Exercise & Fitness VII

[Stego]

on the same topic I'm curious why powerlifters, while very big, aren't cut like professional bodybuilders are. I wonder what purpose that little bit of fat serves. :dunno:

You're much stronger when you're fat. You lose a shit ton of muscle when cutting. But not all power lifters are fat... it depends on the weight class. I think you mean like... Strong Man competitions with no weight classes. In this they want to eat and eat and eat and take steroids that bloat them up a lot. :D

Bodybuilders do disgusting things to their bodies to make them cut for competition. You have no fucking idea.

Long distance running is just as good at removing muscle as it is at removing fat. Always keep this in mind.

[Fleeing Finn]

For the weightlifters among you:

I stumbled upon this video of Pyrros Dimas training today. It's the most impressive and inspirational training video I've ever seen. He makes it look ridiculously easy and effortless to lift these heavy weights, almost as if all these huge plates were made of styrofoam.

I love these Ironmind training videos. Dimas really makes weightlifting look easy and he had probably the strongest legs I've seen in the 85 kg class with never having problems getting up from the hole.

Another video of Dimas training also featuring Khaki and Rezazadeh:

[Fleeing Finn]

Powerlifters aren't too fat in the lower weightclasses same as in weightlifting. Remember the golden rule: fat does not contract. In the lower weightclasses you have no excuse for being fat. In the superheavies as long as you get stronger by getting fatter you can keep gobbling those burgers no matter how unsightly it makes you look.

[Liffguard]

Long distance running is just as good at removing muscle as it is at removing fat. Always keep this in mind.

The man speaks truth. This is why I prefer to do HIIT cardio training rather than long-distance training. Although, it's entirely dependent on your goals. For me, the loss of muscle would counteract the fat-loss benefits. Also, my sport favours a higher proportion of anaerobic fitness.

Define compound weightlifting. I use primarily machines because free weights are a hassle and my gym is well-equipped with every machine I could wish for. (as an aside, my favorite is the oblique machine. Nothing pops your back better than that thing pulling you to 90 degrees).

Capoeirista gave a good definition. A compound exercise is one that utilises more than one muscle group. So a bicep curl is a simple or isolation exercise. A pull-up is a compound exercise.

Regarding free-weights versus machines, I have to say I much prefer free-weights. I think machines are useful for introducing beginners to the sensation of resistance training but eventually everyone should move on to lifting free weights as well. There are a few reasons for this. My main gripe is that most machines force you into an unnatural range of motion. Everyone's bodies have their own quirks and limitations. No matter how adjustable a machine is, if the range of motion it forces you into is even slightly off from your body's natural range then you can start building muscle imbalances which will increase the risk of injury.

I won't deny that lifting free-weights is hard. You have to spend a fair amount of time perfecting the technique on the more difficult lifts like the squat, deadlift, shoulder press, bench press and row. This should be done with an experienced coach. However, in my opinion the benefits are worth the effort.

[Stego]

In the superheavies as long as you get stronger by getting fatter you can keep gobbling those burgers no matter how unsightly it makes you look.

Sorry, dude, I think the guys in most sports look like little pansies and most bodybuilders look like douches with the fake tans and banana hammocks. Power lifters look like guys I want on the Viking ship with me as we are about to take the city or next to me on the shield wall as we face the cavalry charge. Unsightly? I don't think it's unsightly to look like a badass motherfucker. None of those guys have rolls of blubber.

[Fleeing Finn]

Sorry, dude, I think the guys in most sports look like little pansies and most bodybuilders look like douches with the fake tans and banana hammocks. Power lifters look like guys I want on the Viking ship with me as we are about to take the city or next to me on the shield wall as we face the cavalry charge. Unsightly? I don't think it's unsightly to look like a badass motherfucker. None of those guys have rolls of blubber.

Yep I know that photo, it's regularly used in the internet to prove that all powerlifters are lean and in great shape. I wasn't referring to powerlifting only but also to weightliftin, both sports have their fatties. And for the record I'm an athelte too and as an athlete I care more about performance than looks as do all power-/weightlifters. As I said as long as it helps you perform better in your respective sport it doesn't matter what you look like.

[Vethnar]

Yep I know that photo, it's regularly used in the internet to prove that all powerlifters are lean and in great shape. I wasn't referring to powerlifting only but also to weightliftin, both sports have their fatties. And for the record I'm an athelte too and as an athlete I care more about performance than looks as do all power-/weightlifters. As I said as long as it helps you perform better in your respective sport it doesn't matter what you look like.

Agreed. We're men, and will always remain unsightly. We should count ourselves lucky that women are biologically programmed to have atrociously bad taste.

It's strange how most people -- both men and women -- are more motivated by how their bodies look than by what they can do with them.

[lessthanluke]

on the same topic I'm curious why powerlifters, while very big, aren't cut like professional bodybuilders are. I wonder what purpose that little bit of fat serves. :dunno:

What FleetingFinn said. Apart from the SuperHeavies most elite level powerlifters are very lean.

[Fleeing Finn]

Btw Luke, congrats for the lifts, were they your PBs? Also were they done raw or with armor on?

[lessthanluke]

Btw Luke, congrats for the lifts, were they your PBs? Also were they done raw or with armor on?

Raw. Just a belt. Yeh both PBs although I've prob had the 220 x 3 in me for a while but just too lazy to do it :). I don't use gear yet as I don't have anyone to train with.

[ztemhead]

yeah I meant to say that too, congrats, luke! that's balls out!

(I"m trying to make the phrase "balls out" into a thing.)

I wore the armless shirt to the gym today. While they're not very big, my arms are getting a little definition here and there. :)

Question for the guys, spoiler text for the girls:

SPOILER: dudes, your help pls

So doing deadlifts, I find the bar usually winds up just at dick level. Rather, brushing up against dick level. I use a normal stance, but pretty wide grip, so is this a normal area to hit, or am I doing something wrong? Has this happened to anyone else, and what, if anything, did you do about it? Should I consider varying stance/ grip, or maybe wearing jockeys under the swim trunks I normally do? Aside from this, everything else in my deadlifts feels good; as though I can start doing real weight again. Your thoughts appreciated.

[lessthanluke]

yeah I meant to say that too, congrats, luke! that's balls out!

(I"m trying to make the phrase "balls out" into a thing.)

I wore the armless shirt to the gym today. While they're not very big, my arms are getting a little definition here and there. :)

Question for the guys, spoiler text for the girls:

SPOILER: dudes, your help pls

So doing deadlifts, I find the bar usually winds up just at dick level. Rather, brushing up against dick level. I use a normal stance, but pretty wide grip, so is this a normal area to hit, or am I doing something wrong? Has this happened to anyone else, and what, if anything, did you do about it? Should I consider varying stance/ grip, or maybe wearing jockeys under the swim trunks I normally do? Aside from this, everything else in my deadlifts feels good; as though I can start doing real weight again. Your thoughts appreciated.

Your grip should be as narrow as possible without getting in the way of your legs so yeh I'd advise bring your grip in. Otherwise you are just making it harder for yourself.

ETA: Thanks for the congrats :)

I have been neglecting my upper body badly over the last few months and am now doing something to fix the situation.

[lessthanluke]

The guy to the center left isn't bad. The others? Look at the abs, man!

My standard for HAWT is still The Rock.

Fuck abs. The guy to the centre left is Matt Kroczaleski and he is a badass.

[Zoë Sumra]

The guy to the center left isn't bad. The others? Look at the abs, man!

So with you on this, Chats. :)

[cjfshaw]

Long distance running is just as good at removing muscle as it is at removing fat. Always keep this in mind.

The whole losing muscle thing isn't a problem unless you are doing really far distances really consistently, like marathons and ultra-marathons. If you are just doing a consistent 30 minutes or 3 miles a day you will be fine. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I gained 10 lbs during cross country season doing nothing but running.

@ztem: I just started doing deadlifts, but I end up a few inches above that level. I put my grip right outside my knees.

[lessthanluke]

The whole losing muscle thing isn't a problem unless you are doing really far distances really consistently, like marathons and ultra-marathons. If you are just doing a consistent 30 minutes or 3 miles a day you will be fine. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I gained 10 lbs during cross country season doing nothing but running.

@ztem: I just started doing deadlifts, but I end up a few inches above that level. I put my grip right outside my knees.

You must have short arms lol.

[Lucky Pierre]

I've worked out daily now since last Thursday with weights. Today I just did cardio. My legs are jello. I did upper body and cardio Saturday morning-then spent all day walking around Universal. Sunday I did lower body cardio and stood for 2 hours in line (and walked a lot). Monday was upper body. Tomorrow I'm doing upper body and taking a break on Thursday. Ive lost 4 pounds though since Friday-of course I'm back to tracking my calorie intake. Which is fine. If I do this I don't binge and when I eat, I eat smaller portions. I believe that what I eat-not how much I work out directly- influences my weight.

I have a goal in mind-and mini goals along the way... I want to look good on my labor day cruise (which I'm fine with where I'm at now). Then I'm going to Vegas on 1 Oct to see friends I've not seen for 3 years... they are going to be shocked.... then on 8 Nov I'm going to Key West to a clothing Optional resort.... then on 28 Nov another cruise... and the big one.. 17 Jan the all gay Carib Cruise... where the competition is going to be fierce LOL!

One day at a time!

[Stego]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I gained 10 lbs during cross country season doing nothing but running.

Nope. No you didn't.

You gained 10lbs based upon what you were eating. :D

[seastarr]

Fuck abs.

How can you say this?!!

Rock solid abs (and by extension, a strong center) are good for the libido. It is known.

[lessthanluke]

How can you say this?!!

Rock solid abs (and by extension, a strong center) are good for the libido. It is known.

OK let me rephrase. Fuck the appearance of abs. I train my core hard. You just can't see the evidence :P