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Exercise enthusiasts and wannabees only !!!

#62
Gaolee said:
I need to do the same. And cut down on the coffee guzzling habit, too. Both are contributors to occasional leg cramping.
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An interesting thing I've discovered, I suffered from horrendous leg cramps, and I would do some stretching exercises to no avail. When I started incorporating squats, my leg cramps disappeared. There's nothing worse than being awaken by ham string cramps, lol.
 
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#63
kevin wells said:
An interesting thing I've discovered, I suffered from horrendous leg cramps, and I would do some stretching exercises to no avail. When I started incorporating squats, my leg cramps disappeared. There's nothing worse than being awaken by ham string cramps, lol.
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It is feet or calf muscles for me. It has been like that since I was a kid. It isn't all booze or coffee. They can't help though. The orst is when both cramp up tight and it takes a bit to get them to let go. Fortunately it is fairly rare.
 
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#65
Holy craaaap!

Ordered one of these 2 days ago. It just arrived. I set it up in about 20 minutes (just have to really unpack and unfold, but I read all instructions), and I believe I've found the holy grail in home exercise equipment!

61gBPrYiegL._AC_SL1500_.jpg


First I bought an OYO. I kinda liked it, but it broke after 2 days (one of the weights would no longer attach), and I could only really use it as an add on to other exercises - doing super sets. A set a push ups, then jumping right over to the OYO. It doesn't have a whole lot of resistance, and I think was designed more for women (upper body stuff), and guys just starting to get into shape.

I returned it.

Then I dropped a chunk of change on Bullworkers. They have a pack that has their little one, their big one, and some isometric bands.

I kinda likes that too, but the exercises are based on isometrics and well... most of the exercises can be done without the unit, if doing isometric exercises. I thought it was clumsy too, and actually hurt my tendons. I was considering keeping it because it works muscles that don't ordinarily get worked, and from a different perspective - but it cost $500. Its going back.

The total gym I only gave a quick test run to, but dang.... it feels like I'm back in the gym! I think its a brilliantly designed product, and I'm super happy right now. Lots of exercises can be done on it, it doesn't feel cheesy like a Bowflex (I used them a couple of times and hated them) - it IS IMO the real deal.

If this inspires anyone, I did tons of research and actually have another one being delivered tomorrow which is getting returned :) . Its hard to compare models online (there are LOTS of them), and I realized I needed THIS particular one after ordering the other. The big difference on this APEX G5 and any less expensive version is that you can add weights to this one. Something I believe will be necessary. This is the least expensive version I found with that capability. It cost $499. The one I ordered previously was only $299, but ya can't put any extra weight on. I believe its a bit more cheaply made, too.

Felt I had to share.
 
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#66
All it took was a triple bypass to get my attention. I'd been losing a little weight before but in the months following i dropped 71 pounds and coming up on two years post cabbage and i'm still there. My plan was to get an exercise program going as soon as possible but i lost most of 2019 to recovering from surgery on my left leg and a gift of MRSA from the hospital, then COVID delayed the cath to inspect my heart work and decide if i was able to put in some exercise time beyond the walks i've been sneaking in before i was cleared to do so. Long story short i finally got the green light from my heart doctor and i recently picked up a 47 liter ruck and by spring i'm hoping i can have 30 more pounds off me and 70 pounds in the ruck for my morning walks.
Diet was simple. No processed foods and at meal time no portion larger than the palm of my hand and no more than three portions. My BP averages around 119/68 and my sugar averages 96 most of the time. When i left rehab i was on 16 different medications. Today i'm taking a thyroid supplement, something to help with arrhythmia, and a child's dose of aspirin daily.
I did get a pretty strong diet coke habit going when COVID first shut everything down, but it messed with my sugar too much so it had to go.
 
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#67
Joe Nerve said:
Holy craaaap!

Ordered one of these 2 days ago. It just arrived. I set it up in about 20 minutes (just have to really unpack and unfold, but I read all instructions), and I believe I've found the holy grail in home exercise equipment!

View attachment 4014181

First I bought an OYO. I kinda liked it, but it broke after 2 days (one of the weights would no longer attach), and I could only really use it as an add on to other exercises - doing super sets. A set a push ups, then jumping right over to the OYO. It doesn't have a whole lot of resistance, and I think was designed more for women (upper body stuff), and guys just starting to get into shape.

I returned it.

Then I dropped a chunk of change on Bullworkers. They have a pack that has their little one, their big one, and some isometric bands.

I kinda likes that too, but the exercises are based on isometrics and well... most of the exercises can be done without the unit, if doing isometric exercises. I thought it was clumsy too, and actually hurt my tendons. I was considering keeping it because it works muscles that don't ordinarily get worked, and from a different perspective - but it cost $500. Its going back.

The total gym I only gave a quick test run to, but dang.... it feels like I'm back in the gym! I think its a brilliantly designed product, and I'm super happy right now. Lots of exercises can be done on it, it doesn't feel cheesy like a Bowflex (I used them a couple of times and hated them) - it IS IMO the real deal.

If this inspires anyone, I did tons of research and actually have another one being delivered tomorrow which is getting returned :) . Its hard to compare models online (there are LOTS of them), and I realized I needed THIS particular one after ordering the other. The big difference on this APEX G5 and any less expensive version is that you can add weights to this one. Something I believe will be necessary. This is the least expensive version I found with that capability. It cost $499. The one I ordered previously was only $299, but ya can't put any extra weight on. I believe its a bit more cheaply made, too.

Felt I had to share.
Click to expand...
As a guy who always hit the weights I too was intrigued by the Total Gym. Finally bought one for my wife a few years ago and was disappointed by how low the resistance was even at the highest setting. On paper, it should be one of the most efficient pieces of equipment out there, but in practicality, it just didn't work for me. I went back to using a weight machine (Tuff-Stuff home gym) along with my free weights and PowerBlocks. Ended up selling it still in mint condition.

Re the Bowflex: I had injured my shoulder back when I was 37 after years of heavy weightlifting. Bought a Bowflex and loved it for the first three years I had it, but by the time the fourth year rolled around, I was so burned out on it. By then my shoulder had regained most of its integrity and I was able to go back to free weights. But I thought it was a good design and a good machine, and it certainly served it's purpose for my needs.
 
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#68
dwm74 said:
As a guy who always hit the weights I too was intrigued by the Total Gym. Finally bought one for my wife a few years ago and was disappointed by how low the resistance was even at the highest setting. On paper, it should be one of the most efficient pieces of equipment out there, but in practicality, it just didn't work for me. I went back to using a weight machine (Tuff-Stuff home gym) along with my free weights and PowerBlocks. Ended up selling it still in mint condition.

Re the Bowflex: I had injured my shoulder back when I was 37 after years of heavy weightlifting. Bought a Bowflex and loved it for the first three years I had it, but by the time the fourth year rolled around, I was so burned out on it. By then my shoulder had regained most of its integrity and I was able to go back to free weights. But I thought it was a good design and a good machine, and it certainly served it's purpose for my needs.
Click to expand...

I admittedly have limited experience with the Bowflex. Being used to free weights, I just couldn't get comfortable with the feel of it.

What I DO like about the total gym IS the feel of it. Feels a lot easier on my joints and tendons than any other piece of exercise machinery I ever used. I am concerned also about the resistance, but I'm not looking to build muscle. Only maintain what I already have. I've spent the last 6 months working out with 12 lb dumbbells and have gotten ridiculously cut up. I'm fine with doing 50 to 100 reps of exercises.

Also - I'm buying the weight extension today. It can only be used with certain models. I'm expecting that to be a game changer. I guess I'll soon see.

I'll be back :) .
 
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#69
You can put me down for "wannabe."

I was a very out of shape and overweight kid. Apart from marching band, I had 0 physical activity. As an adult, I was able to control my weight with diet and lots of walking, but was never by any stretch "fit." I have tried countless times to start up a routine, but never found something I will stick to.

I started the shutdown with high hopes and an exercise routine, but as time wore on it was back to comfort food and skipping the movement. I turned 40 this year, and really have been feeling the aches and pains more than ever, so it's time to take my life back. I don't have any lofty fitness milestones to meet- just to move my body every day, joyfully, with mobility and longevity in mind.

Ive got a pair of 10s and a 20 lbs dumbbell. I've got a jump rope, A yoga mat and a step (yes, like, from the 80s.) and a 4 year old who will bike while I jog. I kicked it off yesterday with some push-ups, squats, dumbbell presses and yoga. I feel a touch sore, but positive and motivated.

Wish me luck!
 
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#72
Joe Nerve said:
I admittedly have limited experience with the Bowflex. Being used to free weights, I just couldn't get comfortable with the feel of it.

What I DO like about the total gym IS the feel of it. Feels a lot easier on my joints and tendons than any other piece of exercise machinery I ever used. I am concerned also about the resistance, but I'm not looking to build muscle. Only maintain what I already have. I've spent the last 6 months working out with 12 lb dumbbells and have gotten ridiculously cut up. I'm fine with doing 50 to 100 reps of exercises.

Also - I'm buying the weight extension today. It can only be used with certain models. I'm expecting that to be a game changer. I guess I'll soon see.

I'll be back :) .
Click to expand...

I've got the OG Total Gym. (That sucker must be.... TWENTY year old by now???) It's a workout. For the record, it lasts. I'll go a year and not touch the thing. Then I'll pull it out for a few months. Then I'll tuck it away again. I've never even had to hit it with WD-40. It just works every time I open it up.

I need to get it out again.
 
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#73
Finally got back into regular workouts again. Just twice a week, but with limbering-up exercises every morning that remind the core muscles what their job is.
A couple of evenings ago, I had one of those workouts that crossed the threshold from "I can do this, I swear I can do this" to "yay, this feels great! More!"

Still just using dumbells and a TRX slung from a door, still wavering about just how much to invest in a home gym.
 
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#75
Drifter8230 said:
Cutting out all alcohol has been the most positive lifestyle choice I've ever made. I shudder when I think about Monday mornings from back in the day and all that extra fat around my lower stomach:D
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Me too. It's not just the booze. When I drank, I had to eat something bad before bed and then two bad meals the next day to feed my hangover.
 
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#78
I am working out more now than a couple of months ago I was told by my Dr he wanted me down 8 lbs by April
this was in Dec. but lack of gigging and no open gym made me push myself less.
But I have my head out of my *** and I am back to training strong I have lost 3 of the 8 I still have some time to get there currently 205 at 5'10 needs me at 200 so I am staying motivated and hitting the weights 3x a week cardio everyday :)
before Covid July 2019 Solid 198 this is my goal again. Good luck people reaching yours Rob
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recent
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