Hey Everyone,
I've been back at F1/H1 consistently and exclusively for 4 months now. I thought I'd share some thoughts. Any input or comments are appreciated.
- FWIW, I'm a 48 year old male, 210 lbs. about 16%-18% bodyfat, with a history of competitive sports (no gymnastics), CrossFit, and mainly powerlifting.
- I feel great! Mobility is increasing, strength increasing, and no joint issues.
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I am all over the board. I'm at FL/PE3, sPL/PE7 (as of today, yay!), HBP/PE2, RC/PE1, SL/PE3, MN/PE1, SLS/PE1, and HS/PE2.
- I'm not worried. On sPL I seemed to get stuck for a while, but then it was like I hit the turbo button and just had awesome progression. I figure either that will happen for the others, or my physical preparation in others was simply lacking.
- I found on a couple occasions that when I "skipped" a progression by mastering it right after mastering the previous one, that it was helpful to even go through a couple weeks on that progression before moving on.
- In the beginning, I felt like all I worked was "core." I'm feeling like the work has moved more into chest/shoulders/triceps/biceps now. I guess that's normal?
- Shoulder mobility is slowly coming along. I was stuck for a long time but there's a lot of progress. Good for a 48 year old who concentrated on powerlifting previously.
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I'm now seeing subtle changes in my body. Shoulders a little rounder. Torso more defined.
- This would be even better if I knocked off about 10 pounds! (Also, I might progress faster on other movements)
- I never feel like my legs get a workout (my legs have always been a "strength" of mine). But damn! They are solid granite, seeing some definition, as well as some vascularity (which I never had). My SLS work is more limited by compression than strength, but I'm almost there!
- Unlike my previous "trial" has GST, I have not been tempted to go lift weights. Possibly because I gave it enough time to get some good progression and land on where I'm supposed to be with the progressions. Thus, nothing that I do is "easy." I'm challenged every day.
- Finally, I get comments and compliments in the gym probably 85% of the time that I do handstand work. I still find this odd. I squatted over 500lbs not long before starting GST and nobody said anything. Do a handstand? Everybody is impressed!
- Regarding handstands, I was floored by how much stronger my shoulders are. About three years ago was the last time I did a handstand pushup. It was when I was in crossfit. I did them with a pad under my head and I could do about 4 or 5 strict before resting or kipping (stupid, I know). A few weeks ago I was "challenged" at a party to do handstand pushups because nobody could do them and nobody thought I could do them. This was after a large meal, a few cocktails, in full clothes with cowboy boots on. I went against the wall and knocked out 10.
Sorry for the long post. If you have anything to add or thoughts, I'd love to hear them.
Mark