Time for another Magic 50

You can judge a challenging and tough workout by how infrequently you perform it.  For me, Ross Enamait’s Magic 50 is near the top of my list.

The Magic 50 is one of many routines contained within Ross Enamait’s book Infinite Intensity, circa 2005.  The prescribed workout is to complete five rounds of the following:

• 5 dumbbell snatches per arm
• 5 dumbbell swings per arm
• 10 burpees
• Rest 60 seconds or less between rounds

I’ve probably done this metabolic conditioning workout 10 times in my middle-aged man fitness training life and only twice thus far in 2019.  I use a 20kg kettlebell instead of the prescribed dumbbell and the swings I do target a chest-level top height.  Here’s my latest effort last Sunday:

Studying the video to assess my effort, several thoughts come to mind:

(   (1)  I did this workout fasted, during the 20^th hour of my fasting period, and the fatigue I exhibit is explained by this.  Next time I do this workout, I’m eating beforehand.

(  (2)  Consequently, I lack textbook hip hinge in my kettlebell movements.  I’ll improve the next time.

(   (3)  My rest times between rounds were 0:39, 0:45, 0:39 and 0:43 so I met the benchmark of resting no more than 60 seconds between rounds.

    (4)  My 5^th round time was 1:29, not bad considering my fatigue.  I completed the last 10 burpees in 0:36; again, not bad according to me.

(   (5)  My overall time to complete the 5 rounds was 10:38 which is the best-known time in my training journals.

It might be a while before I do it again, but one thing is for sure, whenever I need a good test of my cardiovascular conditioning, it’s time for another Magic 50.

Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum

Upside down

As previously shared, one of my Fall 2019 fitness goals is to perform a handstand hold against the wall for at least 1:15.  The handstand hold is one five bodyweight-only isometric postures utilizing my muscles as stabilizers against the effects of gravity that make up my patented Pierini Fitness Plan B Workout.  I devised it over 11 years ago; read about it here:

Click here to learn of my Plan B Workout

My known lifetime best handstand hold against the wall time is 1:59 but that was done a long time ago.  My current goal of 1:15 is an achievable one and recognizes that I’m only going to put limited training time in to achieve it. 

Here’s my latest best effort, I’m close but still need some more hold time to achieve my goal:

In addition to the fitness benefits of this exercise, there’s at least one other non-fitness benefit.  Even with our seasoned middle-aged man wisdom, we’ll still be able to better see the things in our lives right side up if we occasionally spend some time upside down.

Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum