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Posted: Thu May 08, 2014 10:25 am
by Malcolm
Granted, doing it on a machine helps makes the control factor easier.
Machines cheat your muscles. All the tiny, microscopic adjustments you're forced to do make a difference. They're good for getting proper form down initially, but after that, free weights all the way.
Posted: Thu May 08, 2014 11:37 am
by GORDON
I agree with that. A few years ago I was lifting a lot, solo, so I was using machines so I didn't need a spotter. I could bench the entire stack on the machine.... 210 or 240 or something like that, 6 reps or so.
One day I was waiting for an old fat woman benching her 40 pounds, and I see someone had left 135 on the free weight bench. I decided to just knock out some easy sets as warmups while I was waiting.
Holy shit it was a lot harder than I thought. I did like 8 before I realized I had to stop before I got myself in trouble without a spotter.
Posted: Thu May 08, 2014 7:20 pm
by thibodeaux
Also remember that even if the stack of weights on the machine says "200 lbs," those things have pulleys and levers and other mechanical advantages. In fact, if they're designed properly they will have a variable load during the range of motion, because your body has variable strength through the range of motion.
Posted: Thu May 08, 2014 7:47 pm
by TheCatt
Right, the 140 lbs is the effective weight, not the real weight, based on the pulleys, etc.
I've got a weight loss competition that ends in two weeks. Last night I went mountain biking, then my stomach got upset. I lost 3.5 pounds in a day. So if I lose 4 more pounds, then repeat that process, I suck!
Edited By TheCatt on 1399592911
Posted: Thu May 08, 2014 11:40 pm
by Malcolm
TheCatt wrote:Right, the 140 lbs is the effective weight, not the real weight, based on the pulleys, etc.
There are 3 major brands of machines at my gym. I've used all of them. They have different mechanisms and materials to move the weight. 150 on one machine is not the same as the others. On top of that, the weight is calibrated when the thing's brand new, not after a few thousand people have abused it.
Edited By Malcolm on 1399606871
Posted: Fri May 09, 2014 8:52 am
by TheCatt
Today I added a set of lat pull-downs that went pretty well. My goal is probably 4-5 upper body exercises that I can do 2-3 times a week.
Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 4:30 pm
by Leisher
Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 5:30 pm
by TheCatt
Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 5:33 pm
by TheCatt
TheCatt wrote:Well... I was 183. I then followed that up by ballooning back to 200.
I got back on track about a month ago. I'm around 193 right now. Need to get around 180 for 2 more weight loss competitions I'm doing. At that point, I need to just figure out a lifestyle that lets me stay there.
Back down to about 183 right now.
Just 7 more days in my current weight loss competition.
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2014 8:28 pm
by TheCatt
I'm really fucking good at gaining weight. I need a competition for that.
I went from 180 to 211 from June 1st to October 31st.
In November, I got back down to 200.
Goal is 20 more pounds, and STAYING THERE.
I joined 4 DietBet competitions to help me stay motivated. I won $21 in the first one. I put up $280 for the next 3, so hopefully I'll win more.
Also in a $100/person contest at work. I need to learn to keep at weight without contests.
I started doing body weight exercises two weeks ago too, in addition, to try and keep/build muscle: pushups, planks, squats, and lunges. For the squats, I started with 0 weight, and am up to 50 lbs, 2 sets, 15 reps. (I have a bad knee, so trying to not aggravate it).
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2014 9:35 pm
by GORDON
I joined a gym last month for the first time in 6 years... one that allowed men finally opened near me.... but I have been doing a speed-bathroom-remodeling-project, and have only had time to go 4 times. Wife's family Christmas is in 10 days, tomorrow is floor tile.
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2014 9:48 pm
by Malcolm
I have been doing a speed-bathroom-remodeling-project
Sounds like a prostate problem to me. You'd have more time for the remodeling if you went to the bathroom less, no matter how fast you piss.
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2014 9:49 pm
by Malcolm
I have a bad knee, so trying to not aggravate it.
Don't let that douche push you around.
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2014 10:09 pm
by TheCatt
Malcolm wrote:I have a bad knee, so trying to not aggravate it.
Don't let that douche push you around.
I'd like to keep it for another 40 years or so.
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2014 10:21 pm
by GORDON
Malcolm wrote:I have been doing a speed-bathroom-remodeling-project
Sounds like a prostate problem to me. You'd have more time for the remodeling if you went to the bathroom less, no matter how fast you piss.
I gutted half the room down to the studs in order to install a new tub/shower enclosure... I got a week into the project when I realized I should have made a thread about it.
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2014 11:34 am
by TheCatt
TheCatt wrote:In November, I got back down to 200 from 211 on Nov 1st.
196. 16 pounds to go.
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2014 1:17 pm
by Leisher
but I have been doing a speed-bathroom-remodeling-project,
That needs a thread so we can all track how long it takes for you finish it.
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2014 2:35 pm
by GORDON
Leisher wrote:but I have been doing a speed-bathroom-remodeling-project,
That needs a thread so we can all track how long it takes for you finish it.
Christmas party is in 8 days. I have been cutting floor tiles all day.
Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2014 4:44 pm
by TheCatt
It's like magic once I get below 195 pounds.
We had our company Christmas party last night. People's wives telling my wife how cute I am. Women smiling at me, some noticeably checking me out. Weird.
20 pounds ago, I could have been the last man on earth and they wouldn't have cared. Now I'm charming, intelligent, and attractive, or something. It was particularly jarring this time around since I dropped 20 pounds in 1.5 months.
Double standard, my (fitter) ass.
Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2014 7:19 pm
by thibodeaux
It's the hair.