Fitness thread anyone?

[Empty V]

Well, figured I would add myself to this thread.

Ive been lifting weights for the past year and a half. I started at 195 lbs and worked my way down to about 175. Im currently around 185 right now.

Im actually going to my first crossfit class on Monday. A good friend recommended it to me and shes going to go with me the first few times

As for the prices, it is a little high to me.. $75 for the two week beginner classes and then $150 a month... but from what ive researched its well worth it.

As far as the lifting, it was on and off for me. I even experimented with some MMA training but that fell through since the trainer kept canceling class. Im hoping that this crossfit will be challenging and interesting enough for me to stay with it.

As for my goals... I want to get my body fat % down.. I dont have a number in mind, but as long as I can obtain a 6 pack, ill be happy. I also want to be able to run 3 miles in under 20 minutes. Thats more of a long time goal, but im going to try my best with it.

So, in short Im 5'7 185lbs and looking to get more lean, build abs, and shorten my mile times.

My crossfit (CrossFit Thousand Oaks) gave me a free 2 week trial. My buddy that got me into it is at CrossFit Oahu and they do a free intro class every Saturday. A bunch of them charge for the intro classes and I'm opposed to that. When I started I was in horrible shape and after my first class I was sore for 4 days, and when I say sore I mean getting off the couch was torture. One of the main reason why I don't believe in charging for the intro is because a lot of that 2 weeks is recovery.

BTW it doesn't matter how amazing of an athlete or hardcore of a couch potato you are, every class will be interesting and extremely challenging, that's the beauty of it. After a consistent 3-4 days a week for the last 5 months I have yet to do the same workout twice and I still get sore but I feel better then I ever have. Enough preaching for me, let us know what you thought about it good and/or bad.

[RobPaulson]

roots13, keep your diet in mind, to get 'abs' as u say it, unless you got genetics on your side, its going to take an absolutely INSANE amount of hard work and determination. your diet has to be perfect. for months. but imo you def chose the correct medium to get there, crossfit will def help you with your diet and goals in general. good luck to you!

currently heading out for my workout:
W.O.D

Snatch Balance, 3 x 3 rest 2 minutes between sets (new members work on OHS 3 x 3)
Ring Dips 3 x 10 unbroken FAST reps, rest 60 seconds between sets
then

40 Wall Balls
12 Clean and Jerks (135/95)
40 Wall Balls
9 Clean and Jerks (135/95)
40 Wall Balls
6 Clean and Jerks (135/95)
Post time and comments below

going to be a rough one after 2 days off. i sure feel fresh, strong, and ready to go though!

[rootS13]

At this place, they also have the free introductory classes every Saturday. However, they were closed yesterday since each of the trainers were out of town at some tournament. So I figured that I would just skip it and start on Monday with the two week beginner classes instead of having to wait another two weeks.

Another benefit of starting this week is that the price is normally $150 for the two week beginner classes, but they're running a Memorial day special half off.

Ive dealt with extreme soreness before. I remember having trouble just rolling out of bed or sitting down after my first workout. I think that the only trouble Ill have is following a consistent diet. Any pointers in that direction would be helpful. When I would lift weights, I would watch whatever I ate, but I would be lenient when it came to a few things... peanut butter, rice, pretty much unhealthy carbs.

[Empty V]

Another benefit of starting this week is that the price is normally $150 for the two week beginner classes, but they're running a Memorial day special half off.

Whoa dude now that's insane! Are you going to CrossFit LA or something because a normal rate of $150 for a 2 week intro is seriously unethical.

[Empty V]

40 Wall Balls
12 Clean and Jerks (135/95)
40 Wall Balls
9 Clean and Jerks (135/95)
40 Wall Balls
6 Clean and Jerks (135/95)
Post time and comments below

going to be a rough one after 2 days off. i sure feel fresh, strong, and ready to go though!

Holy s***, 120 wall balls? Now that's brutal! What was your time on this one? Is anyone from your box going to the games? I'll be out there for sure and CFTO(my box) will have a huge area setup for chillaxin, your guys are more then welcome to come chill.

[rootS13]

Well, just got back from my first class. It was pretty much a 20 minute lecture, a 20 minute overview on equipment usage, and then a 30-40 minute tabata workout. My legs feel like jello... Ive never done squats before in all of my weight lifting experience.

A brief overview of what we covered: Squats, back squats, forward squats, overhead squats, butterfly sit ups, push ups... Pretty much all tabata (sp?). 20 seconds of work, then 10 of rest.. straight for 4 minutes each exercise.

I honestly cant wait until tomorrow.

[bigbadberry3]

I've only done a little bit of reading but this Crossfit, is it circuit training with mostly full body exercises?

[Empty V]

Well, just got back from my first class. It was pretty much a 20 minute lecture, a 20 minute overview on equipment usage, and then a 30-40 minute tabata workout. My legs feel like jello... Ive never done squats before in all of my weight lifting experience.

A brief overview of what we covered: Squats, back squats, forward squats, overhead squats, butterfly sit ups, push ups... Pretty much all tabata (sp?). 20 seconds of work, then 10 of rest.. straight for 4 minutes each exercise.

I honestly cant wait until tomorrow.

That's awesome! Supposedly Tabata is the best fat burning workout you can do. Check this out: Tabata Protocol. I posted this on a previous page but here's what we did last week for our Buy In. Usually we do 3min of Row/Run/Jumprope(pick one), then a warm-up, then a buy-in, then a cash-out, then stretch.

TABATA Quarters - add up every rep for a total score
20sec Burpees/push-ups
10sec rest
20sec pull-ups/jumping pull-ups
10sec rest
20sec Wall Balls 20#/14#
10sec rest
20sec Sumo Deadlift High Pulls w/Kettle-Bell 53#/35#/whatever the smaller ones are
10sec rest
REPEAT ONCE

[Empty V]

I've only done a little bit of reading but this Crossfit, is it circuit training with mostly full body exercises?

It's like circuit training mixed with olympic weightlifting plus a bunch of exercises involving bodyweight, jump ropes, medicine balls, kettle bells, a climbing rope, ab-mats(for sit-ups and hand stand push-ups), wooden boxes for box jumps, massive trucks tires for flipping and hitting with sledge hammers and probably a few others things.

[Urabus GodofTraction]

Ive never done squats before in all of my weight lifting experience.

Really?! It's like the king of lifts!

That's awesome! Supposedly Tabata is the best fat burning workout you can do.

Tabata is a pretty good example of a genre of exercise called HIIT (high-intensity interval training). Most of Crossfit's workouts fall into the HIIT principle. If you're looking to lose weight, HIIT is a damn good place to start. My August training plan will be HIIT based. Gotta mix it up a bit!

[MaximA32]

We were talking about shoes the other day and i just picked up a pair of these today. Gonna give em a shot starting tomorrow. I wore them around for a bit the last day or so and they are super comfortable.

[93coupe]

I am quite weary of those shoes. They look like a total gimmick to me.

[MaximA32]

I figured I would give them a chance as they're supposed to relieve leg stress associated with running and exercises of the like. Considering I'm a big dude (285) and it's hard for me to run any distance without experiencing pain in my legs, I thought "why not?" If I don't like them or they don't work, I'll talk mad ish about em and write an email to Reebok complaining. I doubt this will happen considering all the reviews I've read about them and 99% have been favorable.

EDIT: FWIW, I didn't come close to paying retail for them. I know someone that works at a store that carried em so I had them buy them for me with their discount.

[Urabus GodofTraction]

How can a shoe endorsed by this dumb f***:



NOT be awesome?

[MaximA32]

Hahaha. Definitely NOT why I bought them.

[93coupe]

Definitely keep me posted on how they work for you. I just bought these and love them

[MaximA32]

For sure. I have an almost brand new pair of these that I was using but they hurt my feet after about 25 mins of just wearing them, not even doing stuff in them. That's one of the reasons I picked up the ZigTechs.

[nissangirl74]

Does anyone have any feedback on the Skecher Shape-ups? The girls and I went and tried a pair on last week and they feel amazing. (For the few minutes we had them on.) As much as i like them and i think they would do me a lot of good, I am really NOT comfortable with shelling out $100 for a pair of shoes, especially since the internet reviews are very mixed. There are some who swear by them, others swear that they have messed up their knees, hips, and their spines. Thoughts?

[Urabus GodofTraction]

Squats and hip extensions are free!

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Becky, please don't get those shoes!!!! You aren't old enough, lol.

About the price, I don't think $100 is that bad. But I kinda just always have one pair of shoes and replace them when they wear out every 6 months or so.

And on a side note, I went to the gym today!!!! It's the first time in like 3 months! Yay!

[nissangirl74]

I wear my Pumas almost everywhere I go, but they aren't good for exercising. Not enough cushion for any type of impact. As fas as them making me look old, I found some that were acceptable. Black with white laces and a white logo on the side. Looked a lot like my NIKE Shoks.

[nissangirl74]

Squats and hip extensions are free!

I've injured both my knees and have honestly been scared to try to do any squats extensively. I'm kinda scared I'll blow them out again.

[AZ89two4Tsx]

I wear my Pumas almost everywhere I go, but they aren't good for exercising. Not enough cushion for any type of impact. As fas as them making me look old, I found some that were acceptable. Black with white laces and a white logo on the side. Looked a lot like my NIKE Shoks.

Lol, as long as they don't look like these.




Saw someone with these on today, lol. I mean I understand people need orthotics, I get back pain myself, but there comes a point when you're just like.....

[nissangirl74]

Too lazy to host picture. Black / white pair

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt ... r4M5el3K0N

[Empty V]

Too lazy to host picture. Black / white pair

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt ... r4M5el3K0N

Those don't looks so bad. I wear Brooks' Beast running shoe which feels somewhat embarassing. It's "supposed" to be the best running shoe on the market. All I can say is it's the most comfortable shoe I've ever warn. I've got one jacked up knee and after switching to these I feel less impact on the bad knee. I'm not a runner and never will be, so take my testimony for what it is. The only problem I have with them is that they're terrible for weight lifting so I almost always have to change my shoes during a workout.

[nissangirl74]

Saw someone with these on today, lol. I mean I understand people need orthotics, I get back pain myself, but there comes a point when you're just like.....

Not in a million freaking years

I'm not a runner and never will be

I used to be but I know I will never be again. I've just recently come to the conclusion that that is OK. I don't need to be competitive in order to be healthy. I can still participate in the benefit walks (autism research, march of dimes, etc.) which is good for everyone. That's OK with me.

[rootS13]

I enjoyed tonight's workout a lot. It was 3-6-9-12-12-9-6-3 of Butterfly sit-ups, Burpees and overhead lunges. I finished in 13:12 which is pretty crappy, but at least I did the entire workout and didn't give up like 2/3 of the class.

[Empty V]

I enjoyed tonight's workout a lot. It was 3-6-9-12-12-9-6-3 of Butterfly sit-ups, Burpees and overhead lunges. I finished in 13:12 which is pretty crappy, but at least I did the entire workout and didn't give up like 2/3 of the class.

That sounds like a fun one. Are the overhead lunges regular lunges while holding a weight? We has a 2min AMRAP(as many rounds as possible) of lunges while holding a 45# plate over(not touching) our heads. I think I scored 45 which was about average.

I'll be going back tomorrow after 6 days off, it's not going to be easy.

[RobPaulson]

I'll be going back tomorrow after 6 days off, it's not going to be easy.

this. i havent been in since sat. today is going to be straight hell. with that said, I can't wait

and empty, my time on that wallball hell of a workout was 14mins. dude... ring dips are INSANELY difficult, i've never felt a shoulder workout like that before in my life. stabilizer muscles ftmfw.

[Looneybomber]

I'll be going back tomorrow after 6 days off, it's not going to be easy.

this. i havent been in since sat. today is going to be straight hell. with that said, I can't wait

and empty, my time on that wallball hell of a workout was 14mins. dude... ring dips are INSANELY difficult, i've never felt a shoulder workout like that before in my life. stabilizer muscles ftmfw.

Another thing you can try is doing your incline dumbell press, and military dumbell press while on one of those exercise balls. Then, switch to cables/rings. Military cable presses while sitting on an exercise ball are awful! The only muscles that go unworked are the ones needed to smile.