GIFt us your lifts! (or other achievements!)

steveko89 wrote: »

I was never comfortable around other people at the gym in college so I'd often go at midnight or first thing Saturday/Sunday morning when everyone else was hungover. Can't imagine that would change now. I'll take my furry interlopers over other people any day.

KickassAmazon76 wrote: »

Yeah, I am so self conscious that I get severe anxiety thinking about going to an actual gym, with other people.

Part of me wants to be where the people are, and a bigger part of me is afraid of them. Lol

I feel this. What helped me is that when I first started lifting seriously, I worked with a trainer. She was phenomenal. Big on form and function over weight on the bar. As we continued to work together we moved from the private studio to the main gym- 1) Because the numbers I was starting to lift was starting to exceed what was available in the studio and 2) She wanted me to get used to being out in the main gym more. Almost conditioned me. Her intention with me was never to have me as a full time client, but to help me, build confidence, and have me be on my own.

I'm not a super social person so that's why I tend to be more annoyed when the gym is busy. The one thing I've learned however, is if they are there to seriously put in the work they don't care what you're doing as long as it doesn't effect them. If they aren't there to be serious, they probably don't know proper form or have anything to help me improve so I stopped caring.

I do think it's human nature to watch, and I do. Especially when someone does a huge lift because it's super gratifying to see them succeed. You do get to know others, and there can be a sense of community, I just don't tend to jive with the crowd that rushes in for social hour right after work. My people are the ones that are there after 730 that are there to get in the work and accomplish goals. We don't know each other by name, but we certainly notice when the other accomplishes something and that alone is exciting.

I'd still prefer a home gym, but until that actually makes financial sense and I don't have desire to use cables, and other specialty implements I'll keep going to the gym- but I will more than likely be looking for something different sooner than later.

springlering62 wrote: »

I am the weakest person at my gym. No question. But this is why I do it, and I figure screw ‘em if they don’t take the time to understand. Lifting has helped me with yoga goals.

And if it’s any comfort, I’m more embarrassed to share my lifting figures here. I value y’all, because you’ve been where I’ve been.

I’d rather achieve a new pose than a heavy anything, although gains there excite me, too.



This position doesn’t look hard but requires a lot of flexibility and core.

MOBILITY GOALS!!! - dude I’ve been trying to focus on my flexibility yoga training at least 4 times a a week Albeit short sessions. Being able to move fluidly helps every lift

steveko89 wrote: »

dsc84 wrote: »

KickassAmazon76 wrote: »

dsc84 wrote: »

I got to the gym earlier than normal last night. It was significantly busier than my normal time. I couldn't get to all of the equipment I needed so the workout was cut short last night. I'll be sure to be back at my normal time tonight to make up for the lifts I missed on. Days like yesterday that makes me think investing in a home gym would be worth it.

It's funny, but I sit here and wish I had a gym membership because I want access to so many machines / equipment / plates I don't have... and yet I forget that they have to actually be FREE to use too!

Great work, in spite of the busy-ness!

Don't get me wrong it's nice to have the access, it just means I have to go at non-prime times to guarantee access. So between 8PM and 4AM. Gym closes at 10 PM and opens at 4:30 AM, but with the 24 hour pass late nights are fine if you don't mind not sleeping

Every gym is different though. Mine is a commercial gym, and through my wife's work my membership is $15/month so I can't pass it up. But with it comes the lifters of every type (Teens, ego, experienced, talkers, etc. etc.) and it just creates chaos sometimes, and fills up other opportunities.

I was never comfortable around other people at the gym in college so I'd often go at midnight or first thing Saturday/Sunday morning when everyone else was hungover. Can't imagine that would change now. I'll take my furry interlopers over other people any day.

I'd change my gym for a homegym like yours any day, including the furrs (well probably because of the furrs)
I hate talking to people in the gym, and i always keep my headphones on, even if i do not have any music playing.
It's my way of saying *kitten* off, i do not wanna talk.

I am lucky my gym is around the corner of my home and work. And i can workout during my lunchbreak. I just eat my lunch behind desk 30 minites prior to working out

KickassAmazon76 wrote: »

I can't even touch my toes. I am hugely impressed! Awesomeness!! ❤️

Same, @springlering62. I always love seeing your posts and passion for being active. I had a bit of reality check on my mobility a few days ago; I saw a full body mobility warm-up posted by a physio I follow on IG and my ROM on the included stretches and postures was humbling, to say the least.

KickassAmazon76 wrote: »

Yesterday's workout. But stressed because my back is not happy and I had to stop one set short on my squats. I need it to calm the eff down!



Also... For @springlering62


Haha. I know, I'm so flexible hey? Hahaha

P.s. No judging the jammie pants... These things are sooooo comfy and they're long enough! 😂

100% thought you were wearing a maxi skirt and not PJ pants. That's about how far down I can get with no knee bend too.



This evidently is referred to as 'the world's greatest stretch' and the movement that smacked me in the face with my rigidity. Tried to do the elbow touch and was a several inches off the ground... I'm 32 years old.

KickassAmazon76 wrote: »

@springlering62 would you be interested in leading something like that? A stretch a day? Even if you're not doing it by gif, even picking one and posting a link... it could be a fun thing to do first thing every day. Just a thought.

Thanks for the shout out, but I’m not certified and have a general issue with people who instruct who aren’t.

I will say, though, my very favorite stretch is a simple hip circle. It loosens up a lot of joints and helps with back pain and stiffness in particular.

You just sit cross legged and rotate your body over your hips in a circle. Then do the other direction. Then cross your legs the other way and do both directions again. At least ten each way.

Minion_training_program wrote: »

springlering62 wrote: »

KickassAmazon76 wrote: »

@springlering62 would you be interested in leading something like that? A stretch a day? Even if you're not doing it by gif, even picking one and posting a link... it could be a fun thing to do first thing every day. Just a thought.

Thanks for the shout out, but I’m not certified and have a general issue with people who instruct who aren’t.

I will say, though, my very favorite stretch is a simple hip circle. It loosens up a lot of joints and helps with back pain and stiffness in particular.

You just sit cross legged and rotate your body over your hips in a circle. Then do the other direction. Then cross your legs the other way and do both directions again. At least ten each way.

I can't even sit cross legged...that's how stiff my hip is

I have those days. Instead of sitting cross legged, I stand and do exaggerated hula hoop moves.

Or, get on your hands and knees, and make sexy hip circles, and rock hips toward the ground on either side.

Or a standing wide legged forward fold and basically jiggle, rock, or circle hips for some relief.

One of my favorite poses to loosen up hips and low back, is just to lay flat on my stomach and vigorously shake my hips back and forth. If you get some good action going, it’s amazing what a good shake will do!

You might check out yin yoga. It’s a very slow and gentle yoga practice with long holds, mostly done at mat level, rather than standing. Anecdotally it is supposed to help rebuild fascia, the filmy sheets of stuff between muscles like you see when cutting up a chicken. Fascia decreases with age.

There are different sequences for different parts of the body.

A hip series will usually include (you can google these) a kneeling lunge on each side, “dragonfly” pose, janushasasana, lizard, and some form of pigeon pose.

Each side is held 3-5 minutes, with a minute of resting on your back between pairs, depending on the instructor, so you can typically get about six poses in per hour session.