Keep fit/Gym/Exercise etc

[Caomhaoin]

Missing one of these, and I have to thank the (long discontinued Madrid) lockdown in a way for lighting a fire under my arse.

I was doing a bit of training before this time last year rolled around, but sporadic, being delighted with 5k etc with the marathon on the long finger, but I managed to put on 12 kgs in 5 months, turned into a pile of stinking flab, and when I got back out at the arse end of August, I almost puked after 'running' 1.5k. I was developing titíns, desperate altogether.

Doing 4 runs a week now, two short, one moderate and a long one on Sunday, two days in the gym doing the elliptical and 45 minutes of weights. Down to 87 kg from over 100 (I'm 1'91, about 6'3 in old money)with no real change in diet, just cutting out the taytos and shite. Do the odd guided work-out if I'm not bothered with the gym. I'll attempt the marathon in 13 weeks, I might even win the fuckin' thing.

90% running on hard surfaces was fucking my calves up (I'm just turned 38 there so I was creaky anyway) but those compression socks and a decent pair of runners have taken the edge off.

I have no real clue with weights, but sure slam a few different machines each time you go and it can't do you any harm, wha?

Anyone else getting the arse in gear?

[ochoill]

Fair dues, it's tough enough to both start and keep at a bit of excercise properly.

Fell way back on it meself on and off in the last few years, think I'm at 110kg now, need down about fuckin 20kg to be safe in myself.  A few less takeaways and away from the auld sweets would sort that out.  I do 2-3 long walks a week at the minute, weary enough at the repeat circuits - I live in the middle of Limerick City basically, and have a grand 8km loop made out of the bridges, river, canal etc, but have it walked to death.  When the lockdown was lifted I was doing a hike a week too, which was great excercise, can't wait to get back at that.  Places like Moylussa, Cratloe, Keepers hill, Portroe, absolutely spoiled in this country for good trails.  Actually would recommend to anyone interested in it to use both Strava and AllTrails combined to pick routes, I would nosey on them both to find interesting spots and nearby trails, mark them on Maps, and plot different ones for most weeks.

I have a bike here and might get back on that soon too, there's good trails all out by the river and I love a cycle but the saddle is like a fuckin axe on the yoke and cuts the hole off me after more than 15 minutes on it.

[Slaughterday]

Was doing a lot more running during the initial lockdown but I'm slowly getting back up to speed with the longer evenings. Diet has gone out the window altogether though so Ive plateaued on the weight front!

Currently hittting 20km a week running with a cycle on Sunday and then weights at home during the week. Will up this to 30k a week from April and will retire the weights until Winter.

Lots of young GAA heads driving like fucking lunatics and blind corners around where I am, so road running is hairy enough at times.

[Caomhaoin]

Ah 20-30 kms a week over a couple of months will result in at least some weight loss as long as you're not absolutely riding the scoops or eating shite constantly.

There is very little that makes you feel as good about yourself as a solid 8-10k or more run. My legs are fucked from doing 10 minutes solid of front lunges yesterday, and I never do leg stuff in the gym so I'm worried I'll be a bit of a cripple next week.

I have the gym 2 minutes from my apartment so I drop in for a bit of weights, if it was further away I'd be less inclined. The fanny quality in this part of the world is so high that a bit of ogling inside in there is always welcome

[Kurt Cocaine]

Have a walking club with a few friends. Nothing official or anything but it's good fun in these times and great for the head. It's a good workout too as it's quite hilly around here.
I've just checked my app for the distance I've walked this month. It's 263km, an average of 9km for every single day this month.
I could  actually add another 60km on to the total as I don't have my phone on my person at work when I'm milling about. Great stuff.....

[Blackout]

I do a 10k run every 2 days and do body weight exercises  from an app I found on Google play store for the days in between. I started Intermittent fasting 16/8 as well which is simple enough as I don't eat much brekkie and I've so much more clarity in the mornings since I started it. Dunno if I'll loose much weight but food tastes so much better after a 16 hour fast.

[Giggles]

I've been trying to kickflip a skateboard for about 20 years. Still can't do it, but fucking hell, a good solid 30 mins of jumping fairly makes your body sweat.

[Caomhaoin]

Did my first cross country half marathon a few weeks ago, I started to feel like I was losing my marbles afterwards, like I'd taken half a yoke or something. Running for two hours is suffering, plain and simple, but the brain gives you a serious dose of the feel-goods afterwards.

[Ollkiller]

8 weeks ago I went for a piss in the morning after quite a few beers the night before and my newly formed beer belly shamed me into action. Good ould lockdown beer belly. So last 8 week's are dumbbell workouts at home. 4 days a week. First day arms, second shoulders, third chest and back and fourth abs and legs.

Beer belly 90% gone, muscle tone improving every week and lots more energy. Thankfully I'm now at the stage where I want to do it every week. Gonna buy a bench now. Cause I hate gyms.

[Nazgûl]

Nice one! Fair play to ya.

Keeping fit or exercising at home (i.e. just not in a gym) is kind of my buzz too when I do choose to do it, which isn't enough.

With that being said, any YouTube videos or links to decent exercises that you found helpful? I have a set of dumbbells and a bar at home, so with a small bit of guidance on technique or workout plans I'd be keen doing the same as yourself.

[Emphyrio]

Fair play man. I'm with Nazgul, I do a small bit at home but could defo do with being more active. Without becoming a gym head. I wouldn't be a fan of running either so home exercises would be ideal if anyone has links they recommend.

[open face surgery]

Was doing circuits every 2nd day at the start of the year but flaked on it so just cycling and swimming now. Will go back to Muay Thai when the gym reopens. Running is shit craic so I don't do it.

[Ollkiller]

Nice one! Fair play to ya.

Keeping fit or exercising at home (i.e. just not in a gym) is kind of my buzz too when I do choose to do it, which isn't enough.

With that being said, any YouTube videos or links to decent exercises that you found helpful? I have a set of dumbbells and a bar at home, so with a small bit of guidance on technique or workout plans I'd be keen doing the same as yourself.

So https://www.coachmag.co.uk/fitness/workouts/dumbbell-workouts is a good work out to start with.

https://www.mensjournal.com/health-fitness/the-30-best-dumbbell-exercises-of-all-time/4-pullover/ here's a small bit list various dumbbell exercises.

Now what I did was went on Google and type dumbbell weights for arms, then the same for legs and and, chest and back and finally shoulders. Made out a list of the exercises for each and developed my own plan. I'm getting a bench as you're limited without one but there are still plenty of exercises you can do without a bench. Also type dumbbell workout into you tube and there's shit loads to look at.

When you start off just type in the exercise into you tube and every exercise will have some stud showing how to do it properly. Also a good full length mirror is very handy to ensure you're doing the technique correctly.

Lastly whatever exercise u do keep your back straight or you're fucked. No hunching. Now if you're doing a bent over row you are bent over but still keep the back straight in that position. Any video will show u anyway what I'm on about.

[Caomhaoin]

The Bioneer on YouTube is excellent, straightforward and common sense tutorials for almost every type of strength and cardio work. He's  like a very buff Brian Cox.

[Mr Barlow]

Lads, just been reading through this. Have been feeling the need to sort myself out lately. 45 now, and starting to feel it. Was thinking of getting myself an exercise bike and some dumbells.  What weight range would yas recommend to be starting with ?