Some of you regular readers may recall I had a pull-up rack set up in a corner of my backyard. Image below… | |
I was always intending to use the setup as a multi-function station for working out going forward. My initial modification was the addition of two “eye-screws” to setup a horizontal double end punching bag. As you see, I made it out of an old basketball, a basketball net and a couple of bungee cords. This has worked out reasonably well… | |
The “main” goal of the setup was to have a pull-up station. Unfortunately, it turns out I am FAR too out of shape to hang from the bar, let alone try to do a pull-up. In my first (aborted) attempt, I nearly pulled my arms out of their sockets “trying” to hang. I was able to hang for just long enough for me to remember my age before letting go (aka: “falling”). Also, despite my interest in adding “DIY” boxing options, I will NOT EVER be boxing / sparring. I have a heart condition and am on blood thinners which (technically) make me a “border-line” hemophiliac (a “bleeder”). The boxing options are only for their fitness / exercise value. | |
To make a longer story short, I scavenged some parts from my old “Total-Gym” and have now set up a “Lat – pulldown” system which I can use to build up my strength until I can hang from the bar and try another pull-up. Image below… | |
A “Lat – pulldown” is an exercise which concentrates on the latissimus dorsi muscles. These are the muscles used to pull something down from above your head or to pull your head and body up to something which is above your head / shoulders. In this case, I am using four(4) ten pound weights. At the moment I have completed day four(4) of a 30 day challenge to do five(5) sets of fifty(50) “reps” (repetitions). After each set, I turn 45° and do a cross-body pull down Left to Right (50 reps) and then Right to Left (50 reps). In all, 250 reps of the double and 250 reps per side. As I get stronger (and less sore), I hope to get up to 10 sets per day. Hopefully, by the end of the 30 days I will be able to suspend myself in a hanging position for a few seconds. Then I can proceed to descending pull-ups, which will lead to actual “up” pull-ups. | |
I have an additional five(5) modifications under consideration: 1) adding a “slip bag”; 2) adding a “heavy bag”; 3) adding a vertical “double-end, double bag”; 4) adding a “speed bag”; and, 5) adding a two-grip, low level pulley systems to create a “rower”. | |
So, that’s the progress. And, that’s the future plans… (Oh, yeah. The posts and the rest of the back fence have to be painted / stained to help reduce / prevent weathering.) | |
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On This Day In: | |
2023 | Imagining Justice |
2022 | Yo-yo Management |
2021 | DIY: Outdoor Gym Modifications |
First Hammock Hang Of 2021 | |
Slow Moving Trains And Squirrels (I Love…) | |
Just Chillin’… Why? | |
2020 | Still Crazy After All These Years… |
2019 | 20 / 20 Foresight |
He Knew Damned Well… | |
2018 | Be Someone’s Kindling |
2017 | When The Moment Comes (I Lived…) |
2016 | Changed Clothes Lately? |
2015 | Like Stone |
2014 | Resistance Is Futile |
2013 | Subtle Humor |
To Look Behind Green Eyes | |
2012 | The Path Is Endless |
2011 | Happy MLK, Jr Day!!! |
A Factor Of Ten | |
Better Late Than Never? | |
Whoops! | |
Acceptable Beginnings | |
Slow Progress | |
Useful Confrontation | |
When Phenomena Are Different | |
Creative Avoidance | |
Thinking | |
Fast And Flexible | |
Surrender Certainty | |
Techniques | |
Vive La Difference | |
Destiny | |
Completeness | |
Art | |
Archive for January 17th, 2021
DIY: Outdoor Gym Modifications
Posted in Boxing, Health, Pictures, Workouts, tagged Backyard Gym, Boxing Practice, DIY, Do It Yourself, Fitness, Health, Lat Pulldowns, Latissimus Dorsi Muscles, Outdoor Gym, Pictures, Total-Gym on January 17, 2021| Leave a Comment »
First Hammock Hang Of 2021
Posted in Family and Friends, Pictures, tagged Backyard Hammock, Family, Picture on January 17, 2021| Leave a Comment »
Apologies to all of you putting up with less than ideal weather conditions… Here in the San Francisco Bay Area it’s a comfortably warm 72°… In other words… | |
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On This Day In: | |
2023 | Imagining Justice |
2022 | Yo-yo Management |
2021 | DIY: Outdoor Gym Modifications |
First Hammock Hang Of 2021 | |
Slow Moving Trains And Squirrels (I Love…) | |
Just Chillin’… Why? | |
2020 | Still Crazy After All These Years… |
2019 | 20 / 20 Foresight |
He Knew Damned Well… | |
2018 | Be Someone’s Kindling |
2017 | When The Moment Comes (I Lived…) |
2016 | Changed Clothes Lately? |
2015 | Like Stone |
2014 | Resistance Is Futile |
2013 | Subtle Humor |
To Look Behind Green Eyes | |
2012 | The Path Is Endless |
2011 | Happy MLK, Jr Day!!! |
A Factor Of Ten | |
Better Late Than Never? | |
Whoops! | |
Acceptable Beginnings | |
Slow Progress | |
Useful Confrontation | |
When Phenomena Are Different | |
Creative Avoidance | |
Thinking | |
Fast And Flexible | |
Surrender Certainty | |
Techniques | |
Vive La Difference | |
Destiny | |
Completeness | |
Art | |
Just Chillin’… Why?
Posted in Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Life, Mahatma Gandhi, On the Meaning of Life, Philosophy, Quotes, Speed on January 17, 2021| Leave a Comment »
There is more to life than simply increasing its speed. | |
— Mahatma Gandhi | |
. | |
On This Day In: | |
2023 | Imagining Justice |
2022 | Yo-yo Management |
2021 | DIY: Outdoor Gym Modifications |
First Hammock Hang Of 2021 | |
Slow Moving Trains And Squirrels (I Love…) | |
Just Chillin’… Why? | |
2020 | Still Crazy After All These Years… |
2019 | 20 / 20 Foresight |
He Knew Damned Well… | |
2018 | Be Someone’s Kindling |
2017 | When The Moment Comes (I Lived…) |
2016 | Changed Clothes Lately? |
2015 | Like Stone |
2014 | Resistance Is Futile |
2013 | Subtle Humor |
To Look Behind Green Eyes | |
2012 | The Path Is Endless |
2011 | Happy MLK, Jr Day!!! |
A Factor Of Ten | |
Better Late Than Never? | |
Whoops! | |
Acceptable Beginnings | |
Slow Progress | |
Useful Confrontation | |
When Phenomena Are Different | |
Creative Avoidance | |
Thinking | |
Fast And Flexible | |
Surrender Certainty | |
Techniques | |
Vive La Difference | |
Destiny | |
Completeness | |
Art | |
Slow Moving Trains And Squirrels
Posted in Included Video, Lyrics, Music and Concerts, Philosophy, Quotes, Song Lyrics And Videos By Others, Videos, tagged Favorite Lines, I Love... -- music video, Included Video, Philosophy, Quotes, Tom T. Hall, YouTube on January 17, 2021| Leave a Comment »
I Love… |
|
Favorite Line(s): | |
I | |
Love | |
Little baby ducks, | |
Old pick-up trucks, | |
Slow-moving trains, | |
And rain | |
. | |
On This Day In: | |
2023 | Imagining Justice |
2022 | Yo-yo Management |
2021 | DIY: Outdoor Gym Modifications |
First Hammock Hang Of 2021 | |
Slow Moving Trains And Squirrels (I Love…) | |
Just Chillin’… Why? | |
2020 | Still Crazy After All These Years… |
2019 | 20 / 20 Foresight |
He Knew Damned Well… | |
2018 | Be Someone’s Kindling |
2017 | When The Moment Comes (I Lived…) |
2016 | Changed Clothes Lately? |
2015 | Like Stone |
2014 | Resistance Is Futile |
2013 | Subtle Humor |
To Look Behind Green Eyes | |
2012 | The Path Is Endless |
2011 | Happy MLK, Jr Day!!! |
A Factor Of Ten | |
Better Late Than Never? | |
Whoops! | |
Acceptable Beginnings | |
Slow Progress | |
Useful Confrontation | |
When Phenomena Are Different | |
Creative Avoidance | |
Thinking | |
Fast And Flexible | |
Surrender Certainty | |
Techniques | |
Vive La Difference | |
Destiny | |
Completeness | |
Art | |