11
votes
5answers
1k views
Pushing past a weight plateau?
My girlfriend has been on Weight Watchers for quite awhile and although she's lost a considerable amount of weight, she's still over 60 lbs away from her final goal. The problem is that for over the ...
11
votes
4answers
3k views
Push-up Variations
Are there some push-up variations I can do to work the biceps or shoulder muscles? Illustrations or pictures would be appreciated as well.
11
votes
3answers
6k views
When I wake up after a two hour nap I feel like I was hit by a truck.
The day of or the day after a gym session I'll often grab a nap on the couch after work around 8pm. I'll fall asleep for a couple of hours and wake up on my own. When I do wake up I feel like I'd ...
11
votes
2answers
553 views
Why are push-ups and sit-ups so common?
Growing up in many school activities we were made to do sit-ups and push-ups. In Navy Cadets we did pushups and situps whenever we exercised. I have also seen it included in many general fitness ...
11
votes
7answers
554 views
Can I be serious about getting into great shape if I have an office job?
I'm a web developer. I spend 5 days a week, 8-10 hours per day in front of my PC in a chair.
I want to get in insanely good shape. I don't mean I want to be a little stronger than the average person, ...
11
votes
5answers
619 views
Is increasing resistance the only possibility to build more muscle mass?
I've often read and heard that you can only build more muscle-mass (get stronger), if you continuously increase the resistance weights (e.g. here).
But for me, it's the case that I'm often not able ...
11
votes
3answers
294 views
What are the best ways for a beginner to ease into running?
I have never been able to run even a quarter of a mile straight. Even now, at 23 years old, I have to stop and catch my breath. I'd like to take up running. What are the best ways to ease into it?
11
votes
8answers
815 views
Reading while doing cardio.
A while back I read in the Bodybuilding Bible, that if you are able to read while doing cardio - You're doing it wrong!.
Now since then, I've always kinda smiled to myself at the gym, when seeing ...
11
votes
3answers
2k views
Can I workout six days a week with only 6 hours of sleep a night?
For the past two weeks, I've been getting up at 5:30AM every day to workout. I do a DVD-based workout at fairly high intensity. Because of my life demands, I've only been able to fit in about six ...
11
votes
3answers
7k views
What is a jump rope good for?
I have a jump rope, and my pulse sure goes up while jumping. But what am I exercising exactly?
11
votes
1answer
4k views
Daily stretch routine to increase flexibilty and overall fitness?
Is there a standard (as much as can be standard) stretch routine that if used regularly over a period of time will increase/maintain flexibility and help my overall fitness level?
I have a set of ...
11
votes
4answers
746 views
Reduce sweat rate?
Does anyone know how to reduce one's sweat rate? Currently I lose about 3lbs of sweat an hour when I run, even on mild days where the temp. is around 60-70 degrees. As I'm training for ultras, I'd ...
11
votes
2answers
7k views
Working out after a long period of not exercising
I haven't worked out in about 2 years and I want to start exercising again. My diet is also pretty bad- I eat a lot of fast food. I am only about 5 pounds over weight though, (5'10, 155 lbs) but I ...
11
votes
2answers
1k views
What does it actually mean “anaerobic pulse zone”?
Can someone put in human terms what does it mean to work out in "anaerobic pulse zone"?
Update: I mean anaerobic heart rate in context of running on a treadmill. I'm 26 and while running on 12km/h ...
11
votes
5answers
7k views
Why is it bad to sit down immediately after the exercise?
I've heard numerous times that you should not sit down immediately after the exercise when the heart rate is high and you should stand and walk around for a bit. However I don't remember a convincing ...
11
votes
1answer
418 views
Can vinegar cause fat loss?
I keep hearing about vinegar being used for weight loss. There is at least one study to back this up.
Here's a link to the study: Vinegar Intake Reduces Body Weight, Body Fat Mass, and Serum ...
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
5answers
2k views
Mixing weight training and cardio/strength
I do several times a week strength and cardio training (Thai boxing, to be specific), but also try to mix in extra weight sessions to build up muscle mass.
Is it good or bad to mix these two? I've ...
11
votes
1answer
541 views
What's the difference between Whey Isolate and Whey Concentrate in shakes?
What's the difference? I'm looking at shake options and some contain whey isolate, some contain whey concentrate and some both.
11
votes
2answers
2k views
What is the proper way to run?
What is the proper form for running? I find that whenever I run, even for a short distance, I end up hurting my legs. Sometimes my shins hurt, but most of the time after a little running the bottom of ...
11
votes
3answers
543 views
Does heavy lifting affect steadiness and precision?
I do a fair amount of weightlifting; in particular heavy compound lifts power-lifting style. I also compete on a target pistol team. Over the years, I've heard a number of coaches and marksmen ...
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 ...
11
votes
1answer
145 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 ...
11
votes
2answers
820 views
Can I get sugar and electrolytes from natural sources, as opposed to goo, during a race?
I'm a long distance runner thats not really a fan of all the goo type products.
I'm curious if there are any natural sources of concentrated sugars with the right balance of electrolytes for long ...
11
votes
1answer
455 views
Are 15 reps too many for increasing muscular endurance?
I'm going to gym and i want to improve muscular endurance . My trainer (actually he's not a professional trainer, and i'm not trusting him) told me you have to do high reps with low weights .
For ...
11
votes
3answers
3k views
How to prepare the body for workout in the early morning?
I usually do sports only in the afternoon or in the evening, because my body needs several hours to work properly after I get up in the morning. I can perform mental tasks very well in the morning and ...
11
votes
1answer
2k views
What kind of exercises can I do to strengthen my ankle?
I've been running for about 5 years now and almost every year I get problems on the medial side of my shins. If I keep running, eventually the soft tissue even swells up enough to be palpable and ...
11
votes
1answer
587 views
Burning calories: Using elliptical type equipment
While ellipticals offer stationary movement with low impact on the knees, they also seem to offer burning off insane amounts of calories when compared to equal time/work on a treadmill.
Same brand ...
11
votes
2answers
247 views
Is there a benefit to weightlifting without pushing yourself?
Sometimes when I'm at the gym, I am not motivated enough or I don't feel energetic enough to really push myself and force myself to really struggle with those last 2-3 reps in each set. Times like ...
11
votes
5answers
8k views
Is it bad that my feet turn outward when I run?
I recently started going to a personal trainer and he noticed that my feet turn out to the sides when I run. He said that I should try to correct this, but I'm not sure how to do it. Is it bad that I ...
11
votes
3answers
5k views
How can I train to run a sub-45 minute 10k?
I have joined a charity race in 1 and a half month's time. (I have 7 weeks before the race)
My PB for 10k is 48:45.
I have been running on and off since then but I can still run a 26 min 5k if I ...
11
votes
3answers
488 views
Dumbbell weight training for distance running
What weight training exercises can I do with dumbbells that will benefit me most for running 5-10ks? Are stomach crunches/sit ups worth doing too?
10
votes
3answers
363 views
What do I do when I see people at the gym doing exercises wrong
I am always curious about this, not sure if its appropriate question, but I imagine others wonder the same thing. I usually don't care when it is simple exercises like biceps, but sometimes I see ...
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 ...
10
votes
8answers
1k views
what exercises are good (and bad) for striking speed in martial arts?
Since being told that biceps are bad for punching speed, I've toned down the amount of pull-ups I do, and switched to a wide grip with palms facing away to emphasize the lats more than the biceps. Now ...
10
votes
3answers
2k views
Does muscle really “turn into” fat?
You often hear people say "My muscle turned into fat" to explain why they used to be strong and in shape but now they are on the somewhat rotund side.
My question is how does that transition actually ...
10
votes
5answers
3k views
Why aren't stiff legged deadlifts bad for your back?
It seems to me they go against everything safe about lifting! Lifting with your lower back and not your legs.
Image source
Anyone have any thoughts on the safety and science behind them?
10
votes
2answers
126 views
What are the main types of running shoes and which should I select?
I have heard there are really three main classes of running shoe types:
Neutral
Motion Control
Stability
How would I decide which kind I should purchase?
10
votes
5answers
801 views
How serious are the dangers to rapid weight loss?
I started getting serious about weight loss recently and have reduced my calorie intake somewhat significantly. I've been doing this for about 6 weeks now and the results have been very satisfying.
...
10
votes
6answers
3k views
What are the top intensive bodyweight exercises?
I am 22 and have tried two gyms, but I always fall back to burpees.
I am looking for more exercises that
are fun to do.
require only bodyweight (and minimal equipment).
are intensive and have even ...
10
votes
4answers
8k views
Does boiling time change an egg's nutritional content? [closed]
(source: wikipedia)
Is there any difference between nutritional content or digestibility of half-boiled eggs (the white is still runny), soft-boiled and hard-boiled eggs? Please explain
10
votes
6answers
564 views
What is the least damaging way to eat unhealthy food? [closed]
I've been on a reduced calories diet for past 4 months and lost about 20kg, but I keep on getting sweet tooth.
The main unhealthy thing that I eat is mostly 85% chocolate, which I usually eat after ...
10
votes
3answers
802 views
What is the effective weight when doing push-ups?
I want to know what is the effective weight of doing push-ups. What would be the weight of the dumbbell/ barbell to do a bench press with the same resistance as a push-up. I understand this depends on ...
10
votes
3answers
540 views
Cardio before or after exercise?
I usually do a 10-20 mins Cardio (Treadmill/Elliptical/Cycling) before I go for the weights and other exercises. Is this a good practice? Would there be any advantages if I order my routine ...
10
votes
2answers
426 views
When fat is burnt, where is it taken from?
I'm just curious if there is a general pattern of where fat is taken when it is spent during exercise. Is it taken more or less equally from all fat in the body, are some areas used more than others, ...
10
votes
4answers
5k views
what is the best thing to eat right before a workout?
I have two related questions:
What is the best time to eat before working out and what is the best thing to eat to get a good workout? Same question for post workout (should I eat immediately or ...
10
votes
2answers
3k views
Should you work through soreness?
I started working out on Tuesday and today is my second workout. I did squats on Tuesday and today my legs are still so sore I have trouble going from standing to sitting, sitting to standing, and ...
10
votes
3answers
1k views
How to do a one-arm pushup?
I'd like to do a one-arm pushup. I'm aware of the guide on Beastskills, but it fails to get into much specifics on how to actually progress to it (for the record, I'm trying to do what is referred in ...
10
votes
3answers
14k views
Will wearing ankle weights all day long make any difference?
If I wore them when I'm not exercising, like if I wore them at work (I work in an office), or at home, all day, would it be like a passive form of exercise?
To estimate how much I walk: I guess I ...
10
votes
3answers
243 views
Light-headedness after squats
My final set of squats has me going until I can do no more. I usually stop when I feel one more rep may or may not might be possible, but it's going to totally wipe me out trying. I usually sense that ...
