Re: Workout Thread

[Krubixcube]

Kickboxing is a great workout. And it's more in the realm of muay thai than Bobby crotch kicks =p

[lenny.b]

Yeah. While I was in Okinawa our 1st Sergeant made us do a kickboxing course and everyone I know that took that course was worn out by the end. It was an incredible workout, none-the-less and I would totally recommend it.

[Krubixcube]

You were in the military lenny? Had no idea! How long were you in Japan?

[lenny.b]

Yeah, I was in the Marine Corps. I think Trip, Matt, and Mot have known since our 1up days. I was stationed on Okinawa for 2 years.

[lenny.b]

I ran 3 miles and killed my legs with some leg presses, yesterday. I did biceps and triceps the day before so I worked on my back and shoulders a bit. I regret not doing chest, though. :\

Krubixcube - Are you working for the JET program?

[TripOpt55]

Everyone knows Lenny was in the Marines. Twolf continuing to show what a newbie he is in our little group...

What kind of tricep exercises do you do lenny? I'm really partial to weighted dips and Lying Skullcrushers (or whatever their proper name is Lying Barbell Extentions?). The dip belt broke at my gym a few months back so I've resorted to pinching a 60 pound dumbell between my calves which admittedly I feel kind of badass doing it.

[lenny.b]

I enjoy lying barbell extensions too, but rather than a barbell I usually use a dumbbell instead. I always end up feeling great afterwards. Aside from that I do lat pulldowns (v-grips and wide grips) and one armed dumbbell rows (I had to look this one up, because I forgot what it was called). I need to do more dips, myself, but by the time I'm done with all of those, then I move to biceps. I have to admit, though - your dips routine sounds pretty badass.

[volvocrusher]

Been getting back into a routine. Can only do Tues/Thurs/Sat right now but hopefully my work schedule will change so I can work out every day. Starting with a run early, then bench/lat pull downs/curls/shoulders/a few more I forget the names of then end it off by sprinting up every step of the soccer stadium at school. That last one kills me, but it feels really good to get it done.

Signed up for a Spartan run December though so I really have to step my game up sometime this month. My goal is to be able to run to school (about 2 and a half miles away), get a one hour lift in, then stadium runs and run back home the long way by the end of November

[lenny.b]

Getting into a routine is the most important part. If you keep fairly consistent I'm sure that the Spartan run shouldn't be all too bad. Then again, I would NEVER compete during winter because of how much I hate the cold. :\

[volvocrusher]

The cold's easier in California where we only have two seasons: Spring and summer.

[lenny.b]

Whoa! For some reason, I thought you lived in Europe. I don't know why... but that's what I thought. :p Hahah.

[TripOpt55]

Whoa! For some reason, I thought you lived in Europe. I don't know why... but that's what I thought. :p Hahah.

This legitimately made me laugh out loud.

[Krubixcube]

Newbie and also ignorant motherfucker.

I'm working for a company out here, lenny but I'm still teaching English, yeah.

[lenny.b]

Man, I feel demotivated today; But I know that once I get my ass into the gym I won't feel like this. BLARGH...

[Krubixcube]

Anyone want to share some songs on their workout mix? Do you even have a workout mix? Favorite genre? etc?

[TripOpt55]

You know I'm not much of a mix guy. I usually just listen to full albums. To be honest, it isn't much different than what I'd listen to any other time. Usually nothing slow I guess. I don't listen to rap all that often anymore, but I'm more likely to at the gym. What about you Twolf?

Also how is everyone's workouts going?

[BretBaber]

I don't really listen to mix albums either. The only thing I'll do to change up an album is shuffle it.

This might sound stupid, but I don't really care. So after every trophy I immediately sync it to flood people's Facebook walls to be a dick. Well, on my 120 GB model, syncing takes forever. I'd say roughly 40 seconds to a minute. I'd always just sit there and wait. Now whenever I get a trophy, I'll start doing some kind of exercise while it syncs. Push ups, leg lifts, planks, etc... I've been doing it for about 3 weeks, and I've had two people say "You look like you're losing weight." Maybe this trophy syncing workout strategy I have going is paying off.

[Krubixcube]

Yeah, I think we often forget that doing something, no matter how small, is better than doing nothing at all. I get into the trap as well thinking "well, I didn't do a full workout so it doesn't count" but that's silly. Long story short, good idea Bret. Maybe I'll start doing that when I'm waiting for stupid, long tasks.

To answer your questions trip: I tend to listen to metal and electronic with no particular preference. I tend to like stuff I can tune out to like Justice's Planisphere (since it's 18 minutes, high energy and makes you feel like a bamf).

As for workout progress...not bad. Been going kickboxing 2-3 times a week doing stuff on my own when I can. Definitely noticed an improvement with how I look, I mean it's not HUGE or anything but the tone is up and I feel trim if anything. Definitely feel more...what's the word: springy. My body doesn't feel heavy, it's working for me again.

How about you guys? How's it treating you.

[TripOpt55]

I ended up leaning out pretty well during my cutting phase. Got a few stubborn pounds that I'm having a hard time kicking, but still in good shape now. Been having a harder time getting to the gym this past month. Try to squeeze in whatever days I can. Even just a couple days a week. Admittedly partly due to my football watching habits, so with college ending soon, hopefully I will be a little better about it.

[Krubixcube]

You're easily the most manly man on this forum, Trip. You probably sweat beer and fell trees in your spare time.

[lenny.b]

Bah! You guys reminded me about how I fell off the wagon. I typically get (got) up around 5-6am to start my morning workouts, but I've wavered. This reminds me that I need to pick up the slack, as I've got 6 months to train for marathon-running condition. Damn... I've gotta increase my mileage and buy some new running shoes...

[Krubixcube]

Probably the new running shoes first, eh?

[lenny.b]

Probably. Hahah. My favorite running shoes have over 500 miles logged onto them, but I was so addicted to the Saucony Kinvaras, I bought multiple pairs and I have 2 pairs that have barely broken 100 miles so I SHOULD be okay, but I'd rather get a new pair, anyway.

[Krubixcube]

Man, you guys are hardcore. Mad props. This week has been bad for me, just really busy leading up to Christmas, lots of engagements and whatnot. I MIGHT get a chance to go tonight but I'm 70% certain my students are taking me out...maybe.

[Krubixcube]

Lately I've been getting these horrible calf cramps. The muscle will just lock up into this rock hard ball that is excruciating. Anyone gotten this before? Seems to happen when I'm sleeping especially. I'll kind of be half awake and stretch my body out and all the sudden BOOM calf locks up.

[lenny.b]

Yeah, I've had them before. When I get them I usually remedy them by making sure that I'm hydrated/rehydrate and that I eat plenty of bananas. I've heard that it's the potassium in bananas that help, but I'm not entirely sure what it is, but these typically work great for me.

[Krubixcube]

Yeah, it could conceivably just be a dehydration problem. I'll give it a shot. Hopefully wont keep happening.

[Krubixcube]

Does anyone know:

A. What the muscle on the outside of the thigh that connects to the hip (kinda) is?

and

B. How to stretch it?

[TripOpt55]

I think you are talking about your TFL (tensor fasciae latae). It's a hip adductor. I hate to send you to google, but if you google that term, you can make sure that is what you are talking about since I am just going off your description. Might be easier to use a youtube video for stretching advice too, but if you want I will try and describe some stretches in here.

[Krubixcube]

That's very kind of you but I think you're probably right with the muscle, I'll see if I can find some good stretches. If I can figure that out I can finally start working on my kicking height a bit.

Also, yesterday I got a knee right to the man boob, bruised deep enough not to really leave a mark. Second time I've been hit by kicks there. Long story short, defense is haaaard.

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