OT : Workout Advice

[ScoopBrady]

My money is on Dom. Make it happen, guys! Maybe it can on the undercard of the Pacquiao / Mayweather fight that will never happen.

As for stretching, much like a lot of health issues opinions go back and forth all of the time. Right now the craze is that stretching isn't necessary.

The type of stretching I do involves a lot of Yoga positions which is very good for building up core strength. It's a pretty good blend of loosening up and working the core before going on to the meat of the workout. In my opinion this type of stretching is vital to my fitness. I never knew how demanding Yoga could be and how weak my core is. So in my estimation stretching is making me stronger which in turn lowers my chance of injury. If I'm wrong, oh well I enjoy the benefits I get from doing it.

[fanatic]

What's the general consensus on cardio equipment for the house? Thinking about something for my basement to plop in front of the TV. Ceiling height is about 6'9" max, and I'm 6'1" so I'm limited for sure. Not really a fan of treadmills and the ellipticals don't get me sweating enough I find.

Is a spin bike the best option in terms of bikes? I've never tried one, but people seem to go nuts for them at gyms with all the classes and such. What is the advantage over the regular electronic stand-up/sit-down bikes? I guess sturdiness is one of the main things I look for, as well as overall comfort. Anything else? Thanks!

[pk500]

What's the general consensus on cardio equipment for the house? Thinking about something for my basement to plop in front of the TV. Ceiling height is about 6'9" max, and I'm 6'1" so I'm limited for sure. Not really a fan of treadmills and the ellipticals don't get me sweating enough I find.

Is a spin bike the best option in terms of bikes? I've never tried one, but people seem to go nuts for them at gyms with all the classes and such. What is the advantage over the regular electronic stand-up/sit-down bikes? I guess sturdiness is one of the main things I look for, as well as overall comfort. Anything else? Thanks!

Do you already own a decent bike? Save yourself some cheddar and get a stationary trainer. You don't need to spend a ton of coin if you're not a serious cyclist:

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10 ... 000_200416

I owned this trainer for a few years, and it did the job well. Watched countless Oilers' games on the DVR while spinning away.

[fanatic]

What's the general consensus on cardio equipment for the house? Thinking about something for my basement to plop in front of the TV. Ceiling height is about 6'9" max, and I'm 6'1" so I'm limited for sure. Not really a fan of treadmills and the ellipticals don't get me sweating enough I find.

Is a spin bike the best option in terms of bikes? I've never tried one, but people seem to go nuts for them at gyms with all the classes and such. What is the advantage over the regular electronic stand-up/sit-down bikes? I guess sturdiness is one of the main things I look for, as well as overall comfort. Anything else? Thanks!

Do you already own a decent bike? Save yourself some cheddar and get a stationary trainer. You don't need to spend a ton of coin if you're not a serious cyclist:

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10 ... 000_200416

I owned this trainer for a few years, and it did the job well. Watched countless Oilers' games on the DVR while spinning away.

That looks pretty cool actually...but I don't have a decent bike at the moment.

Also, doesn't watching countless Oilers' games counteract the positive health benefits of the bike?

[pk500]

What's the general consensus on cardio equipment for the house? Thinking about something for my basement to plop in front of the TV. Ceiling height is about 6'9" max, and I'm 6'1" so I'm limited for sure. Not really a fan of treadmills and the ellipticals don't get me sweating enough I find.

Is a spin bike the best option in terms of bikes? I've never tried one, but people seem to go nuts for them at gyms with all the classes and such. What is the advantage over the regular electronic stand-up/sit-down bikes? I guess sturdiness is one of the main things I look for, as well as overall comfort. Anything else? Thanks!

Do you already own a decent bike? Save yourself some cheddar and get a stationary trainer. You don't need to spend a ton of coin if you're not a serious cyclist:

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10 ... 000_200416

I owned this trainer for a few years, and it did the job well. Watched countless Oilers' games on the DVR while spinning away.

That looks pretty cool actually...but I don't have a decent bike at the moment.

Also, doesn't watching countless Oilers' games counteract the positive health benefits of the bike?

That only killed my mental health. So I'm clinically insane, with a resting heart rate of 46 and a blood pressure of 118/76.

[fanatic]

Ha. Nice

[F308GTB]

What's the general consensus on cardio equipment for the house? Thinking about something for my basement to plop in front of the TV. Ceiling height is about 6'9" max, and I'm 6'1" so I'm limited for sure. Not really a fan of treadmills and the ellipticals don't get me sweating enough I find.

Is a spin bike the best option in terms of bikes? I've never tried one, but people seem to go nuts for them at gyms with all the classes and such. What is the advantage over the regular electronic stand-up/sit-down bikes? I guess sturdiness is one of the main things I look for, as well as overall comfort. Anything else? Thanks!

Where do you live? What's the budget?

I'd say a treadmill is out as you won't have clearance. I'd stay away from recumbent exercise bikes. Not very comfy. Paul's suggestion of a bike + trainer is best, but barring that I'd go with something from Cycleops (http://www.cycleops.com/products/indoor ... egory_id=7) or Lemond (http://www.lemondfitness.com/product_li ... -revmaster). Though honestly if you drop coin on either of those you're better off getting the trainer and pick up a used bike. There's only so long you can go on a trainer and not go nuts. You'll want to get outside at times.

Another option is a high quality rowing machine - http://www.concept2.com/us/default.asp

[fanatic]

What's the general consensus on cardio equipment for the house? Thinking about something for my basement to plop in front of the TV. Ceiling height is about 6'9" max, and I'm 6'1" so I'm limited for sure. Not really a fan of treadmills and the ellipticals don't get me sweating enough I find.

Is a spin bike the best option in terms of bikes? I've never tried one, but people seem to go nuts for them at gyms with all the classes and such. What is the advantage over the regular electronic stand-up/sit-down bikes? I guess sturdiness is one of the main things I look for, as well as overall comfort. Anything else? Thanks!

Where do you live? What's the budget?

I'd say a treadmill is out as you won't have clearance. I'd stay away from recumbent exercise bikes. Not very comfy. Paul's suggestion of a bike + trainer is best, but barring that I'd go with something from Cycleops (http://www.cycleops.com/products/indoor ... egory_id=7) or Lemond (http://www.lemondfitness.com/product_li ... -revmaster). Though honestly if you drop coin on either of those you're better off getting the trainer and pick up a used bike. There's only so long you can go on a trainer and not go nuts. You'll want to get outside at times.

Another option is a high quality rowing machine - http://www.concept2.com/us/default.asp

Thanks..a huge help.

Now that you've mentioned it, I should really look into the rowers. That concept 2 one you listed is available nearby and may be a nice way to get a more full-body workout.

[fanatic]

F308GTB...

After doing some extensive online research, the Concept 2 rower looks like a very solid product and probably the best fit for me personally. Sorry to keep swarming you with questions, but the last thing I'm wondering about is whether a heart rate monitor (via chest strap) is a recommended accessory. Seems like it would make the workouts super-precise, but I'm just not sure whether it's recommended for the regular Joe who is training at home. Thanks again!

[F308GTB]

F308GTB...

After doing some extensive online research, the Concept 2 rower looks like a very solid product and probably the best fit for me personally. Sorry to keep swarming you with questions, but the last thing I'm wondering about is whether a heart rate monitor (via chest strap) is a recommended accessory. Seems like it would make the workouts super-precise, but I'm just not sure whether it's recommended for the regular Joe who is training at home. Thanks again!

When I started riding a bike seriously I used a HRM. But then I found power meters, which were much better for measuring workout intensity. Running you can use pace. I don't have a Concept2, but I understand they are the preferred rowing machine by many. I don't think they measure power, but that's not a necessity. You can get a long way with just perceived effort, and heart rate can misguide you unless you really understand your body. I never use a HRM these days and am always guided by perceived effort and pace on the run and power/perceived effort on the bike. For a rowing machine I personally would just use perceived effort. It's not hard to figure out VO2, threshold, tempo, and endurance pacing just from your breathing.

[fanatic]

Makes sense...thanks again.

[Lancer]

Hi Guys. Well it'll be exactly a month tomorrow that I started working out and I have lost 8 lbs!

I took all your advice and tried to concise it into one routine. Advice I got from my Kentucky friends and the board members here were honestly better than the trainers at the gym who weren't really helpful at all.

I can't believe I dropped this much so fast but I've been pretty dedicated, working out Mon - Thu weekly, averaging about 1 hr 45 min per session.

I'm doing 40 min cardio, mainly stairmaster, and then weights and aerobic machines. I started from the bottom of each routine, like starting bench press at 20lbs and now working my way up to bench 60lbs. It may not sound like much, but it is a lot for me who hadn't done any physical exercise in years. Also started at level 2 in stairmaster and now I'm on Level 4 which is kicking my butt.

The only issue I'm sort of sensing this week is I may have reached that pinnacle some of you talked about. I'll just have to up my routine.

I probably would lose more weight but I am still enjoying some junk food on the weekends. I'm not going overboard, maybe a pizza and burger here and there, but the xmas holidays were tough. Also I don't like the fact this week the gym has been packed even at 9pm since all the new years resolution people are there. I have a set routine and it sucks when you can use the particular machine since there are tons of people on it.

Well thanks again. I really hope next month I can lose at least 5 lbs.

[Danimal]

I'm a big proponent of muscle confusion which is why P90x is so successful. If you do the same routine every day you're not going to benefit from it as much down the road no matter how much you increase the intensity.

I'm at the other end of the spectrum right now. I hurt a muscle in my leg in November while I was half way through a P90X / Insanity combo. I couldn't workout for 3 weeks, then the Holidays hit and now were in Jan and I haven't worked out in close to 2 months. The only good thing is even with the holidays and not working out I only gained about 5 lbs back. However I just lost the drive to hit the program again, mainly due to absolutely time.

It was a photo that got me motivated in the first place last spring to start the program, now I look pretty good so my motivation is lacking. I really need a kick in the as to get going.

[toonarmy]

Hi Guys. Well it'll be exactly a month tomorrow that I started working out and I have lost 8 lbs!

I took all your advice and tried to concise it into one routine. Advice I got from my Kentucky friends and the board members here were honestly better than the trainers at the gym who weren't really helpful at all.

I can't believe I dropped this much so fast but I've been pretty dedicated, working out Mon - Thu weekly, averaging about 1 hr 45 min per session.

That's really good! The main thing is that you are working out, and sticking with it. I'm old enough to have seen a lot of exercise fads come and go. Each new fad supports itself by showing all sorts of studies and the like, then a new fad comes along with its studies supporting it, and on and on. The bottom line is that you are finding a system that works for you and motivates you to keep going back to the gym. Nothing can be more important. You are mainly interested in losing some pounds and getting in better shape, not participating in a strong-man contest or doing triathlons. Therefore, you have been highly successful thus far doing things your way. Just keep doing what feels comfortable and fits into your schedule. When you don't think you are getting the results you want or feel like you are getting bored, then change things up a little and challenge yourself more. You will be absolutely amazed in a few months at how much strength you have gained and how much better you feel. It's awesome that you have become dedicated to getting in better shape.

[pk500]

Toon touches upon why I never liked workout "systems."

I prefer to mix up activities to work different muscle groups and keep things fresh, whether it's cycling, downhill and X-C skiing, boxing, running or playing hockey.

Everything is seasonal for me. I ski and play hockey regularly in the winter, ride and run in the spring, summer and fall. The only thing I do year-round is box and the various training exercises (jumping rope, crunches, footwork drills, etc.) of a fighter. That's my desert island workout.

I applaud everyone who is trying to stay in shape in 2011, whether it's through a system or a more patchwork approach.

[F308GTB]

I'm at the other end of the spectrum right now. I hurt a muscle in my leg in November while I was half way through a P90X / Insanity combo. I couldn't workout for 3 weeks, then the Holidays hit and now were in Jan and I haven't worked out in close to 2 months.

I hear ya. Got done with a business trip in mid-December. Had plans to run 40 miles one week and close out the year with 50 miles of running in a week. Got sick the day after I got back and through out my back (I think sleeping on the couch to get relief from the bad cold). Been about 3 weeks since I've exercised and I still can't work out due to the back.

[Diablo25]

I'm at the other end of the spectrum right now. I hurt a muscle in my leg in November while I was half way through a P90X / Insanity combo. I couldn't workout for 3 weeks, then the Holidays hit and now were in Jan and I haven't worked out in close to 2 months.

I hear ya. Got done with a business trip in mid-December. Had plans to run 40 miles one week and close out the year with 50 miles of running in a week. Got sick the day after I got back and through out my back (I think sleeping on the couch to get relief from the bad cold). Been about 3 weeks since I've exercised and I still can't work out due to the back.

That was me three weeks ago. Threw out my back and was limited to light cardio for a long while. I'm just now getting to the point where I think I'm 100%. It just sucks finally getting motivated to workout and an illness or injury puts you back a month.

[fanatic]

Just wanted to mention that I ended up buying the Concept 2 rowing machine.

First of all - the delivery is incredibly fast. They had to of shipped that thing within an hour of my call in order to get it to me that quick. First class company all the way (website and customer support are great).

The D model rower feels like a solid piece of equipment, very well designed and extremely easy to start using.

The thing I like about rowing is how important technique is. I'm basically spending my first week concentrating on this alone. Learning the different components of the stroke, proper pacing, etc..is really important in the long run and a nice way to feel like you're learning a sport rather than grinding out a workout.

Thanks again for all the advice guys.

[ScoopBrady]

I'm back at it this week after taking a good 2-3 weeks off during the holidays. It was nice to just enjoy some time off with the family and not really worry about what I was eating or when and if I was going to work out. Now that the holidays are over I'm rededicating myself. I've worked out 3 of the 5 days this week and plan on working out tomorrow and Sunday as well. I got Your Shape Fitness for Christmas so I've been mixing it up with that and some Insanity workouts. I've also been making healthier eating choices. It's amazing how much better you feel when you workout during the week. For those needing the motivation just workout once and it will all come flooding back. Seriously, my body was sucking up the exercise and wanting more this week.

Danimal, it sounds like you were doing too much. Why would you be doing P90X and Insanity at the same time? That would explain to me why you're not feeling motivated; you were overdoing it. Get back into the swing of things with some lighter exercise and build up to one of those programs. Just a suggestion.

[Danimal]

Danimal, it sounds like you were doing too much. Why would you be doing P90X and Insanity at the same time? That would explain to me why you're not feeling motivated; you were overdoing it. Get back into the swing of things with some lighter exercise and build up to one of those programs. Just a suggestion.

It was a combo not both programs, although I did start that way to beach Body told me I was insane. That is good advice, I plan on just doing the P90X program starting tonight. <y biggest issue right now is diet, I don't have time to make what they want me to eat. My wives idea of making dinner is whatever she can nuke and I almost never bring a lunch to work.

I wish I could hire a personal chef. LOL

[vader29]

Couple of years ago I was probably in the best shape I've been in since high school and the main exercise I got was biking around 20-30 miles on weekends and I was eating whatever I wanted and wouldn't gain any weight. Last year because of stress and family problems I ended up only biking 4 times the entire year and ended up putting on 40 pounds because of it. I am going to give the EA Sports Active 9 week program a try to hopefully get back into a little shape before spring and then hit the bike trails regularly again this year.

I agree that the hardest part is willing yourself to get started, but just after a couple of days I can feel a difference already plus after working out yesterday I had the best nights sleep I've had in a long time. The only thing disappointing so far with the EA Active program is that it doesn't recognize me at all on any exercises where I have to lay on the floor so I have to end up skipping those, hopefully the update in a couple of months fixes that isssue.

[webdanzer]

I'm very strongly considering giving the p90x workout a go, but I have a question for those of you that have used it in the past.

I have a back/nerve issue that is greatly aggravated by jumping. (Or rather, landing from a jump) I know there is a lot of jumping work in the program with Plyo etc, but is there enough else there that if I substitute some of the jumping work with other routines that it would be still worth giving the program a shot? Or is jump work so interwoven throughout the whole thing that I should probably consider something else?

Thanks!

[Danimal]

I'm very strongly considering giving the p90x workout a go, but I have a question for those of you that have used it in the past.

I have a back/nerve issue that is greatly aggravated by jumping. (Or rather, landing from a jump) I know there is a lot of jumping work in the program with Plyo etc, but is there enough else there that if I substitute some of the jumping work with other routines that it would be still worth giving the program a shot? Or is jump work so interwoven throughout the whole thing that I should probably consider something else?

Thanks!

Plyo is part of the classic program. There is also a lean program which I believe doesn't include Plyo. I don't have a back issue and I hate Plyo it is by far the most demanding workout. You can substitute it with CardioX which is what I did in my first go round. I highly suggest doing the classic program even if you have to substitute out the Plyo. This go round I am trying to do the Plyo and frankly I still hate it but want to give it a go.

By far the best workout is KempoX, I love this workout it will leave you dripping wet and it goes so fast because it is fun. This thread got me kick started and today is my last day of week 1 of P90X and I already feel better then I did two weeks ago.

[greggsand]

I'm very strongly considering giving the p90x workout a go, but I have a question for those of you that have used it in the past.

I have a back/nerve issue that is greatly aggravated by jumping. (Or rather, landing from a jump) I know there is a lot of jumping work in the program with Plyo etc, but is there enough else there that if I substitute some of the jumping work with other routines that it would be still worth giving the program a shot? Or is jump work so interwoven throughout the whole thing that I should probably consider something else?

Thanks!

As someone who's had some back issues (spasms & strains) over the years, once I started doing P90x, I didn't have one back issue during the 100 days. Things like sitting at a desk, plane, etc was a killer. Once I started 90x, I didn't have an issue. OF COURSE, your results may vary. I think the yoga & kenpo were the biggest helpers IMO.

edit:the most "worrisome" for me & my back wasn't the plyo. It was some chest & back weight lifting stuff. I never messed up my back, I was very cautious.

[Pete]

Does anyone here work out in the morning?

Someone I work with works out in the morning. I started thinking about it and it makes sense. My biggest problem with working out is it was usually done after work, after dinner when I want to relax. My job is leaving for work at 7:15 getting home at 6:00.

If I get up earlier, work out before I go to work, it is out of the way. I am not thinking about it all day trying to find the time. I can enjoy my evening. The last few days I have been getting up earlier (5:30) and I feel pretty good about it.

Anyone else do this?

BTW, the P90X workout, specifically, the Plyo, gives you a lower impact option when jumping and such. One of the participants does the lower impact so you can follow along.