Newbie - Newbie in Dallas/Fort Worth

Newbie in Dallas/Fort Worth

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Category: Nasgaweb Forums
Forum Name: Newbie
Forum Discription: This forum is for those new to Highland Games athletics and looking for ways to get started.
URL: http://www.nasgaweb.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17251
Printed Date: 3/26/26 at 10:26pm
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Topic: Newbie in Dallas/Fort Worth

Posted By: KittensNKettlebells
Subject: Newbie in Dallas/Fort Worth
Date Posted: 12/11/15 at 10:49pm

Hi everyone! So I've been weightlifting (my weights aren't high yet, but higher than they were when I started!) off and on for about two years. Last year right after I had knee surgery (sad face) my husband and I went to a local Highland Games/Scottish Fair. The games looked like SO much fun! I had wanted to do a strong man competition, but changed my mind to Highland Games. And... my husband looks good in a kilt :D But going there also influenced my husband to start looking into our ancestry (British, Scottish, and Irish) but that's unrelated :)

After I completed physical therapy, I slowly started back with kettlebells and have since been doing startbodyweight.com routine 2x a week, kettlebells once a week a with cardio/yoga most of the rest of the days.

I feel like I've completely recovered from surgery (arthroscopy/torn meniscus in mid-April) and am ready to start training for a Highland Games, but have no idea where to start. I live in a small apartment making storing implements difficult and am having problems finding a local group to train with. I know I can look up workout programs to help, but really want to practice the events too. Does anyone know of a local group? I've googled and have come up empty, but will start emailing people associated with local games too.

What has everyone else done to train and prepare? Can't wait to learn more!

Replies:

Posted By: TomLawrence
Date Posted: 12/13/15 at 10:16am

You are in a good area of the country. The TCAA is there: http://txceltics.org/" rel="nofollow - http://txceltics.org/

The website is a little out of date at the moment, but the contact form probably still works fine. Also several of the Texas Heavies frequent this board, and one of them will likely chime in any time now that you've made yourself known.

As far as the events, visit here: http://www.nasgaweb.com/getstart.asp" rel="nofollow - http://www.nasgaweb.com/getstart.asp

And several of us like this: http://hgcontrarianapproach.com/" rel="nofollow - http://hgcontrarianapproach.com/
The book and DVD set is worth it for starting out right and not beginning with bad habits or injuries. Also don't neglect YouTube.

For equipment, I'd recommend Old Celt Equipment or Landrich Power Systems (just do a Google search) if you don't find local folks to throw with in the near term who have it. Equipment is expensive (all relative. of course), but generally you only have to buy it once.

Other than that it's getting stronger and more technically proficient. Find a strength training program that works for you and work on good throws as much as your body can tolerate. This can be a punishing sport.

The best advice I was given when I started was, "There is no amount of not throwing that will make you a better thrower. Now go throw."

Tom

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Aim high. Stay hungry.