Fitness Catch-All

Short answer: YouTube. I probably spend an hour or two each week watching KB videos for inspiration/ideas.

I really like Mark Wildman's channel - he does great KB technique and programming videos.

Kettlebell Kings (where I bought all my bells) have a good suite of videos too.

Longer answer, you can do a lot worse than simply focusing on the 6 core KB movements: swings, press, clean, squat, snatch and Turkish get up. My basic basic weekly programme is usually 3-4 of those for sets, with a couple of assorted other things, push ups, core-focus or more advanced KB movements.

As my "students" have moved from novice to intermediate I've started hitting "complexes" (multiple KB movements chained together e.g. swing, clean, press, lunge =1 rep), more advanced movements (e.g. outside circles, KB flow/juggling, windmills), and focusing less on individual reps and more considering time-under-tension as the thing to maximise.

One other thing of note that changed how I looked at core training was the realization that any one-handed KB exercise is, by definition, a core exercise (because you have to use your core to stabilize an off-centerline weight). So I do a lot of one-handed stuff as one of the primary training goals of my peeps is better core strength.

I read and think about this stuff a lot - happy to shoot the sh*t about it more here or via PM.

I can also take pictures of my "Fitness Bible" - a notebook that I keep that is essentially a shopping list of exercises/movements that you can use as a mix'n'match to make this week's program from.

EDIT - one weakness of a KB forward program I've found is that specifically training the chest is a challenge, so I put a heavy focus on push-ups in my programming to try and address that deficiency.

Google Strongfirst kettlebell programs. There are a number of good programs posted there.

Simple and Sinister is a popular choice for beginners.

Second on the Mark Wildman videos. Kat's Kettlebell Dojo is a youtube channel of similar quality.

I've finally got back down to my pre-pandemic weight. Next goal is another 5-10kg off to get back to pre-children weight.

Nice to see a few kb enthusiasts here too. They're also my training equipment of choice. I've been starting to get the itch to transition to GS - the levels of volume sure are intimidating, but it's got to feel good to start hitting them.

Congratulations!

I've just recently gotten below 190 lbs., which feels great. I'd love to take off 5-10 more. But the shifts in the weather are really killing my urge to work out. It needs to get below 80 and stay there.

MyFitnessPal will be moving barcode scanning as a food-entry mechanism to their paid plan soon. So I’m curious if anyone pays for MFP and feels it’s worth it? I’ve used the free plan for years with varying success, though that’s mostly on me.

Maybe there alternatives y’all like?

I've used paid MFP for years.

Pros: cheap; annual fee isn't burdensome (couple bucks/mo); tons of foods...
Cons: ...that may/not be accurate; annual fee means if you want to change you're out the money; UI not as good as...

MacroFactor app.

From one of the firms in the evidence-based fitness community, this thing is awesome. Ui is good, macros are accurate (no user-entered junk) and it includes regular updates based on the literature (and not one-off studies in mouse trials or something weak).

The algorithm appears to do a better job predicting my caloric intake and (n=1) I've slimmed down using it the last 1.5mo.

What I like best is the healthy, sustainable approach to nutrition with this app. Focus is on modifying behaviors and not getting so caught up on outcomes. It's helping me establish good habits for life

I tried an app called Cronometer as a possible replacement.

Didn't like it. Had a LOT of codes not available. Hard to get it to show macros rather than calories for easy tracking. Couldn't copy a meal from a previous day.

The last point was the deal breaker. As a single person I often cook a meal to eat one now and heat another in a day or two. Having to reinput the whole thing was too much whereas MFP make it easy to do.

Any other runners here?

I've been running for about 15+ years, though it's been a bit of a rollercoaster ride over that time. I got really fit (for me) in the early 2010s and saw my half marathon and marathon PRs around 2014. Then I maintained a jogging hobby for a while, but didn't really prioritize it. After a few years of horrid back problems (not running related, mostly), followed by surgery, rehab, weight gain, pandemic habits, etc., I finally recommitted in a big way this year. I'm back to incorporating speedwork in my training, which makes a huge performance difference for me. I joined a local trail running club and participated in weekly races all summer, which was great. This weekend I'm doing a half marathon in which I hope to get within a 5-10 minutes of my PR; something that was unthinkable over the past few years.

Hit me up on Strava if you want to compare notes! https://www.strava.com/athletes/4326...

halfwaywrong wrote:

INice to see a few kb enthusiasts here too. They're also my training equipment of choice. I've been starting to get the itch to transition to GS - the levels of volume sure are intimidating, but it's got to feel good to start hitting them.

I am still using hardstyle programs. I feel great with swings, get ups and am just getting right with the clean and press, double front squats. Next stop is the snatch but I really haven't found any programs geared for the snatch.

After that definitely looking to GS.

hubbinsd wrote:

Any other runners here?

I've been running for about 15+ years, though it's been a bit of a rollercoaster ride over that time. I got really fit (for me) in the early 2010s and saw my half marathon and marathon PRs around 2014. Then I maintained a jogging hobby for a while, but didn't really prioritize it. After a few years of horrid back problems (not running related, mostly), followed by surgery, rehab, weight gain, pandemic habits, etc., I finally recommitted in a big way this year. I'm back to incorporating speedwork in my training, which makes a huge performance difference for me. I joined a local trail running club and participated in weekly races all summer, which was great. This weekend I'm doing a half marathon in which I hope to get within a 5-10 minutes of my PR; something that was unthinkable over the past few years.

Hit me up on Strava if you want to compare notes! https://www.strava.com/athletes/4326...

I've been running for about a year and getting ready to do my first half marathon in November. I just started changing up how I run and I'm focusing more on the 80/20 method. I'll throw you an add in Strava and some encouragement as I can!

Anyone suffering from long covid problems and trying to get back into running? Cause that's me and it's really annoying.

I already have foot problems when it comes to running (that I solve by running on the softest surfaces I can find). Now I've got this bizzare energy loss/physical reaction when I start to sweat.

I used to do five km on soft grass (sometimes with a weight vest) but my current limit seems to be one kilometre.

Anyone have ideas on getting around this? Should I even try running again?

How long have you not been running since you could do 5k?

If the answer is a while, "there's your problem".

My not-a-doctor advice is keep at it and see if you see a quick improvement in that 1km current limit.

Alternating walking and running is absolutely a thing you should do when regaining lost running conditioning too.

Strangeblades wrote:

Anyone suffering from long covid problems and trying to get back into running? Cause that's me and it's really annoying.

I already have foot problems when it comes to running (that I solve by running on the softest surfaces I can find). Now I've got this bizzare energy loss/physical reaction when I start to sweat.

I used to do five km on soft grass (sometimes with a weight vest) but my current limit seems to be one kilometre.

Anyone have ideas on getting around this? Should I even try running again?

First of all - don't lose hope and don't give up!! I've been through similar periods where I wondered if I'd ever be able to run again, and for me it was a dark place. But it almost always will get better.

Short answer: See a Doctor about the long covid issues and a foot doctor about the foot issues. Chances are they'll be able to give advice or treatment that can at least set you on the right path.

Long answer (including my own experience): I had a serious back/nerve problem a few years ago that ended up requiring surgery. I was sure I'd never seriously run again and it was devastating. Within a few years, and some hobbling short jogs, I started to feel better. I made some lifestyle changes, lost some pandemic weight, and went on to have one of the better seasons of running of my life this year. At the end of the season, I started having a pain on the bottom of my foot following a particularly punishing trail race. I went to see a podiatrist, who pointed out a problem with my running shoes and my foot shape (I have bunions); He gave me anti-inflammatory drugs, told me to rest a few weeks, and told me which running shoes I should use. And so far so good! I'm very glad I saw a specialist who is also a runner, so I'd highly recommend seeking that out if you can.

As for long covid, I just had covid for the first time and have not had anything too bad other than some shortness of breath when running uphill. I hope it is something that will pass for you! But either way, perhaps a doctor could help address it.

Good luck!

Anybody got a good food delivery service recommendation?

We have used:
Blue Apron - boo, still have to prep the food
Trifecta - very simple meals that got boring
Freshly - amazing, delicious, tons of choice

We use this during our family's peak season for lunches to cut down on meal prep on weekends. Freshly was awesome last year and I just signed up again yesterday...

Only to get notice today that they are shutting down in January. Looking for a replacement service.

We used Hello Fresh (up here in Canada), and while we enjoyed it, a lot of things were fried in oil, so that may be a turn-off for some people.

We used Hello Fresh for a while and it was good. Similar to Blue Apron though some of the recipes have more prep than I like. Others not so much.

mudbunny wrote:

We used Hello Fresh (up here in Canada), and while we enjoyed it, a lot of things were fried in oil, so that may be a turn-off for some people.

So. Much. Drizzling.

My orders have all finally arrived after hitting up the Boxing Day sales. Here's my humble, cheap and nasty home gym. Obviously need more plates, but both my car and air-con have died the past few weeks, so money's a wee bit tight. Regardless, feels great to be integrating barbell work in with the kettlebells.

IMAGE(https://i.imgur.com/yGhhIf5.jpg)

Arise thread!!

I am looking for a good pair of over-the-ear headphones that I can wear while doing weights.

Earbuds of any kind don't work because they will fall out. Just the shape of my ears.

They won't be used while running because, well, I stop hearing music after about 10 minutes of running.

mudbunny wrote:

Arise thread!!

I am looking for a good pair of over-the-ear headphones that I can wear while doing weights.

Earbuds of any kind don't work because they will fall out. Just the shape of my ears.

They won't be used while running because, well, I stop hearing music after about 10 minutes of running.

My advice, if you're doing any kind of overhead lifts e.g. presses, you'll need ultra low profile ones or they'll get in the way. Big chonky over-ear ones will just plain old get knocked off.

Have you tried the kind of earbuds that are on a band? Or bone conduction ones?

Through a recommendation, I am trying something like these. I am also looking at some bone conduction ones if these don't work well.

My ears are funny shaped, and I produce a lot of ear wax naturally, so earbuds and the like fall out all the freaking time.

I love my bone-conduction headset for workouts. They're light and they stay in place, that's all I actually want. As a bonus, they don't block my ear so I can hear if somebody is trying to get my attention.

I use the Powerbeats Pro, which are great and I love. Never had a problem with them staying in my ear.

Oh, I meant to post here a while ago, but two weeks ago I ran in D.C.'s Cherry Blossom 10 miler and finished in under 2 hours! I didn't quite get the time I wanted -- I got sick with a chest cold about 2 weeks before the race, which killed my final prep -- but honestly just getting through this was a big accomplishment. I had run a few 5Ks before but had never been a runner, growing up, and before I started training, I had never run anything longer than a 5K. So, the whole training process was full of firsts in terms of longest mileage. I definitely want to keep up with running, now that I'm past this!

I did a race training program through a local store that connected us with a group of people who were also training for the 10 miler (or other local area races). Running with a group was great and definitely made it easier to get up and out on a Sunday morning.

Congrats! That's awesome. Lovely time to run in DC, too.

By the way, anyone here play ultimate frisbee? In particular, anyone play in one of the masters division? I’m planning to be in Aurora, CO, for the masters championships in July. It’d be fun to watch some other Goodjers play while there!

(For reference, I play Great Grand Masters…so the old guys!)

Going back to heavy clubs/kettlebell workouts. Would like to lose weight but toning is good.

JohnKillo wrote:

Going back to heavy clubs/kettlebell workouts. Would like to lose weight but toning is good.

Clubs/KBs are a very efficient way to lose weight if you approach them as endurance lifting rather than one-rep-max style of training.

Aim to put the kettlebell down as little as possible - do 3+ minutes series of complex movements (e.g. swing-clean-squat-press, switch hands, repeat).

Or at it's most simple, 6 x 50 swings is a great place to start

My wife and I both hit a couple running milestones this week. For context, we are at the "oh, are we runners now?" phase, where we both ran a 10-miler a couple weeks ago, but it was the first time either of us have run that distance. Neither of us are particularly fast. And, her knee's been hurting her since the 10-miler so she hasn't done much running.

So today, we both ran a local 5K. It's a neighborhood race, with some hills. I finished in 28:18; she finished in 40:27, and for both of us, this is the fastest we have ever run a 5K. Feels great! I guess we're runners now?

LastSurprise wrote:

My wife and I both hit a couple running milestones this week. For context, we are at the "oh, are we runners now?" phase, where we both ran a 10-miler a couple weeks ago, but it was the first time either of us have run that distance. Neither of us are particularly fast. And, her knee's been hurting her since the 10-miler so she hasn't done much running.

So today, we both ran a local 5K. It's a neighborhood race, with some hills. I finished in 28:18; she finished in 40:27, and for both of us, this is the fastest we have ever run a 5K. Feels great! I guess we're runners now?

Nice work! Running is great exercise and can be a lot of fun. 10 miles is longer than most people will ever run. Any plans of running a half marathon?

I have knee pain as well. I don't know how old your wife is but mine is mostly due to 50 years of wear and tear causing the lost of about 75% of my cartilage. Running slower helps. High stack running shoes helps quite a bit. Most brands have them now. I have New Balance Fresh Foam More v3 shoes and love them. Not only does it help with knee pain but general soreness from the knee down.