths for the glute, quadricep, and calf. Long muscle length isometric training results in greater transference to dynamic performance. However due to past injury, Zercher Lunge feels uncomfortable for my big toes. I've finally accepted the notion that exercising in pain is not good. Thus, I chose Zercher Squat to be my lower body exercise for this block. It doesn't impose as much pressure on the big toes. It feels a lot like a double kettlebell front squat and should thus help me increase my double KB front squat 10RM weight from double 16kg KBs to double 20kg KBs.
• Overhead Press - One of my long term fitness goals is to be able to do handstand pushups. Part of my strategy for achieving this goal is to pressing kettlebells overhead to build strength and muscle, working towards heavier KBs over time. Overhead press on the IsoMax feels similiar to double kettlebell press. One short term goal of this exercise is to improve my 20kg clean+press rep max from 5 to some number closer to 10.
• Drag Curl - I've noticed in the past that practicing this exercise led to more explosive pull ups and chin ups. One goal of this exercise is to increase my chin up 10RM (rep max) weight. The 10RM weight is the heaviest weight at which I can safely do 10 chin ups. At the start of my latest Easy Muscle training block, my chin up 10RM weight was my own bodyweight. I would like to progress to weighted chin ups, with a dip belt and either a 4kg weight plate or my lightest KB (8kg). So the hope is Drag Curl on the IsoMax will help increase my 10RM weight from bodyweight-only to at least bodyweight + 4kg. My long term goal is to be able to do one-arm chin ups. Weighted chin ups with progressively heavier weights build strength and muscle is part of the strategy for this long term goal.

Results in pounds:

• Zercher Squat - 101.4. I decided to go with the bar at #6 in the strap. This position has me squatting with thighs just above parallel. It was as low as I could go without feeling my low back might be in danger.
• Overhead Press - 83.9. When I was generating higher force levels, I had the bar set at strap #20, which put the bar practically on my chest. This time I set the bar to #21, which gets the bar away from the chest and a step closer to my sticking point, while still setting the triceps and front delts at a decent lengths.
• Drag Curl - 124.67. I went with a strap setting in which my arms were almost straight but with a slight bend at the elbows. The biceps are at a good length here. I'd previously trained with the bar one slot lower, which made the arms even closer to straight I felt that reduced bicep engagement too much.

Current piano activities

I'm now on Phase 9 of Chord Mastery Bootcamp. About one year has passed since I started CMB at Phase 1. I've noticed several fellow students progress to higher phases of CMB within the same time period. Those students likely had more previous piano experience than me. Some could simply have more talent, which is defined as A special natural ability or aptitude, usually for something expressed or implied; a natural capacity for success in some department of mental or physical activity. aptitude is in turned defined as the natural ability to learn or perform in a specific area. So in other words, some people just pick up piano skills faster than other. All I can do about that is not worry about other peoples' progress and work on my own skills.

Here's a graphic display of Lyle Mays' piano solo on James, taken from a live concert recording in the 1990s. There's a number of things I love about his solo, including the bossa nova detour. Part of the work in learning the solo is figuring out how accurate this graphic display actually is. It'll be a while before I'll feel ready to start learning his solo for fun and education, but here it is:

Lesson on how to possibly apply Preludes 11 and 12 from the Bach Well Tempered Klavier Book 2 to certain jazz standards. This stuff is also too advanced for me to take on at this time, but saving for future reference.

Ranking of JS Bach works, including the Preludes and Fugues, by difficulty.

Easy Muscle B: Week 7

3/8

20kg Clean+Press - 18 total reps
Double 16kg Front Squat - 40 total reps

3/10

Dips - 30 total reps
Chinup - 30 total reps

3/11

T-Planks - 7 reps
Side Plank Hip Dips - 4 sets of 10 reps
Side Plank Hold - 7 breaths

3/12

20kg Clean+Press - 12 total reps
Double 16kg Front Squat - 36 total reps

Monday 3/8 was the last day that I did an Easy Muscle session in the evening. After that, my work scheduled changed to allow me to exercise in the morning once again. My performance in the clean+press dropped after the switch to morning training. The worst performance was on 3/12 when the prescribed number of reps per set was 4. I could not do 4 reps, so I did 3 reps per set instead. I don't know if I have always been weaker in the mornings compared to the afternoon or evening, and just didn't notice because I'd been exercising in the morning for years, and have seen measurable progress - as measured, of course, in the morning. I can only hope this was the only reason, and not because of a disease I don't know that I have yet. On the bright side, 3/12 was the last day this program will ask me to do 4-rep sets of C+P. Next week will be the last week of this Easy Muscle Schedule B training block.

Another positive outcome this week is being able to do sets of 10 Side Plank Hip Dips without a problem.

Easy Muscle B: Week 6

3/2

Dips - 28 total reps
Chinup - 28 total reps

3/4

20kg Clean+Press - 20 total reps
Double 16kg Front Squat - 49 total reps

3/5

T-Planks - 7 reps
Side Plank Hip Dips - 4 sets of 9 reps
Side Plank Hold - 5 breaths

3/6

Dips - 35 total reps
Chinup - 35 total reps

I had minor DOMS from the 3/5 side plank micro workout on 3/6 but that did not prevent me from doing the 3/6 workout. I had a habit of cutting off my range of motion on the first 1 or 2 reps of my first set of dips, because the sides of the pectorals would feel tight and sore. From the 2nd set onward, the pecs did not feel as tight, so I felt more comfortable dipping down all the way to my normal end range. This suggested to me that I could improve how I warm up the pecs. So for a change I tried adding these two drills to my warmup:

• Stick dislocate as taught in this old GMB video. Most videos show somebody pulling the stick all the way so the stick touches the back. What Ryan does instead in the GMB video is pulling the stick to where the pecs are the tightest. Some cues that Ryan didn't mention that I added: Pull the stick as if you're trying to stretch it, which I need to do to minimize irritation on my sensitive left shoulder; squeeze the butt to protect the lower back, and at the stopping point pull the shoulders towards the hips.
• Stick shoulder extension, like in this video, except with palms down. I'm not sure it matters whether palms are up or down, since my goal here is to warm up the shoulders and pecs for dips.

The 2 stick drills proved to be effective for warming up my pecs for dips. I did not feel any extra tightness in the outer sides pecs on my first rep, beyond the stretch I normally feel at the bottom of the dip.

I also changed my dip techinque, per this video, to allow the torso to lean forward as I descend from the top of the dop

Easy Muscle B: Week 5

2/23

20kg Clean+Press - 15 total reps
Double 16kg Front Squat - 35 total reps

2/24

T-Planks - 8 reps
Side Plank Hip Dips - 3 sets of 8 reps
Side Plank Hold - 5 breaths

2/25

Dips - 36 total reps
Chinup - 36 total reps

2/26

T-Planks - 8 reps
Side Plank Hip Dips - 4 sets of 8 reps
Side Plank Hold - 5 breaths

2/27

20kg Clean+Press - 16 total reps
Double 16kg Front Squat - 30 total reps

Week 4 was a high effort week. Week 5 allows us to take it easy after the hard work in Week 4, so I rested for a generous amount of time between sets.
On my recovery days, I did this side plank micro workout. My goal is to achieve all the milestones for the side lying position in the Sore Joint Solution program. I believe this micro workout will help there. I did all the exericses with my feet on the floor, not on a suspension trainer. I did not have DOMS in the obliques like last week.

Easy Muscle B: Week 4

2/16

Chinup - 30 total reps
Dips - 30 total reps

2/18

20kg Clean+Press - 20 total reps
Double 16kg Front Squat - 48 total reps

2/20

Chinup - 36 total reps
Dips - 36 total reps

Thus ends Phase 1 of Schedule B. For the final KB session I actually did 19 reps with the right arm. On one of the reps, my technique was so sloppy that I wasn't able to press the KB all the way up. For the final calisthenic session, I went ahead and did 2 more sets of dips and chinups after the 20 min. timer rang. Week 4 is supposed to be a high effort week, so for this last session I increased the effort by simply increasing the training time to ensure I did more work than usual.

One change I made to my dip technique was to fold my legs in front of me instead of behind as I descend into the dip. I practice the dip on rings that hang from a doorway. The rings cannot really be set high enough to ensure I can keep my legs straight at the bottom of the dip. I'd been folding my legs behind me like most other people I see doing dips, but that seems to cause my body to swing on the rings. With the legs in front I can engage more core more easily.

Another change I made this week was the choice of single leg exercise for my warmup on my calisthenics days. I changed my single leg exercise to ring-assisted pistol squat. I like the greater range of motion for the glute and knee compared to hover lunge/shrimp squat variations. However I also found 1 set per leg to be enough for a warmup. 2 sets per leg left me feeling more tired than I would like to be for the start of a main workout.



I had unexpected DOMS from the 2/17 side plank micro workout, especially in the obliques. So on 2/20 I began to attempt a single leg deadlift with the 20kg KB as my last warmup exercise before beginning Easy Muscle training, but the DOMS made me reconsider.

Side Plank Micro Workout

I've been working on progressing through the Side Lying progression from Sore Joint Solution. Generally, it is desirable to complete the progression for all 3 positions of Phase 1 to move up to Phase 2 in SJS. However, Side Lying is the most challenging of the 3 positions, so the trainee has the option of moving up to Phase 2, without completing Side Lying, provided that Side Lying is practiced first before beginning practice of Phase 2 exercises. Side Lying is also part of Systematic Core Training For Kettlebells, specifically in the Stability group of exercises. It's possible to mix Stability and Strength exercises in SCT4KB but you're advised to move on to the Power group without completion of all the Stability exercise progressions.

Thus I've been focusing lately on completing the SJS version of the Side Lying progression. Accomplishing this goal should make completion of the SCT4KB version of this exercise a snap. The 4th and highest level of Side Lying in SJS is the side plank - aka "forearm side plank" or "straight leg side plank". I'm currently on level 3 which is a regression of the side plank with bent legs.

I stumbled on videos recommending the side plank for spinal stability and/or oblique strength. That led me to revisit this side plank micro workout that was posted by Red Delta Project, and start practicing it, as exercise programming is provided. It just looks like a nice changeup from SJS-style practice of Side Lying:



Micro workout directions:

1. warm-up with 20 T-planks focusing on using your back and glutes to fully extend your body.
2. Perform 8-10 side planks on each side. Use the progression technique of your choice to ensure a high degree of intensity. Perform 3-4 sets or until your muscles reach a state of high fatigue if hypertrophy is your goal.
3. Finish with a round of the plank variation of your choice for 20s.

How to do a T-Plank:



Today I tried this micro workout for the first time. I only did 10 T-planks for warmup because I was already starting to feel tired by the 8th rep and I don't believe that a warmup should wipe you out. Maybe as my conditioning improves I'll feel like doing more than 10 for a warmup. For the main portion, I did 3 sets of 8 hip dip side planks. I'm intrigued by the idea of pursuing lateral chain hypertrophy but for now will just work towards 4 sets of 10. The finisher was easy for me - 20s hold of the floor side plank was no problem for either side. I shouldn't have been surprised because I've worked up to 16 breath sets of Side Lying Level 3 (SJS), and 16 breaths, at the rate at which I inhale and exhale, is approximately 2 minutes. It's kind of tempting to move onto side plank with feet on suspension trainer, but I'll stick to the floor version for now. I'll do try a 25s hold next time, and gradually increase hold time until I hit my limit. I'll work up to the suspension trainer version, then maybe switch back to SJS Side Lying.

Great tip to reduce pressure on the elbow, shoulder, or neck during side plank training

Easy Muscle B: Week 3

2/9

20kg Clean+Press - 16 total reps
Double 16kg Front Squat - 36 total reps

2/11

Chinup - 30 total reps
Dips - 30 total reps

2/13

20kg Clean+Press - 15 total reps
Double 16kg Front Squat - 40 total reps

Looking at the results from previous weeks, I can see modest progress in all exercises.

One of the days prescribed 3 reps per set of clean+press. On the 2nd or 3rd set, I was unable to do 3 consecutive reps with my weaker arm. I paused, shook my body fast-and-loose style and exhaled smoothly to calm down; then completed the set. I think my struggle was caused by rushing the movement. So for my last 2 sets, I took the time to let the kettlebell settle into the rack position, and then pressed it up. When we practice the KB press, we are not just applying brute force from the muscles to press up the KB - we also search for the perfect movement path for the KB. Rushing the movement, so that the KB almost skips the rack position, can somehow mess up that path. Hopefully the solution of pausing the KB in the rack position for at least a second before pressing, will still work the next time the program asks me to do 3-rep sets.

Repeated Easy Muscle B: Week 2

In this area, a winter storm that dumped about a half a foot of snow, which turned to ice by the following day. The ice remained hard for a week because temperatures never rose above freezing. Thus I spent the week clearing out ice. I did so much manual labor that I did not feel my body could handle Easy Muscle B on top of the labor of breaking ice, tossing ice chunks aside, and shoveling the smaller chucks of ice and snow. So I repeated the Week 2 routine.

2/2

Chinup - 24 total reps
Dips - 24 total reps

2/4

20kg Clean+Press - 17 total reps
Double 16kg Front Squat - 42 total reps

2/6

Chinup - 32 total reps
Dips - 32 total reps

Thus, modest improvement was observed compared to the previous iteration of Week 2

Video with good technique tips for dips and chinups

My takeaways: Practice the active negative in the dip. Row yourself down, keeping the shoulders away from your ears, and gradually pulling your elbows back. Extend your shoulders as much as possible while not allowing them to shrug. This stretches the chest as well as works on the end range of shoulder extension. Reducing chest tightness and improving shoulder extension improves overall shoulder ROM for lifting a KB or any other weight. As you push yourself up from the dip, allow the scapula to move out of retraction

Red Delta Project (Matt Schifferle) also uploaded a dip technique video. Matt also mentions anti-shrug, or packing the shoulders down and back at the scapulae at the top fo the movement, then retraction of the scapulae on the way down. A key detail that he advises is tilting the torso forward on the way down while engaging the back muscles. For me this solves the problem of shoulders kind of sneaking up into a shrug on the way down:



I'm currently doing dips as part of Easy Muscle Schedule B. I've had good results from this program before but one question I had, for which I could not find the answer in the manual, is why the parallel dips is the pushing exercise of choice for the calisthenics day. Geoff posted this video a few months ago that answered this question:



In the above video he's talking about Rebuilt After 40, which is very similar to Easy Muscle. I thought the answer would be the unloading of the spine that few other pushing exercises offer, but that's only one reason. Another reason is mentioned in the above video that I wouldn't have thought of, which is FAB (Functional Antagonistic Balance). So in the video, dips are mentioned as the FAB of the front squat. I guess dips could be the FAB of any KB squat variation you choose for Easy Muscle - goblet squat, single front squat, or double front squat.

Easy Muscle B: Week 2

1/19

Chinup - 24 total reps
Dips - 24 total reps

1/21

20kg Clean+Press - 15 total reps
Double 16kg Front Squat - 35 total reps

1/23

Chinup - 28 total reps
Dips - 28 total reps

I changed my warmup routine to the GMB 15-minute mobility boost. I was inspired to try it again after seeing a recent GMB video about warmup carryover to your main workout. The 15-minute mobility boost is sort of an advertisement for GMB's program called Mobility. However the 15-min. routine features some exercises that I didn't notice appearing too much or even at all in Mobility - for example World's Greatest Stretch. Anyway, I'll stick with it for now.

Another change I made this week was to resume practicing the hollow body hold, after each Easy Muscle session. I'd previously achieved a 60-second hold but last week when I tried it, I was barely able to do 25 seconds. I did 3-4 sets of 15-20 seconld holds.

Hamstring Flexibility Exercises and related activities

I studied this video by Range of Strength


I decided to adopt the following hamstring flexibility exercises:

Wall Tibialis Raise - B tier - as part of warmup for all training sessions.

Supine Hamstring Stretch - C tier - as part of warmup for my calisthenics and Sore Joint Solution sessions

Split Stance Stiff Leg Deadlift - A tier - as part of cooldown for my KB sessions. I found the weight of double 16kg kettlebells was not enough pull my torso down into the stretch. I still have to engage my hip flexor, quad and core to initiate the stretch and hope that the KBs provide assistance.
I'd like to eventually try the S tier exercise Straight Leg Deadlift but I feel like I should work with the Split Stance Stiff Leg Deadlift first.

I also started working on the Side Lying series in Geoff Neupert's Sore Joint Solution program. To get to 30 breaths per side I adopted a density training idea from the RMax days - do 60 total breaths per side, per session, and start with 6 sets of 10 breaths. Over time I will increase the number of breaths per set.

I also started practicing the hollow body hold again. Last year I worked up to a 60-second hold. Nowadays my max hold time is nowhere near that. The main reason I started working on the hollow body hold again is I notice that my shoulder flexion improves as I practice it.

Easy Muscle B: Week 1

1/12

20kg Clean+Press - 16 total reps
Double 16kg Front Squat - 36 total reps

1/14

Chinup - 25 total reps
Dips - 25 total reps

1/16

20kg Clean+Press - 12 total reps
Double 16kg Front Squat - 36=5 total reps

Per the program instructions, I took it fairly easy this week. I rested a lot between sets. When I was asked to do 3-rep sets of clean+press I had one failed rep on the left side, which I of course made up by doing a rep on the left side after completing my right-side reps.

I was inspired by Brett Jones' Mind The Gap to include a single leg exercise in my warmup. On my kettlebell days I finished my warmup with single leg deadlift of the 20kg KB for about 3 reps. On my calisthenics days, I finished my warmup with hover lunge. I do the hover lunge as a regression of the Shrimp Squat.

Beginning my 2026 fitness journey with Easy Muscle B

I was going to start 2026 with The Giant 3.0, then decided to do Easy Muscle Schedule B instead. Both programs incorporate the kettlebell clean+press with a 5RM weight - i.e. a weight you can clean+press for at most 5 reps. The difference is The Giant 3.0 is focused on clean+press, while Easy Muscle B incorporates KB squat, chinups and dips. The workouts are organized into Session A, in which KB exercises are practiced, and Session B in which the chinups and dips are practiced. The greater variety of exercises is one reason I chose to do Easy Muscle B. Another reason is more opportunity for hypertrophy, because of the additional exercises. Clean+press with a 5RM weight tends to produce strength gain more than hypertrophy.
I already knew I could do 5 reps of C+P with my 20kg KB. I had to test my repetition max in the other exercises to make sure I'd be working with appropriate loading. These are the results.

• Double 16kg KB Front Squat - 10
• Chinups - 10
• Ring Dips - 8

The testing comfirmed a feeling I had of being able to do 10 reps of double front squat with 16kg KBs. My chinup and dip performances were about what I expected. Before my previous execution of Easy Muscle B, my rep max in the dip was about 6 so I had to pause during some of my dip sets. Thus my gains from dips were compromised. This time I should see better gains from the dips. This will be the first time I've done Easy Muscle with chinups so I should see gains in bicep muscle and strength as well.

After testing my double front squat, I did a workout based on Session B. I chose to do 4 reps per set of each exercise. I ended up doing 5 sets for a total of 20 reps per exercise. Since this was kind of a preview workout I rested for a generous amount of time between sets. On the following day I noticed minor soreness (DOMS) in the chest and anterior deltoids, which can be attributed to not practicing ring dips for almost 2 years.