Tonight was very advanced training. Jeff Dupra ran this class, as he has done while Alison and I wait for our baby to arrive. Alison did not feel very urgent, so we went out to the class to have some fun.
We started with a 4 station strength circuit put together by Jeff: farmers walk, see-saw press, tough-love planks, and striker’s floor press. The work/rest interval was 30 seconds work, 90 seconds rest. Not a pure strength interval, it has a slight bias to endurance and increasing muscle mass. This we did for 25 minutes.
Tough-love planks are not your typical fitness bunny planks meant to firm the tummy. These are a brutal, RKC staple brought out at instructor training. The diligent practice of this drill creates a connected physique that can turn to unyielding, cast iron and back to greased lightning instantly, in order to support extreme athletics. The drill is also used to break the human spirit, a task it does remarkably well.
The TL plank involves creating maximum tension in the entire body while balancing on the toes and elbows. Meanwhile another person delivers surprise kicks and punches from random directions, in an effort to knock the first person off balance. Anyone who has trained with Alison has most likely done these.
Next was a 4 station, 30 minute, fast lift circuit in the oxygen starved 30/30 interval. This consisted of swings, cleans, push-press, and snatches.This session was complete, advanced athletics, as functional as can be. Every student impressed me with excellent form and focus. They also fought over the heaviest kettlebells, laughing the whole time.
Special props to Katy, our one new student, coming into the 30th session of an advanced class. She moved precisely and powerfully the whole hour. Alison did this class while two days overdue!