Anyone here a regular at the Gym?

[Genius_Cube]

Hi,

I am looking for a little advice regarding a challenge I have set myself (read more about it in my blog, siggy link). Part of this challenge is regular excercise, and seeing as I already had a gym membership i thought i may as well use it. The problem? My knowledge of these things is limited at best and I was wondering if anyone had any tips. I am doing some outdoor running for cardio (running machines drive me crazy) so most of my gym work is centered around situps, weights etc.

Thanks in advnce!

[openeyes]

I recommend checking out "Getting Stronger" by Bill Pearl, former Mr. Universe and long time vegetarian (if that matters). It's full of exercise routines and advice. When I have more time I'll try to read your blog entry and possibly post a bit more.

[Genius_Cube]

My post is not that interesting :-p But thanks for the advice.

[munish]

"Muscle Logic" book introduces revolutionary strength training concepts for building lean body mass

[da1prophet]

Originally Posted by Genius_Cube

Hi,

I am looking for a little advice regarding a challenge I have set myself (read more about it in my blog, siggy link). Part of this challenge is regular excercise, and seeing as I already had a gym membership i thought i may as well use it. The problem? My knowledge of these things is limited at best and I was wondering if anyone had any tips. I am doing some outdoor running for cardio (running machines drive me crazy) so most of my gym work is centered around situps, weights etc.

Thanks in advnce!

I go to the gym six days a week and here's a trick I've found that has always worked for me--I find I'm more diligent about my workout and much better about always making it to the gym if I'm training *for* something as opposed to just working out. When I was younger I skied and snowboarded a lot, so my training was geared around that. Now I follow a training regimen for boxing and mixed martial arts--I don't plan to ever actually get in the ring and fight, but just having a direction and framework for my workouts keeps me a lot more disciplined and focused than I would be if I didn't have a specific fitness goal. Having this specific fitness goal has also manifest itself in my nutrition--when I'm tempted to eat a big piece of cake or buy some junkfood at the store I ask myself if that's how Floyd Mayweather or Roy Jones, Jr. would train.

Also, I swear by my iPod--my gym plays better music than most, but its no substitute for my own playlist of songs that I find motivating and energizing...

[marktb]

I am a Personal Trainer here in Scottsdale, aZ and will tell you that you DONT NEED a gym nor weights to build an amazing body. the majority of my clients workouts and my personal workouts are focused around growth-hormone releasing exercises such as isometrics, sprints, and self-resistance exercises. No weights, no balls, nothing. Just your own body exactly how nature intended it.

One of the biggest misconceptions in the fitness indsutry is functional training. 99% of the population NEEDS lower bodyfat levels, better blood profiles, more strength and a certain amount of increased flexilbity, not be able to do db bench presses laying on a swiss ball or throwing medicine balls around. My protocol is highly-effective for changing body composition.

Mark Baldwin

[openeyes]

Originally Posted by marktb

One of the biggest misconceptions in the fitness indsutry is functional training. 99% of the population NEEDS lower bodyfat levels, better blood profiles, more strength and a certain amount of increased flexilbity, not be able to do db bench presses laying on a swiss ball or throwing medicine balls around. My protocol is highly-effective for changing body composition.

Mark Baldwin

Do you recommend any certain books, such as Pavel's "Naked Warrior" or Brad Johnson's "Bodyweight Exercises for Extraordinary Strength"?

[marktb]

Brad's is great. Pavel's is mundane and not for the general public.

John Peterson's new book "Isometric Power for everyone" will be great. In fact, I am one of the models in the book. ))

Mark Baldwin

[ticktockclok]

All of John Peterson's books are amazing. I don't think his latest book, which is isometric-based, would be suitable for someone just entering the realm of bodyweight exercises; you need to master or at least get a handle on DVRs (Dynamic Visualized Resistance exercises) and DSRs (Dynamic Self-Resistance exercises) first. I would suggest the Miracle 7 or Pushing Yourself to Power first.

[marktb]

ticktock. You are correct, however I find it much easier to teach people isos instead of DVR's, esp. women. I use BOTH in my PT practice but I find women respond much quicker to aerobic isos than regular isos due to their inherent slow-twitch fiber makeup.

Mark Baldwin

[Stevie B]

Check this site out:

Welcome to CrossFit: Forging Elite Fitness

It's pretty cool and I really recommend it along with the Zone diet. I've lost 8 pounds in two weeks so far, as well I can do 50 push ups and dips, which I could barely do before I started.

Steve

[cgs]

I've gone the gym route before and honestly, I could care less for the place.
Gyms:

1) are stinky
2) full of grunting people, many of which are trying to show off
3) expensive!
4) time/energy wasted driving to the gym, waiting on people to be done with the equipment

I'd only recommend a gym if it's just not practical for you to get outside and do your own workouts for whatever reason.

I'm currently giving sandbag training a shot, as I'm trying to gain weight. I just made my own 100 lb sandbag today for 30 bucks: http://www.rosstraining.com/sandbagconstructionkit.pdf

[Genius_Cube]

This is all very interesting, the gym costs me about £360 ($710) a year. A cost I could well do without. Anymore reccomended reading from you guys?

[Stevie B]

Originally Posted by Genius_Cube

This is all very interesting, the gym costs me about £360 ($710) a year. A cost I could well do without. Anymore reccomended reading from you guys?

If you'd like to keep costs down and are interested in the crossfit routine, they show you how you can do this at home for a minimal cost.

Steve

[and]

Concerning what CGS said, some gyms are as you describe, some are not. I would recommend trying out different gyms and places like YMCA, you'll find that different place have different feel to them. Locally I go to the university recreation center, where there's a lot of focus on cardio and health and not so much on grunt.

I would also recommend taking some of the group classes that are offered, this is where you'll learn new exercises, but also do so in a fun way with other people.

[Matthew]

Originally Posted by marktb

I am a Personal Trainer here in Scottsdale, aZ and will tell you that you DONT NEED a gym nor weights to build an amazing body. the majority of my clients workouts and my personal workouts are focused around growth-hormone releasing exercises such as isometrics, sprints, and self-resistance exercises. No weights, no balls, nothing. Just your own body exactly how nature intended it.

One of the biggest misconceptions in the fitness indsutry is functional training. 99% of the population NEEDS lower bodyfat levels, better blood profiles, more strength and a certain amount of increased flexilbity, not be able to do db bench presses laying on a swiss ball or throwing medicine balls around. My protocol is highly-effective for changing body composition.

Mark Baldwin

I'm curious: What do you think about the Crossfit mentality of training? They're huge on Olympic weightlifting, but they're also a big proponent of high-intensity exercises.

There are some Crossfit affiliates in the valley, although nobody from my group has checked them out yet.

[marktb]

Matthew, I love crossfit FOR MYSELF and a select few. There is just too much of a injury risk associated with many of the recommended exercises. The majority of my clients are over 40 and the last thing they need to be doing are snatches and other high-force exercises.

Mark Baldwin

[John Hill]

I am a personal trainer and my advice to you would be to learn as much as you can about training before you waste too much of your valuable time. Very few people make any progress in the gym because they are unaware of what they should be doing or following wrong advice.

On my website below I address all the above issues and more in the health and fitness section on the site. The link is below.

John

[shudek]

I've been strength training for over ten years now and all of it has been at the local Y. I love the place. Going there keeps me motivated. I don't like working out in isolation. Guess I'm more of a social animal when it comes to exercise.

I've lifted weights, but am now getting more into body weight training (I like Pavel and Matt Furey), and Olympic lifting (snatch and clean-and-jerk), also known as "explosive" lifting.

There are an infinite number of ways to exercise and no one way is "better" than the other. What works for someone else may not work for you. Do what feels right to you. If you can afford to go to a gym and find it motivates you to greater levels of fitness, then by all means go.

If you prefer working out at home, do that. Try out different things. That way, your body will get varied experiences and one day, something will "click" for you.

[ticktockclok]

I suggest being cautious with the "explosive lifting". They're alright as a supplement to your main training, but you have to be cautious about overdoing them.

[marktb]

I will post a link to my photos if anyone is interested in learning what self-resistance exercise and isometrics can do. Its extremely safe, effective and convenient and the results are far better than using weights. I am NOT bashing weights whatsoever, I am saying they aren't NEEDED to produce results.

Mark Baldwin

[stangst3r]

sure mark. i'd be intrested...

[Eagles]

Just log on to Scottsdale Personal Trainer | Hublifefitness.com | Arizona's best! and have full details of a personal trainer.

[Liminal Chris]

Originally Posted by marktb

I will post a link to my photos if anyone is interested in learning what self-resistance exercise and isometrics can do. Its extremely safe, effective and convenient and the results are far better than using weights. I am NOT bashing weights whatsoever, I am saying they aren't NEEDED to produce results.

Mark Baldwin

very interested ^^

[munish]

Originally Posted by Genius_Cube

Hi,

I am looking for a little advice regarding a challenge I have set myself (read more about it in my blog, siggy link). Part of this challenge is regular excercise, and seeing as I already had a gym membership i thought i may as well use it. The problem? My knowledge of these things is limited at best and I was wondering if anyone had any tips. I am doing some outdoor running for cardio (running machines drive me crazy) so most of my gym work is centered around situps, weights etc.

Thanks in advnce!

Join a gym,ask the instructer there,he will guide you.

Go to gym for strength training, atleast 4 days a week.

[hkalchemy]

Three tips:

1. I think the most important thing is just to get started. Commit yourself to going three times a week and go - rain or shine.

2. When you're there, try to develop a routine, don't just flit from one thi