Hidden Weakness: Prince Rupert’s Drop

November 3, 2021 | By

The art of glass blowing is incredible. It’s truly a mesmerizing process that requires a perfect blend of technical precision and artistic vision. And much like other forms of art, there are numerous techniques that glass blowers use to create their works of art. One of these techniques involves dropping a small amount of molten glass into cool water, thus creating what is known as a Prince Rupert’s Drop. The chemical reactions that take place due to this process leaves a tear drop shaped piece of glass that can withstand a hammer strike and even a fired bullet. Kind of crazy when you think about it.

However, this Prince Rupert’s Drop has a glaring weakness hidden inside its tail. Though the majority of its structure is resilient to any blunt force contact, just a slight bend of the tail will leave the whole thing shattered into a fine dust of glass particles. A seemingly sturdy object with a miniscule weakness that can render it useless.

When I learned of this completely useless fact for most of the world’s population, I couldn’t help but think of injuries and dysfunctions in the gym. So many of us have seemingly sturdy and healthy bodies when viewed from an aesthetic standpoint. Some of us may also believe that we are stronger than your average person and we might even be correct in this assumption. But ultimately we could very well be one deadlift away from being broken. A lift from the ground without a proper brace or a rounded back could render us broken and receiving physical therapy for the next 5 months. It could all happen that fast.

The fact of the matter is that we all have these hidden weaknesses inside of us, whether we are aware of them or not. We have built up tendencies and dysfunctions both physically and mentally that we harbor inside. We are one moment away from being broken no matter how strong we are but I want you to let these words be inspiring. An inspiration to remain vigilant in the small and seemingly mundane.

Things like quality sleep, stretching, bracing before a lift, spending time in nature, therapy, etc. Small things that contribute to your overall physical and mental health but are often neglected. We will always have our weak points no matter how strong we get. So the best we can do is try to minimize their exposure by giving them the attention they require.

P.S. Go watch ‘Blown Away’ on Netflix. It’s a series covering a glass blowing competition and its pretty cool.

11/3/21 WOD

DEUCE ATHLETICS GPP

Complete 4 rounds for quality of:

40 Yard Sandbag Carry
10-15 Inverted Row

Then, complete 3 rounds of the following:

AMRAP 5
10 Hand Release Pushups
15 Goblet Squats (45,30)

 **Each round begins with a 60 Yard DB Farmer Carry

 Rest :90 between rounds

DEUCE GARAGE GPP

6-6-6-6
Barbell Bent Over Row

Then, complete 3 rounds for quality of:

8 Bar Dips
8-10 Ab Wheel Roll outs

Then, complete 4 rounds of the following for reps:

In :90…

250/200m Row
Max Devils Press (40/25)
-Rest :90-

Colton was born and raised in Newbury Park, Ca, where his love for sports and movement started at a young age. It was apparent from a young age that baseball would be the vehicle that would lead him to playing collegiately for the University of San Diego and later professionally when he was drafted by the Minnesota Twins. After numerous injuries and surgeries, he had to medically retire from baseball but luckily he found a community and home at DEUCE Gym as a student. Not long after he received a challenge from Logan and encouragement from other coaches to join coach’s prep and begin his new journey in fitness. Now hungry as ever, Colton continues to grow as a young coach. Utilizing his experience as a high level athlete and his understanding of primal and functional movements, he strives to make training in the gym as transferable to an individual’s life as possible. Leading from a place of love and connection, Colton understands that training isn’t always about the fitness but it is always about the person.