Hmm...was looking at the old threads and I figured I'd comment here. I myself used to try to go to the gym regularly just to stay in shape (or rather, to get into shape), and it's something I managed for a while, although more recently the monotony of it sort of started getting to me, and I ended up going a lot less. This past month I've started learning judo, though, since it seems a lot more interesting, and...it's fun to get thrown on your back repeatedly for over an hour several days a week? Hmm, I'll hve to try to figure out why that is...
I'm not sure how accessible this sport is, but rock climbing is an amazing sport. Its also very mental, as you really have to think about what you are doing. I also run, and go to the gym, but rock climbing is definitely the most interesting of the three! Not to mention climbing really can take you to some incredible places, and allow you to see some amazing scenery from a unique perspective. It's a very physical sport, and I recommend it to anyone who can try it out!
I have some friends into rock climbing. It sounds really fun. But I have a tendency to injure myself, and I'm probably too heavy. I'm not sure I'm cut out for it. But I'd like to give it a try at some point. Have you ever seen speed climbers? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MVNR3JvL1U&feature=related Nuts.
i can only agree on Gabriel's comment. I'm totally into climbing and just lifting weights would be the worst for me. What for me is very important is the enviroment in which the activity is set. and climbing definitely can lead you to the most beautiful places on earth. also concentrating on what you are doing and leaving out all the rest is what i really like on these kind of sports. for me it's more less a way of living and not just something to get into shape. getting in form is the side effect. It is the same with free running, slack lining, unicycling and all that stuff. pushing the boundaries and trying out what you are able to do. I believe you had that sort of experience with skateboarding, ben. sometimes i feel like the world is a giant playground and these games create such great communities. i see it like a big friendship between all the individuals trying to get beyond their limits. I just turned 18 in october and already met so many nice people doing the same sports as me, no matter which age, gender or skin color. Something special connects the athletes and even at competitions they support each other. If i lesten to good music, i almost always think of some incredible stunts i could try out, music is my biggest inspiration for nearly every sport i try out. here are some inspiring videos i would recommend to watch Freerunning http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeXdkV2JtKc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXjqgwH1DcQ Climbing (Dean Potter), there is part 1-5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsagruTOXA8 and my favorite skate vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uplQdzrIcs and Ben, have you ever seen this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy3SuhEQHVg&feature=related
Freerunning is definitely something I would like to try, but it requires a flexibility that is still beyond me! Just confirming what Maxi said, I was once outdoor climbing in Taiwan, and met these two climbers who had met on the bus here, and were now spending the whole day together; they'd decided to each come to the same place alone, despite an inability to climb without a partner to belay them, and met by chance on the bus there. That really made me smile, that climbing could bond people in such a way. And Ben, I owe you a debt of gratitude! I have been targeting lead route and a fear of falling prevented me from improving my climbing, and it was thanks to 'Doorways' that I managed to finish it (I was chanting to myself the lines 'I believe if I could climb the trees behind the house, I'd touch the skyyyyy' - and probably looked quite odd!) So thank you!
I do some lifting, swimming and play basket ball. I am 6ft and I was down to 124 kilos (272 lbs) last time I weighed myself in October last year. Unfortunately I injured then snapped my Achilles Tendon so I have had surgery and been in a cast and now I am in a boot! My current exercise is learning to walk and playing with my 15 kilo (33 lbs) hand weight and occasionally bench pressing my one year old son
@maxi ... dude when i get a chance i'm gonna check your vids out for sure ... i work with a guy who used to be professional indoor rock climber even made the Xgames and my boss's daughter is top level in australia. but im not built for it im way to bulky u defs need to be a leaner guy for it ... i was travelling for 3 months round the states and yeah met heaps of climbers in CO all awsome dudes. however my fitness went way downhill, too many nights on the PBR and rumpleminze. soo now im back home in perth training hard and im also playing ice hockey now after gaining a love for it when i went to a few NHL games (go blackhawks) trying to get my bench up to 100kgs by july ... we'll see
So having been out on tour for 3 weeks, plus being injured for 2 weeks after that ... I started lifting again late last week, and I haven't been this sore in years. I couldn't lift my arms over my head the other day. I can only imagine what my legs are gonna feel like tomorrow. Kind of a bummer how much my lifts dropped, though. But I'll get it back. Just gonna take a little while.
dude i had a leg machine collapse on me like a week ago (yeah i was being a hero kicking too much weight with one leg) and nearly blew out my quad couldnt move the thing for like 3 days . i need to get more involved with squats and deadlifts think i'll give them a go this week
Really read up on form first, and really get the form down before adding too much weight. Form's a big deal in any lift, but especially those two. Or maybe I'm just paranoid from having a bad lower back for so long. And that sucks about the machine collapse. That's pretty creepy.
you are right, i get told all the time i do it wrong, thats why i tend not to do them. I train with a guy i work with now and he is was well into all that back in his younger days so i get worked alot harder its great, just need to get some more weights. my bench press is still poor ha u said u were up at 225pd ? did that drop from europe n all that ? cos i lost 15kgs of strength when i left for those 3 months ...
I was at 290 pounds on bench when I left, for just a rep or two. 255 for my 5x5. Now I'm at about 235 for 5x5 and I haven't tested my single or double. It always sucks to lose the progress, but you get it back pretty quick. And I think it's good to reset from time to time. Somewhat related, I had my first deep tissue massage done the other day. I was told I need to have that done every once in a while for alignment and to get rid of toxins. Well, I am covered in bruises and felt somewhat sick for 3 days until the toxins cleared. I guess I needed it more than I realized. Hahaha. Definitely helps though. I feel a lot more limber now. Didn't realize how stiff I'd gotten.
dude, massages are the most painful thing in the world, and 255 is what like 110kgs in my lingo, you're a friggen bear like they said mate haha im lucky to push 80kgs and i like to think im fairly solid in the shoulders and chest
I really like your philosophy. If you want to decrease your heart rate, here's the best music for: (it's scientific)
Yeah, the deep tissue stuff is pretty painful in spots, but it's kinda nice too. I definitely feel more flexible. And I guess in kg I'd be benching 115kgs for my worksets, and 132kgs for my max. If I'm not injured I'm reasonably strong. But you should see one of my lifting friends. He's a monster. He does work sets at 160kgs. Next to him, I always feel like a weakling. Hahaha.
i was gonna try and hook u up with a picture of my gym set up cos when i train with a mate we are in the back of this old tin shed with the oldest rustiest equipment its very nostalgic but does the job, and then im a member of a nice health club so i do 2 nights in the tinshed and 2 nights at the club. . . some days i go to the sauna cos i've had a heavy night on the booze and well the sauna cures the dirtiest of hangovers haha and yeah well i wont come push weights next to you or your mates
