Gym thoughts
May. 12th, 2010 11:02 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
morslaI've been going to the Kensington YMCA gym for about four months now. I'd never been to one before this year, and hadn't done any kind of weights or cardio exercise... well, ever. Tonight was my first program review, to see whether it's made any impact so far.
Weight-wise, I'm exactly the same as when I started (61.5kg). That's not surprising: I'm almost always exactly the same weight. I have more muscle than when I started, which should make me a bit denser... but I also have more fat, which seems to balance it out. I sit at a desk (be that an office desk, painting desk, or at home on the computer) for probably 14+ hours a day, so I need to find ways of moving around a bit more often.
I'm stronger than when I started. Not much change for my legs, as I've always used them the most. Years of Tai Chi, Kung Fu and walking everywhere mean there's not much room for improvement there. My arms are stronger than they were at the start of the year - probably because it's the first time they've ever had to do any real work. I know virtually nothing about weights, so I just follow what the gym people set out for me to do... two sets of 15 reps on each exercise, working through different muscle groups. When things feel too easy, I increase the weight until it's hard reaching the end of each set. I'm currently using a bit over half my body weight on each of the machines.
Core body strength is still terrible. In high school I could do 100+ sit ups, but now I struggle to do 25. It doesn't help that the gym tends to get horribly crowded when I should be doing that part of the routine, but I should really be doing this stuff at home anyway.
I have most of my old flexibility back, after stretching as much as possible at the end of each session. I like stretching. I suspect that I'm using it to procrastinate in the gym, though, as it means I don't spend as long doing core strength exercises.
Cardio endurance is the most surprising change. I've never done anything with a sustained cardio component - it's always been short bursts of movement, or holding stances for a long time. The first time I tried using the rowing machine and cross trainer, they damn near killed me... but now I can happily run up the hill to catch my tram, and rarely get out of breath. It's a nice feeling, having some kind of control over my lungs.
I started going because I wanted to improve my general level of fitness. I think I'm doing that, but I still have lots I'd like to change. I'm less weedy than I was four months ago. My next goal is to track down bad habits I've developed at home and work, and kick them in the head.
Weight-wise, I'm exactly the same as when I started (61.5kg). That's not surprising: I'm almost always exactly the same weight. I have more muscle than when I started, which should make me a bit denser... but I also have more fat, which seems to balance it out. I sit at a desk (be that an office desk, painting desk, or at home on the computer) for probably 14+ hours a day, so I need to find ways of moving around a bit more often.
I'm stronger than when I started. Not much change for my legs, as I've always used them the most. Years of Tai Chi, Kung Fu and walking everywhere mean there's not much room for improvement there. My arms are stronger than they were at the start of the year - probably because it's the first time they've ever had to do any real work. I know virtually nothing about weights, so I just follow what the gym people set out for me to do... two sets of 15 reps on each exercise, working through different muscle groups. When things feel too easy, I increase the weight until it's hard reaching the end of each set. I'm currently using a bit over half my body weight on each of the machines.
Core body strength is still terrible. In high school I could do 100+ sit ups, but now I struggle to do 25. It doesn't help that the gym tends to get horribly crowded when I should be doing that part of the routine, but I should really be doing this stuff at home anyway.
I have most of my old flexibility back, after stretching as much as possible at the end of each session. I like stretching. I suspect that I'm using it to procrastinate in the gym, though, as it means I don't spend as long doing core strength exercises.
Cardio endurance is the most surprising change. I've never done anything with a sustained cardio component - it's always been short bursts of movement, or holding stances for a long time. The first time I tried using the rowing machine and cross trainer, they damn near killed me... but now I can happily run up the hill to catch my tram, and rarely get out of breath. It's a nice feeling, having some kind of control over my lungs.
I started going because I wanted to improve my general level of fitness. I think I'm doing that, but I still have lots I'd like to change. I'm less weedy than I was four months ago. My next goal is to track down bad habits I've developed at home and work, and kick them in the head.
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no subject
Date: 2010-05-12 01:21 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-12 11:14 pm (UTC)http://crossfit.com/
if that site is a bit scary, checkout my friend's site (he runs it in adelaide now, and i just LOVE it even though i cant do half the stuff and all that!). we focus on gymnastic ability, strength, power, cardio fitness but sometimes the workout only goes for 15 mins! but you are knackered at the end. I love it. I cant do handstands against the wall very well, but I aim to do handstand pushups by the end of the year. Cool! Its just so good to do something physically challenging, and so out of the ordinary too.
http://crossfitadelaide.com/
cant wait to see the 'bulkier' ben :P
no subject
Date: 2010-05-12 11:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-12 11:16 pm (UTC)Thanks for the link! I'll read through the site in a bit more detail over the weekend.
no subject
Date: 2010-05-13 04:19 am (UTC)Can't seem to load the Adelaide site from work. The main site looks interesting - lots of technical information in there. It also has that suspicious feel that a lot of fitness sites seem to, where I keep reading things and thinking "you know, that sounds a lot like a cult..."
no subject
Date: 2010-05-13 06:41 am (UTC)The Adelaide page is rad, thats why I included it. The technical information is great, especially if you want to home gym. Don't get put off by how American it all sounds! THEY are prob a bit too into it for us normal types, but don't think its cultish :P
There are gyms in Melbourne too, and most run 'Foundations' courses which introduce you to crossfit. I def recommend it.
http://schwartzs.typepad.com/melbourne/workout_of_the_day/index.html
http://www.crossfitvictoria.com/index.php/start-here
http://www.crossfitvictoria.com/index.php/facility (their facility looks fun!)