Extreme Fitness Concepts

105th madness

2011-05-15T08:46:00.003-04:00

(photos)

Like all paths, this one leads to self discovery. A culmination of perseverance and attrition. For some it comes quickly, for others, not so quickly. But eventually the seekers find. Outcomes differ. Some leave, some stay, some share the word, some covet it, but all evolve. All touch understanding.

104th MADNESS

2011-05-06T02:25:00.003-04:00

“There is always some frivolity in excellent minds; they have wings to rise, but also stray.”
- Joseph Joubert

103rd madness

2011-04-29T02:00:00.001-04:00

100th Madness

2011-04-01T01:38:00.003-04:00

To think, "I will not think"--
This, too, is something in one's thoughts.
Simply do not think
About not thinking at all.

99th madness

2011-03-25T01:49:00.001-04:00

"To be a warrior is not a simple matter of wishing to be one. It is rather an endless struggle that will go on to the very last moment of our lives. Nobody is born a warrior, in exactly the same way that nobody is born an average man. We make ourselves into one or the other."

98th madness

2011-03-24T02:06:00.003-04:00

"When we become hollow bones there is no limit to what the Higher Powers can do in and through us in spiritual things."

-Frank Fools Crow

97th madness

2011-03-12T09:10:00.003-05:00

"You see, I had been riding with the storm clouds, and had come to earth as rain, and it was drought that I had killed with the power that the Six Grandfathers gave me."
-Black Elk

96th MADNESS

2011-03-04T03:31:00.008-05:00

(click the space above to find emptiness)

And the water flowed
To where
The pebble rolled
To where
It is not

Thank you all for coming....

TRUTH

2011-02-26T12:48:00.002-05:00

o·rig·i·nal
[uh-rij-uh-nl]
–adjective
1.belonging or pertaining to the origin or beginning of something, or to a thing at its beginning: The book still has its original binding.
2.new; fresh; inventive; novel: an original way of advertising.
3.arising or proceeding independently of anything else: an original view of history.
4.capable of or given to thinking or acting in an independent, creative, or individual manner: an original thinker.
5.created, undertaken, or presented for the first time: to give the original performance of a string quartet.
6.being something from which a copy, a translation, or the like is made: The original document is in Washington.

in·spi·ra·tion
[in-spuh-rey-shuhn]
–noun
1.an inspiring or animating action or influence: I cannot write poetry without inspiration.
2.something inspired, as an idea.
3.a result of inspired activity.
4.a thing or person that inspires.
5.Theology .
a.a divine influence directly and immediately exerted upon the mind or soul.
b.the divine quality of the writings or words of a person so influenced.
6.the drawing of air into the lungs; inhalation.
7.the act of inspiring; quality or state of being inspired.

cop·y
[kop-ee]
noun, plural cop·ies, verb, cop·ied, cop·y·ing.
–noun
1.an imitation, reproduction, or transcript of an original: a copy of a famous painting.
2.one of the various examples or specimens of the same book, engraving, or the like.
3.written matter intended to be reproduced in printed form: The editor sent the copy for the next issue to the printer.
4.the text of a news story, advertisement, television commercial, etc., as distinguished from related visual materi

theft
[theft]
–noun
1.the act of stealing; the wrongful taking and carrying away of the personal goods or property of another; larceny.
2.an instance of this.
3.Archaic . something stolen.

92nd madness

2010-12-03T01:48:00.002-05:00

"When it comes time to die, be not like those whose hearts are
filled with the fear of death, so when their time comes they weep
and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in
a different way. Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home."

-Tecumseh

silence

2010-12-02T09:09:00.002-05:00

Apologies for the silence over the last few weeks. We have been continuing to grow, excel, and challenge ourselves with evolutions that aren't limited by structure, rules, or boundaries. Tonight we continue. If you follow this blog for evolutions there are plenty to look at in the history section. For now and over the next few weeks, we will be posting photos, philosophy, and inspirational quotes only. Thank you for continuing to join our trials on a weekly basis.

87th Madness

2010-10-23T09:40:00.003-04:00

The Evolution:

"JT"

10 min long cycle KB clean and Jerk 35/50

1 mile run

1-5 manmaker ladder 30/50

flying burpee

1-5 weighted pull up 20/40

This was JT's final evolution with us physically. However, his spirit will live on with us as that guy in the back that just keeps his mouth shut and bears down. That ghost you know is dead focused on fucking your time up. His technique and expertise in this field added to the collective knowledge of the group, and I am proud that he chose to call me "master chief" for the last two years. Although the history and culture is rich and beautiful, I know that Hawaii will soon be treated to a consciousness that it hasn't yet experienced. Maybe it will be re-introduced to something that it lost. EIther way, a storm is coming. Good luck to you and your lovely wife JT. You too are the evolution.

86th madness

2010-10-08T02:20:00.002-04:00

The Evoluion:

1st

15 push ups
10 lateral bench jumps
5 kb swings 70/53
(max rounds 20 mins)

2nd
10 goblet squat
100 jumping jacks
(5 rounds)

85th madness

2010-10-01T01:55:00.002-04:00

The evolution

1st
snatch
(8x3)

2nd
5 ttb
10 squa 95/65
15 box jumps
20 clap push ups

3rd
"last man stsanding"
tuck hang

84h madness

2010-09-13T01:20:00.004-04:00

(CLICK HERE FOR PICS)

The Evolution:

1st
something fast

2nd
something heavy

3rd
something hard

“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be”
-Lao Tzu

83rd madness

2010-09-04T20:08:00.003-04:00

The Evolution:

1st
ascending/descending ladder
1-10 power snatch (105-75)/10-1 hspu
(20 min cut off)

2nd
30 burpees
40 kb swings (53-35)
50 sit ups
(30min cut off)

then
last man standing L sit

82nd madness

2010-08-26T22:15:00.003-04:00

(CLICK HERE FOR PICS)

the evolution:
1st
5 hanging power snatch
10 hanging power clean
15 thrusters
(5 rounds 95m 65f **20 min cut off**)

Then
Deck squat/broadjump down
Burpee/broadjump back
25 wall ball
(3 rounds)

Then
Last man standing
Barbell hold at hanging position

"Ultimately, you must forget about technique. The further you progress, the fewer teachings there are. The Great Path is really NO PATH." - Ueshiba Morihei

81st madness

2010-08-20T13:55:00.003-04:00

(CLICK HERE FOR PICS)

the evolution

1st
10-1 DL ladder @ bodyweight
after every set do a round of:
3 HSPU
6 pull ups
12 sit ups

then
single arm kb movements in each hand 30-f 50-m
5 c+j
5 snatch
5 oh squat
(5 rounds with a split jump chaser)

then
farmer carry challenge f-65 m-95

80th madness

2010-08-14T13:34:00.003-04:00

The Evolution:

1st:
"Rite of Passage"
(max burpees in 30 mins."

2nd:
recovery

3rd:
7 hanging hi-pulls
7 push press
(max rounds in 7 mins, f-65# m-95#)

"What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night.
It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime.
It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset."
-Crowfoot, Blackfoot warrior and orator, 1890

77th madness

2010-07-23T09:31:00.004-04:00

The Evolution:

1st
1rm squat clean in 15 mins.

2nd
250 meter row
-one person completes this as the go max reps in rotation of:
ab wheel
box jump
push up
pull up
KB swing
dips
static farmers hold

3rd
5 burppes
10 sit ups
(10 rounds 10 min cap)

"From the withered tree, a flower blooms"

Jessica Pamanian 2010 Crossfit Games 4th overall

2010-07-15T23:48:00.010-04:00

Jessica Pamanian is an exceptional human being, and also the 4th fittest woman in the world. Her road to the 2010 Crossfit games was a journey that appeared longer than it actually was. After taking 5th in the New England sectionals with a couple of short weeks prep, she advanced to the North East regionals where, after a hard 8 weeks of catch up, she placed 2nd behind fellow competitor Heather Bergeron. The 8 weeks that followed took Jessica to a new level of performance.

Complete focus guided Jessica through a hellish program, and by three quarters of the way through, she found herself doing four evolutions a day. On top of the physical demands she gracefully encountered, she put her mental game at the forefront. Immersing herself in visualization techniques, meditation, eastern philosophy, and the natural world, Jessica entered the field a different athlete than she was 8 weeks prior.

The top 47 female Crossfit athletes from around the globe converged on the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA to put their best efforts forward with reckless abandon. The field was wrought with the finest female athletes in the world and each one of them deserves their fair share of respect and admiration. The level of competition was such that there was no margin for error, as the field would capitalize on the slightest weakness and would run away with the event.

Jessica was steady throughout. Leaving it all on the floor, Jessica advanced from 12th place in the first evening to a solid 6th by the end of the 2nd evening. The final workout on day three was a test of will. Few completed the the three successive workouts that the athletes endured. Jessica, Ignoring her body, ignoring her pain, and ignoring that little voice that continued to tell her to stop, pushed forward through an event that made more than one spectator a little uneasy in regards to the safety of the athletes.

Jessica is an outstanding example of Greatness. In the moment of ultimate physical adversity she allowed her spirit to guide the way. It lead her to a fourth place finish in her first ever Crossfit games. Training solely in a globo-gym and in abandon corridors, she found her inner vision., and discarded her mind.

Congratulations Jessica,

You are the Message.

76th madness

2010-07-09T13:47:00.005-04:00

(**CLICK HERE FOR MORE PICS**)

The Evolution

1)
1rm strict OHpress

2)
"partner effort"
100 c&j 95#m 65#f
100 ball slam
200 partner towel rows

3)
25 wallball
25 kb swing
25 box jump
(3 rounds)

"As a warrior you take responsibility for holding the balance
between light and dark within you and, by extension,
the world around you, and ultimately when you go deep enough,
the universe."

-Barefoot Doctor

75th madness

2010-07-02T02:35:00.004-04:00

(**MORE PICS**)

The Evolution:

1st:

5000 # accumulation OHsquat

2nd
500 ski simulations
then
200m sprint
25 kb swings
(8 rounds)

3rd
"last man standing"
hand stand

"Make No Mistake
it is the belief
in mistakes
that leads one
to mistakes"
- zen monk

74th madness

2010-06-25T02:35:00.006-04:00

(**MORE PICS**)

The Evolution:

1)
15 mins of snatch
(singles, doubles, or triples)

2)
50ft farmer carry heavy
10 dips
50ft overhead carry heavy
10 pull ups
(max rounds in 20 mins)

3)
Max reps of front squat in 10 mins
(65# for F 95# for M)

"I have never met a truly strong person who didn't have self-respect. I think a lot of inwardly and outwardly directed contempt passes itself off as self-respect: the idea of raising yourself by stepping on someone's shoulders instead of doing it yourself. When I see guys working out for cosmetic reasons, I see vanity exposing them in the worst way, as cartoon characters, billboards for imbalance and insecurity. Strength reveals itself through character."
- Henry Rollins (An excerpt from "The Iron" originally published in Details Magazine)

73rd madness

2010-06-18T03:22:00.004-04:00

(More Pics)

The Evolution:

1st
TGU !RM

Then
10 HSPU
20 walking OH squat
30 deck squats
40 burpees
50 bo rows
60 split jump
70 KB swings
80 flutter kicks
90 mountain climbers
100 hang power snatch

"I discovered that it is necessary, absolutely necessary, to believe in nothing. That is, we have to believe in something which has no form and no color--something which exists before all forms and colors appear... No matter what god or doctrine you believe in, if you become attached to it, your belief will be based more or less on a self-centered idea."
— Shunryu Suzuki Roshi

Jessica Pamanian Crossfit Games Introspective

2010-06-17T02:00:00.004-04:00

Can be seen on The Crossfit Journal. Get a little taste of her training. It's a nice piece. Great job Ian and everyone at Again Faster for churning out high quality pieces like this one.

An Invitation To You

2010-06-13T23:12:00.002-04:00

For those of you who are unable to join us due to locale and, at your own risk, choose to follow an Evolution without guidence, please feel free to post an introduction and share in your endeavors. Technology destroyed your anonymity long ago.

EFC, Its Evolutions, And the philosophies laid down on these pages are meant to be read, applied, and to enhance the work you've piled in front of yourself. This holds true regardless your methodology, or school of thought. All are welcome. The aim is to complement, not to compete.

Thanks for reading. Please feel free to share with us.

72nd madness

2010-06-11T04:10:00.013-04:00

(more pics)

The Evolution:

"The Agoge"
max DB OH LUNGE in 8 minutes
max MAN MAKER in 8 minutes
max BOX JUMP in 8 minutes
max DB SNATCH in 8 minutes
max AIR SQUATS in 8 minutes
max SIT UPS in 8 minutes
max CRAB CRAWL in 8 minutes
max DISTANCE RUN in 8 minutes

In ancient Sparta, young boys were taken from their families at the age of seven to begin a twelve year intense program of physical education, strategy, and martial skill. They called it The Agoge. Each year would culminate with an evolution that would last eight days and eight nights. Some didn't make it.

Thanks to Paul from Crossfit Queens for stopping by and getting a little taste of the mad. We'll see you and your posse next week. Also, thanks Jessica for programing this evil, and subbing for Justin.

"Illusions commend themselves to us because they save us pain and allow us to enjoy pleasure instead. We must therefore accept it without complaint when they sometimes collide with a bit of reality against which they are dashed to pieces. "
-Sigmund Freud

71st madness

2010-06-04T02:56:00.005-04:00

(More Photos)

THE EVOLUTION

1st
newbies worked clean n press
vets did:
15 kb swings
15 kb goblet squat
15 kb goblet lunge
15 kb sdhp
(5 rounds 20 min cut off)

Then
10 burpees
50 ft KB wounded bear crawl
20 pull ups
50 ft kb walking sotts press
30 jump squats
50 ft KB wounded bear crawl
40 sit ups
50 ft kb walking sotts press
50 hspu
(25 min. cut off)

Then
last man standing plank

The Way is one of introspection. The outward stimuli of that which makes the lesser get stuck in the ruts of past illusions is what we seek to tune out and ignore entirely. False celebratory remarks do not have wings in our arena. We are our own critics, our own judges, our own executioners. To keep things light is important but to expect an outcome is fruitless. The outcome is a byproduct of the work and the work is different per individual. The work may be as simple as understanding the effects of a certain grip, or as difficult as putting to rest a psychological hurdle that takes one off the migratory route that their consciousness is set upon. Regardless the work, the individual would do well not to seek praise nor credit. This is not purposeful endeavor. Purposeful endeavor comes from within. Know yourself, know your purpose and resist wasting your vital creative energy on attaining credit from an illusory environment. This will always disappoint. Channeling that vital creative energy inward, taking inventory as you do, leads to a place to of sharing. Please post your shit.

Jessica Pamanian 2nd Overall Crossfit Regionals

2010-05-28T02:44:00.004-04:00

JESSICA PAMANIAN
has come a long way in an extremely short period of time. She has worked her way into the hearts and minds of all Midnight Madness adepts as someone who is a catalyst for the group's performance. She came with natural physical ability, but has taken the EFC teachings and has worked her physical, spiritual, and philosophical selves on her road to self mastery.

With poise and grace, humility and gratitude, Jessica stepped to this Goliath and became our champion for the weekend. After only 2 weeks of prep for the sectionals, she took 4th. In two short months post sectionals she followed a program that would make most shudder leading to a 2nd place overall standing at the Crossfit Regionals which will take her to Los Angeles for the national finals in July.

Mu Shin Jess!!! Next stop LA!!!

70th madness

2010-05-23T21:37:00.012-04:00

The evolution

1st
recent acquisitions had a hanging power clean clinic
veterans did:

10 power clean
5 burpees
10 push press
3 rounds
(progessive loads- men start at 95# and add 20# each round, women start with 45# and add 10# each round)

then
a "revolver" with
push up
air squat
sit up

then
team effort wallball max reps in 10 mins
(team with lowest score does 20 burpees each)

69th madness

2010-05-21T02:43:00.003-04:00

The Evolution:

first
"we need a savior"
do db thrusters continuously until each person takes a turn at doing 15 burpees.

then
5 jump squat
5 kb swing
5 sit ups
5 kb hi pull
(7 rounds)

then
deadlift clinic

"Do not wish for quick results, nor look for small advantages. If you seek quick results, you will not reach the ultimate goal. If you are led astray by small advantages, you will never accomplish great things." -Confucius

68th madness

2010-05-14T02:37:00.004-04:00

(CLICK HERE FOR PICS)

1st
Squat clinic

Then
10-1 kb swing
1-10 clap push up
10-1 pull up
1-10 box jump

then
1 kb squat
10 hspu
2 pistols
10 something difficult
3 db squat clean
10 deck squat
4 sotts press
10 japanese push up
5 db snatch each arm
10 shoot throughs

For all the new blood that entered the world of the mad this evening, let me reiterate that Extreme Fitness Concepts is about personal transcendence. It's less about berating oneself for not measuring up to the mechanical standards set forth by a collective, but more about pushing the limits of the creative piece of your biological protoplasm. That said, we do strive for perfection within a movement, but that is just a means to an end, not the goal. Once again, the goal is to come face to face with your higher self, to test your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual limits, to transcend that which we think we are in order to find something or someone that is only revealed in sporadic moments of excellence, or in moments of raw vulnerability. The true treasure of Extreme Fitness Concepts is that one can experience this state regardless of technical ability. You only need accept it.

"I never saw a wild thing
sorry for itself.
A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough
without ever having felt sorry for itself." -D. H. Lawrence

67th madness

2010-05-07T02:34:00.002-04:00

1st
3 oh press @ 135
5 sdhp @135
7 push ups
9 box jumps
(7 rounds)

then)
db deadlift 1rm

Then
3 db deadlift @ 80%1rm
100 ft farmer carry at same load
25 wallball
(max rounds in 20 mins.

66th madness

2010-04-30T02:15:00.002-04:00

The Evolution:

1st:
Thruster/power clean ascending/descending ladder 20-10.10-20

then:
3 db jump shrug every 30 seconds for 10 mins.

then:
OMFU ball slam (250 reps)

"Be aware of doing your best to understand the ROOT in life, and realize the DIRECT and the INDIRECT are in fact a complementary WHOLE. It is to see things as they are and not to become attached to anything — to be unconscious meant to be be innocent of the working of a relative (empirical) mind — where there is no abiding of though anywhere on anything — this is being unbound. This not abiding anywhere is the root of our life. Concentration is the ROOT of all the higher abilities in man. Seek to understand the root. — It is futile to argue as to which single leaf, which design of branch, or which attractive flower you like; when you understand the root, you understand all its blossoming. What we are after is the ROOT and not the branches. The root is the real knowledge; the branches are surface knowledge. Real knowledge breeds "body feel" and personal expression; surface knowledge breeds mechanical conditioning and imposing limitation and squelches creativity. " -Bruce Lee

65th madness

2010-04-23T01:57:00.003-04:00

1st
100 OH squat @ 95# (3 burpees every rest)

Then
5 kb clean & jerk
50 russian swings
(5 rounds)

Then
last man standing sit ups

64th madness

2010-04-16T14:41:00.002-04:00

the evolution:

first: push press/jerk (player's choice) @ 80% 1rm
3 reps with one minute rest between sets
(15 minutes)

then: max reps of burpees in 10 minutes

then: 1/4 mile run
50 kb swings
( 4 rounds 4 time)

"You should not have any special fondness for a particular weapon, or anything else, for that matter. Too much is the same as not enough. Without imitating anyone else, you should have as much weaponry as suits you."
-Miyamoto Musashi

63rd madness

2010-04-09T02:00:00.002-04:00

The evolution:

1)
11 thrusters @ 135m & 75f
5 situps
11 burpees
10 situps
11 pull ups
20 situps
11 hanging drop clean
40 situps
11 B/O row
80 situps

2)
5 db clean & jerk @ 50m 30f
long farmer walk
(11 rounds)

3)
db snatch 1rm in 15mins

62nd madness

2010-04-04T10:03:00.003-04:00

The Evolution:

"unleavened"
100ft bearcrawl
10 pushups
100ft crabcrawl
10 floor dip (feet elevated)

"crown of thorns"
max HSPU in 10 mins

"the 10 plagues"
1 rep, ten movements, 10 rounds, heavy

61st madness

2010-03-28T00:22:00.002-04:00

The Evolution

!) 3rm players choice

2) max double unders in 10 mins

3) 10 OHS, 15 pull-ups, 20 box jumps ( 5 rounds)

JT competed at the American Kettlebell Club Championships and placed 2nd in his weight class with a new pr. Nicely done JT.

60th madness

2010-03-28T00:16:00.002-04:00

The evolution

1)max tgu in 15mins

2) Lotsa shit

Jessica did great at the crossfit games getting 5th overall out of 70. She really represented what EFC is all about. She will go on to the regionals and do just as good and most likely, knowing Jessica, better.

59th madness

2010-03-13T02:01:00.002-05:00

The Evolution:

1)KB triplet

2)2 heavy OH press + Long Heavy Carry

3) TUG-o-WAR + Reverse TUG-o-WAR

Peak-performance:

The 10 Hz alpha brainwave frequency is commonly referred to as a “peak performance” state of mind or being “in the zone.” There has been conclusive evidence from studies with professional basketball players and golfers that show alpha brainwaves increasing in their “left hemispheres” just before making a free-throw or shooting a great golf shot. In players that did not make the shot, beta brainwaves flooded their left-hemisphere. It seems that “over thinking” (beta brainwaves) or “under thinking” (theta brainwaves) are detrimental to gameplay. The study was also proved by comparing elite marksmen to novice marksmen. The elite marksmen showed a big burst of alpha in their left-brain hemisphere before their perfect shots. Professional athletes are much more likely to show the alpha rhythm, while novices and intermediate players show virtually none! It seems that the 10 Hz alpha brainwave is the best brainwave for athletes and marskmen looking to improve their performance and overall game.

58th madness

2010-03-05T13:30:00.003-05:00

The evolution:

1st)
1rm deadlift in 15 mins

next)
kb wounded bear crawl down+
kb farmer carry back
(max laps in 15 mins)

finally)
max box jump in 5 mins+
max jump squat in 5 mins

This journal article, taken from the U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, substantiates EFC's second concept. One of many. The words that follow are not mine, but I think it is sometimes imperative to see some data.

Extremely short duration high intensity interval training substantially improves insulin action .......
Babraj JA, Vollaard NB, Keast C, Guppy FM, Cottrell G, Timmons JA.

Translational Biomedicine, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. j.babraj@hw.ac.uk
BACKGROUND: Traditional high volume aerobic exercise training reduces cardiovascular and metabolic disease risk but involves a substantial time commitment. Extremely low volume high-intensity interval training (HIT) has recently been demonstrated to produce improvements to aerobic function, but it is unknown whether HIT has the capacity to improve insulin action and hence glycemic control. METHODS: Sixteen young men (age: 21 +/- 2 y; BMI: 23.7 +/- 3.1 kg x m-2; VO2peak: 48 +/- 9 ml x kg-1 x min-1) performed 2 weeks of supervised HIT comprising of a total of 15 min of exercise (6 sessions; 4-6 x 30-s cycle sprints per session). Aerobic performance (250-kJ self-paced cycling time trial), and glucose, insulin and NEFA responses to a 75-g oral glucose load (oral glucose tolerance test; OGTT) were determined before and after training. RESULTS: Following 2 weeks of HIT, the area under the plasma glucose, insulin and NEFA concentration-time curves were all reduced (12%, 37%, 26% respectively, all P < 0.001). Fasting plasma insulin and glucose concentrations remained unchanged, but there was a tendency for reduced fasting plasma NEFA concentrations post-training (pre: 350 +/- 36 v post: 290 +/- 39 micromol x l-1, P = 0.058). Insulin sensitivity, as measured by the Cederholm index, was improved by 23% (P < 0.01), while aerobic cycling performance improved by approximately 6% (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The efficacy of a high intensity exercise protocol, involving only ~250 kcal of work each week, to substantially improve insulin action in young sedentary subjects is remarkable. This novel time-efficient training paradigm can be used as a strategy to reduce metabolic risk factors in young and middle aged sedentary populations who otherwise would not adhere to time consuming traditional aerobic exercise regimes.

What does it mean? Leave it on the floor, stay focused, push, walk away.

post your shit

57th madness

2010-02-26T02:48:00.006-05:00

THE EVOLUTION
1st:

4@8x3

"Then:
"Wheels of Hell"

First of all I want to congratulate everyone for testing themselves with the loads and pushing themselves on the sprint.

Tonight was a classic example of the premier concept in the Extreme Fitness Concepts manifesto : Concept #1 - basic movements learned to perfection. The squat, deadlift, oh press, and bench press are the cornerstones of all others, and you all are performing them nicely.

Keep in mind that the rules of engagement are thus; proper joint alignment = proper form. When we preach proper form it has a two fold purpose. 1) to decrease the capacity for injury. 2) to enable further work capacity in terms of load and duration. That said, if your squat doesn't look like my squat, it doesn't mean it's wrong. Following the law of individual differences tells us that every body is different. For instance, my deadlift at a stout 5'9" will look similar to, but not the same as, Eric's deadlift at 6'4". However, if the system of joints in both bodies, however different, are aligned in concert with one another in order to fight gravity through the movement's range of motion, then the form is proper. Another example is this. If I can squat below parallel and Edgar has difficulty safely getting down that low at any load due to structural issues but is still maintaining proper joint alignment, does that mean he is not doing a squat? Of course he is doing a squat. He's doing a proper squat with the bio-machine he is working with. In fact it's an Uber-Proper squat because he has gained the body knowledge to adapt to the body he has on that particular day. But we still strive for perfection, even if the term itself is debated and will continue to be for ever. This is why we have schools of thought. By my standards, however, which are the only ones that count in this forum, you're all on the right path. Keep what works, throw the rest out, be your toughest critic. Post your shit.

55th madness

2010-02-14T01:39:00.002-05:00

the evolution

1) supps with sdhp

2) 5 min hold heavy

3) 4x 25 x 4

54th madness

2010-02-14T01:38:00.001-05:00

team effort

53rd madness

2010-01-29T23:50:00.002-05:00

the evolution

1) KB hi pull, snatch, reverse lunge
descending ladder from 10 to 1 of each movement on each side
50# load goal

2) 6 squats at 225, 185 or 135 +
6 dead hang pull ups +
1 minute rest
(10 rounds)

post your shit

52nd madness

2010-01-23T13:52:00.004-05:00

"HELL NIGHT"

I am astounded by the commitment. The transformation that you all have gone through over the last year has been the inspiration which makes EFC continue to evolve, to push its boundaries. This evening was made to bury, to bring you to your knees. It was designed to see how far you would go before you called it a night. To my surprise, very few ever did. As the evening went on I began to get very ill; however, in spite of the evil that was growing inside of my stomach, I thought it only appropriate that i stay and witness the tenacity that was being displayed before me. There was no way I could leave as you gritted teeth and left it all on the floor. Sorry i had to leave so suddenly at the end of the night without sharing how proud I was of all of you. Thank you all so much for a physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual year raising new bars, creating our own boundaries, and decimating societies norms. You are the revolution.

51st madness

2010-01-15T12:34:00.001-05:00

50th madness

2010-01-08T02:17:00.001-05:00

49th madness

2009-12-18T11:06:00.002-05:00

1st

1 min. hold each of:
overhead press
squat
bottom push up
top pull up
(5 rounds)

2nd
"omfu"

500 wall ball @ 20# ball

A poignant holiday quote for all:

“Grandfather of all Scouts…Teach me to be the eyes of my people. Teach me to move like the shadow. Allow me to become the winds, the rocks, the soils, and the life forces in all its forms. Allow me to suffer for my people and take away their pain.
Honor me by allowing me to die for my people. For I love my people beyond myself and I will sacrifice my all for my people, my earth, and for you. Test me beyond all hardship and pain. Create me as you would forge a tool, and if you find I am worthy, then bless me as your servant – your Scout.”

“Shadow Walker” 1807
Panther Ridge
Age 91

Have a great holiday. see you the next year.

48th madness

2009-12-12T17:24:00.002-05:00

1st

"partner effort"
10 c&p @ 95#
10 spike swings (hold while waiting)
(max rounds in 15 mins)

2nd

"135,135,135"
135 back squat @ 135#
135 lunges
(for time)

47th madness

2009-12-05T16:07:00.004-05:00

1st

push press 1rm

Then

"stations of the mad"

100 feet of rope
push up
box jump
high pull
renegade row
burpee
lateral raise static hold in top position

(max rounds in 30 mins. Switch stations when person on rope completes 100 feet)

Good to see everyone back. A tough night for some A pleasure for others. Please post your shit.

2009-11-20T20:29:00.002-05:00

46TH MADNESS
THE EVOLUTION:

FIRST: work up to 1 RM back squat in 15 minutes

THEN: 20 lengths db farmer's carry @ 1/2 body weight, 20 db squats @ 1/2 body weight +
10 lengths db farmer's carry @ 1/2 body weight, 10 db squats @ 1/2 body weight +
5 lengths db farmer's carry @ 1/2 body weight, 5 db squats @ 1/2 body weight
( time goal 10 minutes, cutoff 15 minutes)

THEN: 10 wall ball
10 ball slam
10 burpees
10 kb swings @ 70#
10 box jumps
( 10 rounds, time goal 35 minutes)

2009-11-06T02:37:00.004-05:00

45TH MADNESS

The Evolution:

First: where you at dips

Then: 25 hang power cleans, 25 push press/jerk, 25 hang clean/jerk, 3 TGU's
(3 rounds, at 95# bb for cleans, 70lb KB for TGU's)
( 30 minute limit)

Then: "crazy 8's"
SDHP
Pushups
Squats
SItups
Wall Ball
Ball Slam
Box Jumps
KB swings
(8 reps of each, 8 rounds, 25 minute limit)

This one was BRUTAL!! A newcomer led the way with 27 dips. Kudos to you, Brian. The second part of the evolution proved too difficult for anyone to complete as required in the allotted time, though certainly not for a lack of effort. Jessica once again proved to be super human leading the way in "crazy 8's" in just over 20 minutes. I can honestly say this was perhaps the most taxing evolution yet. I'm proud of everyone who made it through unscathed!!

44th madness

2009-10-30T02:16:00.003-04:00

THE EVOLUTION:

first:
where you at squats

then:

"fibonacci"
1 clean and jerk @ 135
2 kb tgu @70#
3 power cleans @ 135
5 kb push jerk each arm @70#
8 deadlifts @ 135
13 kb swing @ 70#
(3 rounds)

21 pull ups
34 push ups
55 sprint starts
(2 rounds)

89 burpees
(1 round)

The math was wrong but this is right. The players actually did 56 sprint starts and 90 burpees which was a disgrace to the perfection of natural oneness the Fibonacci sequence sheds light on, thus destroying the universal law of the golden ratio. Sorry Fibonacci, a typo of this magnitude will not happen again. And sorry to the players for not bringing them to enlightenment by miscalculating the natural progression by which all living and dead organisms multiply and evolve. Do it again and you'll see. Please post your shit.

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK!!!!

2009-10-23T12:43:00.000-04:00

43rd madness

2009-10-16T02:40:00.003-04:00

"BOOK ENDS"

first
10 deadlift @ BODYWEIGHT
10 pull up
25 double unders or 150 jump ropes
25 sit up
(5 rounds)

then
1 full clean & jerk @ 1/2 bodyweight every 30 seconds for ten minues

then
10 deadlift @ BODYWEIGHT
10 pull up
25 double unders or 150 jump ropes
25 sit up
(5 rounds)

42nd madness

2009-10-09T02:10:00.002-04:00

1st

"where you at"
HSPU

2nd
5,000 lbs. back squat

then

"dumbbell fuck you"

10 db deck squats
9 db burpee/jumping hi-pull combo
8 db box jump
7 japanese pushups on db
6 db OH lunge
5 2-hand db snatch
4 db tgu
3 db clean n jerk
2 db hack squat
1 db sit up
(5 rounds)

Those who've slept have awoken. Please post your shit.

41st madness

2009-10-02T02:27:00.002-04:00

1st

"where you at"
push ups

then

"the unholy trinity"

5 manmakers
20 thruster
5 burpee
20 thrustter
10 manmakers
20 thruster
10 burpee
20 thrustter
15 manmakers
20 thruster
15 burpee
20 thrustter
20 manmakers
20 thruster
20 burpee

40th madness

2009-09-25T02:31:00.005-04:00

The Evolution:

"where you at"
(max pull ups in one set)

"partner ladder" or "parter latter"
hanging snatch
(as high as you can, both go until one of you drops out)

"grind and go"

2 tgu
20 kb high pull
(10 rounds)

39th madness

2009-09-18T02:27:00.003-04:00

THE EVOLUTION:

"there's no I in team"

500 jumping thrusters
500 jumping ball slam
500 push up
500 reverse KB swing
500 wallball
500 box jump
500 kb swing
500 renegade row

(4 person teams work together to get the accumulated 500 reps per movement)

A real motivator, this evolution brought everyones strengths and weaknesses to the surface. It was a close one, and though there was only one winner, most walked away satisfied with their performance. Mascha's vomit was an inspiration to us all. Thank you Mascha.

38th madness

2009-09-11T02:17:00.003-04:00

THE EVOLUTION:

first

10-1 decending ladder
OH squat @ 95#
KB sot press AHAYC

then

tabata KB swings
1 min rest
tabata KB goblet squat
1 min rest
tabata KB SDHP
1 min rest
tabata KB snatch
1 min rest
tabata KB thrusters

37th madness

2009-09-04T02:32:00.004-04:00

THE EVOLUTION:

first

10 mins of hanging power cleans for max reps @ 95# for brothers 75# for sisters

Then

"I'm Back" (aptly named 'cus Justin is back from an LOA and he programed this evil fucker... I say proudly)
20 burpees
20 pull ups
20 thrusters @65 for dudes and @ bar for ladies
20 box jumps
400 meter run
(4 rounds for time)

This was a deceptively difficult evolution. Bobby pulled the most cleans. JT finished first on the circuit. A great group.

According to the concept of transformational evolution, first clearly articulated by Lamarck, evolution consists of the gradual transformation of organisms from one condition of existence to another.
-Ernst Mayr

36th madness

2009-08-29T00:51:00.002-04:00

THE EVOLUTION:

first

"1030"
3 deadlift @ 315, 225, or 135
100 bi-lateral KB swings
(10 rounds)

then

wounded bear crawl
(for eternity)

Everyone broke 1000 within 55 minutes. Some were faster. Some should be.
A sheer test of will.
The body was searching for clever ways to thwart the completion of the task.
Madman of note among many: Eric, for starting with an injury and completing in spite of it, ignoring the imploring objections of his peers and guardians. Lets all hope he can walk again.

35th madness

2009-08-21T02:26:00.003-04:00

All finished. Many impressed. None wavered. Jessica finished first using all male load goals, extremely impressive. Mascha finished first with modified loads.

THE EVOLUTION:

first

"XERXES"
(insert wry smile here)

50 pullups
100 deadlifts 135-m 95-f
100 pushups
100 box jumps
100 kb c&p 40-m 20-f
100 floor wipers
50 pullups
(35 min goal)

then

2 dips
4 hspu
8 sdhp
(max rounds in 20)

p.s. For those of you who are unable to join us due to locale and, at your own risk, choose to follow the evolution without guidence, please feel free to post an introduction and share in your endeavors. Technology destroyed your anonymity long ago.

34th madness

2009-08-14T13:53:00.005-04:00

Resistance is futile.
Sometimes a good cliche holds all the relevance one is looking for.
Forget you have a past.
Mine is the life that chose me.

the evolution:

BB COMPLEX
deadlift
shrug
high pull
snatch
push press
drop press
(1-6 ladder)

then
10 min continuous med ball throws
(team with most throws wins, if you rest you do 50 push ups, if you drop it you do 100 push ups)

then

"seven"
hspu
burpees
deck squat
sdhp
split jump
kb swing
ball slam
(7 of each for 7 rounds)

33rd madness

2009-08-07T01:59:00.003-04:00

THE EVOLUTION:

first:

100 pull ups
200 push ups
300 squats
1 mile run

then:
5x3 deadlift @ 80% 1rm

Everyone has an opinion, but few develop theirs through a scientific approach of hypothesis, research, testing, and conclusion. They go with the masses and I celebrate them; However, it is not what we do. Factually speaking, I would rather eat a plate full of broken glass and wash it down with a gallon of urine temperature salt water than go back to the mundane style of conservatism that proves to be a prison for the physical creativity of so many.

I heard one sheltered soul share this with a friend today,"Bro... its like... more isn't better ya know??? I train smarter not harder... ya know what I mean bro???" Share this with any athlete worth their salt and they'll laugh at you. At the risk of sounding like an elitist prick, I'll share this with you all:

THOSE THAT SAY MORE IS NOT BETTER PROBABLY CAN'T DO MORE AND DEFINITELY AREN'T BETTER.

I have no place for them in my world, and feel comforted at the thought of them never setting foot in it.

coldness

2009-08-03T09:25:00.002-04:00

Camaraderie is a joy to watch,
Interfering with vigilance it makes clowns of us.
It was impossible to finish, at least we had fun.
Nothing fun about mediocrity.
Tap the animal.
Let go of sentiment.
Let go of praise seeking endeavor.
Cool off.
Dance in the middle,
No joy. No sadness. Just
a cold, emotionless, razor sharp focus
toward the goal.

32nd madness

2009-07-31T13:56:00.003-04:00

THE EVOLUTION:

First

10-1 manmakers
1-10 TGU

(30 min cut off)

then
10 min intermission

then

50 squats
50 KB swings
50 push ups
50 sit ups

(3 rounds 25 min limit)

31st madness (7/23/2009)

2009-07-29T03:58:00.004-04:00

THE EVOLUTION:

FIRST: "MISERY LOVES COMPANY

15 REPS OF

HSPU
BOX JUMP
BURPEES
WALLBALL
BALLSLAM

(4 ROUNDS)

THEN: DRAG RELAY

THEN: FEMALE - 20-30#DB/MEN- 40-60# DB

10 PISTON PRESS
10 RENEGADE ROW
100 SINGLE JUMP ROPES OR 50 DOUBLE UNDERS
3 ROUNDS+
8 DIPS
8 DEAD HANG PULL UPS
100 SINGLE JUMP ROPES OR 50 DOUBLE UNDERS
3 ROUNDS+
3 MINUTE STATIC HOLD IN EITHER; (PULL UP, PUSH UP, DIP, OR REVERSE PULL UP POSITION)

2009-07-24T02:38:00.003-04:00

30th Madness

2009-07-24T02:38:00.001-04:00

29th madness

2009-07-10T22:56:00.002-04:00

THE EVOLUTION:

first

10-1 ladder of:
HSPU
pull ups

then

BB complex
5 cleans
4 front squat
3 push jerk
2 reverse lunge
1 snatch
(10 rounds)

then

partner row cool down (12 mins.)

29th madness

2009-07-03T02:46:00.003-04:00

The Evolution:

"rite of passage"
(max burpees in 30 mins,)

then

player's choice 1RM

then

players choice clean up
(work movements you're having trouble with)

28th Madness

2009-06-30T20:26:00.002-04:00

THE EVOLUTION:

first
front squat 1rm 15 min. limit

then
tabata push ups
tabata kb swing
tabata thrusters

then
wallball + ball slam + tgu
25/25/10
(max rounds in 25 mins)

27th madness

2009-06-30T20:23:00.001-04:00

THE EVOLUTION:

first
intro. to the ring muscle up

then
30 sec. KB c&p
30 sec. rest
20 sec. KB snatch
10 sec. rest
30 sec. KB step up
30 sec. rest
20 sec. KB squat
10 sec. rest
30 sec. KB swing
30 sec. rest
(4 rounds)

then
5 clean and jerk
25 burpees
(3 rounds)

26th madness

2009-06-30T20:21:00.000-04:00

THE EVOLUTION:

first
deadlift 1rm.

then
100 thrusters
50 squat cleans
25 clean & jerk
(for time)

then
long bear crawl
reverse bear crawl back
L hang whilst reciting the alphabet
(10 rounds)

25th madness

2009-06-05T09:24:00.001-04:00

THE EVOLUTION:

KB C&J clinic

then

3 BB snatch
5 PU
3 BB clean
5 PU
3 deadlift
5 PU
(max rounds in 12 mins)

then

"30 something"
30 air squat
30 push up
30 box jump
30 wallball
30 ballslam
(3 rounds ***on third round sub burpees for push ups****)

24th madness

2009-05-29T21:51:00.003-04:00

A great group. The lessons are being assimilated to my expectations. I see more people using their bodies than on the body prisons they call machines. The farm has been bought by A motivated few and I see the revolution growing like a weed that is immune to round up. Sanjay won "Deliverance" and Brandon took "Heaven and Hell". Edgar saw a vision that he hasn't shared yet, and everyone else got me extremely excited to be a human. A consciousness shift is unfolding before my eyes.

THE EVOLUTION:

"Deliverance" @ 85# BB
12 clean
11 pushpress
10 ohsquat
9 bb behind the head sot press
8 clean
7 pushpress
6 ohsquat
5 bb behind the head sot press
4 clean
3 pushpress
2 ohsquat
1 bb behind the head sot press

then

"Heaven and Hell"
200 wallball @ 20#
200 renegade row @ 30#

23rd madness

2009-05-26T01:40:00.003-04:00

Cleaning house and ringing out the mop. A quiet evening and a handful of converts made me feel as though I was a child receiving a new bicycle. With enthusiasm, we cleaned up some dirty snatches. Then eyes turned inward and we fucked some shit up. Ahhh awakening. Time revealed its insignificance and the mad players became detached from the muck and lived for a full hour. True presence. True emptiness. True expression.

THE EVOLUTION:

Drop Snatch clinic or 1rm (depending on skill level)

then

"Finnegan's Wake" (or thank you Pat O'Shea)
10 KB snatch (each arm)
5 Single arm OH KB box jump (Each arm)
15 KB clean&press
400 meter run
5 manmakers
(Max rounds in a half hour)

(tell of your trial)

22nd madness

2009-05-17T13:51:00.004-04:00

The evolution was laid down to some apprehensive resistors - soon - to - be - believers. What started as a gentlemen's challenge and a competition of ability quickly turned into an inward battle bringing the newcomers closer to the true identity of self. JT, Jessica, and Brian had noteworthy performances. Sanjay's tenacity deserves respectful comment. Dave has returned and jumped right back into the fire. Ben and Foti kept driving toward the goal. Nice job everyone. Your outer struggle has planted the seed of awakening. Until next time.

THE EVOLUTION:
drop clean
(5000# accumulation 15 min. limit)
then
50 CIRBEES (m-85#, w-65#)
then
100/50/25 each of
air squat
thrusters
KB swing
(25 min cut off)

21st madness

2009-05-08T21:06:00.001-04:00

THE EVOLUTION:

OH SQUAT
(5000# accumulation 15 min)
then
10 deadlift / 10 burpee
(225m)
(135F)
(5 rounds with a 7 min goal)
then
Partner Med Ball Throws – HARD
1st drop – 10 single KB c&p (each)
2nd drop – 20 single KB snatch (each)
3rd drop – 30 KB swings Full (2 handers)
4th drop - 40 KB sot press (total)
5th drop – 50 frog hops

20th madness

2009-05-01T15:50:00.004-04:00

The 20th anniversary. An empty space. A group of motivated individuals. A great group to say the least.

Solange won the race, Brandon plowed through the power, and Bobby dominated the endurance progression.

The Evolution:

10 min. wounded bear crawl, the one who travels the farthest doesn't do 10 pullups
Then
SDHP/DIPS: 24,18,12 of each for time
Then
10 HSPU+20 pullups+30 KB squat clean+40 situps+50 burpees for time

Everyone finished.

Madness 19

2009-04-27T17:34:00.003-04:00

This one hurt.

THE EVOLUTION:
Front squat
(5 reps at 80% on the minute for ten minutes)
then
COMBO SPRINT
5Clean n jerk from floor+
5Burpee/pullup combo+
4Clean n jerk from floor+
4Burpee/pullup combo+
3Clean n jerk from floor+
3Burpee/pullup combo
then
“this’ll suck”
1-10 wallball
1-10Burpee
1-10Box jump
1-10Clean n press
1-10Ball slam
(all breathing ladders)

madness 18

2009-04-17T00:13:00.004-04:00

Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, the eighteenth midnight madness has been canceled. We'll see all you crazy f***ers next thursday.

madness 17

2009-04-10T23:49:00.007-04:00

Newcomers, old friends, and fixtures. A trudging fight, an explosive sprint, a long bloody crawl, and yet another internal struggle filled the evenings mad exploits.

I recall the story of Geronimo taking his small band of 100 Chiricahua Apache off of the reservation and into the land where the aged medicine man and military leader felt was home. The group could cover 25 miles a day on foot as though they were walking to the grocery store, and Geronimo evaded capture for about 30 years. An unknown Apache is known to have said, " There is a fierceness in the Apache that cannot be explained. I don't know why it is there... but I accept it."

The evolution is not for everybody. Some, however, hear the call and feel the longing. They understand what it means to test and overcome. They may not know why they are here, but they accept it.

If we accept the struggle (internal or external) as our true nature, can we still call it struggle?

THE EVOLUTION:
Front squat
(10 sets of 5 reps at 80% of 1rm ten minute limit)
then
5,4,3 each 0f
Clean n jerk from floor
Burpee/pullup combo
then
Traveling
KB swing
KB 180s
KB clean/squat jump combo
5 rounds

PAST PHOTOS!! #16

2009-04-02T15:25:00.002-04:00

(Click here to view the madness)

THE EVOLUTION:
dumbbell clean-n-jerk
(50 HEAVY alternating singles)
then
hanging pwr clean/ burpee ladder to 10
then
“Nowhere Fast”
walking OH lunge + bear crawl + traveling squat jump + 20 seated kb snatch
(10 rounds)

15th madness

2009-03-31T20:35:00.005-04:00

Solange and Kendra destroyed themselves proving that the animal within has no gender preference. They have the biggest huevos in the coop. Respect to the feminine resolve, the disregard for bad weather, and the disgust for meaningless excuses.

THE EVOLUTION:
full clean (ass to the floor)
(50 heavy single reps)
then
25 box jumps+
15 slap pushups
(5 rounds)
then
dble kb complex
10 Snatch
10 Oh squat
10 Pushpress
10 Clean
10 Split jump
(for max rounds to 1am winner sits losers do a round while walking )

madness14

2009-03-23T01:56:00.005-04:00

On an evening that rocked the boat of sanity, the task accomplished exceeded the mastermind's expectations. A myriad of emotion was flying around in the cauldron of anguish and more than once I thought some would bail. Solange is getting real fast as is Tom, their anaerobic strength endurance makes one look on with incredulity. Jessica is truly giving in to her animal half and JT (as always) is as strong as an ox and the bar that most strive to clear. Brandon is a silent force shining the light of the well balanced and Edgar is proving to be a real catalyst exemplifying unsentimental self analysis while tickling the hairy chin of the exceptional. We look forward to being pricks on form. Photos have been neglected, please forgive me, they are coming.

THE EVOLUTION:
Squat 1RM w/partner
then
30/30/30
Knee jumps/ push press/rest
(6 rounds)
then
“500”
10 tuck jumps+
10 burpees+
10 b/o row+
10 snatch+
10 lunge+
10 reverse lunge+
10 push up+
10 reverse swings+
10 box jumps+
10 high pull
(5 rounds)

madness13

2009-03-17T18:51:00.006-04:00

Lucky #13 scared most of the mad away. Three brave souls decided to throw aside silly superstition and embark on a quiet hour of hell. Just three and myself as the prettier half of the crew was getting his unmentionable reamed out with some sort of recording device. It was only fit that the brave endure an equally painful reaming. Solange, Tom, and JT. Each exemplified the spirit of the undaunted and stepped through to the other side without cheer or encouragement from peers. My heart bleeds for the rest of you for allowing weakness to enter your mind and douse your spirit with the urine of cowardice.

THE EVOLUTION:
barbell TGU for high score in 10mins
(load x reps = score)
then
50/10s
wallball/ballslam - 50/10,40/20,30/30,20/40,10/50
then
“The Colonoscopy”
100 squats + 10 ghsu +
100 squats + 10 ghsu +
100 squats + 10 ghsu +
100 squats + 10 ghsu +
100 squats + 10 ghsu

Madness#12

2009-02-28T21:00:00.006-05:00

Understanding what it means to be half human and half spirit takes more than simple contemplation. The journey is where the lessons lie, and at midnight the players choose to hit the fast forward button and get a healthy dose of that life medicine. A pattern has established itself in an organic way. The week cycles get shorter as the ritual approaches. The mad are alive for an hour. Perhaps that aliveness trails them through their week. I don't know. What is apparent, however, is a willingness to walk the razor and test ones metal when one joins the ranks and converges on the precipice of despair.

I Can't remember the moment it happened, but the collective has turned into a pack of animals with senses heightened and instincts sharp. When a newcomer arrives they take them into the fold with encouragement consuming the trepidation they once felt as if carrying a burden they know only they can handle. I see the enlightened as I hear the pain echo off the iron.

Please post comments, weight, and times.

madness#11

2009-02-24T10:25:00.002-05:00

JT, Tom, Edgar, Tim, Henry, Collin, Brandon, Ed. Each came with a specific purpose in mind. To evolve. To undergo gradual change. To develop and achieve in small stages, or in the case of this past thursday, in giant leaps. The 6-way barbell circuit, "the crucifix", the froghop/wormcrawl relay. We develop these tests, these "evolutions", to bring you to the edge of your physical, emotional, and spiritual limits. We want to separate the strong from the meek. We want to discourage the fainthearted and exalt the fearless. We strive to become the elite. Because there is something deep within us that refuses to be pedestrian. Because we were not put on this earth to lose. Because the words "I can't do that" don't exist in our vocabulary. I watched 8 men fight and claw and scrap until their bodies and minds were pulp. And I witnessed 8 men who loved every minute of it. Fucken awesome.

madness#10

2009-02-13T21:13:00.000-05:00

A small but determined group appeared shortly before midnight. It seemed appropriate something this sinister should fall in the early morning hours of Friday the 13th. Of course, the combatants weren't concerned with superstitions and trivialities. They had something much more ominous to contend with. FIve seasoned veterans, one fledgling warrior. And so the battle began.

Kendra, Ed, and Solange fought through injury and sickness in order to evolve. Jessica was a force to be reckoned with as she moved through all elements with skill, power, and grace. JT once again proved his dominance with a superhuman effort during the power circuit. But this evolution was highlighted by a new face, a new spirit. While his body was broken and fading, his heart and will wouldn't let him quit. Sometimes the most impressive performances aren't attained by the most skilled, or the most powerful, but by the most determined. Collin, though I'm sure your body is beaten and aching, your spirit is soaring. And for that, you have earned everyone's respect.

Next week. Our general returns. Beware.....

midnightmadness#9

2009-02-09T09:19:00.006-05:00

Psychology is an aspect of the battle often neglected
Not here
Everybody wanted to stop and nobody did
A new vocabulary is developed
We become wise in the moment of loss
Greatness is reached
And time stands still at the height of it....

Ed's the mad man for finishing the OMFU.

midnightmadness#9

2009-01-31T18:49:00.004-05:00

(updated Madness 7&8 photos)

The amazing thing about the spirit is that once it takes over, failure is not possible. I wish you could see what I see as I weave in and out through the dreadful apocalypse of pain and pleasure. From the cries of hatred toward the urge to give up and go home, determination raises its weary head and bellows NO.

Ed almost lost it and wouldn't listen when I said stop. He earns everyones respect. Tom has become an animal. Brandon is progressing at a rate that is surprising even him. Solange graduated to the big plate club. Dave is like a freight train that has no brakes. The bar has been raised as I new it would. Now the fun begins.

Madness #8

2009-01-22T20:43:00.005-05:00

Change is in the air. The morale is high. Eye contact and friendly greetings fill the streets, a new day has dawned with "yes we can". Inside these walls, however, we only have so much time for such trifles. The task at hand is licking its chops, anticipating a feast of flesh and souls of the mad who dwell here. How sweet it is to face the self within a concentric ring of like minded maniacs who strive for glory in a world filled with the mundane. After yet another day of trudging through the collective nightmare that we agree to call reality, we take advantage and step out of the muck and gladly create our own version of what we want the world to be. A place devoid of purposelessness. A tribe of human spirits searching for the spark of humanity. What a smell.

midnight madness#7

2009-01-17T15:36:00.003-05:00

Entering the sacred silence. The players, now transforming from probationers to practitioners, find themselves in a grinding battle that leaves all bruised and one bleeding. The screams and gnashing of teeth quickly turn into a silence that to my ears could be called sacred. There is a change in the eyes that occurs when someone reaches this state. They go hollow. The person is there but they are not there. As the spirit turns inward, the flesh machine works on auto-pilot. They move, but they do not move. The work is complete, but the body does not complete it. It is pure will. Purely animal. Purely human.

What is the key to this state? The key is in a philosophy that is anything but new. It is a philosophy that has been merely forgotten with other skills and paths lost with the great forgetting. It was lost with the disappearance of our natural predators. It was lost when we no longer had to wander with the seasons. It was lost when we no longer had to fear the elements. The philosophy of survival. The philosophy of getting the mind out of the way and experiencing the trial because life depended on it. Because we no longer have these external trials to overcome, the key to true experience is self imposed destruction. The Key is taking ones self to the edge of consciousness. The key is bypassing the machine to experience self, and to take that self to the gate of exhaustion. Its a humbling thing to watch, but more humbling to experience.

Slow and grinding can best describe this last evolution. Kendra and Jessica were first to complete the endurance third, JT and Brandon reached all of the weight goals, and Dave's head almost exploded from the over capacity of will power surging throughout his central nervous system. Survival.

midnight madness #6

2009-01-10T13:34:00.003-05:00

(CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MADNESS)
Fresh gladiators entered the coliseum and intensity became paramount. These men were all business. No flattery, no feigned enthusiasm, just head down focus that could stop a charging rhino. Curses were being hurled at the facilitators as eyes stung from a river of sweat meandering its way into the tear-ducts. Some unfortunate souls made the choice not to go on as their legs gave out or their breath failed them. Others trudged on with the thought of "joining the fallen" quickly becoming an attractive alternative to the hell they were barely enduring. They endured.

This madness reminds us that no matter how mentally or physically prepared we may think we are, the day we leave behind could lead to our ultimate demise. EAT. HYDRATE. REST. If you fallow these rules, you'll prevail.

Thanks to the new faces for joining the revolution. I'm confident we'll meet again.

WE'RE BACK

2009-01-03T14:08:00.003-05:00

After a very brief hiatus, midnight madness will return this thursday 1/8/09. This year will prove more challenging than last. Our goal: awakening. It's time to take our revolution to the next level. Some of you are already incorporating Extreme Fitness Concepts into your repertoire. Now, the time has come to envelope the ideal and become a change agent in physical culture. I'm seeing more and more people looking at clocks and watches instead of TVs and mirrors and that inspires me. However, a consciousness shift will be the catalyst for the change I hope to accomplish.

Here is a brief allegory that explains what disturbs me about the pervading mindset in most gym facilities:

Said a sheep to a shepherd as the shepherd was deadlifting 445#,"Lifting that kind of weight is not worth the danger for achieving these aesthetic gains. Baah, Baah, Baah." Said the shepherd to the sheep, "I've experienced something you haven't HERD of yet."

Be the shepherd.

See you thursday.