Extreme Workout Routines?

[geokilla]

I was browsing through some fitness articles and what not and I came across this. I know that each person has a different preference on how and what they want to do when they work out, and there's a point where enough is enough. I know that Starting Strength, Stronglifts, and Crossfit are one of the most popular methods of working out. However, are these workout routines good for say someone who's worked out for a couple of years? I'm just asking this out of curiosity. I myself haven't begun working out except for the occasional push ups and crunches.

Tosca Reno
Jamie Eason
Kristia Knowles

Don't ask me why I'm reading these routines. I'm hella bored.

 

[EvilYoda]

I applaud your effort.

 

[conorvansmack]

The caveat for all routines starts with, "What are your goals?"

Those routines seem pretty heavy on isolation exercises (one or two muscle groups). Programs such as Starting Strength, StrongLifts, and CrossFit focus on overall strength. These programs say that your body functions as a unit, so exercise it as a unit with compound exercises (multiple muscle groups).

Again, it depends on your goals. Most, if not all, people who are new or are getting back into working out will benefit greatly from a strength training program. If they stay dedicated (the other main caveat with working out), they will also notice changes in their body composition. Isolation programs seem to have goals based on relative appearance whereas strength training programs have goals based on numbers.

Don't ask me why I'm reading these routines. I'm hella bored.

You're reading these routines because these women have some great results to show for their hard work and disciplined diets. Oh yeah, and Jamie Eason is hot.

Once you have some general goals figured out, then choose a program.

 

[geokilla]

But doing a routine like the ones that I linked, you'd be overworking your muscles wouldn't you?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you can do a combination of both isolation and compound exercises can't you? Such as squatting say 2 sets of 10 reps and then doing 2 sets of 10 reps on the leg extension, leg curl, etc. to get the both of worlds? That way, I'd be getting a good appearance while at the same time getting a good strength increase. I've also heard that people have been getting nice appearance while boost in strength doing just solely compound exercises. Problem is, school gym costs $50 to use, and it's all machines plus some dumbbells and two racks of free weights and their plates.

Lol, you can say that....Those diets are intense though. I'd get bored eating the same thing over and over again. Heck I got bored eating eggo for 2 weeks straight as breakfast.

 

[conorvansmack]

Originally posted by: geokilla
But doing a routine like the ones that I linked, you'd be overworking your muscles wouldn't you?

Maybe, I haven't tried any of those routines and overworking would depend on the amount of weight that is used in each set.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you can do a combination of both isolation and compound exercises can't you? Such as squatting say 2 sets of 10 reps and then doing 2 sets of 10 reps on the leg extension, leg curl, etc. to get the both of worlds? That way, I'd be getting a good appearance while at the same time getting a good strength increase. I've also heard that people have been getting nice appearance while boost in strength doing just solely compound exercises.

You can do a combination, but that could and would likely lead to overtraining. If you do just compound exercises, you will get both the gains in strength and appearance. Check out StrongLifts and read about the program if you haven't already.

Problem is, school gym costs $50 to use, and it's all machines plus some dumbbells and two racks of free weights and their plates.

$50 for how long?

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: geokilla
But doing a routine like the ones that I linked, you'd be overworking your muscles wouldn't you?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you can do a combination of both isolation and compound exercises can't you? Such as squatting say 2 sets of 10 reps and then doing 2 sets of 10 reps on the leg extension, leg curl, etc. to get the both of worlds? That way, I'd be getting a good appearance while at the same time getting a good strength increase. I've also heard that people have been getting nice appearance while boost in strength doing just solely compound exercises. Problem is, school gym costs $50 to use, and it's all machines plus some dumbbells and two racks of free weights and their plates.

Lol, you can say that....Those diets are intense though. I'd get bored eating the same thing over and over again. Heck I got bored eating eggo for 2 weeks straight as breakfast.

You can get great appearance solely on compound lifts. Greg Amundson from Crossfit comes to mind. I have no idea where this separation from looking good and compound lifts occurred.

 

[brikis98]

What are your goals? What experience do you have with weight training? What's your height/weight/age?

Originally posted by: geokilla
But doing a routine like the ones that I linked, you'd be overworking your muscles wouldn't you?

If you're a young guy, your muscles, in general, can adapt to just about anything. The central nervous system (CNS), on the other hand, tends to be more fragile, especially for newbies. Overtraining generally happens when you stress out your CNS more than it can handle. This can be from doing too much weight too often, or too many reps, or not enough rest, etc. The symptoms you experience as a result include persistent soreness, fatigue, susceptibility to infection, depression and so on.

Will the routines you linked lead to overtraining? Depends on your current level of fitness and adaptation.

Originally posted by: geokilla
Correct me if I'm wrong, but you can do a combination of both isolation and compound exercises can't you? Such as squatting say 2 sets of 10 reps and then doing 2 sets of 10 reps on the leg extension, leg curl, etc. to get the both of worlds? That way, I'd be getting a good appearance while at the same time getting a good strength increase. I've also heard that people have been getting nice appearance while boost in strength doing just solely compound exercises.

Of course you can combine isolation and compound exercises, but again, it's a question of your goals and what you're trying to achieve. If you're a relative newbie, then heavy compound exercises done 3 times per week are all you really need.

Moreover, a "good appearance" has relatively little to do with whether you do compound or isolation exercises. Most of how you look has to do with body fat percentage, which is largely a factor of diet. The rest is all about muscle size which, if anything, tends to correspond more to compound exercises than isolation exercises.

Originally posted by: geokilla
Problem is, school gym costs $50 to use, and it's all machines plus some dumbbells and two racks of free weights and their plates.

$50 per month? Also, whatever routine you pick, avoid machines.

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged
I have no idea where this separation from looking good and compound lifts occurred.

I think it's because people associate "compound lifts" with powerlifters, which brings to mind the physiques of Andy Bolton and Jeff Lewis - two of the strongest humans ever, but not particularly "pretty". Of course, as I said earlier, appearance has far more to do with diet, and the diet of a super heavyweight powerlifter is not exactly geared towards minimizing body fat percentage. As you pointed out, Crossfitters are an excellent example of compound lifts + diet to keep lean. Every guy on that page is ripped as hell.

 

[geokilla]

Originally posted by: brikis98
What are your goals? What experience do you have with weight training? What's your height/weight/age?

My goal is to get stronger. Appearance is important, but strength is more important than appearance. I prefer to be lean and skinny over big and bulky I could see a faint 4-pack when I flex my abs. I worked out with machines before last year as part of my school's gym course. I'm around 6 feet, weigh 130lbs, and going to be 17 in January.

Even though I have a goal and want to work out, problem is I got no time. Plus, I don't want to work out by myself. I've been seeing who wants to work out with me, but currently, no one. I got a friend who's interested, but she doesn't really want to do it because she's afraid bulking.

Originally posted by: brikis98
Of course you can combine isolation and compound exercises, but again, it's a question of your goals and what you're trying to achieve. If you're a relative newbie, then heavy compound exercises done 3 times per week are all you really need.

Moreover, a "good appearance" has relatively little to do with whether you do compound or isolation exercises. Most of how you look has to do with body fat percentage, which is largely a factor of diet. The rest is all about muscle size which, if anything, tends to correspond more to compound exercises than isolation exercises.

$50 per month? Also, whatever routine you pick, avoid machines.

It's $50 for the whole year. However, it's suppose to be a free service for us students. They started charging $50 not too long ago, and it'd be a rip to pay $50 now when there's only 4 more months of school left. As for avoiding machines, I don't think it can be done well. There's a bit of dumbbells and free weights, but not enough to get a routine based solely on free weights. I'll probably end up using some machines. I know a couple people who take gym this year and they've been working out on the machines, and they seem to be getting stronger. One of them was saying how their triceps are starting to grow noticeably while my other was saying how her abs feel a lot stronger before, especially now that she's doing it correctly.

So in the end, I have a goal, I want to work out, but lack of time and people to do it with kills the idea. I'm not allowed to go in during the school time because it's off limits to non-gym students so I can only do it after school.

Originally posted by: brikis98
If you're a young guy, your muscles, in general, can adapt to just about anything. The central nervous system (CNS), on the other hand, tends to be more fragile, especially for newbies. Overtraining generally happens when you stress out your CNS more than it can handle. This can be from doing too much weight too often, or too many reps, or not enough rest, etc. The symptoms you experience as a result include persistent soreness, fatigue, susceptibility to infection, depression and so on.

Will the routines you linked lead to overtraining? Depends on your current level of fitness and adaptation.

You stated that overtraining depends on your CNS, age, and experience. Well in my first link to Tosca Reno, she would be overtraining wouldn't she? Every day, she seems to be doing at least 4 to 5 sets of at least 10 reps training on just a specific area of her body. That would definitely be too much wouldn't it? I mean sure she's experienced, but there must be a limit on how much she can do.

 

[brikis98]

It sounds like you're trying to come up with every conceivable excuse NOT to work out. I'll be happy to shoot them down for you, but if you go into this with the mentality of trying not to do it, you will fail.

Originally posted by: geokilla
My goal is to get stronger.

Then you'll want to do strength training.

Originally posted by: geokilla
Appearance is important, but strength is more important than appearance. I prefer to be lean and skinny over big and bulky I could see a faint 4-pack when I flex my abs.

As I said, your diet be the major factor in determining how you look.

Originally posted by: geokilla
I worked out with machines before last year as part of my school's gym course. I'm around 6 feet, weigh 130lbs, and going to be 17 in January.

It sounds like you're a beginner and at 6' but only 130lbs, you can stand to gain some serious muscle mass. The best choice for someone like you is a routine like the one described in Starting Strength or the fairly similar Stronglifts 5x5 routine. These are some of the fastest and most effective ways for a newbie to weight lifting to significantly increase their strength.

Originally posted by: geokilla
Even though I have a goal and want to work out, problem is I got no time.

You're a high school student. You have time. Besides, working out isn't something you have time for, it's something you make time for, just like you would a dentist appointment or to watch your favorite tv show. If you're going to treat it like something you do "when the opportunity comes up", you'll never do it, so don't bother.

Originally posted by: geokilla
Plus, I don't want to work out by myself. I've been seeing who wants to work out with me, but currently, no one. I got a friend who's interested, but she doesn't really want to do it because she's afraid bulking.

Stop coming up with excuses to NOT work out. Just go start doing it. When your friends see your results, they'll join you. Oh, and it is VERY difficult for women to "bulk up". Even with a low rep, heavy weight routine, it'll take a MASSIVE amount of time & effort, as well as a ridiculous diet, for a woman to get "big". It should NOT be a concern for the average girl, at all. And let me tell you: girls who squat have some of the nicest legs & ass I've ever seen.

Originally posted by: geokilla
It's $50 for the whole year. However, it's suppose to be a free service for us students. They started charging $50 not too long ago, and it'd be a rip to pay $50 now when there's only 4 more months of school left.

Dude, it's $50. Many people pay more than that a month. I understand money might be tight as a student, but seriously, that's less than ~8 hours of work even at minimum wage. It's well worth it for a good gym membership.

Originally posted by: geokilla
As for avoiding machines, I don't think it can be done well. There's a bit of dumbbells and free weights, but not enough to get a routine based solely on free weights. I'll probably end up using some machines. I know a couple people who take gym this year and they've been working out on the machines, and they seem to be getting stronger. One of them was saying how their triceps are starting to grow noticeably while my other was saying how her abs feel a lot stronger before, especially now that she's doing it correctly.

Here are a few reasons to avoid machines:

1. Quite simply, they are not as effective. Compound exercises with free weights will build more strength, faster.

2. They do not develop the stabilizer muscles and, even more importantly, they don't train your balance. The neuromuscular coordination you develop by doing a free weight squat is JUST as important as the actual strength you build. Without that coordination & balance, your strength won't be functional - that is, you won't be able to apply it well in the real world.

3. Machines fix your motion in a pre-set rigid path. Very often, this path is NOT the natural or safe one for the exercise. For example, in a free weight squat or bench press, the bar does not travel perfectly vertically - there is some arching due to biomechanics. In a smith machine, the bar can only go straight up and down and your body must accommodate it. This basically means machines force you into improper form, which always leads to injuries. This only gets worse if the machine isn't the perfect fit size for you, which is often the case since everyone is shaped differently.

Dumbbells, kettlebells, barbells, and bodyweight exercises are all superior ways to train compared to machines. All you really need is a squat or power rack, a barbell, and some plates. If you don't have that at your gym, you need to find a different one. Or, poke around craigslist and buy your own.

Originally posted by: geokilla
So in the end, I have a goal, I want to work out, but lack of time and people to do it with kills the idea.

Hey, it's your body. If you want to make up reasons for not improving it, that's your choice.

Originally posted by: geokilla
You stated that overtraining depends on your CNS, age, and experience. Well in my first link to Tosca Reno, she would be overtraining wouldn't she? Every day, she seems to be doing at least 4 to 5 sets of at least 10 reps training on just a specific area of her body. That would definitely be too much wouldn't it? I mean sure she's experienced, but there must be a limit on how much she can do.

If it was her first time ever weight lifting and she was doing 4-5 sets of 10 reps of a ton of exercises many times a week, then yes, she might end up overtraining. However, my guess is that she has been doing this for YEARS. She probably started with a much simpler routine with far less volume. As her body adapted to it, she could gradually ramp up the intensity to where it is now.

For a beginner like you, however, that program is probably not appropriate. At your age and stage of training, you should be focusing on a simple program, focused around compound movements with free weights, utilizing low reps with heavy weight.

 

[geokilla]

Originally posted by: brikis98
It sounds like you're a beginner and at 6' but only 130lbs, you can stand to gain some serious muscle mass. The best choice for someone like you is a routine like the one described in Starting Strength or the fairly similar Stronglifts 5x5 routine. These are some of the fastest and most effective ways for a newbie to weight lifting to significantly increase their strength.

You linked both to Starting Strength instead of StrongLifts, but I found the site and got their e-book in my comp. I skimmed through their site and it seems that my school's gym won't have at least half of the equipment required.

I have your typical Chinese diet where I eat rice for both lunch and dinner, as well as vegetables and meat. Breakfast varies every day, and of course there's the addition of snacks. I can't really change this type of diet, except for maybe eating a bit more than usual in order to bulk up and get stronger. However, weighing at 130lbs isn't a bad thing for my height besides being underweight/below average is it? It's better than being fat or obese in my opinion.

Originally posted by: brikis98
You're a high school student. You have time. Besides, working out isn't something you have time for, it's something you make time for, just like you would a dentist appointment or to watch your favorite tv show. If you're going to treat it like something you do "when the opportunity comes up", you'll never do it, so don't bother.

Actually, I don't have time...I'm behind in my homework (Study at your own pace program). I'm suppose to be on units 7, but I have LOTS of unit 4s and 5s that I'm currently working on. Hence, the reason why I got no time. I can tell you I spend a lot of time surfing forums and the Internet, like I'm doing right now. As much as I'd like to work out, I don't plan on starting to work out until I either catch up on homework, or get someone to work out with me, or both. That's basically been decided since earlier in the school year. Need to work more and spend less time doing useless stuff >.<

Originally posted by: brikis98
Stop coming up with excuses to NOT work out. Just go start doing it. When your friends see your results, they'll join you. Oh, and it is VERY difficult for women to "bulk up". Even with a low rep, heavy weight routine, it'll take a MASSIVE amount of time & effort, as well as a ridiculous diet, for a woman to get "big". It should NOT be a concern for the average girl, at all. And let me tell you: girls who squat have some of the nicest legs & ass I've ever seen.

Well I tried telling her that before, and she didn't really believe me. She likes to run and is active, but she's afraid of bulking up. I mean it's her choice on whether she wants to work out or not. I can't force her, but I don't want to sound like I'm forcing her to work out with me. As for girls who squat having some of the nicest legs and ass....I agree LOL. I think some girls don't even work out but they're really skinny and have a really nice body. That would be caused by like a calorie deficiency right?

I also know some girls who are active and are actually a bit bulky. I don't know if it's just fat or not, but I can tell you she's active, or at least used to be over the summer, and currently has a swimming job as a lifeguard.

Originally posted by: brikis98
Dude, it's $50. Many people pay more than that a month. I understand money might be tight as a student, but seriously, that's less than ~8 hours of work even at minimum wage. It's well worth it for a good gym membership.

Dumbbells, kettlebells, barbells, and bodyweight exercises are all superior ways to train compared to machines. All you really need is a squat or power rack, a barbell, and some plates. If you don't have that at your gym, you need to find a different one. Or, poke around craigslist and buy your own.

For a beginner like you, however, that program is probably not appropriate. At your age and stage of training, you should be focusing on a simple program, focused around compound movements with free weights, utilizing low reps with heavy weight.

I'd be paying $50 for a school membership, and they don't even have half of the equipment needed for StrongLifts, as stated earlier. All they have is machines with a bit of free weights. And joining a proper gym like Extreme Fitness or GoodLife Fitness won't do because it's too expensive, and they probably won't accept me because I'm underage. Even if I could do it, my mom would not let me go to those places. I stated this before in my old thread that I linked earlier, and there was a bit of argument going on, so I hope there won't be one here.

I might join the school's dragonboat team, but 7am practice really kills the idea, as well as the "overly-intensive" workout that I heard about. I'll make a decision on that once school resumes in the new year.

You said that machines aren't good, however is Bowflex good? I mean, they don't fix you into a pre-set rigid patch, so I'd be training the stabilizer muscles too right? I've seen the infomercials, and granted they're infomercials so I gotta take them with a grain of salt, but the Bowflex still works does it not? Reason why I'm asking is because my friend has a Bowflex and an eliptical, and I might be able to go work out at her place once or twice every week. Of course, it depends on her family and on my friend.

 

[brikis98]

Originally posted by: geokilla
I skimmed through their site and it seems that my school's gym won't have at least half of the equipment required.

What are they missing?

Originally posted by: geokilla
I have your typical Chinese diet where I eat rice for both lunch and dinner, as well as vegetables and meat. Breakfast varies every day, and of course there's the addition of snacks. I can't really change this type of diet, except for maybe eating a bit more than usual in order to bulk up and get stronger. However, weighing at 130lbs isn't a bad thing for my height besides being underweight/below average is it? It's better than being fat or obese in my opinion.

The diet sounds fine, just eat slightly more, with a bias for foods high in protein (meats, nuts, fish, etc). This will let you build muscle with minimal fat. 130lbs is VERY light for someone 6' tall and while it's not good to be overweight, being underweight has many negative health implications as well.

Originally posted by: geokilla
Actually, I don't have time.

...

I can tell you I spend a lot of time surfing forums and the Internet, like I'm doing right now.

Seems a bit inconsistent to me. Look, we've all been to high school. You are NOT as busy as you think. You'll realize that when you get to college and the real world.

Originally posted by: geokilla
I'd be paying $50 for a school membership, and they don't even have half of the equipment needed for StrongLifts, as stated earlier.

If they don't have the equipment you need, then obviously they aren't worth joining. As I said before, consider getting your own equipment on craigslist.

Originally posted by: geokilla
You said that machines aren't good, however is Bowflex good? I mean, they don't fix you into a pre-set rigid patch, so I'd be training the stabilizer muscles too right? I've seen the infomercials, and granted they're infomercials so I gotta take them with a grain of salt, but the Bowflex still works does it not? Reason why I'm asking is because my friend has a Bowflex and an eliptical, and I might be able to go work out at her place once or twice every week. Of course, it depends on her family and on my friend.

As a general rule, just about every exercise done with free weights is going to be more effective and safer than any machine. I've never used a bowflex myself, but I'm sure they suck just as much as the next machine. I can't imagine they can do anything close to a free weight squat, deadlift, OH press or power clean, so I wouldn't bother.

 

[geokilla]

Originally posted by: brikis98
What are they missing?

I have no idea what those stuff are called, so I'll just take pictures tomorrow if I can get access to the gym. If not, I'd have to wait till the start of the new year. However, off the top of my head, I believe they have just some barbells and dumbbells and machines. Like it's really basic. The gym MIGHT have some kind of rack. Once again, I'll try and get pictures.

Originally posted by: brikis98

If they don't have the equipment you need, then obviously they aren't worth joining. As I said before, consider getting your own equipment on craigslist.

I'll try and get the pics in tomorrow. If not, I gotta wait till the new year. And my house doesn't have enough space for these things so unless I work with dumbbells only, the school's gym would be the way to go.

Originally posted by: brikis98
As a general rule, just about every exercise done with free weights is going to be more effective and safer than any machine. I've never used a bowflex myself, but I'm sure they suck just as much as the next machine. I can't imagine they can do anything close to a free weight squat, deadlift, OH press or power clean, so I wouldn't bother.

Well, for squatting, it's just a bar and then there's the cables which attach the rods to the bar. My friend seems to like her Bowflex whenever I hear her talk bout working out. No this friend isn't the friend I was talking about earlier.

 

[geokilla]

I couldn't get in today because it was a short day and it was closed. However, the lights were on and I tried my best to identify the things that I saw. The following are the things that I saw:

Squat rack which looked similar to this
Chin-up/Pull-up Bar connected to the Calves machine
Some dumbbells and barbells. Not a lot.
Machines
Bikes
Medicine Balls

There may be more, but this list is all that I saw today.

 

[brikis98]

Originally posted by: geokilla
Squat rack which looked similar to this
Chin-up/Pull-up Bar connected to the Calves machine
Some dumbbells and barbells. Not a lot.

The equipment you need to do Starting Strength or Stronglifts 5x5:

Squat Rack
1 barbell + weights
Bench
Optional: pull-up bar

So I'd say your gym is pretty damn close.

 

[geokilla]

There are three exercises that I want to substitute when I start the program, whenever that may be. I got some ideas of what to sub them with, but not sure if it's an good idea or not. The following are the exercises, along with what I plan to sub them with.

Inverted Rows ----> Barbell Rows if possible.
Reverse crunch -----> Standard on the floor crunch, ab machine, or stability ball crunch if they have one.
Overhead Press -----> Sub with....?

I'm open to suggestions for subbing these three exercises with something else.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: geokilla
There are three exercises that I want to substitute when I start the program, whenever that may be. I got some ideas of what to sub them with, but not sure if it's an good idea or not. The following are the exercises, along with what I plan to sub them with.

Inverted Rows ----> Barbell Rows if possible.
Reverse crunch -----> Standard on the floor crunch, ab machine, or stability ball crunch if they have one.
Overhead Press -----> Sub with....?

I'm open to suggestions for subbing these three exercises with something else.

Why do you want to sub these things? Barbell rows are great, but it is difficult to have perfect form on them. That's why inverted rows are utilized. Reverse crunches are useful since they utilize a great range of motion, instead of the crappy ROM that the standard crunch and all other ones you mentioned. There is no substitute for overhead press. Do it with a barbell if you can. If you can't, do it with dumbbells. You cannot get out of it. There is a method to Medhi's madness in everything. Stick to the program. He knows more about this stuff than most people and he designs the program with his experience in mind.

 

[brikis98]

Originally posted by: geokilla
There are three exercises that I want to substitute when I start the program, whenever that may be. I got some ideas of what to sub them with, but not sure if it's an good idea or not. The following are the exercises, along with what I plan to sub them with.

Inverted Rows ----> Barbell Rows if possible.
Reverse crunch -----> Standard on the floor crunch, ab machine, or stability ball crunch if they have one.
Overhead Press -----> Sub with....?

I'm open to suggestions for subbing these three exercises with something else.

Why do you want to make these substitutions?

Look, the reason you do a beginner's program that's designed by someone else in the first place is that, quite frankly, you don't know enough to do a good job of designing your own. The exercises in the program are there for a reason and chances are that if you make substitutions, you'll be reducing the effectiveness.

 

[geokilla]

Inverted Rows ----> Barbell Rows. I can say with 99% accuracy that the school gym does not have the things needed for Inverted Rows.
Reverse crunch ---> etc. Very, very difficult. Is there a way to make it easier in the beginning? It can't seem to keep my balance when I tried doing something similar to this before.
Overhead Press -----> Don't believe the school gym supervisor would let us do this. So I'm just asking now before I forget.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: geokilla
Inverted Rows ----> Barbell Rows. I can say with 99% accuracy that the school gym does not have the things needed for Inverted Rows.
Reverse crunch ---> etc. Very, very difficult. Is there a way to make it easier in the beginning? It can't seem to keep my balance when I tried doing something similar to this before.
Overhead Press -----> Don't believe the school gym supervisor would let us do this. So I'm just asking now before I forget.

I bet if your gym is extra sucky, it almost 100% has a Smith machine. You can easily use that for inverted rows. If not, you can put a barbell on a power rack and take out a bench to put your feet on. That will work the same way.

Reverse crunches and balance? I don't know if you're doing them right. I don't remember there being a balancing component. Hold onto a railing/weight/anything sturdy and pull your lower body up. The more your knees are bent, the easier it usually gets.

Unless there is a sign saying that you can't do overhead press, then they can't really stop you. I can assure you that they will let you do them, whether they restrict you to seated overhead press or not. Do the exercises before you try to set up all these qualms. If you get asked not to do it, ask if it's a rule. If it is, do seated barbell overhead press. You HAVE to have this since it is the pushing movement to balance the pulling movement of pullups and such. If you don't do any type of overhead press, your body will lack an important strength.

 

[BeauJangles]

I just wanted to add that I agree it sounds like you're making excuses. Get in there and work out! Starting a new routine is scary. New movements are scary. Shit, lifting in front of other people can be scary, especially when you aren't solid on the form.

Don't let these things stop you. Embrace your newbie-ness and realize that everyone here (and at your gym) started exactly where you are. Be safe and ask questions.

I did thr same thing you're doing -- I found excuses to shirk working out for years. Trust me, the sooner you start the better you'll feel.

Also, don't substitute stuff, esp not the ohp. Ohp is one of the most fundamental movements for building shoulder and core strength.

 

[geokilla]

Time to bring back this tread for like a day....

Anyways, I'm staying after school tomorrow for some science stuff, but I have an hour to kill. So I thought of a way to kill this hour since my friend is ditching me for her bf. That way, is to do the Day 1 workout of Stronglifts as best as I can with what's available in the fitness room, assuming the teacher lets me. I just want to get a feel and stuff, so would it be fine if I work out tomorrow randomly? Or should I just wait till I know that I can start my program and work out consistently 2 to 3X a week?

If the teacher does let me workout tomorrow so I can get a feel for it and what not, if I got the time, can I add Deadlifts to the workout session? I have no idea when's the next time I can work out again because as I said, I can't work out consistently right now.

 

[amicold]

I can't understand why anyone including myself bothered to post in here. It is obvious the OP is not driven to workout and is just expressing an inner conflict on the forum. If you feel guilty for inactivity then lift If you can't sacrifice anything including a little time and pain then don't workout. 6'1 and 130 is pathetic.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: amicold
I can't understand why anyone including myself bothered to post in here. It is obvious the OP is not driven to workout and is just expressing an inner conflict on the forum. If you feel guilty for inactivity then lift If you can't sacrifice anything including a little time and pain then don't workout. 6'1 and 130 is pathetic.

I'm sorry, but who the hell are you to be calling anyone pathetic? Some people have goals that sometimes conflict with fitness goals. Sometimes they deem them more important. Seriously. If you're gonna call someone pathetic based on their genetic makeup + eating habits + previous engagements, then I'd rather have you out of the gene pool. Please castrate yourself ASAP.

 

[conorvansmack]

I'm sorry, but who the hell are you to be calling anyone pathetic? Some people have goals that sometimes conflict with fitness goals. Sometimes they deem them more important. Seriously. If you're gonna call someone pathetic based on their genetic makeup + eating habits + previous engagements, then I'd rather have you out of the gene pool. Please castrate yourself ASAP.

Boo-yah! :Q
No need to apologize in the opening for this one. We're not about judging people here unless they specifically ask for it.

 

[geokilla]

Thanks amicold. Now please leave. You didn't have to post in this thread if you didn't want to.

Anyways, I ended up getting a salt water fish (Nemo) for our Biology fish tank. Nemo is so lonely in that big-ass fish tank. We need some live rocks and what not....

Anyways, this thread is not about biology so back to fitness. I couldn't work out due to getting the fish. I did however get a picture of the fitness room. I couldn't get in but I saw someone doing what appears to be the bench press. Maybe it was the teacher.....

Here's the picture. Picture was taken with my G705. Basically, this is all there is in the fitness room. Mainly machines, couple bikes, hardwood floor for like dancing and seminars (classes), and a couple stability balls as well as medicine balls. There's also that aerobic row thingy to the extreme left, as well as some machines that work the chest.