Natty Power

Howdy y’all! Life’s tough, but you must be tougher.

After training with activities practiced by ancient humans, it is time to move to more recent history. Over last couple of centuries, cowboys were the eponymous of toughness and power. They were always in shape and very capable. Just watch old western movies to see them in action. Here is how training may look like, but riding horses will be skipped this time:

• Sprint: Try to catch the calf. Run several full-speed sprints in one training session and completely rest after each sprint.
• Throw: If calf is running faster then you, throw lasso to catch it. For training purposes, choose objects heavier then lasso and throw them in different throwing styles.
• Push-Pull: When lasso is around calf’s neck, pull the rope to bring calf closer. Push it to get it lying down. Another way to train pulling and pushing movements is to grab calf’s head and start “steer wrestling”. Push, pull and twist, until it falls to the ground. Of course, don’t do this to a real calf. For training purposes, apply these rodeo techniques on a young tree or bale of hay.
• Carry: When calf legs are all tied up, pick it up and carry it back to the barn. Rather use a sandbag then real calf, at least it will smell better.
• Squat: Instead of riding a galloping horse, do “cowboy squats” on the ground. Exercise is pretty much self explanatory. Think of a cowboy squatting in the saddle and simulate the same situation. Squat to parallel or half squat and then go quickly up and down over short range of motion surrounding the parallel position. This will pump your thighs nicely, because the tension is high and constant during the exercise. Hold additional weight in your hands, if you wish.

If the cattle is well taken care of, tip the hat and ride tall into the sunset. Go straight to the saloon, reward yourself with a nice lady and double shot whiskey. Yeehaw!