if you don't regularly go to the gym

[Farmer]

Edit: On topic: swimming > any other single exercise.

This is actually very true. It's probably the best cardio you can do, and easiest on your joints.

 

[Zebo]

Is this a word? I googled it and the only result is this post.

Edit: On topic: swimming > any other single exercise.

I am referring to ectomorphs but use my own term which is more descriptive. Scrawnomorphs.

 

[MiniDoom]

I run, race bikes and do pilates. no gym required.

 

[Zebo]

I don't think you can really compare pro football to lifting heavy weights. Not many people who go to the gym regularly are in danger of sustaining multiple significant head traumas as well as the accompanying wear and tear on the rest of their body.

Although yes, if you lift and eat heavy to the point that you're walking around everyday at 300+ pounds, it's probably not very good for you.

They die from heart attacks not head trauma. Heart has to work like a motherfucker to pump blood through 250-280 lbs muscle.

And it does not matter how they lift some people just get big fast. Has to do with body type/chemicals in body. Those type of people should not touch a weight if goal is health but do what comes unnatural, run.

 

[Kadarin]

I started going back to the gym about two months ago, and now go 4-5 times a week. Personally, I love doing it.

 

[shortylickens]

At least 30 minutes a day of cardio (150+ BPM). This translates to most people as running 5K/~3 miles a day at jogging pace (8-9 minutes per mile), and maybe a rest day once a week.

If you do that and don't eat too much, and your metabolism is normal, trust me, you will lose fat like crazy.

I hate when people say "trust me".

I've been doing 20 minutes on my resistance days and one hour on my cardio days.

 

[Whisper]

They die from heart attacks not head trauma. Heart has to work like a motherfucker to pump blood through 250-280 lbs muscle.

And it does not matter how they lift some people just get big fast. Has to do with body type/chemicals in body. Those type of people should not touch a weight if goal is health but do what comes unnatural, run.

I'd imagine it's related as much to wear-and-tear on their bodies, what/how they eat, and whatever chemicals they're pumping into themselves as it is their weight. I'm not saying weight/size isn't a contributing factor, just that there are other components that also play a role that the average gym-goer likely isn't going to have to confront.

In general, people don't get big accidentally, even if they're "genetically predisposed" to gaining muscle. Weight gain (muscle or fat) is more related to diet than what you're doing in the gym. Lifting heavy won't make you huge. Lifting heavy and eating heavy will.

 

[ElFenix]

There are downsides. Bad on heart if you get big like some people do. Average life of pro football payer is 55 for a reason.

steroid use?

 

[Farmer]

I hate when people say "trust me".

I've been doing 20 minutes on my resistance days and one hour on my cardio days.

Well you're certainly running for long enough. You should probably monitor your heart rate and aim for a heart rate. Distance or time are bad measures. I like to try to stay around 170-180 BPM. If it's too low then you're not really doing cardio, just burning energy. If it's too high you are probably losing muscle mass.

 

[hanoverphist]

I'd imagine it's related as much to wear-and-tear on their bodies, what/how they eat, and whatever chemicals they're pumping into themselves as it is their weight. I'm not saying weight/size isn't a contributing factor, just that there are other components that also play a role that the average gym-goer likely isn't going to have to confront.

In general, people don't get big accidentally, even if they're "genetically predisposed" to gaining muscle. Weight gain (muscle or fat) is more related to diet than what you're doing in the gym. Lifting heavy won't make you huge. Lifting heavy and eating heavy will.

totally true. i lost 30lbs in a month by not drinking mt dew. i lost another 75 over the course of a year by changing my diet. at no time did i change my physical routine. i kept that off for almost 2 years, then reverted and gained it all back. now im getting back to doing the food change, and adding in a good cardio workout with some toning lift days.

also, there is much douchebaggery in this thread. your intentions may be good, but your delivery sucks. stop being assholes and trying to come off as superior. i may be 300 lbs, but ive loaded semi trailers by hand for 20 hours straight in arizona summers. i have had my truck team decimated by exhaustion and dehydration while i was still in there hucking 200-300lb cases over and over. large doesnt mean slow, stupid, weak or useless.

 

[The_Dude8]

to check out the hot chicks at the gym.

i concur, and try to talk to them when they have their earphones on.

 

[KeithTalent]

I go all the time, I just wish I could go when nobody else is there. I freaking hate the guys that go in a group and use it as a hang out session and hog the entire gym. Either work out or get the fuck out.

KT

 

[Zebo]

totally true. i lost 30lbs in a month by not drinking mt dew. i lost another 75 over the course of a year by changing my diet. at no time did i change my physical routine. i kept that off for almost 2 years, then reverted and gained it all back. now im getting back to doing the food change, and adding in a good cardio workout with some toning lift days.

also, there is much douchebaggery in this thread. your intentions may be good, but your delivery sucks. stop being assholes and trying to come off as superior. i may be 300 lbs, but ive loaded semi trailers by hand for 20 hours straight in arizona summers. i have had my truck team decimated by exhaustion and dehydration while i was still in there hucking 200-300lb cases over and over. large doesnt mean slow, stupid, weak or useless.

I believe it your an endomorph (look it up). When i wrestled in hs we had a heavyweight we called Merc, after the planet Mercury. He was round red headed, freckles and 280 lbs of muscle and fat and could drill like no other. It's all about body type.

I should add that fat bastard stared over me and I never beat him despite "looking" like I should easy. Don't judge a book by it's cover guys.

 

[MotF Bane]

I hate when people say "trust me".

I've been doing 20 minutes on my resistance days and one hour on my cardio days.

Are you working out? Yes, you are. Congratulations, you're already doing more to better yourself than many Americans.

Are you doing something besides plodding on a treadmill while watching the latest soaps? Yes, you are. Congratulations, you're already doing more to better yourself than most Americans.

 

[Whisper]

totally true. i lost 30lbs in a month by not drinking mt dew. i lost another 75 over the course of a year by changing my diet. at no time did i change my physical routine. i kept that off for almost 2 years, then reverted and gained it all back. now im getting back to doing the food change, and adding in a good cardio workout with some toning lift days.

also, there is much douchebaggery in this thread. your intentions may be good, but your delivery sucks. stop being assholes and trying to come off as superior. i may be 300 lbs, but ive loaded semi trailers by hand for 20 hours straight in arizona summers. i have had my truck team decimated by exhaustion and dehydration while i was still in there hucking 200-300lb cases over and over. large doesnt mean slow, stupid, weak or useless.

Yep, even something as seemingly small as cutting out sugary drinks can make a HUGE difference. Makes sense, considering you spend a lot more time outside the gym than inside it, so that's where the biggest changes are going to have to occur.

Best of luck on getting back to wherever it is you'd like to be.

 

[schneiderguy]

start going. seriously. It's the best thing that you will start doing in your life

no one will judge you in the gym

too many positives to count

only negative... cost? just don't eat out 3 times a month and there you go

do you even lift?

 

[spacejamz]

Just because you don't notice anything lacking in your day to day life doesn't mean that your body is in optimal condition.

There are no downsides to a proper workout. It prevents injuries later in life if you keep working out because the muscles provide support for your body

How ever did mankind survive this far before the gyms were invented???

 

[The_Dude8]

costco has the 24 hr fitness gym deal for two years deal for $299.

 

[hans030390]

How ever did mankind survive this far before the gyms were invented???

It didn't.

 

[Saint Nick]

I go all the time, I just wish I could go when nobody else is there. I freaking hate the guys that go in a group and use it as a hang out session and hog the entire gym. Either work out or get the fuck out.

KT

No shit. Tons of douche guys standing around the racks talking about how much they eat and how much they lift, but they are never lifting... :hmm:

I usually do a variation of Rippetoe's Starting Strength, as well as some extra workouts, and it takes me about 30 to 45 minutes. These guys are there flapping their trap from the moment I come in to the moment I leave and don't really seem to accomplish much.

It's like the mall, but for guys. Sort of like how wrestling is a soap opera for guys.

 

[MotF Bane]

How ever did mankind survive this far before the gyms were invented???

We didn't have computers, and televisions, and jobs/lifestyles that generally required sitting around all day.

 

[MiniDoom]

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

Much like Lewis Black IHOP is my health club. No matter who you are if you go to an IHOP you'll find someone in worse shape than you, which makes you feel better comparitively.

 

[blackdogdeek]

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=162171

basically, if you want to lose weight eat more than your BMR but less than your caloric maintenance. if you want to gain weight eat more than your caloric maintenance.

 

[CraigRT]

Not a fan.
Had memberships before.
Best thing is to find a way of getting exercise that is fun/enjoyable. And for you single/ugly people that means sports, or something.

I love riding, and therefore I do that in summer months to stay active. In winter either Squash or Outdoor hockey.