Random Fitness Questions

Bredabe wrote: »

I need to use a cross trainer and a rowing machine, I cant afford both, joining the gym isn't an option.
Is there somekind of hybrid machine that would do the job?

what are your goals? they both overlap for cardio, the rower is better for going hard whereas the cross trainer tends to be for longer and slower , my first thought was that the rower and some dumbbells and some walking would do it unless you have a preference for long slow cardio.

Bredabe wrote: »

It wont let me multiquote, so to reply to you both,
I dont really know what exactly the goal is, beyond muscle strengthening, particularly in the shoulders and lower back.

Neither cardio machine will particular strengthen muscles. If the two only the tower really targets shoulders and lower back

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

What do you need to use them both for, I.e. what's the purpose of needing both so as to give a better idea of alternative options.

silverharp wrote: »

what are your goals? they both overlap for cardio, the rower is better for going hard whereas the cross trainer tends to be for longer and slower , my first thought was that the rower and some dumbbells and some walking would do it unless you have a preference for long slow cardio.

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Did someone tell you to use both a rower and a cross trainer specifically for strengthening muscles in shoulder and lower back.

As Mellor said, the rower would be the better of the two for doing that but if it's just strengthening muscles in shoulders and lower back then there are better options than either of those two, e.g. dumbbells or even resistance bands

No, thats where the confusion is, I was recommended to use both, but I have no real idea what was being targeted, but those area's are the most prone to injury.

Bredabe wrote: »

No, thats where the confusion is, I was recommended to use both, but I have no real idea what was being targeted, but those area's are the most prone to injury.

Ok, well if the primary aim is to strengthen those muscles then I'd suggest you would get more from resistance bands or dumbbells. If you've done no resistance training, you could start with resistance bands and there are a lot of exercises you can do.

Both are good machines for cardio but if that's a secondary element and given that it is a lot of money to get a decent version of either, there are less expensive ways of improving your cardiovascular fitness and which you may enjoy more.

IvoryTower wrote: »

I'd love to know who told you to buy a rower and cross trainer lol. If you have a **** ton of money and huge home then they would be cool to have to be fair

OT suggested that I use the ones' in those outdoor gyms in the park, but there is neither machine in the one closest to me. I was hoping I could find some kind of middle ground

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

But like any industry, there will always be people that are shíte.

This, I've been lucky to have seen one or two very good physios, there are others I've seen who have not been great, but you'll only really know that when you have the experience of a good physio. Get recommendations, look around, wait for the appointment if they're booked up and don't accept other physios available in the practice is my suggestion.

Aurelian wrote: »

If you train late, what do you eat after training?

I couldn't really eat a meal after 9, say.

I usually train from 8.30pm to 10pm or thereabouts. I don't really have much to eat after. I have my dinner a couple of hours before.

ETA: depends what your diet is like the rest of the day but if you feel the need to get more protein in post workout, a shake is handy if you don't want to eat late. I don't.

FFVII wrote: »

Has anyone ever had benefit from seeing a physio?

I had a back injury when I was younger. Nothing major but one that has caused me minor pain through most of my life with several episodes of severe pain that could last for weeks/months and leave me with limited mobility for the duration. I've had a lot of physio from different physios and a few different courses of steroid injections. And at no point ever, did any doctor or physio advise me that my core was weak and get me to work on building a strong core. In the last year I have built up a strong core and my back pain has gone almost completely. And while I'm delighted about that I'm also more than a bit p'd off that not one single person who's job it is to assist with the type of pain I had ever treated me in in what I now think must surely have been the most blatantly obvious way.

2 fast wrote: »

How do you keep motivated/get your mojo back? I used to be so fit and big into Strength and Conditioning but started going it alone cause I couldn't afford personal training and fly it for a while and then give up as a result I've put up weight and lost the strength n fitness, which is discouraging me massively. Sorry if this is the wrong thread

Not to be too like a fitness instagrammer but ‘motivation follows action, action rarely follows motivation’. Pretty much everything fitness related comes down to consistency. It has to become a habit. No one is fully motivated to go every time, so if that’s what you’re relying on you won’t go every time.

Set a goal of doing whatever it is you want to do, be it going for a run or to the gym etc., for a set amount of sessions per week and hit that amount every week for two months. If you do that consistently, keep a short term focus and make it something you have to do it will become easier. It’s simple but not necessarily easy.

Setting yourself some short/long term goals might help, regardless of how big or small they are. Can you squat 50kg for 10 reps with good form? Try to work towards squatting 60kg for 10 reps. Can you do 5 unassisted pullups? Aim towards 10, etc etc

Long term goals, such as a weight target or how you look in the mirror take a longer time to achieve and the rate of progress may feel demoralising, which is why short term goals help massively.

2 fast wrote: »

How do you keep motivated/get your mojo back? I used to be so fit and big into Strength and Conditioning but started going it alone cause I couldn't afford personal training and fly it for a while and then give up as a result I've put up weight and lost the strength n fitness, which is discouraging me massively. Sorry if this is the wrong thread

If we all waited until we were motivated, then we'd probably do 10% of what we actually do. As has been said, build a habit. For example, some days I just don't really feel like I want to go. Certainly not motivated to go. But it's Monday/Wednesday/Friday so I go. Or whenever suits you. On those days, have your gear ready and with you...whatever is needed to reduce potential excuses to not go.

Get some sort of programme online. If you have no idea what to do when you go in, it'll be an aimless assortment of exercises and you'll do less than you would otherwise do cos it will just seem disjointed and pointless.

As Mark Rippetoe said, don't look at where you ultimately want to be but make short term goals. If you squat 40kg and you want to get to 100kg, if you set goals of getting to 50, then 60, then 70 etc then each little achievement doesn't seem that far away and it gives you a boost when you get it. Something of a positive feedback loop. On the other hand, if you're squatting 40 and just look at 100 as the goal, then it can seem too far away and that can be demotivating. When I used to run, and especially on long runs when it was hard to keep going, I didn't think of hoe many miles I had left but to get to the next lamp post, and then the next one. Each one brought me maybe 50m closer but it just felt more easy mentally. If I just kept thinking about how far I had left to run, I might just have stopped.

And yeah, we all start somewhere. Just because someone lifts a lot more than you do now doesn't mean they weren't once where you are now. People go to the gym to improve themselves...physically and mentally. Most people understand that. And you're paying the same membership as anyone else so you're as entitled to use the equipment the same as anyone else is.

I get that it can seem daunting but just focus on getting yourself in there and start the journey. The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step and all that.

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

You likely feel knackered. I had something similar recently and stretching was probably all I was able for. Ease back into it when the course is done - you likely won't feel at 100% when you're done with the antibiotics anyway so I wouldn't jump straight back into what you were doing.

Yeah....I mean I know this but it'd be nice to hear somebody say 'work away'

Went back to work today and came home early so I'm definitely not right, will try go for some walks in the evening because I'm feeling a bit stale from being at home all the time with it

Hi Guys,

I know this topic has been asked thousands of times so doesn't need it's own thread plus don't want to resurrect an old thread so thought this be best place to ask question.

I am currently going to a PT 2/3 times a week - in order to get in shape/leaner - mainly weight training. I also run a fair bit - training for half marathon in April, and try to get 10k+ steps everyday. So basically I only have 1/2 rest days a week - which are basically rest days.

My food is fairly clean - over last week average intake (per day) of P/C/F has been 132/210/50g and my calorie intake is approx. 1900 calories a day. My weight is approx. 175lbs and body fat of 20%. Water intake of approx. 3litres a day.

Given that I'm running a lot I think I need the high intake of carbs.

The only supplements that I take are fish oil capsules and Vit C. No shakes or whey, as I don't think I need them to hit protein goals. I may also have some sort of low/zero calorie energy drink prior to workout/long run - for example monster ultra (half before/after), but that would be it (I don't drink coffee)

However should I be taking creatine. I'm very reluctant to just take something (as prefer to just eat good clean food) - will it just accelerate the process of building muscle, or is it actually needed. Like does it accelerate the process marginally, or what you could build in 6 months, might only take 5 months for instance?.

Will it have any negative impact on my running? And/or is there anything I need to consider when taking creatine?

taxdummy wrote: »

Hi Guys,

I know this topic has been asked thousands of times so doesn't need it's own thread plus don't want to resurrect an old thread so thought this be best place to ask question.

I am currently going to a PT 2/3 times a week - in order to get in shape/leaner - mainly weight training. I also run a fair bit - training for half marathon in April, and try to get 10k+ steps everyday. So basically I only have 1/2 rest days a week - which are basically rest days.

My food is fairly clean - over last week average intake (per day) of P/C/F has been 132/210/50g and my calorie intake is approx. 1900 calories a day. My weight is approx. 175lbs and body fat of 20%. Water intake of approx. 3litres a day.

Given that I'm running a lot I think I need the high intake of carbs.

The only supplements that I take are fish oil capsules and Vit C. No shakes or whey, as I don't think I need them to hit protein goals. I may also have some sort of low/zero calorie energy drink prior to workout/long run - for example monster ultra (half before/after), but that would be it (I don't drink coffee)

However should I be taking creatine. I'm very reluctant to just take something (as prefer to just eat good clean food) - will it just accelerate the process of building muscle, or is it actually needed. Like does it accelerate the process marginally, or what you could build in 6 months, might only take 5 months for instance?.

Will it have any negative impact on my running? And/or is there anything I need to consider when taking creatine?

https://www.strongerbyscience.com/creatine/

Is as comprehensive a guide as you'll find on the internet.

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