Garacesh Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 (edited) It was either start a new thread or necrobump http://www.edugeek.net/forums/general-chat/148894-general-fitness-thread.html, so I thought maybe I'd start one that was a little more focussed on chunkybutt's* like me that haven't actually done much working out before. So, after doing my research (and using a cycling machine for 2 weeks to get my cardio up a little!) I'm deciding on what workout I should start doing. I've heard good things about Insanity, T25 and P90X. The issue is now picking one, since sure as heck can't do 'em all. Insanity, I have heard the best results about, and I know a few people that have done it and have said it's fantastic. I hear it's a nightmare to start, and I'm not entirely sure I could actually do a 60-minute intensive work-out right now. Focus T25 is from the same guy that created Insanity, and seems to be a sort of condensed version of it, albeit with no breaks. 25 minutes per day of pure torture - but apparently also gets significant results. P90X I still have yet to look into, but I have also heard its results are somewhere in the same ballpark as Insanity. So, has anybody done any of this can shed a bit more light on them? I find myself a little too cynical reading reviews sometimes - I understand that getting in shape is quite legitimately a life-changing thing to do, but because of that, a lot of the reviews spike high on my "Might be a shill"ometer. * Not that I'm insinuating anybody else is a 'chunkybutt' Just good ol' self-depreciating humour. Edited March 18, 2015 by Garacesh
win Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 I've heard insanity is good and doesn't require any special equipment other than a decent amount of space. I'd try it but don't have enough room to jump around and i'm not keen on doing it in full view in the garden. I've got a bench and weights which can be left in the corner when not in use, easy to lay out when needed.
jinnantonnixx Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 (edited) You must find a routine you like - and it must be a routine, something you accept as part of your life and want to do, rather than a chore. If you don't want to do it, you'll find every excuse under the sun not to get up and do the workout. Personally, I'm a big fan of kettlebells. I got a few routines from youtube, and mix and match and make my own to make things interesting. I cycle every day, so my cardio is covered. At the risk of repeating myself (from other threads), this Cracked blog post is well worth a read. If you want to get fit, concentrate on the 'why' (your goals) rather than the 'how'. The 'how' is a trivial first step - everybody know how to get fit. 5 Ways You're Sabotaging Your Own Life (Without Knowing It) | Cracked.com Edited March 18, 2015 by jinnantonnixx
sippo Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 I wouldn't touch Insanity, unless you are quite fit. I've known people, who are generally fit, to be vomitting after. Not good, and very intense. Whatever exercise regime you go for, remember it's all about routine and will power. Sometimes you will not feel like doing anything, but if it is a 'workout' day then it's tough luck.
nyiss Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 I have been doing insanity for a while. Very much a love/hate relationship! I love that it keeps me active and the feeling when you've made it through and aren't dead is a nice bonus but I still hate pressing play most days. Once I have finished the whole course I will most likely go back to the begining but mix it up some days with weight training and just other activities to keep things new. I do think for a home workout you can notice the difference in your fitness levels at a much faster pace with insanity than certain dvds where you lift tins of beans for 6 weeks. The fit tests keep me on track if I stop putting as much in to it.
Garacesh Posted March 18, 2015 Author Posted March 18, 2015 (edited) You must find a routine you like - and it must be a routine, something you accept as part of your life and want to do, rather than a chore. If you don't want to do it, you'll find every excuse under the sun not to get up and do the workout. If you want to get fit, concentrate on the why (your goals) rather than the how. The how is a trivial first step - everybody know how to get fit. Very much so.. When I first started my exercise a few weeks ago there were 'Urgh, cee-bee-ay' days, but now it's part of my routine and I'm starting to enjoy it. I generally 'cycle' for 20 minutes to half an hour (depending on the setting, I'm trying to vary it a little) and do some weights before I have my tea. I do this every night. The why is simple. I have a gut. I have a teency bit of moobage. I'm in-general out of shape and unhealthy, and I'm no longer satisfied with being complacent. I'm not okay with it anymore and I want to do something about it. I want to lose the gut and excess weight on my legs, and I want to tone up. It'll improve my physical stamina and strength, better my lungs and my heart (as an ex smoker I'll bet I've done some damage to myself..) Overall, I need to improve my physical well-being and I'm in a mindset now where I'm willing to put the work in. I don't want to wait too long and lose this determination or fall into complacency and bad habits again. Also Cracked is blocked here. Edited March 18, 2015 by Garacesh
unixman_again Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 Do you FreeSat or Sky? If you do, you'll find the FAB TV. If you watch over the course of a week or so, you'll see programs which are often one DVD from the many exercise DVD program sets available. You can then make an informed choice. Ones that I have seen are Sleek Technique, XTend Barre Bob Harper, Jillian Michaels, Ladan Soltani, Surfer Girl, Kino Macgregor, Nicky McGinty, Pop Physique, Kettleworx, etc, etc. I have the first two mentioned. The downside of FABTV is that most of the workouts seem to be aimed at women. There used to be The Active Channel on FreeSat/Sky but it is now online only. I used to watch when it was on TV and there were some good exercises (IMO). I have done several of the workouts while the TV is on to see what I liked. I naturally gravitate to the ballet style workouts, as I do regular ballet classes. I also pump the iron regularly, but I don't think you need a DVD for that. One of my local fitness centres runs an Insanity class, and I think they do some of similar programs. This could be a good way to do it and keep motivated. Working out alone at home can be tedious for some people.
truebluesteve Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 A friend of mine has done insanity and he loved it even though he started from a position of being quite unfit. As @jinnantonnixx says, a routine is really important. So for me its running Sunday to Wednesday (about 5K) and when I get back I will do about 15 minutes or so of press-ups, sit-ups and some dumbbell weights. Thursday is a day off for a couple of beers and an Asda pizza (yep its a rock and roll lifestyle for me). On Friday I play 5-a-side with other staff after school on our all weather pitches. Its a routine that I stick to pretty religiously and it has paid dividends in terms of weight loss and generally feeling better about myself. The main thing for me is that when I get home from work I get changed straight away and go for my run - if I were to sit down then theres a pretty good chance it might not happen!
penfold Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 Someone from here linked to a good website which has just been renamed darebee and has had a bit of an overhaul. It has to be the best website I've come across for giving ideas for workouts for free. Personally I've done the 30 days of HIIT & Strength and while the strength one wasn't great, I found the HIIT was really good. What I've found to be the best thing though is the fact that you can have a program to do on the days where you really can't be bothered. I find that having something to follow means you end up doing a full set rather than getting bored halfway through. In fact we use that website quite a bit in work now as there are 3 of us who are doing some of the programs.
Garacesh Posted March 18, 2015 Author Posted March 18, 2015 What I've found to be the best thing though is the fact that you can have a program to do on the days where you really can't be bothered. That's one of the things that's leaning towards T25.. There will be days I can't be bothered, but with a less-than-half-an-hour workout I know I'll say to myself "Oi. It's 25 minutes. Just get it done!" and I'll do it. If I've had little sleep or a rubbish day and am feeling unmotivated, I don't reckon I'd tackle an hour of gruelling punishment. I do think for a home workout you can notice the difference in your fitness levels at a much faster pace with insanity than certain dvds where you lift tins of beans for 6 weeks. The fit tests keep me on track if I stop putting as much in to it. Exactly this. I've seen so many different workouts advertised and so many of them just seem to be advertising themselves a miracle workouts but the reviews are saying that it's terrible, under-challenging and a waste of time and cash. I wouldn't touch Insanity, unless you are quite fit. I am not. I've known people, who are generally fit, to be vomitting after. Not good, and very intense. Yeah that doesn't sound so appealing. Whatever exercise regime you go for, remember it's all about routine and will power. Sometimes you will not feel like doing anything, but if it is a 'workout' day then it's tough luck. Definitely. The routine is a massive one, which is why I want to go with a 'ready-made' workout where I don't have to decide "Right, what am I doing today?" The more stuff I have to decide, the more chance I'm going to slack off (or at least make it easier for myself) instead of pushing to become healthier.
tommej Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 Kettlebells! Bodymax 16kg Kettlebell Cast Iron: Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Outdoors + http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kettlebell-Simple-Sinister-Pavel-Tsatsouline-ebook/dp/B00GF2HP9G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426681101&sr=8-1&keywords=simple+and+sinister It'll kick your butt!
unixman_again Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 Amazon says free delivery on kettlebells. You'll be popular with the postman who has to deliver it! 1
Garacesh Posted March 18, 2015 Author Posted March 18, 2015 Bodymax 16kg Kettlebell Cast Iron: Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Outdoors 16 kilo kettlebells? You crazy? D: I have 4kg dumbbells and I struggle after 5 mins of those xD
tommej Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 (edited) 16 kilo kettlebells? You crazy? D: I have 4kg dumbbells and I struggle after 5 mins of those xD That book recommends a starting weight of 16kg - which I bought, then moving to 24kg as you get stronger, which I just purchased last week. Cant wait for it to arrive! Although before you spend anything consider some free bodyweight exercises and see how you get on. https://fitloop.co/ is a great site with a good beginner routine - with some progression as you get stronger and more experienced. You don't really need any equipment for this although you can buy some rings/pullup bars etc if you want! Edited March 18, 2015 by tommej
Miscbrah Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 (edited) I'll always STRONGLY recommend Scooby's Workshop for anyone starting out with fitness/lifting. Lots to read, everything explained well, offers it all free. It's how I started and still refer back to it. Edited March 18, 2015 by Miscbrah
Xeba37 Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 (edited) Insanity is pretty much identical to Les Mills Body Attack. There are heaps of videos on YouTube of instructors who have videoed their classes so you can work out to one of those. the benefit being that some of the Les Mills classes are 45 minutes. Body Combat is ace too, you are trying so hard to punch and kick in the right way it distracts you from the pain of the exercise. As a female 5'10", I tend to get a calorie burn of 500+ if I do the full 55 minute class, more than I get from spinning. With spin you can turn the resistance down or pedal slower, combat you kind of have to keep up (you have to in an actual class or you'll end up running in to someone) so you end up going for it and getting a good workout. if you try it at home just make sure you have enough space. I was always scared of dropping kettle bells, I am very clumsy and having dropped 5 kilo weights on my foot a few times in Body Pump I am scared....ouch! Edited March 18, 2015 by Xeba37
Garacesh Posted March 18, 2015 Author Posted March 18, 2015 dropped 5 kilo weights on my foot a few times OWOWOWOWOWOWWWW! Didn't think of YouTube actually.. I figured any workouts on there would be removed for copyright or something.. But definitely worth a look, thanks!
tommej Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 I was always scared of dropping kettle bells, I am very clumsy and having dropped 5 kilo weights on my foot a few times in Body Pump I am scared....ouch! I used to do my kettlebell workout upstairs until I dropped mine and plaster fell off the ceiling downstairs... WOops!!!
Garacesh Posted March 24, 2015 Author Posted March 24, 2015 El bumpo. Two days into T25.. Still have yet to actually complete a full 25 minutes.. Even with pauses every few mins or so I'm too destroyed to go the full length.. Yesterday I had 12 minutes left on the clock, though today I only had 8 (and I did those 17 minutes much quicker than I did the 13 minutes the day before).. So I'm showing some improvement.. But OW! I think this sums up exactly how my workout is going so far
Miscbrah Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 Props folks. At the moment, in my quest to stay natural, I'm taking creatine ethyl ester/monohydrate, and beta alanine-based supplements and my cardio ability is for nothing. 20 mins crosstrainer and I'm FLOORED. Doesn't half make you itchy that beta alanine... However, I have entered beast mode every single set this week and upped the bench to a working set (4 reps) of 100kg! Das it Miscbrah, das it. Shoulder press is 5x30kg, Arnold press the same. Going well. This has no place in an "at home" workout thread though so soz, but I know you're all proud of me 'n stuff.
unixman_again Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 Surely if you're trying to stay natural, you eat proper food and don't take any supplements? That's what I do. There is one supplement that I take - chocolate, in the form of Penguins - just the job for that quick energy boost. Of course, a banana would be better but they get squished in the kit bag.
Miscbrah Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 Surely if you're trying to stay natural, you eat proper food and don't take any supplements? That's what I do. There is one supplement that I take - chocolate, in the form of Penguins - just the job for that quick energy boost. Of course, a banana would be better but they get squished in the kit bag. Was being a bit tongue-in-cheek by listing the chemicals there. My nutrition's all fine in terms of macros also, though only count carbs, calories and protein.
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