Exercise Thread

[Vega]

Lift weights, you'll see the results. Cardio has only ever helped me become skinny fat.

Right now I'm fat, fat... and that's because I don't have a weight room at my new place.

I have no idea what to do in regards to weights. I really need to start doing them, but getting started is daunting. If anyone has any ideas on a very comprehensive weight lifting program that can be done with dumbbells, I'd really appreciate it. (Time is no factor. I have no life and thus am able to do any program for as long per session as needed.)

No disagreement there but Vega isn't 30, much less your age. I'm not a big fan of running (it's boring) but if you're going to do it outdoors beats the treadmill everyday of the week.

I'm gonna have to agree with Mathguy here. I'd prefer to avoid damaging anything important if possible.

[MarquisDeSade]

Contrary to Mathguy's belief, running, in general, is bad for your joints - treadmill or outside.

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

I ran cross country in high school and almost ruined by knees and ankles. If you pronate or supinate in your running stride, no custom orthotics or weekly replacement shoes will save your joints.

[Mathguy]

My point is the treadmill is not as bad as outdoor payment

Contrary to Mathguy's belief, running, in general, is bad for your joints - treadmill or outside.

[MarquisDeSade]

I ran cross country in high school and almost ruined by knees and ankles. If you pronate or supinate in your running stride, no custom orthotics or weekly replacement shoes will save your joints.

That's why cycling, the elliptical, and weight lifting are my gotos now. Totally agree with you that running is a great way to end up permanently injured.

[Vega]

Contrary to Mathguy's belief, running, in general, is bad for your joints - treadmill or outside.

I'm not running on the treadmill. I've got it set on a brisk walking pace with a steep incline. I also must note that the treadmill is nowhere near being my first choice for a cardio device. I'm only using it because it's all I have.

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

Maybe "destroy" is a strong term, but I can't run a mile without being pretty much incapacitated for the next week.  I ride a bike 200 miles a week with no problem though.  I wish I could still run - it's a lot easier to pack a pair of running shoes on a business trip than a bike 

So yeah, give it a try - if it works out, awesome...I just know I can't do it without seriously buggering myself up   

You are not going to destroy your joints doing a little fitness running, treadmill or otherwise.

[GburgNatsFan]

Yeah, I'm no expert on this by any means, but I know guys in their late 30s that have been running most of their lives that are fine.

Individuals are different. But I don't think that doing two or three miles a day when you are in your mid 20s is going to "destroy" your knees. If it hurts, stop.

Maybe "destroy" is a strong term, but I can't run a mile without being pretty much incapacitated for the next week.  I ride a bike 200 miles a week with no problem though.  I wish I could still run - it's a lot easier to pack a pair of running shoes on a business trip than a bike 

So yeah, give it a try - if it works out, awesome...I just know I can't do it without seriously buggering myself up

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

I can still kind of run on beaches, though the last time I tried that I cut my foot on a piece of coral 

The human body really is of a poor design.

[GburgNatsFan]

It's a great design. For about 30 years. Breed at 13, help raise your grandkids to toddler-hood, die.

I can still kind of run on beaches, though the last time I tried that I cut my foot on a piece of coral 

The human body really is of a poor design.

[HalfSmokes]

I'm not running on the treadmill. I've got it set on a brisk walking pace with a steep incline. I also must note that the treadmill is nowhere near being my first choice for a cardio device. I'm only using it because it's all I have.

are you a senior citizen? A brisk walk isn't going to get your heart rate high enough to do anything

[Vega]

are you a senior citizen? A brisk walk isn't going to get your heart rate high enough to do anything

Except that going at such a pace for extended periods of time caused me lose and keep off ninety pounds.

[varoadking]

Just a thought...this thread would get more play in the Red Loft...

[Mathguy]

That's not true and I suggest you try it - at 4mph with an incline of 30+ degrees

are you a senior citizen? A brisk walk isn't going to get your heart rate high enough to do anything

[Dave B]

I have no idea what to do in regards to weights. I really need to start doing them, but getting started is daunting. If anyone has any ideas on a very comprehensive weight lifting program that can be done with dumbbells, I'd really appreciate it. (Time is no factor. I have no life and thus am able to do any program for as long per session as needed.)
  I'm gonna have to agree with Mathguy here. I'd prefer to avoid damaging anything important if possible.

Squats, shoulder press, rows are pretty much all you need.

Do goblet squats with the dumbbells. Or just bodyweight.

Maybe work in some burpees or kettle bell swings. Look youtube for inductions. Do them correctly and you won't have to do any ab work. Pretty much squeeze your stomach all the time is the key

There are a lot of crossfit workouts you can find on the internet that don't require anything more than a dumbbell

Running even a mile a week is beneficial just to keep everything loose

[MarquisDeSade]

That's a good starting point but I wouldn't recommend shoulder presses (serious potential for injury) and would put in some form of bench press instead.

[varoadking]

Running even a mile a week is beneficial just to keep everything loose

Even walking a mile a day is beneficial...

[HalfSmokes]

That's not true and I suggest you try it - at 4mph with an incline of 30+ degrees

I prefer to exercise outside and take my chances with roads and, god forbid, trails.

[Dave B]

That's a good starting point but I wouldn't recommend shoulder presses (serious potential for injury) and would put in some form of bench press instead.

If it's a dumbbell you can rep 10 times, it should be pretty safe. But yeah depending on fitness level pushups might be just fine. If you can't do fifteen pushups without rest, they present enough of a challenge themselves

[Dave B]

And curls are a waste of time. Avoid machines

[GburgNatsFan]

There's so much good stuff on Youtube, put together by real experts, that I would spend more time looking there and less time here.

For instance, Athlean x.

Or BroScience.

[MarquisDeSade]

And curls are a waste of time. Avoid machines

Why would anyone with any sense do curls using a machine?  An Olympic bar with a 45lbs plate on each side works just fine for me.

[mitlen]

I'm not an indoor cardio guy.    Treadmills are boring and the elliptical makes me ill.    I get to the gym to do lifting three days a week.    While there, I shoot hoops for a 1/2 hour as well.    I either walk 6 miles 3 times a week on the off days or play golf (walking).   I do alcohol to balance it all out.

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

Those 12 oz curls add up on a hot day!

I do alcohol to balance it all out.

[mitlen]

Those 12 oz curls add up on a hot day!

I'm beyond that.   I do the 750ml curls.