So I cancelled my gym membership and purchased a rowing machine for home use.
A Kettler Kadett outrigger-style rowing machine, more closely mimics realy rowing over the pull-style rowers.
I'm focusing on HIIT, every other day, as I've read it's important whether running/biking/etc to give yourself a day off between sessions.
Is that really true? Is there something I could do on my off days to help continue to build my strength/fitness.
Sure. Pick another exercise regimen, preferably that focuses on different muscle groups and do that. If your goal with rowing is cardio, then do some strength training (go to the park, do some push ups, pull ups, bar dips, maybe standing jumps). If you're going for muscle tone, maybe go for a walk or jog on alternate days.
Yoga is really good too, but I prefer doing that in a class/group.
I'm not as obsessive about exercising as I once was, but at one point I would ride my bicycle to the pool, go for a swim, and then go for a run from the pool two or three times a week. I would run long distances the other three or four days.
What I'm saying is that it won't hurt you to exercise on your "off" days. Maybe go for an easy run, take a bike ride, or go for a hike. After a short while, your body will recover much faster, and even after hard workouts, you will feel pretty good the next day.
I have only taken the easy yoga classes that focus on stretching (hatha?), but I always feel amazing afterwards. Recently I have taken up salsa dancing, and that's another great social form of exercise.
I'm trying to hit a steady six days a week of cycling. Apart from enjoying riding and wanting to be fitter, I'm (re)starting doing a bit of bicycle racing, so the specificity counts.
But in terms of adding (much-needed) lightness to this masters-class racer, consistency in terms of riding at least most days of the week seems to be preferable to just every other day.
YMMV, my approach is a jumble of things, none of which includes any sort of education w/respect to training...
I don't mind doing the rowing every day if I don't REALLY need some magical amount of time off for my body to "rebuild."
I really like rowing over jogging and other stuff since you really work out nearly everything, except chest/biceps when you are doing it.
Want to get in really, really good shape?
http://www.fitocracy.com/home/
It's insanely addictive. I wake up and crank out some pushups, then rush to check to see if anyone I know snuck in a workout while I was sleeping. I have a few invites left.
Osterkraut wrote: Want to get in really, really good shape? http://www.fitocracy.com/home/ It's insanely addictive. I wake up and crank out some pushups, then rush to check to see if anyone I know snuck in a workout while I was sleeping. I have a few invites left.
What is it exactly?
I don't want to sound negative, but why do you think that a rowing machine will give you better results than the gym?
rotard wrote: I don't want to sound negative, but why do you think that a rowing machine will give you better results than the gym?
It's a lot harder to skip the gym if it's in your house. 
I've always found workouts at home to be the hardest. Then again, I've never been able to study well at home, either. I need to change the setting to get anything done.
Osterkraut wrote: Want to get in really, really good shape? http://www.fitocracy.com/home/ It's insanely addictive. I wake up and crank out some pushups, then rush to check to see if anyone I know snuck in a workout while I was sleeping. I have a few invites left.
ed . bellman at g mail dot com Please!
rotard wrote: I don't want to sound negative, but why do you think that a rowing machine will give you better results than the gym?
As mentioned, I actually do it when at home.
Do you have something to contribute to the thread? If not, troll elsewhere.
You'll also notice I asked for some other suggestions. I'm thinking about picking up some free weights.
z31maniac wrote: You'll also notice I asked for some other suggestions. I'm thinking about picking up some free weights.
i don't want to sound negative, but why do you think they'll be better than weights you pay for?
If I'm doing mild workouts, I can easily do it every day. That will give an overall cardio improvment, but I won't become ripped and muscle bound either.
When I do those "lift to failure" routines, I see much better results if I don't work those muscle groups again for a few days. If I try to work it hard the next day, I frequently hurt something, and don't see good gains. Let it go a day or two, and things bulk up and strengthen up quite rapidly.
I wish you luck at home. A big part of the reason I go to a gym is because I'm more successful that way. I find it far to easy to get distracted by brownies and the TV at home. Making that regular commitment to go the gym that I'm paying for works better for me.
z31maniac wrote: You'll also notice I asked for some other suggestions. I'm thinking about picking up some free weights.
I don't think you can beat weights for conditioning. Lot's of fad workouts out there, but weights just plain work.
mtn wrote:Osterkraut wrote: Want to get in really, really good shape? http://www.fitocracy.com/home/ It's insanely addictive. I wake up and crank out some pushups, then rush to check to see if anyone I know snuck in a workout while I was sleeping. I have a few invites left.What is it exactly?
I got some padded push-up bars and a chin-up bar that hangs from the doorway from Walmart.
100 push-ups a day and no sore wrists. I am still working on the pull-ups. Damn they are hard. I'm lucky if I can do 10 clean ones before I need to use the chair for help.
AngryCorvair wrote:z31maniac wrote: You'll also notice I asked for some other suggestions. I'm thinking about picking up some free weights.i don't want to sound negative, but why do you think they'll be better than weights you pay for?
Ha ha my laughter echoed through the whole rest room!
Joey
First things first.
Nutrition. What's your nutrition like? None of this stuff you're talking about will do much without the right nutrition plan. And it doesn't mean starving yourself.
Row machine is fine, if it's a small portion of your workout. Ideally, if you can get some free weights, that would be great. Also determine how many days per week you will realistically work out and set a routine accordingly. For instance, you could do something like:
Monday: Chest. Some form of cardio (yes, HIIT will help you burn more calories for a longer period than steady state)
Tuesday: Legs
Wednesday: Back/Shoulders. Some form of cardio
Thursday: off
Friday: Arms (bicept and tricept) Some form of cardio
You don't need a lot of fancy equipment to do this either. Tons of exercises you could do for these with little to no equipment. I go to the gym Mon-Fri and have my routine set accordingly, but I could basic stuff at home if needed. Let me know if you need specifics.
^I think that's part of my problem, sifting through everything to come up with some type of plan. Some direction, or some specific exercises with weights on what days would be great. And a Mon-Fri routine would be great leaving my weekends to mess with other stuff.
So, yes, I'd appreciate some more input from ya!
Right now, I'm doing the row machine 3-4 times a week. I come right after work and knock it out before dinner, I've found that routine is one I actually stick to.
Nutrition I think is good. We eat lots of fresh meat/vegetables/fruits, try to avoid most things in packages. I've found when you count calories and eat good stuff, it's really amazing how MUCH you can eat without consuming a ridiculous amount of calories.
Last nights dinner was grilled chicken, corn on the cob and grilled asparagus...........that's less calories than an order of fries from a fast food place!
My downfall is booze/beer. But I'm doing much better about the amount consumed.
Also, anyone have any suggestions on where to find weights cheap? I'm watching CL locally, but if I don't happen to find something and have to go new.
In reply to z31maniac:
CL seems like the obvious place to get weights cheap. I don't know why you'd have any issues with that. It seems like there are always several sets of free weights up for sale around here. You really don't need much: a bar, a bench, a couple pairs of weights, and a rack if you can find one.
Haha! I'm in the same situation diet-wise. I looooove beer. When I went to buy decent running shoes the sales gal asked what my training goals were and laughed at my response: I want to be in a habit of burning enough calories that I can drink more beer while in Germany without getting fat.
klayfish... where does one find good, reliable nutrition info free of marketing-science?
I have been running/biking/hiking/lifting for a long time now and am in the best shape of my life at 43. I'd like to drop some weight and stay at the same fitness level - only 20lbs lighter so I can run marathons w/o destroying my feet and knees. Realistically - dieting is my only option but there is so much misinformation out there that I can't really formulate a good plan.
Where do I go to educate myself and for the right answer to: How do I keep fit, keep muscle and cut significant weight at the same time?
Cinderblocks, flywheels, cylinder heads, etc. All are heavy, and you probably have some laying around.
Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: klayfish... where does one find good, reliable nutrition info free of marketing-science?
Registered Dietitian.
z31maniac wrote:rotard wrote: I don't want to sound negative, but why do you think that a rowing machine will give you better results than the gym?As mentioned, I actually do it when at home. Do you have something to contribute to the thread? If not, troll elsewhere.
Get a friend that's wanting to work out, and motivate each other. If you skip going to the gym now, it's only a matter of time until your rowing machine gathers dust. How many unused stationary bikes and treadmills are there in the world? Do free weights and light cardio. Work out muscle groups like this:
Monday: Chest and Triceps
Tuesday: Run/jog/rowing machine
Wednesday: Back and Biceps
Thursday: Run/jog/rowing machine
Friday: Shoulders and Ab Ripper X I HATE IT BUT I LOVE IT
This, combined with a good diet will help. Think along the lines of egg white omelet for breakfast, grilled chicken breast and veggies for lunch, and a healthy dinner. Eat snacks in-between meals. Drink a protein shake soon after each workout. The routine sounds horrible, but it's pretty easy to cut out an hour of videogame time or whatever each day to improve health. It also makes you feel better. I had a walk that I did every day as a fat burner. I'd walk 2 miles at 4mph with a 12% incline every day. I went from a slightly chubby 200lbs to a pretty fit 180lbs in a short time with this routine. The other two guys in my workout group also saw excellent results. If you just want to tone up, do light weight at high reps.
Edit: Your significant other will be more attracted to you if you're in good shape, despite what she might say now. Oh yeah, drink lots of water.
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