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Exercise thread...

Rose-Kitten [Edit] [Delete] 76 replies 14:18, 17 September '07

Who goes to the gym here on this forum?

How often do you go (honestly)?

Do you feel better for it?

Or do you do other forms of exercise (sex not included although I'll agree it's the best calorie burning sport)...

I've reactivated my gym membership as feeling sluggish and know winter will be a battle otherwise... and also for health and vanity reasons... but while I used to go about four times a week (ages ago), am slightly terrified at the prospect of going again.

WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT / ADVICE PLZ.

Thanks.

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  • 3 times a week

    yes. i can't imagine what i'd be like if i didn't go. it makes me feel happy.

    if i wanted to do just cardio, i may just run, but i use the gym for weights etc.

    get a routine. have aims. have a basic program so you don't just wander from machine to machine. monitor your progress so you can see how well you're doing.

    ronslunchbox | 17 Sep '07, 14:21 | X
  • ME

    2-3 times a week.

    I also cycle to work everyday.

    I'm still a fatman though.

    thewarn | 17 Sep '07, 14:22 | X
  • I walk to and from work every work day

    which is a mile each way. That's the only exercise I get.

    sadpunk | 17 Sep '07, 14:22 | X
    • If you catch the tram,

      you wouldn't have to walk!

      You're welcome.

      thewarn @sadpunk | 17 Sep '07, 14:23 | X
      • I'd have to walk for about 20mins

        to the nearest tram stop. Then pay £2.00.

        So shut up, smarty pants! ;)

        sadpunk @thewarn | 17 Sep '07, 14:24 | X
        • and take those sm,arties out of your pants.

          sadpunk @sadpunk | 17 Sep '07, 14:26 | X
          • ooh random comma!

            sadpunk @sadpunk | 17 Sep '07, 14:26 | X
        • we were going to have trams in leeds

          and then the olympics came along and we got offered cunting trolley buses instead.

          they got rid of them 35 years ago in BRADFORD. bradford, pah.

          keiths_tele @sadpunk | 18 Sep '07, 14:17 | X
  • Me

    twice a week.

    I feel great for it but sometimes it's hard to get motivated to go (I didn't go for about 6 months this year)

    I also play football and until recently did salsa dancing (it's really fun).

    cunt | 17 Sep '07, 14:22 | X
  • I swim a lot

    It's amazing. I tend to walk everywhere too, did at least 7 miles yesterday (mainly due to buses on Sundays being shit).

    Ironically I gave up [something I used to do a lot] because of the whole fitness/gig-going lifestyle clash... then filled my spare time playing [a sport] at quite a serious level and training twice a week. Sigh.

    Fit = good. Hooray!

    twentynine | 17 Sep '07, 14:23 | X
  • i do no exercise

    it's starting to show. now i'm at the age that if i lose it, i lose it!

    anyone know a good gyn in kentish town?

    stabby3 @wishpig | 17 Sep '07, 14:25 | X
    • Starting to show?

      Have you seen your facebook pic? :P

      twentynine @stabby3 | 17 Sep '07, 14:26 | X
      • exactly

        i USED to be buff!

        stabby3 @twentynine | 17 Sep '07, 14:27 | X
        • That pic

          is my new motivation.

          stabby3 @stabby3 | 17 Sep '07, 14:28 | X
  • true sh'pig, true...

    I might have to start a weekly 'exercise guilt trip' thread to get everyone motivated, hey?

    Rose-Kitten @wishpig | 17 Sep '07, 14:31 | X
  • I'm not a fan of gyms.

    I've started playing football once a week though, if that counts?

    I also walk a lot.

    I can't really be bothered with exercise for non-enjoyment purposes.

    homesick_alien | 17 Sep '07, 14:25 | X
    • Football definately counts.

      I am not a fan of gyms but once I get into that routine and feel myself getting buff and those endorphins kick in, I feel REALLY good.. It's just getting to that stage which I know will take several weeks of trying to kick my own arse into gear.

      Not unachievable by any means.

      I have been walking to and from work - Shoreditch to Bloomsbury (1 hour each way) for most of the summer but am ready for some more action.

      ARGH. I want to be S.A.D too (seasonale affective disorder) and am so poor right now, it seems that I can forgoe my gig going committments while I get healthy and keep off the booze.

      How fucking boring, I know...

      SIGH.

      Rose-Kitten @homesick_alien | 17 Sep '07, 14:31 | X
  • i run up tube escalators

    instead of standing on them on my way to work. i love it at liverpool street, running from the central line to the met/ham/circle lines and i begin to wheeze just as i'm crossing over to the westbound platform and my legs give out. i reckon soon i will be able to sprint the whole way.

    klaire | 17 Sep '07, 14:28 | X
  • nope

    i just walk as much as i can and don't eat excessively. i do think i should do more, for health reasons sometimes as vanity obviously doesn't come into it. oh well.

    guntrip | 17 Sep '07, 14:28 | X
    • ^^^

      what he said.

      colonol_k @guntrip | 17 Sep '07, 14:29 | X
      • jog home

        from Holborn to Wapping four times a week. Very good.

        HADDOCK @colonol_k | 17 Sep '07, 14:33 | X
  • but he wants to be BIG

    Brooner @Jack_El_Biscuit | 17 Sep '07, 14:42 | X
  • The value of weight

    training as a 'substitute' for cardio is very much in dispute at the moment. Everyone had this golden idea that weight training kept you going on a 'slow burn' of using more calories for the 10-12 hours after a workout: it's now looking like this isn't true.

    You haven't discriminated between good cardio work and shit cardio work. Walking for a hundred hours is shit, sure; but half an hour of nigh-exhausting swimming will give you benefits beyond 'pure' calories loss. In an overall fitness porgramme (rather than just wanting to bulk up) you've got to be thinking about your resting heart rate too, and that involves doing consistant cardio training: not just the 'bursts' of expense more common to weight training.

    jonny_rat @andsoitis | 17 Sep '07, 15:19 | X
    • not rambling at all!

      Good post innit. I think we're coming at it from slightly different angles, as I pretty much agree with all you've just said. I think you can get the equal benefit out of weight training as with cardio; but you'd have to really know what you were doing with respect to your nutrition, as well as the having the knowledge to create a good routine and the psychological commitment to stick to it.

      The diet thing is so true, too. It's such a waste when people spend hours at the gym and then throw it all away because they haven't considered their intake. Although I'm not the best for this, so I shouldn't preach..

      jonny_rat @andsoitis | 17 Sep '07, 16:07 | X
    • I run every day

      (As of two weeks ago!) just for half an hour at the local park as it has a big running cicuit which is never busy.

      lift some light weights three so times a week for twenty minutes to keep/get toned.

      Mortgage_Boy | 17 Sep '07, 14:34 | X
    • me

      gym: 3-4 times a week, though this would ideally be every weekday but work keeps getting in the way. This is mainly resistance weights stuff and a bit of spinning.

      running: 3-4 times a week at the moment but will be 5-6 times a week by December.

      cycling: every day, to work and around town, and one longish 90 minutes plus cycle a week.

      Once you get into a good routine you'll enjoy it and it won't be so much of a chore. I feel so much more alert most afternoons having been at the gym at lunchtime, and since starting doing quite a bit of running again I find I get much better quality sleep too.

      You've done it before and you'll be able to get it back up to 4 times a week if you want to, its just about building up to it and fitting it into your lifestyle where you can.

      Brooner | 17 Sep '07, 14:34 | X
    • Going really early in the morning

      Pre-work is fantastic. I feel amazing all day

      twentynine | 17 Sep '07, 14:35 | X
      • ^this

        i'm going to start doing this in winter, then I can enjoy some daylight at lunchtimes instead of going to the gym.

        Brooner @twentynine | 17 Sep '07, 14:37 | X
      • I really want to start doing this.

        I need to force myself to get up earlier.

        homesick_alien @twentynine | 17 Sep '07, 14:41 | X
        • (some form of excercise I mean)

          maybe not the gym.

          homesick_alien @homesick_alien | 17 Sep '07, 14:41 | X
    • I don't go to the gym

      and I don't go on holidays.

      Cheers.

      bamos @Jack_El_Biscuit | 17 Sep '07, 14:39 | X
    • never

      sport is a thing to watch on TV with beers and crisps.

      lyle | 17 Sep '07, 14:39 | X
    • Walking

      to the shops must burn off about 300 calories here. By the time I reach Carrefour I'm soaked in sweat.

      Keeps me trim.

      grinner @stella_thediver | 17 Sep '07, 15:05 | X
      • no, but i'm considering

        going swimming in the mornings before college, i love swimming.

        pretty_vacant | 17 Sep '07, 15:16 | X
        • ^

          swimming = best thing ever.

          Jah_Pat @pretty_vacant | 17 Sep '07, 15:44 | X
      • I do:

        Gym: 4 x 1 hour
        Body Pump: 1 hour
        Hockey: 2.5 hours

        Yet if I try to get on a treadmill for more than 5 minutes, I die.

        laelfy | 17 Sep '07, 15:17 | X
        • I quite like it

          I always feel much better afterwards, and you can't quit the way I do in the gym when it gets too much.

          laelfy @Jack_El_Biscuit | 17 Sep '07, 15:46 | X
          • Ah right

            Not really in my sphere of reference...

            laelfy @Jack_El_Biscuit | 17 Sep '07, 15:56 | X
          • All you regular

            gym goers: have you got strict routines that you follow? Vague ones?

            To echo what's already been said, it really is a good idea to have a plan to make sure you're doing a balanced set of exercises every week, and that you're getting enough food. I have no desire to be massive or anything, but I saw improvements in, like, three weeks when I put some thought into what I was doing.

            jonny_rat | 17 Sep '07, 15:32 | X
            • I have a pretty regular routine

              15 minutes on a bike
              5 minutes of leg weights
              15 minutes on an arm bike
              5 minutes of arm weights
              15 minutes on a cross trainer
              5 minutes of sit ups
              5 minutes of leg weights

              That way I'm mixing cardio-vascular with weights and doing almost a full range of muscles.
              No idea if what I'm doing's right tho..

              laelfy @jonny_rat | 17 Sep '07, 15:49 | X
              • Regular routine is probably key

                I'm either down the gym or running 4/5 times / week...I usually only run for half an hour but I'm doing 4.5 miles in that time so it's a good workout. I also do 8 minute abs twice daily 5 days / week and light weights 3 or 4 times. I also play football 2-3 times / week, both 5-a-side and full 11-a-side. I used to play two full games of football every Sunday but I'm toning that down this year because it's definitely not good for my body.

                I'm skinny and have no desire to put on muscle mass, just remain toned though. As far as I'm concerned, cardio > weights; it's not healthy to focus solely on weights as you lose out on cardiovascular fitness, core balance, flexibility etc etc etc.

                only_shallow @laelfy | 17 Sep '07, 15:58 | X
              • Are you doing that

                every time you're in't gym? You could do with streamlining that one. Apart from anything else, it must be getting a bit boring doing that same routine through..

                It's very very cardio heavy, too; which can work if you're traing for an event (or going for pretty extreme weight loss) but I'd replace at least one of the cardio sessions (plus the arm/leg weights) with heavier-resistance training (free weights or resistance machines; training 2 or 3 body parts to exhaustion per session only) and see how you get on. Don't worry; it won't make you super muscley or owt.

                jonny_rat @laelfy | 17 Sep '07, 15:59 | X
                • If that was aimed at me the yeah

                  every time I'm down there. I know it's pretty cardio heavy but it's partly down to that being what I enjoy and partly down to being what I'm used to doing (as I used to run long distance track for my school).

                  Also, I'm good at running and I can run most people using the treadmills into the ground therefore ego boost for me. I'm shit at weights and I'm actually fairly embarassed to use them down the gym because I use pretty light weights. Pretty lame but that's the way it is. You're right though, I've been told by various football coaches that I need to bulk up.

                  only_shallow @jonny_rat | 17 Sep '07, 16:08 | X
                  • It was at the poster

                    above, but it's almost exactly the same advice I'd give you..

                    It's kinda a different situation, though, as you've got a.. psychological barrier, I guess? I can tell you the benefits of changing your routine: keeping 'toned up' is as much a function of muscle gain than it is fat loss; you'll feel better when you push yourself in other ways; you'll see big changes quick if you do it right.

                    The best thing I can say is that you've set yourself a challenge by identifying the part of your workout that you're worst at; talk about giving yourself a motivator!

                    jonny_rat @only_shallow | 17 Sep '07, 16:30 | X
            • Mine:

              1 minute trying to find something to listen to on my mp3 player
              12 minutes rowing
              10 minutes on the cross trainer
              1 minute wiping sweat off the cross trainer
              10 minutes on the cycle-o-tron
              30 seconds sorting my shoelaces out
              6 minutes on the jog-o-rama
              1 minute changing my mp3 selection from Sufjan Stevens to techno
              6 minutes on the arm-o-cycle
              the rest of the time tinkering with the 'settings' on various terrifying looking weight-machines, doing those weights until my arms hurt, wiping sweat off everything, crying, and then changing the weights before I go on to the next one, so the next person to use the machine won't think I'm a girly-wimp.

              thewarn @jonny_rat | 17 Sep '07, 15:57 | X
              • mmm..

                same thing here really; it's very busy, that routine. Honest: try a month of going in with a small set of goals (ie. to exhaust yourself on three big exercises). If I get a chance later I'll try and and dig out some info for you..

                jonny_rat @thewarn | 17 Sep '07, 16:20 | X
                • Merci beaucoup

                  Last time I really did a decent weights programme was during my sport science A-level and I really enjoyed it.

                  only_shallow @jonny_rat | 17 Sep '07, 16:29 | X
            • I don't exercise at all, which

              is probably pretty bad. :( I used to play badminton with my old boss.

              I'm considering taking up Tae Kwon Do.

              shucks | 17 Sep '07, 15:54 | X
            • I'm a member

              I've been twice... fucking year long contract.. oh well.

              I used to be a member of the gym near my office which was cool, I went 4 times a week in the summer but I stopped in the winter, it's something about taking your clothes on and off and getting your hair wet in the winter. Also I think it's good to get a bit fat in winter..

              Anyway, I lost it after that so I cancelled, then earlier this year I joined a gym next to my house and I never go coz by the time I get home from work I can't be arsed, also, I haven't got any comfy clothes to sweat in.

              I'm going to be cycling a lot soon, I like that coz it has a point - I'm actually going somewhere..

              smilingcrazylady | 17 Sep '07, 15:57 | X
            • i haven't done exercise

              for six years. i haven't left the house for three.

              tommbarnett | 18 Sep '07, 00:59 | X
              • (ok that was sarccy)

                but if you replace years with months for exercise (and by that i mean gym, sport, not just walking or a bit of running/cycling which i don't do in enough quantities to call exercise) its not that far off.

                whoops.

                tommbarnett @tommbarnett | 18 Sep '07, 01:00 | X
            • I use my dance dance revolution dance mat + game cube

              ThingsThatFly | 18 Sep '07, 01:24 | X
            • I run

              5 miles 2 or 3 times a week, and cycle to and from work, 8 miles there and back I think. I don't drive so I walk just about everywhere, including out in the Pennines every once in a while.

              It's not enough though, I think my body just accepts cycling running and walking as par of the course now because I've still got a spare tire from uni that I can't shift. Also I've been getting something called shinsplints which whilst not debilitating are making running more of a pain than usual. I think I'm going to have to give in and find a gym.

              Parsefone | 18 Sep '07, 01:44 | X
              • hmm

                someone else recommended the 3 minute run/3 minute walk thing to me, he called it the "scout technique". I should also probably try and find shoes not bought from Asda for 15 quid. Thanks for the advice!

                Parsefone @skd180 | 18 Sep '07, 14:14 | X
              • I just started tonight back at the gym... felt great for

                doing so.. am sure my muscles will hate me tomorrow, tho.

                Rose-Kitten | 18 Sep '07, 01:45 | X
              • Wii boxing and playing drums three times a week

                seems to do for me.

                chuff | 18 Sep '07, 14:20 | X
              • Right

                Dug up some handy notes from a different forum (this is collated from stuff written by Poet and Taurus on rllmukforum.com, to give it it's full props). This is a good starting point if you're looking to take on a more structured routine:

                jonny_rat | 18 Sep '07, 15:43 | X
                • here we go

                  Let's work on exercising 5 times per week (you say you can do 7 times per week but that's not what we want). Two of those sessions should be cardio, so start thinking about ways of elevating your heart rate for a sustainable period of time. If you can jog, then try that. If you like to cycle, do that instead. And if you haven't done any cardio work for a long time, start at a 20 minute session and add on 5 minutes every week.

                  If you do take up jogging, the pace should be comfortable. If you ever feel like it's too much, move down a pace to a very brisk walk and start jogging again when your wind returns. I'm sure you get the idea...

                  So that's two sessions.

                  The other three you need to concentrate on load bearing exercise - weights and bodyweight work.

                  This is all off the top of my head, so we can fiddle with it at a later date if you so feel the need. Split your body into three parts that you can exercise. I suggest chest, shoulders and triceps for one day, back (tough to exercise properly at home if you can't do pullups anywhere or if your dumbbells are light), lower back and biceps (and forearms if you really feel the need) on the second day, and legs and abs on the third day.

                  First of all, before I start labelling out sets of exercises for you to do, I don't know anything about how fit you are, whether you can do 20 press-ups with ease, etc... so you need to adapt this as you go.

                  If you don't know how to perform these exercises with good form then LOOK IT UP. Even places like the Mens Health website has a wealth of information at your disposal for free, so use that advice wisely.

                  Day 1:

                  Chest - Press Ups (with arms sufficiently wide apart). Perform 1 warm up set (stop when you feel like you can't do a few more) and then 2 sets to failure. And I mean failure. Don't be a pussy.

                  Shoulders - Press. Sit down and press your d/bells above your head. Keep strict form. As before, 1 w/u set and 2 to failure.

                  Triceps - trickier here. You can do close grip push ups or dips. I recommend dips with your legs out in front of you (and eventually on a chair when you're strong enough). You can also do kickbacks but they're next to worthless until your arms are far far bigger than the average large muscular person. So don't. Again, 2 w/u set and 2 to failure. When you can get 15-20 quality, slow, controlled repetitions, then move your feet out further from underneath you or start elevating them (dependent on your strength). Add a d/bell to your lap while your feet are elevated if you're strong.

                  Day 2:

                  Back - Bent Over d'bell rows. Not great as they'll probably be far too light but better than nothing If you can do pull ups do them instead. 1 w/u set and 2 to failure. Assuming you can't hit anywhere near failure, add another technique - SUPER SLOW CONTROLLED reps. I'm talking 10 seconds on the up and 20 on the down. (By the way, this kind of training is garnering HUGE recognition in the USA at the moment - people are going mad for slow rep work, and with good reason - it works)

                  Lower Back - Extensions from the floor. Do NOT hyperextend. Usual set format.

                  Biceps - Bicep curls. I partially supinate my forearms when I do d/bell curls. Do whatever is comfortable. And yes, I know you probably don't know what supinate means, so look it up. Usual set format.

                  Day 3:

                  Legs - Squats. Very slow, down to where your thighs are parallel to the floor and back up. If too easy, slow it down further, and go deeper, but only if completely comfortable. If you're feeling athletic, and want to up your cardio (and possible fast twitch muscle response), go for jumping squats. Again with the set routine - 1 w/u set and 2 to failure if possible.

                  Calves - do calf raises (one leg at a time if possible) off a bottom stair. If you're strong (or very light) also add holding a dumbbell in one hand. 1 w/u set and 2 working sets. Aim for 20-25 reps per set. NEVER bounce your reps. ALWAYS slow and controlled.

                  Abs - crunches are king, so do them. 3 sets of 20. When you can do 25 quality, slow reps in a set, either do them even slower or add a dumbell, holding it to your chest with your arms.

                  You also need to learn how to stretch, and should stretch out your entire body every day. I'm naughty and rarely do, but you should spend c. 15 minutes per day (and this is minimum, especially when exercising) stretching out. Check places such as the Mens Health website for help.

                  Don't be scared of what I've just written. Boiling it down to its basics, it's simply this:

                  (1) Working up a sweat twice per week making your heart work
                  (2) Doing 3 lots of different exercises for 3 sets each, 3 days per week
                  (3) Stretching some

                  jonny_rat @jonny_rat | 18 Sep '07, 15:44 | X
                  • I'm scared.

                    I did 40 mins cardio and 25 mins weights and stretching last night.. am sticking to this.. and doing yoga tonight and then will do my cardio weights routine again tomorrow (ie, every other day).

                    I feel really good today as a result. I forgot how good endorphins are when they kick in...

                    Rose-Kitten @jonny_rat | 18 Sep '07, 15:48 | X
              • I do about 300 sit ups a day

                and thats about it.

                I want to go swimming, but i dont like the whole having to walk home with wet hair thing

                dash_and_blast | 18 Sep '07, 15:45 | X
              • I think I should start playing

                Football and Squash again.

                Dalkin | 18 Sep '07, 15:49 | X
              • I go out of my way

                to avoid physical excercise of any kind.

                But good on you for starting again...

                dark_truffles | 18 Sep '07, 17:21 | X
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