Gym/Exercise Thread

[Rylan]

I've been debating for a while in regard to getting some additional workout equipment at home. The majority of my workouts are at a gym and I would gauge my fitness level as above average. As of right now, I have a treadmill, some light dumbells, and a pull up bar. I can get a pretty decent workout with what I have now, but would like to add something to give me more of a range of workout options. I'm pretty close to pulling the trigger on a TRX Suspension Trainer. I've read/heard some good things. Anyone ever train using a TRX Suspensiom Trainer? Any insight would be great.

For those of you who are unfamiliar: http://www.trxtraining.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I use TRX almost exclusively for working out. Only time I use free weights is for bench marks to see progress. It is very easy do muscle confusion exercises and I am generally spent after 65-90 minutes workouts. If done right, it can as physically demanding as P90x or insanity and I would highly recommend it

[Malkamaniac]

So I quit LA Fitness on Mcknight last night. We found out our school district Shaler Area, allows you to work out in their high school's gym after 5(which is perfect for us.)

Easily right now when someone searches for LA Fitness on teh webz. We found out they have upwards of 6k people on the member roll, so if you're looking for a gym that isn't crazy busy all the time, avoid that place like the plague.

[mac5155]

So I quit LA Fitness on Mcknight last night. We found out our school district Shaler Area, allows you to work out in their high school's gym after 5(which is perfect for us.)

Easily right now when someone searches for LA Fitness on teh webz. We found out they have upwards of 6k people on the member roll, so if you're looking for a gym that isn't crazy busy all the time, avoid that place like the plague.

I think my HS is that way too. But I hate to go in there with a bunch of high school kids.

[Malkamaniac]

So I quit LA Fitness on Mcknight last night. We found out our school district Shaler Area, allows you to work out in their high school's gym after 5(which is perfect for us.)

Easily right now when someone searches for LA Fitness on teh webz. We found out they have upwards of 6k people on the member roll, so if you're looking for a gym that isn't crazy busy all the time, avoid that place like the plague.

I think my HS is that way too. But I hate to go in there with a bunch of high school kids.

Well I was concerned about that, and the way it works(I actually talked to their high school football coach and strength trainer) is that if you go right at five, you'll have a few stragglers from the 3:15-5 sports workout sessions. We went there at 6 last night and there was a total of 5 people in there.

I'm just pumped because I'd much rather lift alone than with the 400+ other people waiting to find an open spot at the pack LA Fitness. It's way easier to focus on myself rather than worrying about bumping into anyone or throwing their own concentration off.

[mac5155]

Agreed. My buddy bought a nice set up for Christmas and I provided him with my olympic bench so that's where I've been working out. We have selectech dumb bells and a 300# weight set. Only thing we're really missing is a squat rack.

[Idoit40fans]

I probably waited longer than I should have, but I finally switched up my workouts this week and i actually feel them. I'm actually still sore from tuesday's workout and now sore from yesteday's. Love this feeling.

[mac5155]

[PensFanInDC]

[youtube][/youtube]

This might be my least favorite thing to do in the world...

[Troy Loney]

Lol...I break world records and dont even notice

[Rylan]

lol I wish I could run a 3 minute mile haha.

[Staggy]

Not only did she break the world record, she broke it six consecutive times and was well on her way to a seventh

[tifosi77]

"Trust me, I'm exhausted."

[steelhammer]

I just set a PR in snatch pulls and front squats in the same workout. Kind of psyched for the METCON.

Edit: Felt really good but only shaved 10 seconds off of the METCON (8:15 to 8:05), shrug.

[JS©]

Been on a no-carb (under 20g/day) diet since last Sunday (2-12), down 7 lbs in 11 days. Wondering how long I should stick with it. I'm looking to lose at least 20, possibly even 30 if I can stick with it that long. Just wondering if I'm gonna plateau after a certain time.

[tifosi77]

The first of the Crossfit Open WODs were posted yesterday (these are sorta the qualifier WODs for the Games).

AMRAP (as many reps as possible) in seven minutes of burpees.

That's it.

The standard xFit movement is modified for this WOD in that athletes must touch a target placed six inches above their standing reach on each rep.

So far, the best xFitter in the world has done 154. My bud did 103 and is presently ranked in the mid-teens in SoCal. If he can add 1 rep, he would move up into the top 10 in the region. The best guy in his gym did 123.

Hayzoos effing marimba......... seven minutes of burpees????

[steelhammer]

Been on a no-carb (under 20g/day) diet since last Sunday (2-12), down 7 lbs in 11 days. Wondering how long I should stick with it. I'm looking to lose at least 20, possibly even 30 if I can stick with it that long. Just wondering if I'm gonna plateau after a certain time.

I don't think the ultra low carb diets are healthy or sustainable. Most of the weight you have lost so far is water. I do believe in low(ER) carb diets such as the Zone diet (30/40/30 protein/carbohydrate/fat ratio). The Zone diet, when planned properly, is something you can stay on your whole life and stay healthy provided that you are eating the right kind of (healthy) fats and the right kind of carbohydrates. The more healthy fats you eat = the less hungry you will feel. Just start writing down all the foods you eat in a normal week and I'll pull out my red pen and tell you which ones you can never eat again

[DudeMan2766]

Been on a no-carb (under 20g/day) diet since last Sunday (2-12), down 7 lbs in 11 days. Wondering how long I should stick with it. I'm looking to lose at least 20, possibly even 30 if I can stick with it that long. Just wondering if I'm gonna plateau after a certain time.

I'm doing that again but giving myself more leeway than I did 2 summers ago. Moreso going no salt/sugar/bread. It's just real tough because anything more than one cheat meal or so a week, and it can come right back. A lot of it is water weight at first, but man it works and makes u feel good. I think its good even if u just use that as a quick form for start upmotivation

[JS©]

Been on a no-carb (under 20g/day) diet since last Sunday (2-12), down 7 lbs in 11 days. Wondering how long I should stick with it. I'm looking to lose at least 20, possibly even 30 if I can stick with it that long. Just wondering if I'm gonna plateau after a certain time.

I don't think the ultra low carb diets are healthy or sustainable. Most of the weight you have lost so far is water. I do believe in low(ER) carb diets such as the Zone diet (30/40/30 protein/carbohydrate/fat ratio). The Zone diet, when planned properly, is something you can stay on your whole life and stay healthy provided that you are eating the right kind of (healthy) fats and the right kind of carbohydrates. The more healthy fats you eat = the less hungry you will feel. Just start writing down all the foods you eat in a normal week and I'll pull out my red pen and tell you which ones you can never eat again

oh, I agree. I'm not doing it as a long-term solution. I did it a few times before to burn off some winter weight. Usually it would burn off about 16 lbs in 3 weeks, which is about where I am right now. I did venture off and have part of a 120 min IPA last night, which was probably my daily carb limit in 6 oz .

For the most part, it's been mostly white meat (grilled chicken, pork) with the occasional steak mixed in. Snacks? Usually about 3-4 oz of cheese. I thought I read that diet drinks like mt. dew, dr pepper, etc aren't supposed to be ideal, but it's basically my sweets for the day.

[JS©]

update:

weighed myself this AM, down 35 lbs in 2 months. Sitting at a solid (but still overweight for my size) 195. The first 20 lbs seemed to be the easiest since it was mostly water weight. At one point there was a day where I dropped 6 lbs, but it was from being dehydrated and most of that weight was back a day later . Post-work skate once a week for an hour, run 2x a week.

Still targeting 180, which at this pace should happen right about when I do my half next month.

[shafnutz05]

Trying to simultaneously train for my first 5k in July and just get into much better shape in general. Just did 2.75 miles in 30 minutes on the treadmill. This is easily the longest I've ever ran. If I can offer two good tips (one obvious):

1) Listen to music...most people do this, but so much easier to get into it.

2) Probably the most important thing for me? Cover the display screen with a white towel so you have no idea how far you've gone. It is so much easier to keep running knowing I am putting away the miles, but not actually looking down every 10 seconds. It is like night and day how I perform when I do this.

My previous long was under 2 miles (but again, I've never really been into running). Man that felt good.

[Rylan]

Trying to simultaneously train for my first 5k in July and just get into much better shape in general. Just did 2.75 miles in 30 minutes on the treadmill. This is easily the longest I've ever ran. If I can offer two good tips (one obvious):

1) Listen to music...most people do this, but so much easier to get into it.

2) Probably the most important thing for me? Cover the display screen with a white towel so you have no idea how far you've gone. It is so much easier to keep running knowing I am putting away the miles, but not actually looking down every 10 seconds. It is like night and day how I perform when I do this.

My previous long was under 2 miles (but again, I've never really been into running). Man that felt good.

Congrats dude. Honestly, the best tip about running is to forget you are running. Just relax and stay calm and keep an even pace. When I would do conditioning for soccer you had to run 2.5 miles in under 17 minutes. My best times came when I was most relaxed and calm. Didn't worry about distance or time. Just kept everything clear.

[shafnutz05]

Honestly, the best tip about running is to forget you are running. Just relax and stay calm and keep an even pace. When I would do conditioning for soccer you had to run 2.5 miles in under 17 minutes. My best times came when I was most relaxed and calm. Didn't worry about distance or time. Just kept everything clear.

This x 1 million. I absolutely HATE running. But because I couldn't see the time/distance and was just listening to some good music, very rarely did I actually think about the fact that I was running as long as I was. Obviously it takes physical ability, but it's definitely more mental than anything else.

[Rylan]

Honestly, the best tip about running is to forget you are running. Just relax and stay calm and keep an even pace. When I would do conditioning for soccer you had to run 2.5 miles in under 17 minutes. My best times came when I was most relaxed and calm. Didn't worry about distance or time. Just kept everything clear.

This x 1 million. I absolutely HATE running. But because I couldn't see the time/distance and was just listening to some good music, very rarely did I actually think about the fact that I was running as long as I was. Obviously it takes physical ability, but it's definitely more mental than anything else.

The physical ability will carry you further than your brain will. 10% physical 90% mental is definitely a true statement in dealing with athletics.

[PensFanInDC]

Gained 8lbs and lost 1 inch during first 3 weeks of Soldierfit. Lost 15lbs and 1 inch in the last 4 weeks. My 5k time is 12 minutes better than it was before I started. I am gaining so much strength and energy and melting fat. It's awesome.

Everyone has to find what works for them. P90X is great for some people. Distance running for others. Some prefer your basic cardio/weights gym routine. It doesn't matter really. Once you find what works for you there is nothing to stop you.

I love going to my workouts. It's one of the best times of my day.

[tifosi77]

So my wife has been complaining about P90X, saying the workouts are too long to be practical. (And to be honest, she's sorta right; I have to be working out no later than 6:30 in the morning if I'm going to keep to my daily schedule.) So she's been looking for an alternative program that's only about 30 minutes a day. She got the new Jillian Michaels "Body Revolution" thing, and we did the first two workouts together this weekend.

Ho-lee-geez!

Every bit as intense and difficult as anything in P90X, except Plyo and Core, but in a different way. P90X is definitely more geared towards lean muscle growth and size, whereas Body Revolution is more about sculpting and overall fitness. Either way, I was totally gassed at the end of the workouts, and I liked it.

While I find both her and Tony Horton to be somewhat grating in their personalities, I don't tune Michaels out after the first half of the workout the way I do Horton. Maybe that's a function of the brevity of the workouts or the fact that I've been doing P90X off and on for a year now more than anything specific to the two people, but it is what it is.