ᕙ(⇀‸↼‶)ᕗ ||| The 2023/2024 Gym Rats Thread ||| ᕙ(⇀‸↼‶)ᕗ

Freefaller said:
Yep, but it's important to make time. I have my own gym at home so I can train after the kids are in bed, or during the weekend, or early in the morning when everyone is asleep. You just have to make it work. Unfortunately with senior roles at work I also do long work days, plus weekends I want to commit to taking the kids to their clubs/parties/activities as well. That's why morning sessions are best. However, for martial arts most people are available in the evenings, so it's just a balance but being flexible about choosing where/when to go.

Recovery is tough in your 40s, TRT is probably something to consider, but that doesn't help joints, but I see the physio twice a month to keep on top of my joint health. Peptides are something I'm keeping an eye on, although legal are "research only' - that said a friend who is recovering from a motorbike crash has been using peptides and the Drs are blown away by his recovery - they do work, but again not technically prescribed yet although not illegal at all.

Working on nutrition and mobility is key, and also just taking a rest for a week or two is important. I'm looking at getting some injections for my facet joints - but there's a waiting list! Perhaps I should stop doing martial arts! :D
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I'm contemplating getting a home gym (2nd hand equipment doubt I could afford new) but so far the gym at work is here to stay!

Just finished my session and after doing some stretches which I don't normally do I managed to match my PB from 6 weeks for Squats so I'm very happy! The hobbling tomorrow will be totally worth it.
 
partycan said:
I'm contemplating getting a home gym (2nd hand equipment doubt I could afford new) but so far the gym at work is here to stay!

Just finished my session and after doing some stretches which I don't normally do I managed to match my PB from 6 weeks for Squats so I'm very happy! The hobbling tomorrow will be totally worth it.
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Nice! I can't afford to push for PBs any more as it's not my focus and I need to be able to rely on my functional power.

I love hitting PBs though - post squats hobbling is always fun! :D

When I go to the office I tend to either use it as a recovery day, or just go for a session later in the evening.

Consistency is name of the game!
 
Freefaller said:
Nice! How long have you been doing KM?

I still train 2-3x a week but also do BJJ 2-3x a week. But at my age, recovery is becoming an issue, so I sometimes drop them to 2x a week each. Plus I have so many commitments plus 2 kids, so it's quite tough. I still manage it though. Dodgy joints now means I have to focus more on recovery than training unfortunately.
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Only about a month so far. I'd been slowly falling out of love with the weights again and also been trying to shorten my gym sessions down to spend more time with the little one so it works quite well one main session after she's in bed in the week and then they run some extra sessions on weekend mornings that you can drop into alongside a couple of 40ish minute cardio sessions throughout the week.

It's nice to be learning something new and being a bit more social as well :D

It was quite funny my first session the trainer was talking me through it all and said "It's not a fitness class but you look like a pretty fit guy so you should be alright" at which point I just laughed, I don't think anyone has ever said that about me :o
 
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tom_e said:
Only about a month so far. I'd been slowly falling out of love with the weights again and also been trying to shorten my gym sessions down to spend more time with the little one so it works quite well one main session after she's in bed in the week and then they run some extra sessions on weekend mornings that you can drop into alongside a couple of 40ish minute cardio sessions throughout the week.

It's nice to be learning something new and being a bit more social as well :D

It was quite funny my first session the trainer was talking me through it all and said "It's not a fitness class but you look like a pretty fit guy so you should be alright" at which point I just laughed, I don't think anyone has ever said that about me :o
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Nice that's why I restarted doing Martial Arts (I used to do kickboxing and judo) I missed the social environment of the gym but also learning a new skill. I get bored of just lifting weights. It's become an accessory to my life rather than a primary of my life. Still jacked as hell though ;)

That's a great compliment you deserve it - you've worked so hard and earned it. :cool:

The cardio from MMA is second to none! Or at least completely different and far more enjoyable that traditional cardio! Also it's nice to know how to defend yourself, build some resilience and get out of your comfort zone. Also learning to use your strength, weight, physical attributes properly is amazing.

Lifting weights is good of course, but translating it to movement/dynamic elements is even more interesting. I mean I still squat, deadlift and so on, but I do it with a different type of movement, it's more explosive and dynamic than I had been training before.

I've entered the British open and my whole club is coming (some are competing too) to cheer me on and support me. Feels like I'm playing rugby again! :cool: :)
 
Freefaller said:
Nice that's why I restarted doing Martial Arts (I used to do kickboxing and judo) I missed the social environment of the gym but also learning a new skill. I get bored of just lifting weights. It's become an accessory to my life rather than a primary of my life. Still jacked as hell though ;)

That's a great compliment you deserve it - you've worked so hard and earned it. :cool:

The cardio from MMA is second to none! Or at least completely different and far more enjoyable that traditional cardio! Also it's nice to know how to defend yourself, build some resilience and get out of your comfort zone. Also learning to use your strength, weight, physical attributes properly is amazing.

Lifting weights is good of course, but translating it to movement/dynamic elements is even more interesting. I mean I still squat, deadlift and so on, but I do it with a different type of movement, it's more explosive and dynamic than I had been training before.

I've entered the British open and my whole club is coming (some are competing too) to cheer me on and support me. Feels like I'm playing rugby again! :cool: :)
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How long have you been training BJJ? I used to train BJJ/MMA 7-9x a week when I first started. Now I'm lucky to get 2-3 sessions in. Kids/life/injuries always seem to get in the way. :)
 
ShortWarning said:
How long have you been training BJJ? I used to train BJJ/MMA 7-9x a week when I first started. Now I'm lucky to get 2-3 sessions in. Kids/life/injuries always seem to get in the way. :)
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Just over a year. But I did kickboxing / judo for about 6 years 20 years ago!

I only train 2-3x a week and go to the gym 2-3x a week. I'm in my mid 40s, recovery isn't easy, and I have a very senior role and 2 kids and a household to look after! It means early mornings or late evening workouts.

Training 7-9x a week is mental - but amazing, great way to learn is spending time in the gym. Good on you!
 
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Freefaller said:
Just over a year. But I did kickboxing / judo for about 6 years 20 years ago!

I only train 2-3x a week and go to the gym 2-3x a week. I'm in my mid 40s, recovery isn't easy, and I have a very senior role and 2 kids and a household to look after! It means early mornings or late evening workouts.

Training 7-9x a week is mental - but amazing, great way to learn is spending time in the gym. Good on you!
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That was when I was in my mid 20's and a touring musician so had all the time in the world. Those were the days! I'm 39 now and in more or less the same position as you.
 
ShortWarning said:
That was when I was in my mid 20's and a touring musician so had all the time in the world. Those were the days! I'm 39 now and in more or less the same position as you.
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Ah to be young again! :D

I think once the british open is done I'll let myself get back up over 100kg so I can keep warm over Christmas! :D I don't want to do comps over the holiday season.

My eldest is doing martial arts too - I really want to encourage them to do at least 1. Not just for self defence really, but for the fitness, discipline and skills, but also the relationships you build with your teammates.
 
Question for you old boys... mid-30s now how bad does getting old get? I'm starting to feel recovery tank and although I'm strong I don't quite have the same energy
 
DarkShadow said:
Question for you old boys... mid-30s now how bad does getting old get? I'm starting to feel recovery tank and although I'm strong I don't quite have the same energy
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For someone in their mid 40s and also starting back at the gym at the start of the year after a 10 year layoff due to family/children. The strength is back but the energy, recovery yeah it's tough.

For example I did squats on Tuesday after a 6 week illness lay off. Again strength was their but dear god getting down on my knees to change my youngest ones nappy and then going round the floor picking up all the toys, pain incarnate!
 
partycan said:
For someone in their mid 40s and also starting back at the gym at the start of the year after a 10 year layoff due to family/children. The strength is back but the energy, recovery yeah it's tough.

For example I did squats on Tuesday after a 6 week illness lay off. Again strength was their but dear god getting down on my knees to change my youngest ones nappy and then going round the floor picking up all the toys, pain incarnate!
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Hah, this exactly. Even when I rolling around with the kids, I feel pretty fragile :cry:
 
Hi all. The 5x5 is progressing well, although I am starting to struggle a bit with grip strength on my deadlifts. I have just changed to an Oly bar that is ever-so-slightly larger in diameter, so wonder if that's thrown me off, but today I could only manage 2 reps before having to use the straps as I could feel it starting to slip out of my right hand.
Something to worry about, should I just carry on and supplement no straps with straps when I feel it failing, or should I be doing some sort of grip improvement exercise? Time is a limiting factor though.
Thoughts and tips gratefully received! Ta :)
 
haaammit said:
Hi all. The 5x5 is progressing well, although I am starting to struggle a bit with grip strength on my deadlifts. I have just changed to an Oly bar that is ever-so-slightly larger in diameter, so wonder if that's thrown me off, but today I could only manage 2 reps before having to use the straps as I could feel it starting to slip out of my right hand.
Something to worry about, should I just carry on and supplement no straps with straps when I feel it failing, or should I be doing some sort of grip improvement exercise? Time is a limiting factor though.
Thoughts and tips gratefully received! Ta :)
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What weight is it failing at and how much do you weigh? Mixed grip or double overhand?
 
haaammit said:
Hi all. The 5x5 is progressing well, although I am starting to struggle a bit with grip strength on my deadlifts. I have just changed to an Oly bar that is ever-so-slightly larger in diameter, so wonder if that's thrown me off, but today I could only manage 2 reps before having to use the straps as I could feel it starting to slip out of my right hand.
Something to worry about, should I just carry on and supplement no straps with straps when I feel it failing, or should I be doing some sort of grip improvement exercise? Time is a limiting factor though.
Thoughts and tips gratefully received! Ta :)
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I switched from overhand grip to a mixed grip (alternating each set) surprising the difference it makes.
 
I always use straps for repping. My grip strength was taking too long to catch up to the rest of the deadlift. I was stuck at 120kg for I don't know how long because of it. I decided that I was more interested in my overall deadlift getting stronger than my grip getting slowly stronger. I can do heavy singles without straps but it falls apart when repping.
 
I never used to use straps but now im all for them, rep work they make a massive difference and i also wanted to avoid imbalances from mixed grip. As im never going to complete im happy enough not worrying about grip strength.

Also deficit deadlifts are gross.
 
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