2014 Official Chaz Fitness Challenge

Beanie

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Be really careful about CrossFit. A lot of their programs do not teach proper form. And that can be really, really dangerous. Some places are better than others.
Ditto this - I saw the CrossFit question and meant to answer, sorry I didn't answer before.
CrossFit also seems easier for people to overtrain than just about any other program (except maybe high level high school or college athletes.) There are CrossFit certifications out there, so make sure any box you go to has certified trainers... and potentially somebody above Level 1 certification. Right now CrossFit is VERY popular, so there are a lot of places where a guy gets his Level 1 cert and opens a box and never does any continuing ed or goes any further.

On the whole I like the idea of CrossFit, but TBH it seems it's very common for people to cry or puke during/after their workouts and that doesn't appeal to me. I am not stupid enough to believe you should love every single minute of your workout, but that's just not my thing. Especially the puking. =P I am a pretty big fan of the AMRAP concept though, or EMOM... things I think you can easily put into any kind of at-home workout!
 

PWCorgi

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I don't think machines are evil exactly (though I really don't like to use them myself and think most people don't need to either.) It's really just the attitude that rubs me the wrong way. I actually find it rather insulting to it's own clients. Don't worry, we'll save you from the terrible powerlifters! And here's some free pizza and Tootsie Rolls to make you feel better about yourself because that's a thing.

To be honest, if I were tight on money, instead of joining PF and having to worry about if they're going to kick me out because they deem me a "lunk" and sound the "lunk alarm" because God forbid my last set is difficult and I make some kind of sound to finish it... I'd do bodyweight workouts at home. You can get crazy strong doing bodyweight workouts, you really can, and you don't need a gym to do them. Also you can do badass things like a handstand push-up with bodyweight training. Is it the same as squatting 200lbs on your back? No, but that doesn't mean it's not super strong or super badass!!


I have no idea why YMCA is so frickin' expensive. Ours here is that expensive too. My private gym is WAY less than that. It's so stupid. Apparently it's a good deal if you have a family because your entire family basically gets to sign up for roughly that amount... but if you're on your own, yeah no. I thought the YMCA was supposed to be affordable. =/
My problem is that I won't do it with any consistency at home. I know that I won't. Because I'll always start tomorrow, or I should just do the dishes first. Stopping at the gym on my way home from school/work, I will do.

So I think I will probably start there, and like I said, if I really am there enough to make it worth it, and can eventually afford a nicer gym (I graduate in about a year), then I will. But even $40/month right now isn't in my price range.
 

meepitsmeagan

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Be really careful about CrossFit. A lot of their programs do not teach proper form. And that can be really, really dangerous. Some places are better than others.

I do $40/mo for 24 Hour Fitness. But, since getting a puppy I've been doing home-based workout plans instead. TRX workouts, bodyweight exercises, Focus T25 workouts, and so on.

Though I'm a blob now because I hurt my chest at work (unrelated recurring injury) so I can't do more than walk around :mad:
Ditto this - I saw the CrossFit question and meant to answer, sorry I didn't answer before.
CrossFit also seems easier for people to overtrain than just about any other program (except maybe high level high school or college athletes.) There are CrossFit certifications out there, so make sure any box you go to has certified trainers... and potentially somebody above Level 1 certification. Right now CrossFit is VERY popular, so there are a lot of places where a guy gets his Level 1 cert and opens a box and never does any continuing ed or goes any further.

On the whole I like the idea of CrossFit, but TBH it seems it's very common for people to cry or puke during/after their workouts and that doesn't appeal to me. I am not stupid enough to believe you should love every single minute of your workout, but that's just not my thing. Especially the puking. =P I am a pretty big fan of the AMRAP concept though, or EMOM... things I think you can easily put into any kind of at-home workout!
Good to know about CrossFit. Thanks! I don't do well with intensity, so it probably wouldn't suit me anyways. Lol!

Been pretty good about staying on track with my eating. I splurged on ice cream Saturday, but I've been pretty steadily off caffeine and the headaches aren't as bad now.

Ran last night and did some upper arm workouts, running again tonight with a friend. Not getting much easier yet, but I definitely feel more energized and it's doing good things for my depression and how clean my house is!
 

Zoom

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Had the brilliant idea of going to the bar first and then going to the gym. So 2 pints of Guiness + 2 shots of Jameson + Irish CarBomb, followed by a grueling chest and tris workout...oh god I'm sore. Plus I went with my workout buddy who lifts a lot more, so I got a good shoulder workout in just by helping him rack/unrack his plates.

CrossFit has some neat moves but I've seen so many people get really hurt by their programs. We just had one guy in here to buy a car who is paralyzed from the waist down because of a CF workout gone wrong.
 

Beanie

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CrossFit is very heavy on powerlifting moves, which there's nothing wrong with by themselves. The trouble comes when you start combining the idea of LIFT HEAVY, HEAVY, HEAVIER!!! and GO FAST! QUICKLY!! GET THE BEST TIME!
Doing powerlifting moves with heavy heavy weights very quickly can be a dangerous combination because there's more room for error in form, which means injuries. Long, physically punishing workouts can also make you tired which will also deteriorate your form. This is also why there seems to be a higher rate of overtraining in CrossFit. It's super competitive and people do things they probably just aren't quite ready for in the name of competition, and keep going when they really should stop.

Of course this isn't unique to CF, people do things they aren't ready for in the name of competition in many sports. It just seems to be prevalent in CF because of the mentality a lot of people have. This is why I personally feel like it's a lot like high level school sports competitors. High level of competition and kids pushing themselves and their bodies into things they aren't ready for because they want to win and a coach is screaming down your throat HARDER BETTER FASTER STRONGER. Overtraining is also a thing among endurance runners, getting tired and pushing yourself to continue running even when your form is breaking down, it's a thing even in my sport of choice. But CrossFit does have the "cute" "unofficial mascot" of Uncle Rhabdo (don't Google it unless you want to cry and think I'M NEVER WORKING OUT AGAIN!! and get all paranoid.) Rhabdomyolysis is not unique to CF, no, but you don't get a representation of a serious physical condition as an unofficial mascot without there being some truth to it.


People just need to be well informed about their bodies and the movements they are asking their bodies to do, and be realistic about their current abilities. You never get anywhere if you don't push yourself, it's true. But there's a difference between pushing yourself and overdoing it. I have no real issues with CrossFit as a sport, but I do have some concerns about how people push themselves in the name of competition within it. It's a question of the abilities and assertiveness of the coaches more than anything though, although the general culture of the sport does play a part.

It's also really effing expensive to join a CrossFit gym. =P
 

Saeleofu

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Well I'm about to head off to my fake gym for a shitty workout so I can continue being a fatass. :rolleyes:


Once again, the people who bitch about PF not being worth the $10 a month are the same people who make such a place necessary. Just because they serve food twice a month doesn't mean you have to eat it - like I said, I'm not even there during the times it's served, so yeah, I totally get fat from not eating the pizza that's served when I'm not there. :rolleyes:

$10 a month for the use of a treadmill and nice showers (with hot water, which I don't have at home) is more than worth it to me. The rest of the machines are a bonus. So go ahead and insult everyone who uses them for their affordability. At least PF welcomes beginners, which can't be said for some people here and other gyms around here.


ETA: FWIW the lunk alarm has never gone off while I've been there. Ever. And they welcome my service dog and have never given me grief over him. Yeah, shitty gym :rolleyes:
 

Beanie

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Seriously if you could quote where anybody called PF "fake," "shitty," or insulted people who go there, that would be great. Meanwhile:

Except those assholes are the reason people need a place like Planet Fitness in the first place.
Planet Fitness! Home of the JUDGEMENT FREE ZONE.
 

FG167

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I LOVED CrossFit. It was my most favorite place I've ever worked out, ever. I had an Anytime Fitness and a Snap Fitness membership in the past. I also did the Jillian videos, did the Beachbody videos etc etc. I don't do well with at-home workouts.

I can't afford it anymore :(

Beanie, what do you do at the gym? Do you do your own workout? I am looking into Omni club by me to see about joining classes. I did REALLY well at the CF classes so I'm thinking maybe that atmosphere worked best for me? I'm at a loss for what to do next to stay working out. I am planning on trying to get pregnant this summer and I want to have a solid habit workout game in place before that. I need help!
 

Beanie

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Beanie, what do you do at the gym? Do you do your own workout? I am looking into Omni club by me to see about joining classes. I did REALLY well at the CF classes so I'm thinking maybe that atmosphere worked best for me? I'm at a loss for what to do next to stay working out. I am planning on trying to get pregnant this summer and I want to have a solid habit workout game in place before that. I need help!
It depends on the day and I'm also in full-blown half marathon training mode right now, so it's a different schedule than it is during the summer. Right now it looks like this:
Monday - Run
Tuesday - BodyPump, short run
Wednesday - Run
Thursday - Cycling or Combat, no run
Friday - Run
Saturday - Long Run
Sunday - Strength training session - squats, deadlifts, lunges, weighted glute bridge

The runs right now are on treadmill but the snow and ice are all FINALLY melted so I'm about to kiss the treadmill buh-bye.

I also have a sequence for lower body/core I do most nights at home unless I'm really tired and/or sore, and this yoga DVD on nights when I run (before the lower body sequence.) I have a strength training yoga DVD of his I used previously, but now that I go to the gym for the weights I don't use it anymore.

Pre-marathon season, I was doing Stronglifts 5x5 MWF, Tuesday and Thursday same classes as I do now, Saturday I did BP or RIPPED and Sunday was Cycling or BP depending on what sounded fun that day. I'm thinking of buying one of Bret Contreras' books and coming up with some different programming though. I like 5x5 but I admit it's kind of boring to me. Squats and deadlifts will always be in there, but there's some other stuff I'd like to do too. I also want to do more bodyweight stuff because I find a lot of it fascinating and challenging on a different level. Right now the focus is on the run, so things are different than when I'm not putting a priority on mileage.

So it's both for me, I love several of the instructors at the gym and love taking their classes... but I also spend time downstairs (classes are all upstairs at my gym) on the treadmill or over in the free weights. I know lots of people who only take classes and I don't think there's anything wrong with that! My goals are just a little more extreme than the average, and I need some specific things to get there that require me to put in time downstairs. It definitely helps to have some kind of program or plan though. Going to the gym with no plan is a good way to kind of just wander around aimlessly and not get any real work done!
 

Zoom

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I really need to get some proper running shoes. I did 2 miles last sunday and my shins didn't not feel pleasant afterwards. I know running is how I (personally) tend to drop weight the fastest, so I need to start running again.
 

RBark

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I really need to get some proper running shoes. I did 2 miles last sunday and my shins didn't not feel pleasant afterwards. I know running is how I (personally) tend to drop weight the fastest, so I need to start running again.
Make sure you're not heel striking, that's a really common cause of shin splints.
 

Saeleofu

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I really need to get some proper running shoes. I did 2 miles last sunday and my shins didn't not feel pleasant afterwards. I know running is how I (personally) tend to drop weight the fastest, so I need to start running again.
VFFs! I freaking love them. But only the KSOs on man-made terrain, anything else has too think of a sole/too big of lugs and makes my feet go numb in weird places. I run on the treadmill in a VERY worn pair of KSOs (like...very minimalist. Most of the sole is gone, huge holes under the ball of the foot lol). Super comfy. Nothing's better than a well-broken-in pair of KSOs.
 

AllieMackie

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VFFs! I freaking love them. But only the KSOs on man-made terrain, anything else has too think of a sole/too big of lugs and makes my feet go numb in weird places. I run on the treadmill in a VERY worn pair of KSOs (like...very minimalist. Most of the sole is gone, huge holes under the ball of the foot lol). Super comfy. Nothing's better than a well-broken-in pair of KSOs.
To be fair, mileage varies. Everyone and their sister knows I love and adore all of my VFFs, but personally I have to use real running shoes if I'm running on any pavement. The 4mm sole on VFFs is tough on a lot of people's feet if running longer distances on pavement. I use my Bikilas for trailrunning and running on dirt paths, though.

I have a nice pair of Asics for running that I love. Try to get fitted for your running shoe if you can - there are shoes built for different foot types that make all the difference when you run.

Make sure you're not heel striking, that's a really common cause of shin splints.
Also this. Make it a part of your run training to train yourself to strike with the ball of your foot. It doesn't come naturally to most folks.
 

FG167

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Monday - Run
Tuesday - BodyPump, short run
Wednesday - Run
Thursday - Cycling or Combat, no run
Friday - Run
Saturday - Long Run
Sunday - Strength training session - squats, deadlifts, lunges, weighted glute bridge
Hmmmm ok, thanks so much! I think I would be really happy at the gym I'm considering then. They offer a variety of classes. I'm looking at a lifting class, a mixed lifting/aerobic class, and cycling. The combo should be fun/interesting I hope!

I really need to get some proper running shoes. I did 2 miles last sunday and my shins didn't not feel pleasant afterwards. I know running is how I (personally) tend to drop weight the fastest, so I need to start running again.
The 4mm sole on VFFs is tough on a lot of people's feet if running longer distances on pavement. I use my Bikilas for trailrunning and running on dirt paths, though.
I LOVE VFFs but had a big problem with them on pavement over 4-5 miles. I bought Altras...OMG LOVE THEM. They are incredibly comfortable, and offer cushioning. Turns out for me, I don't need "true" minimalist, I need zero-drop. Zero-drop gets rid of my shin splints and insole pain. I just bought a pair of Skora's to wear to work and they are also crazy comfy :)
 

Beanie

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Heel striking is a completely legitimate and natural way to run and by itself is not the cause of injury.

Warr et al:
http://acsmannualmeeting.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Thursday-Abstracts.pdf
Short of this one is 342 Army participants were studied and there was no difference between injury rates nor days lost due to injury between heel strikers and non-heel strikers.

Grier et al in this one on the subject of injury rates between minimal versus traditional shoes (generally assumed the traditional shoe runners are primarily heel strikers):
http://acsmannualmeeting.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Wednesday-Abstracts-with-Cover.pdf

A study of strike patterns and performance in recreational runners:
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02640414.2011.610347#.UympvV7VGHk

Getting deeper, an article on the different "kinds" of heel strike from a top running coach:
http://www.kinetic-revolution.com/dont-believe-the-heel-strike-hype/

The only study out there that supports the idea that heel striking results in more injuries is the Harvard study with a very small sample size (52 athletes.) The first linked had 342 participants and the one below it over a thousand.


The most common cause of shin splints is overtraining. Either running too much (mileage) or too fast before your body is ready for it. Also common to get them if you switch from a treadmill or trail (dirt) running to pavement without an easing period, the sudden switch to hard pavement can cause extra impact and cause pain.
My shin splints went away while I was wearing a traditional running shoe and heel striking. I run in a more minimalist shoe now but my strike hasn't really changed. The biggest reason I like a minimal shoe these days is because they're very very light. But they are certainly not required for good, healthy running, nor even highly competitive running.

Best way to find a good running shoe is to hit a local running store and have them fit you. A good fitter will watch you walk and run, sometimes on a treadmill and sometimes just up and down the length of a store, then get you a selection of shoes that will suit your pronation and such. From there it's what you feel best in, although you might move better in one shoe or another and they can tell you that. I had a toss-up between Brooks and Saucony as far as my movement went and the Brooks just plain felt better, so that's what I bought.

LRS. Visit them. Make friends with them. They will be good to you!
 

Saeleofu

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I don't run on pavement at this point. It's either the treadmill or outside on dirt trails, so KSO are perfect for me. If I'm running outside, though, I'd wear the KSOs without the holes in them lol
 

sillysally

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Since I've been doing My Fitness Pal and exercising (either a long walk with Sally, a 30 minute walk around the track at the park, or 30 min of stationary bike at the work gym), I've officially lost 23.8 lbs!

I would like to do a Pilates class-60 min, twice a week-would that have the same benefits as strength training?
 

RBark

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Heel striking is a completely legitimate and natural way to run and by itself is not the cause of injury.

Warr et al:
http://acsmannualmeeting.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Thursday-Abstracts.pdf
Short of this one is 342 Army participants were studied and there was no difference between injury rates nor days lost due to injury between heel strikers and non-heel strikers.

Grier et al in this one on the subject of injury rates between minimal versus traditional shoes (generally assumed the traditional shoe runners are primarily heel strikers):
http://acsmannualmeeting.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Wednesday-Abstracts-with-Cover.pdf

A study of strike patterns and performance in recreational runners:
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02640414.2011.610347#.UympvV7VGHk

Getting deeper, an article on the different "kinds" of heel strike from a top running coach:
http://www.kinetic-revolution.com/dont-believe-the-heel-strike-hype/

The only study out there that supports the idea that heel striking results in more injuries is the Harvard study with a very small sample size (52 athletes.) The first linked had 342 participants and the one below it over a thousand.


The most common cause of shin splints is overtraining. Either running too much (mileage) or too fast before your body is ready for it. Also common to get them if you switch from a treadmill or trail (dirt) running to pavement without an easing period, the sudden switch to hard pavement can cause extra impact and cause pain.
My shin splints went away while I was wearing a traditional running shoe and heel striking. I run in a more minimalist shoe now but my strike hasn't really changed. The biggest reason I like a minimal shoe these days is because they're very very light. But they are certainly not required for good, healthy running, nor even highly competitive running.

Best way to find a good running shoe is to hit a local running store and have them fit you. A good fitter will watch you walk and run, sometimes on a treadmill and sometimes just up and down the length of a store, then get you a selection of shoes that will suit your pronation and such. From there it's what you feel best in, although you might move better in one shoe or another and they can tell you that. I had a toss-up between Brooks and Saucony as far as my movement went and the Brooks just plain felt better, so that's what I bought.

LRS. Visit them. Make friends with them. They will be good to you!
Interesting, I've always been taught to avoid heel striking. I don't have time to read those links in-depth yet but will do so when I can.
 

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