Just your friendly neighborhood black man.

sennengoroshi asked: this may be a stupid question but what is a burpee?

It’s not a stupid question at all! I didn’t know till I looked it up. It’s pretty awesome/hard. Makes a great workout!

The burpee is a full body exercise used in strength training and as aerobic exercise. It is performed in four steps, and was originally known as a “four-count Burpee”:

1. Begin in a standing position.
2. Drop into a squat position with your hands on the ground. (count 1)
3. Extend your feet back in one quick motion to assume the front plank position. (count 2)
4. Return to the squat position in one quick motion. (count 3)
5. Return to an upright standing position. (count 4) ^[1]

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYfNA_lmkHM

15 pushups
15 second regular plank
15 second side plank
15 second side plank (switch sides)
15 second regular plank.

no break inbetween any of it

See how many cycles you can do!

or use a baby, they weigh about the same

Isn’t that name stupid? Anyway here is a workout that I have found in this months issue of Exercise Health.

In DCI you’re going to find yourself holding your instrument up for ungodly amounts of time. Know that during your spring training you will learn how to overcome the pain, it’s not just a physical thing, but a mental strengthening experience. This workout should help give you an edge, so that you can be worried less about the physical aspect of holding the horn. I know the big horns will appreciate this one especially.

Note that heavier weight=less reps, and vice versa. High Weight low reps= bulk, low weight high reps= Lean muscle. BE SURE TO STRETCH AND DO A WARMUP/COOLDOWN WITH ALL YOUR WORKOUTS TO AVOID INJURY. Each set=10 reps. Using lighter weights do 2-3 sets, heavier weights 1-2.

Here are the exercises:

Exercise: Kneeling Rows
Area of Focus: Front Shoulders
Description: Kneeling on a flat bench with the left leg, grab the dumbell with the right hand. Pull towards the chest, pause, then lower. 10 reps, then switch legs/arms. 

 Exercise: Military Press
Area of Focus: Outer Shoulders
Description: Sit grasping dumbells palms out above shoulders. Press weights over head, Pause, then lower. 10 reps. Can also be done with barbell.

Exercise: Lateral Raise
Area of Focus:  Rear Shoulders
Description: Stand holding dumbells at sides. Stand arms straight, dont lock the elbows to avoid injury. Extend the weights out to the side until arms are parallel to the ground. Pause, then lower. 10 reps.

Exercise: Front Raises
Area of Focus:  Front Shoulders
Description: Sit grasping dumbells at sides. Rise the right arm infront until parallel to the flooor. Pause, then lower to starting position. 10 reps. Repeat on the other arm. Can also be done standing.

Exercise: Bent-Over Flys
Area of Focus:  Rear Shoulders
Description: Grasping dumbells palms facing each other. Bend over till the back is almost parallel to the floor. Extend weights out until arms are almost parallel to the floor. Pause. then lower. 10 reps.

Remember. Not  a DR. or exercise coach. I just know what works,and what other people tell me. Have fun, be safe!

I’m sorry that you had to read this, truly. However there are always other options. Sometimes they aren’t the cheapest, or what you had in mind.

Just because you got cut from a corps doesn’t mean you aren’t meant for drum corps, nor does it mean you need to crawl up into a ball and die. All that means is that the staff feels that you aren’t meant for them, at this time.

If you really love the activity, it doesn’t matter where you march. There are too many people that get cut and discouraged, and never march. Don’t do this. Keep an eye for other drum corps in the area, open class drum corps, and see if you can audition some random place far away.

I don’t want to dog any other drum corps, and I don’t mean this in a negative way towards them, but marching Pioneer, Jersey Surf, or an Open class corps is better than sitting on your butt all summer pouting. 

PLus these are drum corps that NEED people. People like you. You can use the experience and skill you gain to come back and audition wherever you want the following season. 

[NOT YOUR DREAM CORPS] is better than no drum corps.

Get out there and make things happen. Also better luck next year.