Gym/Exercise Thread

[yubb]

Free weights use the stabilizing muscles so they have some advantages over the machines in that respect.

Nothing beats a squat or deadlift. It works so many muscles.

Pushups also work shoulders.

[columbia]

I need some good advice...

Goal: building up/toning my upper body

Limitations: Not interested in going to the gym or having a weight bench in my apartment

So....

I suppose a small selection of dumb bells (aside from me) could do it, but how about resistance bands?
Particularly interested in something that I can use for about 1/2 hour every day while I watch the news or catch a hockey game.

thx

[meecrofilm]

Free weights use the stabilizing muscles so they have some advantages over the machines in that respect.

Nothing beats a squat or deadlift. It works so many muscles.

Pushups also work shoulders.

Only problem with squats is most people don't do them correctly (i.e. go down too far), which can really mess up your knees as you get older.

[Godric]

I need some good advice...

Goal: building up/toning my upper body

Limitations: Not interested in going to the gym or having a weight bench in my apartment

So....

I suppose a small selection of dumb bells (aside from me) could do it, but how about resistance bands?
Particularly interested in something that I can use for about 1/2 hour every day while I watch the news or catch a hockey game.

thx

Balance ball + free weights


TRX, Resistance bands... they all work

[obhave]

After a knee injury set back, I have finally upped my mileage I can do in one run. I am up to 9 miles now. I'm getting closer and closer to my half marathon goal. Running outside this past 1.5 weeks has been brutal, though...

[PensFanInDC]

I'm taking my certification exam in 4 weeks. Hopefully by the end of February I'll be a certified personal trainer...

[Rylan]

I need some good advice...

Goal: building up/toning my upper body

Limitations: Not interested in going to the gym or having a weight bench in my apartment

So....

I suppose a small selection of dumb bells (aside from me) could do it, but how about resistance bands?
Particularly interested in something that I can use for about 1/2 hour every day while I watch the news or catch a hockey game.

thx

TRX or just plain bodyweight workouts would tone your muscles nicely. I prefer TRX workouts because they generally shred me quickly.

[largegarlic]

What are the thoughts on Tough Mudder races? I've been asked to join a team for the Pittsburgh-area one in August. After looking at some of the obstacles, I'm not sure. Some (like the electroshock ones) seem purely and unnecessarily masochistic.

[legame]

So I separated my shoulder 2 weeks ago... Grade II AC joint. I'm back to running, but what do you think the time frame is for lifting/what can and can't I do? I'm just now able to lift my arm straight ahead and above my head and can't really lift it more than a quarter of the way to my side.

[JS©]

The electroshock one I heard feels like a small sting and not like you're getting tased. I'm probably doing that same one with people from work too, depending on whether we get a large enough group. Don't want to be that guy who tags along with an unknown group for an entire race.

What I have on my radar this year

5/4/13: Pittsburgh Half-Marathon*. Holding off until I get a good distance run in. Nothing like dropping a hundy on a race that you can't run. Gonna attempt two runs outside this week since it will be 60 on Monday and Tuesday, and that should give me an idea where I am.
6/22/13: Hilly Billy Roubaix (70 mi bike race), registration opens on Thursday.
8/5/13: Warrior Dash Ohio II - basically doing this so I can get my fifth one under my belt and I can retire under a notable number
8/25/13: Tough Mudder Pittsburgh (see comments about work)
9/29/13: Great Race Pittsburgh (10k) registered

There's a Mud On The Mountain that was also kicked around by those at work. Not sure on the date, and I haven't even checked the prices, but see notes on the Mudder. This one is a little closer to home, so I might be able to drag people along.

[Loaf31]

I started Rushfit yesterday...... Wow am I sore today

[yubb]

What are the thoughts on Tough Mudder races? I've been asked to join a team for the Pittsburgh-area one in August. After looking at some of the obstacles, I'm not sure. Some (like the electroshock ones) seem purely and unnecessarily masochistic.

The electroshock is a gimmick. Some people say it really hurts. I liken it to a strong static electricity shock. In all, I think it's a waste of an obstacle. The obstacles aren't usually very hard. The half pipe was deceptively easy. The hardest one was "Carry your wood".

I haven't committed to the Pittsburgh Tough Mudder since they haven't revealed the location. I'm kinda put off by the whole series though, due to the "fluff". I'm definitely doing the Mud on the Mountain again. It's going to be tough to top the winter event, though.

[yubb]

Free weights use the stabilizing muscles so they have some advantages over the machines in that respect.

Nothing beats a squat or deadlift. It works so many muscles.

Pushups also work shoulders.

Only problem with squats is most people don't do them correctly (i.e. go down too far), which can really mess up your knees as you get older.

There, of course, are a few different schools of thought on that. I didn't know, so I looked it up.

http://www.builtlean.com/2011/12/12/how-deep-should-you-squat/

That link indicates it's not too bad to do a deep squat. I have a torn ACL in my left knee and I don't notice any pain or tension. I notice pain and tension when doing frog jumps, however.

[JS©]

What are the thoughts on Tough Mudder races? I've been asked to join a team for the Pittsburgh-area one in August. After looking at some of the obstacles, I'm not sure. Some (like the electroshock ones) seem purely and unnecessarily masochistic.

The electroshock is a gimmick. Some people say it really hurts. I liken it to a strong static electricity shock. In all, I think it's a waste of an obstacle. The obstacles aren't usually very hard. The half pipe was deceptively easy. The hardest one was "Carry your wood".

I haven't committed to the Pittsburgh Tough Mudder since they haven't revealed the location. I'm kinda put off by the whole series though, due to the "fluff". I'm definitely doing the Mud on the Mountain again. It's going to be tough to top the winter event, though.

How big is the half pipe? I used to skate mostly mini ramp (< 7 ft) but would occasionally skate the bigger ramps (10-12 ft) if we went to a park or to a friend's house. Getting up the transition of the mini was never an issue, and even the full half wasn't that bad. And yes, there were many a day where there was somebody who tracked mud onto the ramp, which made dropping in sometimes sketchy, but that's an entirely different discussion.

Think we had this discussion before, but I'm guessing some people like the fluff of the military-like motivation to get them through the course. I can take it or leave it. Actually, having been through it for most of my life (although to a lesser degree since I was Navy), I could do without it.

[PensFanInDC]

Free weights use the stabilizing muscles so they have some advantages over the machines in that respect.

Nothing beats a squat or deadlift. It works so many muscles.

Pushups also work shoulders.

Only problem with squats is most people don't do them correctly (i.e. go down too far), which can really mess up your knees as you get older.

There, of course, are a few different schools of thought on that. I didn't know, so I looked it up.

http://www.builtlean.com/2011/12/12/how-deep-should-you-squat/

That link indicates it's not too bad to do a deep squat. I have a torn ACL in my left knee and I don't notice any pain or tension. I notice pain and tension when doing frog jumps, however.

Under load I wouldn't do a squat past 90 degrees without already having really flexible tibialis anterior which would take some tension off the knee. With no added load then squat to your heart's content...

[Idoit40fans]

After a week of only one run, I resume my quest to get back to the 20 minute 5k tonight.

[yubb]

Tough to say on the half pipe. It looks high, but when I ran it, I got up effortlessly (relatively). The only people that had difficulties were those that were not quite fit and overweight (no ball busting). I'd guess is was at least 8' high. You probably run up 3- or 4', plus your height (just under 6') so that's easily 10' right there. Once you have your hand on the lip, no worries. And if you can't make it there are 40,000 on the top there to help (teamwork, blah!).

[yubb]

When doing squats I try to get to parallel and keep my butt stuck out. I always aim for a deep range of motion in all exercises (bench press, pull up, etc.) I don't like to cheat just to get extra weight in.

[PensFanInDC]

Depends on what kind of squat too. Deadlift squats are generally not as deep as others and you keep the knees behind the toes.

[Idoit40fans]

I try not to bend my knees past 45 degrees no matter what.

[PensFanInDC]

Some trainers say never let your knees go past your toes, some say it's okay to whenever. Mechanically speaking it's impossible not to allow your knees to come forward when squatting under load but it's all about control. Squatting might be the most incorrectly performed exercise.

[yubb]

Creatine: love the effects on my lift and muscle, hate the effects on my run. I figured my runs have suffered because 1) I don't run as much and 2) I weigh 10 lbs. more than I usually do.

[MelicharSux]

I lost 6lbs last month. 10-15 more to go until the cruise in mid-April.

[yubb]

Sounds like you're right on track! Nice work.

[CERV96]

So on my adventure that was Mario Lemieux fantasy camp my team captain was none other than Gary Roberts. So I asked him a few questions about my training and supplements that I was taking.

He said that my plan was only good for loosing weight really fast and should only be done maybe once or twice in a lifetime. Which pretty much means do not do it.

I was taking muscle milk light throughout the duration of my routine. He said to stay away from that stuff and suggested bio steel. I know that is his current sales pitch but the stuff is really good. They fed it to us the whole camp and love the taste.

www.biosteel.com

I asked him if he cheats? Absolutly, he cheats twice a week and is a sucker for ice cream. Also on vacations and events like we just attended.

Even on his off days he does do yoga or some form of light workout.

He is 100% organic as well he eats lots of fruit and vedgetables. Good carbs not bad. He does not count calories as much as some would think.

And yes lots of fiji water in case you all were wondering.