Solarpunk Strength Syndicate

cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/15896331

I just had a thought about my practice. I realize that being such a aficionado of yoga may conflict with my usual stance that is very ‘hard’ scientific and definitely materialistic.

Maybe that’s what I love about yoga. It is a very solid framework that can be approached from so many different angles.

For instance, for many years, I would just kind of tune out when instructors would talk about the subtle body. However, over the years as my awareness has grown, I realize that they are talking about a real thing.

It is not that there is an actual physical, subtle body, but as your awareness grows of your own body, your own perception of your body changes significantly with practice. You learn to experience what was always there, it iust didn’t make it through the perceptual filters we all have.

I have started to think of the loosey goosey aspects of yoga as ‘woo woo that works’. The benefits are real and measurable (observation), but the mechanisms are too complex for us to fully understand yet. Yoga is a theoretical framework that clearly can bring those benefits, but the language is often metaphorical and poetic.

This is how I remind myself of the limitations of science and leave myself open to deeper understanding. Being anything at all is a rather strange experience, isn’t it.

I would love to hear different perspectives from practitioners who subscribe generally to a scientific world view.

How do you find balance between hard empiricism and the sometimes ‘sponge-y’ language of of yoga?

Running clock. Every time it rolls over a minute, do 5x OHS, meaning you get about 45 seconds on the bike, do squats, and get back on as fast as you can.

This was really tough. I only got to 50 calories

Solarpunk Strength Syndicate Workout Plan for Today

Warm-Up:

Stationary Bicycle

5 minutes at a moderate pace __________

Cardio & Functional Training:

Rowing Machine

8 minutes, steady-state __________

Upper Body:

Barbell Bench Press

Set 1: __________ lbs | Reps: 15 __________

Set 2: __________ lbs | Reps: 15 __________

Set 3: __________ lbs | Reps: 15 __________

Tricep Dips

Set 1: Reps: 12 __________

Set 2: Reps: 12 __________

Set 3: Reps: 12 __________

Shrugs with Shrugbar

Set 1: __________ lbs | Reps: 20 __________

Set 2: __________ lbs | Reps: 20 __________

Set 3: __________ lbs | Reps: 20 __________

Lower Body:

Leg Press

Set 1: __________ lbs | Reps: 20 __________

Set 2: __________ lbs | Reps: 20 __________

Set 3: __________ lbs | Reps: 20 __________

Core:

Captain's Chair Abs

Set 1: Reps: 20 __________

Set 2: Reps: 20 __________

Set 3: Reps: 20 __________

Obligatory disclaimer: Before beginning any new workout regimen, please consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional to ensure it is safe for you, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or concerns. Don’t fucking do anything that you can’t do safely.

Haven't made this one but it looks great and the fat is low.

This one was very much my style. Moderate weight and some cardio in the mix makes for a great workout. Sub for heavy dumbbells or kettle bells if you don't have a bar.

Here's the Roasted Red Pepper and Chickpea Stew with Ground Turkey recipe adapted for the Instant Pot:

Ingredients:

1 lb ground turkey (lean)

1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed

2 red bell peppers, chopped

1 medium onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 cans (14.5 oz each) diced tomatoes

1 can (14 oz) low-sodium vegetable broth

1 tbsp olive oil is can

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp smoked paprika

½ tsp ground turmeric

Salt and pepper, to taste

Fresh parsley or cilantro, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Sauté the Turkey and Vegetables: Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add the olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the ground turkey. Break it up with a spoon and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Add the diced onion, bell peppers, and minced garlic, sautéing until softened, about 5 minutes.

2. Add Spices and Liquids: Stir in the cumin, smoked paprika, turmeric, salt, and pepper. Add the diced tomatoes (with juices) and vegetable broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot to prevent the "burn" notice.

3. Pressure Cook: Add the chickpeas and stir to combine. Close the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 10 minutes. When the cooking time is up, allow the pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes, then perform a quick release for any remaining pressure.

4. Serve: Open the Instant Pot, stir the stew, and adjust seasoning if necessary. Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro, and serve with quinoa or brown rice for an added protein boost.

This Instant Pot version speeds up the cooking process while still allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. You can freeze leftovers for later use.

For more Instant Pot recipes, try sources like Pressure Cooking Today or Instant Pot Recipes.

Solarpunk Strength Syndicate Workout Plan for Today

Warm-Up:

Treadmill Jog

5 minutes at a moderate pace __________

Cardio & Functional Training:

Rowing Machine

10 minutes steady-state __________

Upper Body:

Dumbbell Bench Press

Set 1: __________ lbs | Reps: 15 __________

Set 2: __________ lbs | Reps: 15 __________

Set 3: __________ lbs | Reps: 15 __________

Pull-Ups

Set 1: Reps: 12 __________

Set 2: Reps: 12 __________

Set 3: Reps: 12 __________

Dumbbell Flyes

Set 1: __________ lbs | Reps: 15 __________

Set 2: __________ lbs | Reps: 15 __________

Set 3: __________ lbs | Reps: 15 __________

Lower Body:

Leg Press

Set 1: __________ lbs | Reps: 20 __________

Set 2: __________ lbs | Reps: 20 __________

Set 3: __________ lbs | Reps: 20 __________

Goblet Squats with Free Weights

Set 1: __________ lbs | Reps: 15 __________

Set 2: __________ lbs | Reps: 15 __________

Set 3: __________ lbs | Reps: 15 __________

Core:

Captain's Chair Abs

Set 1: Reps: 20 __________

Set 2: Reps: 20 __________

Set 3: Reps: 20 __________

Stationary Bicycle

10 minutes, alternating 1-minute high resistance and 1-minute low resistance __________

Obligatory disclaimer: Before beginning any new workout regimen, please consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional to ensure it is safe for you, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or concerns. Don’t fucking do anything that you can’t do safely.

Solarpunk Strength Syndicate Workout Plan for Today

Leg Press

Set 1: __________ lbs | Reps: 15 ________

Set 2: __________ lbs | Reps: 15 ________

Set 3: __________ lbs | Reps: 15 ________

Seated Leg Raise

Set 1: __________ lbs | Reps: 15 ________

Set 2: __________ lbs | Reps: 15 ________

Set 3: __________ lbs | Reps: 15 ________

Shrugs

Set 1: __________ lbs | Reps: 12 ________

Set 2: __________ lbs | Reps: 12 ________

Set 3: __________ lbs | Reps: 12 ________

Bicep Machine Curls

Set 1: __________ lbs | Reps: 20 ________

Set 2: __________ lbs | Reps: 20 ________

Set 3: __________ lbs | Reps: 20 ________

Tricep Dips

Set 1: Reps: 15 ________

Set 2: Reps: 15 ________

Set 3: Reps: 15 ________

Barbell Press

Set 1: __________ lbs | Reps: 10 ________

Set 2: __________ lbs | Reps: 10 ________

Set 3: __________ lbs | Reps: 10 ________

Pull-Ups

Set 1: Reps: 10 ________

Set 2: Reps: 10 ________

Set 3: Reps: 10 ________

Obligatory disclaimer: Before beginning any new workout regimen, please consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional to ensure it is safe for you, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or concerns. Don’t fucking do anything that you can’t do safely.

Solarpunk Strength Syndicate Workout Plan for Today

Leg Press

Set 1: __________ lbs | Reps: 12 ________

Set 2: __________ lbs | Reps: 12 ________

Push-Ups

Set 1: Reps: 15 ________

Set 2: Reps: 15 ________

Bicep Machine Curls

Set 1: __________ lbs | Reps: 20 ________

Set 2: __________ lbs | Reps: 20 ________

Dumbbell Press

Set 1: __________ lbs | Reps: 10 ________

Set 2: __________ lbs | Reps: 10 ________

Obligatory disclaimer: Before beginning any new workout regimen, please consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional to ensure it is safe for you, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or concerns. Don’t fucking do anything that you can’t do safely.

Solarpunk Strength Syndicate Plan for Today

Leg Press

Set 1: __________ lbs | Reps: 15 ________

Set 2: __________ lbs | Reps: 15 ________

Set 3: __________ lbs | Reps: 15 ________

Set 4: __________ lbs | Reps: 15 ________

Seated Leg Raise

Set 1: __________ lbs | Reps: 15 ________

Set 2: __________ lbs | Reps: 15 ________

Set 3: __________ lbs | Reps: 15 ________

Pull-Ups

Set 1: __________ reps: 12 ________

Set 2: __________ reps: 12 ________

Set 3: __________ reps: 12 ________

Bicep Machine Curls

Set 1: __________ lbs | Reps: 20 ________

Set 2: __________ lbs | Reps: 20 ________

Set 3: __________ lbs | Reps: 20 ________

Dips

Set 1: __________ reps: 15 ________

Set 2: __________ reps: 15 ________

Set 3: __________ reps: 15 ________

Dumbbell Press

Set 1: __________ lbs | Reps: 10 ________

Set 2: __________ lbs | Reps: 10 ________

Set 3: __________ lbs | Reps: 10 ________

Obligatory disclaimer: Before beginning any new workout regimen, please consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional to ensure it is safe for you, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or concerns. Don’t fucking do anything that you can’t do safely.

So many of you ask me, "Can I do it?" You are referring to rowing in college. I actually think the correct question is "Do you WANT to do it?" There is absolutely a rowing program for everyone out there - no matter your size or your speed. What is common among all teams is that it will require you to dedicate time to the sport. How much time may vary widely depending on the program you select. Our first article details a Day in the Life of a College Rower.

After interviewing our first several college athletes, 100% of them row in the morning during the 20-Hour Season. Alarms go off between 4:50-5:30am five days a week and they all also practice on Saturdays (usually that alarm goes off around 7 or 7:30am). If you are not a morning person or can't possibly imagine getting up that early, you may want to think about this and find out if the programs you are looking at practice in the morning. I can't tell you, that you do get used to it, but you will have nights/mornings that test you.

All of the athletes also practice in the afternoon - some of them practice every day in the afternoon and some practice three times a week in the afternoon. Every athlete also described optional practices during the week or even on the weekends. Some athletes have a lifting practice right after a morning row and some have it in the afternoon in conjunction with an erg practice. Every athlete is rowing at least 6 times a week and erging at least 2 times a week during the 20-hour season. Some of those ergs may be on-your-own workouts or Captains' Practices.

Athletes are taking most of their classes in between the morning practice and the afternoon practice and some even reported finishing some homework during that time. Nearly every athlete commented on the immense time commitment and the need to balance your workload and execute time management skills. And although challenging, some reported that the required structure was resulting in greater efficiency and sometimes grades.

Athletes reported trying to get to bed by 10pm each night. Depending on your school, you may have to make special arrangements (study groups, office hours etc) to meet that bedtime. In the "off-season" for rowing the practices are optional and athletes are indoors erging and strength training. This often coincides with exams and most athletes are off the water from late November until early February unless their water is frozen... then you are off the water until it melts. Most teams take a spring/winter training trip in the second semester to get some water time.

I have heard several college coaches say something to the effect of: "There's academics, rowing and a social life. You can pick two." I actually think that is a fairly accurate statement. You can of course, have some amount of a social life, but the stereotypical party-social life that is portrayed in most TV shows is definitely not the life of a collegiate rower. Although these athletes described a strict and regimented schedule they all talked about the relationships they have made with their teammates and the satisfaction and fulfillment they find being a Varsity Athlete.

So the question isn't "Can you do it?" It's "Do YOU want to do it?"

Our College Rowing Series is based off interviews with several athletes currently rowing in college. We are not permitted to tell you who or where they are rowing, but all the athletes are rowing at DI or DIII programs across the United States.

Solarpunk Strength Syndicate Plan for Today

ARMS 500

Biceps Machine Curls

Set 1: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 2: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 3: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 4: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 5: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 6: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 7: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 8: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 9: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 10: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 11: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 12: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 13: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 14: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 15: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 16: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 17: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 18: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 19: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 20: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Triceps Pushdown (Cable or Machine)

Set 1: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 2: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 3: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 4: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 5: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 6: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 7: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 8: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 9: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 10: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 11: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 12: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 13: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 14: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 15: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 16: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 17: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 18: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 19: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Set 20: __________ lbs | Reps: 25 ________

Obligatory disclaimer: Before beginning any new workout regimen, please consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional to ensure it is safe for you, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or concerns. Don’t fucking do anything that you can’t do safely.

Sub hand stand push ups (HSPU) for dumbbell press

Sub Hand stands for heavy dumbbell presses