6.30.2009
J: Day 011 - Back and Biceps / Smith Machine
DRE seems to be momentarily missing in action... I haven't talked to her since she chewed me out (this is typical) for not commenting on her posts. Hopefully she comes back! -J
6.29.2009
J: Day010 - Chest and Triceps
Here's a photo of the Smith Machine:
P.S. - Why does YouTube ALWAYS pause my videos when I look stupid?
6.22.2009
Day004 - After Workout
Today was my fourth consecutive day of working out and my triceps are very sore as are my calves. I am starting to wonder how this will effect my abilities when I actually try to use my muscles in other activities. I have a softball game tomorrow evening and wonder if I'll be able to move and throw normally... Guess I'll cross that bridge when it comes.
We worked out back and biceps today which allowed me to use some of the machines I've been wanting to get on. Like the previous two workouts, I tried to pace myself and save some energy for the final sets. This is a difficult thing for me to do because I want to get everything out of each set and sometimes might push myself too hard too early. Everything went about as well as I can expect given my experience level and, unfortunately, I needed some spots on the last two exercises we did (21s and Preacher Curls). While I went to failure on my last set of Preacher Curls, I was happy with my general effort and look forward to continuing the work tomorrow.
I still haven't gotten my camera back, but will probably do so today after work... There is something to be said about those who write out their thoughts, but I'd much rather just turn on my camera and talk. Hopefully the next entry is in video... and hopefully DRE posts something in the mean time! If not, I might have to change the name of the blog.
We worked out back and biceps today which allowed me to use some of the machines I've been wanting to get on. Like the previous two workouts, I tried to pace myself and save some energy for the final sets. This is a difficult thing for me to do because I want to get everything out of each set and sometimes might push myself too hard too early. Everything went about as well as I can expect given my experience level and, unfortunately, I needed some spots on the last two exercises we did (21s and Preacher Curls). While I went to failure on my last set of Preacher Curls, I was happy with my general effort and look forward to continuing the work tomorrow.
I still haven't gotten my camera back, but will probably do so today after work... There is something to be said about those who write out their thoughts, but I'd much rather just turn on my camera and talk. Hopefully the next entry is in video... and hopefully DRE posts something in the mean time! If not, I might have to change the name of the blog.
6.21.2009
Day003 - After Workout
I just got back from the 24 hour fitness center near my apartment. Big O and I just worked out our shoulders as promised and my expectation of intensity was met in reality. While the specific exercises were completely different, I applied the lesson I took from Day 1 and tried to pace myself with the entire workout in mind.
The two exercises which were the most difficult for me to complete today were the shoulder press and shrugs. Shrugs seemed to look very simple while I watched Big O complete a few as examples. However, I found it difficult to not rotate my shoulders back and put my chest out. Doing so apparently doesn't isolate the shoulders like going straight up and down does. The latter motion is less natural and took some getting used to, but it feels like something that I will pick up on. Shoulder presses were difficult simply because I haven't developed my arms to the point where they can steadily handle weight...especially above my head.
Working out three consecutive days in a row has been a shock to my system. It has allowed me to sleep better than I usually do and given me a goal each day. However, it has also caused difficulty getting into cars or putting shampoo on my hair because of soreness... Hopefully it goes away after I become acclimated to lifting weights. I should get my camera back tomorrow morning at work, so my next post will likely be in a video format...
The two exercises which were the most difficult for me to complete today were the shoulder press and shrugs. Shrugs seemed to look very simple while I watched Big O complete a few as examples. However, I found it difficult to not rotate my shoulders back and put my chest out. Doing so apparently doesn't isolate the shoulders like going straight up and down does. The latter motion is less natural and took some getting used to, but it feels like something that I will pick up on. Shoulder presses were difficult simply because I haven't developed my arms to the point where they can steadily handle weight...especially above my head.
Working out three consecutive days in a row has been a shock to my system. It has allowed me to sleep better than I usually do and given me a goal each day. However, it has also caused difficulty getting into cars or putting shampoo on my hair because of soreness... Hopefully it goes away after I become acclimated to lifting weights. I should get my camera back tomorrow morning at work, so my next post will likely be in a video format...
Day002 Recap / Day003 Before Workout
I left my camera at a friend's place, and didn't get it back last night like I planned... so no video for Day 2. My friend/trainer (Big O), and I worked legs yesterday and it went a quite bit better than our Day 1 workout. I was still intimidated by going to the gym and being surrounded by guys who are all substantially stronger than I am. It may be my disdain for being poor at something (I'd rather just avoid the situation) or taking part in an activity outside my comfort zone.
The workout itself was intense as I expected. Before the workout, I was most apprehensive about doing squats. This is something I saw football players doing while I was getting weighed back in my cross-country days and always thought that it would be very difficult. With the encouragement and good advice of Big O, I was able to go through the motions. Although it was difficult and completely new to me, I felt like it was wonderful for working out the legs and I can see myself improving over time. Hopefully I will be able to improve my form for all the exercises we do, but I want to focus most on those which utilize free weights as there is no guide other than muscle memory.
Since I don't have my camera, I feel a need to add some additional form of media other than plain text to this post. Attached here is a photo I took a couple of days ago to show where I was when I started this whole process. As you can tell, I didn't know where to look or whether to smile or not, so I went with a blank stare off into space look:
Perhaps when I begin to notice changes in my general shape I'll add another photo...
Later this afternoon I'll be working out shoulders with Big O. I have no idea what kind of exercises we'll be doing and I assume the workout will be intense. Expect a report after we're through...
The workout itself was intense as I expected. Before the workout, I was most apprehensive about doing squats. This is something I saw football players doing while I was getting weighed back in my cross-country days and always thought that it would be very difficult. With the encouragement and good advice of Big O, I was able to go through the motions. Although it was difficult and completely new to me, I felt like it was wonderful for working out the legs and I can see myself improving over time. Hopefully I will be able to improve my form for all the exercises we do, but I want to focus most on those which utilize free weights as there is no guide other than muscle memory.
Since I don't have my camera, I feel a need to add some additional form of media other than plain text to this post. Attached here is a photo I took a couple of days ago to show where I was when I started this whole process. As you can tell, I didn't know where to look or whether to smile or not, so I went with a blank stare off into space look:
Perhaps when I begin to notice changes in my general shape I'll add another photo...
Later this afternoon I'll be working out shoulders with Big O. I have no idea what kind of exercises we'll be doing and I assume the workout will be intense. Expect a report after we're through...
6.19.2009
6.18.2009
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