Strength Training Challenge

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Replies

  • cindylu1962
    cindylu1962 Posts: 322 Member
    My Monday morning yoga instructor had a weekend class for yoga instructors. Needless to say, we did a lot of new things today.
    My balance wasn't good today. Some days are off. But it was challenging and I am sore tonight. We did a lot of hip and back work focusing on form. Holding up my arms and head in correct alignment for all the moves had to count as strength. I've got short but big arms. My nephew calls them T-Rex arms. Isn't he just the sweetest! I'm up for a massage from my hubby.

    In other news, my waist dropped another inch despite being stuck on the scale weight. I guess my workouts are doing good.

    Does anyone have any strength moves for wrists? I know it sounds weird, but mine are weak.

    Stay warm everyone.1931198p43maccgbb.gif
  • barbiecat
    barbiecat Posts: 17,194 Member


    Does anyone have any strength moves for wrists? I know it sounds weird, but mine are weak.

    what about push-ups??


    :bigsmile: :bigsmile: plank today two minutes.....I'm also doing squats with arm raises holding five pounds in each hand...still cautious about strength training.
  • linder4866
    linder4866 Posts: 11,413 Member
    Gym day--weight machines and fitness class of HIIT which were about half cardio/half toning.

    Jodios - when I go to the gym I usually spend 1.5 hours working out there and depending on my schedule I may do another 1 or more hours at home. Also depends on my energy level. I try to keep the level up with a rate exception in the 120+ minutes per day.

    Be strong my friends and Barbie---so glad you're able to do more strength training once again.

    Lin
  • scooterjay_wwis
    scooterjay_wwis Posts: 120 Member
    my son and I workout together, using free weights
    this is what we have come up with...
    Monday- chest and triceps
    Tuesday- Back and Biceps
    Wednesday- legs
    Thursday-Chest and triceps
    Friday-Back and Biceps
    Saturday- legs
    Sunday-OFF DAY
    We do a set of sit-ups at the end of each workout, using a sit-up bench.

    Is there a page where we all can report in, or do we just friend each other, and report back here?
  • barbiecat
    barbiecat Posts: 17,194 Member


    Is there a page where we all can report in, or do we just friend each other, and report back here?

    your plan sounds great...:bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile:

    I don't know if we are all official MFP friends, but we report in here regularly and encourage and support each other.:bigsmile:
  • cindylu1962
    cindylu1962 Posts: 322 Member
    Did the 10 minute solution: high intensity interval training yesterday. I am soooooo sore today, especially in the triceps.
    I was glad to complete the DVD for the first time since I received it and I'm kind of glad I can feel the work paying off.

    There are no weights used except for your own body. I have plenty of body weight to make that work.
    Yoga was great today. Helped stretch out everything.

    Have a great day and keep warm from freakin' freezin' Chicago.
  • jodios528
    jodios528 Posts: 379 Member
    I haven't been feel well the last couple of days. I took yesterday off and could only manage about 30 minutes of strength training today but did work my entire body. Hopefully I'll feel more myself tomorrow.

    Lin - you are amazing - that is a lot of working out

    Scooter jay - that is a great plan - we just all report back (although a number of us are MFP friends too).

    Cindylu - to strengthen wrists another option is to hold light dumbbells in your hands, palms and forearms facing up; elbows tight to your sides and bent at 90 degrees so your forearms are parallel to the floor. Then flex your wrists bringing your knuckles up towards the sky and slowly release down again

    Have a great day and stay warm! Jodios
  • linder4866
    linder4866 Posts: 11,413 Member
    Another gym day. I worked the weight machines as hard as I could today. The fitness class was intervals again---half of them strength moves, half cardio. Again, I worked as hard as I could and when I got a choice of stations at the end of class I picked arm and chest moves---one of my major weaknesses! Didn't move up to higher weights anywhere but I felt good about the level of effort involved.

    Best wishes to all---be strong.

    Lin
  • jodios528
    jodios528 Posts: 379 Member
    My back was a bit sore this morning so I did one of my easier circuit training DVD's (but I did up the weights). So I've gotten 2 strength training sessions in this week. I'm back on the road next week (out for 3 days) so hoping I can squeeze both in. Stay strong everyone

    Jodios
  • barbiecat
    barbiecat Posts: 17,194 Member
    :bigsmile: I did a three and half minute plank and five pushups today but I could feel an ache in my back that tells me that I must continue to be careful and not return to more strenuous activities too soon.......I can walk and dance the way I used to and I am grateful for that.....:bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile:
  • jodios528
    jodios528 Posts: 379 Member
    did some Pilates based strength training and toning. I really liked it and was able to sweat and burn some calories. I should be able to get one more strength session in this week. I'm on the road for work so no time to write more…stay strong everyone!

    Jodios
  • linder4866
    linder4866 Posts: 11,413 Member
    I got to the gym and did the weight circuit and then the fitness class both Tuesday and today. Today I did increase the weight on 3 of the upper body machines.

    Wishing everyone a happy and healthy week.

    Be strong.

    Lin
  • Katla49
    Katla49 Posts: 10,385 Member
    I'm a bit jealous that you're able to do so much. I have to wait until the wrist heals for yoga and circuit training. I've been spending a lot of time on the bike.
  • linder4866
    linder4866 Posts: 11,413 Member
    I got to the gym yesterday and did my usual circuit of weight machines, walked, and then attended a fitness class----tabatas. The weight room had 4 -5 people in it, the cardio machines had 2 folks and our class only 3 people. Quite an exclusive group!

    Wishing everyone the best possible. Hang in there---be strong.

    Lin
  • barbiecat
    barbiecat Posts: 17,194 Member
    Quick little mini-workout:

    45 crunches followed by one minute plank followed by 5 pushups


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  • linder4866
    linder4866 Posts: 11,413 Member
    I did 3 Leslie Sansone DVDs today and two of them included strength training/toning. So all my muscle groups got a turn at toning and strengthening.

    Thinking of you......wishing you well.

    Be Strong.

    Lin in Central Iowa
  • jodios528
    jodios528 Posts: 379 Member
    did the Butt Lift DVD - really worked my lower body. I don't have any dumb bells I can use here so won't be able to get back to my usual strength training until we are back home in a couple of days. I got several circuit training DVD's for the holidays that I can't wait to try. I'll share any new moves with you guys.

    Have a continued great holiday season!

    Jodios, temporarily in sunny, warm, So. Cal
  • jodios528
    jodios528 Posts: 379 Member
    did Jillian Michaels Hard Bodies DVD that I received for the holidays. My DD joined me. It was a great workout (circuit training so mixed in strength with cardio). I'm glad we started with level 1 - it was tough enough for us.

    I only gained .4 pounds over our visit to So. Cal. so very happy about that. My goal for the new year is to keep up my strength training and see if I can kick it up a notch to tone up more. I'll do cardio 2-3 x/wk and then a day of yoga to stretch it all out.

    Have a happy new year everyone!

    Jodios in very very cold N. Il
  • Katla49
    Katla49 Posts: 10,385 Member
    I went to the hand doctor yesterday and have been given permission to return to exercise provided it doesn't bend my hand back at the wrist. So that lets me back to most, if not all, of my circuit training. YAY! I'll be starting back at the fitness center the first of the year. Planks are also back on the okay list. I can even do down dog in yoga if I fist it instead of flat hand it. Waaah-HOOOOOOO!
  • jodios528
    jodios528 Posts: 379 Member
    Happy New Year everyone! did circuit training this morning with my DD. It was a great workout and so nice to have her for company. did upper, lower and core body. got to run, family will be over soon.

    katia - so glad you can start to circuit train again!

    Jodios in very snowy N. Il
  • linder4866
    linder4866 Posts: 11,413 Member
    Happy New Year to everyone---hope it is starting out well. I started a squat/pushup challenge yesterday---it's for the month of January and number of reps and sets climb each day. Days 1 and 2---okay so far! Due to some personal issues AND the really cold temperatures, going to the gym will likely be out of the question for a couple of weeks. Today I started doing the strength/toning portion of the Leslie Sansone DVD on Walk it Off in 30 Days (30 minutes of cardio 3X a week, 30 minutes of strength training 3X a week). It's a good workout and hits all the muscle groups.

    Talk to you soon.

    Be strong!

    Lin
  • Sreneesa
    Sreneesa Posts: 1,170 Member
    Did Jillian shred L1 day 9 w/ 3,5,7.5lb dumbbells. I do that every other day. Going to go onto bodybuild and find another strength training workout that more focuses on each muscle to add on my jillian days.

    I run on treadmill an average of an 50 mins 2-3x per week on the other days.
  • linder4866
    linder4866 Posts: 11,413 Member
    Happy New Year to everyone---hope it is starting out well. I started a squat/pushup challenge yesterday---it's for the month of January and number of reps and sets climb each day. Days 1 and 2---okay so far! Due to some personal issues AND the really cold temperatures, going to the gym will likely be out of the question for a couple of weeks. Today I started doing the strength/toning portion of the Leslie Sansone DVD on Walk it Off in 30 Days (30 minutes of cardio 3X a week, 30 minutes of strength training 3X a week). It's a good workout and hits all the muscle groups.

    Continuing the squat/push-up challenge and repeated the 30 minute strength/toning workout described above.

    Be Strong (and stay warm)!

    Lin
  • linder4866
    linder4866 Posts: 11,413 Member
    Happy New Year to everyone---hope it is starting out well. I started a squat/pushup challenge yesterday---it's for the month of January and number of reps and sets climb each day. Days 1 and 2---okay so far! Due to some personal issues AND the really cold temperatures, going to the gym will likely be out of the question for a couple of weeks. Today I started doing the strength/toning portion of the Leslie Sansone DVD on Walk it Off in 30 Days (30 minutes of cardio 3X a week, 30 minutes of strength training 3X a week). It's a good workout and hits all the muscle groups.

    Continuing the squat/push-up challenge and repeated the 30 minute strength/toning workout described above.

    Be Strong (and stay warm)!

    Lin

    Yep
    repeated again today. At least it's starting to warm up outside. But flu is on the increase so I plan to keep working out at home for a while.

    Be Strong.

    Lin
  • linder4866
    linder4866 Posts: 11,413 Member
    Happy New Year to everyone---hope it is starting out well. I started a squat/pushup challenge yesterday---it's for the month of January and number of reps and sets climb each day. Days 1 and 2---okay so far! Due to some personal issues AND the really cold temperatures, going to the gym will likely be out of the question for a couple of weeks. Today I started doing the strength/toning portion of the Leslie Sansone DVD on Walk it Off in 30 Days (30 minutes of cardio 3X a week, 30 minutes of strength training 3X a week). It's a good workout and hits all the muscle groups.

    Continuing the squat/push-up challenge and repeated the 30 minute strength/toning workout described above.

    Be Strong (and stay warm)!

    Lin

    Yep
    repeated again today. At least it's starting to warm up outside. But flu is on the increase so I plan to keep working out at home for a while.

    Be Strong.

    Lin

    Yep---did the same thing again yesterday.........

    Be strong?

    Lin
  • Poerava14
    Poerava14 Posts: 1,091 Member
    Good news is that I have been more active in the gym than I have on this board. :laugh: :laugh:
    I'm continuing weekly workouts with my trainer, and 'm learning lots of different exercises using resistance bands. I bought a full set with nice set with nice foam handles as my hands are small and weak. Even my husband has started to play around with them.

    There is a squat challenge going on with my colleagues in NY, and all the out-based staff (like myself) have been invited to join in. I HATE squats with a passion, so of course, I'm in! If I can complete even half the challenge that's growth for me.

    Lin: I just tried tabata for first time yesterday. Challenging. My trainer is going to help me find an app for my kindle so I can mimic the timing when I work out in the condo gym.

    Here's to a great New Year. Stay strong.

    -Rori
  • linder4866
    linder4866 Posts: 11,413 Member
    Rori - excellent!!! I think tabatas are wonderful conditioning and strengthening work. Good for you. Happy to hear your trainer is helping you find an app so you can do the same type of workout in the condo gym.:bigsmile:

    I got back to the squat/pushup challenge yesterday after the prescribed rest day. The challenge boosts up from 2 sets of the prescribed repetitions to 3 sets for the remainder of the month. I think I may have reached the capability of my shoulder for pushup reps. :ohwell: We'll see, if my shoulder continues to howl at me I will need to try for the total number of pushups per day but break them down into fewer reps in a set. :blushing:

    Also did the Leslie Sansone strength workout and upped the weights for the chest exercises. :smile:

    Keeping at it----! Best wishes to all and BE STRONG.

    Lin
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    a dedicated day for abs is really unnecessary. if strength training is done correctly, your abs get a great work out doing the session. if at the end of the session you'd like to do a few sets of direct ab work, that is fine.
  • Mighty_Rabite
    Mighty_Rabite Posts: 581 Member
    My own current new goal is a 425lb dead lift (405 is my current best), and it would be pretty neat to get to a 315lb bench press by the end of this year, although that is a solid 20% jump from where I last benched.

    I have more or less set "ultimate" goals of a 315lb bench, 405lb squat, and 495lb dead lift, but if I happen to hit those one day, I refuse to stop at them.
  • linder4866
    linder4866 Posts: 11,413 Member
    YESTERDAY - another day of the January squat/pushup challenge and the strength training DVD. Yes!!

    Be strong and wishing everyone well.

    Lin