Fitness/Workout thread

will look in to it. Thanks TPF. I have kind of a 6 but Id like to try and get it to 8 if I can.

 

Well you and your brother-in-law now make 5 people that have said good things about them. Guess I'll have to give it a shot! For 20 bucks, not really much of a risk.

 

Eat less calories, do more work. That's all P90x (or any other late-night system, for that matter) does. It makes you burn more than you intake, while building you muscle (a little bit) so that you're BMR (Base Metabolic Rate) is higher. However, any exercises that you do for your abs WILL NOT flatten them (directly- see first sentence ). Does working any other part of your body make it any less flabby?? Ab work is the same. The only other thing I know of that will burn fat are stimulants , and I wouldn't recommend those to anyone. Too much risk for such a small payoff.


Then again, I guess it all depends on how vain you are..

 

Oh its not flabby or trying to burn fat its trying to get definition. I dont know how else to put it....I guess I have a naturally wide base and wide hips so my abs look just plain silly right now. I do take a fat burner, CLA, which is pretty much more mild then a lot of other stuff but even when I tried Xenadrine (which I would recommend to no one.....but it was pretty funny to see someone who is naturally hyper literally bouncing off walls ) back in the day Ive always had terrible abs. Everything from dieting to putting in like an hour of ab work a day hasnt worked so Im always open to idea here.

So whatever suggestions you guys have im listening....

 

Would you recommend it to someone who is passive? I need something to give me an extra oomph when I work out.

 

I've heard good things about that routine as well.

 

I have it. I think its good for just doing reg push ups or using a vertical grip.

However, I think that the rotating motion is horrible. I tried to do a few like they advertise and I felt like I was about to rip my rotator cuff in half. Buyer beware.

 

yeah to echo what has already been said, a good ab routine won't help define your stomach.... good eating and cardio does. we all have 6 packs under there somewhere.

BUT, if you can make those abdomen muscles bigger, its easier to expose them.

i actually have an 8 going, but 6 of it is dead-on solid.

i also take Lipo6 everyday and do about 45 minutes of cardio everyday.


EDIT: HOORAY for my 1,000th post.

 

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you may never have a 'six pack'. Some people's genetics just don't allow for it. They would have to have <3% body fat, which is unhealthy by any standards. Look at the pics of some old-school bodybuilders. Some of them have some pretty weird lookin' abs, even at their level.

Definition is only going to come from burning the excess fat from your midsection (as well as the rest of your body-there is no such thing as 'targeting' for 'spot loss'). I'm not saying you're fat , but if you're having problems with definition, that's what's in the way. Less calories and more activity (higher BMR) is the only way you're going to get rid of what's there. 30-45 min. of med. level (HR=100-120) aerobic activity uses oxygen to turn fat into fuel, instead of glycogen or other stores of immediate energy. A good way to measure you level is if you can't carry on a conversation, you're going too hard. Try that one or two days a week if you wish, but no more than two if you're still doing a relatively high-intensity workout.

If you want them to stand out more (away from your body), that's only going to come from them being stronger. Weighted sit-ups on a decline bench or roman chair are my faves. Weighted leg raises are pretty good too. There are a number of machines out there that do a pretty good job, but there are also a LOT of terrible ones. If your gym has a Nautilus dual-ab machine-those are AWESOME. It looks sort of like a giant hanging chair. Otherwise look for something that isolates your abdominals from help by the rest of the body.

You know (at least, from what I've read, I think you know) how to build your body. Don't treat your abs as something different- use what you know and attack them just as you would your biceps, quads or any other set of muscles.


*One note: There are some electronic ab belts out there that electronically contract your muscles for you. (Yes, some of them do work. ) If you don't want to add a whole set of exercises to your workout, these are a good option to traditional sit-ups. Just don't expect them to do what they can't- that is, get you ripped abs.

 

I tried that stuff and it didn't do a thing for me. I'm glad it works for SOMEBODY.

I tried some 'Max-Hardcore-Super-Ripped' stuff also, and after one workout I started having palpitations and skipping beats, so I stopped that pretty quickly. That's why I don't recommend fat-burners. I never had heart problems before, but they activated some latent genetics and now I have to watch myself, as low blood sugar coupled with a really hard workout will send my heart into fits again.

Live and learn, I guess.

 

No there is a reason the older version of it with ephedra got taken off the market. And without that its not that good anyway. Further no supplement is going to help you if youre passive. A supplement is just that, something that supplements your workout. A fat burner doesnt burn when theres no muscle being built next to it.

 

Bro thanks...but all the stuff you have listed I have already tried. I run 3-6 miles 3x a week, sometimes 4x. I incorporate at least 20-25 minutes of ab-work in my routine which works fine for the rest of me. The caloric intake is below 2500 which is a good improvement over what it once was and considering Im always eating (just a lot more fruit now then chips).

For a long time the I was doing weighted situps on a decline with a 45lb plate which worked great for my upper abs but it was like all the weight shifted from my upper abs to my lower abs. Right now theyre both kinda mediocre which sucks....kinda frustrated if you cant tell but thank you.

 

Hell no!

 

Bro, you first have to look good with your Shirt on..



Haaaaayyyyyoooooooooooo

 

So what would you recommend for me to get more out of my workouts?

 

Bro, I think you misunderstood me. I did not/ would not suggest running 3-6 miles 3-4x a week. Too much IMO if you're doing serious weight training. I suggested moderate cardio 1-2x a week, but only if you weren't doing any heavy lifting/to-failure type stuff. Secondly, 20-25 min. of ab work is too much IMO also. Here is exactly what I would suggest:

1)Cut down cardio if you're doing intense weight training to 0-2x a week.

2)Vary your ab workouts b/w upper and lower abs, never working them more than 10min. total 2x a week. Work them HARD and INTENSELY.

3)Cut your caloric intake to 1500-2000 calories a day and super-hydrate.

4) Get at least 8-10 hrs. of sleep a night whenever possible.

If you aren't absolutely RIPPED by the end of 4-6 weeks, I will personally send you $20 for the pain and anguish.

*Seriously though, I really just hate the fact I was misunderstood. I feel like it's my fault for not being clear when someone doesn't understand me. (Seems to be a trend lately... ) I would never advocate such a high volume of training as you thought I did. Less is ALWAYS more IMO. Hope this clarifies things.

PPS- And if you still think I'm an idiot, that's OK too. At least you understood me before making up your mind.

 

Whatd you guys listen to when you lift?

I'll listen to a lot of hip hop (JayZ, 50, some random stuff) I'm a big fan of aggressive music without yelling and all that dumb ****. Prob why I like most of 50 cents stuff.

Other then that, I'll break out the classic rock sometimes (Jimi, the Stones, AC/DC, Doors, etc.)

 

when i'm lifting its heavy metal.... and cookie monster vocals is ok for that. its angry music, and the aggression comes out on the weights.

when i'm doing cardio, its techno for me. the hard constant beats acts like a cardio-metronome and gives me a beat to run to.

 

I wont tone down my aggressiveness in my training, nor can I. Two reasons.

One is because I am going to try and run the NYC marathon in September. Even if I might not finish...which there is a good chance of

Two is because unless I am injured I wont treat a specific body part different then the rest of me. Id rather have a little extra flab then be more laid back in my approach. I have tried that before and it doesnt work for me.

Guess Im stuck with it but thanks for trying bro...

 

RATM, STP, Metalica, PearJam when Im lifting. When Im running I like milder stuff like Dave Matthews, Jack Johnson...

 

Good for you! There is NO WAY that I would ever do a marathon; I hate running as it is! I hope you do finish- even if you have to walk.

I think you're misunderstanding me again- I'm all about aggressive, just not with aerobics, but I can see where you need to be, in this case. As for being more laid back in your approach to your abs, I think you're equating 'time' w/ 'work'. The reason I cut down on the time frame is b/c if you are working them HARD and INTENSELY, you naturally won't be able to continue the exercise for very long. Intensity and duration exist on an inverse proportion. In other words, the less intense the work is, the longer you will be able to do it, and vice-versa.

As you are training for the NYC Marathon, I would actually cut down your weight training to 1x per week (whole body) or 2x per week (split). Otherwise, IMO, you will be over-training and stressing your body out to the point where you are actually storing fat instead of burning it off. Calorie cutting would be optional, depending on how far away the marathon is. After all, you will need carbs and some fat stores to fuel your training and during the race. Sleep, now, IMO becomes a necessity. If your body isn't getting the rest it needs, it won't perform anywhere NEAR your peak capacity.

*Like everything else I have written, these are only suggestions.

Again, good luck to you- you're a better man than I. I'm sure you'll do well.

 

I just made a mix of Alice in Chains and Godsmack for my workouts. Anything hard, aggressive and driving when I'm lifting.(Little or no yelling for me also )

I'm with Tex on the cardio stuff: fast-paced techno or trance to keep me in a good solid rhythm. Works good for boxing drills/martial arts also, as you can break in-and-out of sync w/ the music to sharpen your skillz.

 

yea i suck. im getting old. my shoulder is injured and i have no idea why. im getting fatter and weaker by the day.

 

Have you seen anybody about your shoulder??

 

nah, who's got the time. it only bothers me when lifting relatively heavy.

 

I listen to Disturbed and Sevendust. Some Linkin Park as well.

 

Bro, as far as my ab work goes, Ive tried that approach. It takes a few hundred situps on an aerobic ball or about a hundred slams before I feel much there so I have no choice but to go for duration and effort.

 

anyone else do exercises for their neck? i got a big neck since i used to be a wrestler and im tryin to take it to the mike tyson level haha

 

well i have a fractured wrist... so i'm not going to be lifting for awhile

i'll be sticking to ab workouts, heavy cardio, and legs i guess.

 

That blows man. Nothing worse then injuries preventing you from working out. Very frustrating. At least you can do other stuff so you wont go as crazy.

 

Spanking the monkey can injure you?...wow...

 

Yeah, it's a part of my regular routine, and has been since HS (football and jiu jitsu). We have a MedX 4-way neck at my gym, and I use it mostly. Preferably, I would rather have an old-school Nautilus 4-way like we had at my HS, but the MedX isn't bad.

How big is your neck right now BTW?? Right now mine's only at 16.5"; would like to get it up to at least 17" by the end of the year, and I think that's very possible. Although I've noticed finding dress shirts that fit properly are already a problem at my current size; I'm not sure if I can take having to tailor all my good clothes...

 

My neck is naturally thick. Some of it is due to wrestling as well but that was so long ago.

 

Mine wasn't... until I started juicing...

 

Orange Juice doesn't count.

 

If the glove does not fit, then you must aquit!

 

YOU CAN'T SAY ANYTHING UNLESS YOU'VE TRIED IT!!

 

i don't think i'd brag about juicing.

 

I'm around 17.5" right now and I just started doing head raises off the side of my bed lol. I've always had a meaty neck from weight lifting and wrestling.

I hear you on the dress shirts though, thats extremely irritating. I usually like to get french cuffs on my shirts too so that makes it even more of a pain in the ***.