Workouts

[Ephemera]

Anyway, I've been busy (and a little lazy) lately and haven't worked out at all for about a month and a half. It's beginning to show.

Do any of you guys have some good, fast workouts that could cover everything pretty well in under an hour? I really don't have much time this summer, but I want to make some time to stay in shape.

Please let me know.

[constantlylearning]

What are you working out for? By that I mean, are you training for a sport
or simply for your overall health. When I played, the workouts we did were
obviously geared to that specific sport (endurance, flexibility, strength, stamina,
etc). Now the workouts are more geared to being in good physical shape and
overall health. Summer is a great time to really enjoy it as well.

[Ducy]

If you want something that will be really effective and simple, either swim laps or run.

If your not looking to run or swim, buy a body ball (the inflatable giant balls) and use those for sit ups, push ups, pretty much any body weight exercise. It will stress your core as well as any other bodypart you happen to be working at the time.

[Mr. Saint]

There is one exercise that I like because it is really fast but you will need access to a pool. I think they are called rescue laps or something like that. Start out by swimming 50 meters free style ant a moderate to fast pace. Then immediately get out of the pools and do 10 push ups and 10 crunches. Then get in the pool again and repeat. No breaks and finish when you can’t swim any more. Also make sure you stretch before or you can get a killer cramp.

[Ducy]

NO CRUNCHES!!!!!!

If you do crunches, use an ab lounge or a body ball because floor crunches do not give you full range of motion, and all it does is break down muscle fibers in a way that will reinforce a bad posture (stomach muscles grow back smaller so they pull you down) When working out, it is always good to get a concentric(contracting) and eccentric (stretching) movement because it will stimulate more muscle growth (Stronger and tighter, unless you are using weights, in which case size will increase as well)

By using a ball, you can go past the floor and get a good 120 degree range of motion which will help you out a lot!

[Ephemera]

I was thinking more like weight-lifting.

I run two miles every morning, anyway.

[Ducy]

Okay, well I really cant list an entire routine here and now, but try going to bodybuilding.com and reading articles and such. They have some pretty good routines that can do exactly what your looking for (build muscle, slim down, whatever)

[Ephemera]

Thanks ! Helpful site, indeed.

[constantlylearning]

That was good advice from Ducy. Important to define what you want to achieve
then tailor a program to achieve that end.

[constantlylearning]

The ball advice is really good. The midsection or core strength is a wonderful
to use the ball for. Also, can possibly take those 4 pack abs to 6 pack abs.
Go slow if you are not use to it and have fun getting fit.