So, who's been up to what lately?

[rydra_wong]

In the last few weeks, I've been going to the gym for the first time in ages.

In the past few years, I've generally been doing bodyweight and kettlebell stuff at home as strength training, and now I've decided to get some barbell work done again, and in particular get back to deadlifting -- partly because I've been having a run of back aches and would like to build up my back strength again, partly because I'd forgotten just how much I enjoy deadlifting.

So I thought I'd check in here and see how everyone else is doing: getting into anything new lately? Learning some new things? Switching training plans? Buying, making or enjoying any new heavy things? Re-starting after time off, or looking to get started? Lurking shyly in the comm?

Comments

[xenacryst]

Continuing (2+ years) of aerial circus, which kinda counts as lifting heavy things. I mean, it's lifting myself, and then, uh, dropping myself in decorative ways.

For related off-apparatus strength training, I've been doing a lot of core and upper back/shoulder/rotator cuff work. And periodically having a coach try to kill me in handstands class.

For core, I've found variations on tuck-ups, v-ups, and hollow body rolls to be good. I also like doing this thing from plank where I slide my feet up into a tuck, and then back (requires a slippery floor and socks or a piece of cloth for the feet to slide with). Also, side abs with side plank/hip lifts.

For shoulders, one of the things I like is squeezing/separating shoulder blades from a plank.

[rydra_wong]

Continuing (2+ years) of aerial circus, which kinda counts as lifting heavy things.

Definitely counts! It is a strength-type activity! Also that sounds terrifying and amazing.

I also like doing this thing from plank where I slide my feet up into a tuck, and then back (requires a slippery floor and socks or a piece of cloth for the feet to slide with).

You can do this with rings or a TRX-type system too, with your feet in the rings/footloops.