Troper Fitness Thread

Sacrifice has never really played into it for me. I've loved exercise from the first time I picked up a kettlebell, and food is nearly worthless to me apart from its nutritional value. Discipline and motivation have never been important, because I'm just doing what I naturally want to do.

I'm convinced that the reason discipline and motivation usually fail people so quickly is that most people taking up new diets and exercise routines are going against what's natural for them. There are plenty of people who get enormous enjoyment out of eating whatever they want, and who utterly hate doing anything more strenuous than a light jog; fine and good. For such people, exercise and diet restriction are pointless; the health benefits aren't worth the costs.

In such cases, discipline can work against you; it gives you the determination and perseverance needed to force yourself to do what you're really not keen on doing. If you try intensifying your training (or starting from a sedentary state) and you find yourself enjoying the new state of affairs, keep at it, and try stepping it up. Sooner or later, though (perhaps immediately), you're going to hit a point where the sacrifice isn't worth the results. That point depends on your priorities; it could be that dropping below two hundred pounds isn't worth cutting fast food from your diet, or it could be that perfect swimsuit abs aren't worth working out six days a week. Most importantly, recognize what makes you happiest and own it. If you happen to be at your best with 5% body fat and a diet stricter than what you'd get in the gulags, fine. If you're happiest upwards of three hundred pounds and sedentary, fine. That's the point in the end, yes?

"I'm not a nerd. I'm a specialist." ~Sousuke Sagara

That article was if you had already had a heart attack.

It makes sense really. A heart attack means that somewhere in your cardiovascular system, there's weakness. It can be improved, but never completely restored and if you push too hard, you're just overloading the system.

"Psssh. Even if you could catch a miracle on a picture any person would probably delete it to make space for more porn." - Aszur

Cross Fit And Rhadomyolysis

I'm posting this not so much to bash Cross Fit, but to point out how dangerous rhabdo can be.

Rhabdomyolysis from The Other Wiki

edited 15th Aug '14 9:27:50 PM by Aprilla

So, I am a total rookie who is currently looking for some fun exercise and completely at loss at where to start. Probably not cardio, as I am getting plenty of it anyway, as I don't own a car so my main option is walking to places :)

Anyway, I am not interested in weight loss whatsoever, and would be glad to know of some place that offers beginner tips without harping about weight loss, as such talk is currently highly triggering to me.

My main goals are

1) Fun

2) Something to stave off the negative health effects of office work

3) Improving posture, endurance and strength

edited 18th Aug '14 8:10:38 PM by Beholderess

If we disagree, that much, at least, we have in common

Yoga, pilates, maybe some form of martial art, but I dont know enough about that particular one. There are some well versed martial artists here in the forums. You can get good advice.

My best friend was a dancer. She started in ballet and almost went professional. She also does other forms though.

I would look at what is around you and within your resources in time and any sort of money. Then you can narrow your options from there.

"Psssh. Even if you could catch a miracle on a picture any person would probably delete it to make space for more porn." - Aszur

I've tried belly dancing and it is great fun indeed. But I don't have an access to a "proper" class - the ones that nearby gyms offer are mostly just looking at the instructor and trying to repeat whatever they are doing, which is rather pointless if you have no idea what they are doing :)

Another thing about group classes, as dance classes usually are (and yoga and the like too) is that I currently can commit the time but not schedule. Sometimes it feels as if the gym's schedules are made with stay at home ladies in mind :) So I am looking for something I might receive an initial instruction on (or read it up) and then do at my own time

Speaking of fun activities, tried archery yesterday. It might not exactly "count" as exercise but it is fun, it looks badass, it is geek-apropriate, and might be good for my posture and for my eyes (having severe near-sightedness and, lately, chronically tired eyes).

If we disagree, that much, at least, we have in common

Oooo! Archery is fun!

I followed yoga from online videos before I ever stepped in a gym. I like my alone time. I don't like group exercising. I like being able to modify or change tempo as I like.

The only outside activity I did with a small group was rock climbing.

"Psssh. Even if you could catch a miracle on a picture any person would probably delete it to make space for more porn." - Aszur

So I've grown awfully lazy and weak in the past few years and that's bugging me a bit.

Are there any sort of simple exercises for overall fitness? Don't have money to get equipment or a gym membership though.

Oh really when?

Walking, lunges, squats, pushups, sit-ups, jump rope...um...thinking...

Used weights can be cheap around here. I found mine on craigslist for $35.

"Psssh. Even if you could catch a miracle on a picture any person would probably delete it to make space for more porn." - Aszur

The Prison Workout's got your name all over it.

"I'm not a nerd. I'm a specialist." ~Sousuke Sagara

That text has so much Testosterone Poisoning someone should call an ambulance

If we disagree, that much, at least, we have in common

"The important thing is to remember to keep your body level (no sticking your butt up in the air… especially if you are actually in prison)..."

"I'm not a nerd. I'm a specialist." ~Sousuke Sagara

Okay, I need an advice for workout.

When I go to gym, I can't stay there for long. I simply don't know what to do.

My purpose for going to gym:

• Feeling good about my self-image
• Looking good to ladies (yeah, I'm not going to hide that XP)
• Help out my performance in martial arts, especially grappling kind, like wrestling.

The muscles I would like to particularly work on (the bold ones are priorities):

• Chest
• Biceps
• Inner thighs
• Abs
• Shoulder
• Back

What are some routines that I can try?

I'm a (socialist) professional writer serializing a WWII alternate history webnovel.

I'm assuming you have access to dumbbells; if not, correct me and I'll revise. XD

Chest: Seated dumbbell presses
Biceps: Curls
Inner thighs: Dumbbelll side lunges
Shoulders: Side lateral raises
Back: Dumbbell rows
Abs: The best thing you can do for your abs is keep your posture as perfect as you can manage during any and all exercises you do; the primary purpose of the abs is maintaining stability. If you want more of a burn, add in Russian twists (with weight in your hands) and dumbbell pullovers. I personally find it more comfortable to do those with kettlebells.

For each, you want to use whatever weight it takes so that you won't be physically capable of more than 6-10 reps per set. Err toward doing 10 reps to failure if your priority is muscle size, and more toward 6 reps to failure if you care more about strength. I recommend doing three sets of each of these, with sixty seconds' rest between sets. Keep your movements controlled; lifting and lowering the weight should each take at least a full second. The whole thing should take near to an hour; for added benefit, have a quality protein shake ready and drink it immediately afterward.

Don't do this exact routine every time you go to the gym; it's only meant to be a starting point. Long-term, you want to avoid working certain parts of your body disproportionately. You'll want to work your triceps as well as your biceps, and the rest of your leg muscles besides your inner thighs. Additionally, exercises like rows that target the back don't cover the entire back; you'll have to try other things every now and then to get it all. Use this routine as a starting point, then expand on it. You can generally just Google "(type of weight) exercise for (body part)" and get multiple options. Group five or six together and do three sets of each.

edited 29th Aug '14 6:20:13 PM by EgregiousOne

"I'm not a nerd. I'm a specialist." ~Sousuke Sagara

Nonsense. Just do curls and bench press. Those are the only two exercises that matter.

edited 30th Aug '14 1:12:46 PM by Aprilla

Lolz.

Figured I should elaborate a bit on what constitutes a "quality" protein shake. Most mixes and especially pre-made shakes on the market are junky milkshakes packaged to appeal to health-conscious people, and most supply only a minority of their calories from actual protein. Multiply the number of grams of protein by four to get the calories from protein; the stuff I personally like is 6/7 protein. If it isn't at least half protein, don't bother. The less sugar, the better, though a little sucralose is unfortunately nigh inevitable unless you're willing to shell out $20/lb for the really good stuff.

"I'm not a nerd. I'm a specialist." ~Sousuke Sagara

Okay, a silly question. Went to a gym yesterday, and what I was doing that day was swimming (not sport-like, just dog paddle), shooting a bow (badly) and trying to run (more like walking quite briskly and occasionally breaking into run) for about 40 minutes. The question - is my, ahem, rear end supposed to hurt the next day? What the heck it was engaged in?

If we disagree, that much, at least, we have in common

It was almost certainly the running. You didn't say "I do that all the time and this never happens", so I take it this was more running than you're used to? It's normal to get really sore when you push yourself harder, or try something new. If you go back and try the same routine again after you recover, it shouldn't be nearly as bad. You might also find it therapeutic to run first and then swim as a cooldown.

"I'm not a nerd. I'm a specialist." ~Sousuke Sagara

@Egre - Hey, thanks for the detailed tips!

Okay wow, this is hilarious.

The site advertisement right now, says "Push! Your workout further." I'm guessing it's some kind of protein supplements or something, but goddamn it, it's so appropriate!

I'm a (socialist) professional writer serializing a WWII alternate history webnovel.

Do let us know how it goes. -pressure pressure-

"I'm not a nerd. I'm a specialist." ~Sousuke Sagara

Normally I would hate that, but working out is something that just can't be done without pressure. XD

(This does not apply to disciplined people)

I'm a (socialist) professional writer serializing a WWII alternate history webnovel.

I took some caffeine pills before working out today and I noticed a marked improvement in how well I did. Would it be a bad idea to continue using them like this?

edited 1st Sep '14 1:12:43 AM by randomtropeloser

Yes, my instructor said pretty much the same thing, right after "are you crazy" :) Specifically, to swim after I do other things (if I insist on doing other things outside of our designated training sessions on days off despite being a couch potato for most of my life), not before. I was just surprised, as I did not imagine that any muscles in, ahem, that part of body are going to be involved.

I am not normally a disciplined person, but right now I am treating exercise as my new toy. Not sure if I'll stick with it after the fun wears off

If we disagree, that much, at least, we have in common

That's the idea. I put time into getting that together; spend it well.

Yes. Unequivocally yes, it would be against your best interests to continue using them, unless you literally cannot exercise without them. Caffeine screws with just about every single part of the body. Of most direct relevance to your workout: caffeine promotes fat retention and blocks muscle growth. I'd recommend trying a healthy source of carbs as an alternate pre-workout supplement; an apple perhaps, or some skim milk (whole fat isn't unhealthy, just less suited to the occasion).

Oh, you're also doing guided training? Good for you for going above and beyond, but s/he's probably already pushing you as hard as s/he thinks is good for you, and counting on you to use the days off to rest; forty minutes of walking and jogging were probably just the straw that broke the camel's back. I'd ask for approval before trying anything too strenuous outside of your sessions, to avoid overdoing it. Regardless, your enthusiasm is admirable.

And the basic function of those muscles is to pull the thighs backwards, so they do a lot of the work when you run. Try taking the stairs two or three at a time, and you'll feel them engaging.

"I'm not a nerd. I'm a specialist." ~Sousuke Sagara

Yes, I'm doing some general guided training 3 times a week for an hour. It is not too specific, since I am a total rookie, so it involves a little bit of everything and is fairy intense for me.

And thank you for explanation - I honestly thought that rear end hardly has any function aside of being there :)

If I intend to keep this up I really need my knowledge of anatomy more up to date

If we disagree, that much, at least, we have in common