Workout: What did you do today?

[grindy]

Been doing a bit more arm work lately and imo they're coming along nicely. And yes, I have tiny, girlish wrists.
(Disclaimer: This is pumped, flexing, probably some smartphone lens distortion)

[jimmy jazz]

I've got skinny wrists as well mate. I don't mind it. Makes my arms look bigger.

Its looking nice and juicy mate. I'd like to squeeze them. What sort of weights are you doing for arm exercises now?

[grindy]

I've got skinny wrists as well mate. I don't mind it. Makes my arms look bigger.

Its looking nice and juicy mate. I'd like to squeeze them. What sort of weights are you doing for arm exercises now?

I'm doing baby weights with high reps. After my compound push/pull exercises I do a 50 rep rest pause set of normal/hammer dumbbell curls (8.5kg) or cable push downs (10kg). And I have a seventh bro day where I do incline dumbbell curls and overhead dumbbell tricep extensions again with 8.5 kg for three sets of around 20 reps. All very controlled, slow and with maximum ROM.

[Guybrush]

Looking nice and swole, @grindy 😊

I three have the skinny wrists btw.

I've been doing the ~10 rep range with curls, but might try what you're doing instead. Might be time to change things up a bit anyways.

[Lisnaholic]

With age as my excuse, I don't work out in the sense that you guys do, but I am trying a few more exercises, like touching my toes, where "maintaining mobility" is more often the goal than building strength. I have two real beginner-type questions:-
i) I get bugged by having to constantly count to ten every time I do a "set". I find it boring, and distracting when I'm trying to listen to music at the same time. Has anyone found a good solution to that issue ?
ii) I've tried doing a "dead hang" for the last couple of days. That's quite a healthy thing to do, right?
My best so far has been 8 seconds before it feels like my upper arms are on fire - so unless anyone can top that, it will remain as the definitive Forum's Longest Dead-Hang 

[jimmy jazz]

With age as my excuse, I don't work out in the sense that you guys do, but I am trying a few more exercises, like touching my toes, where "maintaining mobility" is more often the goal than building strength. I have two real beginner-type questions:-
i) I get bugged by having to constantly count to ten every time I do a "set". I find it boring, and distracting when I'm trying to listen to music at the same time. Has anyone found a good solution to that issue ?
ii) I've tried doing a "dead hang" for the last couple of days. That's quite a healthy thing to do, right?
My best so far has been 8 seconds before it feels like my upper arms are on fire - so unless anyone can top that, it will remain as the definitive Forum's Longest Dead-Hang 

Buzzing that you're here mate honestly.

Counting reps isn't an issue for me, maybe it isn't the reps that are boring and it's the training and exercise you're doing. Otherwise I'd just say keep at it and it should become something you get used to.

Training with a partner would solve it but I don't know if that's possible.

Yes dead hanging is good. Perhaps you could become a regular poster and we could encourage you and motivate you? In one year you will look like a Michelangelo sculpture*

*possibly

Looking nice and swole, @grindy 😊

I three have the skinny wrists btw.

I've been doing the ~10 rep range with curls, but might try what you're doing instead. Might be time to change things up a bit anyways.

Give one of those Scooby supersets a go. You've been lifting long enough now. You're not an idiot either so injury risk I'd say is minimal now.

Obviously use light weights cos you'll be on fire by the end. I do this once every two months or so.

[Guybrush]

With age as my excuse, I don't work out in the sense that you guys do, but I am trying a few more exercises, like touching my toes, where "maintaining mobility" is more often the goal than building strength. I have two real beginner-type questions:-
i) I get bugged by having to constantly count to ten every time I do a "set". I find it boring, and distracting when I'm trying to listen to music at the same time. Has anyone found a good solution to that issue ?
ii) I've tried doing a "dead hang" for the last couple of days. That's quite a healthy thing to do, right?
My best so far has been 8 seconds before it feels like my upper arms are on fire - so unless anyone can top that, it will remain as the definitive Forum's Longest Dead-Hang 

I might be able to beat your dead hang record (and recognise your jest) 🙂 but in all seriousness we're all at different levels so I think it's less about how much or how long and more about just doing it and pushing yourself.. wherever you're at.

The dead hang is a good exercise, though I do get the impression that its benefits are part mythical. Unless you're doing it for back pain related reasons, I think of it as a forearm exercise and perhaps something that could eventually prepare you for bar-related exercises like assisted pullups or dead lifts.

For mobility, have you considered yoga? It is great. And if you prefer just doing stretches, there are some mobility YouTubers that seem to have good content.

[Guybrush]

Thanks @jimmy jazz 🙂 I might try that one day, perhaps Wednesday.

On Tuesday, I have onboarding for the closest CrossFit gym. I'm not planning on doing a lot there, but maybe once a week tops.

[grindy]

With age as my excuse, I don't work out in the sense that you guys do, but I am trying a few more exercises, like touching my toes, where "maintaining mobility" is more often the goal than building strength. I have two real beginner-type questions:-
i) I get bugged by having to constantly count to ten every time I do a "set". I find it boring, and distracting when I'm trying to listen to music at the same time. Has anyone found a good solution to that issue ?
ii) I've tried doing a "dead hang" for the last couple of days. That's quite a healthy thing to do, right?
My best so far has been 8 seconds before it feels like my upper arms are on fire - so unless anyone can top that, it will remain as the definitive Forum's Longest Dead-Hang 

The older you get, the more important strength and hypertrophy training becomes. Muscle loss is a big issue and proper training prevents not just that but also strengthens your connective tissues and joints.
Meanwhile stretching has very limited benefits and training with weights while utilizing a full range of motion is far more useful than any stretch can be.
You don't just learn to move in different positions but also learn to be strong in them, which is very useful for real life applications and injury prevention.
Of course doing some stretches is better than not moving at all, but you could use your time better. We're here for you if you need any help with working out.
i) What do your sets look like? Do you count reps or time?
ii) Dead hangs may have some benefits due to spinal decompression but they are most likely quite small and unless it really makes your back feel good, I don't think they are particularly necessary, unless you want to build your grip strength, for which they are indeed a great exercise.

[Lisnaholic]

I might be able to beat your dead hang record (and recognise your jest) 🙂 but in all seriousness we're all at different levels so I think it's less about how much or how long and more about just doing it and pushing yourself.. wherever you're at.

The dead hang is a good exercise, though I do get the impression that its benefits are part mythical. Unless you're doing it for back pain related reasons, I think of it as a forearm exercise and perhaps something that could eventually prepare you for bar-related exercises like assisted pullups or dead lifts.

For mobility, have you considered yoga? It is great. And if you prefer just doing stretches, there are some mobility YouTubers that seem to have good content.

Thanks for the advice, Guybrush, and you are absolutely right, the point of any exercising isn't, "I can do more than you" at all - and anyway, it sounds like I already have to pass on the trophy for longest dead-hang - but, yeah, it's a stepping stone towards a day I dream of: being able to do a pull up again, which I probably haven't done since age 12.

As you recommend, I am mainly using YouTube clips to get ideas about age-appropriate exercises, though for some reason Yoga doesn't appeal very much.

Buzzing that you're here mate honestly.

Counting reps isn't an issue for me, maybe it isn't the reps that are boring and it's the training and exercise you're doing. Otherwise I'd just say keep at it and it should become something you get used to.

Training with a partner would solve it but I don't know if that's possible.

Yes dead hanging is good. Perhaps you could become a regular poster and we could encourage you and motivate you? In one year you will look like a Michelangelo sculpture*

*possibly

LOL at

*possibly

Thank you very much for your warm welcome, jimmy jazz. I really appreciate it.
It sounds like counting is just something to get used to and I will take your advice about finding exercise that are more enjoyable.
I might also do as you suggest and report occasionally on my meagre progress: thanks for the invitation. In the meantime, I'm off to do the kind of exercise I genuinely enjoy: go for a bike ride in the sunshine, which has these advantages: open air and things to see.

[Lisnaholic]

Many thanks for your full and considered answer, grindy.
What you say about muscle loss is absolutely true and I'm sure you're right about strength-building too. As I'm such a beginner, I'm going to stay with stretching for another week or so, and will then perhaps look at strength building - although I'm hoping to do that without buying lots of equipment and stuff.

Of course doing some stretches is better than not moving at all, but you could use your time better. We're here for you if you need any help with working out.
i) What do your sets look like? Do you count reps or time?
ii) Dead hangs may have some benefits due to spinal decompression but they are most likely quite small and unless it really makes your back feel good, I don't think they are particularly necessary, unless you want to build your grip strength, for which they are indeed a great exercise.

Thanks for your interest, grindy.
"What do my sets look like?" I'm not even sure how to answer that tbh. Number 1 is choose some music, then I do ten touching-of-the-toes, ten extending an elastic strap for the muscles between the shoulder blades. Both exercises repeated in 3 sets. Then on the floor for some sit-up type exercises, culminating in a hands-and-feet crawl around the dining table, which feels kind of ridiculous tbh, but is recommended on a YouTube clip.
It's only about 20 mins altogether, by which time I find I'm losing interest a little.

[Dianne W]

Lisnaholic I was reading this thread and thought gosh weightlifting and reminded me many years ago Husband bought an all in set of a contraption I called it, was a bench with weights basically and weighed a tonne and he took over the spare bedroom as the children had fled...thankyou thankyou haha. But it was one of those bad buys that never got used.
I had a discectomy in 1988, maybe remember the old Atkinson Morley specialist Hospital in Wimbledon they basically operated on spines and brains. Fab u los outcome micro surgery even more fab u los, but even then I was told no more running for you as I was an athlete of small grade and would train at the Croydon Arena with the Harriers that was a real shock so I took up advice and took up gentle exercises at various clubs with the tights and leotards brigade...netball team I played in was out so Yoga just like you said..no no basically. Well I have an old disk still and she is slow and gives you warnings as well...Barbara Curries Power of Yoga...hey you don't have to wear the tights etc....just relaxing clothes and it really does alter your bending power first off, everything is designed to strengthen you slowly but surely. Ok feel daft if you are watched as have suffered a pea taker myself, but honestly the benefits I can say are amazing...I am tall long legs and I can touch my toes and gripe them like its a ride in the park....

[grindy]

Many thanks for your full and considered answer, grindy.
What you say about muscle loss is absolutely true and I'm sure you're right about strength-building too. As I'm such a beginner, I'm going to stay with stretching for another week or so, and will then perhaps look at strength building - although I'm hoping to do that without buying lots of equipment and stuff.

Thanks for your interest, grindy.
"What do my sets look like?" I'm not even sure how to answer that tbh. Number 1 is choose some music, then I do ten touching-of-the-toes, ten extending an elastic strap for the muscles between the shoulder blades. Both exercises repeated in 3 sets. Then on the floor for some sit-up type exercises, culminating in a hands-and-feet crawl around the dining table, which feels kind of ridiculous tbh, but is recommended on a YouTube clip.
It's only about 20 mins altogether, by which time I find I'm losing interest a little.

If you ever need a program, let us know. There are certainly possibilities with no or at least very little equipment necessary.
As for counting reps, I assume it's just a matter of habit. If you train regularly, you'll count subconsciously and won't be distracted or bothered by it.

[Lisnaholic]

If you ever need a program, let us know. There are certainly possibilities with no or at least very little equipment necessary.
As for counting reps, I assume it's just a matter of habit. If you train regularly, you'll count subconsciously and won't be distracted or bothered by it.

^ Thanks, grindy. Your post is 100% good news for me
It's occured to me that you're right; I'm dissatisfied because I do too much stretching and not enough demanding strength work. It's like I'm warming up on the sidelines, but never going out on the field to play. I'm going to look on YouTube, but may take you up on your offer of guidance later. Thanks.
__________________________

Sorry to hear that you have back problems, Dianne, as I know they can recur throughout a person's life. It's a sad paradox that it's often the people who want to exercise that suffer the most. At least that's the case, apparently for you, and also with 2 friends of mine, who in their mid-twenties sustained back injuries (one during football, one during rugby).
Yes! The Atkinson Morely Hospital! Luckily, I never had to go there myself, but I remember going past it on the bus various times as a kid. I always thought it looked sinister, like an asylum in a Hitchcock movie.
___________________________

@ grindy and Dianne: yeah, I am most definitely not going down the road of buying some fancy personal workout bench contraption that I'd only use once, like D's husband ! 

[grindy]

^ Thanks, grindy. Your post is 100% good news for me
It's occured to me that you're right; I'm dissatisfied because I do too much stretching and not enough demanding strength work. It's like I'm warming up on the sidelines, but never going out on the field to play. I'm going to look on YouTube, but may take you up on your offer of guidance later. Thanks.
__________________________

Sorry to hear that you have back problems, Dianne, as I know they can recur throughout a person's life. It's a sad paradox that it's often the people who want to exercise that suffer the most. At least that's the case, apparently for you, and also with 2 friends of mine, who in their mid-twenties sustained back injuries (one during football, one during rugby).
Yes! The Atkinson Morely Hospital! Luckily, I never had to go there myself, but I remember going past it on the bus various times as a kid. I always thought it looked sinister, like an asylum in a Hitchcock movie.
___________________________

@ grindy and Dianne: yeah, I am most definitely not going down the road of buying some fancy personal workout bench contraption that I'd only use once, like D's husband ! 

Take youtube recs with a huge grain of salt. The vast majority of fitness advice is either complete bullshit or wildly ineffective.
Most people are looking for novelty and shortcuts, so most vids focus on unusual and vaguely tiring but not actually hard stuff, instead of explaining the basics of exercises and programming. Feel free to post stuff you watch here, to get some perspective.