So, about a month ago, I posted about this new workout book my buddy told me about. As one who is quite interested in fitness and overall being healthy, I was delighted to get some more information on the subject. After reading through the book multiple times I began making changes to my workout routine, and four weeks later, I can say I’m honestly impressed.
The big thing the book preaches is the need to do practical lifts that would have real word/real sports benefit. Basically, it cuts out on isolation stuff that doesn’t really help you and has you do few exercises, but ones that are more efficient to your overall goals. For me, this meant dropping bicep curls and tricep extensions (to things I found kind of lame anyway) and picking up squats and lunges. (I also changed part of my core workout, but it was only to switch up how I do crunches.) Now while I’m not a huge fan of lunges, as I find them quite boring, I can honestly say the changes are extremely helpful. The big thing I’ve noticed is just how much stronger my joints feel. Normally at this time, I’m approaching the end of my flag football season and my knees and ankles are wearing down. This year, I haven’t had any of those problems.
Plus, I’ve seen improvements in my climbing, serious improvements. Due to various injuries, I hadn’t been able to climb for six months, but the past two weeks, I’ve been back in the gym and I’m climbing at a level I never could before. I’m noticing that my core and leg strength is really helping me make moves and stay up on the rock longer than I could before. Before, I could climb 5.9’s and I may have gotten one 5.10- but that was it. With the added core and leg strength, plus the better control I’ve gained of all the muscles, I’ve been able to do a bunch of 5.10-’s and even a 5.10+. It was actually cool to hit a 5.10- on my first day back climbing after six months.
But yeah, if you’re interested in lifting, you definitely have to read The New Rules of Lifting: Six Basic Moves for Maximum Muscle
Path to Fitness, Sports
So for the first time in 9 months, I got back up on the rock. And it was awesome. I got back up and rocked a bunch of really fun routes. I also came 1 hold away from finishing two pretty challenging 5.9’s as well.
I’m actually rather surprised, I may have pulled one 5.9 before, but I was able to do it a bunch. I think it may have to do with the level of fitness now, verses when I last climbed. I’m definitely stronger, and my endurance is also higher. I’ve also managed to gain back about the same level of flexibility I had at the time. And my weight has remained about what it was.
I’m also really happy because, while it’s not boulding (which I really love), top roping doesn’t have that high an impact, so I can do it while I’m rehabbing my shin. I also don’t have to worry about falling and reinjuring my left ankle. So yeah, it was a lot of fun tonight. Plus, I met some cool people since I was at a gym I hadn’t gone to before. ^_^
Rock Climbing
http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/columns/story?columnist=sobel_jason&id=3466998&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab3pos1
Seriously, this is kind of absurd. Can he still be dominant? The man beat the best golfers in the world, with a torn ACL and two stress fractures in his leg. The average person can’t walk with a torn ACL, he played 92 holes of golf. At this point, Tiger can only go up from here. Ok, enough of that.
Sports
1 320 feet = 1/4 of a mile. That is how much I jogged/ran today in physical therapy. That’s the most of run in over 3 months. In fact, it’s the first time I’ve actually run. It may not seem like much, but it’s a big thing for me.
Yeah, I’m taking it where I can get it.
Path to Fitness, Sports
First off, there was a point where I had stopped working out. Basically, between May and September, I stopped working out. And I know, I know, it’s only four months. But given how little excersize I was getting due to work, I had gained a bit of weight. So in mid September, I resumed working out. (Along with playing football)
Needless to say, I got back in shape.
Well, yesterday, I hit kind of a cool milestone. I’m not where I want to be, but it’s still pretty sweet. Yesterday, for the first time in my life, I bench pressed my body weight. And I had witnesses which was pretty cool. So yeah, um…go me.
Path to Fitness
