Chapter XXV: Yogic warrior
Starting last week I've been working out at home. The primary reason for this is because I felt guilty intimidating the other gym-goers with my powerful biceps. The second reason is that if I can do a good job of working out at home then I can save a lot of time and money. And as we know, time is money, so the effect in this case is doubled.
Workout
Bulgarian squats 5x5
Plyometric press ups 5x5
Tricep exts. / dips 3x8
In and outs 3x16
This is what I started with. I did this workout on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, in addition to cardio and stretching.
The squats are my new favourite exercise. I'm doing the plyometric variety in order to engineer maximal resistance. With one foot resting on the sofa behind me, I lower my bodyweight down, supported by my front leg on the floor. Then, with the strength and finesse of a jungle cat I hurl myself into the air by the power of just that one leg. I do five sets of five reps for each leg and by the end feel a suitable burn.
The plyometric press ups are good two. I place a couple of cushions in a distance emulating my usual grip for bench press and use them to soften the impact on my wrists. I lower myself to the ground then push up, launching my torso and arms off the ground long enough to clap my hands together. The clap is essential for each rep as I feel it's important to give yourself encouragement.
Tricep extensions. For these I'd rest my forearms against a wall with my body leaning into it, then press against my palms, using the tricep muscles to push myself away from the wall. These work but produce a strain on my elbows I've found. On Sunday I switched them for dips. Hands behind me resting on the arm of the sofa, the rest of my body outstretched in front of me, heels resting on the floor, I dip. It felt pretty good and also works the chest and shoulders.
In and outs. With just my bum and hands on the ground, carefully and coordinatedly I extend my feet out in front of me whilst lowering my back, then raise my back bringing my feet back in. This leaves me just as tired as the cable crunches did, but I'm unsure of the progression to use.
I've ordered a pull up bar to use for biceps, maybe some upside-down shrugs too. Hopefully will have that by the weekend.
Diet has been going reasonably. I weighed myself last week and the scale told me I was 69.5kg, which is the highest I've ever seen it. I put on weight! 4 months per kg. Not bad.
Must. Eat. More. 70kg is so close!
I have a good feeling about the plyometric exercises as hopefully they should translate into explosive movements in that. I've been watching some Bruce Lee videos to show my muscles what to do.
After my workouts are finished I do yoga. I've bought myself a yoga mat that says "warrior" on it, in case anyone doubts the killer intent behind my downward-facing dog. Breathing slowly and deeply, my soul is cleansed as I move through progressively more awkward poses in my pants in the living room. It's quite relaxing and hopefully if I do it long enough I'll be flexible.
I've also been doing an exercise to strengthen my toes, but that's a story for another day.
Yogi miser, signing out!