Weekly post and icons

[cereta]

I know it's been a while, but: what did you do this week?

Also, I don't know about anyone else, but I would love an icon for posts about lifting heavy things. So I'm putting out a call. Ideas? Icons you want to share?

Comments

[rydra_wong]

FWIW, I found it extremely useful to get an adjustable dumbbell set -- something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Cap-Barbell-40-Pound-Dumbbell-Set/dp/B000VCDXNS

You don't have to buy new dumbbells each time you want to go heavier, and you also get the weight plates to play with (three of mine are currently strung on some sturdy webbing for exercises to fix my finger tendons).

[daedala]

Agreed on adjustables, but that particular set seems pretty light -- I've just restarted working out, and it wouldn't be anywhere near enough. (40 lbs total = 20 lb each dumbbell... I started workout out again four weeks ago, and I need more weight on squats, deadlifts, and one-arm rows). I'd suggest something that went up to at least 40 on each side, preferably more.

[rydra_wong]

Good point.

My thinking is that beyond a certain point, it may be cheaper to check out a gym and use the barbells (I am not getting a barbell set at home, dammit*). But that may be partly because I've got access to a cheap local council gym.

I have a lightweight adjustable dumbbell kit for oddball stuff (often unilateral) at home, plus a couple of kettlebells and clubbells tucked into a corner.

... actually, we should totally have a "Show off your exercise equipment collection!" post.

{*Okay, this is because I wouldn't be able to fit a squat rack into my tiny abode.}

[daedala]

Yeah, there are more reasons to use dumbbells more extensively than cost. I don't drive at all and live in a city that is only kind of "medium good" for public transit. The extra forty-five mintues for commuting makes it much less likely that I'll go anywhere. My partner and I have agreed that when the dumbbells really aren't enough for me, we'll join a gym and he'll drive me. :) He doesn't care enough to do it for himself, though I'm sure he could lift much more than he currently is. I was amazed that he'd never done free weights before!

The problems are the squats and deadlifts -- I'm not sure many other exercises that really need lots of weight and can't really be substituted (for example: bench presses can be replaced with pushup progressions) and I've got quite a bit of room left in the deadlifts. Squats are more of a problem, since I'm trying to hold the weight up rather than just replicating the deadlift movement. What I've been doing is goblet squats + working range of motion on squat days, and not worrying so much about ROM with the deadlifts (though I am careful to keep good form in the range I can manage). I have really sucky flexibility, so this seems to work ok.

Ok, I suppose technically you can substitute pistols for squats and deadlifts, but see above: re sucky flexibility. :)

[rydra_wong]

I don't drive at all and live in a city that is only kind of "medium good" for public transit. The extra forty-five mintues for commuting makes it much less likely that I'll go anywhere.

*winces* Yeah, that's tough. And a very good reason to spend more on gym stuff for home.