h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I've only ever pulled muscles while exercising but it's never put me off exercising itself.

I did hurt myself on a machine at the gym once and didn't use that machine again, but other than that, no.

You're made of tuff stuff Elentari and we salute you

Curiously apposite topic. I've just joined a gym and been talking about it on my ps.

No pain, no gain? ...Yeesss!

However, over 42, quit when its starts hurting or you're risking physiological and neurological damage.

What a topic, when I was younger I would be in the gym 365 days a year. I used to lift weights and to some extent was abit of a body builder. Yes I would hurt every morning when I woke up in one area or another because the workouts from the day before would blast the muscles to rebuild them bigger and stronger than before. Back to the gym and more exercise would cure that and boy was it good to feel so pumped. I had muscles that could put most men to shame. However as costs at the gym rose and children came along the gym took a back seat. I often think I may go back to it but have never got around to it as yet. I may never be that size again but I have some great memories and I met some great people.

Hi anevyn, nice to hear from you. Do you think you could replicate to some extent some of the exercises you did at the gym in your own home (dumb-bells, pull-up bars, step-ups on stairs etc)? Or is the act od actually going to the gym a big motivating factor?

I always intend to do press ups etc at home and never do. Being at the gym forces you to work.

Went for a run last night. I got about 2 minutes down the road when I felt a sharp pain in hy hip/upper thigh. Tried to keep running but it still hurt so I thought I'd better give it a miss.

Still, off camping at the weekend and I will be surfing which I think is pretty good exercise.

>>>Being at the gym forces you to work.

I've always suspected that might be the case. Good luck with the surfing

Thankyou for the reply. You can replicate the equipment at home with dumbells, barbells etc but there are a few things that must be taken into consideration when doing so. 1, the cost, sets of weights can be very expensive and the further you get into it the more you need to get. 2, space, they do take up a large amount of room, especially when you add benches and so on and 3, safety, make sure children cannot get at them as we once had an unfotunate experience when one of my daughters dropped a large weight on her foot. Also at home you often have no one to spot you so if you get into trouble it can be rather difficult to get out of it. At the gym we often spotted for each other when using free weights, plus there are others that can offer advice and support if you are finding difficulty with a particular area. There are reasons for and against the use of weights at home and you should consider these factors carefully before purchasing home equipment.

anevyn, a sensible, well-considered response. I think, as you say, when folk move on to anything more than the lightest of weights there is need for a bit of supervision and assistance. Also, speaking to others, there's something to be said that if you are able to fork out the cash to join a gym, that in itself is a motivating factor (I've paid so I'll blimmin' well go' sort-of thing). Anyway, good post and good luck one and all with your physical endeavours

Definitely - I joined a gym at Christmas, and find the monthly direct debit is enough of an incentive to get me along 3 times a week! I also like that there's someone on hand to supervise and make sure I'm not doing any damage, and if I do feel a twang or twinge I can ask an expert for assistance.

I did a Body-Pump class last night, which involves lifting bar weights, and I thanked the instructor afterwards for concentrating on our technique, encouraging to go for lighter weights if the heavier ones were forcing us into the "wrong" position, or causing us to swing instead of lift.

Exactly Beatrice!

I would always advise people to join a gym and get proper advice on technique and how to use the equipment properly and safely. Plus once you get into weights there are so many different muscle groups that need to be worked on that routines have to be thought out and planned so that you do not overwork muscles and damage them. I used to split my workouts so that on day 1 I would work my leg muscles and glutes on day 2 I would work abs and obliques and on day 3 I would work arms, lats and shoulders day 4 was a rest day and day 5 I would start the cycle again. This allowed time for the muscles to repair and rest before being worked again.
Plus you can also get some good dietry advice as well.
Be safe but enjoy the new you that will emerge

I'm with Bea in the incentive that a direct debit has on my gym attendance.

But I just love going to the gym (mind you, back in my Army days I was a shift worker and we could choose which day to do PT - if it was a good lesson I used to go 3 or 4 times... so I could be called a bit "strange" in that respect)

In fact I love the gym so much I joined two (one is near my office, one near my home) so that I don't miss out on a weekend workout.

However, I only really do cardio. I love running but I don't always get outside because it's often too hot, too cold, too windy and/or too wet (running in cool drizzle is my favourite) so I do a fair bit of running on the treadmill. The Control Freak in me loves that I can really see what I'm doing.

I also use the fat-burning programme on the crosstrainer which is especially good when my old knees are playing up.

Finally I use the rowing machine. Which is the most boring exercise known to anyone. I usually do 20 minutes, but it feels more like 3 hours. But it is a most excellent exercise, especially when I feel that my ankles are looking a little bloated.