Fitness!

[nolalady]

Hi Everyone.
I'm checking in on this thread. My busy push at work is still happening, so I haven't been focusing as much on any specific training goal and am just aiming for about 3-4 days where I do something. Lately, it's been Zumba. I've been doing a couple days of Zumba, and my teacher added on a Zumba toning class which has you dancing and doing reps with light weights. I've also been trying to get in a yoga class each week, so my low back doesn't hate me. I know I should be incorporating heavier weights in my workout, so I'll probably start back with that after my busy time.

I have to admit it feels good to stop looking at spreadsheets and lines of data and switch your brain over to remembering dance steps. I was in dance classes for almost 15 years so when she starts showing us moves, it's almost like muscle memory to me. I'm not sure what the point of this is except to say that lately I've been needing Zumba lately. I've been using it a lot as a stress reliever. I realize that it might not be the most effective exercise out there. I realize that it won't give me a huge amount of definition or whatever, but I also realize that it doesn't matter because it makes me happy to dance.

What are the exercises that make you happy?

 

[debianlinux]

When I am under the bar everything else melts away. It's me and the weight and the weight wants me to die. I have to decide if I want to die or if I wish to prevail. Every rep I learn that I do want to live. Afterwards when real life begins to seep back into my consciousness I again appreciate the iron meditation.

 

[Kris]

I went back to the gym today for the first time in over a year. It felt so good to be back. Gotta love that after workout high.

 

[Bohnjaggs]

I went back to the gym today for the first time in over a year. It felt so good to be back. Gotta love that after workout high.

My wife and I are considering getting a gym membership again.

We went down to Long Beach last week for a short trip and the fitness center at the hotel was open, so we were able to do some of the Apple+ Fitness classes that require equipment, like cycling or treadmill running. We're just trying to figure out how often we would go.

 

[Kris]

My wife and I are considering getting a gym membership again.

We went down to Long Beach last week for a short trip and the fitness center at the hotel was open, so we were able to do some of the Apple+ Fitness classes that require equipment, like cycling or treadmill running. We're just trying to figure out how often we would go.

I went back because I found out they had been charging me since last October....it's a YMCA so I'm not going to complain...they were providing essential services, but I figured that since I was paying I should check out what the situation was. They have the cleaning protocol down pat by now.

 

[nolalady]

My wife and I are considering getting a gym membership again.

We went down to Long Beach last week for a short trip and the fitness center at the hotel was open, so we were able to do some of the Apple+ Fitness classes that require equipment, like cycling or treadmill running. We're just trying to figure out how often we would go.

It helps a lot that my gym is very, very close to my house.

 

[Kris]

It helps a lot that my gym is very, very close to my house.

Yeah, same. I purposely go to the Y even though it costs twice as much because it's in my neighborhood. I never went when I was a member at the gym across town. It's funny how your mind works like that.

 

[debianlinux]

Yeah, same. I purposely go to the Y even though it costs twice as much because it's in my neighborhood. I never went when I was a member at the gym across town. It's funny how your mind works like that.

Interesting. I went to the Y and paid handsomely for the privilege because they had the best equipment and amenities like childcare and also multiple locations so I could use them when I was in another city for work. I still miss it, especially the community of people I was in there. I don't miss the $115/mo payments, though. I drove a good 15 minutes to get to the better one, too.

The gym close to my house sucks but I worked a deal with the owner where I got 2 full years of membership for $100 cash (let's just say he really needed cash when I caught him). I go occasionally to get i some cardio and every now and then when I just don't want to deal with the weather outside while deadlifting (although their sucky bars mean I usually just tolerate the shit weather). If I had say another 300sqft of space and a budget to outfit it with things like an air bike, rower, GHD, and stair machine I would never even consider going anywhere else to get a workout in.

That said the diversity of equipment at a decent gym is pretty great. Waiting in line to use it, however not so much.

 

[Kris]

Interesting. I went to the Y and paid handsomely for the privilege because they had the best equipment and amenities like childcare and also multiple locations so I could use them when I was in another city for work. I still miss it, especially the community of people I was in there. I don't miss the $115/mo payments, though. I drove a good 15 minutes to get to the better one, too.

The gym close to my house sucks but I worked a deal with the owner where I got 2 full years of membership for $100 cash (let's just say he really needed cash when I caught him). I go occasionally to get i some cardio and every now and then when I just don't want to deal with the weather outside while deadlifting (although their sucky bars mean I usually just tolerate the shit weather). If I had say another 300sqft of space and a budget to outfit it with things like an air bike, rower, GHD, and stair machine I would never even consider going anywhere else to get a workout in.

That said the diversity of equipment at a decent gym is pretty great. Waiting in line to use it, however not so much.

Yeah, I don’t need childcare so that’s not a perk for me. The other reason I don’t mind the price is the pool classes. No other gym in my town has a pool. Mine was $79 pre-pandemic and they’ve lowered it to $55 which I think is a steal. All classes are “included” in that price.

 

[Bohnjaggs]

It helps a lot that my gym is very, very close to my house.

Yeah. We have a Planet Fitness that I could walk to if I really wanted.

 

[hamicle]

Second week back at five a side football after a year of the pitches being closed. Made it through by staying in goal as long is possible. Occasional sprints. On the plus side I was pretty unfit last time I played, but it’s amazing how much of a base level of fitness that even just attempting to play football once a week for an hour can provide.

I went hillwalking a couple of weeks ago, first time I’d done a Munro in 6 months. Felt like my legs had been filled with concrete but I wasn’t the only struggler out there.

Really finding it hard to motivate myself into more regular exercise, and frankly the diet I need to go on.

 

[debianlinux]

Yeah, I don’t need childcare so that’s not a perk for me. The other reason I don’t mind the price is the pool classes. No other gym in my town has a pool. Mine was $79 pre-pandemic and they’ve lowered it to $55 which I think is a steal. All classes are “included” in that price.

I would go for $55/mo because my wife is pretty into the classes too. I can’t imagine it came down that much but I am curious if it came down at all.

 

[bfly]

What are the exercises that make you happy?

current methods of exercise that make me feel good during and after: vinyasa yoga, roller skating, dance hiit, trick hooping, hiking.

things that make me wanna die before, during, and slightly less after: running.

I've figured out what I enjoy and what I tolerate, and I'm sticking with those while I work to get back in the habit.

 

[nolalady]

I've figured out what I enjoy and what I tolerate, and I'm sticking with those while I work to get back in the habit.

This is where I am right now while I'm dealing with stress. Once things slow down, I'll probably add a heavier lifting day because it's good for you, especially for women as it helps you retain bone density. But dancing and yoga are both musts for me for any workout plan.

 

[ByersVinyl]

Is there going to be a May challenge?
I’m ready!!

Id be up for that - Im pretty reliably a 4-5 good work outs per week.
Nice to add another dimension to things - Random strava likes or Garmin buddies is a bit dull.

 

[POGunter]

I went back to the gym today for the first time in over a year. It felt so good to be back. Gotta love that after workout high.

Am in the same situation in that I went to Y about 3 days a week for many years until a year ago when left due to COVID.

Now fully vaccinated I want to go back badly. The gym is part of my normal lifestyle. I had been counting the days and had my stuff packed ready to reload my locker in my truck.

BUT, then on my way out the door to the gym I read the local Y’s current COVID policy. They want you to wear a mask when arriving in lobby but DO NOT require a mask for anyone working out.

Don’t know how that could be safe yet as the whole point is to exert yourself to the max. And exertion means “heavy breathing”



Maybe I’m just being overly paranoid but I’ve stood next to a family member when the ventilator was removed. Is everyone returning feeling safe? Right now I’m in a holding pattern and continuing my home workout with spring outdoor jogs/biking.

 

[ByersVinyl]

View attachment 97827

Sunday morning in flyover county central USA. 1st bike ride of the year. 25miles but felt like 50. Twice the workout in half the time.

Been doing light jogging. The change up worked the legs in a whole new way. Time to spin some vinyl guilt free.

Used to do a tonne of cycling and am thinking about getting back into saddle after a year of running.
Nice long flat road that ! (with random moments of paranoia when a large truck hammers passed you too close) Ive just added a garmin watch to my tech with bone induction headphones, wondering if maybe for first time i can cycle with a soundtrack. These Airshock headphones allow external sounds thru. Will consider it.....

 

[POGunter]

Used to do a tonne of cycling and am thinking about getting back into saddle after a year of running.
Nice long flat road that ! (with random moments of paranoia when a large truck hammers passed you too close) Ive just added a garmin watch to my tech with bone induction headphones, wondering if maybe for first time i can cycle with a soundtrack. These Airshock headphones allow external sounds thru. Will consider it.....

There are a few good hills around depending on the route. This picture was the start of a 5 mi flat straight into a 20mph headwind.

I have the Garmin rear radar to alert me to what is coming, yellow safety wear, and no less than 4 flashers. Although I have been road riding my whole life I cut way back on rides after we had two deaths a couple mths apart two yrs ago. One was a local cycling legend who was one of the best riders in the area.

He died at a spot about a 1/8 mi from where my wife and I were nearly run over by a semi who decided to squeeze between us and an oncoming car on a narrow road at full speed. It is a rural connecting road with no real shoulder. Not used by trucks often but is a shortcut to the interstate if they choose to not use truck route. Lot of cyclist on the road. Very close call. It was ugly.

One of a handful of times I’ve had a truly life threatening close call. Almost all have been when cars/trucks squeeze between me and an oncoming vehicle at 60+ mph. Anyway, That’s why I took up jogging so late in life.

Since then I’ve been mixing it up more so I can cycle on low traffic times like early Sunday AM.

 

[Kris]

Am in the same situation in that I went to Y about 3 days a week for many years until a year ago when left due to COVID.

Now fully vaccinated I want to go back badly. The gym is part of my normal lifestyle. I had been counting the days and had my stuff packed ready to reload my locker in my truck.

BUT, then on my way out the door to the gym I read the local Y’s current COVID policy. They want you to wear a mask when arriving in lobby but DO NOT require a mask for anyone working out.

Don’t know how that could be safe yet as the whole point is to exert yourself to the max. And exertion means “heavy breathing”

View attachment 98180

Maybe I’m just being overly paranoid but I’ve stood next to a family member when the ventilator was removed. Is everyone returning feeling safe? Right now I’m in a holding pattern and continuing my home workout with spring outdoor jogs/biking.

Wow, yeah, mine requires face masks at all time but in the pool. The pool has reduced capacity for all classes to be able to remain distanced. I wouldn’t go back without a mask because I was really breathing hard lol.

 

[ByersVinyl]

There are a few good hills around depending on the route. This picture was the start of a 5 mi flat straight into a 20mph headwind.

I have the Garmin rear radar to alert me to what is coming, yellow safety wear, and no less than 4 flashers. Although I have been road riding my whole life I cut way back on rides after we had two deaths a couple mths apart two yrs ago. One was a local cycling legend who was one of the best riders in the area.

He died at a spot about a 1/8 mi from where my wife and I were nearly run over by a semi who decided to squeeze between us and an oncoming car on a narrow road at full speed. It is a rural connecting road with no real shoulder. Not used by trucks often but is a shortcut to the interstate if they choose to not use truck route. Lot of cyclist on the road. Very close call. It was ugly.

One of a handful of times I’ve had a truly life threatening close call. Almost all have been when cars/trucks squeeze between me and an oncoming vehicle at 60+ mph. Anyway, That’s why I took up jogging so late in life.

Since then I’ve been mixing it up more so I can cycle on low traffic times like early Sunday AM.

I think you have adequately documented "life path of a 40+ cyclist"
Certainly not dissimilar to my experiences also.