Working out with a purpose, in pursuit of a goal.
40
votes
5answers
2k views
Importance of Rest Days
Why are rest days important?
When the weather permits, I jog (or otherwise work-out) every day, but people often tell me I should not, because rest days are important. What is the rationale behind ...
20
votes
2answers
218 views
Should cyclists use weight training to strengthen underutilized muscles?
I've read (and it seems intuitive) that cycling exercises some muscles more than others. Other than the obvious lack of an upper-body workout from cycling, are there specific muscles that tend to be ...
15
votes
5answers
3k views
Tips for breaking the 18 minute barrier for 5km - I'm stuck!
I'm struggling to break the 18 minute - 5km barrier. The weekly Tuesday race I enter finishes in a few weeks for the season, and I really want to crack it this season.
My training runs are all ...
15
votes
1answer
287 views
Making a training plan for medieval swordsmen / reenactment
Some of my friends are into history reenactment and historical fencing. Doing this is quite demanding in terms of fitness, so I wanted to help them develop a training plan to follow.
What would be ...
14
votes
3answers
108 views
Advice on finding a training partner
I regularly workout on my own but on the occasions I workout with a training partner I find my motivation increases, my output increases and perhaps most importantly, my overall enjoyment increases.
...
12
votes
1answer
282 views
What is changing in my body as I become more fit (i.e., raising my HR @ VT)
I'm getting into a better routine of training regularly and I know I'm getting more fit. I can go for longer at the same rate of exertion that used to blow me out after a couple of minutes. I haven't ...
12
votes
2answers
497 views
What is a good training program for a Quidditch Snitch?
For those of you who aren't Harry Potter fans, Quidditch is a wizard sport played on broomstick that has been modified for us non-flying people and is now pretty popular (Quidditch World Cup is coming ...
11
votes
1answer
12k views
Should I run before or after the workout
I've been going to some different gyms in the past few years and at every new place I would ask for a new training plan. One radical difference I observed was that some suggested me to run on the ...
11
votes
1answer
147 views
What exercises produce longer, higher running jumps?
I want a higher and longer jump. What exercises should I use to jump further and higher? I'm specifically talking about jumping from a running start.
I am only interested in bodyweight exercises for ...
10
votes
3answers
1k views
How to train for Parkour as middle aged beginner
I got interested in Parkour and like to start to train for it. I used to do weight lifting and running short distances, but it's more than ten years now and I'm out of shape. So getting in shape again ...
10
votes
3answers
971 views
How To: Avoid damaging my knee when training for and running a marathon
I am shortly to begin training to run in my first marathon.
Speaking with several other people regarding their similar experiences I am now quite concerned that I could end up doing some permanent ...
10
votes
1answer
133 views
Does losing weight impede endurance training (Specifically cycling but also in general)?
This is somewhat related to the losing weight/gaining muscle question found here, but I would like to find out if there are any studies or knowledge of weight loss impeding the physiological ...
9
votes
3answers
181 views
How long before a judo tournament should I switch from strength to conditioning?
I've got a judo tournament in early May for which I want to be strong, quick in my reaction time and strength output, and in condition. Since it's still pretty far in the future, I'm working on ...
9
votes
3answers
198 views
Fitness routine for chainsaw use and tree surgery
I'm about the average weight for my age (17), I'm fairly active, I enjoy walking and cycling but I don't particularly exercise at home or at a gym.
I've started a college course studying ...
9
votes
3answers
2k views
Can I train for a marathon with just two runs per week?
I am targeting a marathon in 6 months. I have limited time to train and have recently found it easier to drop the number of runs I do a week from 3 or 4 down to 2 - one long and one short/fast. The ...
8
votes
3answers
363 views
Strength Training, Muscle Mass, and Weight Loss
I heard on a podcast that pounds of fat burn calories at a different rate than pounds of muscle. The thinking is that a pound of fat, sitting idly over the course of the day, requires X calories, ...
8
votes
1answer
107 views
How to prepare for exercise at high altitude?
I am doing the Tough Mudder here in Northern California and the event takes place at a ski resort at an altitude of 6000' to 8000'. I have been training at about 3000' elevation and I'm wondering if ...
8
votes
1answer
67 views
Is this an effective military PRT training plan?
The military PRT, Physical Readiness Test, requires one to do a minimum number of pushups and situps followed by a 1.5 mile run.
I'm a good runner, so the main concern is my weak upperbody. A month ...
8
votes
2answers
498 views
Training exercises to increase speed and strength
I'm a handball trainer and coach for a couple of teams in our club. All the teams have two training's, each a hour long at minimum.
I am looking for simple exercise which can be done without using ...
7
votes
1answer
776 views
Is increasing lung capacity a misnomer?
I have been under the impression that one cannot increase their total lung capacity, it's like the ratio of fast twitch to slow twitch fibers in your muscles, i.e. it is what you were born with. ...
7
votes
2answers
63 views
How to organise a second weekly run session?
I've been asked about organising a run session for my Triathlon club. The club already has a well established run session on a Tuesday night, and would like hold another on Thursday (the one relating ...
7
votes
2answers
738 views
Increasing pace vs. increasing distance
I recently started running again after a several-year hiatus. Most of my running so far has been on a treadmill indoors, because the weather has been bad, so I have relatively solid data for my ...
7
votes
3answers
257 views
How to train for triathlons during business travel
I'm a quite avid triathlete. I do work with a coach and typically peak my training weeks at around 16 hours.
At one time, not too long ago, I was a traveling consultant. At times I would be on the ...
6
votes
2answers
1k views
Weight vs resistance
I've always heard hardcore lifters saying that resistance is not the same as weight. Bascially that 100lb of resistance is not equal to 100lbs of weight. Imagine a bowflex vs a cable machine.
I'd ...
6
votes
2answers
2k views
How do I workout my heart rate zones for training?
Is there a relatively easy way to get better values for my heart rate zones if I already have a heart rate monitor?
A couple workouts I've done have my heart rate in the "hard" zone for 90-95% of the ...
6
votes
2answers
664 views
Cycling as rest-day cross training for running: good idea?
I'm training for the Ragnar Relay Wasatch Back race next month, and I think I need to bump my efforts a little. I don't want to overtrain running, since I've got some lingering trochanteric bursitis ...
6
votes
1answer
221 views
How can I reduce trembling during training?
There are some exercises in my training routine that I cannot perform without my whole upper body trembling like crazy. Pushing dumbbells to train breast or shoulder muscles is one example. I use ...
6
votes
2answers
209 views
Consequences of splitting up training runs?
If a training program tells you to run say 5 miles one day, what are the consequences of splitting up that run? Is there some gray area where you can reap the same/most benefits (say splitting run to ...
5
votes
3answers
663 views
How to maintain muscle during breaks from training?
I m 25 years old and have been going to the gym for the past 3 years. Recently, I took 10 days off due to illness and noticed that I lost muscle. This happens whenever I take a break from the gym.
...
5
votes
2answers
267 views
Intensive training after 8 years
Long time ago I used to run in the mornings, workout in the gym 2 days a week, and some martial arts. I was not a gym freak at all but I had some nice definition.
Now 8 years later (and 30 years ...
5
votes
4answers
326 views
Training for Half/Full Marathon on Treadmill
I am going to be starting to train for either a half or full marathon. The problem I have is I live in the desert, it's hot...all the time, even in the early mornings it is in the mid-upper 80s to ...
5
votes
4answers
193 views
Which muscles would I need to train for ambulance work?
TL;DR Version:
Which muscle groups would I use when
lifting an object from the floor with a straight back
holding an object at chest height for an extended period of time whilst climbing stairs
...
5
votes
4answers
1k views
What is the best time of the day for High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)?
I have heard a lot about benefits of HIIT; however, nobody seems to address when is the best time for such activities. I got this question when watching "The secret life of your body clock" (BBC ...
5
votes
5answers
299 views
What's the best way for an intermediate-level runner to improve?
For a mid-level runner (7m - 7m30s per mile over distance) with a couple of marathons under their belt, what's the best way to improve their running?
Should they simply be doing more running or ...
5
votes
2answers
82 views
Can I estimate a real world speed using a Cycling Machine in the Gym?
I am training to do a charity cycle ride and I want to supplement my road training with some work on a cycle machine in the gym. My difficulty is that I don't know what to set the resistance level to ...
5
votes
1answer
381 views
How can I best modify starting strength to fit with a team practice schedule and cardiovascular conditioning?
I have two goals: improve speed and vertical, and improve at my sport (ultimate).
It seems from my relatively untrained state, the biggest gains in speed and vertical will come from strength ...
5
votes
3answers
221 views
Typical weekly training cycle of a football club
The problem I am trying to resolve is either dropping off my training too early in the week and feeling a bit stiff on the day we play or I over train and can't maintain speed/power/endurance because ...
5
votes
1answer
116 views
Training Methods for Climbing a Suspended Rope
I have been participating in Spartan Race for 2 years running. During each of those races there was an obstacle where I had to climb a suspended rope. Both times I was unable to complete the challenge ...
5
votes
0answers
73 views
Do seniors(age 60+) need to be treated differently in training?
Apart from the obvious fact of lessened degree of training intensity, do seniors bodies respond differently to training stimuli? Besides increased risk of injury, is there a reason for a senior couch ...
4
votes
3answers
2k views
How is it possible to use a higher percentage of our theoretical strength?
I've read somewhere ( Why is muscle size not proportional to strength?) that under normal circumstances, even when we try our hardest, we can use only 20-30% of our strength.
Under what circumstances ...
4
votes
2answers
399 views
How to train for carrying heavy stuff?
In two weeks I'm going to carry old furniture from my parents home to the sidewalk in front of the house.
How do I prepare for this event best? By training strength, endurance, cardio, HIIT, ...?
I ...
4
votes
3answers
513 views
Working out 5 days a week when following strengthening routines
I am currently following the strengthening routine suggested by @DaveLiepmann 3 days a week.
Extracts from this thread - Are these Workout Routines right for Body Building
2.In each workout you ...
4
votes
1answer
299 views
What are the primary muscles worked when hitting a Heavy Bag?
What are the primary muscles used while hitting the heavy bag (boxing focus sessions as compared to kickboxing where kicks are involved). And how do you improve the overall hitting/power of those ...
4
votes
2answers
589 views
Failure to do 16 pushups
I'm sporting moderately for about half of a year, dropped lots of weight and got some muscle. The only problem there is, is with pushup repetitions.
Previous summer I was doing 10-15 normal pushup ...
4
votes
3answers
3k views
Is it possible to learn to swimming without trainer, alone?
I learn to swim and I have a common swimming pool in my apartment. But we don't have any trainer and I can't afford personal trainer. I don't know swimming but want to learn. Can i learn without any ...
4
votes
2answers
1k views
What are some good 5x5 programs I can follow?
I'm looking to start a 5x5 program because I've heard that there are great benefits for beginners just starting to get into weight lifting. What are some good programs, and how can I pick the one ...
4
votes
2answers
658 views
should a white-muscle-fiber guy do the same type of workout as a red-fibre-muscle guy?
To reach a certain training goal, e.g "get more 'speed strength' ", "get more muscle mass": Should a white-muscle-fiber guy do the same workout, or a different workout than a red-muscle-fiber guy to ...
4
votes
2answers
3k views
Why shouldn't you drink your protein shakes before or during a training session?
It seems to be common knowledge that you should consume your protein shake right after a training session for best effect. The sooner the better. I wonder why you shouldn't consume your shake right ...
4
votes
1answer
106 views
Why is it important to recuperate between workouts?
After intensive workouts muscle soreness is a common phenomenon. I heard, that it is important to recuperate before working out again.
However, I had the following experience: During a two week bike ...
4
votes
1answer
1k views
Do people who lift weights twice per week need less protein than people who lift three times per week?
Several exercise programs I've seen suggest lifting weights 3 times per week, but also say that progress can me made by only lifting twice per week (although it will be slower).
These sorts of ...
