All Questions
30
votes
2answers
15k views
How do I properly breathe while swimming freestyle?
While using the freestyle technique of swimming, what is the proper way to breathe? Is using the nose to breathe out while under better or is there any difference? Is there a specific number of ...
15
votes
9answers
4k views
What to do with sore muscles
Say I have done some exercise and the next few days I am rather sore in certain muscles.
What is the best thing to do about that? Let them rest (avoid using them)? Use them a lot? Exercise more? Rub ...
7
votes
5answers
545 views
Is “Why We Get Fat: And What to Do About It” thesis correct? [closed]
Has anyone read "Why We Get Fat: And What to Do About It"? Here is the book on amazon.
His basic argument is this (my words):
The author argues that insulin in
large part is responsible for
...
29
votes
2answers
4k views
Are video games like Wii Fit Plus actually any good for losing weight?
Does anyone have an sources on this? I love the idea of playing video games to lose weight, just not sure how effective it is. At the end of my exercises it tells me your burned x calories, but not ...
18
votes
5answers
23k views
Tricks to lose weight in 48 hours
In the past 3 months I've lost 12.5kg/28 pounds doing it the "right" way:
Regular exercise with regular small low-fat meals.
I'm 178cm/5.84 feet and now weigh 73.5kg/162 pounds.
The biggest ...
7
votes
2answers
3k views
How does muscle size relate to strength?
I've heard it often that the size of muscles, for example biceps, is not realted to how strong someone is. Is this true?
See for example this image of Gu Yanli who won the strongest man championship ...
7
votes
3answers
1k views
What exercises can I do to reverse a 'hunch'
I had been a avid weight lifter and runner for a number of years, but I slacked off for a few (4) years and have gotten to be in pretty rough shape. I've also noticed that I've developed something of ...
3
votes
5answers
517 views
Exercise for six pack abs
I want to have six pack abs and I am doing 6 different exercises for that. But none of them more than 10 times. Is it sufficient or do I need to increase the number of repetitions?
Could anyone ...
23
votes
2answers
756 views
How to get enough Protein as a vegetarian? [closed]
Is is possible to take on enough protein to build muscle whilst eating a vegetarian diet?
Many sources of proteins such as meat, poultry and fish are obviously ruled out.
Do you have experience of ...
17
votes
3answers
4k views
What is the purpose of 'cooling down'?
After a hard work out, it's generally a good idea to not stop immediately, but rather to cool down. What is the specific purpose of cooling down? Does not properly cooling down affect the actual ...
16
votes
2answers
2k views
Improve breathing and increase lung capacity
Whenever jogging for long distances after some time I feel my breathing is quite laboured. The only solution is to slow down my pace for a while before proceeding. I have checked with my GP and I ...
14
votes
6answers
402 views
Best warm up for running
Trying to figure out the best warmup routine for running. I see a few articles that say you shouldn't do any stretching before warming up given cold muscles. This article for example, just states ...
12
votes
4answers
749 views
Why does cardio/aerobic exercise lead to muscle loss?
Recently, I've been reading a lot about how cardio reduces muscle mass and strength.
The following is an excerpt from crossfit.com that seems to sum up what I've been reading:
Aerobic training ...
8
votes
2answers
933 views
How do I know how much weight I should be lifting with dumbells?
I was just given a set of weights - adjustable weight dumbells - as a present, but I have no idea what sort of weights/how many reps I should be doing in order to achieve the best results.
I'm ...
5
votes
3answers
4k views
How accurate is the Navy Body Fat Calculator?
I've been using the Navy Body Fat Calculation method for about two months in conjunction with an exercise regimen. It's done it's job as far as telling me that I'm loosing body fat and gaining lean ...
14
votes
4answers
2k views
How does alcohol really affect gains?
I have been training with a personal trainer now for about a year; we work four days a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday) and do bodybuilding splits. So, we do dynamic lower core, heavy ...
13
votes
9answers
611 views
Improving freestyle swimming pace
I've started getting into freestyle swimming after doing a moderate amount of running for a long time (~50 km a month).
I am doing three 1000m sessions a week and have improved to the point of ...
10
votes
5answers
4k views
Dangerous to use barbell squat without padding?
Are you supposed to use foam padding on the bar when doing barbell squats? The answer seems inconsistent even from the same professional bodybuilder. I've seen Arnold Schwarzenegger sometimes go bare ...
8
votes
2answers
413 views
Is working out a healthy alternative to combat RSI (Repetitive Stress Injuries)
I was reading questions on Programmers and I came across this one where a use is having issues with a Repetitive Stress Injury from typing. It got me thinking, is exercise alone a viable alternative ...
7
votes
5answers
8k views
How many days in a week should I work out?
I'm self-employed, which means I can arrange my time however I want, therefore I can hit the gym every day in a week. I also do have the energy to do so.
But, I've heard it's not a good idea. Why so? ...
15
votes
5answers
2k views
What kind of cardio exercises can be performed without a gym or fitness equipment?
For a healthy heart, I've got myself into a habit of stopping by the gym after work and using the fitness equipment (treadmill, stair machine, etc.) or using the stationary bike I have at home.
...
11
votes
6answers
4k views
Squat /Deadlift with torn ACL?
I tore my left knee ACL 6 months playing soccer. After the incident I was able to go to a Dr and he told me I need to let the inflammation come down and then get surgery. He said I don't need to do ...
11
votes
1answer
337 views
Should you still exercise when sick?
Should one continue to exercise even when sick? I know it may depend on the sickness, but what about minor things like a cold or fever? Are there chronic sicknesses where you should still regularly ...
10
votes
5answers
908 views
What should be recorded in my workout journal
What kinds of information should be kept in my workout journal? Should it just be a matrix of stats (exercise name, weight, reps, and date) or is there other important information that should be ...
8
votes
2answers
323 views
Keeping track of muscle dimensions
I am looking for tools and procedures to keep track of changes in sizes of muscles.
(or groups of muscles like upper arms and chest). (1)
How feasible is this? (2)
Are more subjective measures like ...
7
votes
3answers
8k views
How long should I wait with eating after an exercise?
I hear sometimes that after running you should wait with eating for 30 or 40 minutes (may be the metabolism is still in fat burning mode?).
What is the reason for this advice? How long exactly should ...
6
votes
3answers
1k views
How to strenghten my wrists?
While my wrists are fine in general, some of the more strenuous exercises I (try to) do are painful sometimes; for example, one-armed pushups. I used to have more problems, even when doing pull ups ...
5
votes
3answers
491 views
Absolute Beginner in Weight Training
History:
I am an absolute beginner to the world of fitness and nutrition. I'm a classical geek that spends most of the time in front of the computer writing code, fixing stuff.
I've purchased a set ...
5
votes
2answers
551 views
What is the correct form for a deadlift?
I asked my gym instructor to check my deadlift form last night and he said I was doing it wrong. According to him:
My hips were too low at the starting position - he says the hips should be as high ...
4
votes
1answer
214 views
Fat burning supplements and their efficacy
I understand that the general consensus is that one should rather rely on exercise/training and proper nutrition to lose fat.
However, I'm wondering what else can be used to accelerate this process. ...
3
votes
4answers
331 views
Any suggestions on how I could improve my workout routine?
Me: 6'5", 195 lbs, eat fairly healthy, drink on weekends, always been tall and skinny
Desired results: increase upper body mass and definition
My Current workout routine (each day is usually 45 mins ...
2
votes
4answers
1k views
What are good books on muscle building heavily based on science?
Please suggest few books on the topic of muscle building, that are heavily backed by scientific research.
I prefer them to be light on concrete training programs, but heavy on facts and research ...
2
votes
5answers
297 views
What are good ways to prevent shoulder injuries?
I'll start this:
Shoulder "dislocations" - great for improving shoulder mobility
23
votes
5answers
1k views
How much water is too much?
I know, that there is the standard 8x8oz glasses or ~ 3 liters of water per day. But today I read, that since about 75% of muscle is water, people using their muscles intensively need more water, ...
18
votes
3answers
796 views
Shoes for Weightlifting
What shoes have you found to be most effective for exercises like squats and deadlifts etc.?
17
votes
10answers
2k views
Running with a backpack
I carpool to work in the mornings but I run home after work. I have tried running with a regular backpack and that didnt work. It bounced up and down too much and wore out my shoulders. I am now ...
10
votes
4answers
2k views
Does lactose inhibit fat loss?
In Tim Ferriss' The Four Hour Body, the claim is made that lactose intake seems to inhibit fat loss. Note that it is not claimed that it causes fat gain. Like many claims in this book, it is (and the ...
9
votes
3answers
496 views
I'm a casual runner & active human. Do I need to work out my legs + lower body?
I'm 27 and I'm in pretty good shape. I'm getting in even better shape, having signed up for a gym membership a couple months ago for the first time in my life. I've been hitting some free weights, pec ...
9
votes
3answers
540 views
Why is body mass index so widely used to determine ideal body weight?
Given the fact that it doesn’t distinguish between lean body weight and fat weight, why is body mass index so widely used to determine ideal body weight?
When I started seriously exercising a number ...
8
votes
3answers
393 views
Doing Starting Strength once a week
I'm new to strength training, and, for the time being, can do it only 1 once a week (or maybe every other week). I do aerobic several times a week, and, currently, can't give it up.
Should I follow ...
7
votes
7answers
686 views
How to count laps while swimming?
I always lose track of laps while swimming more than 1km freestyle in a pool.
Is there any gadget or technique which helps counting laps?
7
votes
1answer
1k views
How to measure balance?
Balance is important: studies have shown it helps prevent injury (for example, this study (in Spanish)), it's useful when transitioning to barefoot/minimalist running (see this or this) and ...
7
votes
4answers
1k views
How do I prevent and/or treat dehydration?
There have been a few times that after a workout that I've gotten dehydrated. Are there preventive steps to dehydration that can be done before/during the workout?
If, after the workout or during ...
7
votes
2answers
2k views
Fruit juice or water? [closed]
Can water be replaced with fruit juice? So instead of drinking a certain amount of water daily, would it be better to get your H2O from fruit juices?
Edit 1:
How about veggi juice?
6
votes
1answer
186 views
How to improve symmetry in both strength and size
I have noticed lately that I lack symmetry in my arms (biceps and triceps, not forearms). This lack of symmetry also follows through to the strength and endurance in the weaker arm.
With my dominant ...
6
votes
5answers
635 views
My legs still ache 3-4 days after legs day
I have been working out for ~6 months and have worked my legs once per week throughout this time, on their own day.
My legs, especially my quads, ache to the point of finding it hard to walk, ...
6
votes
2answers
1k views
Is it ok to heel-strike while walking?
I know that, while running, humans aren't designed to land heel-first, and should, instead, land on the balls of their feet. I've tried this while walking, but it is much more difficult to do, and I'm ...
5
votes
3answers
364 views
What should I look for in a fitness exercise mat?
I want to buy an exercise mat. I just did a quick check on Amazon and it was like I expected, you get mats in all different price ranges.
What are possible differences between cheap and expensive ...
5
votes
4answers
2k views
What are some good alternative shoes for strength training?
According to this article, the principles for a good weight lifting shoe has the following properties:
Not slippery
Incompressible soles
Excellent support
Snug fit
Among the cheapest alternatives ...
4
votes
2answers
251 views
General nutrition for normal people where weight loss isn't a goal [closed]
I've always been at a healthy weight and now I'm in my 30's I want to make sure that I'm taking care of myself and consuming the right foods.
Considering there is so much information out there, bias, ...
