Daily Chat Thread
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Those ultra runners sound NUTS - I love snow, but only if I can ski on it!
So, I did the GRIT class before work - only half an hour so ideal really. Didn't really know what to expect, but quite enjoyed it - definitely a cardio workout rather than a strength workout, although I can obvs put more weight on the bar. I had to chuckle though because I was told that my squats were too deep! All that time aiming for ATG, and for this class I've got to go back to 3/4 squats with 10kgs on the bar!
Well, I figure if I use it as cardio, in the same way as I use the occasional spin or combat class, it is a nice addition to have to my options.
Back to my "normal" workout, though, tomorrow morning - legs....It will be interesting to see if today's high rep class means that tomorrow's leg day is tougher.
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Kimi - always nice to have options, especially if it is fun and social! Glad that you found a trainer that you like!
Samntha - glad your husband is safe! I can do down to about 0 degrees F, but beyond that I get wimpy. Can't imagine -40!
Stephie - surprisingly not that bad. Was really only a little cold the first mile but warmed up. I layer up though. Tomorrow is supposed to rain for my longer run though. Don't know how well I will tolerate that!
Squat day today.
Squats -1x5@33lbs, 1x5@53 lbs, 1x5@80 lbs, 1x5@85 lbs, 3x3@90 lbs
Romanian deadlifts - 4x8@83 lbs
RFESS - 4x8@BW
Farmer walks - 4@35 lbs dbs
Reverse lunges - 4x8@33 lbs
Reverse hyper - 4x30@BW
Valslide push aways - 4x10
Reverse crunches - 5x100 -
My planned trip to the gym this morning was curtailed by the fact that hubby's got car troubles, so needed to use my car today.....so I did a quick HIIT session at home instead. Not ideal, but better than nowt!
Hoping the car will be fixed by the weekend so I can get back to my usual routine! I didn't feel any real "effects" from yesterday's GRIT class - in some ways that is good because hopefully it means that when I do it, it won't have too much of a negative impact on my subsequent lifting sessions.....but in other ways I am disappointed that I don't have DOMS to prove I have worked!!!
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Kimi - haha, definitely good to not feel DOMS! Good to get work in that you can recover from easily. Sorry about your husband's car, car troubles are so annoying.
Could not force myself out of bed for a 4.5 mile run in the pouring rain at 4:30 this morning, especially since I didn't get home until 10 pm last night due to work meetings. I did manage 2 miles of intervals on the treadmill though. Better than nothing. Legs are still a bit fatigued from squats yesterday, so want them to heal up anyway to do deadlifts tomorrow, so maybe it was for the best anyway.0 -
Happy Friday, everyone!
Deadlift day today. Not sure what it was, but went so much easier than last week! Maybe more recovered due to not running as much on Thursday. Will have to consider that for the future. Or maybe just mental.
Deadlifts -
1x5@103, 1x5@115, 1x5@120, 3x3@130. 130 felt almost easy today, and I couldn't even get it off the ground last week. Spent some time looking at the Stronglifts website and decided to narrow my stance. Either that or recovery certainly helped.
Inverted row - 5x8
Chin ups - 10x3 with assist band. These also felt really strong today. Making progress!
Meadow rows - 5x12 with bar only
Cable low rows - 4x12 with resistance band
Bent over DB row - 4x12@20
15 min incline treadmill walk
But the most exciting thing is that my little niece is scheduled to be born today! I think I'm more excited than I was for my own kids! Can't wait to get my baby snuggles later on
Have a great weekend, all!1 -
Well done on the deadlifts, and the chin up progress! Enjoy those baby snuggles later!
Rest day for me today. I've fallen into the habit of Saturday being my cardio day (ie my long run day) but the weather has turned icy here, and I am nervous about my knee, so I've scheduled a couple of classes in at the gym instead. My once a year go at Zumba is on the list.....I may do more damage wiggling my hips out of time to latino music than I would do on the ice, but hey ho!
Talking of the ice - I got off the bus early today to walk in, despite the snow, but my way of walking must have been very different due to the conditions, because my fitbit registered "21 mins elliptical" rather than the usual "walk"!!! I have no idea what I must have looked like as I slipped along the pavements to work!!!
Have a good weekend everyone!0 -
Great progress @AigreDoux !
I had to pick my husband up from the airport Wednesday at 11:30pm, so I got 5 hours of sleep. I was a miserable wench all day, then I came home from work Thursday and took a 2 hour nap. I would have stayed asleep but the children needed to eat.
Friday was an awesome day!
Dragged my butt out of bed, was late to work, BUT I came home with some energy. Got in my workout with decent weights AND I did my intervals. I'm retaining a little water today because DAMN I worked hard.0 -
Got in a lot of volume today.
S5B5: Back Lunge 3x12@25s, Inverted Row 3x12@Waist, KB Swing 3x12@30, SAPP 3x12@25 Good increase.
Then I did some intervals with the battle ropes, and Then I did a one mile walk with the dog and I'm doing housework. I make for my low energy days with my high energy days.0 -
Nice workout, Sam!
Kimi - good idea to be careful on the ice!
Yesterday did half of my OHP workout
OHP - 1x5@33, 1x5@40, 1x5@45, 3x3@45
Lateral DB raise - 4x10@8 lbs dbs
Scrape the rack press - 4x8@35 lbs
Reverse curl - EZ bar
Got interrupted cause of trying to fit in my daughter's school play and visiting my new niece in the hospital.
Today I ran 7 miles this morning.
Really ought to go finish that workout from yesterday, and clean the kitchen while the kids are napping. But sitting here at the computer instead
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Sometimes you just need some downtime. Nice run though. I go a mile and feel like a did a damn marathon.0
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Aigre - 7 miles is awesome!!
Sam - great workout, lots of stuff getting done over there!
Today was heavy lower (I apologise I keep forgetting to check in, always seems to be on heavy days!)
Squats: 3 x 6 @ 65kg
Deadlifts: 2 x 6 @ 80kg
Split squats: 2 x 8 each leg @ 20kg
Stiff legged deadlifts: 2 x 8 @ 20kg
(Was supposed to be 3 sets of the split squats and SLDL, but I ran out of time)
Also got an offer on our house!!! So if you can all keep your fingers crossed over the next few days hopefully we will accept at some level and then put an offer in on the house we want to move to!
ETA: Aigre I hope you appreciate my leggings
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Stephie I LOVE them! Brings back my childhood My Little Pony memories Where do you find such things? It's got to be someplace that doesn't sell in the US. 0
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They are called "Tikiboo leggings", and I have only found them on a UK site, but maybe they are sold somewhere in the US. They're so awesome every day is rainbow and unicorn day. Haha 0
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Oh man, I totally need some rainbow unicorn leggings but their US site doesn't seem to work. Boo!
Congrats on the offer on the house! So exciting and stressful all at the same time!
Bench day today:
Incline bench - 1x5@35, 3x3@60, 2x2@65 lbs. I was surprised that 65# went up as easily as it did! Last rep was a bit of a grind, though.
Decline bench - 5x6@35.5 lbs
Narrow grip DB BP - 5x6@15 lbs dbs
DB chest fly - 4x8@12 lbs dbs
Overhead tricep press - 4x12@10 lbs
Then changed up and out the door for a 2 mile run. Got in my protein oatmeal right afterwards. Recipe needs work, a lot of work. (1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup skyr, 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1 scoop chocolate protein, and a handful of blueberries). Too runny and slimy, but I got it down to try to maximize my gainz.
Looking forward to leg day tomorrow and using my new knee sleeves, though I am totally not legit enough for them.0 -
Hello all- I am working through Strong- since Christmas. I am swimming one day a week and skiing every other week. I wish I was skiing more because we have had tons of snow. The kids are on their seventh snow day.
Strong is going well but I am lifting at home and there is some equipment I miss from the gym.
I am hoping to pick up a used squat rack next.
I am excited about th women's march. I will be marching locally but would love to hear how it goes in Washington .0 -
Hey all, sorry have been reading but not replying. I've been on holidays - got training and combat in as per usual. My coach is MIA - chest infection apparently. So I've been utilising the time to rest my injury and work on my squat form. Nothing new or exciting lol.
Aigre - I'm no fan of shakes but what was the issue? The oatmeal? The rest sounds like it would work lol. I'm a fan of using frozen fruit when I make smoothies for the kids - a frozen banana adds a delicious thickness0 -
Pmagna - nice! I love skiing but don't get a chance to go much these days!
Jo - all sorts of nasty bugs going around. I think the underlying issue is my dislike of the taste of protein powder, particularly the sucralose they all seem to be sweetened with. Today did 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1/2 cup skyr, 1/2 scoop chocolate protein powder, 2 tblsp chocolate PB2, 1/4 cup milk, 20g raisins. Was a lot better. Maybe needed a pinch of salt and a touch more milk.
Squat day today:
Back squats - 1x5@53 lbs, 3x3@90 lbs, 2x2@95 lbs.
RDL - 4x8@83 lbs
RFESS - 4x8@10 lbs
Farmer walks - 35lbs dbsx4
Reverse lunges - 4x8@38 lbs
Back extensions - 4x30
Valslide push aways - 4x10
Reverse crunches - 5x10
Knee sleeves worked well but goodness do they make my poor legs look like sausages!0 -
Aigre - You got knee sleeves, amazing! I'm adding that to my list (which already includes a belt and fractional plates!)
Upper heavy day today
Bench press: 3 x 6 @ 37.5kg got a little concerned on my very last rep that I was going to need saving, but got it up there
DB row: 3 x 6 each side @ 15kg
OHP: 1 x 6 @ 25kg
Lat pulldown (underhand grip): 1 x 5 @ 47.2kg (was supposed to be 6 reps)
Lateral raises: 3 x 10 @ 2 x 5kg
Bicep curls: 3 x 8 @ 2 x 5kg
Don't find upper day very taxing, my arms are tired, but overall I feel good. Liking my upper/lower split right now.0 -
Pmagnanifit wrote: »
I am excited about th women's march. I will be marching locally but would love to hear how it goes in Washington .
Me, too! I am marching locally (Canada!), but am really hoping we get good (tv or online) coverage of what is going on in Washington, DC.0 -
Hi ladies! I've been doing a bit of a mixed bag of stuff this last week or so, but definitely working my poor tired muscles! I did a zumba class, grit plyo and a cx (core) class on Saturday in place of my run. Then did 1.5 hours of lower body torture on Sunday, upper body strength on Tuesday and did combat before work this morning.
With upper body, I'm still struggling to improve OHP and I've failed at my bicep curls (3x10 @ 20kgs barbells) the last couple of sessions, so am looking into how best to take it back a step and strengthen my weakpoints. I'm thinking 21s for bicep curls and some sort of negatives for OHP.
I'm on point, foodwise - macros are working out ok and I am nicely in the habit of planning and hitting my targets within a reasonable range, but I am tired this week - not sure whether I am just on the fringes of getting hubby's cold, whether I'm trying to do too many things, or whether I just need winter to go and for me to get a good night's sleep! Perhaps I will look at upping my carbs a little bit to give me a bit more oomf....
Ah well, It's Thursday - a step closer to the weekend!
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Kimi - OHP is seriously the toughest for us ladies. It sucks. Pure and simple. I think playing with reps and accessories is the way forward. Bicep curls - couldn't care less lol. My biceps are awesome without even trying - almost every lift that uses arms will work them. If I isolate, I get sore elbows. And sleep is key.
I went to my doctor today to ask advice about my back..... am so sick of being injured. I have an x-ray tomorrow but think that's a waste of time tbh - pretty sure I don't have a fractured spine
I wanna deadlift. SULK0 -
Kimi - OHP sucks, we all agree. I sometimes do some push press just to mix it up, but would love to know of accesories to improve if any of you have used any.
Jo - sorry about your back
I hope the xray at least leads to other diagnosis stuff
Lower control day today
Paused squats: 6 x 4 @ 50kg
Paused deadlifts: 3 x 4 @ 60kg
Split squats: 2 x 8 each side @ 25kg
Stiff legged deadlift: 2 x 8 @ 25kg
Looooooads of people in the weights room today. Some older guy claimed he was the first person to squat 1000lbs.... I feel this is not true but obviously didn't call him out on it. Will now google it though 0 -
Sorry about your back, Jo....hope it gets sorted soon. In the meantime, patience! (easier said than done, I know!).
My arms were horrid before - when I started, I cried when I couldn't curl a 2kg dumbbell. Honestly, it was the pits. So I know I am making progress, really, and I know that the definition is coming. I also know we use our arms and shoulders during a lot of the compound lifts, so I don't want to go all "bro" on myself and curl in the squat rack....but I really do want to show off my arms and shoulders in the summer and get those "ooh, look at your arms" type of looks (yes, I am shallow. I'm not afraid to admit it".
Doing combat this morning, I could definitely see that I had more muscle definition than most, but I want shape, beauty and strength in them there arms - not much to ask, really, is it! lol!
My hubby lifts - he has a-ma-zing arms. Swooooooon.......1 -
Kimi - that is awesome you have seen so much progress! No shame in wanting something in particular.
Stephie - Too funny about 1000 lb squat guy. How did you find the paused workouts? Do you think it's helpful?
Jo - sorry to hear your back is still bothering you!
4.0 mile run for me this morning. Feeling the glutes/hams from yesterday. Hoping they recover a bit for tomorrow's deadlifts.0 -
Paused squats I think are brilliant - I have a HUGE tendency to bounce out of the hole and I feel like paused squats make me use many more muscles.
Paused deads I am unsure. I can see how they strengthen your back, but we'll wait and see.
The reason they are programmed in the program is to work on technique whilst still getting some decent time under tension.
Tomorrow I do spoto press (paused bench 1-2 inches above chest) which I find extremely useful, and I think if my bench is ever going to get better it will be because of spoto's.0 -
StephieWillcox wrote: »Tomorrow I do spoto press (paused bench 1-2 inches above chest) which I find extremely useful, and I think if my bench is ever going to get better it will be because of spoto's.
If you find this is your sticking point, you might want to work on the triceps. It is that part of the movement - a few inches off your chest - where they engage in the bench press. If that's where you usually get stuck, try increasing your tricep work too and you may find your bench improving. This is my sticking point also.... awesome biceps, crap triceps lol
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StephieWillcox wrote: »Tomorrow I do spoto press (paused bench 1-2 inches above chest) which I find extremely useful, and I think if my bench is ever going to get better it will be because of spoto's.
If you find this is your sticking point, you might want to work on the triceps. It is that part of the movement - a few inches off your chest - where they engage in the bench press. If that's where you usually get stuck, try increasing your tricep work too and you may find your bench improving. This is my sticking point also.... awesome biceps, crap triceps lol
Yes!!! This is ALWAYS where I get stuck. Get it off the chest no problem, get it up a bit higher than I stop for spoto, maybe 3-4 inches, and I am DONE! I can't move it at all. Will switch my accessories (or at least my bicep curls haha) for tricep stuff! (The accessories are all optional and switchable)1 -
Stephie - I am always humbled when I do paused squats. I don't like them because I have to lower weight so much to keep my form. But I should do more often.
Jo - so good to know that about triceps. That's where I usually get stuck too.
Deadlifts today:
Deadlifts - 1x5@103, 3x3@130, 2x2@135 (BW) Tested a slightly wider and slightly narrower stance again. Still feel better narrower. Go figure.
Inverted row - 5x8
Pull ups - 5x4, 5x3 (total 35) with band assist
Meadow row - 5x12 each arm with bar
Cable low row - 4x12 with resistance band
Bent over DB row - 4x12@20 lbs each arm. Back is always fried by this point and I have trouble even with the 20s.
Felt more worn out this week than last. Nutrition and sleep were comparable, I think, so the big difference was that I ran 4 miles yesterday instead of an easy 2 last Thursday. I guess i have to decide how much I care if running affects lifting and vice versa. My inclination is to take note and figure I will make slower progress, but still keep on going, I guess.0 -
Aigre - I must have gotten stronger, because pause squats used to feel like the devil, but I did pause squats at 50kg with no knee cave and everything felt pretty good!
Upper control day today
Spoto press: 6 x 4 @ 35kg This wasn't very hard, it's made me realise my bench is rubbish because I lose tightness. Keep the tightness and the weight moves. So something to work on
DB row with pause: 6 x 4 @ 15kg
OHP: 1 x 6 @ 30kg (BOOOOOOOOOM)
Lat pull down: 1 x 6 @ 47.2kg
Tricep pushdown - rope pull: 3 x 8 @ 12.5kg
Lateral raises: 8, 6, 6 @ 7.5kg DB's
Overall not too shabby, and I got to the gym 4 times this week so that's a bonus!
Have a good weekend all
P.s we put an offer in on a house last night, hopefully we'll sort out the actual price today/this weekend.
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Nice work Stephie.
That's a lot of pull ups Aigre - makes me realise I haven't done them in ages..... probably can't do one anymore lol
Yesterday was bench, OHP and squats - ugh. Took 2.5 hours! Crazy. Coach has been sick so not got a plan this week.... hopefully be back next week0
