[Berret]

I've been meaning to do the Insanity workout program for a while now, just haven't found the time to do it, but I'm going to make myself start soon. I'm also considering the new Focus T25 program, which is supposed to be 25 minutes but basically nonstop, similar to Insanity but you do get rest in that. I've completed Insanity twice before, and both times I felt great and lost 18 pounds and toned up, so definitely something I want to do again. I will say, though, at least for me, it's quite hard on the knees, which is why I am a bit hesitant to do it again for fear of injury.

[belgarion262]

Something to look at is Tabata

Which is 20 seconds of intense, max effort exercise (any type, i.e. pressups, situps, sprints) followed by 10 seconds rest. This is repeated at least 6 times. And thats it. One whole Tabata session.

It's best used alongside another training programme, but has proven results just on its own.

[AnalyticLunatic]

Apokio, on 30 October 2013 - 06:43 PM, said:

Now i just need to stop myself from stepping on the scale everyday. I notice I weigh more this morning than last week but my abs are starting to show more than last week. Too many other variables involved with weight to worry about.

Scales are a horrible way to measure progress, especially if doing any form of weight workouts. Unless you are already a fantastically physically fit specimen of the human race, you will gain muscle faster than you will drop the "fatty" weight, and since muscle is denser (forget the rough approximation, anyone?) you will gain weight before you lose it.

If you really feel the need for a scale reading, I would (IMO) have a minimum 2-week gap between readings, maybe once a month

belgarion262, on 31 October 2013 - 08:30 AM, said:

Something to look at is Tabata

Which is 20 seconds of intense, max effort exercise (any type, i.e. pressups, situps, sprints) followed by 10 seconds rest. This is repeated at least 6 times. And thats it. One whole Tabata session.

It's best used alongside another training programme, but has proven results just on its own.

That's an interesting sounding program belgarion. I've come very (couple weeks shy) close to completing P90X several times, and know some friends who have really gotten into Insanity. Know any programs similar to P90X but not quite as strenuous as Insanity? I'm looking for some ideas to mix up my routine once in awhile and prevent myself from becoming bored

[BenignDesign]

belgarion262, on 31 October 2013 - 04:30 AM, said:

Something to look at is Tabata

Which is 20 seconds of intense, max effort exercise (any type, i.e. pressups, situps, sprints) followed by 10 seconds rest. This is repeated at least 6 times. And thats it. One whole Tabata session.

20 seconds of pushups == longest 20 seconds of my life.
20 seconds of pushups repeated 6 times == dead.

[belgarion262]

AnalyticLunatic, on 01 November 2013 - 02:46 PM, said:

belgarion262, on 31 October 2013 - 08:30 AM, said:

Something to look at is Tabata

Which is 20 seconds of intense, max effort exercise (any type, i.e. pressups, situps, sprints) followed by 10 seconds rest. This is repeated at least 6 times. And thats it. One whole Tabata session.

It's best used alongside another training programme, but has proven results just on its own.

That's an interesting sounding program belgarion. I've come very (couple weeks shy) close to completing P90X several times, and know some friends who have really gotten into Insanity. Know any programs similar to P90X but not quite as strenuous as Insanity? I'm looking for some ideas to mix up my routine once in awhile and prevent myself from becoming bored />/>

I'm afraid I'm not an expert.

All my knowledge is from my training with the Royal Navy, and most of it focused on running, swimming, pressups and situps. I'll be honest my only problem was the running since I've never really had a problem with fitness.

Best training I can recommend is having a look at what the military does (UK or USA doesn't really matter) since it has been repeatedly proven to work.

Scroll down the link below to look at something that could be useful for you.
Fitness Programme

BenignDesign, on 01 November 2013 - 03:23 PM, said:

belgarion262, on 31 October 2013 - 04:30 AM, said:

Something to look at is Tabata

Which is 20 seconds of intense, max effort exercise (any type, i.e. pressups, situps, sprints) followed by 10 seconds rest. This is repeated at least 6 times. And thats it. One whole Tabata session.

20 seconds of pushups == longest 20 seconds of my life.
20 seconds of pushups repeated 6 times == dead.

The trade off is time vs effort. You do less time spent exercising, but you have to put 100% effort into it. If your max effort for pressups is only 2 in 20 seconds, and that slips to 1 after a few repeats, then thats fine AS LONG AS IT'S MAX EFFORT. The only person who can tell if it's max effort is you.

To be honest, with press up and situp improvement, try just doing a set number every night, or at some point in the day.

Lets say your target is to do 10 in a row of each per day. You do this until it get's "easy" (i.e. you can do it) and then bump the target up to 15 or 20. Keep moving the target and soon you'll be pumping out 60 of easily.

It's the same with most exercise. Don't go straight for a marathon. Start slow, at the upper range of your limits and once you reach your limit, push your target up.

[BenignDesign]

belgarion262, on 01 November 2013 - 10:54 AM, said:

To be honest, with press up and situp improvement, try just doing a set number every night, or at some point in the day.

Lets say your target is to do 10 in a row of each per day. You do this until it get's "easy" (i.e. you can do it) and then bump the target up to 15 or 20. Keep moving the target and soon you'll be pumping out 60 of easily.

It's the same with most exercise. Don't go straight for a marathon. Start slow, at the upper range of your limits and once you reach your limit, push your target up.

I do this with crunches and leg lifts. I do them until my abs hurt so bad I could cry. Then I just lay there on my living room floor and wish for death until the alarm goes off to tell me it's time to drag my ass up and get the kids out of bed.

But I have next to no upper arm strength.. and your method seemed less evil and more motivating than just doing them until I couldn't do anymore. Because I hate them. With every fiber of my being, I hate them. So just doing them until they get easy, then adding more, doesn't work. I'll do five or six, then lay on the floor and feel sorry for myself and my lack of arm muscle. But 20 seconds didn't sound like much. Till I tried it. Holy burning friggin arms, Batman. I don't want to move from the elbows up.

I'm like a deformed T-Rex whose tiny little arms are attached just above the waist.

I fucking hate pushups.

[belgarion262]

BenignDesign, on 01 November 2013 - 04:51 PM, said:

But 20 seconds didn't sound like much. Till I tried it. Holy burning friggin arms, Batman. I don't want to move from the elbows up.

I'm like a deformed T-Rex whose tiny little arms are attached just above the waist.

I fucking hate pushups.

I'm afraid that's what's required to improve. it WILL hurt, it WILL be hard and you WILL hate most of it. If it was easy to stay fit, or gain muscle the world wouldn't have the obesity problems it does.

[BenignDesign]

Any suggestions for back stretches that really help to limber things up?

I tend to be extremely tense and uptight and my neck muscles are always in a perpetual state of "holy knots from hell" (this is what the masseuse my boss hires twice/year calls it). I've noticed a very distinct connection between my tight neck muscles and back pain. Just this morning, while stretching, I touched my chin to my chest in an attempt to loosen my neck, and it resulted in painful muscle pulling across my shoulder blades and all the way down my spine... painful enough to bring tears to my eyes.

I do all the standard neck stretches - side to side, front to back, rolling my head all the way around like a busted bobblehead. What I don't really do is much in the way of back stretching. Yes, I do yoga, but I'm talking about stretches that focus specifically on the back.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

[h4nnib4l]

I found this while looking for an explanation of how to another stretch that I use: this seems like it would be perfect for computer users, but I'm so damned sore from starting back up in the gym that I can't stand the pressure against my triceps right now...

Eagle arms pose

[supersloth]

at yoga they make us do that while in this one-foot crouch thing. it's miserable.

[calebjonasson]

BenignDesign, on 04 November 2013 - 03:53 PM, said:

Any suggestions for back stretches that really help to limber things up?

https://www.google.c...iw=1920&bih=965

These things are magical

[calebjonasson]

Status Report.

Up to 212 lbs now and finally able to put on some body weight which is good.
PR:
bench: 325
Deadlift: 375
leg press: 550
military press: 225

All in all, pretty content with the gym life thus far.

[NeoTifa]

Omg sploosh

[KYA]

All aboard the train to swole ville!

[NeoTifa]

Just I jump aboard? To observe?