*.* 2014 General Fitness Thread *.*

[penguinz]

Welcome to 2014! Now get your ass in top physical condition!

No one else started it so here it is!

**From the 2013 Thread**

If you want to get back into lifting, or need a new lifting routine, START HERE:

http://startingstrength.wikia.com/wi...inner_Programs

If you have questions about the SS programs, look here:

http://startingstrength.wikia.com/wiki/FAQ

Keep in mind that you're a novice lifter for a longer period of time than you think you are. Novice lifting can last anywhere from a few months to a year or two, depending on how hard you hit the weights and where you started.

Once you've reached the point where you don't make regular progress on the SS program, you are ready to move on to the intermediate stage, which can last you for a good number of years. Find it HERE:

http://madcow.hostzi.com/5x5_Program/Linear_5x5.htm

If you're a very advanced lifter (many, many years of CONSISTENT weight training), then there are lot of programs out there, and which one you pick is simply a matter of preference. If you're really that advanced, you should know what works for you and what doesn't by this point.

[Hammock Parties]

The thing is there is a happy medium between I CAN RUN A MARATHON and RARARARRAAGH I BENCH 700 POUNDS WITH MY PINKY.

And you can most definitely qualify as fit in there.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by Count Zarth

The thing is there is a happy medium between I CAN RUN A MARATHON and RARARARRAAGH I BENCH 700 POUNDS WITH MY PINKY.

And you can most definitely qualify as fit in there.

No doubt, I totally agree.

[Aspengc8]

"Fit - adj - in good health, especially because of regular physical exercise"

So yeah, by definition you can be a marathon runner or a powerlifter at 20% bodyfat and be classified as 'fit'.

[Cannibal]

Originally Posted by NewChief

I used to be pretty guilty of the "endurance athletes are the fittest" mentality and felt like weightlifters were cardio-depleted meat heads. Then I went to an Iron Man in Idaho. I know that the ability to do an Iron Man means that one is insanely "fit." However, I couldn't believe the amount of "unfit" people I saw who were absolutely killing it. My brother-in-law, who looked extremely fit, got his ass kicked by dudes with beer bellies and gigantic asses horrifically squeezed into Ironman unitights.

So yeah, I still think that endurance is part of the equation, but if you look like shit... what's the point? That's my main problem with cyclists. I know professional cyclists usually look pretty fit, but one can be a pretty badass cyclist who trains a LOT and have a shitty body. Tons of cyclists I know (who ride like multiple 100 mile rides in a week) have gigantic asses and beer bellies. Just huge midsections.

Maybe I'm vain or a narcissist, but if I'm going to spend a significanct amount of time working out, I at least want to look the part.

They're taking in too many calories then

[NewChief]

Originally Posted by Cannibal

They're taking in too many calories then

Yeah. My theory is that they don't care because you can be heavy and still rock it on a bike without trashing yourself like if you're heavy and running.

The pear shaped body is prevalent among cyclists here though.

[lewdog]

I just hope Marcellus and I can be friends again with him knowing I have a kickass resting heart rate and I NEVER run.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by NewChief

Yeah. My theory is that they don't care because you can be heavy and still rock it on a bike without trashing yourself like if you're heavy and running.

The pear shaped body is prevalent among cyclists here though.

Have you ever noticed your friends who "run" half marathons and/or other running races that are physically in horrible shape....like overweight and fat? I have tons of them talking about some 5k or 10k race they did. It's a joke really.

My Olympic weightlifting coach would train 9x per week as frequency with those lifts is very important for neural adaptations. He was in his 40's and in great shape (sorry Marcellus, he never ran either.) He owned the gym where he trained and personal trained many clients. He prescribed heavy bench/deads/squats for everyone and never had them do steady state cardio and rarely would do some interval work with sprints with some of them. Just to prove to them that running is totally bogus if all you are counting is finishing, hence all the fat people finishing these races, he ran a half marathon without running at all for years prior and just continued to Olympic Lift. I don't remember his time but he ran/jogged the whole thing and said it was pretty easy.

It wasn't that he sees running/biking as worthless, just that it SHOULD NOT be a measure of fitness seeing all these fatties finishing these running and biking races.

[CaliforniaChief]

Great weekly weigh-in today...down to 343 and 10 ounces...a loss of just over 5 pounds.

I've been off the bike due to the accident last week, but am good to go now, just eating really well.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by Count Zarth

No. He's wrong. He'd benefit from a little dumbbell action. But he's all ****ed up in the head thinking it's going to do him harm or strain his precious cardiovascular system.

He reminds me of luv before I knocked sense into her.

And where was it I said I didn't lift either dumbbells or barbells, where did I say I didn't lift?

I lift anywhere from 3 rep sets to 15 on a given day, to keep the muscles confused.

Show me where I said it now or shut your fat ****ing mouth about me.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by lewdog

I just hope Marcellus and I can be friends again with him knowing I have a kickass resting heart rate and I NEVER run.

You must be a super chill dude.

That is impressive.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by lewdog

Have you ever noticed your friends who "run" half marathons and/or other running races that are physically in horrible shape....like overweight and fat? I have tons of them talking about some 5k or 10k race they did. It's a joke really.

My Olympic weightlifting coach would train 9x per week as frequency with those lifts is very important for neural adaptations. He was in his 40's and in great shape (sorry Marcellus, he never ran either.) He owned the gym where he trained and personal trained many clients. He prescribed heavy bench/deads/squats for everyone and never had them do steady state cardio and rarely would do some interval work with sprints with some of them. Just to prove to them that running is totally bogus if all you are counting is finishing, hence all the fat people finishing these races, he ran a half marathon without running at all for years prior and just continued to Olympic Lift. I don't remember his time but he ran/jogged the whole thing and said it was pretty easy.

It wasn't that he sees running/biking as worthless, just that it SHOULD NOT be a measure of fitness seeing all these fatties finishing these running and biking races.

I understand my comments Sunday were off base but keep in mind it is simply my opinion based off my experiences. I dont doubt you guys are in shape I also dont think it would take you any time to get to a point you could run a 5K at a decent clip. When I say a decent clip I am not talking 9 minute miles nor am I talking 6 minute miles.

Its just like anything else, you can do it half ass or you can do it seriously. I don't think just because someone runs they are in great shape, I did say if you run at any pace you are doing something good.

Running a half or full marathon is work at any pace but if you are "racing" it and pushing yourself its another level. It just like there are plenty of people at the gym using machines and or light weight dumbells. They can say they lift or workout that doesn't mean they are in the best shape. That being said its better than sitting on their asses.

I am fairly competitive when it comes to running and typically finish in the top 10% for my age group in larger races (higher in smaller ones) which is my goal.

Really I think any exercise that you enjoy and take seriously is good.

I would also add I am seeing a large influx of Crossfitters at runs and see a lot of shirts that mention lifting/running clubs.

http://www.liftheavyrunlong.com/50-400-club/

[jiveturkey]

My Facebook feed is loaded with soft shitty bodies that are runners. They are also the one's most often complaining about their inability to loose weight.

I like to include a couple of 5k obstacle/mud runs per year just to get me into a different routine. I'll train for a month leading up, which means continuing with weights 3 times per week and adding a sprint work out once per week. I'll basically sprint 1.5 miles and walk 1.5 miles (sprint the straights, walk the turns). It's actually a grueling workout. I'm also at my thinnest when I head to an actual race.

So when I suggest to team chub that they switch to sprint workouts they tell me I'm crazy.

[NewChief]

Originally Posted by lewdog

Have you ever noticed your friends who "run" half marathons and/or other running races that are physically in horrible shape....like overweight and fat? I have tons of them talking about some 5k or 10k race they did. It's a joke really.

My Olympic weightlifting coach would train 9x per week as frequency with those lifts is very important for neural adaptations. He was in his 40's and in great shape (sorry Marcellus, he never ran either.) He owned the gym where he trained and personal trained many clients. He prescribed heavy bench/deads/squats for everyone and never had them do steady state cardio and rarely would do some interval work with sprints with some of them. Just to prove to them that running is totally bogus if all you are counting is finishing, hence all the fat people finishing these races, he ran a half marathon without running at all for years prior and just continued to Olympic Lift. I don't remember his time but he ran/jogged the whole thing and said it was pretty easy.

It wasn't that he sees running/biking as worthless, just that it SHOULD NOT be a measure of fitness seeing all these fatties finishing these running and biking races.

My wife and I both used to be runners. We do see some of the biggies that are "runners." That being said, I also have a bunch of friends who look fit as hell and are runners.

Another anecdote: a friend of ours was running 30 miles. Various people were going to run different sections with her. My wife NEVER runs anymore (other than sprints), so she was kind of worried about doing the distance run on her section (admittedly, it was only like 5 miles), especially because the people she was running it with are people who run quite a bit.

Long story short, my wife (who once again never runs besides sprints) completely toasted everyone and had to wait up for them to catch up the entire time.

[Aspengc8]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

I understand my comments Sunday were off base but keep in mind it is simply my opinion based off my experiences. I dont doubt you guys are in shape I also dont think it would take you any time to get to a point you could run a 5K at a decent clip. When I say a decent clip I am not talking 9 minute miles nor am I talking 6 minute miles.

Its just like anything else, you can do it half ass or you can do it seriously. I don't think just because someone runs they are in great shape, I did say if you run at any pace you are doing something good.

Running a half or full marathon is work at any pace but if you are "racing" it and pushing yourself its another level. It just like there are plenty of people at the gym using machines and or light weight dumbells. They can say they lift or workout that doesn't mean they are in the best shape. That being said its better than sitting on their asses.

I am fairly competitive when it comes to running and typically finish in the top 10% for my age group in larger races (higher in smaller ones) which is my goal.

Really I think any exercise that you enjoy and take seriously is good.

I would also add I am seeing a large influx of Crossfitters at runs and see a lot of shirts that mention lifting/running clubs.

http://www.liftheavyrunlong.com/50-400-club/

The name of the game is doing what you love to do. If people want to run 5K's, then go for it. Some of us just have no desire or need to run long distances, and opt for shorter, higher intensity variations for cardiovascular support. sprints/hill sprints/prowler/sled work has a much better carry over to powerlifting and sports in general, so i just stay with that.

[Aspengc8]

Almost a full week in florida, completely went off the deep end and no ****s were given. Alcohol and gelato all day err day!!

Plan when I get back is to run some form of a CKD or TKD diet and get back under 220 (aiming for 210-215) without losing much strength. Might even take a break from powerlifting and run a very old school routine I found that is 6 days a week, broken out very low volume but high intensity (almost all sets taken to failure). We'll see... 5/3/1 has been so good to me its hard to jump off, even if only for 12 weeks or so.