particle or wave?

I have the goods on the stretch bands.  NB: these are ballpark weight/tensions.  Gonna say the error margin is +/— ten pounds.  Resistance grows as the band gets longer, there is a good bit of resistance variation in the age of the band, manufacturer etc.  Not to mention our instrument was a bathroom scale from Target. And there's always the observer effect.  I quickly realized this is a calculus (if not quantum) question.  I barely got out of trig alive and my brother is the physicist who no longer follows the blog.  So, if you find these to be off, well then they're off.  Im just trying to help.  Henceforth I will assume these are rough estimates of the resistance in American pounds. Even if it is a big fudge.  The world is not perfect.  Sometimes you put your shoe on and it has a rock in it.  If someone learns more and/or better about this, please tell us.  Consult with your doctor before beginning any exercise plan.

It's helpful to know the (a) tension value of a given band b/c on dynamic days the program calls for a certain percentage of straight weight and a certain value of "accommodating resistance"--weight that gets heavier in the easier (top) part of the movement.  Bands and chains do this very well.  Assume a 5ft length of 5/8in chain weighs 20lbs, about a pound a link.  If you have different chain, put it on the scale.  Make a note of the number, divide by # of links so you know many links to leave on the ground if you desire less than the poundage in an entire length.  Assume bands give you the values I list below. And always remember that you're usually using two bands (one a side) so you have to double the value.  If you fold the band for length or fit, of course, now thats Two bands to fight against. And those two will usually be at the higher end of the range b/c the band is already engaged, so to speak.

Left to right.  Orange, the so-called "mini band": 15-20lbs.  Black: "monster mini" 1/2in, 20-40lbs.  Purple 3/4in 30-50 lbs. [7/8in bands are common, they come in all colors, they go about 35-55lbs] Red 1in 40-70. Small blue: 1 and 1/8in, 45-80lbs.  Big blue: 1 and 3/4 in, 50-120lbs.
  
obviously, you want to pay more attention to width than color.  Colors are very often concomitant with these weights but they are in no way universal.  Spend enough time with them and you will know them by feel.  Don't get too hung up on what is essentially an immeasurable value.  Call it close enough and train.  What's most important anyway is speed, moving the bar with power.  If you're getting stuck, you have too much band or chain.  Hope this helps.  Your thoughts always welcome.

Housekeeping:  Day 120.  Feeling great, training hard.  Thom McGuane has a sweet story in Sept 10 NEW YORKER.  Today: 100 thrusters at #55 in 8:58.  Huge jump for me.  Followed it up with a good bit of ab work--hollow holds, bosu ball crunches. (yes. bosu ball and crunches and hammer curls oh my)  I sense that our collective blog enthusiasm is waning, or maybe im projecting.  Anybody had it yet?  happy (more or less) to continue but not in an echo chamber. I already have a workout log.  Very happy to have the no-posters along.  Very happy.  maybe just a "hey" once a month just so we/I know who's still out there.  If it's just cope and CIP and me posting as my wife, I'd rather send a group email.  Please advise.

Have you heard about the midnight rambler, the one you never seen before?

To be stupid, selfish and healthy are the three requirements of happiness, though if stupidity is lacking, all is lost.  —Flaubert.