I've seen "Hans and Franz," but I've never seen this. Funny stuff!
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Exercise enthusiasts and wannabees only !!!
- Thread starter Joe Nerve
- Start date
I've seen "Hans and Franz," but I've never seen this. Funny stuff!
One of my favorite SNL bits ever. I think those that workout/lift laugh a little harder.
-Mike
Been working hard to put the muscle back on hate to be skinny 
Focusing on cardio and core this summer with regular biking and swimming. I don't know if I look any different, but I sure feel better!
Yeah I don’t care too much about looks, I just wanna feel good!
my activities flow with the seasons too. I still like to get outdoors in the winter but it’s just not as practical so I’m indoors more. When it’s nice I’m outside as much as I can get!
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
Looks? I'm 62 and have been married for more than 30 years and with the same woman for almost 40 years. Who am I going to impress with my looks and physique, anyway? Certainly not my wife, although she seems to enjoy playing with biceps sometimes.
For a while now, I’ve been doing the “do what you can, when you can” plan; and it’s really been working for me.
Basically I do push-ups M/W/F and Squats Tu/Th/Sa. This was the key for me; to have some kind of “baseline” to ensure I did something. Sunday is technically a “rest day” but usually very active with family outings and/or larger chores.
Then I supplement with whatever calisthenics, mobility and cardio fits the schedule and weather (burpees, bear crawl, sprints, hill walks, exercise bike, etc, etc…)
Highlights of this plan:
-I have more energy to play with my kid and life in general (goal 1 to begin with!)
-I find I get in more reps and activity than trying to do it in one “sitting.”
-more motivation to eat better.
-I feel this honors our ancestral physiology to move throughout the day.
-Im making progress physically adding reps and general feeling stronger and more mobile.
-I move joyfully, have fun and look forward to movement. I think I’ve finally become an exercise enthusiast!!
Basically I do push-ups M/W/F and Squats Tu/Th/Sa. This was the key for me; to have some kind of “baseline” to ensure I did something. Sunday is technically a “rest day” but usually very active with family outings and/or larger chores.
Then I supplement with whatever calisthenics, mobility and cardio fits the schedule and weather (burpees, bear crawl, sprints, hill walks, exercise bike, etc, etc…)
Highlights of this plan:
-I have more energy to play with my kid and life in general (goal 1 to begin with!)
-I find I get in more reps and activity than trying to do it in one “sitting.”
-more motivation to eat better.
-I feel this honors our ancestral physiology to move throughout the day.
-Im making progress physically adding reps and general feeling stronger and more mobile.
-I move joyfully, have fun and look forward to movement. I think I’ve finally become an exercise enthusiast!!
NDD = New Dumbbell Day! 
I saw this at a thrift store, and took it as a sign. (Rarely see anything over 10 lbs at second hand stores.) My first 30- I have a 20 and a pair of 10s. I haven’t really been doing a ton of dumbbell work, I’ll have to build up to overhead press this but I can start with some farmers Carries and goblet squats!
I saw this at a thrift store, and took it as a sign. (Rarely see anything over 10 lbs at second hand stores.) My first 30- I have a 20 and a pair of 10s. I haven’t really been doing a ton of dumbbell work, I’ll have to build up to overhead press this but I can start with some farmers Carries and goblet squats!
Do any of you do "cleans"? For those who may not know, that's when you bring the barbell from the floor (or from a hanging position) up to your shoulders in one motion and then squat, as illustrated in this video, starting at 2:10.
It looks like a great total-body exercise, but personally, I don't like to do such a big movement with weights, especially one that involves the back in a big way. And I say that as someone who's never had back issues.
It looks like a great total-body exercise, but personally, I don't like to do such a big movement with weights, especially one that involves the back in a big way. And I say that as someone who's never had back issues.
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
I do those and snatches which are similar but with the weight getting overhead in the same movement. If you use the right technique, it is mostly legs and not so much back. Start similar to a deadlift. It is fun to do. I don't lift especially heavy weight, which helps.
So I got interrupted from a lot of exercise through June owing to a string of illnesses. I was out in Kansas City and had some stomach bug hit me, or maybe my GI tract just gave out from being overtired, not sure. Then when I got back I got COVID (fairly minor, flu-like, I'm vaxxed and boosted), and then a garden variety cold. Finally did get out to run for a few days and then went mountain climbing with my sister. Nine hour hike to about 5000 foot elevation.
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She goes hiking a lot every week, has all kinds of lists of trails to cover; I haven't really been on this long of a hike in years. Endurance-wise I kept up fine and she actually took more breaks than I would have. But the next day my calves were absolutely killing me, so stiff and sore I could barely move. I realized the real workout wasn't in the actual stride, it was the constant effort in my ankles and calves to navigate the rocky paths and stay balanced. Lesson learned - don't neglect calf lifts! Never had that problem when I was young.
The morning of the 4th, ran a 5k in our town. Clocked in at 25:54, 73d out of 299 participants (including walkers) and 8th out of 26 50-something men. I feel pretty good about that but I'd like to get under 25:00 at least.
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Oh yeah - after that I marched in one parade with my wife's library, and then played in another with the Blues Bros: Next Generation.
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Summer Reading Program theme is "oceans of possibilities," so the Children's Room were mermaids. We decided to be pirates.
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Rolling office.
Busy day.
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She goes hiking a lot every week, has all kinds of lists of trails to cover; I haven't really been on this long of a hike in years. Endurance-wise I kept up fine and she actually took more breaks than I would have. But the next day my calves were absolutely killing me, so stiff and sore I could barely move. I realized the real workout wasn't in the actual stride, it was the constant effort in my ankles and calves to navigate the rocky paths and stay balanced. Lesson learned - don't neglect calf lifts! Never had that problem when I was young.
The morning of the 4th, ran a 5k in our town. Clocked in at 25:54, 73d out of 299 participants (including walkers) and 8th out of 26 50-something men. I feel pretty good about that but I'd like to get under 25:00 at least.
Invalid Link Removed
Oh yeah - after that I marched in one parade with my wife's library, and then played in another with the Blues Bros: Next Generation.
Invalid Link Removed
Summer Reading Program theme is "oceans of possibilities," so the Children's Room were mermaids. We decided to be pirates.
Invalid Link Removed
Rolling office.
Busy day.
I would do Power Cleans with overhead presses (as one exercise) on and off in the past. Great full-body movement, but it is very taxing and I'd really have to psyche myself up to do these heavy and consistently. Only problem was as I got older, they would put a strain my elbow joints if I would do them regularly, so I could only do these for a few weeks at a time then have to shelve them for a while.
Every so often I'll do a basic and simple workout, doing nothing but power cleans/presses, pull-ups, and dips. Covers all of the major muscle groups (mostly upper body).
Thanks for that video, it did clarify a few things.
Man...just reading that post made me tired!
That doesn't look like a good exercise for me, with two bum knees, two bum shoulders, and two questionable elbows.
Currently on a vacation for two weeks, I'm going to look for a copy of a book - starting strength - highly recommended by a man who you'd look to for that exact kind of thing.
After this two weeks, if I have the book, I'm going to try to hit somewhere between 160 and 180. 150 is about as big as I've ever been, I was always much more apt at cardio and body weight stuff.
Don't get me wrong, I've got no shame about my body - it's kind of a combination of wanting to combat something I've always sucked at, and wanting to keep setting up good habits for myself going forward into "I'm not young anymore" territory.
After this two weeks, if I have the book, I'm going to try to hit somewhere between 160 and 180. 150 is about as big as I've ever been, I was always much more apt at cardio and body weight stuff.
Don't get me wrong, I've got no shame about my body - it's kind of a combination of wanting to combat something I've always sucked at, and wanting to keep setting up good habits for myself going forward into "I'm not young anymore" territory.
It's been a while since I started, but has always been my MO, when I undertake a physical program I always assume I'm going to be able to just go out and crush it, but it's no longer possible. Between cardiac arrhythmia, compromised legs, and too many years not working out I was far too ambitious and had to swallow my pride and start with very small steps. I'm going on another year in my baby steps program and I'm finally seeing some real progress. I've lost more than forty pounds averaging just over a pound a week, and my blood sugar has become much more manageable, averaging around 89-95. I started with a window of 70~250 and worked it down to 110~70. I've also cut my daily insulin dose in half while still maintaining my blood sugar average. I've still got weight to lose and I'm hoping my use of insulin will continue its downward trend.My goal is 175 and zero insulin while maintaining the same sugar levels. I've got momentum in my favor so it's just a matter of time.
Just jumped into adding my extra pushup in the morning I have been doing my age in pushes up +1 every morning since I turned 50, Heading for 64 in two months I won't lie it is getting tougher 
Wish me luck, today.
I've been hitting the gym 3 or 4 times a week for several months now. I've been strength training. I haven't been worried about bulking up.... just getting stronger. It's been going very well. I started off fairly skinny everywhere with a tiny bit of "gut". It didn't hang over my belt or anything. But I was a little "soft" in the middle. I also started off very weak. (I had no idea how weak until I jumped in.)
I have had lots of goals for squat, deadlift, etc. Goals keep me focused.
A few months ago my trainer asked me to come up with one ambitious goal to shoot for. After thinking about it for a day or two I decided to go for bench pressing my body weight before my birthday.
Welp, my birthday is Thursday, but my training session is today. When I took on this goal, I weighed about 190 lbs. (86 kg) Fortunately/unfortunately I have gained about 15 pounds (about 7 kg) of (mostly) muscle. So, as of this morning, I'm 205 (93 kg).
When I started this, it was all I could do to get 135 lbs (61 kg) up. (For those of you who don't lift, that's the 45 lb/20.5 kg bar, and one 45 lb/20.5 kg plate on each side. It's sort of a "benchmark" (pun intended) for gym noobs. I've been climbing steadily for the past few months. But.... my last max was 185 lbs/84 kg about 5 weeks ago. Gaining 20 lbs (9 kg) on any lift in a little over a month is HARD. But I've been getting after it. Saturday, I did sets of three with 185 (84 kg). My trainer says that's a pretty good indicator that I "should" be able to get 205 (93 kg) up. I got good sleep last night. I'm excited.
Is 205 lbs/93 kg a huge deal to most lifters? Nah. But for this skinny, (soon to be) 51 year old, dad who hadn't been in the gym regularly in quite a while, it's a (potentially) big day.
Finger crossed....
I'll report back after the lift. It's "in my head" today so I had to let it out.
I've been hitting the gym 3 or 4 times a week for several months now. I've been strength training. I haven't been worried about bulking up.... just getting stronger. It's been going very well. I started off fairly skinny everywhere with a tiny bit of "gut". It didn't hang over my belt or anything. But I was a little "soft" in the middle. I also started off very weak. (I had no idea how weak until I jumped in.)
I have had lots of goals for squat, deadlift, etc. Goals keep me focused.
A few months ago my trainer asked me to come up with one ambitious goal to shoot for. After thinking about it for a day or two I decided to go for bench pressing my body weight before my birthday.
Welp, my birthday is Thursday, but my training session is today. When I took on this goal, I weighed about 190 lbs. (86 kg) Fortunately/unfortunately I have gained about 15 pounds (about 7 kg) of (mostly) muscle. So, as of this morning, I'm 205 (93 kg).
When I started this, it was all I could do to get 135 lbs (61 kg) up. (For those of you who don't lift, that's the 45 lb/20.5 kg bar, and one 45 lb/20.5 kg plate on each side. It's sort of a "benchmark" (pun intended) for gym noobs. I've been climbing steadily for the past few months. But.... my last max was 185 lbs/84 kg about 5 weeks ago. Gaining 20 lbs (9 kg) on any lift in a little over a month is HARD. But I've been getting after it. Saturday, I did sets of three with 185 (84 kg). My trainer says that's a pretty good indicator that I "should" be able to get 205 (93 kg) up. I got good sleep last night. I'm excited.
Is 205 lbs/93 kg a huge deal to most lifters? Nah. But for this skinny, (soon to be) 51 year old, dad who hadn't been in the gym regularly in quite a while, it's a (potentially) big day.
Finger crossed....
I'll report back after the lift. It's "in my head" today so I had to let it out.
@two fingers Either way, don't sweat it. The number is meaningless, but progress is not.
Back in the day, as a 190lb gym rat in my 30's, when I finally started doing reps at 225 I imagined that some sort of magic would happen, the gods would smile, the heavens would open, etc. In fact, nothing happened. It was hard, and anything else beyond that was just silly stuff that went on in my head - I guess I thought it looked cool to have two plates on either side of the bar like the big kids? Whatever. I was an insecure, vain fool who couldn't even enjoy that little vanity. Benching your weight in your 50's is a hell of a lot harder than that. Being where you are right now is an accomplishment that you should allow yourself to enjoy.
These days, at 58, I do 100 reps of 100 twice a week with dumbbells (4 sets of 25). Some days it comes easy, other days less so. As I age, I imagine at some point that weight will eventually have to come down. It is what it is.
So give it your best shot, but don't sweat it if it doesn't happen. You are playing the long game well at this point. Let that be enough!
Back in the day, as a 190lb gym rat in my 30's, when I finally started doing reps at 225 I imagined that some sort of magic would happen, the gods would smile, the heavens would open, etc. In fact, nothing happened. It was hard, and anything else beyond that was just silly stuff that went on in my head - I guess I thought it looked cool to have two plates on either side of the bar like the big kids? Whatever. I was an insecure, vain fool who couldn't even enjoy that little vanity. Benching your weight in your 50's is a hell of a lot harder than that. Being where you are right now is an accomplishment that you should allow yourself to enjoy.
These days, at 58, I do 100 reps of 100 twice a week with dumbbells (4 sets of 25). Some days it comes easy, other days less so. As I age, I imagine at some point that weight will eventually have to come down. It is what it is.
So give it your best shot, but don't sweat it if it doesn't happen. You are playing the long game well at this point. Let that be enough!
Thank you for the advice!
Yeah, the body weight bench, and deadline of my birthday, was just something to keep me focused.
My goals for working out in my 20s and 30s likely would have been vanity based as well.
These days my goals are more "touchy feely". My daughters (10 and 13 years old) are both athletic. They're both awesome volleyball players. Plus, they just love to PLAY..... be it on a court, or just in our pool. I just want to be strong enough well into my 50s and into my 60s to play with them. (OK, and maybe "show 'em who's boss" every now and then.)
Plus, people in our age group (50s and 60s) just seem to be falling apart very early around me. I want to fight off some of that as long as possible. My parents can barely make it up the stairs in my house in their early 70s. I want a flight of stairs being a challenge pushed back as far as possible.I'm still in the honeymoon period, and enjoying the end of "newby gains" in strength. I'll hit a hard plateau soon. Plus, I told my trainer frim day one I had two goals.... don't get hurt, and do get stronger. Note that getting bigger, or looking like a Men's Health cover model with my shirt off were NOT on the list. I made sure he knew that too. I want functional mobility and strength. If I pull this off today, I bet I will be the skinniest guy with the smallest arms to bench over 200 at my gym in a long time. I'm OK with that.
Thanks again for the wisdom and encouragement.
