one side, Hanz und Franz

[jchrisobrien]

No one should have to lift weights listen to soft rock. Especially not at 6:40 in the morning. The fact that I'm underneath a metal bar, pushing weights into the air over and over again that early is also surprising. That's the fun part of living one block away from a gym: when you wake up at 6:30 am and your body absolutely refuses to go back to sleep, you can sneak a workout in before your work. Which gives you more time during the evening for socializing, or painting, or just about anything else.

I think I'm getting dangerously close to being TOO big, especially in the arms. I'll have to do some research, switch up my routine to get different results. Exercise should make you feel powerful and energized and alive. It should not turn you into a mutant. There are other kinds of exercise I could be doing too. I'm going to look into getting some roller blades, and next spring I hope to buy a mountain bike. My roommate has almost convinced me to try skiing or snowboarding. Usually the overwhelming expensiveness has kept me from the hobby, but I've probably invested that much in pieces of paper and plastic and pewter. I'll always have those hobbies. It could be time for some new ones.

Comments

[wsmith.livejournal.com]

Two things:

1. For me, for lifting, it's all about the Suicide Commando. (and the Bronki Beat, but that's a different story.)

2. It's too late. If you're randomly waking up at 6:30am then you're already a mutant. :)

- Getting ready to go to the gym now and feeling like death.

[silas7.livejournal.com]

What are you lifting when you are listening to Bronski Beat? ;)

I had mad dremas of taking over their strero and pumping Funker Vogt and Ministry. Now THAT'S music to pump iron too.

Waking up at 6:30 is more of a psychic power than a physical one.

[wsmith.livejournal.com]

Actually, I spent just about every evening last summer in a gay club dancing to the sweet sweet eurobeat techno rhythms. It was what my friend was listening to at the time and it's what I listened to at the gym when we went to work out. Somehow it stuck. Now, little do the macho men around me know it, but while I'm putting up the fifth set at obnoxious weight, inside I'm singing "Gitchy gitchy ya ya ya ya."

[ex-cayetana730.livejournal.com]

They play that music to fuel your anger and make you POMP... it up! more.

[silas7.livejournal.com]

That must be it. I felt the Evanescence power ballad draining away my will to live, and then I pushed... the bar... a little... further...

At least they could have played the more rockin' song.

[shnells.livejournal.com]

try putting in more cardiovascular activities. also to make sure you're not too big in one area and building strength as opposed to bulk, you're better off doing a whole body movement. perhaps taking up yoga or pilates or a formal dance instruction would be helpful. these activities will work out muscles you didn't know you had, building up overall strength without bulking you up. swimming is also good for that :)

good luck

[silas7.livejournal.com]

I can take free yoga classes at my gym, as part of my basic membership. Maybe I'll switch over to that for a month, and see what happens.

thanks!

[shnells.livejournal.com]

also one of my friends is a personal trainer and is a very good one at that. you might want to consult with him. he charges a very low amount. i can talk to you more privately about that if you want.

[sepherania.livejournal.com]

ever tried lower weights and more reps? it's more for long, lean muscle than bulky. plus it'll increase endurance too.

[silas7.livejournal.com]

I used to, but I gradually upped things when I didn't seem to be having any effect. I'm doing sets of 12, 10, and 8 now. I think I'll try lowering the weights and doing 3 sets of 15 for a couple weeks to a month, and see what changes. Thanks for the reminder!

[heatray.livejournal.com]

Don't forget rock climbing!

[silas7.livejournal.com]

Certainly not! So many new things to try. I'll speak with my roommate about when and where she climbs.