*.* 2013 General Fitness Thread *.*

[penguinz]

Welcome to 2013! Now get your ass in top physical condition!

**From the 2012 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.

[Omaha]

Originally Posted by Silock

THIS THREAD IS NOW DIAMONDS.

Sorry. I am not familiar with that Dire Straits song.

[lewdog]

I think practical gets thrown around way too much. It isn't practical for me to be able to run a 5k or even having good aerobic endurance isn't practical for me.

I once was asked to carry a grandma down the stairs in her wheelchair at a friend's beach house. I was the only one strong enough there to carry the backside (heavy) part of the chair to get her down. Couldn't have been done if I wasn't there. So my strength training with squats/deadlifts were practical for me.

Practical is what you make of it. Just because Crossfit addresses more aerobic endurance, doesn't mean that it somehow is practical for me when I rarely use aerobic endurance.

The term practical training is pretty bullshit. Being practical is doing whatever task you are doing and getting better at it. Can certain exercises supplement that better than others....sure. But to generally classify an exercise as "practical" for everyone who does it is just reeruned.

[NewChief]

If you guys get a kick out of Crossfit... wait until you see MovNat: http://www.movnat.com/

I've actually thought about getting MovNat certified to supplement my income with weekend seminars/group fitness. It would be huge around here, as that's what people are into (lots of people doing paddleboards, yoga on paddleboards, CrossFit, fitness courses, etc...).

Here are a couple of videos:




And an indoor gym workout:

[jiveturkey]

I'm working on adding power cleans to the rotation and after one session I know that I'm ****ing it all up. Any tips?

I started by just playing around with the bar and focusing on the movement from the thigh through the jump and up to the shoulder. It just felt super awkward. I added a little weight and the awkwardness was compounded.

I guessing that it's going to take some practice.

[Saul Good]

Originally Posted by lewdog

I think practical gets thrown around way too much. It isn't practical for me to be able to run a 5k or even having good aerobic endurance isn't practical for me.

I once was asked to carry a grandma down the stairs in her wheelchair at a friend's beach house. I was the only one strong enough there to carry the backside (heavy) part of the chair to get her down. Couldn't have been done if I wasn't there. So my strength training with squats/deadlifts were practical for me.

Practical is what you make of it. Just because Crossfit addresses more aerobic endurance, doesn't mean that it somehow is practical for me when I rarely use aerobic endurance.

The term practical training is pretty bullshit. Being practical is doing whatever task you are doing and getting better at it. Can certain exercises supplement that better than others....sure. But to generally classify an exercise as "practical" for everyone who does it is just reeruned.

I couldn't disagree more. I need endurance playing with my kids, working in the yard, getting after it with the wife... I don't often have to lift 225 pounds of dead weight repeatedly.

That's just me, though. I have nothing but respect for serious weight lifters. Being in shape is the exception, not the rule. I prefer having low body fat and lean muscles, but I understand that some people want to be bulky with muscles.

Think I'm going to go for a run now.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by Saul Good

I couldn't disagree more. I need endurance playing with my kids, working in the yard, getting after it with the wife... I don't often have to lift 225 pounds of dead weight repeatedly.

That's just me, though. I have nothing but respect for serious weight lifters. Being in shape is the exception, not the rule. I prefer having low body fat and lean muscles, but I understand that some people want to be bulky with muscles.

Think I'm going to go for a run now.

You are making my point that I was trying to make. You need endurance for kids...I don't have kids. You need endurance for working in the backyard...my back yard is gravel.

Functional training relates to how YOU function. It shouldn't be a label given to any exercise for everyone who performs that exercise.

And I am plenty in shape to do yard work and walk to the store. I just don't train for it.

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by Saul Good

I couldn't disagree more. I need endurance playing with my kids, working in the yard, getting after it with the wife... I don't often have to lift 225 pounds of dead weight repeatedly.

That's just me, though. I have nothing but respect for serious weight lifters. Being in shape is the exception, not the rule. I prefer having low body fat and lean muscles, but I understand that some people want to be bulky with muscles.

Think I'm going to go for a run now.

Don't you kind of contradict yourself here?

[Silock]

Originally Posted by jiveturkey

I'm working on adding power cleans to the rotation and after one session I know that I'm ****ing it all up. Any tips?

I started by just playing around with the bar and focusing on the movement from the thigh through the jump and up to the shoulder. It just felt super awkward. I added a little weight and the awkwardness was compounded.

I guessing that it's going to take some practice.

I would recommend not doing them at all. You can really screw yourself up if you don't do them right.

[Aspengc8]

Originally Posted by Silock

I would recommend not doing them at all. You can really screw yourself up if you don't do them right.

I double recommend not doing them as well. If you are doing them because you are getting into olympic lifting, have a coach teach you. If you are doing them for upper back/trap/delt development, do snatch grip high pulls and shrugs instead.

[Aspengc8]

Originally Posted by Saul Good

I couldn't disagree more. I need endurance playing with my kids, working in the yard, getting after it with the wife... I don't often have to lift 225 pounds of dead weight repeatedly.

That's just me, though. I have nothing but respect for serious weight lifters. Being in shape is the exception, not the rule. I prefer having low body fat and lean muscles, but I understand that some people want to be bulky with muscles.

Think I'm going to go for a run now.

Deadlifting heavy for reps with definitely add to your endurance. Most of the guys that are bulky with muscles have a goal of being really big and lean. Its pretty hard to get big without adding some bodyfat... most who try to get big and stay super lean just end up spinning their wheels. Unless your on peds. But like you said, it's all about what your goal is and taking the most efficient path to get there.

[NewChief]

Just as an FYI:

The worst I've hurt myself since I've been lifting was teaching my kids to rollerskate. Being on skates myself while helping my kids on skates completely wrecked my back for a month. The MovNat stuff is ridiculous on a certain level, but some of the stuff (two guys shuffling and throwing a stick between them) is totally "functional fitness" for raising kids.

[jiveturkey]

Originally Posted by Aspengc8

I double recommend not doing them as well. If you are doing them because you are getting into olympic lifting, have a coach teach you. If you are doing them for upper back/trap/delt development, do snatch grip high pulls and shrugs instead.

I was adding them for the benefit of explosive power in the legs. It ties in the Rippetoe program I've been following for a while. I've just been avoiding adding them. It's 10x more complex than squats or deadlifts.

I'll have to weight the options. Maybe a little coaching would be a good thing just to make sure that all of my other lifts are falling in line.

I don't plan on ever becoming an olympic lifter. I'm just working through the program.

Does anyone know of a good coach in the KC area?

[NewChief]

Originally Posted by jiveturkey

I was adding them for the benefit of explosive power in the legs. It ties in the Rippetoe program I've been following for a while. I've just been avoiding adding them. It's 10x more complex than squats or deadlifts.

I'll have to weight the options. Maybe a little coaching would be a good thing just to make sure that all of my other lifts are falling in line.

I don't plan on ever becoming an olympic lifter. I'm just working through the program.

Does anyone know of a good coach in the KC area?

Snatches. I prefer kettlebell snatches.

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by NewChief

Snatches. I prefer kettlebell snatches.

I bet your snatch is just amazing.

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by jiveturkey

I was adding them for the benefit of explosive power in the legs. It ties in the Rippetoe program I've been following for a while. I've just been avoiding adding them. It's 10x more complex than squats or deadlifts.

I'll have to weight the options. Maybe a little coaching would be a good thing just to make sure that all of my other lifts are falling in line.

I don't plan on ever becoming an olympic lifter. I'm just working through the program.

Does anyone know of a good coach in the KC area?

I like clean. It does a lot for explosiveness and support muscles. Definitely get yourself help. You can destroy yourself. I'd recommend videoing yourself so you can see what you're doing.