Category Archives: Writing

10 Ways to Spice up your Workout Routine (Cheaply)

DSC_0156Lucky for you I kicked boredom’s ass, and I’m more than happy to tell you how I did it.  Here are…

10 Ways to Kick Workout Boredom’s Ass (on the Cheap)

  1. Ask a buddy if you can work out with him. See what he’s doing and steal ideas. Good news is, his gym probably gives out free guest passes like they’re Mentos.
  2. Take a class. If money is an issue, there is an excellent chance that your local county or city is about to publish its Summer class catalog, if it hasn’t already. Some of those classes — even the dancing and martial arts ones– are super affordable.  Most police athletic leagues offer really cheap classes too.
  3. Have cable? Go to the free on demand area and check out all of the free workouts. There’s all kinds of Yoga and Pilates workouts on there.  Pull one up and follow along.
  4. Go get a set of PTDICE and create random calisthenics workouts.
  5. Get a cheap new toy to play with.  Check out your local Goodwill store. Last time I was in there I saw a Total Gym for $100.00 (I used to have one back in the day, before I got into calisthenics, and it was lots of fun).  They also had two complete sets of P90x and a slew of other cheap workout DVDs. And don’t forget to check Craigslist. I’ve gotten some brand new stuff on there for half price, including two heavy bags and my mountain bike.
  6. Does your employer sponsor any corporate games, have a softball team, golf team, etc.? You might be able to earn some brownie points while saving on greens fees or fitness club memberships.
  7. Preorder The Calisthenics Codex eBook and use it to create virtually unlimited calisthenics workouts that you can do at home for free. Click here to pre-order at Barnes & Noble, or here to pre-order on iTunes/iBooks.  Only $2.50 until 5/31.
  8. Set a goal. Training is a lot more interesting when you’re training with purpose. Sign up for a 10K or a mud run, a charity walk or bike ride, enter a tournament, etc. If you want to get lean for swimsuit season, get a copy of Cut! and learn how to do it sensibly — without insane workouts, crazy or complex diets, or freaky supplements.
  9. Got any old auto tires laying around in the garage?  You don’t have to go crazy and invest in expensive, gut-busting tractor tires.  Put on some gloves and get to work.
  10. Go outside and explore your local parks.  Walking is still the safest way to exercise, and although it seems like every year’s workout fad is more extreme than last’s, walking 5 miles burns just as many calories as running 5 miles, and walking may even be better for your heart.  Yes, I’m telling you to go take a hike.

Running vs. ?

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Never cared much for running, and when I gave it up — except for the occasional 20 minute fun run or something — I didn’t feel like I lost anything in terms of overall fitness.

Now it turns out there’s evidence to support my feelings.  And I just saw another fitness writer who feels the same way except he likes kettle bell circuits whereas I prefer calisthenics.

Kettlebells are cool, but they ain’t cheap. Calisthenics are the fastest, cheapest, and safest (in my opinion) way to get fit. No equipment, no gym memberships, no extreme workouts.

Want to learn how to incorporate calisthenics into your fitness regimen? Click here for info on my forthcoming book “The Calisthenics Codex” including preorder instructions. Preorder it at half price until June 1st — only $2.50.

If you love running, by all means keep having fun. But if you just plain don’t like it, do your heart, knees, and sanity a favor: stop running and do something you enjoy!

An Incredible Show

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I have an eclectic taste in music. Like a little bit of everything, enjoy a nibble of this and a taste of that. My favorites are so varied that there’s no discernible pattern — Blue öyster Cult, Steve Earle, Kyuss, The Sword, Coheed & Cambria, Devo, Killing Joke, Tool, Dio, Black Sabbath. Thought it might be fun to see Manson.

Just got home and I can’t sleep.

Manson took command of the stage, slithering like a snake charmer at long last become one with his pets. Exuding raw potentiality, inky chaos, and Velociraptor pheromones, he made me feel as though he might do anything, say anything, become anything.

They could feel it too, the tattooed youngsters and burnt out Courtney Love lookalikes, the Beevis & Buttheads, the curious rednecks, and of course the Goths and the scary kids who scurried about like scarab beetles in every dark corner. By show’s end they were all in his hip pocket, me included, swaying to the sounds, gathered together at the Golgotha of his mesmerizing performance.

If you get a chance to seen him, by all
means do so.

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Partially in the light, partially in shadow, the pale emperor is guaranteed to hypnotize.

A Shot at Fitness Fame for Rookies and Heroes Alike

hofNot everybody can be a Hall-of-Famer, which is a shame, because once you’re in the “________” Hall of Fame (fill blank with your choice) that must be a pretty good motivator to keep going and set an example for the people following in your wake.

So I created the Calisthenics Codex Hall of Fame.  I made it pretty easy to get in, but not too easy, a brass ring for rookies and beginners, a little motivation to get on, or stay on, a workout plan.  For die-hard fitness freaks, it’s a chance for you to brag a little.

All you have to do is get a copy of my book The Calisthenics Codex, complete any workout in the book, and point me to a photo or video of you doing one of the workouts (complete instructions here).  Doesn’t matter if it’s the easiest (“Circle Time”), the hardest (“Death March”), or one of the others in between.

Pre-orders for The Calisthenics Codex are open.  Go get it now at half price.  Release day is May 30th, after which the price goes up.

Click here to pre-order at Barnes & Noble

Click here to pre-order on iTunes/iBooks

Psst! Want to read a really cool #calisthenics book?

Psst! Want to read a really cool #calisthenics book on your Nook? Pre-ordering now on B&N. Half price until June 1st…http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-calisthenics-codex-robert-mitchell-jr/1121820688

Calis Codex cover final for web

Coming soon: The Calisthenics Codex

Calis Codex cover final for webGet ready — pre-orders will be opening soon.  More to come!

More about the eBook:

Centuries old and still going strong, calisthenics remain the most effective and efficient way to get in shape and stay that way. Whether you are a beginner just starting out, a dedicated weekday or weekend warrior craving variety, or a hardcore athlete looking for a fresh perspective or a new challenge, “The Calisthenics Codex” has something for you.

People who know the truth about functional fitness — from elite military forces to boxers, MMA fighters, models and actors — rely on calisthenics to realize their goals. Are you sick of not being in the kind of shape you want to be in? All you need to remedy the situation is a copy of “The Calisthenics Codex”, fifty square feet of available floor space in your basement, garage, den, or backyard, and a little bit of attitude and determination. What are you waiting for?

Over 2,000,000 possible workouts! “The Calisthenics Codex” features 50 calisthenics, each fully explained, illustrated with photos, and arranged into lists that target your interests and fitness level. Choose one of 12 different workout types and then select exercises from 26 groupings like “Gym Class Flashback”, “Steampunk Nightmare”, and “Self Destruct Sequence” to create workouts that suit your goals, interests, and fitness level. The possibilities are virtually endless.

Beginners get started right, with easy calisthenics such as Front Planks, Dirty Dogs and Lunges, and learn how to warm up, cool down, and stretch. Advanced players are presented with brutal exercises like Barrel Roll Push-ups, Hindu Squats, and Bodybuilders, and face tough challenges like “Gut Check” and “Death March.”

And as an added bonus, you’ll find out how to complete any workout and get your name in the Calisthenics Codex Hall of Fame!

No equipment. No gym memberships. No excuses.

Ninth Annual! October Tenth! We are movinggggggggg!

Mark your calendars people! If you’ve never been to a zinefest before, make this your first. It’s kind of like browsing at Barnes & Noble, except that the authors, artists, editors, and publishers are sitting right there, ready to have a chat and share a coffee. How cool is that?

Richmond Zine Fest's avatarRichmond Zine Fest

2015 flyer announcement

As much we’ve enjoyed zine-festing under the shiny disco ball and will miss being in that rainbow building visible from the interstate, sometimes you gotta make changes just to see what other places have to offer!

Richmond Public Library, located at 101 East Franklin Street, has been an ardent supporter of community projects such as the People’s Library and Girls Rock! RVA. When an opportunity to investigate how Richmond Zine Fest could work within that space, we decided to invade!

We’re still in the planning stages, and if you’re interested in being involved in the making of the 9th Annual Richmond Zine Fest, please contact us at zine.fest@richmondzinefest.org! We need artists, writers, planners, and go-getters!

Keep checking in for more updates on events, including an exciting series of zine programs available at several Richmond Public Library branches during late June and throughout July aka International Zine Month. Perhaps this year…

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The Finished Poster

Ladies and Gentlemen, for your enjoyment and edification, may I present the finished poster I blogged about the other day.   There’s a ton wrong with it — the scale of the objects is way off, there are some issues with the letters, general sloppiness issues, and so on — but it’s just an elaborate doodle I created for my workout room, something to remind me to stay focused, so who cares?  It’s not like it’s art that I’m selling or anything.

I’m sure it’s just the perfectionist in me, but I feel myself wanting to re-do it properly, taking more care.  Oh well, another day.  I spent several hours on it, a nice relaxing break.  Time to get back to finishing the next book…
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Poster Artplay

Yesterday I felt like drawing instead of writing, which means you get to look at pictures.  I’m making this 11″ x 17″ monstrosity to hang in my workout room, just for me, just because. But when I’m done I’ll put up the scan so that (if you like it of course) you can print one for yourself.

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The Surprising Origin Story of Wonder Woman

By way of Chas Clifton’s blog: The Secret History of Wonder Woman. Amazing. The 1940s and 50s, so often idealized and sanitized by our modern mythology, were actually like some cruel alien planet.