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Kick ass, non-boring workouts.
strebalicious
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So yeah, I need to do some toning, weight lifting, that kind of stuff. I like running, fairly decent at it. But in so far as getting in shape, not just losing weight, I suck.
I've tried the whole going to the gym and using machines or using free weights, but it's all kind of boring to me. I've looked at work out plans, iPod apps, stuff like that. But sitting there moving from spot to spot is just a little too slow for me, I guess.
I need some cool, exciting, fast paced workouts that will work the muskels. Something like dragging a stack of tires or chopping wood or stuff like that.
Anyone have any idea of what I'm talking about and/or have suggestions?
I've tried the whole going to the gym and using machines or using free weights, but it's all kind of boring to me. I've looked at work out plans, iPod apps, stuff like that. But sitting there moving from spot to spot is just a little too slow for me, I guess.
I need some cool, exciting, fast paced workouts that will work the muskels. Something like dragging a stack of tires or chopping wood or stuff like that.
Anyone have any idea of what I'm talking about and/or have suggestions?
strebalicious on
Posts
No law says you can't drag a stack of tires or chop wood, but they aren't exciting unless used as part of a Rocky montage. Dragging heavy things sucks and is boring, so is chopping wood. They just sound fun.
You could in theory just go find a level parking lot, put your car in neutral and push it around the pavement for an hour. It will be very manly, but not a whole lot of fun.
edit: If your muscles aren't screaming at you and whatnot when you go do free weights, I'm inclined to believe it's your workout plan. A personal trainer or some light reading may give you some motivation and allow you to set goals that actually seem awesome and drive you to want to set new ones.
Quality of gym depends totally on where you are though, but any major metropolitan area will usually have at least one really good one. You do need to own a pair of climbing shoes, or you will after you get sick of renting, but it's a fairly low entry cost - I wouldn't spend more than $60-$100 on your first pair. It helps if you have a friend you can ask to tag along with to try it out for the first couple times - they usually have guest passes their gyms want them to use.
of course, there's always parkour.
Do sprints, guy. Put on your running shoes and sprint up a hill. Then walk down and do it again.
Nerd. (She's the wife. Please don't infract me. :? )
I don't know why I brain farted on this, but they got these group classes on base (Body Pump and Body Combat) that I suppose I should check out.
Rock climbing, I suppose VFFs would be an alright choice for shoes? I have a pair of sprints and a pair of classics (that are all "tow up from da flow up").
http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=128516
not sure when the new one's opening up but keep an eye out for it.
i don't know what to tell you, but it'll be difficult to achieve those things unless you get a structured work out plan and stick with it. i found this easier to do when working towards something like getting better at a sport.
the Rocky 4 montage theme is pretty sweet though.
i recommend you have a read through the above thread, and give the gym another go.
new one opened up 8 hours ago
http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=132698
if that image isn't enough to get you excited about weight lifting, I don't know what is! don't look at going to the gym as just moving back and forth in certain patterns, look at it as an opportunity to push yourself.
take in a pocketbook and record how much you lifted, the sets/reps you did and the particular exercise. see how much you can improve over the next few weeks and you'll be hooked.
Some good stuff there, the whole crossfit-esque movement sounds like something you may like. There are small gyms all over if you're looking for a group.
Bears? Shit, I don't think I'm prepared for that!
Actually, I second the rock climbing. It's pretty fun.
Let 'em eat fucking pineapples!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMUKoQGouuM&feature=related
ok, please don't do this, unless you are Terry Crews
You know, that might not be a bad idea to try, but you're definitely going to need a set of rock shoes if you want to climb higher than V2/5.9. Vibrams do have that rubber, but they have the opposite of hard-point toe, which is super important for sticking to tiny surfaces. Do bring them in if you try it out, I'd be curious to hear how they are.
Mad Rock, 5.10, Scarpa, Evolv, and La Sportiva are all typically reliable brands. I'd really recommend renting a pair once or twice from a gym to see what size/style you like (rock shoes are meant to be from 1-2 sizes smaller than your feet). I'd say get velcro slippers first, in general, but again my first 2 pairs were lace-ups and they did me fine.
I guess Flash Rocks are on sale at the moment on REI, you see them all over the place, and that's a hard price to beat new. Here's the link: http://www.rei.com/product/706705
One word of caution - don't buy rock shoes online unless you are REALLY sure you know what you want to get, definitely not for your first pair. All the problems of buying shoes online are only magnified here.
Here's my typical workout:
Warmup run 5 min 6.5/7 mph on treadmill
Benchpress 225lbs 15 reps 1 set, 245lbs 8 reps 2 sets
After I'm done with that, I take 45 lbs off each side and do bicep curls with the 45lb plate 2 sets of 15 reps. Hold it like you would a steering wheel.
Benchpress 135lbs 3 sets of 25 reps.
Repeat bicep curls with 45lb plate.
Tricep pulldowns (Usually do about 8 sets, starting with high weight low reps, then working down to low weight high resp)
Dips
I take about a 30 second or less break between each activity. Sometimes more if I wander over to see what's on TV. I have a couple playlists on my ipod full of music that will keep me pumped, and I'm usually only in the gym for about 45 minutes.
edit: Leg and ab workouts are entirely different days but look similar.
Let 'em eat fucking pineapples!
As a guy going to circus school full time, if you can find it, these classes will probably kick your ass. Aerial training strengthens, tones, and stretches just about everything and is anything but boring. Also, I do find some crossfit stuff way more interesting than just pumping iron.
This is the best advice ! If you have a decent trainer the fitness will be an absolute killer for a while but you will have so much fun going through technique and feel great satisfaction when you look back after a month and realise how much better you have gotten at it. Beware though, it is a contact sport so expect bruises. Enjoy !
I was going to suggest climbing too.
There are plenty of centres about, it's definitely fun and interesting and can be very sociable. Places usually offer introductory courses which are a good place to get started and to meet people to climb with in future.
If you prefer to work out on your own then bouldering is ideal. Bouldering is a branch of climbing which doesn't involve ropes, the 'routes' aren't as high and there's a crash mat underneath, so you don't need a buddy. You tend to find the problems you come across bouldering will definitely tire you out, and as you practice you'll improve your fitness, strength and technique and be able to move up to harder problems.
I usually boulder two or three times a week on my lunchbreak at work. As The Cow says, you just need to invest in a decent pair of shoes and you're set.
C'mon, looks fun eh?
(whoops, pic is huge)
And if you live somewhere warm and rocky then there's nothing to stop you going out and bouldering/climbing for free.
(That's not me sadly)
Regarding Climbing Shoes, you need specific climbing shoes, not just shoes that may be suitable. They give you extra grip and protect your feet. You can hire them to see if you enjoy climbing but I wouldn't leave it too long before picking up your own pair.
PSN: SirGrinchX
Xbox Live: SirGrinch X
I looked and there are a couple of places not to far from my house. One of them even says they have English speaking staff. Guess I'll just go out and see what happens.
gamertag: Canadianllama
Rock climbing is a funny sport because there are really no goals asides from climb something be happy for two minutes then go find something harder. Some people don't like the self motivation that it requires.
I love it but I class it in the same category as lifting weights except it's outside and a bit more social. If you aren't having too much fun in the weights room I'm not sure if it's the activity for you.
Is there a reason you don't do team sports?
Satans..... hints..... I'm a mo bro!
And I did play a team sport. Bowling. Other than that, I'm not exactly great at anything and I hate the feeling of disappointing people if I mess up a play or something.
When climbing you get to stare at hot women's bottoms when they climb without being chastised for it.
Y'know, if that's any kind of motivation.
Let us know how you get on!
PSN: SirGrinchX
Xbox Live: SirGrinch X