Random Thought Thread

B bluemax_1

There's a lot of truth to your post. I found that adding kettlebells and sandbags to dumbbells for "functional training", range of motion and movement in the sagittal, frontal and transverse planes really goes a long way toward keeping one "fit".

Loss of muscle mass is inevitable over the decades, but one can go a long way into "old age" being quite capable.

(Or so I've read. :cool: )
 
Blues said:
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Triceps hurt just looking at that
 
Blues said:
B bluemax_1

There's a lot of truth to your post. I found that adding kettlebells and sandbags to dumbbells for "functional training", range of motion and movement in the sagittal, frontal and transverse planes really goes a long way toward keeping one "fit".

Loss of muscle mass is inevitable over the decades, but one can go a long way into "old age" being quite capable.


(Or so I've read. :cool: )
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I stick with the basic compounds, barbell only. One workout a day, 4 days a week. Bench Press, Squat, Overhead Press and Deadlift.
 
Blues said:
I never found that the triceps were the primary muscle group...but of course they do a lot of the work.

For me, the shoulder and pecs felt the brunt of the work. Regardless, they are no longer a viable option given my particular anthropometry.
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You are Definitely right about that. I always did dips as a “finisher” to a heavy and taxing compound chest or shoulder work out. Ended up hurting myself after getting into the heavy weighted variation.
 
coolbreezy37 said:
You are Definitely right about that. I always did dips as a “finisher” to a heavy and taxing compound chest or shoulder work out. Ended up hurting myself after getting into the heavy weighted variation.
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I did them for decades...weighted for the last several years, until the one day I couldn't and found myself listing to starboard while I had a load strapped around my waist.

It set me back several months (at the very least) until I could workout again. I did a stringent self-regimen of trigger point therapy and foam rolling for longer than I care to remember until I was able to come back from it and dip, chin and lift weights again.

When I was finally able, it was like a weight was lifted off me. (Pun intended.) But after watching my form with dips reflected in the glass pane in the door to my workout area, I was able to see that my range of motion was severely compromised. So, rather than tempt fate, I dropped the movement.

Thankfully, I've not had to abandon any other exercise movements, but I pay particular attention to addressing the rotator cuff muscles before each workout as I've had an on again / off again chronic issue since a mountaineering incident in the Wind Rivers back in 1974 which requires a certain amount of discipline to avoid injury.
 
Blues said:
I did them for decades...weighted for the last several years, until the one day I couldn't and found myself listing to starboard while I had a load strapped around my waist.

It set me back several months (at the very least) until I could workout again. I did a stringent self-regimen of trigger point therapy and foam rolling for longer than I care to remember until I was able to come back from it and dip, chin and lift weights again.

When I was finally able, it was like a weight was lifted off me. (Pun intended.) But after watching my form with dips reflected in the glass pane in the door to my workout area, I was able to see that my range of motion was severely compromised. So, rather than tempt fate, I dropped the movement.

Thankfully, I've not had to abandon any other exercise movements, but I pay particular attention to addressing the rotator cuff muscles before each workout as I've had an on again / off again chronic issue since a mountaineering incident in the Wind Rivers back in 1974 which requires a certain amount of discipline to avoid injury.
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You’ve got a lot experience, I’ve only been into lifting for 15 years. The bulk of my time with the iron has been centered around powerlifting with strongman components thrown in (Atlas Stones, log lift, circus dumbbell and yoke carry). I emphasized the Deadlift more than any other lift and I paid dearly for it. On a particular day, I decided to pull my all time max. My form was perfect until I passed my knees. I was well aware my form was degrading, but I didn’t care, I wanted that max so bad. Ended up destroying my lower back and developing sciatica so bad I sit for more than 5 minutes for 9 months. Now I know better and am more cautious. My issue was I tempted that fate and paid for it.

I still do deadlifts, I just lightened the load and do less weight with emphasis on more volume and cleaner form. Squats are a whole different game for me it took me approximately 2 years to perfect my squat. I have long legs and when I first started doing them, I was embarrassed by how stiff and awkward I was. I have long arms as well, but for some reason I’m pretty decent as bench and overhead. My build is tall with a medium to heavy bone structure. It helped with pressing and Deadlift and rows. It was the complete opposite with squats.

Do you still train heavy and consistently?
 
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coolbreezy37 said:
You’ve got a lot experience, I’ve only been into lifting for 15 years. The bulk of my time with the iron has been centered around powerlifting with strongman components thrown in (Atlas Stones, log lift, circus dumbbell and yoke carry). I emphasized the Deadlift more than any other lift and I paid dearly for it. On a particular day, I decided to pull my all time max. My form was perfect until I passed my knees. I was well aware my form was degrading, but I didn’t care, I wanted that max so bad. Ended up destroying my lower back and developing sciatica so bad I sit for more than 5 minutes for 9 months. Now I know better and am more cautious. My issue was I tempted that fate and paid for it.
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Yeah, that's one of the things that took me a long time to learn; avoiding the temptation of 'ego lifting' and getting overly obsessed with chasing numbers.

My goal now is to make myself more injury resistant by increasing my functional strength, and towards that goal, minimizing the risk of training injuries is a high priority.

I no longer push for numbers or trying to eke out the absolute maximum gains possible, I just try to listen to my body and push myself, but back off when my body warns me to back off.
 
bluemax_1 said:
Yeah, that's one of the things that took me a long time to learn; avoiding the temptation of 'ego lifting' and getting overly obsessed with chasing numbers.

My goal now is to make myself more injury resistant by increasing my functional strength, and towards that goal, minimizing the risk of training injuries is a high priority.

I no longer push for numbers or trying to eke out the absolute maximum gains possible, I just try to listen to my body and push myself, but back off when my body warns me to back off.
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That’s the smartest way to train. It took me years as well to learn that. I feel like that’s the only true way to learn. No one really starts off knowing that. It’s like a process of trial and error.
 
coolbreezy37 said:
You’ve got a lot experience, I’ve only been into lifting for 15 years. The bulk of my time with the iron has been centered around powerlifting with strongman components thrown in (Atlas Stones, log lift, circus dumbbell and yoke carry). I emphasized the Deadlift more than any other lift and I paid dearly for it. On a particular day, I decided to pull my all time max. My form was perfect until I passed my knees. I was well aware my form was degrading, but I didn’t care, I wanted that max so bad. Ended up destroying my lower back and developing sciatica so bad I sit for more than 5 minutes for 9 months. Now I know better and am more cautious. My issue was I tempted that fate and paid for it.
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Completely understand.

I've never gotten involved in any strongman or powerlifting as I'm just not that big and strong. 🤣

I would have classified myself as stronger than average but not as strong as many of the guys I trained with. (I blame long limbs and scoliosis for limiting some of the poundage.)

However, I will never regret training since my college days (and earlier) because it kept me fit during my years of federal service, and allowed me to perform my duties with very few injuries and no miscreants getting the upper hand; as well as leading an active life of sports, martial arts, diving, climbing etc.

I feel sorry for the young that don't keep themselves fit, and the old who have allowed themselves to grow old prematurely.
 
coolbreezy37 said:
That’s the smartest way to train. It took me years as well to learn that. I feel like that’s the only true way to learn. No one really starts off knowing that. It’s like a process of trial and error.
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Goes hand-in-hand with the whole being young and invincible mentality.

I DO remember older folks telling me to take care of my body and try to avoid injuries, "Trust me, you're gonna feel it when you're older". I just didn't really take heed until I was older. 😂🙁
 
bluemax_1 said:
Goes hand-in-hand with the whole being young and invincible mentality.

I DO remember older folks telling me to take care of my body and try to avoid injuries, "Trust me, you're gonna feel it when you're older". I just didn't really take heed until I was older. 😂🙁
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I first heard that from an NYPD detective who was overseeing my physical and background investigation when I applied to the department in the late 70's.

(That was when I first learned I had "scoliosis". I had no earthly idea what it even was he was talking about, since I was competing in karate, rock climbing and playing sports at the time.)

He said "you may not feel it now, but you will later". Upon advice from my uncle who was an anti-crime cop in Brooklyn, I decided that going with the feds made more sense long term, and so the matter never came up again.

I never even thought about it until 20 years or so later, when one day, on an unrelated matter, I saw an x-ray at my orthopedist's office and asked if it was mine. He said it was. I said, "Wow, so I guess they weren't lying when they said I had scoliosis 20 years ago during my NYPD physical."

The orthopedist, who was treating an on the job injury to my left biceps capsule, asked "Does it bother you when you work out?" to which I replied "no". He said, "well, then it doesn't require addressing as you're already in your forties without any known issues."

He did recommend that I stop running, for which I thanked him profusely (and began doing different, less jarring, cardio workouts).
 
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