On the one extreme, a recent poster in a forum I read sometimes was saying how they were proud to be size 20+. I had to look it up, US size 20 = UK size 24.

On the other hand, people (mainly newbie) join fitness forums and says things like they don’t want to do weight training because they don’t want to become bulky…all they want to do is tone their muscles.

[Insert screaming and face plant here.]

Then on running forums there’s the feeling that, yeah okay, do weights but runners run. I think I’m in danger of falling into this camp of thinking, so I’m gonna make sure I continue to do some weight training.

Talk of weight training always bring up the bulking up vs toning crap. It’s impossible to accidentally bulk up, like you wake up one morning and hey presto, muscles!! I’ve been doing weights for a year and there is a tiny bit of definition, that’s it. Perhaps the best article I’ve read on the subject comes from Leigh Peele who wisely advocates training for the body type that best suit us because,

the only people that look like that lift or train aggressively are those who lift and train aggressively

What’s this got to do with the size 20+ person? I think it’s admirable that a person is proud of their body shape. But potentially ignoring the fact that size 20+ is dangerously unhealthy to the extent of not doing anything about it? Worries me. I’m still trying to unwind 15, 20 years of not eating, not exercising and I was by no means fat. We all have to take responsibility for our health.

I moved up 10 pounds for the s1-7 nrolw workouts, I’m at 60 for squats now. I know I can do more, possibly up to 1 rep body weight. The problem is, I can’t get the barbell up to the starting position behind my neck sitting on my shoulders. Towards the end of 50, I managed to clean the bar up above my head and lower it. But now at 60 it was difficult. I ended up using 2 chairs and crawling underneath. This won’t work for heavier weights I think.

So, I probably need to start looking at getting a squat rack.

I’ve set up my home gym for a couple of weeks now, and I’m pretty happy with it. Initially the debate was: weights or machine, like a bowflex. Weights won out, cos I’m used to using free weights. The next question was what type of weights. Having a full set like in a gym wasn’t feasible, so it was an easy decision to look at adjustable weights.

The market leaders seem to be bowflex selectech and powerblocks. I tried out the bowflex at sears, and found them quick large. The cage design of the powerblocks is a bit weird.

And then I read about ironmaster quick lock dumbbells, and the reviews were good — solid and part of a system. The changing isn’t as fast as the others, it isn’t a huge criteria for me anyway. So i went ahead and ordered the set, which came with a rack. To complete the system, I also got an ez-curl bar and the matching bench. The whole shipment came in 6 very large boxes.

The other item for my home gym is a balance ball. I have a regular one and a mat that I got at Target. I added a bosu ballast ball after using one in London. The filling inside stabilises the ball and that’s important to prevent slippage. Even though I have gym mats I’m on the normal floor when I’m using the balance balls.

I’ve started with NROL, and these came just in time. I feel like I’m lifting proper weights with the ironmasters, albeit I’m still at the 50 pound stage. The original balance ball is good for prone jackknife exercises and the ballast ball good for crunches. I don’t have a step, and have been using the step ladder for stepups, the only hack I’m using.

video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jj0eox45Dv4

I still haven’t started New Rules of Lifting. Two reasons: 1) need to get some weights (easy); 2) need to get mentally prepared for some of the harder exercises (procrastination).

One of the most ‘feared’ exercise, especially because it’s in Stage 1 is the prone jackknife. The first time I tried it, at PT, I couldn’t even get into the starting position. When I finally got there with difficulty, I was so wobbly that I kept falling off. It was both disheartening and, because it was at a public gym, kinda embarrassing.

I tried again today at home, and hey! I did a bunch of them, just like that. I’m pleasantly surprised. I have no idea why the change from the previous attempt at PT. Possibly:

• I have better core strength (yeah, I wish)
• I’m using a smaller, and less inflated swiss ball
• I wasn’t wearing shoes
• I was at home, so no fear about falling off and looking like an idiot

It’s a good core / ab strengthening exercise. I’ve been scoping out dumbbells, barbells, bench etc and I have a pretty good idea what I’ll be getting. I have quite a good budget to work with — if I joined the local gym it’ll be $800 a year, so my aim is to spend around that price point.

link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SukhjDsgeF4

I did 45mins upstairs at the work gym today. Machines cos someone was using the free weights. Like PC vs mac, canon vs nikon, there’s the perennial argument of machines vs free weights. Personally, I like free weights but the machines make me stick to better form. There’s no right or wrong, and if anything I like the idea of switching up regularly.

Speaking of machines and weights, I came across this infomercial on the tdp forum. Its selling point is so ridiculous it’s hilarious. One of the forum commenters posted,

Stupid people. You can do the same motion without spending $20 and get a free facial at the end. You could even make money with it!. I think marketing has the wrong angle

Watch the video and think about that comment. Hee. I’m 12.

so according to ExRx, I should be bench pressing 77 pounds. Gulp. That’s almost twice what I’m doing lately — I use 2x20 pound dumbbells. I should be able to go to 2x25; and If I’m going to use the “lift to failure” rule, I can probably do 1 rep at 60 pounds.

sigh. obviously a way to go.