thread of getting sw0le

that's just wrong ... there's a lot to admire about CrossFit, but it seems to descend into stupidity all too often

ryan, you might want to consider adding some bodyweight exercises to strengthen your wrists and grip, maybe chin-ups if you're not already doing those ... personally I would be scared to work with weights I knew I couldn't handle without wrist support (or back support for that matter)

#Iamalightweight #nevergettingsw0le

started lifting a couple months ago for the first time in like 8 years. I've basically just played basketball/racquetball/tennis and jogging a little to stay in ok shape. But now I'm in my 30s and basically sit all day and night so I need to get my muscles activated. Been good, feels good. My chest is sooooo weak, chest strengthening has always been hard for me since i have really long thin arms (wingspan is 4" more than my height). Makes it hard to stabilize.

I think crossfit would be a blast but its a pretty big commitment of money and time.

I went with my SIL and I really liked the camaraderie and encouragement but really hate the idea of spending that much money per month on a gym membership.

I did crossfit for about 8 months few years ago. I credit it for getting me familiar and comfortable with barbells. It introduced me to a whole way of working out that i had no idea about and was generally a lot of fun. Like someone already said these gyms vary in quality i'm sure so YMMV. I had to stop mostly because of the cost. I'm currently working out at a crossfit gym that is less than a mile from my house but i don't do crossfit really at least not in a structured form.One day i stopped by and talked to the owner and was asking about his pricing and pretty much concluding that i couldn't afford it. As i was leaving the guy offered to let me work out there in an "open gym" style and just do my own thing as long as i stay out of the way for like $30 a month. So that's what i do know, i have access to all the equipment and can still do the olympic lifts which you can't really do in most regular gyms.

my gym is cheap, i definitely spend less on food than i used to via making my own etc., but i'm kind of supp queen which definitely costs me some $.

Sounds like a perfect set up xp

my new gym is normally priced but has like everything yoga classes basketball all the weights stuff including olympic set up pool sauna etc, feeling v blessed

tho no evening yoga classes today for some reason...

I don't disagree with that (my ass is going nowhere near Crossfit) but I have seen it do wonders for my sister-in-law and a good friend in NYC.

― I Am Curious (Dolezal) (DJP), Thursday, October 22, 2015 12:29 PM (2 hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

def gets results no doubt

yeah especially if you're new to working out intensely or even at all. Newbie gains are legit with crossfit

unless you die which is a real possibly too

no point in living if ur not sw0le tbh

I signed up for a New York Sports Club on a $20/month one-club-only deal -- I figured I only ever have time to go on my work lunchbreak so I might as well just have a club by work. It doesn't even include towels, but for $10 you get a ten-towel "towel card" and then half the time they're cool and just give you a towel without a punch. It's a nice clean gym with all the basics and a nice locker room, and it's never ridiculously crowded, which is probably why it had the deal.

It also does not include classes but I'm not much for classes -- I will push myself hard within my own program but I also like to stop when I feel like stopping.

I think it's probably the best gym deal in Manhattan. They probably offer it on the assumption that 80-90% of the people won't go regularly, and I go extremely regularly.

basically the business model for all gyms

yeah

it's interesting how every time I go I pretty much see the same 15-20 faces plus a small handful of randoms. I like that anonymous familiarity, like I start to see those same super-fit guys and feel like I am a journeyman in their path or something.

lol tru

gah travel, visitors, and sickness have completely derailed me from my sw0le plan --- been trying to do 2 weight sessions a week and a certain volume of cardio (as measured in total weekly hours) and it has been tough, my structure feels so fragile

i took a week off in september so i was doing good in august and september then i did bad again because i work way too much to the point i'm like ready to drive my car off a cliff. i'll start again after i finish this murder.

oh it just sounded like i'm literally killing someone i'm not don't worry

go murder some weights is what you need to do, stat

Brad--i do all that! but for real I have tiny wrists, almost avian bone syndrome type stuff. so maybe I'm in denial but I feel like I am dealing with a real physiological limitation.

plus it's just plain frustrating when your grip gives out when the rest of you is feeling great.

might try the "hook grip" tho.

I'm not really the guy to give advice since the heaviest things I pick up are boxes of cat litter

cld be wrong but grip strength seems like it shldnt have that much to do w wrist size, its more yr forarm muscles, grip strength seems like its generally a weak link which is why wrist straps exist, but also they seem pretty lame

needless to say a cursory surfing reveals youtube is full of grip strength workouts

http://deadspin.com/grip-it-good-633052708

def not planning on using them except as a means to finish off a set I wouldn't otherwise be able to do without risk of dropping the bar. they are def lame and possibly counterproductive, hence my hesitance.

of course, it seems like a good idea to also start on some grip stretch stuff as well.

http://i.imgur.com/rtsJBp1.gif

brooo

ha nolan on point as usual

i posted this before, but here's a good video of rippetoe talking about grip:

https://youtu.be/9OK-S3ZJZxQ

pushing and pulling grip are different things, is the short version

its sad hamilton nolan doesnt realize being sexy has more utility than lifting heavy things

it's a sad world that places value on other (weaker) abilities over lifting heavy things. i believe nietzsche wrote about this somewhere.

On a gut level I like the philosophy of not trying to lift more than you can naturally grip, feels "holistic" or something. Of course what a "natural" grip is is probably open to a lot of debate.

i do a lot of farmer carries . besides just grip strength help is a killer full body workout

ok you guys are convincing me. thanks for talking me off the ledge.

i do have to use a belt tho.

hard to find farmers to carry around here

any homeless will do

crustie carry (add dog for extra weight)

"its sad hamilton nolan doesnt realize being sexy has more utility than lifting heavy things"

Lol at this comment on that article:

My old football coach would say, "Curls? Curls will get you laid, but won't make your arms strong."

Everyone spent more time at the curling station than any other.

i'm a big fan of mixed grip for deadlifts.

omg lifting weights makes me so hungry

let's talk abt food

ok im readyw

protein shake directly after lifting and a protein rich meal soon after, all i got

fuck yeah

there's a really good $6 teriyaki cart that sometimes sets up btw my gym and office and I love getting a giant bowl of meat and rice after a workout.

otm

and I also usually eat a protein bar immediately in the locker room, partly just because it helps stave off feeling shaky.

shaky? man you're going pretty hard!