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

[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.