So we have a phrase in my gym we use to torment the trainer (when he's not tormenting us): gym fit.
This refers to exercises that have no purpose outside of the gym. They don't increase your fitness for anything other than doing that exercise in the gym.
Now, obviously, that's often debatable, and one person's useless exercise may be key to another person's sport.
But I do think that there are some exercises that fall entirely in the category of "gym fit".
Lunges is the one I'm thinking of. I do these occasionally, and everytime they have the same effect: they make me sore. There seems to be absolutely no cross-training effect with any of the sports that I do regularly, as none of those sports seem to maintain the muscle tone that is required to effectively do lunges. The only time I'm fit for doing lunges is when I've been doing lunges. Running, skiing, mountain biking; none of them seem to make me fit for doing lunges.
Sadly, I was doing forward lunges... So perhaps those also help with hilly running?
On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 9:47 AM, Luis Manuel <lmci...@gmail.com> wrote: > *"Backward Lunges* (adductors and glutes; targets all muscles used in > push phase of hilly running)"
On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 6:54 AM, Tuck <tuck...@gmail.com> wrote: > Sadly, I was doing forward lunges... So perhaps those also help with hilly > running?
I agree with certain exercises being useless outside the gym. Disagree
with lunges being one of them, at least for me. I feel they help
improve my range of motion (hip extension) and help open up my stride
length (more speed). They also seem to be good for glute strength.
On Feb 8, 9:30 am, Tuck <tuck...@gmail.com> wrote:
> So we have a phrase in my gym we use to torment the trainer (when he's not
> tormenting us): gym fit.
> This refers to exercises that have no purpose outside of the gym. They
> don't increase your fitness for anything other than doing that exercise in
> the gym.
> Now, obviously, that's often debatable, and one person's useless exercise
> may be key to another person's sport.
> But I do think that there are some exercises that fall entirely in the
> category of "gym fit".
> Lunges is the one I'm thinking of. I do these occasionally, and everytime
> they have the same effect: they make me sore. There seems to be absolutely
> no cross-training effect with any of the sports that I do regularly, as
> none of those sports seem to maintain the muscle tone that is required to
> effectively do lunges. The only time I'm fit for doing lunges is when I've
> been doing lunges. Running, skiing, mountain biking; none of them seem to
> make me fit for doing lunges.
That's a pretty cool link, Luis. MA should hire you as his librarian, if not his PR guy... ;)
On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 9:47 AM, Luis Manuel <lmci...@gmail.com> wrote: > *"Backward Lunges* (adductors and glutes; targets all muscles used in > push phase of hilly running)"
When I was in physical therapy after breaking my back, my therapist
made me do forward lunges onto a bosu. He told me it would strengthen
my lower back, work my core (stability bits) all the way around, and
my glutes. True? IDK, but I did them, and at least felt stronger for
the effort.
On Feb 8, 9:30 am, Tuck <tuck...@gmail.com> wrote:
> So we have a phrase in my gym we use to torment the trainer (when he's not
> tormenting us): gym fit.
> This refers to exercises that have no purpose outside of the gym. They
> don't increase your fitness for anything other than doing that exercise in
> the gym.
> Now, obviously, that's often debatable, and one person's useless exercise
> may be key to another person's sport.
> But I do think that there are some exercises that fall entirely in the
> category of "gym fit".
> Lunges is the one I'm thinking of. I do these occasionally, and everytime
> they have the same effect: they make me sore. There seems to be absolutely
> no cross-training effect with any of the sports that I do regularly, as
> none of those sports seem to maintain the muscle tone that is required to
> effectively do lunges. The only time I'm fit for doing lunges is when I've
> been doing lunges. Running, skiing, mountain biking; none of them seem to
> make me fit for doing lunges.
Oh they surely hit the glutes, I agree 100% with that, as does my butt right at the moment. ;)
But does that translate to better running?
"During horizontal running, the muscles or groups most activated were the adductors (90 ± 5%), semitendinosus (86 ± 13%), gracilis (76 ± 20%), biceps femoris (76 ± 12%), and semimembranosus (75 ± 12%). During uphill running, the muscles most activated were the adductors (83 ± 8%), biceps femoris (79 ± 7%), gluteal group (79 ± 11%), gastrocnemius (76 ± 15%), and vastus group (75 ± 13%). Compared with horizontal running, uphill running required considerably greater activation of the vastus group (23%) and soleus (14%) and less activation of the rectus femoris (29%), gracilis (18%), and semitendinosus (17%). We conclude that during high-intensity horizontal and uphill running to exhaustion, lasting 2–3 min, muscles of the lower extremity are not maximally activated, suggesting there is a limit to the extent to which additional muscle mass recruitment can be utilized to meet the demand for force and energy. Greater total muscle activation during exhaustive uphill than during horizontal running is achieved through an altered pattern of muscle activation that involves increased use of some muscles and less use of others."
On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 10:08 AM, Ryan <Stee...@yahoo.com> wrote: > I agree with certain exercises being useless outside the gym. Disagree > with lunges being one of them, at least for me. I feel they help > improve my range of motion (hip extension) and help open up my stride > length (more speed). They also seem to be good for glute strength.
> On Feb 8, 9:30 am, Tuck <tuck...@gmail.com> wrote: > > So we have a phrase in my gym we use to torment the trainer (when he's > not > > tormenting us): gym fit.
> > This refers to exercises that have no purpose outside of the gym. They > > don't increase your fitness for anything other than doing that exercise > in > > the gym.
> > Now, obviously, that's often debatable, and one person's useless exercise > > may be key to another person's sport.
> > But I do think that there are some exercises that fall entirely in the > > category of "gym fit".
> > Lunges is the one I'm thinking of. I do these occasionally, and > everytime > > they have the same effect: they make me sore. There seems to be > absolutely > > no cross-training effect with any of the sports that I do regularly, as > > none of those sports seem to maintain the muscle tone that is required to > > effectively do lunges. The only time I'm fit for doing lunges is when > I've > > been doing lunges. Running, skiing, mountain biking; none of them seem > to > > make me fit for doing lunges.
----- Original Message ----- From: Tuck To: Minimalist Runner - Barefoot, Huaraches, FiveFingers... Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2012 8:30 AM Subject: [Minimalist Runner:101895] Gym Fit
So we have a phrase in my gym we use to torment the trainer (when he's not tormenting us): gym fit.
This refers to exercises that have no purpose outside of the gym. They don't increase your fitness for anything other than doing that exercise in the gym.
Now, obviously, that's often debatable, and one person's useless exercise may be key to another person's sport.
But I do think that there are some exercises that fall entirely in the category of "gym fit".
Lunges is the one I'm thinking of. I do these occasionally, and everytime they have the same effect: they make me sore. There seems to be absolutely no cross-training effect with any of the sports that I do regularly, as none of those sports seem to maintain the muscle tone that is required to effectively do lunges. The only time I'm fit for doing lunges is when I've been doing lunges. Running, skiing, mountain biking; none of them seem to make me fit for doing lunges.
On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 10:15 AM, Rich Frantz <richfra...@gmail.com> wrote: > When I was in physical therapy after breaking my back, my therapist > made me do forward lunges onto a bosu. He told me it would strengthen > my lower back, work my core (stability bits) all the way around, and > my glutes. True? IDK, but I did them, and at least felt stronger for > the effort.
> On Feb 8, 9:30 am, Tuck <tuck...@gmail.com> wrote: > > So we have a phrase in my gym we use to torment the trainer (when he's > not > > tormenting us): gym fit.
> > This refers to exercises that have no purpose outside of the gym. They > > don't increase your fitness for anything other than doing that exercise > in > > the gym.
> > Now, obviously, that's often debatable, and one person's useless exercise > > may be key to another person's sport.
> > But I do think that there are some exercises that fall entirely in the > > category of "gym fit".
> > Lunges is the one I'm thinking of. I do these occasionally, and > everytime > > they have the same effect: they make me sore. There seems to be > absolutely > > no cross-training effect with any of the sports that I do regularly, as > > none of those sports seem to maintain the muscle tone that is required to > > effectively do lunges. The only time I'm fit for doing lunges is when > I've > > been doing lunges. Running, skiing, mountain biking; none of them seem > to > > make me fit for doing lunges.
On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 10:20 AM, el jefe <cr...@austin.rr.com> wrote: > ** > *yes, thas what god made hills for....*
> ----- Original Message ----- > *From:* Tuck <tuck...@gmail.com> > *To:* Minimalist Runner - Barefoot, Huaraches, FiveFingers...<huaraches@googlegroups.com> > *Sent:* Wednesday, February 08, 2012 8:30 AM > *Subject:* [Minimalist Runner:101895] Gym Fit
> So we have a phrase in my gym we use to torment the trainer (when he's not > tormenting us): gym fit.
> This refers to exercises that have no purpose outside of the gym. They > don't increase your fitness for anything other than doing that exercise in > the gym.
> Now, obviously, that's often debatable, and one person's useless exercise > may be key to another person's sport.
> But I do think that there are some exercises that fall entirely in the > category of "gym fit".
> Lunges is the one I'm thinking of. I do these occasionally, and everytime > they have the same effect: they make me sore. There seems to be absolutely > no cross-training effect with any of the sports that I do regularly, as > none of those sports seem to maintain the muscle tone that is required to > effectively do lunges. The only time I'm fit for doing lunges is when I've > been doing lunges. Running, skiing, mountain biking; none of them seem to > make me fit for doing lunges.
Lunges are one of the few 'eccentric contractions' you can do at a
gym. You're asking the muscle to contract and elongate at the same
time. It's a tough demand.
On Feb 8, 10:20 am, "el jefe" <cr...@austin.rr.com> wrote:
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Tuck
> To: Minimalist Runner - Barefoot, Huaraches, FiveFingers...
> Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2012 8:30 AM
> Subject: [Minimalist Runner:101895] Gym Fit
> So we have a phrase in my gym we use to torment the trainer (when he's not tormenting us): gym fit.
> This refers to exercises that have no purpose outside of the gym. They don't increase your fitness for anything other than doing that exercise in the gym.
> Now, obviously, that's often debatable, and one person's useless exercise may be key to another person's sport.
> But I do think that there are some exercises that fall entirely in the category of "gym fit".
> Lunges is the one I'm thinking of. I do these occasionally, and everytime they have the same effect: they make me sore. There seems to be absolutely no cross-training effect with any of the sports that I do regularly, as none of those sports seem to maintain the muscle tone that is required to effectively do lunges. The only time I'm fit for doing lunges is when I've been doing lunges. Running, skiing, mountain biking; none of them seem to make me fit for doing lunges.
Consider the opposite kind, things we need to be working on. Ever since snow and ice covered the ground, I am falling a lot. Then I went skiing, I've never fell that many times recently. I need to work on falling without getting hurt.
That's definitely a good skill, no doubt about it.
On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 10:26 AM, runs_with_kona <shin.n....@gmail.com>wrote:
> Consider the opposite kind, things we need to be working on. Ever since > snow and ice covered the ground, I am falling a lot. Then I went skiing, > I've never fell that many times recently. I need to work on falling > without getting hurt.
At Saturday's run, I stumbled maybe 4 or 5 times, but never went down. I've gotten pretty good at not quite falling. :-)
One time the only reason I didn't have a hard face plant (slight downhill so at a pretty good pace), was because there was a small tree growing close enough to the trail that I was able to grab it with my left hand. Of course then my shoulder hurt pretty good for a while, but I think it's better than a broken nose. :-)
On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 10:30 AM, Tuck <tuck...@gmail.com> wrote: > That's definitely a good skill, no doubt about it.
> On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 10:26 AM, runs_with_kona <shin.n....@gmail.com>wrote:
>> Consider the opposite kind, things we need to be working on. Ever since >> snow and ice covered the ground, I am falling a lot. Then I went skiing, >> I've never fell that many times recently. I need to work on falling >> without getting hurt.
I found that in high school, lunges really helped my mountain biking, but I would tend to do more scissor jumps (lunge into a jump and land on the opposite lunge position) than lunges. Lunges work the glutes (for me at least) and if you have the right seat height and pedaling form, strong glutes can really help your climbing on a bike.
On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 9:30 AM, Tuck <tuck...@gmail.com> wrote: > So we have a phrase in my gym we use to torment the trainer (when he's not > tormenting us): gym fit.
> This refers to exercises that have no purpose outside of the gym. They > don't increase your fitness for anything other than doing that exercise in > the gym.
> Now, obviously, that's often debatable, and one person's useless exercise > may be key to another person's sport.
> But I do think that there are some exercises that fall entirely in the > category of "gym fit".
> Lunges is the one I'm thinking of. I do these occasionally, and everytime > they have the same effect: they make me sore. There seems to be absolutely > no cross-training effect with any of the sports that I do regularly, as none > of those sports seem to maintain the muscle tone that is required to > effectively do lunges. The only time I'm fit for doing lunges is when I've > been doing lunges. Running, skiing, mountain biking; none of them seem to > make me fit for doing lunges.
For me the best cross-training for mountain biking has been barefoot-style running on trails. Nearly a perfect fit (not 100%, as my pulled calf shows, but close).
On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 10:47 AM, Doug Sims <wdsim...@gmail.com> wrote: > I found that in high school, lunges really helped my mountain biking, > but I would tend to do more scissor jumps (lunge into a jump and land > on the opposite lunge position) than lunges. Lunges work the glutes > (for me at least) and if you have the right seat height and pedaling > form, strong glutes can really help your climbing on a bike.
> Of course, now, lunges just make me sore.... :)
> On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 9:30 AM, Tuck <tuck...@gmail.com> wrote: > > So we have a phrase in my gym we use to torment the trainer (when he's > not > > tormenting us): gym fit.
> > This refers to exercises that have no purpose outside of the gym. They > > don't increase your fitness for anything other than doing that exercise > in > > the gym.
> > Now, obviously, that's often debatable, and one person's useless exercise > > may be key to another person's sport.
> > But I do think that there are some exercises that fall entirely in the > > category of "gym fit".
> > Lunges is the one I'm thinking of. I do these occasionally, and > everytime > > they have the same effect: they make me sore. There seems to be > absolutely > > no cross-training effect with any of the sports that I do regularly, as > none > > of those sports seem to maintain the muscle tone that is required to > > effectively do lunges. The only time I'm fit for doing lunges is when > I've > > been doing lunges. Running, skiing, mountain biking; none of them seem > to > > make me fit for doing lunges.
On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 11:04 AM, Doug Sims <wdsim...@gmail.com> wrote: > Yeah, I'm just now realizing the benefits of barefoot trail running. :)
> I must say that I have always hated lunges, but they do sculpt the > muscles that they target. So, maybe lunges are for your significant > other's benefit? ;)
> My choice for a gym fit exercise would be the bench press. It's less > functional than a push up, and gives you a totally meaningless number > to flaunt at the gym.
> On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 10:58 AM, Tuck <tuck...@gmail.com> wrote: > > For me the best cross-training for mountain biking has been > barefoot-style > > running on trails. Nearly a perfect fit (not 100%, as my pulled calf > shows, > > but close).
> > On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 10:47 AM, Doug Sims <wdsim...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> I found that in high school, lunges really helped my mountain biking, > >> but I would tend to do more scissor jumps (lunge into a jump and land > >> on the opposite lunge position) than lunges. Lunges work the glutes > >> (for me at least) and if you have the right seat height and pedaling > >> form, strong glutes can really help your climbing on a bike.
> >> Of course, now, lunges just make me sore.... :)
> >> On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 9:30 AM, Tuck <tuck...@gmail.com> wrote: > >> > So we have a phrase in my gym we use to torment the trainer (when he's > >> > not > >> > tormenting us): gym fit.
> >> > This refers to exercises that have no purpose outside of the gym. > They > >> > don't increase your fitness for anything other than doing that > exercise > >> > in > >> > the gym.
> >> > Now, obviously, that's often debatable, and one person's useless > >> > exercise > >> > may be key to another person's sport.
> >> > But I do think that there are some exercises that fall entirely in the > >> > category of "gym fit".
> >> > Lunges is the one I'm thinking of. I do these occasionally, and > >> > everytime > >> > they have the same effect: they make me sore. There seems to be > >> > absolutely > >> > no cross-training effect with any of the sports that I do regularly, > as > >> > none > >> > of those sports seem to maintain the muscle tone that is required to > >> > effectively do lunges. The only time I'm fit for doing lunges is when > >> > I've > >> > been doing lunges. Running, skiing, mountain biking; none of them > seem > >> > to > >> > make me fit for doing lunges.
> >> > Are lunges a complete waste of my time, then?
Interesting post. As I think back to all my collegiate basketball
training, I'm not convinced lunges or bench pressing did much for me,
at least as a point guard. The most valuable exercises were push ups,
sit ups, and curls funny enough. They gave the strength I needed in
the arms and the core . . . the rest wasn't that helpful to me . . .
maybe our power forwards and centers would have a different
perspective :)
Harry
On Feb 8, 7:30 am, Tuck <tuck...@gmail.com> wrote:
> So we have a phrase in my gym we use to torment the trainer (when he's not
> tormenting us): gym fit.
> This refers to exercises that have no purpose outside of the gym. They
> don't increase your fitness for anything other than doing that exercise in
> the gym.
> Now, obviously, that's often debatable, and one person's useless exercise
> may be key to another person's sport.
> But I do think that there are some exercises that fall entirely in the
> category of "gym fit".
> Lunges is the one I'm thinking of. I do these occasionally, and everytime
> they have the same effect: they make me sore. There seems to be absolutely
> no cross-training effect with any of the sports that I do regularly, as
> none of those sports seem to maintain the muscle tone that is required to
> effectively do lunges. The only time I'm fit for doing lunges is when I've
> been doing lunges. Running, skiing, mountain biking; none of them seem to
> make me fit for doing lunges.
I agree with curls as well, of all the gym exercises, that one is probably the most beneficial upper body exercise. Especially when a pull up is too difficult to do more than 1 or 2 at a time.
On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 11:20 AM, HHH <hholli...@gmail.com> wrote: > Interesting post. As I think back to all my collegiate basketball > training, I'm not convinced lunges or bench pressing did much for me, > at least as a point guard. The most valuable exercises were push ups, > sit ups, and curls funny enough. They gave the strength I needed in > the arms and the core . . . the rest wasn't that helpful to me . . . > maybe our power forwards and centers would have a different > perspective :)
> Harry
> On Feb 8, 7:30 am, Tuck <tuck...@gmail.com> wrote: >> So we have a phrase in my gym we use to torment the trainer (when he's not >> tormenting us): gym fit.
>> This refers to exercises that have no purpose outside of the gym. They >> don't increase your fitness for anything other than doing that exercise in >> the gym.
>> Now, obviously, that's often debatable, and one person's useless exercise >> may be key to another person's sport.
>> But I do think that there are some exercises that fall entirely in the >> category of "gym fit".
>> Lunges is the one I'm thinking of. I do these occasionally, and everytime >> they have the same effect: they make me sore. There seems to be absolutely >> no cross-training effect with any of the sports that I do regularly, as >> none of those sports seem to maintain the muscle tone that is required to >> effectively do lunges. The only time I'm fit for doing lunges is when I've >> been doing lunges. Running, skiing, mountain biking; none of them seem to >> make me fit for doing lunges.
I could be off here but as I think about basic human movements as we
look back in history, at least for survival purposes, we had to run
(we know what's entailed in that), and picked things up which is
pretty closely related to curls, we had to walk and hold things in our
arms or above our heads, we crawled, etc.
So what exercises are most closely related to such movements? I'd
argue sit ups, push ups, curls and I'm sure I'm missing something but
seems that some exercises aren't that helpful other than if your
purpose is just to develop muscles for the sake of muscles . . . for
me, I want to develop strength I need to function each day which is
running, walking and lifting/holding things . . .
Harry
On Feb 8, 9:24 am, Doug Sims <wdsim...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I agree with curls as well, of all the gym exercises, that one is
> probably the most beneficial upper body exercise. Especially when a
> pull up is too difficult to do more than 1 or 2 at a time.
> On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 11:20 AM, HHH <hholli...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Interesting post. As I think back to all my collegiate basketball
> > training, I'm not convinced lunges or bench pressing did much for me,
> > at least as a point guard. The most valuable exercises were push ups,
> > sit ups, and curls funny enough. They gave the strength I needed in
> > the arms and the core . . . the rest wasn't that helpful to me . . .
> > maybe our power forwards and centers would have a different
> > perspective :)
> > Harry
> > On Feb 8, 7:30 am, Tuck <tuck...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> So we have a phrase in my gym we use to torment the trainer (when he's not
> >> tormenting us): gym fit.
> >> This refers to exercises that have no purpose outside of the gym. They
> >> don't increase your fitness for anything other than doing that exercise in
> >> the gym.
> >> Now, obviously, that's often debatable, and one person's useless exercise
> >> may be key to another person's sport.
> >> But I do think that there are some exercises that fall entirely in the
> >> category of "gym fit".
> >> Lunges is the one I'm thinking of. I do these occasionally, and everytime
> >> they have the same effect: they make me sore. There seems to be absolutely
> >> no cross-training effect with any of the sports that I do regularly, as
> >> none of those sports seem to maintain the muscle tone that is required to
> >> effectively do lunges. The only time I'm fit for doing lunges is when I've
> >> been doing lunges. Running, skiing, mountain biking; none of them seem to
> >> make me fit for doing lunges.
> >> Are lunges a complete waste of my time, then?
On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 11:31 AM, HHH <hholli...@gmail.com> wrote: > I could be off here but as I think about basic human movements as we > look back in history, at least for survival purposes, we had to run > (we know what's entailed in that), and picked things up which is > pretty closely related to curls, we had to walk and hold things in our > arms or above our heads, we crawled, etc.
> So what exercises are most closely related to such movements? I'd > argue sit ups, push ups, curls and I'm sure I'm missing something but > seems that some exercises aren't that helpful other than if your > purpose is just to develop muscles for the sake of muscles . . . for > me, I want to develop strength I need to function each day which is > running, walking and lifting/holding things . . .
> Harry
> On Feb 8, 9:24 am, Doug Sims <wdsim...@gmail.com> wrote: > > I agree with curls as well, of all the gym exercises, that one is > > probably the most beneficial upper body exercise. Especially when a > > pull up is too difficult to do more than 1 or 2 at a time.
> > On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 11:20 AM, HHH <hholli...@gmail.com> wrote: > > > Interesting post. As I think back to all my collegiate basketball > > > training, I'm not convinced lunges or bench pressing did much for me, > > > at least as a point guard. The most valuable exercises were push ups, > > > sit ups, and curls funny enough. They gave the strength I needed in > > > the arms and the core . . . the rest wasn't that helpful to me . . . > > > maybe our power forwards and centers would have a different > > > perspective :)
> > > Harry
> > > On Feb 8, 7:30 am, Tuck <tuck...@gmail.com> wrote: > > >> So we have a phrase in my gym we use to torment the trainer (when > he's not > > >> tormenting us): gym fit.
> > >> This refers to exercises that have no purpose outside of the gym. > They > > >> don't increase your fitness for anything other than doing that > exercise in > > >> the gym.
> > >> Now, obviously, that's often debatable, and one person's useless > exercise > > >> may be key to another person's sport.
> > >> But I do think that there are some exercises that fall entirely in the > > >> category of "gym fit".
> > >> Lunges is the one I'm thinking of. I do these occasionally, and > everytime > > >> they have the same effect: they make me sore. There seems to be > absolutely > > >> no cross-training effect with any of the sports that I do regularly, > as > > >> none of those sports seem to maintain the muscle tone that is > required to > > >> effectively do lunges. The only time I'm fit for doing lunges is > when I've > > >> been doing lunges. Running, skiing, mountain biking; none of them > seem to > > >> make me fit for doing lunges.
> > >> Are lunges a complete waste of my time, then?
> On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 11:31 AM, HHH <hholli...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > I could be off here but as I think about basic human movements as we
> > look back in history, at least for survival purposes, we had to run
> > (we know what's entailed in that), and picked things up which is
> > pretty closely related to curls, we had to walk and hold things in our
> > arms or above our heads, we crawled, etc.
> > So what exercises are most closely related to such movements? I'd
> > argue sit ups, push ups, curls and I'm sure I'm missing something but
> > seems that some exercises aren't that helpful other than if your
> > purpose is just to develop muscles for the sake of muscles . . . for
> > me, I want to develop strength I need to function each day which is
> > running, walking and lifting/holding things . . .
> > Harry
> > On Feb 8, 9:24 am, Doug Sims <wdsim...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > I agree with curls as well, of all the gym exercises, that one is
> > > probably the most beneficial upper body exercise. Especially when a
> > > pull up is too difficult to do more than 1 or 2 at a time.
> > > On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 11:20 AM, HHH <hholli...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > > Interesting post. As I think back to all my collegiate basketball
> > > > training, I'm not convinced lunges or bench pressing did much for me,
> > > > at least as a point guard. The most valuable exercises were push ups,
> > > > sit ups, and curls funny enough. They gave the strength I needed in
> > > > the arms and the core . . . the rest wasn't that helpful to me . . .
> > > > maybe our power forwards and centers would have a different
> > > > perspective :)
> > > > Harry
> > > > On Feb 8, 7:30 am, Tuck <tuck...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > >> So we have a phrase in my gym we use to torment the trainer (when
> > he's not
> > > >> tormenting us): gym fit.
> > > >> This refers to exercises that have no purpose outside of the gym.
> > They
> > > >> don't increase your fitness for anything other than doing that
> > exercise in
> > > >> the gym.
> > > >> Now, obviously, that's often debatable, and one person's useless
> > exercise
> > > >> may be key to another person's sport.
> > > >> But I do think that there are some exercises that fall entirely in the
> > > >> category of "gym fit".
> > > >> Lunges is the one I'm thinking of. I do these occasionally, and
> > everytime
> > > >> they have the same effect: they make me sore. There seems to be
> > absolutely
> > > >> no cross-training effect with any of the sports that I do regularly,
> > as
> > > >> none of those sports seem to maintain the muscle tone that is
> > required to
> > > >> effectively do lunges. The only time I'm fit for doing lunges is
> > when I've
> > > >> been doing lunges. Running, skiing, mountain biking; none of them
> > seem to
> > > >> make me fit for doing lunges.
> > > >> Are lunges a complete waste of my time, then?
and this takes us back to the basics . . . push ups, sit ups and a
tree branch for pull ups and you are likely good to go . . . no fancy
gym or gym equipment required :)
Harry
On Feb 8, 9:33 am, Tuck <tuck...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 11:31 AM, HHH <hholli...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > I could be off here but as I think about basic human movements as we
> > look back in history, at least for survival purposes, we had to run
> > (we know what's entailed in that), and picked things up which is
> > pretty closely related to curls, we had to walk and hold things in our
> > arms or above our heads, we crawled, etc.
> > So what exercises are most closely related to such movements? I'd
> > argue sit ups, push ups, curls and I'm sure I'm missing something but
> > seems that some exercises aren't that helpful other than if your
> > purpose is just to develop muscles for the sake of muscles . . . for
> > me, I want to develop strength I need to function each day which is
> > running, walking and lifting/holding things . . .
> > Harry
> > On Feb 8, 9:24 am, Doug Sims <wdsim...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > I agree with curls as well, of all the gym exercises, that one is
> > > probably the most beneficial upper body exercise. Especially when a
> > > pull up is too difficult to do more than 1 or 2 at a time.
> > > On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 11:20 AM, HHH <hholli...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > > Interesting post. As I think back to all my collegiate basketball
> > > > training, I'm not convinced lunges or bench pressing did much for me,
> > > > at least as a point guard. The most valuable exercises were push ups,
> > > > sit ups, and curls funny enough. They gave the strength I needed in
> > > > the arms and the core . . . the rest wasn't that helpful to me . . .
> > > > maybe our power forwards and centers would have a different
> > > > perspective :)
> > > > Harry
> > > > On Feb 8, 7:30 am, Tuck <tuck...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > >> So we have a phrase in my gym we use to torment the trainer (when
> > he's not
> > > >> tormenting us): gym fit.
> > > >> This refers to exercises that have no purpose outside of the gym.
> > They
> > > >> don't increase your fitness for anything other than doing that
> > exercise in
> > > >> the gym.
> > > >> Now, obviously, that's often debatable, and one person's useless
> > exercise
> > > >> may be key to another person's sport.
> > > >> But I do think that there are some exercises that fall entirely in the
> > > >> category of "gym fit".
> > > >> Lunges is the one I'm thinking of. I do these occasionally, and
> > everytime
> > > >> they have the same effect: they make me sore. There seems to be
> > absolutely
> > > >> no cross-training effect with any of the sports that I do regularly,
> > as
> > > >> none of those sports seem to maintain the muscle tone that is
> > required to
> > > >> effectively do lunges. The only time I'm fit for doing lunges is
> > when I've
> > > >> been doing lunges. Running, skiing, mountain biking; none of them
> > seem to
> > > >> make me fit for doing lunges.
> > > >> Are lunges a complete waste of my time, then?
Yeah, I'm just now realizing the benefits of barefoot trail running. :)
I must say that I have always hated lunges, but they do sculpt the muscles that they target. So, maybe lunges are for your significant other's benefit? ;)
My choice for a gym fit exercise would be the bench press. It's less functional than a push up, and gives you a totally meaningless number to flaunt at the gym.
On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 10:58 AM, Tuck <tuck...@gmail.com> wrote: > For me the best cross-training for mountain biking has been barefoot-style > running on trails. Nearly a perfect fit (not 100%, as my pulled calf shows, > but close).
> On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 10:47 AM, Doug Sims <wdsim...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> I found that in high school, lunges really helped my mountain biking, >> but I would tend to do more scissor jumps (lunge into a jump and land >> on the opposite lunge position) than lunges. Lunges work the glutes >> (for me at least) and if you have the right seat height and pedaling >> form, strong glutes can really help your climbing on a bike.
>> Of course, now, lunges just make me sore.... :)
>> On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 9:30 AM, Tuck <tuck...@gmail.com> wrote: >> > So we have a phrase in my gym we use to torment the trainer (when he's >> > not >> > tormenting us): gym fit.
>> > This refers to exercises that have no purpose outside of the gym. They >> > don't increase your fitness for anything other than doing that exercise >> > in >> > the gym.
>> > Now, obviously, that's often debatable, and one person's useless >> > exercise >> > may be key to another person's sport.
>> > But I do think that there are some exercises that fall entirely in the >> > category of "gym fit".
>> > Lunges is the one I'm thinking of. I do these occasionally, and >> > everytime >> > they have the same effect: they make me sore. There seems to be >> > absolutely >> > no cross-training effect with any of the sports that I do regularly, as >> > none >> > of those sports seem to maintain the muscle tone that is required to >> > effectively do lunges. The only time I'm fit for doing lunges is when >> > I've >> > been doing lunges. Running, skiing, mountain biking; none of them seem >> > to >> > make me fit for doing lunges.
>> > Are lunges a complete waste of my time, then?
