[Conor74]

...not a fan of the gym, but the weather this summer...

Anyway, was just grinding out the miles on the treadmill, decided to mix it up and warm down with 15 mins on the cycling machines. Now starting to eye up the really heavy machinery, the stuff where weights are attached to wires and you push or pull via complex pulleys and there are charts saying it tests your abdominal or lateral something or other.

Anyone use any of the classic gym gear and if so what works for you. For example, suspect some of the machinery might prove useful to toughen the stomach or strengthen the back, which might be handy - tend to get the odd muscle spasm in the back or it tires.

[RacoonQueen]

Better off with dumbbells and a barbell than machine weights.

Squat, lunge, plank, bridge, med ball, kettlebells...

Machine weights are brutal.

[Cabaal]

Never got running on a threadmill, if the weather is crap your far better getting out in it and enjoying it as best you can.. That way when the weather is actually decent its actually much more enjoyable then normal.

[Palo Alto]

Originally Posted by Cabaal

Never got running on a threadmill, if the weather is crap your far better getting out in it and enjoying it as best you can.. That way when the weather is actually decent its actually much more enjoyable then normal.

Treadmill is far easier on the joints. I try and mix it up for that reason, I get tendon pain in my foot if I do too much pure road running.

[Conor74]

Originally Posted by Cabaal

Never got running on a threadmill, if the weather is crap your far better getting out in it and enjoying it as best you can.. That way when the weather is actually decent its actually much more enjoyable then normal.

Oh far prefer to be on the roads. Spent over a year racking up outdoor mileage and hating the gym. The air con, the lack of scenery etc. But the weather is so grindingly bad. If I do use the gym I prefer to run hard, build up to 16, slow down, back to 16 etc, for an hour.

[Conor74]

Originally Posted by RacoonQueen

Better off with dumbbells and a barbell than machine weights.

Squat, lunge, plank, bridge, med ball, kettlebells...

Machine weights are brutal.

I take it rowing machine out as well? Or cross trainer?

As a matter of interest, how do you rate cycling as part of training?

[rom]

Those afraid of Irish weather need to HTFU. I prefer when its bad as there as the roads and paths are clear of dog walkers and other hurdles. I was trying to run in 35 degrees last week and it was just too hot for me. Very happy with the Irish weather this week.

[Conor74]

Originally Posted by rom

Those afraid of Irish weather need to HTFU.

Not sure if this is in the wrong thread.

I'm not in the least bit "afraid" of it. I just don't particularly like running in the teeming rain.

[Topper Harley]

Originally Posted by Conor74

Not sure if this is in the wrong thread.

I'm not in the least bit "afraid" of it. I just don't particularly like running in the teeming rain.

I actually love running in the rain but I hate slipping because of it (unless on grass), so a treadmill can be a better option when it's really wet.

Originally Posted by RacoonQueen

Better off with dumbbells and a barbell than machine weights.

Squat, lunge, plank, bridge, med ball, kettlebells...

Machine weights are brutal.

There's no doubt that free weights are better than machines but I wouldn't be too quick to knock them altogether. The machines can be a good method of building up to using free weights, as they're safer for beginners and ensure good form.

[meijin]

Originally Posted by Topper Harley

There's no doubt that free weights are better than machines but I wouldn't be too quick to knock them altogether. The machines can be a good method of building up to using free weights, as they're safer for beginners and ensure good form.

Why do you think it's good form? It's usually the only one, forced path movement that you can do - and engaging the least amount of muscles - surely not what you want when starting.

@OP - first, no idea why you need treadmill - running outside is fine.

As for equipment, what I have and recommend is: pull-up bar + gym rings (http://i.imgur.com/reSU0.jpg), exercise mat & "the grid" foam roller. And that's all you really need for full body workouts, using bodyweight exercises. A program that starts very easy, and gets progressively more difficult is called "Convict Conditioning". You can find more info about it in H&F forum at http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showt...p?t=2056185716

See how it goes for few months (or until you finish the program ), and then consider adding some free weights. Avoid machines.

[Topper Harley]

Originally Posted by meijin

Why do you think it's good form? It's usually the only one, forced path movement that you can do - and engaging the least amount of muscles - surely not what you want when starting.

That's the whole point, you use the machine's forced path to ensure you hit the target muscle and you can go right your limit (weight or reps) with lower risk of injury. You miss out on using stabilising muscles but it's merely a means for absolute beginners to work up to using free weights.

If you jump straight into free weights and you don't know what you're doing, there is a risk of bad form and then you're compensating during the exercise and your target muscle is not getting the full benefit. Again though, this is really just for beginners and I agree with you that most people really only need some basic equipment and bodyweight exercises.

[MrCreosote]

I mostly use the mirrors.

For "stretching" my guns.

[Topper Harley]

Originally Posted by MrCreosote

I mostly use the mirrors.

For "stretching" my guns.

Ohh, it's a deep burn. Oh, it's so deep. Oh, I can barely lift my right arm 'cause I did so many. I don't know if you heard me counting. I did over a thousand.