The General Fitness Thread!

[GrumbleDook]

Perhaps I am in the minority of ex-forces folk but I look at Tough Mudder, shrug my shoulders and laugh ... remembering CFTs in the rain, tabbing on exercise and even the dreaded exercise final fling in basic ... when you usually drank mud (mainly because it tasted better than coffee/tea). I used to do similar events prior to the army too ... and miss then greatly.

 

To be honest, the goals are fantastic and the money raised is always a winner. Well done to those doing them, or planning to.

Edited April 22, 2015 by elsiegee40

[sippo]

That's the point, it is a laugh. Yes it's hard, but the team work and camaraderie is great. Meet so many people.

[MrMat]

I got myself some new gym kicks

 

 

I don't actually do Crossfit (nor do I refer to myself as the A-Train! - My actual name is Alex btw hence A-Train) but I wanted something with a firm-ish heel raise for squats that's still soft enough to use for other workouts etc.

 

The customisation was free so thought why the hell not, the other shoe says 'CHOO CHOO'

Edited April 22, 2015 by MrMat

[Miscbrah]

Crossfit

 

The word! He said the word!

 

http://i.imgur.com/16PSykM.gif

 

 

http://i.minus.com/iJ5nxoIV3ZpHv.gif

[MrMat]

Haha your post wouldn't have been nearly as funny with your little Avatar bouncing along to the crossfitters! Look at him go!! Edited April 22, 2015 by MrMat

[zag]

Been going to the gym for over 15 years 2 or 3 times a week. I'd count myself as quite fit but always looking to improve.

 

Always loved being able to take aggression out in a controlled environment and does wonders for my mood!

 

I lift free weights mainly but also work hard on the abs and legs during midweek sessions.

Edited April 22, 2015 by zag

[aarono]

Last month I joined a local gym, it has been 15 years since I was last a member of a gym. I have been surprised as to how little I can now lift, for example bench pressing 32kg (two 16kg dumbbells) 3 sets of 10 is only just doable! I feel a bit paranoid that others can see the low weights, which is a little off putting!

I have never done a dead lift but can see it is quite a popular exercise on this thread, however I don't think I could lift much at the moment.

I am 5.7, 11 stone and keen to get on with it, any beginner/returner tips?

[zag]

Last month I joined a local gym, it has been 15 years since I was last a member of a gym. I have been surprised as to how little I can now lift, for example bench pressing 32kg (two 16kg dumbbells) 3 sets of 10 is only just doable! I feel a bit paranoid that others can see the low weights, which is a little off putting!

I have never done a dead lift but can see it is quite a popular exercise on this thread, however I don't think I could lift much at the moment.

I am 5.7, 11 stone and keen to get on with it, any beginner/returner tips?

 

Never feel paranoid about using lower weights. Its all about the tension you are producing and isolation of muscle.

 

Those with better techniques are usually the ones lifting the medium weights in a controlled manor.

[Miscbrah]

Last month I joined a local gym, it has been 15 years since I was last a member of a gym. I have been surprised as to how little I can now lift, for example bench pressing 32kg (two 16kg dumbbells) 3 sets of 10 is only just doable!

 

Das it! Congrats. For a DB press that's not at all bad for a beginner, and the right rep range. I would say though lift to failure/last full-rom rep, as heavy as you can for 8-10 reps then rest 90s, drop the weight a bit to the next one you can only do 8-10 reps with etc.

 

I feel a bit paranoid that others can see the low weights, which is a little off putting!

 

Don't sweat it. Lift consistently with good form and have good gym etiquette and that'll soon pass, then gym will feel like home.

 

I have never done a dead lift but can see it is quite a popular exercise on this thread, however I don't think I could lift much at the moment.

 

Coming from someone with a knackered hip I say leave deads and squats for a bit. Practice form with just the bar, practice with a PT if you need a few sessions to nail the form, but make sure you've been lifting a good few months and warmed up nicely. For squats don't use a Smith machine, use a cage if there is one and a spotter/something for if you fail. Be safe.

 

any beginner/returner tips?

 

All you need getting started at scoobysworkshop.com

[Patrick]

For squats don't use a Smith machine, use a cage if there is one and a spotter/something for if you fail. Be safe.

 

 

This a 1000x. The smith machine is pretty much useless. The best workout you can get from the smith machine is by dragging it out the gym. Stay away from it if you can. Squat in the power rack and use the safety rails if they have them if you have no spotter.

[Miscbrah]

This a 1000x. The smith machine is pretty much useless.

 

I would say so too, but I'd add a small caveat and say that 'some' (barely any) well-maintained Smith machines are just about ok to bench on. Just referring to bench though! Somehow the one in our gym does ok as far as I'm feeling it, and I do prefer to bench with a spotter, but the course of the rails does ok for my rom and it's well-lubricated. Tend to be about 50/50 Smith and free.

 

Smith benching is generally thought to be easier. To my mind it's harder on the positive section of the rep, easier on the negative. I've recently broken a personal record set of 7x100kg free bench and can do about the same on the Smith. Most people I've read of who bench free vs Smith say they free bench 80% what they can on the machine, so going from that I'd say ours is ok. For me anyway, YMMV.

 

Then again there are others who insist it's fine to squat in the Smith machine, and I have actually tried it on and off. I like the feeling of security but the rom is totally wrong for me.

[MrMat]

This a 1000x. The smith machine is pretty much useless. The best workout you can get from the smith machine is by dragging it out the gym. Stay away from it if you can. Squat in the power rack and use the safety rails if they have them if you have no spotter.

 

While I agree the Smith is absolutely useless for squats (and legs in general), i do believe it has it's place. It's good for people really trying to isolate a very particular muscle as it allows you to take the subsidiary muscles out of the equation.

 

This morning was legs (more specifically quads!) for me which consisted of:

 

Squats - Sets of increasing weight and decreasing volume up to a max weight 3 rep squat.

Leg Press - Heavy as poss for 6 - 8 reps, 3 - 4 sets

Hack Squats - Light weight for volume 10 -12 reps, 3 - 4 sets

Calf raises - 4 sets of 20

 

Absolutely buggered now.

[Patrick]

Yeah, its the lack of movement forward and back for the squat that does it to me, seems to just plant all the stress on my lower back. When it comes to bench it just does nothing for me, I can bench heavier on it, but I feel like i'm taking the strain/stretch off my chest and just purely training my triceps, so I suppose in a way its not too bad for building strength as long as your using free weights too. I have actually used it for shoulder press too before, but that's only because the rack was being used. It was no where near as good as a standing OHP. Edited April 23, 2015 by Patrick

[Tesla]

After a few months out (october) with my ankle issue, thought i'd step up my recovery and do a parkrun the other day, finished it in 32 minutes (had to walk near the end, just from pure exhaustion than because of injury), ankle felt good, and was happy as i'd beaten my previous two times i had gone in sepetember/october before i had my ankle issue. Half hour after getting home, i started getting a pai in my foot, two days later, it's still there, i can barely put any weight down on it. Given myself painkillers all weekend and rested it, but alas, back at work now. If this doesnt clear up quickly that will be three different injuries from the middle of July that has stopped my from running/football/etc.

 

SO frustrating.

[witch]

@Tesla Is the pain the same as before? You need to go and get it checked out in case you have done something else...

[Tesla]

Nope, not related to my ankle at all, i'm goign to rest it for a few more days with painkillers/icepacks etcetc as im certain that's what my doctors will tell me to do anyway.

[witch]

Nope, not related to my ankle at all, i'm goign to rest it for a few more days with painkillers/icepacks etcetc as im certain that's what my doctors will tell me to do anyway.

 

Well, maybe but it depends what you have done. If it is something like "postman's heel" then you will need a shoe insert and exercises. It could be a stress fracture or a pulled muscle or ligament or anything and they are all treated differently

[Tesla]

We shall see, its on the outside of my foot about half way along, doesnt hurt at all unless im putting weight on it, i can touch it, ben it etcetc but as soon as i have done more than 4 or so steps, it's agony. i could barely just walk to my car and back right now.

 

Booked a sit and wait appt at docs for 12 o clock.

Edited April 27, 2015 by Tesla

[north-ict]

Been back at the gym and been back on my healthy nutriblasts (nutribullet concuctions) in the morning. Friend pointed me out to this health band that has gotten really good reviews and is pretty cheap so i thought i would take a punt and order it will come this week. My friends have been going on about fitness bands and what not for a while now but this seems interesting and yet not costly.

 

Xiaomi Lightweight IP67 Smart Wireless Bluetooth4.0: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

[Tesla]

Went doctors, referred me straight to a podiatrist. + Strong painkillers.

[witch]

Went doctors, referred me straight to a podiatrist. + Strong painkillers.

 

Good. You really do need to know what it is you have done

[Tesla]

Good. You really do need to know what it is you have done

 

Judging by the amount of injuries I get, probably done something horrific in a past life. lol

[Joanne]

I'm so not ready for my competition Sunday... urgh.

 

Just gonna get it done though. Why not. Then gonna take a couple of months away from training. I need to assess what my goals are, what I want to do and stuff...

[sippo]

Went on a run this morning, and stopped my watch for a second. Then forgot to start it. Didn't realise til a mile and a half later. What a numpty.

[Patrick]

I'm so not ready for my competition Sunday... urgh.

 

Just gonna get it done though. Why not. Then gonna take a couple of months away from training. I need to assess what my goals are, what I want to do and stuff...

 

What big lifts have you got to do?