Blinky Bellybutton Rings and other things NOT to wear/do at the gym

A while back, my wife, Michelle, and I were doing our morning workout when a young women walk pass with a blinking LED bellybutton ring. It may not have been so bad, but I was doing dumbbell military presses and she walk right in front of my face. Blinky, blinky, blinky. I am known to be easily distracted by shiny things, flashing lights and so on. It is usually not a big deal or dangerous, but it isn't very safe when I have two large dumbbells over my head (I think they were 75s, but I could be wrong). Some of you might think 150lbs coming down on my thick skull might not cause much damage; you may be right, but still it would cause a bad headache. THE POINT: Don't wear blinking LED body jewelry to the gym!!! You cause a mentally hyperactive person to get hurt.

So, LEDs are out. What else is a bad idea, or inappropriate at the gym? For starters, don't run around the workout area in your underwear. Ladies, this mainly applies to you. Short spandex shorts and a sports bra are underwear not workout clothing. Yes some guys are guilty of wearing really skimpy tank tops and bike shorts. this is wrong, and as my old First Sergeant used to say, they should be "PUNCHED IN THE HEAD!" Conversely, GUYS wear some kind of underwear. Spandex works. No one wants to see it while you're bench pressing! Also don't wear street clothes, like jeans or any button-up shirt. They can restrict movement, and you'll look like a dork.

OK, we have some basic ground rules for dress (wear clothes), but what actions should be avoided? Well, don't complain about "Mr. Sweaty" dripping all over the cardio machines. If you are not sweating while doing cardio, you need to work harder. The machines are not there for a gab session. On the other hand, if you are "Mr/Mrs/Miss Sweaty"  clean up after yourself. No one wants to use a machine that looks like Swamp Thing or the Creature from the Black Lagoon just used it. So, work hard, sweat like a nasty pig, and then clean up after yourself.

Another DON'T is carrying around your cellphone. OK, so I have a certain amount of disdain for cellphones, but do you really want your spotter to say "One sec, I got to take this call!" while you're halfway up on your last rep of a heavy lift. Think hard. this is when you need that wonderful security blanket confidence provided by your spotter. If he/she is there, you know that even if you choke or have troubles racking the bar, you won't be smashed. So, what if you are not spotting? Well, I am still easily distracted, and I'm sure there are others who are too.

Now, the list could go on and on, but I think we all get the general part. Be polite at the gym and wear some clothes! Thank you.

-Phil

Why do I exercise?

Why do I exercise? I have to admit that health benefits and looking good are part of it. I also like feeling strong and pushing myself. Part of it is that physical fitness is an important aspect of Army life, and I guess it just becomes part of who you are. Also, the gym is the main place where I socialize. (Being unemployed, I don't have work friends and only socializing on Facebook would be pitiful).

Are those the main reasons? Is that what really motivates my near obsession with the gym? No. Quite frankly, I go for my mental health. The VA is treating my with medication for PTSD. I don't really know if that is my problem or not, but the meds have helped. I know that I was angry most of the time when I got back from Iraq. I couldn't stand being in crowded places, and felt generally depressed. After starting medication, I noticed that I was nice, more mellow and happier if I exercised for about an hour or so two to three times a week. I felt even better if I got five good work outs in. This summer, I found that if I went a week without working out I got very disagreeable (OK, more like down right pissy). So I work out for my family and possibly for my sanity.

So why do I hit the weights so hard? My parents think I lift too much. Well, what am I suposed to do? The doctors at the VA have told me not to run because of my knees. My patellas rub against my tibias causing pain. Thinking about it that way I really shouldn't run.

So, there you have it. I use weights like other people use drugs and booze.

Art? and Weight(s)

Just a little something for fun.
I’m getting ready to go to the gym. A couple of weeks ago, I found that my muscles weren’t fully recovering between workouts. So, now I am focusing more on aerobic exercises (mainly the elliptical machine and heavy bag) and doing light weight/high reps with the weight. I am also trying to not out-grow my pants. I know there comes a time when most of us have to fight against weight gain. That’s Life!

Working Out

I just got back from the gym. I started weight training some what seriously while I was in Korea, and got very serious in Iraq before the doctors said I could only lift 15lbs (slightly more than the weight of an M-16 and 30 round magazine) because of a hernia. Most of the time, I have done standard 3 sets of 8-12 repetitions or some work out out of Men's Health or some other magazine. Lately, however, I have been doing a low volume/progressive intensity regiment.

Basically, you divide you body into two workout groups (my first group is chest, shoulders and triceps, and my second group is back, biceps and legs), and you choose one exercise for each body part. Do a warm up set at half the weight you are going to do for the workout, and then one set of six to eight repetitions at the workout weight. Now comes the tough part; walk away (don't lift any more for that body part). I do group one on Mondays and group two on Tuesdays. I rest on Wednesdays, and then do two sets of ten to twelve repetitions for groups one and two on Thursdays and Fridays respectively. For more detailed information, check out the article on EXRX.net at http://www.exrx.net/WeightTraining/LowVolumeTraining.html Also check out http://www.exrx.net/ for all kinds of exercise and fitness information.

So, what did I do today? Well, I bench pressed 270lbs for eight repetitions. My goal is to bench 300lbs for eight repetitions, and I should be able to reach that goal in about six to eight weeks. I don't know if I have bulked up much from this workout regiment, but I have seen a huge increase in strength. (Well, my deltoids and traps have grown and my back is thicker, so I guess I have). I am not saying that this is the right way to doing things of everybody, but it is working for me at this time.

Really, you should look at your goals and find a workout program that will best help you reach those goals. Be honest with yourself too. If you are a long-distance runner or a rock climber, bulking up might not be a good idea. I think you get the point. Also, educate yourself. There are lots of book and information on the internet, and you can find people that know what they are doing at the gym (the person that runs the place, personal trainers, etc). I could ramble all day, but it is lunch time and I'm hungery.

-Phil