Due to the heat of the day, we postponed our CrassFit workout today from the scheduled start of 6 PM to 7:30 PM, which turned out to be a great idea – otherwise, the heat of the summer day would have melted us away!

This time, we settled for a more ‘humane’ workout than last time. Dominik couldn’t attend this time, sadly, so it was just me, Peter and his sister Josi.

We did (NOVICE level in brackets)

Pre-Fatigue

3 rounds of

5 Double-Kettlebell Front-Squat + Jerk (2 x 16 kg) (5 Kettlebell Front Squat 8 kg)

5 Dips (either bar or rings) (Dip support hold x 5)

2 x ~2m rope climbing (5 body rows)

Main workout

I decided to call it “Dauerwurst” (German classification for sausage like salami), after its inventor Wursti, a fellow from Muscle Corps who equipped me with training routines last year and the long duration of the workout (for a circuit trial).

5 rounds of

15 Burpees (10-15 Burpees with push-up progressions instead of push-up)

15 Body rows (15 Body rows)

20 Kettlebell swings 16 kg (20 Kettlebell sumo high-pull 8kg)

20 Russian twist 8 kg Kettlebell (20 Russian twist with water bottle)

20 Jumping jacks

Post-Fatigue

Walking lunges + overhead press with 16 kg Kettlebell (same with 8 kg Kettlebell)

We did a great job getting to our limits and beyond – systemic failure is the goal of this workout, so make sure that you do not go for muscular failure – the body rows are especially dangerous to go too far. Give yourself some leeway with them and go for the highest anaerobic workload you can manage.

Have fun working out and post your experiences in comments. We did not time this workout – the core workout should be about 25 minutes if done properly.

Peter will be away the next two weeks and head for Canada, so expect at least Dominik and me the next two weeks for workout coverage!

Train on and stay strong!

Simon

I got my Jungle Gym II Split as a present from my fellow training partner Dominik Feischl, in return for translating the script for his grip strength DVD. As a first impression, I thought of it as a lesser replacement for my already-in-use pair of Elite Rings II, but they sure stand their chance against this high-quality piece of equipment.

Product Quality

The belt fabric is of tremendous quality, I could not yet discover any weak spots, and it is very durable, which is necessary for working out hard with the tool.

The strap length regulator is also of good quality, it holds the tool firm against every possible tension. The plastic handle is a part of a thick tube which is really sturdy – 3 mm in thickness ensures that it will not break apart when gripped too hard.

Versatility

At first glance, the Jungle Gym is as complicated to mount as the Elite Rings II, but this perspective is quickly alleviated – you simply have to wrap the strap around the mounting pole, put it through the loop near the handle and pull to fasten it – it doesn’t get any easier than that. This enables you to use it in very versatile ways – you may fasten it to any pole-like object and start training.

The thickened strap ends also allow you to fasten it in any door hinge. Just place the thick end outside the door and close it – from my experience, it is very secure. If you want to enhance security, however, you may additionally put a staff or a towel through the loops at the end of the strap – this is an additional measure to hinder the Jungle Gym to come off the door. Now it is practically impossible to unmount it from the door hinge unintentionally.

Portability

Altogether, the Jungle Gym weighs less than a pound and therefore is perfectly portable to any place you intend to work out. There simply is no easier way to install a pull-up- or dips ‘bar’ anywhere you need it!

Personal Experiences

I have experienced the Jungle Gym II Split as an incredibly versatile and trustworthy piece of workout equipment. I take it with me to almost every CrassFit workout and they have proven to be of good use – pull-ups, dips, everything is no problem. The only disadvantage, however, is the uncomfortable positioning of the strap length regulator, which is fixed and is uncomfortable for the forearms when doing dips. Moreover, muscle-ups are not possible with this piece of equipment. To train the classical movements of a gymnast, I would much rather recommend purchasing a pair of Elite Rings II.

Altogether, I can wholeheartedly recommend the Jungle Gym II Split to every fitness enthusiast who is eager to do his workout outside and has to take his equipment with him everywhere he goes. Purchase a pair, it will sure be worthwhile the investment.

Train on and stay strong
Simon

P.S.: Here are some videos by coach Steve Maxwell, doing exercises with the Jungle Gym