Workout results thread (warning: pics)

[pig]

Yes, it's by weight class. There are several different federations so depending on what one you lift in the records will vary. Weight classes are fairly standard across the board though and they are Youth (several categories), 114, 123, 132, 148, 165, 181, 198, 220, 242, 275, 308, 341 and SHW (super heavyweight- no weight limit).

[Formerly SK]

"And the squat you have to break parallel which most people don't."

Pig - would you recommend a newbie do squats breaking parallel? I've gotten my weight up to 95lbs (ten reps) but I know if I have to go parallel I'd have to lower it. Is it better to do that and build up again with the sub-parallel form? Also, I was thinking of setting a goal to squat my BW (130lbs). Does that seem reasonable for a woman?

[Sum Dum Gai]

Squatting above parallel is bad for you knees, which are strongest in a fully flexed or extended position but weaker in the middle. When you do a partial squat your bottom position (when you start driving up) happens with your knees in an anatomically weak spot and the stabilizing forces between your quads and hamstrings aren't balanced with puts sideways shearing pressure on your kneecap. It will also lead to muscular imbalance between your quads and hamstrings (since your hamstrings aren't nearly as engaged in a half squat) which means that your quads can exert more force than your hamstrings can balance, when you run or play sports, which makes you much more likely to get hamstring tears and pulls which are a real pain in the ass to heal.

[Formerly SK]

Oops....I should have said my current squats are parallel, but I'm wondering about going below parallel.

Dark - thanks for your response. My rookie brain had to read it several times to understand it.

[Sum Dum Gai]

If you're flexible enough you want to squat like olympic lifters. They go way way deep. It works your muscles through their broadest range of motion, gets all the stabilizing muscles around your knees and hips, keeps you flexible, and it'll keep you from using weight that's too heavy for your back to support safely. Provided you aren't squatting with a rounded back or something.

[Formerly SK]

Thanks Dark! I'm going to start doing it that way.

[shandi76]

Formerly SK - that's an impressive squat weight I take it you have racks at your gym? Mine doesn't, so I have to clean and press the bar over onto my back, which limits me to about 25Kg.

@dark - That probably explains the current pain on the outside of my left knee... I find it hard to squat to parallel without losing form and my lower back arching, so I haven't been going deep enough. I guess I just need to work on strengthening my abs to support my lower back?

[Formerly SK]

Shandi - yes that is with a rack. My lower body is MUCH stronger than my upper. You should see my pathetic pushups.

[shandi76]

My push-ups are pathetic It took me several years to be able to do even one push-up on my toes rather than the 'modified' knees down version. I can do maybe 8 reps now but it depends how I am feeling and not with perfect form.

And after a decade of trying I still can't do even one full tricep push-up

[pig]

"Shandi - yes that is with a rack."

tee hee

[azphx1972]

Apr 15, 2011 12:24:30 GMT -5 shandi76 said:

My push-ups are pathetic It took me several years to be able to do even one push-up on my toes rather than the 'modified' knees down version. I can do maybe 8 reps now but it depends how I am feeling and not with perfect form.

I just recently learned how to do push-ups properly, after years of doing them in the conventional manner. This video opened my eyes.

[shandi76]

Thanks for posting the video azphx.

I tried a few push-ups with that technique and they feel harder than normal push-ups. I think I use my upper back more than my shoulders and pecs during push-ups, if that's possible?

[Formerly SK]

That's a very interesting video. Thanks for posting.

I can't do (yet) regular pushups from my toes, and rather than using my knees I've been doing pushups from a bar about 12" off the ground. I can barely do three sets of 10 this way. Perhaps I should bite the bullet and start doing them from the ground ala the video even if it means I can only do 3-4 and I'll just slowly build from there.

I sooooo love this board! I'm learning so much from everyone!

[azphx1972]

I tried a few push-ups with that technique and they feel harder than normal push-ups. I think I use my upper back more than my shoulders and pecs during push-ups, if that's possible?

It does take a while to adjust, but I've found that they're actually easier than conventional push-ups now that I've adapted, and I can do more push-ups this way (doing 50 at a time is no big deal now). I agree that it works the entire upper body more, but the biggest benefit for me is the reduced strain on my shoulders. I want to avoid having shoulder surgery for as long as possible!

[pig]

New PR DL last night! My old record was 2.84x BW. This lift while less 2.65x BW was more in raw poundage as I'm heavier now than 10 years ago.

[Sum Dum Gai]

Don't tease us, how much did you lift?

[Artemis Windsong]

I think we need a thread with proper technique videos like the push up one and Doc's squat video.

I do knee push ups or on a low smith bar at the gym.

Nice body work for those posting pix.

[Deleted]

I think we need some more pics. Anybody?

[pig]

Careful, Dark may pull a Bret Farve on ya!

[Deleted]

Let me clarify: not those kind of pictures!

[Sum Dum Gai]

I'm taking another progress picture tonight. I wore my Flash underoos just for the occasion.

[Deleted]

Drats! I was hoping for He-Man, Masters of the Universe.

[Sum Dum Gai]

I'm not swol' up enough to sport He-Man. I'm built more like Spiderman or Flash. I'll get up to a Batman or Deadpool look one day though.

[shandi76]

I think we need some more pics. Anybody?

I actually took a few photos a couple of weeks ago, but they were so terrible I decided I couldn't post them. I had no idea I was so poorly proportioned and deathly pale

[pig]

Oh come on Shandi!

[Deleted]

I actually took a few photos a couple of weeks ago, but they were so terrible I decided I couldn't post them. I had no idea I was so poorly proportioned and deathly pale

Shandi, just remember that you are probably your biggest critic. I hate looking at my own pictures. Dr.Pig promises to be gentle, right Doc?

[pig]

I would not and never have insulted anyone who I have seen real life pictures of. That's just being a jerk.

[Kung Fu Panda]

This was Last Year - The red box are pieces of the board flying from my Chuck Norris Kick

I just finished testing for Brown Belt / Black Stripe this month

Not too shabby for hanging onto 30-something...


(hopefully this works...)

Attachments:

[pig]

Cool Tom! I was thinking about getting my son into some kind of martial arts just so he can get some physical activity. He doesn't like organized sports.

[Kung Fu Panda]

One of my sons does Karate, and he loves to gloat that technically he outranks me....MA is a very unique sport, and if done correctly and the instructors know how to work with kids, can keep them entertained while they are getting a workout. Kids will learn discipline and manners as well!