Working out

[The Third Man]

Never thought I'd actually stick with a workout routine, but, being inspired by (of all things) Tom Hardy's physique in Warrior/The Dark Knight Rises/Bronson (in a totally heterosexual way), and intending to shed the six or seven pounds that I'd gained from being unemployed, I got back to dieting over the past few weeks and busted out my kettlebell that I got a year or so ago but left to gather dust after a couple of weeks. I've been doing a routine of three sets/ten reps of 14 different kettlebell exercises three times a week, and not only do I no longer dread working out, I even kind of embrace it in a "I'm going to feel satisfied as hell with myself with this is all over." Plus I have a high tolerance for weight training; it's cardio I've always really despised. I can already see modest results here and there; it's nice to be able to notice that I have muscles without having to actually flex. It figures that as big a role as movies play in my life that they would be the thing to finally get me working out, but hey, whatever works.

[longhornbaseball]

What kettlebell exercises do you do? I've been in a rut and need something different to get me motivated to start up again.

[Schlich]

Weight training kicks the [expletive] out of cardio any day.

[The Third Man]

What kettlebell exercises do you do? I've been in a rut and need something different to get me motivated to start up again.

Lunges, a swing where I bring it all the way up over my head...honestly, I don't know the names of a lot of the exercises since I usually get this stuff from youtube videos and have kind of mix-and-matched to what seems like a well-rounded routine. This thing that's basically a shoulder press while in a squat, this thing where I lay flat and bring my knees and the kettlebell to meet, this thing where I lock the bell out overhead in one hand and reach to touch the toes on my opposite foot with the other...plus obvious stuff like curls, rows, chest presses, whatever the hell that thing that works my triceps is where I raise it from behind my head to straight overhead. And pushups and planks for good measure. It's pretty scattershot but it gets me pretty much everywhere but my calves (which I should add something that works those I suppose) and leaves me just enough sore and sweaty to assume I'm doing a decent job.

[Freed Roger]

I find mixing it up is the way to go. Over time -weights make running/cardio easier. And running complements the weights. When I used to just lift weights -and then try to run a moderate distance - I was whipped, which was depressing. Likewise, I know when I'm not strong enough - and start getting injured out running.

Your body adapts to a routine. The hard part is finding time to mix it up - because you know how to fit a routine into the day.

[jim]

Mixing it up absolutely is the only way to do it. I have general ideas what I am going to do each day/week, but no real concrete plan. For example I might say Tues is a cardio day - I might do a spin class, a jog, some sprints, .. But good point about fitting it in, sometimes I get into that trap of just kind of wandering around looking for something to do. I only go 45-60 minutes, so if I wonder for 15 that's a good chunk of the workout.

Those kettleballs scare me because people look like they don't have a real good grip on them. One day somebody is going to get killed at my place.

[cardinalkarp]

I wanted to start back up on a workout routine this morning but after hitting up the batting cages Friday, Saturday, and Sunday I've got about 7 blisters between both hands so its going to have to wait a couple days.

[MrSaigon]

Mixing it up absolutely is the only way to do it. I have general ideas what I am going to do each day/week, but no real concrete plan. For example I might say Tues is a cardio day - I might do a spin class, a jog, some sprints, .. But good point about fitting it in, sometimes I get into that trap of just kind of wandering around looking for something to do. I only go 45-60 minutes, so if I wonder for 15 that's a good chunk of the workout.

Those kettleballs scare me because people look like they don't have a real good grip on them. One day somebody is going to get killed at my place.

Not just for peace of mind either. Muscles stop responding as effectively to the same consistent exercises. 'Muscle Confusion' is the fad phrase right now, but there's solid science behind it.

[Schlich]

Except not really.

[jim]

I don't get peoples motives sometimes. There is this guy at my place who works out 5x a week with a personal trainer, he's probably in his low 50's and is kind of short with a bit of a gut - one of those solid keg like guts if you know what I mean. Anyway, I don't get him. He's a strong guy, and he's throwing around alot of weight doing cleans, dead lifts, squats, etc... This is stuff I'd expect to see a guy 18 or so doing to increase explosiveness for football or whatever, and I fully expect this guy to just throw his back out completely. One of these days I'm going to get hurt just watching him. His trainer is attentive, and makes sure his form and all of that is good, but I don't buy that crap about perfect form means no injury. You know what? When you are my age or older, it doesn't matter. You are going to screw something up if you push it that hard. I'm still in good shape, I can still throw some weight around, but I also know that I have some limits that need to be respected simply because I'm old. I can feel something going on in my left shoulder, which is not the shoulder I hurt before, and I'm backing off immediately. I think I know the exercise that is causing it, and I'm just done with it. There is no way I'm pushing that.

What he needs, imo, is some cardio work for his heart and some toning. I just don't get what he is doing at all. I don't think he's much healthier because of his workouts.