The Sideshow Freaks Fitness Thread

[Eli26]

Agreed. You definitely have to listen to what your pain is telling you. When I hurt my shoulder in my first week, I backed off for while. I didn't want to injure myself further, and I think it was a smart call.

And that is also why a warm up helps, as well as stretching... if you spend just a little time doing those two things, it will lessen the chances of injury. Especially when combined with decent form.

Good call bringing up stretching. I am disappointed that I alluded to explain that. Stretching is very integral in a workout. Before and after. However, don't over stretch as that can be bad. Also, warm up on a treadmill by doing a small short jog. I find the body works best when warmed up and stretched. Most people don't stretch. They know to work their abs (core) and lift weights, and cardio, but seldom do I see people follow that up with a good stretch before and after.

 

[El Roranous]

It's not for everyone, that's for sure. I wish it was. I'm just glad I got over my fear of it, I just think that humans don't use our full body potential... and if I can get a fraction of my potential by going to a gym.. I will. I just want to do everything I can do to be healthy, and also just to see how far I can go.

It's like climbing a mountain really, you are just aiming for that peak.

I can definitely understand that. I can also see how it would become addicting. But at least it's better than a crack habit.

 

[DarkArtist81]

Good call bringing up stretching. I am disappointed that I alluded to explain that. Stretching is very integral in a workout. Before and after. However, don't over stretch as that can be bad. Also, warm up on a treadmill by doing a small short jog. I find the body works best when warmed up and stretched. Most people don't stretch. They know to work their abs (core) and lift weights, and cardio, but seldom do I see people follow that up with a good stretch before and after.

Ditto. Nobody does it anymore, even between sets I am doing some minor stretching or loosening my muscles. But some guys just jump right into it and leave after with nothing. I usually stretch before I get there, do a jog on the treadmill, hit the weights, do my distance run on the treadmill and stretch out at my car before heading home.

But yeah, it's about having your body warmed up and loose. Ready for anything.

 

[DarkArtist81]

I can definitely understand that. I can also see how it would become addicting. But at least it's better than a crack habit.

Yeah, it's definitely addicting. Arnold would call it "The Pump". That feeling you get while working out, like your muscles are going to explode out of your skin. It's exhilarating. As is the feeling you get when you get home and look in the mirror, seeing the progress. It's ^^^^ing great.

Speaking of.... I have to get my ass to the gym... see you guys in a bit.

 

[MaulFan]

Today's my day off, ran my ass off last night, hardest I've run yet.

This week starts next level of weights. I could feel last night that the weights I was lifting were getting a bit easy so time to step it up again.

This morning was weigh in day though. Dropped 2 more pounds since last Monday. At this rate, I'll drop the remainder of what I'm trying to in about 15 weeks.

 

[Eli26]

Yeah, it's definitely addicting. Arnold would call it "The Pump". That feeling you get while working out, like your muscles are going to explode out of your skin. It's exhilarating. As is the feeling you get when you get home and look in the mirror, seeing the progress. It's ^^^^ing great.

Speaking of.... I have to get my ass to the gym... see you guys in a bit.

The pump you speak of is blood pooling in the muscle... blood that goes between the muscle fibre pushing it out, giving that big pumped look. Sadly, that look lasts for about 15-45 mins. lol

 

[Eli26]

I can definitely understand that. I can also see how it would become addicting. But at least it's better than a crack habit.

How anyone can compare an addition that is therapeutic, and non toxic, vs. something that isn't and produces toxins... Bad comparison!

Someone smack Rory upside the head. Good and hard.

 

[p!tu]

Just got back from the gym! Ran to the gym worked out my Chest and Biceps and Abs. then ran back home!

 

[JC]

Really great to see that the thread is still going strong since I started it, thanks for keeping it alive guys! Im loving reading all your stories...

Eli man...Great advice you have been giving on here, I though I knew my stuff about health and fitness, you really do know your stuff man! Can I hire you as my personal trainer?

 

[DarkArtist81]

Yeah, Eli rocks! So do many of the other freaks here. It's been a lot of help to me, that's for sure.

Today I did Chest and back, with my usual cardio routine. But this week I am keeping it at 2 miles per day instead of my usual 1.5 mile a day, 2 mile on Wed routine. And upping my weights as well. It was a great day. And I dropped a pound since Friday, which was nice. Trying desperately to hit 200 or below!

 

[MaulFan]

One thing I don't do running is keep track of stats, I find it makes me feel to pressured or hurts my confidence. I've got a friend, she can run like 3-4 miles, while I, with a stride twice hers, could barely do half that. The only thing I measure running is how fast I've got the treadmill set at. I do an intervals jog. When I started, my routine was:

0-1 minute - Level 1
1-3 minutes - Level 2
3-10 minutes - Level 3
10-15 minutes - Level 4
15-20 minutes - Level 3
20-25 minutes - Level 4
25-28 minutes - Level 3
28-29 minutes - Level 2
29-30 minutes - Level 1

As of yesterday, I'm now at

0-1 minute - Level 2.2
1-3 minutes - Level 3.2
3-10 minutes - Level 4.2
10-15 minutes - Level 5.2
15-20 minutes - Level 4.2
20-25 minutes - Level 5.2
25-28 minutes - Level 4.2
28-29 minutes - Level 3.2
29-30 minutes - Level 2.2
30-31 minutes - Level 1

as I increase, I need to add a minute or two extra for cool down, can't slam on the breaks once I've peaked.

I basically go up .2 every so often. Given the few set backs I've had along the way, one being the elevation mechanism breaking and having to switch things up to adjust to the lower elevation, and being sick for 2 weeks and not running, I'm happy with how high I'm able to push it and that it continues to increas. I don't care what the calorie burn says or the mileage. 30 minutes every other day of running, 30-40 minutes of weight training, the pounds are burning, my body's improving, that's what counts. I wouldn't even watch weight except I need some measurable thing to track progress against.

 

[Mikey2Bullets]

i typically hit the gym 4 or 5 days a week and jiu-jitsu, karate, judo, once a week. that's all my sensei offers at the moment. at the gym i alternate arms/legs/abs one day, and back/chest/shoudlers/cardio the other. and month to month i alternate 3 sets of 6 at 80% and 4 sets of 12 at 60%. for runs i set a min pace of 8 minute mile, and road marches 12 minute mile minumum with 50-60lb pack. my wife is also a regional director for gnc. she hooks me up with the correct supplements. i came back from the sandbox weighing 110 lbs. after six months of this routine i plateaued at 170 and have been there ever since.

 

[DarkArtist81]

With running, I am always trying to do more mileage in less time. So I started out a few weeks ago running at 6.8 mph and doing a mile (usually in like 12 minutes), and then I moved up to 7.0 and a mile and a half (in like 9 minutes), and now I am doing 2 miles at 8.0 mph or above in about 17-18 minutes.

 

[MaulFan]

I have no clue how fast I'm running, if the levels are mph then I'm doing ok I suppose I do what I can. I'm dragging a lot of weight around though so I feel ok where I'm at. I'm going as fast as my body can handle. I actually thought i was going puke last night and almost copped out, but I toughed it out and as soon as I slew down I felt better.

 

[The ill Jedi]

I worked out with a personal trainer...

...Also, consult a personal trainer...

I've been considering doing this and having them train me for a few weeks 'til I get the routine and stuff down on my own. The only thing that has kept me is that I hate going to the Gym alone! I'm going to take your lead Josh and say ^^^^ it and not be afraid to go on my own.

 

[Mikey2Bullets]

With running, I am always trying to do more mileage in less time. So I started out a few weeks ago running at 6.8 mph and doing a mile (usually in like 12 minutes), and then I moved up to 7.0 and a mile and a half (in like 9 minutes), and now I am doing 2 miles at 8.0 mph or above in about 17-18 minutes.

nice that's a great progression. that's about the army's basic standard. it's a comfortable pace. my unit was 14:54 two miler min standard. i avg about 13:55 and hated myself every time cause of some guy who did it in under 12.
keep up the good work. treadmills are good for getting comfortable at a specific pace, but road runs are great for training yourself to keep that pace. don't mind me, i'm just blabbing.

 

[Kabukiman]

So I started out a few weeks ago running at 6.8 mph and doing a mile (usually in like 12 minutes), and then I moved up to 7.0 and a mile and a half (in like 9 minutes), and now I am doing 2 miles at 8.0 mph or above in about 17-18 minutes.

Josh - Is this a treadmill or free running? How do you know how fast you're going?

 

[Eli26]

That's it! I am gonna take pics at the end of this Summer and try to take my body the furthest it has ever been. You guys inspired me. The fact that you're making that extra effort. I need to get back to being more intense in my workouts like I have in the past. You want results and changes. So do I. Beauty of this lifestyle, there is always room for improvement!

And yes, you all rock too!


Yes, ESPECIALLY Bannister can be in amazing shape. ESPECIALLY BANNISTER!

 

[Eli26]

Josh - Is this a treadmill or free running? How do you know how fast you're going?

He could be on a treadmill.. he may even have a heart monitor that registers RPMs... *shrugs*

 

[OSCORP]

Any weightlifters take creatine here? I'm just using Whey ATM, but i'd love to see what creatine could do for me. (or beta alanine)