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Fitness

  • 26-10-2002 11:55pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,503 ✭✭✭


    Ok I need some tips on how to boost my fitness levels because I am shockingly unfit.
    I only lasted 45 minutes in a soccer match playing as winger because I was just completly bolloxed from the running.
    So I basically need tips on how to improve my fitness and stamina in as short a time as possible.
    So, who can help me out?


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,276 ✭✭✭damnyanks


    Just do more exercise and you will get more fit. If you get the bus or drive, run or cycle (or power walk :rolleyes: ).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,446 ✭✭✭bugler


    Getting fit is straight forward :)

    Considering you have football in mind, then I wouldn't really be too worried about upper body work, and I'd concentrate on long jogs for stamina and work in some sprints for your general pace etc. Start out with a couple of miles twice a week, working in full pace sprinting during it, say sprinting for 10 seconds 4/5 times.

    Don't bite off more than you can chew, you'll probably quit and go back to square one, being the lazy oaf that you are! All this don't get the bus, walk etc is well and good but thats advice for the morbidly obese and/or OAPs. If you're fit and healthy and relatively young, you're idea of fitness should consist of more than being able to walk to the kitchen and back without running out of breath.

    Does your team not train? Personally, I always had good intentions of going for exercise, but if boxing training has taught me anything its that exercise is best when you have someone to urge/force you to give more and work harder. I'd never push myself as hard as a trainer will, and I think that can be said of most people. Try and get into some kind of organised exercise with a group, doesn't have to be a football team.

    If you are going to do it on your own then stay motivated, and remember why you're doing it in the first place.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 276 ✭✭Brian Houlihan


    Basically I was and still am a bit overweight. But I lost enough weight until I was comfortable. Basically what I did.

    - Ate less junk food more fruit
    - Walked 20 mins daily and only ate a small snack after it not having a dinner after losing a few calories ya get me.
    - Basically I continuted walking but my pace increased and I was half jogging half walking eventually.
    - Just do what ya can and try and get daily excercise and cut down on chocolate. Just say you eat 6 squares od cadburys or whatever cut down to 4 simple things like that.

    Also make sure you get enough sleep.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,503 ✭✭✭Makaveli


    Thanks for the tips.
    No we dont train and that's why it's so hard. Going out once a week to play a match isnt exactly going to help my fitness.
    And well as you said walking isnt going to help me all that much. As for walking to college instead of getting the bus, I'm not walking across Dublin and I do literally mean across Dublin.
    I dont have a weight problem, I'm just unfit.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 897 ✭✭✭Greenbean


    Easiest thing you could do arrange practice matices or something mid-week and make them a regular extra. I might be stating the obvious but if you want to get fit for playing football, then playing football will be the best excercise to suit that. And it would still remain fairly fun. Doing major fitness plans is only useful if you've some sort of goal, otherwise its wasted effort. Two games of footy would keep you pretty fit, ie you're not going to have a heart attack if you lift a heavy object, or run away from an attack etc.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,287 ✭✭✭thedrowner


    my advice would be to join a gym, if youre prepared....most collages have a cheap membership fee, you have practically unlimited access. there will be people there who will be able to assess your fitness, and give u the best workout plan to get fitter in a way that doesnt kill you and that u will probably find enjoyable. you'll also feel less tired during the day, which will help increase your stamina. and youll probably sleep better.

    but if ur not interested in somehthing so extreeme, then work aout a little excercise program all for yourself, and build it up as the weeks go buy (walking, cycling, swimmin etc) and it should have the same effect, although maybe not as quickly.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,693 ✭✭✭tHE vAGGABOND


    to get better at football, and boost your fitness and stamnia you should play often, like train for a team during the week and then play at the weekend..

    practice makes perfect and all that


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,651 ✭✭✭Enygma


    Run, simple as that. Might be an idea to join a gym seeing as it's winter. Running on a treadmill is a little easier too. Nice girls to look at, music, TV and you can see all the calories burning :)

    Or else go swimming, great excersise that.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,621 ✭✭✭Panda


    swimming is also a good way to get fit, you use pretty much every motary muscle in your body.
    i swim fairly regularly, maybe twice a week, mainly because im a life guard but it keeps me fit aswell.
    it would be good to start off with widths of the pool and do maybe 15-20, then work up to lengths.

    but there is a bit more hassle than running involved.
    getting wet and all...

    it always suprised me that there was no health/Fitness board actually...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 273 ✭✭RapierX


    I dont think it really matters what kinda training you do. It boils down to aerobic/anaerobic. I find doing weights with 12-15 reps the fastest way of getting fit. Long running and jogging takes a few weeks to build up stamina on. Why bother when u can do it in less time, and a more fun way in the gym or at home. The weights give you a lot of power, thats what wingers need. Most wingers cant last for ****, they are good in bursts. Roy Keane is good coz hes like a long distance runner stamina a plenty. Ryan giggs wouldnt run 4 laps of a feild without dying. if your that unfit do position specific training, ie sprints and weights.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,335 ✭✭✭Cake Fiend


    I heartily endorse swimming. Great all-round excercise. You don't need to kill yourself to get to a reasonably fit state.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,651 ✭✭✭Enygma


    Doing weights will NOT get you fit. You'll look great and be able to lift a piano but you won't be fit. I see guys in the pool all the time that look like Van Dam but can only swim two lengths of the pool before having to get out.
    Running and swimming, if you want to be fit.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,503 ✭✭✭Makaveli


    Ok so I rattled a few cages and managed to convince everyone (with help from 1 or 2 others) that we need to train during the week. On the condition you dont train you dont play.
    Also, decided to get off my ass and start using the gym again (I'm a member of 2 :rolleyes: ).
    So, it's a lot of treadmill work. (But it's sore on the knees.)
    Swimming is a good idea, but more hassle. I should probably start cycling again too.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,564 ✭✭✭Typedef


    Originally posted by Makaveli
    Ok I need some tips on how to boost my fitness levels because I am shockingly unfit.

    Try this. First thing you do when you get up in the morning is 30 pushups and thirty situps, remembering to conciously contract your abdominals (as opposed to wrenching your head towards your knees with your arms).

    I do this, except I normally do, 65 pushups and 30 situps. You want to be fit, then you have to exercise.
    P & Q.
    P therefore Q. Simple really.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 646 ✭✭✭John2002


    I'd recommend cutting back on liquor, I find that's a killer for me.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,503 ✭✭✭Makaveli


    I dont drink all that much.
    I cant do pushups, I'm wrecked after 4 or 5, they are too hard. I can do plenty of situps though. Usually not at a count, just until I feel the burn, and then I push it a bit more and stop.
    They say for everyone that hurts it's worth 10 that dont. Obviously the more you do, the further you have to go before you feel the burn. Usually it's at about 50 I start to feel it.
    Situps for lower abs are another story though, they are quite hard to do and I cant do very many.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,859 ✭✭✭logic1


    Originally posted by Enygma
    Doing weights will NOT get you fit.

    Wrong.

    .logic.


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 3,935 Mod ✭✭✭✭Turner


    swimming definitely.. uses every muscle in your body.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,651 ✭✭✭Enygma


    OK, will not get you nearly half as fit as running and swimming will.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,846 ✭✭✭✭eth0_


    Weights will get you fit to a degree, but if you're not in the best shape its a bad idea to do weights until you lose weight and build up your fitness, I think you should have a certain level of fitness before you even start weight training, otherwise you'll do yourself some damage.

    I'd say swimming/running/rowing are best for overall fitness.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,682 ✭✭✭chernobyl


    Originally posted by logic1
    Wrong.

    .logic.


    Its a different kind of fitness.
    Me, i try to get a balance so i run and do weights..neither is great fun but rewarding when the work is done.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,287 ✭✭✭thedrowner


    Originally posted by Makaveli

    I cant do pushups, I'm wrecked after 4 or 5, they are too hard.

    just set urself a limit every day, start off doing 5, then increase up to 6, 7, 8, etc. its a pain in the arse but if its what u want then its worth it. but u probably already knew this.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,322 ✭✭✭Repli


    Originally posted by thedrowner
    just set urself a limit every day, start off doing 5, then increase up to 6, 7, 8, etc. its a pain in the arse but if its what u want then its worth it. but u probably already knew this.
    I can do 30.. on my freakin KNUCKLES.. on a WOODEN floor of all things :( Doin em on your knuckles makes it seem easier when u try them normally.. try it ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,503 ✭✭✭Makaveli


    Maybe if I was a Tae-Kwon-Do master, I could do them on my knuckles, but I'm not. ;)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,322 ✭✭✭Repli


    pffffff..... a master can do them on his knuckles.. and jump up 4ft off the ground and clap on each 1 ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,287 ✭✭✭thedrowner


    i dont have to try it, i only need to do girly things like treadmills and steppers ;)

    oh, is there any truth to the rumours that girls doing sit ups have to do them in a certain way or they hurt their womb's? (if so, mine's definately broken) my friend said she thought that girls werent supposed to do sit up's all the way from the floor to and upright postion, that we should just stop half way....???


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,322 ✭✭✭Repli


    Originally posted by thedrowner
    my friend said she thought that girls werent supposed to do sit up's all the way from the floor to and upright postion, that we should just stop half way....???
    I dunno about girls.. but coming up the whole way is easy.. try doing crunches.. keep your head off the floor (about 2 inches) and do really fast situps without letting your head touch the floor..


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,287 ✭✭✭thedrowner


    Originally posted by Repli
    pffffff..... a master can do them on his knuckles.. and jump up 4ft off the ground and clap on each 1 ;)

    i can do this scary thing which i will attempt to describe over the net...
    if you clasp your hands and bright them over your head, and bring them down backwards, most people can only keep them clasped into they reach their shoulders, they cant bring them down any further...i can bring mind down to the small of my back (a guy did it the opposite way in the video for rundmc vs jason nevins, 'its like that')...i ahve no idea how i dsicovered i could do this....and it really freaks people out. i think im double jointed somewhere in my arms.

    i can also do the splitz, most guys cant do that, except for the guys im in dancing with, and it is a truly hideous thing to behold. it looks so sore!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,601 ✭✭✭Kali


    Originally posted by thedrowner
    oh, is there any truth to the rumours that girls doing sit ups have to do them in a certain way or they hurt their womb's? (if so, mine's definately broken) my friend said she thought that girls werent supposed to do sit up's all the way from the floor to and upright postion, that we should just stop half way....???

    Nah there is absolutely no truth in that. Obviously full crunchs aren't reccomended during late-pregnancy or directly after giving birth but thats about it. (I asked my sister btw.. shes a personal trainer/fitness instructor for the past 16 years).
    So your friend is just making up excuses :)


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 273 ✭✭RapierX


    OK, weights do you get you fit. I said 12-15 reps, thats a mixture of power and endurance. 6-10 for strength and muscle gain. Why do you think really tough sports like rowers, track athletes etc do ****loads of circuit training? In a time constricted enviroment such as this man has here, its the fastest possible way of boosting equal levels of fitness whether it be stamina, power, muscle endurance or drinking pints. I hadnt ran more than 50 metres in months, i went out the other night for a 3 mile road run, and was happy enough with just under 20 minutes. My legs werent stiff due to the high rep squats i do, why because running wont get near the exertion, lactic acid blah blah of weights! if your knew to them they can cause injury, but an intelligent individual will read books or have an arnold friend to show them.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,479 ✭✭✭Kell


    Find a suitable girl and F*** lots, and then some. Thats always worked for me. Another easy breaker inner is to do hillwalking. I started a couple of months ago and now up to power walking stage- some seriously stiff climbs also help with your leg muscles so try something like Lugnaquillia in Wicklow a few times and it should do the trick. F****** is whaaaay better though for overrall fitness and burns calories like no-ones business.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,648 ✭✭✭smiles


    Originally posted by thedrowner
    oh, is there any truth to the rumours that girls doing sit ups have to do them in a certain way or they hurt their womb's? (if so, mine's definately broken) my friend said she thought that girls werent supposed to do sit up's all the way from the floor to and upright postion, that we should just stop half way....???

    IFyou only do them to the half way up position it works the upper stomach muscles a *lot* more than they do otherwise, they're also a lot harder to do when you do more than 20, builds stamina :)

    << Fio >>


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14,483 ✭✭✭✭daveirl


    This post has been deleted.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 273 ✭✭RapierX


    i did it faster when i was 14 man


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14,483 ✭✭✭✭daveirl


    This post has been deleted.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,648 ✭✭✭smiles


    Originally posted by daveirl
    All I'm asking is are you sure it's 3 miles. If it is you should seriously think about taking up running as a sport.

    Ever hear of the famous breaking of the 3 minute mile?

    Running 3 miles should take 20-30 minutes if you're relatively fit.

    << Fio >>


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,068 ✭✭✭Magic Monkey


    Originally posted by Makaveli
    I dont drink all that much.
    I cant do pushups, I'm wrecked after 4 or 5, they are too hard.

    Do them off your knees first, then off your feet, then elevate your feet (put them on a chair), then do handstand push-ups, etc. You just have to build up over time, that's all. Take it slow, don't expect too much too soon.
    Eventually, you'll be able to do a one-arm handstand push-up! :D
    Situps for lower abs are another story though, they are quite hard to do and I cant do very many.

    Ahh, I think the whole "specific exercises for upper/lower abs" thing is a myth:

    http://www.exrx.net/WeightTraining/Myths.html
    http://www.olusa.com/books/pavel/bp-abs-toc.htm

    Deadlifts 0wn your abdominals, btw ;)

    Some links for you:

    Hindu Squats/Push-ups
    Bodyweight Exercises

    Hindu Squats are good, as they use your bodyweight only, but really do develop your aerobic fitness, and lung power.
    Try doing 50 :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14,483 ✭✭✭✭daveirl


    This post has been deleted.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,872 ✭✭✭segadreamcast


    Originally posted by daveirl
    Well since that's never happened..... no....

    The four minute mile was broken by Roger Banister in 1958 I think. 3 minute mile won't be broken for a long while.

    Again if you can do it in 20 you are more than just 'relatively fit'

    Indeed, dave is right.

    Four minute mile was more of a straight out sprint than anything - doing three miles in twenty minutes and under requires a great deal of stamina.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,287 ✭✭✭thedrowner


    Originally posted by Magic Monkey

    Eventually, you'll be able to do a one-arm handstand push-up! :D


    and if he practises really,really,really hard he'll be able to do a no-arms push up ;)


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    Originally posted by Kell
    Find a suitable girl and F*** lots, and then some. Thats always worked for me.

    F****** is whaaaay better though for overrall fitness and burns calories like no-ones business.

    That didn't work for me.

    I think it's a bit of a myth (o:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,503 ✭✭✭Makaveli


    Originally posted by Magic Monkey

    Deadlifts 0wn your abdominals, btw ;)

    Yeah, you dont need to tell me that twice. Although deadlifts leave me pretty wasted, and with a complete lack of strength in my arms. They are effectivly dead.
    Thanks for the links, those hindu squats are good alright, my thighs certainly felt it.
    Had a go at the pushups underneath the squats on that page, not a hope in hell. Managed 3.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 702 ✭✭✭roxy


    Originally posted by thedrowner
    and if he practises really,really,really hard he'll be able to do a no-arms push up ;)

    anyone remember in gladiators the way some of the female ones could do like a cartwheel with no hands! I thought that was pretty snazzy. But I was young and foolish...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,287 ✭✭✭thedrowner


    um---i was hoping to provoke some more dirty responses than that roxy ;)

    yes i do remember, anyways.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,500 ✭✭✭Mercury_Tilt


    This post has been deleted.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 273 ✭✭RapierX


    All I'm asking is are you sure it's 3 miles. If it is you should seriously think about taking up running as a sport.

    It's 3.14 miles with 2 big hills in the direction i run it, the type you leave ur hands on hips after. I used to run competitively, I thought the fags and liquer would have seriously hindered my ability but genetics and willpower overcome that i guess. Yeah im considering going back to road racing, tough decision.

    3 minute mile???????okkkkkkkk maybe if a kenyan was given to prolab for experimentation and didnt mind dying after 40 years of life


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,068 ✭✭✭Magic Monkey


    Originally posted by Makaveli
    Yeah, you dont need to tell me that twice. Although deadlifts leave me pretty wasted, and with a complete lack of strength in my arms. They are effectivly dead.

    Heh, they rock! Once you can do BW (bodyweight) for reps, then you'll be doing ok.
    Thanks for the links, those hindu squats are good alright, my thighs certainly felt it.
    Had a go at the pushups underneath the squats on that page, not a hope in hell. Managed 3.

    Hindu Squats are hard. They're also boring. But they're damn effective evil little bast4rds :)

    Just try doing regular push-ups off your knees for now; as I said, build up over time.


    Also, about the one-arm handstand push-ups? There was a car ad on a while back showing some guy doing this, well impressive!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 75 ✭✭Muirthile


    Originally posted by smiles
    Ever hear of the famous breaking of the 3 minute mile?
    <whispers>
    4 minute mile
    </whispers>


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 276 ✭✭Brian Houlihan


    good news. there is hopefully a get fit or health board cumming soon!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,503 ✭✭✭Makaveli


    Since we started training my fitness has improved.
    We havent had a match since we started so I havent put it to practice yet but I was able to jog around 3 pitches at a fairly decent pace without quitting. Where as before I'd have never of made it.
    We do a lot of sprints which are an absolute killer, but I know they are helping.


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