Good way to blast my shoulders

I don’t consider myself to be a super-strong middle-aged man but am decent when it comes to the overhead press lift.  I remember years ago spending time working my barbell overhead press and got as high as 175 lbs. for a single repetition before moving on to “bigger and better” training.  Now, that training is using kettlebells. 

I enjoy taking them with me wherever I go.  Last Friday, one week ago today, I took them with me to Santa Cruz and put them to work for an overhead press workout at nearby La Selva Beach.

My workout consisted of ten rounds pressing a pair of 24kg kettlebells, starting a new round every three minutes.  I concluded with a bonus round using a pair of 20kg kettlebells. 

I enjoyed this workout as I do most of my workouts.  The background ocean breeze and sunny day made for a great outdoor training experience taking 30:37 to complete.

Double overhead press work with a pair of challenge-appropriate kettlebells is always a good way to blast my shoulders.

  

Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum

Hanging around

I’ve never considered myself to have a “killer grip” and honestly don’t spend any direct time doing grip training work.  Recently, I read an article about the ultimate grip strength test and how to build a crushing grip.  I decided to read it.

The article suggested a 60-second baseline for the classic two-arm hang is something any reasonably strong person should be able to do without much difficulty.  In my training past, at various times, I’ve tested my hang time.  Over a dozen years ago, I got as high as 2:08 but that was then, and this is now.

Yesterday, inspired by this article, I decided to test my hang time.  Here’s a rather boring video of my effort:

This hang gets recorded in my training journal as 1:33. This isn’t an awesome hang, but I’ll stick my neck out and say it’s above decent for the sexagenarian group to which I belong. Maybe I’ll add to my upcoming Fall 2019 fitness goals to restore my hanging ability and re-enter the 2:00 or more hang time zone.

I’ll accomplish this by every now and then hanging around. 

Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum