Ladies…you keep reading too!

Balls.  Big Bull Balls is what we’re talking about.  Today, I’m going to kick you in the ass about trying something new.  Some of you are so stuck in your routines about everything in life from using the same toothpaste to wearing the same clothes to doing the same workout over and over and over again that it makes me want to puke.  2009 is THE year to do something different.  Do you have the BALLS to do something different?

Yesterday marked a landmark day in U.S. history with President Obama being ushered into the White House.  Whether you agree or disagree (I disagree with many…but I do with most presidents) with his policy, you must understand this is a new era.  He is  the FIRST African-American President ever.  He is the YOUNGEST president EVER. He is eager to change some things.

We will have to wait and see what will come in the months ahead as he has some serious issues to deal with and a lot of hope and peace of mind to restore to the people of America.  Obama’s got BALLS regardless if you like him or what he stands for and I at the very least can respect BALLS.  Ok enough of the political b.s.  Let’s get back on purpose.

Monday night I was finally able to attend my first Adult Gymnastics Open Gym at Gleason’s Gymnastics School in Eagan (kick ass gymnastics center by the way).  It’s “Adult” in the sense there are no little 6-year old kids there to point fingers at me and say “Mister, why can’t you do this?” and proceed to land a perfect back handspring to back-flip and says “this is easy” and then walks away not understanding how that little comment will force me into spite mode so I can return 6 months later and go “Hey Suzy, WATCH THISSSSSS!” as I return the favor.

So a 20-something female “tutored” my friend and I on gymnastics basics.  Went something like this:  “I’m going to have you guys warm-up on the trampoline…”

 -10 consecutive jumps landing in the same place (WAY harder than it sounds on a “Super” tramp…no, not the band)

-alternate these 3 jumps

  Tuck jumps

  Pike jumps

  Straddle jumps

-add a 180-degree turn after each one

-learn Front drop back to standing

-learn Back drop back to standing

-learn Butt drop back to standing

-do each of the previous 3
alternating between each AND doing a 180-degree turn

**Did I mention that we are 75 minutes in and still “warming-up” … Welcome to the BEATDOWN!
 

Then it was time to move to Floor Exercises:
Handstand progresssions

 -Tuck bounce

 -1 leg kick up

    +Pike land

    +straddle land

*I was very close the first night to stabilizing myself in a handstand for the first time ever

-Finished with cartwheels (which I was definitely pa-thet-ic at!)

I’m going out on a limb and saying by noon next Tuesday I’ll be able to do this in perfect form

So what is my point of telling you about gymnastics class?  Well, a few posts back I discussed some of my BHAGs and one of them is to learn some serious gymnastics’ skills in ‘09.  I am committed to going a minimum of once per week and twice when time allows so I can get better by CHALLENGING myself to learn something new (next I’m pondering taking cooking classes…my wife may laugh convulsively at this )

So have YOU taken action on any of your BHAGs?  Are YOU going to try something new, out-of-the-box, way outside your comfort zone this year? this month?  Are you willing to be a “beginner” at something to feel the uneasy feeling that you don’t have a clue what the hell you are doing?  Are you willing to fail forward until you learn a new skill or activity?  If you’re a parent, and NOT challenging yourself, what kind of message is that sending to your kids?

I hear a lot of people talk about doing things but I don’t see them TAKE ACTION.  I’m talking about ANY NEW ACTIVITY that you’ve been “thinking” about trying.  No try, just DO.  For example, I hear a lot of people talk about kettlebell training and say “that looks really hard.”  That translated means “I’m a sissy and too lazy to get off my ass and learn kettlebells.”  Get over yourself and do it.  Whatever “it” is.

So here’s the take away:

*YOU are one decision away from being “young” regardless of your actual age

**and the battle cry of Michigan Fab Five from the 90s before entering every single game:

“Let Your Nuts Hang!”

B-Rad

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As seen on the Biggest Loser!

I get asked all the time on what products to buy to use at home, traveling for work, on the road vacationing…all-around “portable” equipment.

The TRX Gym in a Bag by Fitness Anywhere is one of those tools.  I first purchased one in December in 2008.  I thought it was going to be a more expensive version of the Jungle Gym by LifeLine USA.  Man was that the WRONG assumption.

Here’s what the TRX Portable Gym has to offer and why it blows similar products out of the water:

1 Portability.  All TRX Portable Gyms come with heavy duty mesh bag that keeps everything together and also
allows for easy packing in luggage or taking it to the gym.

2 Attachment.  Via the carabiner provided OR purchasing the “door anchor.”  Both work fantastic.

3 Adjustability.   Way simple and can be done in 2 different ways…through the attachment and/or the straps.

4 Durability.  The nylon straps are reinforced multiple times and makes the TRX much more safe and gives you peace of mind.

5 Functionality.  There are multiple exercises you can do with the TRX Portable Gym.
The COOLEST feature of the TRX is the FOOT STRAPS which instantly
doubles the number of exercises you can do.  Now you can do drills with
your hands OR your feet in contact with the TRX.

6 Progressions.  The TRX allows you to transition from beginner to
advanced exercises very easily…most of the time by just
re-positioning your feet!  No more wasted set up time!

7  Instruction.  Best of all the DVDs that are available from Fitness Anywhere deliver excellent progressions and tutorials on exercises that are straight to the point.

Most of you know that I teach A LOT of boot camp classes.  Because
of this I am always on the look out for new, innovative, simple to use
equipment that still helps deliver BEATDOWNS.  As soon as I received my
first TRX Portable Gym, I used it myself and I watched the two DVDS
that I ordered with it.

The next day I ordered FIVE (5) more TRXs because I KNEW that I had
just discovered another piece of equipment that my clients would love
to hate.

For those starting out, here’s what I recommend buying:

TRX Home Training Bundle

Includes:
TRX Professional   – club quality suspension trainer.  Their most popular product
TRX Door Anchor  – anchor your TRX to ANY sturdy door
TRX All Body Xpress:  Guide & DVD   – a total body workout in just 25 minutes
TRX Core Strength:  Guide & DVD   – killer core building workout
TRX Storage Bag  – lightweight, durable mesh bag with drawstring closure to carry your TRX with you.

CLICK HERE to Buy a TRX Gym in a Bag!

Crank it!
B-Rad

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I’ve gotten A LOT of questions about the seminar Adam Glass and I will
be doing.  I left a few things out…on purpose.  You see some of you
don’t have the balls to sign up for this seminar.  And you’ll be the
ones last quarter of 2009 still asking the same questions on the
internet forums because you do not have a blueprint and you FAILED to
implement what Adam and I are going to teach you at this seminar.

Do YOU have these questions?….

“What is Z Health Performance?”
“I have the videos, and it’s not working for me…does it really work?”
“How will Z Health immediately increase my strength gains?
“How will Z Health get me out of pain and keep me out of pain?”
“How does Z Health integrate in grip work and overuse injuries?”

I forgot to tell you that I will be integrating Z Health drills into
the Grip N Rip Seminar ALL DAY to make sure you understand the power of
these drills in your strength/grip training program.

ONLY good things will happen when you register for this clinic.  We
will DELIVER with a De-Sissification cherry on top.  We have so much
material that we are currently hacking away the fat to give you the big
juicy steaks of information.  Now let me say this again.  The first TEN
who call me at 651-330-9319 or email me through my website at
www.kineticedgeperformance.com get in for $297.  There are ONLY 4 spots
left at this rate.  Save yourself $100.

Now MOVE YOUR ASS and go register!
B-Rad

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Grip-N-Rip 2009
“The De-sissification of the Gene Pool”

You asked for it.  You got it.  I managed to pull SSGlass out of the North Dakota Frozen Tundra for a “Grip Fun” weekend to remember January 24, 2009.  This is THE BLUEPRINT FOR STRENGTH.

Here’s what we’re going to cover:
Session #1
Foundational Strength – Build your “house of strength” on these 5 crucial drills

Session #2
Kettlebell Drills for Grip Strength – Amp your strength with these 4 key kettlebell drills

Session #3
Intro to Grip Work – Why grip work “calls out the sissies” and separates the men from the “wannabes”

Session #4
Basic Strongman Feats – How to be known as the strongest man in your town

Session #5
Specific Grip Mobility – How to AVOID over-use injuries and still build a CRUSHing grip.

Session #6
Programming and Q & A – Putting it ALL together

7-Hour  Clinic
Saturday January 24th
11:00am – 6:00pm

Kinetic Edge Fitness (Brad’s Gym)
683 Bielenberg Drive Suite 203
Woodbury, MN 55125

Bottom – line — What’s it going to cost me?
How bad to you want to GET STRONG in 2009?  You know how much information Adam & Brad collectively have in the bank.  If you were to hire each of them for 1 hour it would cost you $300.  For the both of them at 7 hours, that’s $2100 for the day.  We’re going to do WAY better than that.  We want you to get De-Sissified in ‘09.

First 10 people to email me at   “info at keperformance dot com”   with “Grip” in the Subject Line or call 651-330-9319 to get in for $297

How do I SECURE A SPOT?
Let me (Brad Nelson) know the best time & phone number to reach you at to do credit card over the phone.

After the first 10, price goes up to $397.  We only have 23 slots available.

Adam Glass

Adam Glass is a professional performing strongman and owner of Unbreakable Fitness in Minot North Dakota. He is a relentless HardStyle student who blends Kettlebell, barbell, stretch band and old time
traditional strongman feats in a unique training pattern with undisputable results. Through dedicated training he has been recognized as one of the top nail benders in the world and excels in card tearing,
hammer levering, overhead pressing and steel bending. He trains a variety of people from house wives to professional fighters to special operation candidates. Adam is currently serving his second enlistment
in the Armed Forces and is stationed at Minot AFB, ND with the 91 Security Forces Group.

Brad Nelson

Brad Nelson is a nationally-known kettlebell and Z Health Performance expert based in Woodbury (St. Paul) Minnesota where he owns and operates Kinetic Edge Performance, Inc.–a state-of-the-art legal torture chamber.  He is relentless in his quest to find new sadistic methods to deliver creative “beatdowns.”  His clientele consists of 66 year old grandmothers to work-at-home moms to 50-year old beat up dads to 12-year old state champion wrestlers.  Brad has over a decade of real-life results to prove to you that his hybrid methods will get you in the best shape of your life…fortunately you have found the Holy Grail.  Welcome to the Beatdown!

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Yesterday I reviewed 2008 and I told you I was going to let you in on a few of my goals for this year.  I’m putting them out there for all of you to see to stoke some accountability–which will get you further than anything when it comes to follow through.  Here they are…

Business Goals

1 BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) #1 Influence and challenge 1,000,000 people in 2009 to step up and better their health and fitness.   Going to need YOUR help on this one spreading the word.

2 BHAG #2 Help 100,000 people lose at least 10 inches of FAT in the Twin Cities by May 1st with the Million Inch Challenge.  Going to need YOUR help on this one as well.

3 Spread the tentacles of REAL training & fitness through RAD Boot Camp.

4 Create a minimum of 3 information products that perpetuate The TRUTH about losing fat and keeping it off.

5  There are a lot more but, these three are the heavy weights

Training Goals

1 Perform a kipping muscle-up on the rings by 3-1-09
Here’s a tutorial on a muscle-up from Jim at Beast Skills

2 Perform a strict muscle-up on the rings by 5-1-09

3 Lever 16lb Sledge by 4-1-09
Great example of Sledge Levering by Scottie at Iron Claw Strength

4 Perform 40 bodyweight pull-ups straight by 9-1-09

5 Complete the Beast Challenge all with 48kg Kettlebell 4-17-09
48kg Pull-up
48kg Pistol
48kg Military Press

6 Deadlift 525 by 10-13-09

7 5-minute Snatch test – 120 reps with 32kg kettlebell by 11-1-09  (my best is 87 with minimal training)

8 Double Kettlebell 32kg Pistol 6-1-09

9 Double Kettlebell Clean and Press 32kgs x 20 reps straight by 10-13-08

10 Have fun with adult gymnastics learning:
Standing Back Flip
Standing Kick Flip
Floor Kip Up
Running Front Flip

11 Compete and more importantly take a TEAM with me to either
Camp Pendleton Mud Run in June

or
Volkslauf in October

*some of these goals I will be able to accomplish with ease.  Some of these goals are BB goals… Brass Balls.

YOU have to throw out some Brass Balls goals if you’re going to get anywhere.

Since you’ve read this far, leave your top 3 goals for 2009 in the comments section.

Welcome to the Beatdown!

B-Rad

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I had 9 brave souls engage in the beatdown special “Partners in Pain” this morning.  Since there was an odd number I participated.  Amazing what a little competition will do to non-competitive people.

Between a pair of people, the required reps must be completed between them however they wish to split it up.  *only one person can be working at a time.  **This was much harder than looks on paper.  Here’s how it went down.

300 reps – Kettlebell Swings (Guys 24kg / Gals 16kg)

300 reps – Double Kettlebell Push Press (Guys 16kgs / Gals 8kgs)

200 reps – Burpees (no jump / no pushup)

300 reps – Bodyweight Squats – Ass must touch medicine ball and full knee lockout at the top.

Took about 50 minutes and everyone was gassed.

If you see someone tomorrow or Saturday walking around with what seems to look like they have a cob stuck up their ass…they most likely participated in the beatdown.

B-Rad

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New Year’s Resolutions are in full-swing.  You probably have some.  Bottom-line is what’s going to be better in 2009?  We’ll re-visit more about YOU in another post.

Everyone is curious about me.  What are my “New Year’s Resolutions”?  I would rather call them GOALS because I change them throughout the entire year instead of waiting for a new year to turn over.

Before I get into a few of my goals for 2009, I want to review some events and things I am extremely thankful for and “firsts” in my life from 2008.  Here goes…

Jan ‘08
-proposed to Jordan at a Timberwolves’ game via Crunch and a DiGiornio’s pizza box all on the megatron

March ‘08
-received Z Health Level 4 certification

April ‘08
-had my first “Team Nelson” at the RKC certification.
-began renovation on new house.  It is silly how much we ended up doing to it.

June ‘08
-assumed ownership of my ‘first’ puppy – Diesel our Boerboel African Mastiff (as of right now he’s 115lbs at 8 months old)

July ‘08
-learned how to build my ‘first’ retaining wall.

September ‘08

-married my lady friend Jordan Sept 6th.  There was A LOT of ‘firsts’ involved with this one.

-Honeymooned in Hawaii.  ‘first’
-Caught a 225 lb Marlin deep sea fishing.  ‘first’

October ‘08
-Hansen family mission trip…’first’ time to Africa
-’first’ time bow hunting EVER was in Africa and bagged a Warthog, Black Wildebeest, and a Zebra.

December ‘08
-had my best business year EVER with Kinetic Edge.  YOU all made that happen!

Overall, it is by far my best year of my life ever… because of my new bride who puts up with my crap…

this got long with the pics so I’ll continue in another post…

B-Rad

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