current focus

saturday, june 1st, 2013

one year ago this week insular gym shifted from what was primarily a one man mission to that of a group of individuals who, while each on their own journey, began to work and learn together in the name of progress.  over the next few months the group grew larger and, for many, a new way of life was discovered.  eyes were opened even further as impossibilities became reality and before long new leaders emerged.  ready and willing to learn more, lead by example, and teach others, the students became the teachers and insular gym began to grow on it's own.  now, with the "insular" of insular gym on the road again, a new identity has formed.  Kôr Gym is ready to build on the insular philosophy, creating it's own identity, standards, and goals.  Please take a moment to like their page and also to continue to keep an eye on insular gym as the road is unknown and i am ready to embrace the challenges of a new environment. 

stay tuned...



tuesday, july 31st, 2012

insular gym is has become and is becoming something different.  changes are slow and steady, welcome, and fulfilling.  being tied to the abilities, improvement, and dedication of others is not only intoxicating but it motivates me to focus harder on my own fitness adventures.  the future is unknown but the spirit being built in this garage will endure no matter where we find ourselves.  in the end a dream has been realized, at least partially, and that dream has infected and influenced others to reexamine their own personal path and capabilities.  stay tuned, there's no telling what will happen from here on out.

saturday, january 14th, 2012...

the last 5-6 months has seen a decrease in my ability to consistently put forth quality work and effort.  i used to laugh at getting into the rut of "maintenance mode" and would have thought the possibility of going past that into the realm of losing ability was many decades away.  that being said, here i am...  less able than i was this time a year ago and significantly less able than at any time previous.  i could go on and on about a hectic schedule, children, work, and any other excuse i could come up with but the truth is i simply haven't wanted it as bad as i did in the past.  really, nothing has changed from any other point in time when i was more committed and experienced better results.  like most everything in life, this is a choice.  i will continue to get out of it what i put in and until i make the conscious decision to do more i can't expect anything less than what i've been getting.

sunday, august 7th, 2011...

an extended break from consistent training for the last two months has resulted in a severe loss in ability.  i'm currently slowly working back into a program with the goal of getting back to the point where progress beyond previous levels can be experienced.  this will take time, longer than anticipated, and although current performances are disappointing the thrill of improvement will likely take over.  in the grand scheme of things a long break won't matter but right now some of what i was capable of in the past seems impossible to get back.  current focus: patience


saturday, april 2nd, 2011...

recent disregard for technique and proper recovery of the posterior chain has left me temporarily limited in what my options are.  this is a frustrating reality to experience (again) the limitations of the human body and the effects of over training without proper technique.  the next phase of training will focus simultaneously on the weaknesses i have with running and endurance while attempting to maintain strength levels.  this may not be reality and some loss of strength is to be expected.  training volume may be cut back in order to promote better recovery and a shorter time line to get back my previously healthy lower back.  frustration abounds while creativity and exploration continue to be on the increase.  we'll see what happens over the next few months but it should be interesting to evaluate how it all unfolds.  

friday, jan. 21st, 2011...

lately i've felt as though i'm missing the bigger picture, that there's more to all of this than programming the next "original" workout using the standard tools, warming up in comfortable clothes, and applying the throttle.  i could just be burned out on it all but the prospect of going through the rest of this winter creating workouts to be done indoors with kb's, bars, and bumpers has me seriously questioning whether or not i'll come out the other side with my sanity.  i've always said that i'll do this my way by keeping it interesting and new - meaning that whatever methods keep me engaged and continually learning new things is the direction i'll head, this is the answer to me staying committed.  with that in mind, my new focus will be to find, clear, or follow an alternate path to self awareness and increased capability.  there's no question about it, we're all followers to some degree, it's just a matter of where you fall in line.  at this point i find it necessary to once again break away from the masses and follow in the footsteps of those i believe are headed in an alternate, and what some may consider wrong, direction.  we'll see how it goes and it may or may not work as it appears to have done so for others but at this point it feels right, it feels right for me. 

monday, nov. 29th, 2010...

following a site day in and day out doesn't work for me.  the random demands of family on recovery and training time requires that i do my own thing.  i enjoy it that way and the week or so away only reinforced my passion for doing this.  at this point it's back to twisting up workouts and ideas into new and interesting challenges in an effort to get faster and stronger while being more prepared for unknowns.  i've got a month or so before the close of the year and an important goal has yet to be reached in the form of the 315lb back squat.  at the same time i'd like to go ahead and shave the needed 30 seconds off my mile time to knock that one out two.  opposing goals?  maybe, but i'm up for the challenge. 

sunday, nov. 7th, 2010...

temporarily letting go of the day to day programming of my efforts here at insular gym needed to happen.  it's become apparent that i've become susceptible to the self preservation trap and have been working primarily inside my own personal comfort zone.  some outside force was needed to get me back on track and take away the ability to choose what i do.  a three week experiment is now underway with the goal being that of rejuvenation and renewed focus.  cfjax's programming is dynamic and should do the trick of keeping me on my toes and initiating a level of fear of what's coming next.  more time for rest and recovery will be available without the temptation of keeping this sites content filled from a visual standpoint. 

saturday july 3rd, 2010...

speed. work capacity. pain tolerance. nutrition. focus. discipline.
pretty much the same focus as back in april but it's importance (my level of weakness) has become more and more evident over the last couple months.  efforts may need to become more straightforward and follow hard and heavy strength sessions in order to maintain current levels.  maybe the new time of day will help with all of these areas of concern.  early am workouts take another level of dedication that i haven't had to commit to in a couple years.

tuesday april 6th, 2010...

to increase abilities in all aspects of speed, become lighter, quicker, and more tolerant of the associated pain of going fast.  all while maintaining recently increased levels of strength and power.  extra efforts will need to be made to ensure all resources are maximized with regard to efficiency in all movements in order to maintain strength while cutting weight.  a renewed focus on proper fuel consumption will need to lead the charge if goals are to be met.  shoulder issues are still lurking but overall it appears as though considerable progress has been made.  moderation of volume with certain movements seems to be the most effective remedy. 

monday march 1st, 2010...

to increase speed and endurance in running and rowing while maintaining (or improving upon) existing strength levels in the squat, deadlift, and clean. Degradation of overhead, pulling, and pushing levels have been deemed acceptable casualties in an effort to strategically eliminate possible pain triggers. the goal is to remedy lingering shoulder injury with time while avoiding, or postponing, surgery.