Take care of yourself

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

Okay, what is this about?? Those lateral raises are what give you that great definition...you gotta do them. Even I can do 20 lbs, you can too. Use the free weights, not the machines. You will love the results, I promise.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

re: hammer strength

machines in general are a decent alternative, but there isn't a machine invented that can replace what free weights are able to do for you

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

Ok, ok I am cool...sorry, I was grumpy when I woke up

Anyway, free weights are better because they force you to balance the weights and that stimulates more muscles. But if you're just looking for a light weight workout, nothing wrong with machines. Typically, you should be able to do a little more on the machine then you would with the regular weights.

And obviously machines don't require a spotter, while some of the free weights do. I'd say if nothing else, at least do squats, bench press and maybe dead lifts on the free weights..the rest machines. I'm not a big machine guy, but a couple are solid. The flys, seated row, lat pulldowns.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

I agree with what's been said lately. Hammer Strength are a great alternative or a great exercise to finish off your workout because it really hits the muscle. But I would stick to free weights - what Adam said about working stabilizer muscles is important - at the start of the workout and maybe use the Hammer Strength machines every few weeks in place of bench press or military press.

Hokie, I really like the olive oil. Good fat and calories and it's a good thing to have if you're trying to bulk and gain some mass, which I'm trying to do. I've gained about 25 pounds in 3 1/2 months - certainly not all muscle - and olive oil and tons of protein have been a staple.

Now comes the fun part: cutting off that fat that was gained in the bulk and keeping the muscle by June (wedding). Back to the treadmill, I guess, after lifting.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

re: Lateral raises

I can't do the Hammer one. It's pitiful to see an itty bitty weight on there. Seriously, I think my max is 30 pounds. 30 POUNDS! Why even do that?

I ditched it and I use a different kind of machine for that. According to that "other" machine, I can handle more like 50 pounds. 55 maybe.

I am so dadgum weak up top. It's just amazing. I'm so happy with my legs and I'm just useless everywhere else. Michael Owen has my body. I guess that's what I'm shooting for...



HE: 5-9, 160
ME: 5-10, 200

Gettin' there ...

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

Looking to run a marathon this year. Which are some of the best (that I don't have to qualify for)?

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

I guess where you live probably plays heavily into this...

Pittsburgh always had a nice marathon without too many hills but it was canceled last year. I talked to someone in Pittsburgh recently and they told me the city is trying their damndest to get the marathon back this May. Might want to check into that.

Indianapolis has a decent one, but I think it doesn't go off until mid-October. Louisville has one too, but I think that's in October as well. Those are the only locations I'm really familiar with. You may be able to go to yahoo and search things closer to your area.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

i've found a lot of marathons. guess i'm looking for quality

i've thought seriously about the rock-n-roll marathon in san diego. it's in june. but i've been on message boards that trash the marathon because "it stinks of non-serious drunkards and stoned bastards."

don't know if i want to try and run 26.2 while stepping over puke and going through ganja smoke

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

Marathon choice decision tree...

Run for fun v. Run for time
Large v. Small
Urban v. Scenic
Part of vacation v. independent trip

Mid major marathons with a couple thousand runners may be easier to navigate and will give enough support along the run to get you to the finish line. It is sometimes intimidating and logistically difficult to run with 40,000 people. Small marathons of 200-300 entrants leave you on the road relatively alone and you'll need greater mental focus to finish.

Suggestions of quality run mid size runs include Avenue of the Giants, Milwaukee, Ottawa and Twin Cities. Larger runs include New York, Honolulu and London. For the small race, consider Bermuda or Cape Cod.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

thanks doc,

my buddy is going to run in san diego early june

it looks like that's where i'm headed

he has to get me ready now

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

In the early 80s, Runners World published a 12 week guide to first marathons. It has been updated since, but is still a fine resource for getting you to the finish line.

Remember that the joy of the adventure is in the training!

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

Yeah, I have to emphasize, do NOT run a teeny marathon for your first one -- I'm not particularly fond of them generally.

It's very easy to end up by yourself out there, and that's not where you want to be when running 26.2 miles.