Exercise LARPING - Simple Trick For Building More Muscle

[@Cole205]

Napoleon LARPed as Charlemagne, who LARPed as Caesar who LARPed as Alexander who LARPed as the Gods. LARPing works, if you do it well and long enough.

[@Mavnels10]

LOL or should I say LARP

[@thestonecircle]

@@Cole205 This is the perfect comment

[@VikingMale]

The Gods LARPEd as the Titans…

[@sammyleal]

We larp as humans but we are only consciousness.

[@Cole205]

@@sammyleal I'd say it's the reverse. We're meat trying to be conscious humans haha

[@roflsean6495]

Stone Circle is for sure the player that comes to the D&D group in his full character attire and equipment. My man! *fist bump*

[@thestonecircle]

Hahah hell yeah, full immersion!! 🤜

[@johnnykame]

I’ve gotten my strongest and my most physically capable after I embraced the nerdy dork in me and let him come out full force. I used to side eye the weird guy at the gym and yet now I fully embrace BEING the weird guy at any gym. Lifting in pants and button down shirts and/or Hawaiian shirts, doing zerchers and zombie front squats, heavy kettlebells, mace, etc. I now see myself as a CHARACTER. One that lifts. Exercise LARPING works. Like Buges says, it’s a mindset. 🤙🏼 And on that note, I among many others, am grateful that the StoneCircle channel exists. Your content is very refreshing. Amidst all the redundancy of gymfluencers and bodybuilders that dominate social media, creators like you make it all fantastical again and I love it. Keep doing what you do my man! Thank you for having us!

[@ErRasmussen]

When I was in highschool, one of my friends was a big fan of Dragonball-Z and he said it inspired him to work out harder. I used to think that was dumb, but I know now that show inspired a lot of people, and I was the dumb one.

[@thestonecircle]

Pretty sure I thought everything was dumb in highschool too haha. Dragonball z really is super motivating! I used to watch it when I was younger with a friend and we'd run around trying to fight each other haha

[@anthonysanchez3275]

Dude, barefoot sprinting in the woods is the most bad ass thing ever. That's infinitely cooler than benching 350 or whatever. Thank you for providing a (much needed) new perspective. I'm super grateful and excited to manifest a new me!

[@thestonecircle]

Seriously nothing like it!! It'd be pretty cool to bench 350 but I'll take running through the woods any day :). Good luck with the training, it's gonna be a good year!!

[@heyitsmort7744]

@@thestonecircleI’m always blown away by those double tree pull ups. You’re inspiring me to have more fun with my training! Yu Yu Hakusho is my go-to for LARPing

[@ashworthcustoms]

Do both lol

[@littlethuggie]

There are a billion poor people doing this daily. It's not that cool, lol. 350 bench for the W

[@unknownstrongman]

It's great for calves too

[@thestonecircle]

When I wrote this one I meant to head out into the woods and get some cool dark and gloomy snow training footage, but I'm currently in the middle of moving and ran out of time. Instead, I figured this would be a good time to show off my favorite training clips from 2024! You're never too old to use your imagination, to have FUN. Ignore anyone who tries to bring you down for enjoying life in your own way. Good luck with 2025, time to make all kinds of gains, muscle gains, strength gains, happiness gains! 💪🗡🪓

[@jculbert2221]

I keep dropping hints with the club that I'd love to host a winter strongman comp here. Viking style, nothing but logs and natural stones. A lot of them hate the cold 😅🙄

[@thestonecircle]

@@jculbert2221 Man I love watching those comps!! All natural objects, for some reason that always makes me think 'strongman' more than anything else. Like the fishermen lifting stones to earn their place on the boat, or challenging each other to lift the heaviest log. That stuff is just badass!

[@Twosocks1874]

Yes!!! I stand outside and close my eyes in the blistering ice and wind and in the rain and thunderstorms before a workout. Just taking it in and finding stillness. We’re only at the beginning of the adventure. Outstanding message, outstanding work!

[@heyitsmort7744]

My pump cover is just a tool for catching a hurricane like a sail and whisking me into the best lifts of my life

[@Twosocks1874]

@ That was beautiful.

[@thestonecircle]

Oh man I love this!!

[@senorsombrero1275]

I did this for a while when i was competative swimming in highschool with the Call of the Wild. It was and still is my favorite book and i compared myself to Buck. A sled dog and a swimmer are similar in the sense that our lives revolve around our physical endurance and will to push to the end of the race. My times got faster in a shorter period of time as a result. I remember the same thing i would tell myself whenever i found myself thinking about giving up during a practive or a race “Buck did not break from The toil of the trail and neither will I”.

[@TM521HS]

Love that book. Really demonstrates the hard physical labour those dogs performed

[@thestonecircle]

That's so awesome!! Seriously great book too, something special about surviving the cold that just hits different for some reason

[@andyreact]

I've been watching clips from the Montane Winter Spine Race happening at the moment (I also went to cheer them on when they set off last weekend!) it has various distances from 48 miles to 268 miles and this year the first couple of days some parts had 3 foot of snow to fight through, those guys are really inspiring me to push on and "get it done" 💪👍

[@thestonecircle]

That's awesome!! Pushing through the snow is tough but so rewarding, something special about it

[@sandsacksyndikat]

I knew you were a nerd, but this? Awesome. We need more nerds. I am approaching this from a completely different angle and with a different mindset, but we are achieving the same goal: If you master control over your imagination, you gain the key to lifelong not happiness, but contentment, which is far more valuable. The ability to make up a life and a world in your mind is the same as the ability to tune out and leave behind all negative things that might come up, let pass all anger and frustration and find acceptance of your self and true peace within yourself, by yourself, on your own -- once you've achieved that, no one can ever take that away from you. That is total freedom.

[@henribehrendt9611]

I absolutly love this approach. As a lifelong Karateka i cannot tell you how much people underestimate these basic rituals. It doesnt matter if i had a shitty day and had to get up at 5 am, when i put my Gi on and tie my Belt i am filled with a level of determination that is hard to describe. From Bowing to Meditation and Phrases like "Oss" you get so much more than people think. Its easy to make fun of that.

[@michaelpopkins3002]

Such a cool subject!!! Lifting heavy sandbags,swinging a macebell etc always make me feel like some kind of warrior!! Visualising your some ancient warrior makes you think beyond just standard gym work... which has its place too. And doing all this while outside just feels epic!!

[@thestonecircle]

Heck yeah man I can't wait to really go in on macebell training too! It's like you gain some kind of extra hidden strength you didn't know was there when you start seeing yourself as that warrior :)

[@DustPunk]

Training for a purpose, even a purpose you make up, isn't just motivating, it can help you focus. Trying to get into fitness as a beginner can lead to a lot of information overload and choice paralysis. You can cut through a lot of the noise by having a specific model to follow, a sense of identity to push towards. "Powerlifting is nice, but as a Witcher, I'm not too interested in maxing out on bench press. I'll focus on dips and muscle ups to build the strength to grab onto ledges and pull myself up". I may never become a firefighter, but when I deadlift or do heavy sandbag carries, it's to build the strength to pick up and carry my loved ones to safety.

[@thestonecircle]

Very well said! Having that extra layer of purpose to the whole thing really can make such a huge difference

[@Minder777]

I get reminded of the moon every day, when my 2-year-old yells "there's the moon!" or asks "where's the moon?" Every. Single. Day.

[@thestonecircle]

Hahah that's so great 🙂

[@unknownstrongman]

Haha that's awesome

[@NaturalStateWingChun]

My 9 year old still does this 😂

[@creativetraininghacks]

I get home tired and a bit dejected at 6pm, and there is a new Stone Circle video - best thing that could have happened! 🙂🙏👍Wonderful video at that! I'm already pondering about creating a fictional character myself. One that would need to do what I do training-wise in order to be up to whatever tasks he has to perform.

[@thestonecircle]

Heyy I'm so glad the video could help :) and that you liked it!! I'm imagining some kind of dragon tamer/slayer guy after your recent sandbag video and the naming of that beast!

[@creativetraininghacks]

@@thestonecircle Cool idea! Definitely tamer, though, not slayer.

[@thestonecircle]

​@creativetraininghacks I figured you for more of a tamer, that's what I would choose for myself too 🙂

[@warlord2pfa]

Outstanding video! Just came back from a 4 mile Ruck in the woods with my dogs. If I remember correctly, Arnold has stated that he used to load up his weights, and him and some buddies would head out to the mountains in Austria and train outdoors. The mountains were an inspiration, and the fresh air was good for growth.

[@thestonecircle]

Thank you!! Oh man 4 miles in the woods with the dogs that sounds like a dream! I forgot about that, I'm pretty sure that was what motivated me to take my barbell on the road with me when I traveled in a camper for a little while!

[@MSHNKTRL]

My motivational fantasy is that some beautiful woman is going to be impressed with my physique, and enough so that she asks what my workout program is like. This is when I whip out my .... logbook and draw additional charts to elaborate on every minute detail, explaining the benefits of each movement along with the refinement of technique for each.

[@thestonecircle]

Hahah I think that's gotta be a great way to find a keeper right? If she's willing to listen to you talk about something you think is awesome she's gotta be good 😄

[@MSHNKTRL]

@thestonecircle one can dream

[@42neddy]

"If i don't lift this, all my loved ones will diе" - the long version 😄 (Love the video! There can never be too many reminders that we can and SHOULD improve our mindset!♥)

[@thestonecircle]

Hahah summed up perfectly 😁I'm glad you liked it!

[@John1mperial]

This is such a great video man, having the WHY is such an important thing. I love Level four, there’s no recreating the feeling you get training outside and in the elements 💪💪 I’d love to try level 5 too

[@timmyjacobs0]

Unfortunate news, my workout Buddy and I have been battling some flu illness this past week. I'm dying to get back to sandbags, but glad that the training means I can lay here and slowly flex through my muscles to keep from being too sore from the bed. We'll get there 💪💪💪

[@thestonecircle]

Dang I'm sorry to hear that! You guys are gonna come back stronger than ever though, probably making all kinds of gains laying there!

[@ramO-jp8tp]

Short shorts, vest and pack running the hills and all of a sudden i’m a rhodesian grunt in the 70’s 😎

[@thestonecircle]

Hahah heck yeah

[@Wo1fLarsen]

As someone who grew up playing Dungeons and Dragons, and was always an athlete, this is great!

[@thestonecircle]

YES! Always happy to make something you OGs will enjoy 🙂

[@smugjemka]

Running barefoot in the woods looks awesome! Could you do a video on exercises or techniques to build stronger legs that complement this type of training? Maybe something focusing on barefoot strength or improving stability for trail running!

[@stevecalamars7890]

really engaging aspect to the channel, stepping into aspects of "sports psychology"! I find reading History before the gym /heading to the park, or listening to documentaries while training at home, shifts the perspective and enhance the motivation within a given session!! great work here!!

[@thestonecircle]

Thank you!! I do exactly the same thing! History is really motivating, even if it's not actual history and just some kind of viking reenactment video without words it makes training feel so different

[@stevecalamars7890]

for sure!💯

[@MartyNih]

I've been looking forward to this video topic for a long time! Ever since discovering the Witcher training video. Great stuff! As far as im concerned, I would welcome even more videos like this. Lean into this topic! Its really great and motivates me to go out into the woods and swing stings right away!

[@timmyjacobs0]

I'm lucky to work in landscape and a big nature lover that I get to be outside all the time. I know so many people who have legitimate quality of life improvement after even just a nice hike.

[@thestonecircle]

That's so great! It really is life changing. I'm about to move further into the mountains and I look forward to spending a lot more time out there

[@anthonyagins7872]

I always appreciate your insights Cody! Thank you for making content, hopefully I’m able to pick up some merch soon 😊

[@thestonecircle]

Hey I'm just glad you like the videos!! You being here is enough, if you like the merch that's awesome but if you don't get any that's awesome too :)

[@maxzhao8331]

yup, imagination and passion. I train boxing and bjj but I never forgot the awe and excitement from the power fantasies,seeking for adventure, and depiction of “the journey” of martial arts, dragon ball, baki , kengan, and the OG hong kong kungfu movies. Journeys through nature like vagabond, vinlandsaga, the climber, and berserk depicts the vastness of the world/nature and the struggles for purpose and meaning. Pretty cringe but it makes life worth living for me, as an outlet and as a “cope” to not feel like I’m wandering aimlessly through life

[@thestonecircle]

I feel this completely, and to me not cringe at all!!

[@maxzhao8331]

@ hell yeah!👍 keep living with passion!

[@unknownstrongman]

This was awesome Cody, enjoyed watching this with the wife. I agree, its always beneficial to have something else pushing you, even if it larping lol. That sh*t works!

[@josephdculp]

Really agree with the sentiment of this, and makes me want to take all my workouts more in this direction. I have one I go to now and then where I pretend Im a thief, doing dips while imagining that climb through a castle window, then sandbag carries representing the heavy loot bag I gotta get out of there lmao

[@thestonecircle]

Omg this is perfect haha, I'll definitely be thinking about both of these from here on out 😁

[@tsutchiex]

Every now and then you release a video that makes me rewatch it a couple of times to make sure I got most of It. Your simple and straight-to-the-heart language always make it so easy to resonate with people. Well, at least it does it for me. Anyway I think there's a lot of truth in what you said. A few years ago we had the "if you want to look like X athlete, train like an X athlete". Unfortunately I don't have time or energy to become an olympic gymnast and it's not possible to become a real Witcher (yet). But we can simulate and speculate on what would be the most useful practicesfor the average guy to get approximate results to their ideal person/character. If that motivates you better than many other things, do it! I also believe that many of us, while having 1-2 main passions/objectives, would like to acquire quite a few different skills. By training with a sword, running through forest and up the hills, doing calisthenics, etc you may not become the best swordfighter, best runner or best calisthenics guy, but you'll always be getting closer and closer to your ideal hero, your ideal you, that you can get. Thank you so much for all the wisdom, knowledge and motivation, Cody. I wish you a happy new year! Keep on keeping on!

[@thestonecircle]

Hey happy new year and I really appreciate the kind words so much!! So glad you liked this one! 🙂 You make a great point too, sometimes being good at a lot of different things makes for a much more exciting person than someone who is really good at only one thing!

[@gingerfloof777]

Stone Circle, Dash Rendar, Fandabi Dozi, all get you out and moving in nature.

[@thestonecircle]

I always look forward to Fandabi Dozi vids!

[@leonardoandrade471]

I think a lot about writing programs based on what fantasy classes would need and also with a zombie apocalypse focus, which are two lifelong obsessions of mine haha

[@thestonecircle]

Dude that's so badass haha. I've done the exact same thing with both :) surprisingly I've always found rogues to be the coolest, though my training has kinda wandered away from that a bit with all the heavy lifting and warrior stuff lol

[@toppersundquist]

I told my youngest about "Zombies, Run!" and he's gonna start using that to get into running once the snow melts. :D

[@thestonecircle]

@@toppersundquist I just looked it up, that's so cool!!

[@leonardoandrade471]

@ SAME with rogues, and I'm a stealth nut in the videogame world ahaha. I have a lot of thoughts about all this stuff that I should commit to writing eventually, but I'd only feel comfortable putting a program out there if I ran it for a while and got results from it first, so this is a whole other project for when I have more training time (work! 3 month old baby! moving house!)

[@leonardoandrade471]

@toppersundquist awesome stuff! Running is definitely part of the zombie survival equation. TBH a zombie apocalypse program would likely feature a lot of running, rucking and climbing stuff, with some calisthenics and sandbags thrown in, an rotational work to hit hard. Post-apocalypse physicality is lean and mean so you gotta be able to hit hard without that much mass to put behind it, at least until you have a settlement and food properly figured out

[@jahimuddin2306]

The best I felt with my training was when I was training like my friends who were student athletes. I was not an athlete but I pretended to be and I was super explosive, had great cardio and conditioning, and had great flexibility. Fast forward to when I built my home gym and began training like a powerlifter and bodybuilder, I slowly lost motivation. I train in a hybrid way now (“LARPing as an athlete” as a critical influencer has claimed) and I love it. I have zero chance of getting to the NBA or NFL, but I will train like I am the first overall pick.

[@Dwemerologist]

Bro sprints like an Elden Ring character

[@thestonecircle]

The best kind of compliment haha 💪

[@Icarus-I37]

I used to be an adventurer like you, until I took an arrow to the knee. Actually, I developed a genuine love of chopping wood and hauling logs for years, until I accidentally cleaved into my left shin. Now I'm LARPing as one of those Skyrim guards until I get access to some empty woods again. An alternative to trying to embody a character (which I do relate to) is seeing yourself as the warrior worth embodying. I like chopping wood, I like climbing walls, I like moving heavy weights. I like obstacle courses, running, sprinting, and fake swordfighting with real MA's. I am my character. I'm just also stuck in an office, or in the field for work, and under the crushing weight of this ridiculous economy.

[@thestonecircle]

Haha the Whiterun guards are the real heroes of the story if you ask me 😁 I really like that too, no need to imagine yourself as another character when you yourself are the main character already! I think that's why I kinda like thinking of general ideas, not Geralt but as an unknown witcher, not as Rollo but as an unnamed viking stuff like that. True too, it can be hard to let your mind wander to that place when money and paying rent is always such a huge concern

[@Icarus-I37]

@thestonecircle Exactly, and I have enjoyed developing the samurai within me like any ex-weeaboo/otaku, and I chose to learn Kenjutsu, and bought boken so that I could explore that, and later just used it as conditioning. Then I found axes as I mentioned, and found it cathartic for any generally-destructive feelings. Something that is seriously under-valued (as far as I can tell) is digging holes. I worked for a Basement & Foundation Servicing company and got my ass kicked by all the digging I needed to do, but the whole-body benefits to a full-length shovel, and surprisingly the hand-shovel were incredible. Trenching out 1.5-2ft depth to a minimum of 15ft distance from a home (primarily on your knees) is a crazy hip, pelvic-floor, back & core exercise. Not to mention doing the same, to a marginal depth, within a crawlspace.

[@thestonecircle]

@@Icarus-I37 Did you end up training at a gym for the Kenjutsu? I got a sword but never took it far enough to get into actual hema or anything like that. I tried but the club near me had a 3 year waitinglist, actually I think I'm still on it 4 years later haha. One summer I had to do a lot of digging and I know what you mean, I didn't have as much muscle then but I actually looked really good after a summer of that, out in the sun!

[@Icarus-I37]

@@thestonecircle I trained myself via books (and cannabis) at home. My eldest brother had started a LARPing thing across most of Florida that minimized weight and sword-padding, and emphasized the MA side of things. I wanted to stand a chance against the most experienced among those folk without busting any more knuckles, or taking excessive bruising.

[@thestonecircle]

@@Icarus-I37 That's awesome!

[@MrJpmckeon]

Awesome video and idea. I remember reading that Finn McCool and the Fianna could run full-speed under a branch placed at knee height…

[@thestonecircle]

Thank you! And to jump over a stick at eye level I think? Makes me want to go run and jump around :)

[@optictrap]

I've been semi-consciously doing this for the last 7 years. It works.

[@optictrap]

Well, let me add, only the first 3 steps.

[@thestonecircle]

Heck yeah that's awesome!! Glad it's been working for you too :)

[@danniseliger5172]

The inspirational parts of your content is by far the strongest. That doesn't mean that the sandbag or calisthenics content is weak by any stretch of the imagination. This stuff really sets you apart. If your ideas in this video are too far fetched for some people, they might just downgrade it a few notches... what abilities do I need to help my family in different imagined emergencies for example (physical capacities, skill sets etc) FYI I'm building a d&d like ranger. My stats and abilities are really bad for that though :)... so far

[@thestonecircle]

I really appreciate that!! I like making sandbag and calisthenics stuff, but I do have to say when the inspiration for something like this hits, I do always feel really proud of the videos 🙂 It's great when you start working on something and don't want to stop! That's a really great idea too I've definitely used that myself, the sandbag is someone attacking the family or something like that. That's awesome! I've always thought ranger and rogue types were the most badass, even though I've definitely been training more like a warrior class myself haha

[@brianbachmeier34]

Knowledge is spoken here.

[@thestonecircle]

Hey we meet again!!

[@brianbachmeier34]

@thestonecircle One of your best videos.

[@thestonecircle]

@@brianbachmeier34 Dang I really appreciate that!!

[@StopTheDamnTape]

Very cool concept, basically becoming some fantasy version of an inner bad ass. Getting out in nature and doing unplanned kinda shit like scaling cliffs, running across rocks etc feels like being a kid again, it’s exciting shit haha. I think it gives a way bigger mental hit than just picking stuff up in a climate controlled, “safe” gym type setting. I think it’s kinda cool too when you pick up a stone or something and you have no concept of the weight - you either can or can’t move it, and you might have to take a few approaches to succeed. Whereas in a gym knowing the weight of say a deadlift can make or break whether a person lifts it regardless of their actual strength level. Like I think everyone at some point has missed a heavy lift due to hesitance/anxiety/whatever just because they have that exact number that’s loaded on the bar in mind

[@thestonecircle]

Dude these are all great points! That's kinda my favorite thing about stone lifting, just you and the stone, no numbers attached or images of others who have lifted more to go along with it. Training outside really does feel like playing haha, I can't wait to see some videos sometime of you doing the rock running!

[@StopTheDamnTape]

@ I should really get some better shoes for it, like hiking boots or some shit… skate shoes aren’t ideal lol

[@StopTheDamnTape]

@@thestonecirclealso you’re right about the urge to just abandon all and head into the wilderness… that’s exactly how I felt out in the West Coast recently hahaha… I literally felt disappointed and depressed by regular life when I came back, such a buzzkill … nature is supreme

[@thestonecircle]

@@StopTheDamnTape Haha I imagine it would be extra tough if the shoes are moving around on you the whole time😁 Man it's such a good thing but it can also be so bad haha. It's awesome to get excited about it, but then realizing the reality of just taking off and what it means for survival and all that. It's always nature that gets me too

[@albintvbjorn2533]

I often think about how it would be to be a wandering warrior. It is my dream. I am a 16 year old swede and a philosopher and I love your videos Cody. Thank you!

[@thestonecircle]

There's something really appealing about the idea of living a hard life like that. Difficult and dangerous, but free, not bound by anyone else or 40 hour work weeks or whatever. Finding a sense of purpose. I'm sure the wanderer would dream of the comfort we have at times, but from where we are it's tough not to dream of the wandering life. Thanks for being here!

[@maxzhao8331]

a warrior in conflict would wish to live the simple peaceful life of a farmer, and the farmer in monotonous tasks of tedious work would wish for the challenge and freedom the warrior has

[@thestonecircle]

@@maxzhao8331 The grass is always greener!

[@naderrafi3577]

This is an awesome video and I really love the message that’s in it! :)

[@thestonecircle]

Thank you!!

[@crypto2frens]

great video - very creative - love it

[@thestonecircle]

Thank you I really appreciate it!

[@Nikoliukas]

I put on my gi twice a week and train in Judo at my local club dojo. It's a custom built dojo and looks like something from Japan, rather than a general purpose civic centre or sports hall. Really helps me to immerse myself in it!

[@ezradanger]

Haven't started the video yet, but love the Piccolo quote in the thumbnail.

[@thestonecircle]

Heck yeah one of my all time favorites!!

[@ezradanger]

"Look up and remember there's a moon, it's a great feeling, though it can be a dangerous one" Yeah, cause your pupil might transform into the mighty Ozaru lol

[@thestonecircle]

@@ezradanger Hahah oh man those early episodes were so good

[@ezradanger]

@@thestonecircle I've actually been rewatching the OG dub, and I'm currently on Namek. Namek Vegeta was so bad ass. I kind of wish he could have stayed as that sort of antihero character rather than being another Tien and Piccolo.

[@thestonecircle]

@@ezradanger That has to be my favorite saga in the whole series! Really everything up through the Frieza part i've probably seen 50 times haha

[@TM521HS]

Terrific video, as usual. I really resonate with the points you raised, and try to infuse them into my training. The character that gets me fired up is the chosen undead from dark souls, and i train to try be "like" them. I like this character especially since they embody resilience (dying over and over again, but not giving up). I work with sandbag (thanks to you) and calisthenics, but would love to implement clubs or maces one day.

[@afterzanzibar]

Your writing is evolving like a Pokemon! Good job, dude!

[@centralparkjoe1290]

Except for boxing I’m outside in Central Park working out!

[@thestonecircle]

Hey I saw the video you did with Juji, love your mindset!

[@centralparkjoe1290]

@ Likewise! Hopefully you and I can get together and workout!🤙

[@thestonecircle]

@@centralparkjoe1290 If I head that way I'll definitely reach out!

[@AnthonyQuevedo]

Cody Here's a workout program I made using your sandbag hypertrophy method. Combing wrestling training, grip work and a few tweaks for missing links, check it out! Analysis of Current Program Strength: Good: Sandbag lifts, squats, rows, and posterior chain work for wrestling-specific strength. Missing: Single-leg strength exercises (e.g., lunges, step-ups) to mimic takedowns and scrambles. Explosiveness: Good: Sandbag to shoulder and high pulls develop explosiveness. Missing: Plyometrics for lower and upper body power (broad jumps, clap push-ups). Endurance: Good: Wrestling stance drills simulate match intensity. Missing: Specific high-intensity intervals to build match-like endurance under fatigue. Mobility: Good: Recovery days emphasize stretching and mobility. Missing: Dynamic hip and shoulder mobility drills for better movement in matches. Core & Stability: Good: Core work (ab wheel, obliques) is included. Missing: Anti-rotational and dynamic core exercises like Pallof presses, med ball slams. Grip & Neck Strength: Good: Rice bucket drills and sandbag carries build grip. Neck curls and extensions are included. Missing: Wrestling-specific grip and neck strength, like towel pull-ups, resisted neck bridges. Refined Program Weekly Overview Monday: Sandbag Strength (Power & Control) + Grip Tuesday: Wrestling Stance + Calisthenics Circuit Wednesday: Recovery + Mobility Thursday: Sandbag Strength (Dynamic Movement) + Plyometrics Friday: Wrestling Stance Drills + Calisthenics Circuit Saturday: High-Intensity Wrestling Conditioning + Neck/Grip Sunday: Recovery Day-by-Day Breakdown Monday: Sandbag Strength (Power & Control) Sandbag to Shoulder: 5 x 3 per side (focus on explosive movement). Sandbag High Pull: 5 x 5. Sandbag Bear Hug Carry: 3 x max distance (60-90 seconds). Single-Leg Sandbag Step-Ups: 3 x 8 per leg. Posterior Chain: Band Good Mornings: 100 reps. Grip Work: Sandbag holds: 3 x 45 seconds. Tuesday: Wrestling Stance & Motion + Calisthenics Circuit Wrestling Stance Drills (15-20 minutes): Shadow Wrestling: 5 x 2-minute rounds. Band-Resisted Stance Work: 4 x 1-minute intervals. Hand Fighting Drills: 3 x 2 minutes. Calisthenics Circuit (10-Down Scheme): Wide-Grip Pull-Ups. Dips. Hanging Leg Raises. Pike Push-Ups. Neck Work: Resisted Neck Flexion: 4 x 25. Neck Bridge Hold: 3 x 30 seconds. Wednesday: Recovery + Mobility Dynamic Mobility Drills: Hip CARs (Controlled Articular Rotations): 2 x 10 per leg. Shoulder CARs: 2 x 10 per side. Deep Squat Holds: 3 x 30 seconds. Active Recovery: Light jogging, swimming, or walking for 20-30 minutes. Thursday: Sandbag Strength (Dynamic Movement) + Plyometrics Sandbag Clean & Press: 5 x 3 reps. Sandbag Rotational Throws: 3 x 10 per side (focus on explosiveness). Sandbag Squat: 3 x 10. Plyometric Circuit: Broad Jumps: 3 x 10. Clap Push-Ups: 3 x 8. Posterior Chain: Hamstring Curls (Band or Stability Ball): 3 x 15. Friday: Wrestling Stance Drills + Calisthenics Circuit Stance & Motion Drills (15-20 minutes): Shadow Wrestling with Resistance Band: 5 x 1 minute. Sprawls with Light Resistance: 3 x 10. Calisthenics Circuit (5-3-2 Scheme): Pull-Ups, Dive Bomber Push-Ups, Hanging Leg Raises. Repeat 5 rounds. Grip Work: Towel Pull-Ups: 3 x max. Farmer’s Carries: 3 x 60 seconds. Saturday: High-Intensity Wrestling Conditioning + Neck/Grip Wrestling-Specific Conditioning (Intervals): 6 x 30-second live bursts (shadow wrestling, grappling drills). Rest 30 seconds between rounds. Sandbag Bear Hug Sprints: 4 x 20 seconds (rest 90 seconds). Grip Finisher: Rice Bucket Work: 5 minutes. Neck Work: Bridging with Resistance: 3 x 20 seconds. Sunday: Recovery + Optional Mobility Light stretching and foam rolling. Optional stance and motion drills (low intensity). Key Additions Single-Leg Work: Step-ups mimic takedowns and enhance stability. Plyometrics: Broad jumps and clap push-ups build explosive power. High-Intensity Intervals: Simulate match conditions under fatigue. Dynamic Mobility: Improve movement efficiency and reduce injury risk. Advanced Grip Work: Towel pull-ups and farmer’s carries for match-level grip strength.

[@thebodykeepsthescore2828]

Dude, piss off with all that😂

[@thestonecircle]

Looks great 💪

[@MythosMen]

I think it's pretty fire, well thought out🔥

[@1igonin]

Amazing video and motivation once again :) As an idealist with a great imagination, I cannot stress enough the importance of imagination to fuel progress, the right brain fueling the left one ;) but as an idealist I find hard to stick to a single vision/hero/way as almost everything I see will fire me up, make me design a plan but then I usually don´t stick to it because I become fired up by another thing (I really find joy in the process of planning things, more than materializing them, as I´m a INTJ personality type - the mastermind/architect like Bruce Wayne, Dr. Strange or Tony Stark lool). I can only stick to a single plan and vision if I isolate myself from potential interferences or triggers of imagination, but then again, the plan I can stick to must have a creative or free element to it, as boring/constant ones will not cut it. Thus, as for myself I must idealize a vision/hero aim and engage in a creative/adaptable plan and isolate myself from interferences (the more I envision the goal permanently the best I can stick to it and not be distracted, self intense engagement is key to not astray from plan). Final note: as you see, Yujiro Hanma is one of my inspirations ahah.

[@Mavnels10]

Yay! nerdy fitness!

[@thestonecircle]

Nothing else like it :)

[@nunchukGun]

I'm LARPing as someone who needs a nap 🥲

[@thestonecircle]

Haha gotta get those sleep gains :)

[@normalusername5223]

6:25 the leaves fluttering here is kino

[@thestonecircle]

I got so lucky with a few of the shots up there, every once in a while the wind would really pick up on the autumn leaves, it was like being in another world!

[@woman_king_strength]

I am all about this, this rules.

[@thestonecircle]

Thank you!! Hope this gives a little bit of motivation for you on your epic journey! 💪

[@jjmassey2906]

I like to put on some Heilung and imagine I’m doing something crucial for the Viking boat I’m on, the reps and sets simply are how many of my chores are needed for the journey, helps it feel slightly more epic

[@toppersundquist]

Approximately one forever ago, my "LARP character" was Vegeta. Not because I was the BEST by birthright, but because... I was never the best. There was always someone better. And no matter how hard I worked my ass off, there'd STILL always be someone better. Sadly, I never had the drive to really push myself, so it mostly existed in my imagination with no real-world application of your theory. :D I'm a lot older now (like, grey hair and sciatica), so I'm trying to think of a more appropriate LARPxercise theme.

[@thestonecircle]

Oh man Vegeta always gets me so amped up to train too! I've always been the same, never the best, but I'll try as hard as I can to improve! Moving onto the Master Roshi phase :) wise with all kinds of hidden strength

[@panzerfaust127]

Thanks for your inspiration brother.💪

[@thestonecircle]

Hey thanks for being here brother! 💪

[@joefitzpatrick7405]

Good stuff bro👍

[@martinmallet]

I want to be buff because if I run out of mana I don't run out of options (Denken FTW)

[@thestonecircle]

That's so good haha

[@danielcastel3000]

Two questions. One Do you ever use a lifting belt on your heavier lifts? Two, do you use a mace for core strength? If so, how often do you use it?

[@thestonecircle]

Hey I used a lifting belt when I did any kind of heavy barbell exercises but I don't when lifting sandbags. I've been using a training sword as a mace substitute for a while, but I've been neglecting it this last month while I'm busy moving. I plan on getting an actual mace once I'm settled in though!

[@Swivelsonwheels]

Good 💡 ideas👌

[@calvinunroe2462]

Man you are right I feel like leaving my dumb job and just going. My wife and five kids would be the problem. I did that when I was 18 and joined the military

[@thestonecircle]

It's so tough when it feels like you spend most of your time at a meaningless job, just going through the motions. I did it in 2017, sold everything to live in an RV in the woods and eventually on a ranch. It was pretty great haha, ended up back in the city though.

[@calvinunroe2462]

@thestonecircle yeah that's awesome at least we can say we did what we really wanted to for once

[@pepeperez6821]

First, I just realized you look like Jimmy Carter. Second, love the video.

[@thestonecircle]

Haha I wonder if it's the nose, I just looked up some pictures and felt a strange resemblance 😁 really glad you liked it!!

[@spookazz]

perfect, just what i needed to return to my heathen ways

[@thestonecircle]

"Too many times has moon travelled across the sky Since our fathers sailed out for glory and honor It's time to fulfill the vow once given Forge your plows to swords send the word Raise an army countless as stars in the sky All heathen hearts Answer the call God of thunder bless our swords Our heathen horde Will never fall We are hungry for blood steel and war" It's gonna be an Ensiferum kinda training day today :)

[@semperliberi]

Level 5: I think I just solved my gym clothes problem.

[@thestonecircle]

Hahah heck yes, time to bring back tunics and leg wraps :)

[@nickearls2381]

Used to think I was just a weirdo listening to my Dragonball Z and video game music while I lifted, but then I saw NFL players doing kamehameha touchdown dances and realized there's more of us out there 😂. It always worked for me for powerlifting for 20 years now, lately have thrown in Lord of the Rings music too.

[@MichaelCHO-tl6di]

Imagine being an awesome hero, but not being able to carry someone out of danger... doesn't make so much sense Or fighting hordes of evil enemies and running out of stamina after 5 min... lame Saving someone falling of a cliff, but no grip strength? ... I don't think so Awesome video, I enjoy what you call Larping since I can remember, but haven't integrated that into my training so much, that's a great reminder 🤠

[@thestonecircle]

Great points!! Training to be useful in cool scenarios like that really is motivating. Not just doing pullups to build the back, pullups to build the back and to scale a mountain or pull someone up from the ledge! I'm glad you liked this one :)

[@marklundgreenkiss299]

Workout program for Mage build? 😂 And i just asked about you still doing sword training in your last video what a timing!

[@chengyuanchou9921]

Nice video ❤❤❤

[@thestonecircle]

Thank you! ❤❤❤

[@jculbert2221]

Hey don't @ me like this😅... I started competing in strongman for the social aspect, and for goals to chase... But I'd be lying if I don't get a bit of a "power fantasy" out of it too.... I live in the bush, I cut and move firewood all year, and I DO train in my driveway in the summer... But maybe I'll haul a couple of natural stones out in the back 40 and see how it feels. 💪

[@thestonecircle]

Haha heck yeah man strongman is just straight up badass, how could you NOT feel like some kind of powerful warrior!! That's awesome you're already so connected to the land

[@Stay_Hated]

Lately Dan Davis’s Godborn series has been my shit. It’s a retelling of the Herakles legend but it is set in the bronze age Eurasian steppe. I dont pre workout; I put on the wolf skin and go out into the wilds to survive.

[@thestonecircle]

I've never actually read that one I'll have to check it out!! I went through every witcher audiobook at work over the last year, and finished my favorite series the kingkiller chronicle too. KZbin recommended me the mistborn series so I've been relistening to that for the first time in nearly a decade and really enjoying it, I forgot most of it. Looks like Godborn will be next!

[@Stay_Hated]

@ the Witcher stuff has been on my radar a while now so Ill have to get started on that next. Dan only has two books done so far in the series- Godborn and Thunderer but they were great reads. He has a youtube channel dedicated to hard history behind the books as well so if your into history its worth a look. He also has a series about an immortal vampire knight thats awesome as well. Dude fights in the crusades, goes to Mongolia during their empire, fights in the 100 years war,- all sorts of stuff.

[@thestonecircle]

@@Stay_Hated That sounds so awesome!!

[@lionforlambs9167]

I like it What are ur thoughts on visualisation/meditation

[@danniseliger5172]

Sound improvement no? I like it

[@thestonecircle]

Yes! I saved up all year for those black friday sales, got myself the sm7b with the scarlet 2i2 and a cloudlifter. I can't believe how good it sounds! And I wasn't even talking into the microphone right, I kept moving to the side haha. Very excited for the upgrade :)

[@NilsSealls-fk4xz]

Brother, where can I buy the pants you wear here 5:00?, by the way, very good video! 💯

[@thestonecircle]

Hey thank you! Those are the Dickies canvas carpenter duck pants. You can get them from walmart for pretty cheap, I've been wearing them for years! They're not really fit for lifters, I have to size up a few sizes to make room for the muscle, but with a belt they end up being great

[@Jeff-Larryson]

Great vid. I need workout partners like you.

[@thestonecircle]

Thank you! Oh man I can only imagine the gains with two badass hero characters training together 🙂

[@Jeff-Larryson]

@ Agreed! my brother gave me the sword of omen from thunder cats. But it’s heavy with no edge. It’s for mace training. I dont know the company that makes them and I can’t find where he bought it. But it’s a great training tool. I also have the Atlantean Conan sword that I put a heavy handle on. That coupled with a 36” Viking shield is a great workout.

[@thestonecircle]

@Jeff-Larryson that has to be the best gift ever!! I have a (kinda) heavy training sword and it's so fun. A Conan sword and a viking shield sounds like the best kind of training day 🙂

[@TheOakenwulf]

Agreed.

[@thestonecircle]

Glad you liked it!

[@dannywolfstrongman]

very good

[@thestonecircle]

Thanks Danny!

[@theodoricthegoth4027]

I’m in a good place

[@thestonecircle]

I'm glad you're here :)

[@bce6936]

hell yeah anabolic fomo

[@thestonecircle]

Haha yes!

[@salinawad1034]

sick

[@thestonecircle]

Glad you liked it!

[@JensVanDeAarde]

i work as a landscaper we lift heavy shit every day no gym needed