The new improved fitness thread

[Itchy]

Hate it when that happens. One of the benefits of going early means I can get on pretty much what I want.

Apart from the girls that were in there this morning! Hot dayum!

[Kwacky]

A relatively empty gym meant I had a good back and shoulder session.

[Kwacky]

The Birmingham half marathon goes past my gym, so people think it's shut as the car park to the front is closed. An almost empty gym is a great place to be, so quiet it's almost like a place of meditation.

[D6Nutz]

Damn man flu has stopped me in my tracks, I think it's heading for a chest infection.

Still, hasn't stopped me signing up for a long distance winter race series. 2 x 10 mile and one 10k through December, all mixed terrain.. Time to get some training in..

[Kwacky]

Taekwondo was probably the most boring lesson we've done so far. Defence moves using pads. But nothing exciting, it was simply shuffling to the side and trying to kick the pad as you moved. Everyone looked very uncomfortable doing it.

[D6Nutz]

Did 3.5 miles last night at 10k race pace, was going alright until a big hill and then my chest exploded into a massive coughing fit. Not quite better then..

[Kwacky]

Went to the gym tonight but wasn't in the mood and I didn't want to do too much due to the travel I'm going to be doing. Still, I went which I guess is the main thing

[Itchy]

It's always good to try and do something, whenever I'm not in the mood I always feel worse if I don't go.

So with that in mind I feel turd at the moment, my back is playing up and I've missed the gym for a week now. Starting to get annoyed with it all.

[Spudda]

17 mile cycle ride today from Bridgnorth to Ironbridge and back on the old railway track which is now a National Cycle Track followed by an hour in the gym

Gone from 18.1/2 stone at Christmas to just over 13.1/2 now

Diet has totally changed .... More fruit and veggies with a dramatic down turn in alcohol consumption

38" waist down to a 32" now = baggy leathers

[D6Nutz]

17 mile cycle ride today from Bridgnorth to Ironbridge and back on the old railway track which is now a National Cycle Track followed by an hour in the gym

Gone from 18.1/2 stone at Christmas to just over 13.1/2 now

Diet has totally changed .... More fruit and veggies with a dramatic down turn in alcohol consumption

38" waist down to a 32" now = baggy leathers

Nice one spudda, that's an impressive loss. Well done mate

[C00kiemonster]

17 mile cycle ride today from Bridgnorth to Ironbridge and back on the old railway track which is now a National Cycle Track followed by an hour in the gym

Gone from 18.1/2 stone at Christmas to just over 13.1/2 now

Diet has totally changed .... More fruit and veggies with a dramatic down turn in alcohol consumption

38" waist down to a 32" now = baggy leathers

A life change can be the most positive thing - it refocusses you.

Top effort fella - just have to keep it there now

[Kwacky]

You looked in great shape when I last saw you. Top effort.

[Itchy]

Sweet work.

[Itchy]

Went to the gym this morning for the first time in a fortnight.
Wasn't getting on with the previous program so I've gone back to a strength based one. Lower reps and long rests between sets, all compound lifts.
I'll be supplementing those 3 days a week with trap and calf work the other 2 days in the working week, because I need to bring those areas up. Calves especially!!!

And to top it all off I've managed to kick the missus' arse into gear. After carrying "a little baby weight" for the last 7 years, she donned her new sportswear and went for a run with me at lunchtime.
Okay, she had to stop and walk it out, a lot, but with a little encouragement she pushed on through to cover 2 miles in 29:44.

No, it's not exactly fast, but it's a massive step for someone who hasn't run in about 16 years.

[Kwacky]

That 5x5 strength programme is good if you're after that type of exercise. https://stronglifts.com/5x5/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; There's an app to record progress and you can add a couple of exercises.

[Kwacky]

Taekwondo. I didn't take my sparring equipment as I'm still lagged, Ended up fighting a couple of people with their kit on, me without. It certainly made me pay attention to what they were doing. I actually found it easier to fight as you have to think more about counter attacking.

[Itchy]

That 5x5 strength programme is good if you're after that type of exercise. https://stronglifts.com/5x5/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; There's an app to record progress and you can add a couple of exercises.

I'm doing Starting Strength, which I believe is very similar. It's already programmed into my fitness app as I've done it before, so that's one less thing to worry about.

[Kwacky]

Back to the gym. Did a mix of compound exercises seeing as it was my first time in a couple of weeks.

[Itchy]

If you're anything like me after Monday, you'll know about it for a couple of days!


I went to see the Exercise Rehabilitation Instructor (ERI) today. Spent an hour chatting to him about my back, and he's set me up with a series of exercises to try and get me back on track.
Which sadly includes not doing any weights for at least a week whilst I'm doing that. It makes sense, it just sucks not to be under the bar.

And as a side note, he also trains in BJJ and is quite eager to find someone to train with. Which is a happy coincidence as my current training partner is off to the Falklands in a few weeks.

[Kwacky]

You put one too many Js in there.