209 posts shown.
Paul Baker29 said:Charles Chavez5 makes a fair point. Just Google supercompensation if you need to.
Are you kidding me? 😁 Are you suggesting that I—someone who can knock out 15 pull-ups, a number that’s stayed pretty steady for years despite occasional dips whenever I take a break—could suddenly switch to training only dips, bump my pull-ups up to 18, stop doing them entirely for three months, and call that "supercompensation"? Even though my numbers usually drop when I stop? 😁 That doesn't hold water. You lose your edge in three months, let alone your pull-up count. 😁
Charles Chavez5 said:That’s what we call supercompensation. It sounds a bit counterintuitive, but if you’re training non-stop, your performance actually tends to dip. You only see those real gains after giving yourself enough time to recover. That mechanism is called supercompensation—basically, without recovery (whether through rest, dropping the intensity, or lowering the volume), you aren't going to make any progress.
Honestly, what you're saying doesn't really hold water here. That logic only applies when someone is massively overtraining; it definitely doesn't apply to a three-month gap where I haven't done a single pull-up. 🙂
There's no way. There is absolutely no way that you, David Long27, slydriver52, and coastalbison12 are all different people. 😁
Honestly, I’m getting a little worried that this guy flagged all my posts. At this rate, I might end up with a SWAT van parked right outside my house, just like Kljajica did. 😬
David Long27 said:But this guy doesn't know the first thing about sports or what being a coach actually means—he’s clearly never even stepped foot in a gym! (Look, don't take this personally, old friend, but you've definitely outworked most of us here)
And what exactly is it that we (me included) supposedly know nothing about when it comes to sports? 😁
driftingwolf79 said:If everyone else at BlackRock is this brilliant, there’s really no reason not to listen to them. 😬
😁 Exactly.
And honestly, if all these self-proclaimed experts in Mr. Tabata or HIIT are stealing their clients, it might be an issue with the instructors themselves. Maybe they just lack basic communication skills. 😁
Charles Chavez5 said:Even Mr. Tabata himself couldn't have dreamed up a better marketing slogan than this.😂
It’s more like, "Make up for thirty years of neglect in just four minutes a day."
I can see I'm not going to change your mind, and that's fine. Stick to what you believe in, even if it's misguided.😂
Just don't be surprised when the trainer at your local gym has to give you a lecture because they feel the need to explain the "obvious" truths of fitness.
Why should anyone take advice from someone like Charles Chavez5 on an internet forum? 😁 Let people try it for themselves; there's no harm in testing it out. It doesn't seem very smart to argue against it so aggressively without actually trying it first. If someone wants to give it a shot, go for it. 🙂
Look, I won't beat around the bush: if you haven't heard of the Tabata protocol yet, you really need to get on board. It’s an incredibly efficient way to train—super short sessions, massive intensity, and the results speak for themselves. You can apply it to just about any type of exercise because the magic is in that high-intensity burst, which works regardless of the movement you choose. It’ll cost you $0.00, so there's no sense in calling this some fancy marketing gimmick.
Charles Chavez5 said:That’s just not how it works. If you want to get better at pull-ups, you actually have to do pull-ups. You aren't going to see any improvement there just by focusing on deadlifts.
Not true, and honestly, it sounds like you’re pretty new to training. It’s been proven in practice that you can. 🙂 I actually added three reps to my pull-up max just from training with kettlebells, even though I wasn't doing any pull-ups at all during that stretch.
It’s impossible. As far as I know, runners primarily run. Cycling is usually just an off-season way to stay active after an injury or to break up the monotony. Have you ever seen pro runners out on a bike riding around a track during the season? I haven't, and neither have you.
Well, you managed to miss almost every point here. There is a direct cause-and-effect relationship between activities. If someone can handle a stage in the Tour de France without breaking a sweat, they could probably go out and run a 6.2 miles decent time right now, even if they haven't picked up a running shoe in years.
I seriously doubt you're a coach, or if you are, you didn't spend much time studying the science behind it.
What exactly do you need me to clarify about Tabata?
How about this: why don't you explain why Tabata and HIIT are such massive marketing ploys and who is actually making money off them? Where in the city can we find these "hardcore" crowds throwing money at Tabata and HIIT—two supposedly ultra-intense workouts? 😁 Who are these people pushing your hype? How can you talk so confidently when you're clearly just talking nonsense? 😁
Charles Chavez5 said:There’s no such thing as a magic bullet in sports; it just doesn't exist. Think about it—how can you get faster if you aren't actually running? Or how can you get better at pull-ups if you aren't doing pull-ups? It’s pretty straightforward...
How can you improve your pull-up numbers by only doing deadlifts? 😁
How can you get better at running by just riding a bike?
How can you jump higher by solely focusing on deadlifts?
It’s honestly mind-blowing—how could someone expect to run better just by swinging kettlebells?
It’s wild to think about why people bother jumping rope, flipping tires, or doing push-ups when they seem to believe you can just master boxing through theory alone. 😁
Wait, is it possible—just maybe—that all these different movements are actually connected? 😁
You also have to look at this "study," which I haven't even read because its relevance is questionable at best, and even if it exists, you have to look at the methodology.
For instance, what if the control group that was using bells was already highly trained in pull-ups and sprinting compared to the other control group, which might have been out of shape and untrained? You really have to analyze studies thoroughly before commenting on them, much like how Tabata HIIT has been one of the biggest marketing gimmicks in the fitness industry over the last 15 years.
😁 😁
Charles Chavez5 said:Bell training has its uses, and sure, athletes use them, but which sports actually rely on it? Claiming otherwise just to lure millions of people into gyms is pure marketing, much like the whole Tabata HIIT craze.
The truth is, people are making serious money off the Tabata protocol and HIIT. You see cities full of folks following every fitness trend blindly. It’s like watching brilliant schemes being rolled out right in front of us. 😁
David Long27 said:I’ve been reading that you do a ton of squats and deadlifts. Would you mind helping us out? We aren't serious athletes or anything, so could you explain the different types of squats? We're curious about everything—where the bar should sit, which muscles get worked, and especially how to protect our knees.
(The knee thing is a big concern for my girlfriend when doing deep squats; she heard they're great for building glutes, but she's worried her knees will take a hit because she read online that deep squats are only meant for heavy lifters.)
Since neither of us has ever really done sports, we don't have anyone to ask for advice.
We aren't even sure what kind of fitness level we're at, so if you happen to know a good way to figure that out, let us know!
Thanks, looking forward to hearing from you!
Man, you're being a bit much. Give it a rest. 🙂
Terry Wells56 said:Look, if you go at it three or four times a week for about an hour—say, 20 minutes of cardio and maybe 35-40 minutes of bodyweight stuff—it’s actually more fun than hitting the gym. And honestly, for losing weight, it beats a traditional weightlifting routine any day...
How so? A gym gives you such a massive variety of exercises and routines that it can be overwhelming. Cycling and running tend to get repetitive; it's just the same motion over and over, whether you're sprinting or cruising. 🙂 The gym covers all the bases, including cardio and strength training under one roof.
Terry Wells56 said:That’s true, but looking at it realistically... how many of you gym rats were actually out there chopping wood in the Alaskan wilderness, welding on the 45th floor of the Empire State Building, operating jackhammers, fighting in the UFC, or playing pro sports? How many of you actually need a gym that much? 😁
If we want to get stronger and stay in shape, why even ask? There’s really no point in doing body fat exercises if that's not the goal. 😁 If you really want to be a total joke.
Terry Wells56 said:People should spend more time outdoors doing bodyweight exercises instead of constantly hitting the gym for machines and weights... you build way more strength, motor skills, and coordination with bodyweight stuff than anything else, so why even bother with gyms?
It’s because everything serves a specific purpose. One isn't necessarily better than the other; they just complement each other.
Honestly, the design behind those specific machines is just pure stupidity. It’s like when you go to an orthopedic specialist and they try to max out your joint load by simulating a seated leg extension or a bicep curl—they're basically just cranking up muscle tension to force more pressure onto the joints. 😁 Both of those machines are basically a free pass to wreck your joints, yet they still sell like hotcakes and everyone keeps buying them. 😁 And honestly, they aren't even the only bad ones; most of the equipment in there is just total garbage.
What’s the actual point of men doing isolation exercises, other than just fixing the imbalances caused by doing them in the first place? 😁 Maybe in specific cases, like during physical therapy.
With all these self-proclaimed gurus and "lifestyle coaches" flooding the forums lately—people just looking to make a quick buck by baiting newcomers into their schemes—it’s getting a bit crowded in here.
They act like they're some kind of coaching experts, but honestly, they just don't have the actual skill to back it up.
They can't express themselves to save their lives; they don't even know how to put a single coherent sentence together.
They can barely put a coherent sentence together, let alone actually know what they're talking about. Plus, they're just incredibly tedious.
The business students over at BlackRock have always been more about the numbers than hitting the gym, so coaching definitely isn't their calling.
At the end of the day, my experience really boils down to two things: coaching kids under ten and gathering information.
Hanging out at the local Oakland playground and staring at that Ante Kostelić poster... honestly, the intellectual depth required to just hit on women and mock people is basically nonexistent.
Taebo—I’ve been thinking about how I'd describe it if I had to put it into words.
It’s easy to look at things from the perspective of someone who just receives the services without being involved in the actual work.
When it comes to dealing with the providers? It’s just not going to happen. Not ever.
I’m writing this primarily for the beginners; the advanced lifters already know what works best for them.
Groups.
Group workouts are easily the best way for women to stay active and enjoy some recreation.
Gentlemen, regardless of what you're aiming for—especially if you're just looking at this as a recreational sport—what's the move?
To me, this is easily the healthiest way to train compared to anything else out there.
Training together changes the game. What really makes group workouts special is that constant sense of competition pushing you forward.
It’s like that extra bit of grit in the air that keeps you from throwing in the towel right when things start getting tough.
Don't give up too soon. Beyond just the competition itself, it’s that group energy that really keeps you going.
It’s all about having solid trainers and a great culture—the kind that keeps you going even when you're feeling completely burnt out.
When everyone’s feeling drained, you just need that one high-energy person to step up and pull the whole group along.
Maybe that's just part of a coach's job in the end, but it doesn't really matter. You'll find solid groups like that in any gym.
Every gym has its own vibe, but they’re pretty easy to spot: you can usually tell just by looking at the regulars who are actually staying fit.
Most people out there actually get results. And honestly, the best part is how dedicated the athletes are.
Keep things steady and stay satisfied. When you find a rhythm like that, stick with it. Even if life tries to throw you a curveball.
It’s good to see everyone having a blast here. If this group keeps you entertained and makes you actually look forward to waking up in the morning, then I've done my job.
Start your workouts in the afternoon and just stick to it. That’s really all there is to it.
Whether it’s Pilates, Tae Bo, or lifting weights, the most important thing is that you actually enjoy what you're doing. You have to find something that makes you feel satisfied.
Results.
Gyms and trainers in the fitness industry.
Here are three scenarios for gym trainers to consider:
If you're a guy, just keep in mind that you're essentially working for the trainer, without exception.
Gym chains are just cluttering up the streets. You guys are going to regret this once things catch up with you.
You could either hand someone a printed workout sheet and send them off to figure it out themselves, or actually walk them through drills like...
Leg extensions and those other knee-killers... they're basically all the same thing anyway.
It’s like they sent you there just to follow instructions. You'll end up working for the machines instead of letting them work for you.
Whether you're planting flowers in your backyard or trying to force results through sheer willpower, you won't see any progress if the foundation isn't there.
There’s always a chance you might pick up a few injuries using the gym equipment.
If you're an average-looking woman, you’ll end up in the exact same category as the men.
If you're an attractive woman, the trainer might get too distracted trying to score than actually focusing on the workout, which means you won't see any real progress.
When it comes to the gym, most guys are doing it all wrong, even if they're still seeing some progress for now.
It’s all about momentum rather than intellect. They get results simply because they have higher testosterone levels.
People tend to watch what everyone else is doing at the gym anyway, mostly because the whole vibe is pretty laid back.
It’s simple: just grab a heavier weight and start lifting. But there's more to the story than that.
It’s always the same story—people grind away for years without seeing any real progress.
They’re carrying around way too much dead weight. They don't have any muscle definition, and they just can't find that extra gear to sprint. 1.2 milesI just can't do it.
Splitting 20 meters of firewood is a lot of work; I can barely handle carrying grocery bags from the car to the kitchen without feeling it.
I just can't get behind it. They’re completely broken, and it feels like they're just throwing money away on those heavy hitters.
If you want to avoid getting unnecessarily bulky, you just have to keep an eye on your calories and protein intake.
Personal trainers are doing a pretty lousy job in most gyms lately. They’re just going through the motions and following bad habits out of pure inertia.
It looks like some coaches (the BlackRock crowd) have suddenly decided that women need this training too. For some reason, it’s become a big talking point lately.
They just focus entirely on glutes and hips, doing nothing else. And they only ever use machines. What's the deal?
It’s wrong on every single level. Every aspect of it. Women need...
If they have to train solo, then let them work just like the guys do. Why not?
I highly recommend it. It's much better than relying on gym machines that force you into those rigid, fixed movement patterns.
It’s all about adapting to your joints rather than forcing them to adapt to you—that’s really why things go sideways.
Gym equipment injuries happen more often than you'd think. If you absolutely have to train at a local gym, just be smart about it.
Man, just using free weights is the way to go. Everything feels more effective and
HEALTHIER.
3. Coaches and Individual Sports
Based on my own experience and what the data shows—looking at least at the pool of American coaches
(ranging from guys like Ante Kostelić to major college football coaches,
etc.)—they tend to be pretty intellectually and characteristically
skewed. From my perspective, their view of the job is
totally warped. Instead of being educators who guide and
mentor young athletes, they’re often just frustrated egoists who try to
validate themselves through the wins of their trainees. While this mostly
applies to parents enrolling kids in sports,
it’s worth noting for recreational athletes too. Avoid the egoists; don't let
someone ruin your health just so they can
brag to the neighbors about having "star talent."
Generally speaking, stick with decent people, have fun,
and socialize. You’ll get much more out of joining a rock climbing gym than
training at some boxing club full of Neanderthals. Stick with
normal, educated people; everything else is just noise.
As for one-on-one training, if that's your style, go for it. But honestly, with individual sessions, it all comes down to the coach, and good ones are hard to find. In group settings, most of the magic comes from the participants creating a great atmosphere, while the coach just facilitates and sets the program.
You're much more likely to stumble upon a great group than a great coach.
Just like the title says, the mods decided to pull the plug on a really useful thread. It was such a great way to spark some debate since it touched on a few basics, specifically the nuances of fly fishing technique.
I’m asking if we can please get that thread reinstated.
quietpilot87 said:It really comes down to fitness levels. Total weight isn't everything—you could be heavy, but if you have strong muscles, carrying that extra load feels much easier, making things like aerobics totally doable. That said, I'm guessing she isn't exactly in peak physical shape right now, so starting slow at home to build up some strength is probably the smarter move.
I agree. Plus, let's be real, 200 pounds is quite a lot for a woman to carry without much muscle mass, believe me.😁