I'm sure you can venture a guess as to why I've titled this post "Meathead Mondays". I'm not necessarily complaining about the crowd in World's tonight though, in fact I made it through my entire workout without being bothered once which was a pleasant surprise! I'm on a serious vacation countdown this week so I'm pushing myself to the max, making sure I hit every muscle group, getting in some sweaty cardio, and eating 100% clean before its time to strip down and get in bikini mode! Not that I haven't been in bikini mode all Summer long but I'll be vacationing with friends I haven't seen in ages so I must be up to par!
Oh my, laughing out loud right now as I just Googled "Meathead" and found the #1 Urban Dictionary definition to be "An enormously muscular guy who cannot hold a conversation about anything other than weight-lifting and protein shakes. Gets upset very quickly when he cannot complete his own sentences and thoughts. Can be found at nightclubs wearing shirts that are 10 sizes too small (if at all). They are by far the most closely related human beings to that of apes, chimpanzees, and other primate. They are evolutionarily hindered and are less capable of following directions than my dead hampster." Add "Typically has a wide, beady-eyed stare, gets too close for comfort when they approach, and are often covered in random and meaningless tattoos" too the definition and I think you've got it nailed!
Today I did a lower body weight workout focusing on what I'll call the "bikini zone"...glutes and abs! Let's face it, no one wants a muffin top hanging over the top of their bikini bottoms, or sagging cheeks falling out of the leg holes! First up was walking lunges with medicine ball side twists. These are always killer so I decided to get the hardest thing out of the way first. I counted 38 lunges on my second and final set so I'm guessing I usually average between 35-40 depending on how long my strides are. 76 lunges isn't too shabby! Next up were plie squats with a barbell on my shoulders (3 sets of 8), doing one regular set and then one set each with my right and then left heel lifted just to change it up a bit. Next I worked in abs by doing 4 sets of standing leg lifts, 2 sets forward and 2 sets side-to-side. Note to World's Gym #1: that weird chain-link contraption you have in place of one of the hanging leg lift loops is not an acceptable alternative to replacing those nasty, sweaty, smelly loops! For my last lower body workout I did the bent-over glute press, 2 sets of straight leg press and 2 sets of bent leg press each leg (8 sets total). Finally, I finished up my routine with 3 sets of 8 teepees, doing some kneeling balance work in between sets. WG note #2: Please fill-up your stability balls. The only thing Planet Fitness has on World's is that their balls are always properly inflated!
Random side-note: I've decided that I have such a distaste for Planet Fitness that I automatically find everyone in there unattractive. Long story short, major stud in World's tonight that I've totally seen in Planet before and never given a second thought to. Hmmm I think I may need to make a visit to Planet sometime soon to reacquaint myself with the scenery haha! :P
Second random side-note: All photo and video edits on the App are fini! Initial launch is looking like mid-September. Cannot wait to get the sample on my iPhone so I can start to test it out myself and then get to promoting!
Okay, back to today's workout now. After my weights and abs routine I stretched out a bit on the mats and then came home to take my puppy for a walk. What gorgeous weather we are having; warm and sunny with no humidity. Could not be more perfect! Well, I think its time for me to make dinner. For some reason I'm craving steak tonight.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Saturday, August 11, 2012
"Functional" Training
Thought I would start the weekend off right with an early morning yoga class followed by a run. Being another rainy yucky day it would have been a perfect day to get back into spinning but I booked myself a beauty treatment at 9:45 am so my favourite 9-10 class was out of the question. Anyway, I showed up to class a few minutes before 8 and the instructor (a middle-aged woman I'd never seen before) told me that this was not the yoga class I was likely expecting but rather a combo pilates-functional training class. Well, I figured pilates was close enough to yoga that I'd give it a shot. The functional training part though made me a little skeptical. I asked her what that meant and she said; "oh, its a lot of great core work using the ball and free weights".
"High-reps?" I questioned back to her. She looked at me a little confusedly so I clarified by telling her that I'd need to know how many reps our sets would be so I know which size weights to choose.
"Ahh, you are a smart thinker!" she goes. "We'll be doing about 12 reps per set so pick something that makes you struggle by the twelfth rep." The fact that this seemed to be an unusual discussion for her didn't make me feel too good about the skill level of the attendees but I convinced myself to give her the benefit of the doubt.
Let me just remind you all that I used to be an avid group fitness class attendee. I did a variety of classes pretty much every day and even got certified to instruct classes myself before I realized I wasn't getting the results I wanted anymore and needed to pursue other forms of training. Oh, and teaching is just plain old not fun and stressful! But that's another story... anyway, the class began on time and we began with a series of standing side-bends holding weights straight above our heads. After about 20 reps (yes, I said 20 not 12 like she had formerly indicated), we switch sides and I start to get annoyed. Having done classes for so long I am extremely picky when it comes to teaching techniques. First of all, the background music was some random instrumental number, slightly African sounding, but with no actual beat to coordinate your moves to and not remotely motivating. Secondly, she wasn't counting reps at all. I like structure in my classes. I want to know exactly what's expected so I can exert myself accordingly. I don't want to have to take random breaks because we've already done 30 of the same move and I have no idea whether we'll be done in 2 more or if there's 30 more to go! Lastly, she wasn't actually doing the work herself. Now, I know this is common for some instructors but quite frankly if the instructor isn't working just as hard as I am then I am less inclined to listen to them telling me what to do! After our first move was done with (which by the way I felt nothing from!) I looked around wondering if this was just a warm-up or a sample of what the next hour would be like. Perhaps I accidentally walked into a senior's fitness class? Maybe I should just walk out now before I'm really stuck? Hoping it would get better, I decided to stay. Wrong decision. The next hour was basically a variety of different moves with a primary focus on core work. Kind of like a circuit but staying in one place. I know this doesn't sound bad but the problem was that you could basically do the entire class in your sleep. Yes, there were times that I felt tired and in need of a break or drink but this was all because of the ridiculous amount of reps we were doing per set rather than doing anything with the slightest amount of difficulty. All in all a waste of a precious weekend hour! Then suddenly at the end of class she turned the lights off and had us all get into seated crossed-legs prayer position with our eyes closed on our mats. Ummm hello lady, are you now confusing this with yoga class? Urghhh I am here to workout not to take a nap!
Gathering my things quickly I bolted out of class precisely at 9 and headed to a treadmill to crank out a quick mile run and finally break a sweat which the class had not succeeded in doing. My run was actually quite good and the random selection of music that came off my shuffled iTunes music selection was quite good. Nothing like a good Metallica song to get the legs moving!
Off I went to my appointment at about 25 past the hour feeling much better about my workout. I suppose it can't hurt to try something new, especially since I do pay for unlimited classes anyway, but I'm not quite sure what was so functional about that class. I think I'll feel more of a burn in a few minutes when I head outside to wash my car. Now that's a functional workout!
"High-reps?" I questioned back to her. She looked at me a little confusedly so I clarified by telling her that I'd need to know how many reps our sets would be so I know which size weights to choose.
"Ahh, you are a smart thinker!" she goes. "We'll be doing about 12 reps per set so pick something that makes you struggle by the twelfth rep." The fact that this seemed to be an unusual discussion for her didn't make me feel too good about the skill level of the attendees but I convinced myself to give her the benefit of the doubt.
Let me just remind you all that I used to be an avid group fitness class attendee. I did a variety of classes pretty much every day and even got certified to instruct classes myself before I realized I wasn't getting the results I wanted anymore and needed to pursue other forms of training. Oh, and teaching is just plain old not fun and stressful! But that's another story... anyway, the class began on time and we began with a series of standing side-bends holding weights straight above our heads. After about 20 reps (yes, I said 20 not 12 like she had formerly indicated), we switch sides and I start to get annoyed. Having done classes for so long I am extremely picky when it comes to teaching techniques. First of all, the background music was some random instrumental number, slightly African sounding, but with no actual beat to coordinate your moves to and not remotely motivating. Secondly, she wasn't counting reps at all. I like structure in my classes. I want to know exactly what's expected so I can exert myself accordingly. I don't want to have to take random breaks because we've already done 30 of the same move and I have no idea whether we'll be done in 2 more or if there's 30 more to go! Lastly, she wasn't actually doing the work herself. Now, I know this is common for some instructors but quite frankly if the instructor isn't working just as hard as I am then I am less inclined to listen to them telling me what to do! After our first move was done with (which by the way I felt nothing from!) I looked around wondering if this was just a warm-up or a sample of what the next hour would be like. Perhaps I accidentally walked into a senior's fitness class? Maybe I should just walk out now before I'm really stuck? Hoping it would get better, I decided to stay. Wrong decision. The next hour was basically a variety of different moves with a primary focus on core work. Kind of like a circuit but staying in one place. I know this doesn't sound bad but the problem was that you could basically do the entire class in your sleep. Yes, there were times that I felt tired and in need of a break or drink but this was all because of the ridiculous amount of reps we were doing per set rather than doing anything with the slightest amount of difficulty. All in all a waste of a precious weekend hour! Then suddenly at the end of class she turned the lights off and had us all get into seated crossed-legs prayer position with our eyes closed on our mats. Ummm hello lady, are you now confusing this with yoga class? Urghhh I am here to workout not to take a nap!
Gathering my things quickly I bolted out of class precisely at 9 and headed to a treadmill to crank out a quick mile run and finally break a sweat which the class had not succeeded in doing. My run was actually quite good and the random selection of music that came off my shuffled iTunes music selection was quite good. Nothing like a good Metallica song to get the legs moving!
Off I went to my appointment at about 25 past the hour feeling much better about my workout. I suppose it can't hurt to try something new, especially since I do pay for unlimited classes anyway, but I'm not quite sure what was so functional about that class. I think I'll feel more of a burn in a few minutes when I head outside to wash my car. Now that's a functional workout!
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Etiquette Rules
Well, yesterday was the last of my tennis lessons so today began my official kick-off of getting back into running. I feel like the past few weeks have been so busy for me that my workouts have seriously suffered. Not to mention the fact that when it's hot out I cut waaay back on the cardio. I mean, I'm already sweating, why make it worse?! All the health and fitness magazines out there would lead one to believe that people are at their fittest in the Summer months but I swear, Winter is by far my best time of the year physique-wise. I'd much rather be spending my time in the nice even-temperature gym than outside in the sub-zero ice and snow! Anyway, tonight I did a short 1-mile run on the treadmill followed by a standard bi's/tri's/abs routine at World's. While it was only a short run, I definitely had to push to run through the pain starting to develop in my knee. Therefore, I'm going to keep at the short distances 1-2 times per week until I have no knee/shin/ankle issues and then gradually work my way back up to my 5-k goal. Add back-in a spin or yoga class here and there and I'll be feeling back to normal in no time!
Instead of the usual listing out of my daily workout routine, I thought I'd focus on a topic you all likely have something to say about, gym etiquette! What made me think of this topic today was first the guy that decided it was acceptable to stand right directly in front of me to do his bicep curls when it was obvious that I was staring into the mirror to help keep my balance on the bosu ball. Now, I understand that people make mistakes but typically when one realizes they are in someone's way they move out of it. It's simple gym-goer courtesy! However, I stared the guy down and he didn't flinch. Not even when I quite obviously dragged the bosu a couple of feet to the right and then looked back at him to see if he'd noticed! Urghhh Some people! Then I suddenly felt the urge to hurl my last meal as I noticed that the extremely repulsive overly-tatted-beady-eyed-meat-head I am always trying to avoid was looking up waiting to make eye contact, apparently the move he deems to be invitation to come harass the hell out of me. I'm guessing he thinks that is flirting. Hellooooo mister, when I roll my eyes and scowl at your for the ten millionth time, then will you realize I am actually trying to workout and am not interested in making small talk with you?! Anyway, at this very moment I decided that a blog on gym etiquette was in great need.
I would be writing all night long if I wanted to capture all of my gym etiquette pet-peeves so I've narrowed down the list to what I consider to be the worst offenders. There are a few rules that are common knowledge and should present no surprise to you if you've spent any amount of time in a gym. These are as follows:
1. If you sweat on equipment, wipe it down before the next person has to use it. No, this doesn't mean do a quick pat with a dirty cloth you've used on all the machines you used prior. It means walk the three freaking feet to the towel holder, rip off a clean piece, spray it with sanitizer, and wipe your grimy mess off the machine! No one wants to sit in a pool of your ass sweat.
2. For those of you circuit-lovers, either start working out at slow times of the day when most equipment is available or workout with a few other circuit-lovers so that you don't leave equipment unused and expect everyone else in the gym to automatically know its reserved for 15 freaking minutes later when your circuit gets back to that station! Sorry guys, open equipment is fare game!
3. Using the gym as your opportunity to show everyone how cool you are by talking on the phone the whole time loud enough so everyone within a 3-mile vicinity can hear you. No, you are not cool. No one cares (or thinks) that you have so many friends, important work arrangements, personal appointments that you have to be on your phone in the weight room! If you really must multi-task then I suppose I could forgive you for talking while on the treadmill or elliptical since then you wouldn't be in anyone's way. However, holding up a machine or bench so you can chat about that girl you hooked up with last Friday night when others are standing by waiting to use that same equipment is just plain rude! And un-atractive to boot!
The next gym faux-pas are perhaps not items that first come to mind but when they happen they can really irk you! These are the following:
1. Using the weight stand as your personal support. i.e. standing over it, blocking free weights from other's grasp, while doing your curls, rows, etc. This crime goes hand-in-hand with standing directly in front of the weight stand for your workout. Hello people, some of us may want to get at the weights you are covering up without having to reach right through you!
2. Surrounding yourself with all the weights needed for your entire workout, leaving the weight stand rather empty for the rest of the the gym goers. You only have two hands. You can only use one set of weights at a time. I.e. finish your sets with one size, put them back for someone else to use, then pick up the next size for your next exercise. Sadly, I've seen more girls do this than guys!
3. Not putting the weights back where they belong. I don't care if when you picked up the 15 lb dumbbells they were already sitting in the 25-lb. slots. That does not mean that you should put them back there. Stop being lazy and put them where they belong. The person after you will be very appreciative that they did not spend 20 minutes trying to track down the 15-lbers. Additionally, the gym staff will not have to waste their personal time at the end of the night putting everything back where it belongs.
Alas, I'm sure there are many more gym etiquette rules being broken in gyms across the globe at this very moment but I think this at least covers the basics. I propose the institution of gym police. Commit a certain amount of gym etiquette crimes in a certain period and you're out! Do you have a gym pet-peeve that you just must vent about? If so, please share below!
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