HLSG - Weight Training Challenge...

[lindrusso]

Okay, I have a vague idea, but I need help getting this off the ground. At the Y, they are having a Super Bowl Challenge where members are challenging each other with different exercises. I'm not in on that one, but I thought it might be fun to do it here.

I'm not sure how to work it, but this is vaguely what I'm thinking. Each week we pick a muscle group and each member can challenge the others with an exercise. For example, let's say that this week was glutes (my personal worst spot!) - I might challenge everyone to squats - 20 reps, 4 sets. I figure we could challenge each other by naming an exercise and a minimum # of reps, but the amount of weights used would have to be up to the individual - I don't want Laura challenging me to bench press 125 pounds! I'd be crippled http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif !

Anyway, what do you think? Maybe we could limit each week to 4 exercises for the muscle group named? So the first 4 respondents would get to choose them? I was just thinking that a limit might be good - if we have 10 people responding with 10 different exercises for one muscle group, it might kill us!

Does anyone know of any good websites that show how to do particular exercises? I just thought that would be useful for any exercises that might not be well-known or hard to explain. And - we could utilize our Cooking Light magazine and use exercises from the current or past issues.

I'm looking to challenge myself more and thought this might be a fun way for all of us to get in/stay in shape. At the Y you get touchdowns for achieving certain challenges and the top 5 finishers get prizes - too bad we couldn't do something like that!!!

[Laura]

Ahhhhhhh come on Alysha, it would only hurt for a little while. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif Besides 4 sets of squats will kill me. I did 3 sets of lunges the other day without weights!Yikes! I couldn't walk the 2nd day. Which... reaffirms why they are not a usual part of my work out schedule (but should be). I am game, lets try to work out a formula. I need things to keep me motivated.

[Pat58]

I would love a discussion like that, but since my wrist is damaged from RA I have to be really careful with form, poundages, etc. However, I've lifted through uphill and downhill battles ever since my diagnosis and fully intend to pump iron for the rest of my life. I tried to start a weight training thread last year and it went over like - well, a 100 pound dumbell. But if you want to talk about weights, count me in! I know tons of exercises and have a lot of tips to share.

[hhcowgirl]

ANYTHING to get me motivated to lift weights!! It's my downfall . . .

[Natasha]

Lindrusso,

Neat idea! Sure, I m game, but I don t have any suggestions at the moment for exercises. You had asked about websites showing exercises. I know there is one, http://www.phys.com , that demonstrates at least some of them. I haven t seen it for a while and never tried much from it, so I can t vouch for it. I ll have a look at it now, though.

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by Laura:
Besides 4 sets of squats will kill me. I did 3 sets of lunges the other day without weights!Yikes! I couldn't walk the 2nd day.

Oh well, I was just trying to look good by saying 4 sets http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif ! Today I did 2 sets of 15 with 5 pound weights and then did one set of 15 lunges with weights. I do feel some burn tonight, so I hope that doesn't mean real PAIN tomorrow.

As far as the exercises go, it doesn't have to be anything fancy. It's more a way of making sure people do a variety of exercises. For instance, I don't do lunges or squats very often, so having someone put that up as a challenge would be great - I might not be learning a new exercise, but I would be doing an exercise that I often skip.

However, if we do learn a few new ones, that would be even better - so enlighten us Pat!!

I'll wait to see who else responds over the weekend and then we can get started on Monday.

Have a great weekend everyone!

[HARRYET]

count me in, i think this is a great idea you have! and it will get me motivated in the weight bearing mode i need to get back into!

Ann

[Gina O]

I would love to give it a try! I am also trying to think up a way that we could award a winner but haven't got there yet. Gina

[lesliem]

I'd love to join in on this but I am not too knowledgeable when it comes to weight training. In fact I still haven't got myself to the gym and I've been trying since last fall.
I'm going this weekend though...really... maybe a challenge will be the kick I need.

[Pat58]

I finally had a chance to read my Jan. CL in the tub after working out this a.m. The HealthyMoves aricle by Gin Miller looks like a well-rounded workout. I plan to try it on my next "freestyle" workout, which I do after a few days off and I want to hit multiple body parts.

[hhcowgirl]

I'll meet it! I am about to go for a run here in a minute--it is FINALLY pretty here--and I usually do all my weight/toning work after my cardio. ALso just wanted to share that I have just started (in the past month or so) doing some push-ups and I have seem incredible results--this is the first time I have ever seen any definition in my string-bean arms. So I recommend these--I started out with a modified version and even that helped.

[lindrusso]

I'm up for it Laura! I did only about 2 sets this morning, but that was before I saw your post. So, later this week, I will throw in more lunges. Hopefully it won't take me as long to recover from the ones I did today as the ones I did last week!

[HARRYET]

o.k. Laura, i'm there too!

i just saw your post and have already worked out today so i'll start tomorrow.

i'll let you know how i do and how my glutes feel by the end of the week http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

Ann

[This message has been edited by HARRYET (edited 01-15-2001).]

[lindrusso]

Please see the new HLSG post on legs for more on this challenge...

[SusieO]

This is a great idea! I've been a little burned out on weight training lately, so this will be a great way to get back into it.

Getting ready to do my lunges and push-ups right now . . .

[Laura]

Okay. I am bumping this up because I like the thought of it. I am challenging everyone to 3 sets of forward lunges, 15 reps each. Personally, I am doing them with no weights. Remember when doing a lunge to not allow your knee to go past your toe and to tighten your glutes as you push back up to your original stance. Anyone want to meet my challenge? Everyone can do this because you don't need any type of gym equipment.