Posts by rustyfalcon24

velvetmoose9 said:Was that knee already messed up before? Just asking generally.

Nah.

Is this type of sickness a brand new thing, or has it been around before?

Back before summer hit, when I totally overdid it with the running.

Old ankle injury on the same side, or the other side? Plus an old knee injury on the opposite side?

Nah.

Sitting cross-legged for too long?

Exactly. And that leg right there.

What kind of incline are we talking about, and what’s the surface like? Also, you got the right kicks for it?

Dirt trails. Need some solid, comfy kicks.

Probably. Lunges might hurt, man. But a squat with moderate weight? If you’re doing it right and keeping your stance wide enough, it probably won't sting—though that's just my two cents.

It’s not the stride that’s the problem. I just feel this slight ache whenever I sit down or stand up—basically anytime my knee bends under my own weight. I'm not even overweight or anything; I'm about 175 lbs at 5'11".

My knee's been acting up a bit. Back before summer, I went on a long run and started feeling this dull ache right when bending under weight. It didn't clear up for maybe 2 or 3 weeks because I kept trying to push through runs whenever I felt okay—yeah, my bad, I know. I took a break over the summer and everything seemed fine when I got back into it, until I recently tried a longer route than usual. Now, I'm feeling that slight pain again just from walking. Once it warms up, it feels fine, but once it gets cold, I can tell it's still there.

Any advice? 😢

Look, I’m telling you again: you aren't going to find some exclusive "club" that just takes you in. That kind of thing doesn't exist. What you'll actually find is a rental space where you pay by the hour. I’d recommend checking out the mall over in Arlington—head to the top floor. The setup there is solid, plus there’s a Starbucks right next door with a gallery overlooking the tables. You might run into some people like yourself there, and you could even pick up some tips on training and technique from a better player.

In the States, amateur table tennis is basically just showing up at the local gym, meeting as many people as possible, and running your own practice sessions.

That’s kind of subjective. I wouldn't call myself a pro, but I definitely know my stuff.

I wouldn't say that applies to every single sport, though—it's true, just maybe not to the same degree...

My instructor's been teaching me jazz dance for a few months now. I can grab the name of her studio if you want. Not totally sure if it's just for college students or if anyone can sign up though...

From what I know, there isn't a single club where older players can just sign up. Table tennis here in the States is still such a niche sport with zero money behind it—most clubs and coaches are just chasing trophies and hunting for the next teenage prodigy.

Sokaz is more of a recreational setup. They don't actually own any facilities or run official training sessions; they basically just plug recreational players into a competitive league structure. It’s on the players to figure out where and when they’re going to play. Each team has to sort out their own gym space (one week you're at home, the next you're traveling, though some teams just play away games constantly—not sure how long you can pull that off or what the rules are there).

That said, Sokaz is actually awesome because they have over 20 different leagues, so most casual players will definitely find their skill level. If I remember right, registration for a full team happens about six months in advance $67—maybe around 300 people join—so the biggest expense is really just renting out the courts. But it's fun because the away games take you all over, playing at random office buildings, community centers, basements, etc. 😍

Anyway, if you're looking for places where recreational players can just show up and pay by the hour, check out the YMCA or the top floor of the local mall. There might be a few other spots out there I don't know about...

How hard is it for a total newbie to get the hang of things? If a buddy and I hit up the World's Fair for our first time to play Badminton, are we gonna look like complete amateurs?

I've been playing table tennis for years, and man, that sport is so technical. You can't even wrap your head around what's happening without putting in serious sweat and time. Real fun starts way down the road. Is Badminton anything like that?

Where can I grab some decent gear for a beginner without dropping a fortune on pro stuff?

What kind of surface do you need? How much does it change if I just set up a net in a field or a park and mark out the lines at full size?