Gym/Exercise Thread

[mac5155]

Some of the best workouts i have ever done have been a dumbbell circuit where I just go back to back exercises for 10-15 min. Always get a good pulse and sweat real good.

[PenguinSteve-o]

I play hockey 1-2 times a week.
Bball 1-2 times a week.
Gym 1-2 times a week. (I run mostly, maybe swim, and light weights mostly all upper body.)
5'9 185 lbs.

[JS©]

i can't seem to get into running for the sake of running. i'm not sure why, but it's just something i never could do, so I play racquetball for an hour and a half every monday, wednesday, and friday... hell of a good cardio workout.

I just started running again....somewhat. Oddly enough, it's only when I go home on a weekend. I'll pack some stuff into the car and then go for 4-5 mi. I need to get up to 8-9 mi by May. Forced myself into a half marathon in Cbus. No chance of winning, so it's just a matter of finishing and/or not ending with an embarrassing time. My goal is roughly 2hrs.

[legame]

I usually run 4 days and bike/elliptical 2 days per week. I split my lifting into chest/tris, back/bis/forearms, shoulders, legs, and straight arm days. I'm about 6'1" and 188ish, which is down from about 205-210 in college when I could eat all day and keep weight on.

[tifosi77]

I'm big into the various P90X programs from Beachbody. Have Classic, P90X+ and P90X2. On the second week of my second round of Classic, before heading into X2 in March. What I like about it is you don't need to go to a gym, everything can be done at home.

My big issue, as some of you may have guessed, is a rather blasé attitude towards proper nutrition.....

My buddy at work is big into Crossfit and works out at (and competes for) a 'box' (gym) in WeHo called BRICK. He is, to put it mildly, a bit of a fitness nut. I've known him for a little over two years and where he was at then is largely where I'd like to end up as my goal. Now, he's considerably fitter and stronger thanks to xfit.

Has anyone tried Weight Watchers for Men speaking of diets?

My buddy was on it last year and he said it was the easiest diet to follow of about 4-5 he tried. Said you get specific point values and everything from Big Macs to Bud Lights are accounted for.

I did regular WW several years ago and lost 20 pounds in like four months. It's a pretty easy program to stick with and have success.

.....bowflex selectechs......

What's your opinion on those? I'd love to get a dumbell system that allows easy changes in weights, but don't have nearly the space for two sets of individual 'bells from 5# - 100#. They're pricey as heck, tho, and the bar itself seems a little awkward in its size. But I guess you're paying for convenience more than anything.

Change your workout every month. Do a routine until you plateau then switch what you do. You will shock your body all over again and see more steady results.

This is the theory behind the way the P90X workouts are structured. Constantly challenge your body with new movements.

Personally, I think at least half the benefit of this approach is that it keep your brain engaged and prevents you from getting bored and quitting.

[mac5155]

Tif the selectechs are awesome. Honestly I could get away with them and an incline bench and do almost a full body workout.

If you bought the dumbbells all separate they would run you like $800. It's nice cause I can incline bench 45, curl 35, and my GF can do her squats with 10 and curls with 15.

[Idoit40fans]

Is she a girlfriend, fiance, or a wife? I swear you were engaged.

[MelicharSux]

So I did the running thing today. Ran for 2 minutes, walked for 1.5 minutes for 25 or so minutes. I forgot how bad I hate treadmills. I get some crazy pain in my shins. Maybe I need to actually buy a running shoe? Any recommendations?

[crokin]

So I did the running thing today. Ran for 2 minutes, walked for 1.5 minutes for 25 or so minutes. I forgot how bad I hate treadmills. I get some crazy pain in my shins. Maybe I need to actually buy a running shoe? Any recommendations?

KSwiss tubes, what I wear. Great shoes.

[crokin]

^^^^They also are Penguin colors.

[steelhammer]

Sunday: Lower body, back, traps, abs, grip
Monday: Pressing, triceps, shoulder, abs
Tuesday: Heavy sprints on bike trainer
Wednesday: Lower body, back, chin ups, traps, abs, grip
Thursday: Heavy sprints on bike trainer
Friday: Pressing, triceps, shoulders, abs
Saturday: Heavy sprints on bike trainer

I'm recovering from a shoulder injury, but the above is my current workout template. I do a lot of unilateral lifts, plyo and olympic lifts for my legs. When my shoulder heals ups I'll start doing weighted dips and weighted pull ups again. Also do a lot of stuff during my lunch break at work so it helps cut down on my time at the gym. Play ice hockey 1-2 times a week and when the weather is good I substitute the work on the bike trainer for mtn biking. Can't rock climb anymore due to the shoulder

In the past I used to train Westside for powerlifting, survived the Smolov squat program, supersquats (still do 20 reps sets on 1-legged press) and did 5-3-1. Not really into lifting for heavy singles as much these days though.

[Idoit40fans]

^^^^They also are Penguin colors.

So what is that going to do to the likelihood that he hurts himself running?

[MelicharSux]

Thinking about getting the Nike Free 2's?

[Idoit40fans]

I wear some $40 FILA shoes to run in. They do the job well. I am thinking about getting running shoes soon though since i'm running a good amount every week. I may have someone get them for me for my birthday in April.

[IrishEyes]

I wish cardio worked for me. Being on beta blockers means my heart rate doesn't go up very much, if at all. As for working out, no lie, Just Dance for the Wii. It's fun.

To be honest, I've lost a lot of weight I'm the past few months just by not eating after supper. It's amazing to me.

[crokin]

I've heard good things about westside, never tried it.

I loved, just thought it was great, the 1st month of 5-3-1. Second cycle I'm not getting any pump whatsoever, but I will stick with it through 3 cycles, as I am going to change my supplementary exercises.

I just want to get consistently solid workouts, I don't care if I increase my lifts, just as long as I leave with a good pump, I am good.

[mac5155]

Is she a girlfriend, fiance, or a wife? I swear you were engaged.

Fiancée that I still refer to as girlfriend out of habit.

[mac5155]

So I did the running thing today. Ran for 2 minutes, walked for 1.5 minutes for 25 or so minutes. I forgot how bad I hate treadmills. I get some crazy pain in my shins. Maybe I need to actually buy a running shoe? Any recommendations?

KSwiss tubes, what I wear. Great shoes.

Are those comfy? It's hard to find a shoe that fits me well. I'm 6'3", 350, and wear a 14 wide.

[crokin]

Yes, but I am 5 10, 164, and a size 12 normal.

[steelhammer]

I've heard good things about westside, never tried it.

Honestly, I wouldn't even bother to do it unless:

1. You lift on a team;
2. You like pain, a lot;
3. You are looking to gain a lot of weight and willing to eat like (and look like) a pig;
4. You have a lot of time (workouts are not short);
5. You do no other sport or activity;
6. You have really strong joints.

Bottom line; it took my powerlifting career way further than I ever thought possible and also ended it much earlier than I thought possible. My joints are weak though so ultimately I just wasn't cut out for it.

[mac5155]

Crokin can you give me a broad overview of this 5-3-1 you speak of?

[crokin]

Crokin can you give me a broad overview of this 5-3-1 you speak of?

If anybody wants the 5-3-1 manual (I just sent one to hammer) ask or PM me.
Here are some links to some articles on it, but you'll still need the manual.

Overviews:
http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_art ... e_strength" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.muscleandstrength.com/workou ... ystem.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://stronglifts.com/531-jim-wendler- ... g-program/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://theswole.com/concept/531-jim-wen ... -strength/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Questions:
http://articles.elitefts.com/articles/t ... questions/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[tifosi77]

Tif the selectechs are awesome. Honestly I could get away with them and an incline bench and do almost a full body workout.

If you bought the dumbbells all separate they would run you like $800. It's nice cause I can incline bench 45, curl 35, and my GF can do her squats with 10 and curls with 15.

That's good info, thanks. And that $800 for a full range of dumbells doesn't factor in storage space, either.

Does the width of the bar ever become a factor? They use them in the P90X+ videos, and they look a little bit unwieldy. I can't really demo them cos all the local sporting goods stores have the things on lock down, so you can't pick them up out of their cradle thingy.

So I did the running thing today. Ran for 2 minutes, walked for 1.5 minutes for 25 or so minutes. I forgot how bad I hate treadmills. I get some crazy pain in my shins. Maybe I need to actually buy a running shoe? Any recommendations?

I've become a huge fan of low-profile 'barefoot' shoes. I wear New Balance MT10 Minimus trail runners, and they are magnificent.


I wear these things for everything but high-impact workouts like plyometrics. For that, it's a $40 pair of NB x-trainers I got a couple years ago, or the cheapy Adidas jogging shoes I got at Costco cos they were on sale or something.

As for working out, no lie, Just Dance for the Wii. It's fun.

Might I suggest DanceDanceRevolution from your friends at Konami?

Just sayin'.......

[Pen48guins]

I'm gonna have to start running and that guide may come in quite handy. I hate running but I'm gonna be starting the fire academy and they run all the time. Im 5'8'' and 227. So I need to lose some weight.
I was going to the gym 3 days a week and would do 30 minutes at 60 steps a min on the stair climber and then do another 30 on the elliptical. Played street hockey once a week and would lift once or twice a week. Felt better but really didn't even drop a pound.
I may start the P90x stuff. Problem with that is it becomes hard to do everyday because of my schedule but I'll try.

I need to do something.

[steelhammer]

I'm gonna have to start running and that guide may come in quite handy. I hate running but I'm gonna be starting the fire academy and they run all the time. Im 5'8'' and 227. So I need to lose some weight.
I was going to the gym 3 days a week and would do 30 minutes at 60 steps a min on the stair climber and then do another 30 on the elliptical. Played street hockey once a week and would lift once or twice a week. Felt better but really didn't even drop a pound.
I may start the P90x stuff. Problem with that is it becomes hard to do everyday because of my schedule but I'll try.

I need to do something.

Everything you do helps. If you are doing the work at the gym and you are not seeing results then you will have to take a much closer look at your diet. It's natural to want to eat more after boosting your metabolism with exercise. Try to set a real goal of eliminating bad foods and reducing your overall calorie intake by 10%, consistently. It will be a little irritating at first, but you won't miss it after a week or so and then you will start to see some real results. Also, congrats on getting into the fire academy and thanks in advance for the ffuture work you will be doing. Don't forget, your fitness level can save lives in the future, including your own.