Michael
Caneguru
He cuts down trees. He wears high heels, suspendies, and a bra?!
Winner of Twatformetrics Spartan Challenge
Posts: 5,288
|
Post by Michael on Jun 24, 2022 21:54:59 GMT
I read all the posts on that thread and understand where those guys are coming from. The guy that talks about what he describes as the "eternal plateau" to me means the point where you are hitting say 160 on the power meter and the effort to get it to 165 is sooo much more than going from 70 to 75 because the spring is at near max resistance, unlike weights where you can always add small incremental weight gradually. Also, the limited range of motion as mentioned. Weights (IMO), combined with proper diet and cardio, are the best way to cosmetically alter your body. Bands, chest expanders, bullworker, etc. are devices that offer resistance to do exercises for certain body parts and provide convenience for saving space and traveling. The Bullworker (IMO) can do great things, but the advertised 7 exercises for 7 seconds won't do much in the long run, but it is better than nothing. Used isometrically AND isotonically and for several sets while incorporating rest days in between, change diet, and add some freehand exercises thrown in such as squats, pushups/dips, 1 legged calf raises and you have a pretty good routine for a 20 min. window a few times a week. Also, there never was anyone on an Olympia stage who ever worked out for 20 min., 3 days a week (not even Viator at that time in the 80's). I had some kind of Bullworker years ago but I have no idea what happen to it. I did use it and thought it was a good piece of equipment. I always like reading Your insights on the subject. I do agree that weights, combined with proper diet and cardio are the best way to cosmetically alter Your body. But for us older guys, weights can be harder on a our recovery. If I was honest with myself, the best cosmetic results that I got was pretty much the same as Moxohol, isometrics with a strap and calisthenics. But I just find I enjoy KBs and DBs more. Like I said, I never was/will be a mass monster so the results I like may not be pleasing to someone else. But we should never let someone take us off our own track.
|
|
|
Post by Magnus on Jun 25, 2022 1:13:24 GMT
Weights (IMO), combined with proper diet and cardio, are the best way to cosmetically alter your body. Bands, chest expanders, bullworker, etc. are devices that offer resistance to do exercises for certain body parts and provide convenience for saving space and traveling. I hear what you're saying but the funny thing is that in my particular case I don't find the weights to be the best way as far as 'cosmetics'. I have lots of choice these days but rarely use the barbells and dumbbells anymore, I'd much rather use things like my Power Twisters, resistance bands, chest expanders, Bullworker's, kettlebell's, steel clubs and maces etc. I'm not as interested as I used to be in the typical 'gym lifts', and I find that I can basically pump myself up to smithereens much quicker with my assortment of 'accoutrements' than I can with the traditional (boring) weights. It's much more fun too !
|
|
brothersteve
Caneguru
He ain't heavy, he's my brother
Posts: 2,239
|
Post by brothersteve on Jun 25, 2022 14:01:03 GMT
Michael and Magnus, Totally into what you guys are saying and always enjoy what you both (as well as many others) post. I haven't used weights in over 20 years (except have occasionally done a couple of sets of curls when I pass the weights in the basement every 10 months (averaged time) or so - same with cals. I care to look decent, feel good, and have real life functionality. When I start exercising it gets me revved up and want to do more and more (endorphin kick), but my recovery is way down compared to my youth. Enjoying what you use is really key. The 'toys' are fun to play with, for sure, and convenient (Bullworker is next to the nightstand - wife just grins ). Here's what I consider a weird thing; I did Dynaflex for many years and some Ottley Coulter exercises and would drop down and do pushups (excellent form) about once or twice a year - one set to failure - and do over 40 every time (42 to 47) at almost 220 lbs. Would be sore for 5 days! Last year and a half been doing Bullworker only - isometrically and isotonically and have gotten noticeably stronger on it via the powermeter. Dropped down 3 days ago for pushups and could only do 37, about the same bodyweight (217), wtf? EDIT: No soreness though.
|
|
|
Post by billfish on Jun 25, 2022 15:05:02 GMT
I have two 1 inch ropes hanging from my garage rafters which I exercise with The other day I grabbed the ropes and went into a straight body position and held tight while keeping my body tight at a roughly 45 degree angle, feet together on the mats Then i pulled up and through the vertical and forward as far forward as I could go.....then reversed it back to the starting position, all the time maintaining a straight tight body and tension on the ropes Wow.....it felt great and was a good workout, really felt it in my shoulders and core Not sore though, but I can still feel that I worked them
|
|
|
Post by billfish on Jun 25, 2022 18:12:59 GMT
Beautiful warm, sunny day and I got in a good brisk walk with the rucksack and then a nice workout on the ropes. I didn't start exercising like this until my 40s and was never a big weightlifter, and lifting was strongly touted as the way to fitness But I too had a Bullworker around 1973 and liked it. It's not always what you are using, it's how you use it. Anything can get you fit if you put the work in and are consistent, and you don't even need weights And I really enjoy exercise now ....as opposed to when I was lifting and did it only to stay in shape
|
|
Michael
Caneguru
He cuts down trees. He wears high heels, suspendies, and a bra?!
Winner of Twatformetrics Spartan Challenge
Posts: 5,288
|
Post by Michael on Jun 25, 2022 20:53:03 GMT
Billfish did You every use those ropes for climbing? Nice to have a garage to exercise in. Opening the doors to get plenty of fresh air in there.
|
|
|
Post by billfish on Jun 25, 2022 21:30:29 GMT
Billfish did You every use those ropes for climbing? Nice to have a garage to exercise in. Opening the doors to get plenty of fresh air in there. Not these ropes Michael.....they were originally the ring ropes from the gym I worked at and are only 1 inch and I do various exercises on them....or doing my best right now as I haven't really used them in awhile I used to have an 1 1/2 inch rope for climbing hanging from the tree near my garage....that's the one that broke Yes....I love working out in my garage, my wife came out with me for a time but she always complained that it was too "dirty" for her In the winter, I open up the garage door to get light and sunshine in spite of the cold And it's too cold for my wife to come out
|
|