I need a workout plan that will help me shed these extra college pounds that I’ve picked up over the past months. I have access to a recreation room with free weights and have plenty of room to run, I just need something that will work for me. I’m not a biggy on working out with a partnerm, so stuff that requires spotting is a no go. What do you dopers suggest? Oh, and I’d like to mention that I’m not overweight, or have a big problem with being a pit pudgy, I just would like my abs to be a little less rounded and be more energetic… know what I mean?
“People must think it must be fun to be a super genuis,
But they don’t realize how hard it is
to put up with all the idiots in the world.”
– Calvin and Hobbes
(__) /
Working with weights and running is good, but if you have access to a pool, you should do some swimming. IMO, it’s the best all-around exercise for toning and getting the heart rate up.
The most rewarding part was when I got my money!
-Dr. Nick Riviera
Squee:
By “buff”, I’m assuming that Cowgod wants a little muscular definition. He’s gonna have to lift weights to get that, no other way around it.
Swimming is a fantastic exercise, I usually get 3-4 miles a week myself. But it’ll never make one buff. Fit and toned, unquestionably. Heck, look at otters and seals!
Cowgod: check out a book from the library on designing a weightlifting regimen. Start light and good luck.
if you’re just trying to tone your abs, do crunches. they yield returns rather quickly. also, where are you going to school? if you’re somewhere with snow, i’d recommend x-c skiing over swimming. a (slightly) better workout, and, IMHO, a much more enjoyable one.
I go to University of Cincinnati (which lies directly in the 'hood of the 'Nati) so x-country skiing is NOT the thing to do. I do push-ups and occasionally sit-ups whenever I’m bored, I’m looking for a more of a rounded work-out plan. I do have access to a pool, I’m not sure when I can use it though, I’ve never actually been to it yet.
“People must think it must be fun to be a super genuis,
But they don’t realize how hard it is
to put up with all the idiots in the world.”
– Calvin and Hobbes
(__) /
He claimed he wanted to lose a few pounds, and be more energetic. Swimming will do that for you! I know he said he wanted to be ‘buff’, but look at the timeline here. Spring Break is not that far off, considering we are already in February! How ‘buffed’ could he really get in a month or two?! Of course, in the long-term, I recommend lifting weights, but it may take MONTHS to see any significant results.
Even if that were not the case, I would still recommend swimming or running to get the heart rate up. It helps to be cardiovascularly fit before embarking on a weight lifting program.
You can get pretty buff from swimming… I used to surf all the time, and all the paddling increased the size of my arms and chest, and even a slight improvement in my legs. I’m not trying to destroy your point, but I just want you to see where I was coming from when I posted my answer.
The most rewarding part was when I got my money!
-Dr. Nick Riviera
Little did I know that the Cow God (Moo) attends my alma mater! Go Bearcats. (And what genius named our mascot after a freakin’ sloth?)
Anyway, my husband who has an incredible physique, if I do say so, swears by free weights. (He thinks nautilus is for pansies.) Pick up a fitness magazine and browse through it. They usually have a weight training section that explains the different positions to focus on differnt body parts. Start with the heaviest weight you can lift for at least 8 reps. Go through a circuit of four or five different positions, then repeat the entire thing. My husband would then add a section where he’d then reduce the weight and go for 20 reps to really fatigue the muscle.
Of course, there have been times when he has pinned himself with his own weight bar…so be careful. Though presumably there will be plenty of people around to help you at U.C.
For a six-pack stomach, he does this: He hangs upright from a bar, then pulls his knees to his chest several times. Not only does this give great ab definition, but it’s also a visual treat for the observer.
Forgive me, Squee, I didn’t intend for my response to get your underwear all bunched up in a knot.
But I was answering the OP and I stand by my words. Eight weeks of motivated weight training, along with attention to what you eat & drink, CAN make a noticeable difference. Ideally, CowGod, you should do some cardiovascular work on the days in between lifting. Swimming sounds like a good choice for you. Go to a Sports Authority-type place and get some goggles. I like ear plugs, too. You might consider using some training fins. They increase the contribution your lower body makes. I use Slim Fins, www.forcefin.com, they’re excellent, albeit expensive.
Oh, and have fun, too. A couple weeks of this and you’re gonna start feeling really good.
I’ll join you Cow God! (I never expected to say that in my lifetime)
Lucky for me, bathing suit time in Alberta doesn’t really start until July, so I have quite a few months to get, as they say, “Buff”.
I’m thinking of starting running. Anyone have any advice?
And for you, Cow God, try “Men’s Health” magazine. Mr. Gretchen reads it and it usually has some fairly useful info, and it is sometimes quite funny, too.
I used to work with a guy that kept free weights in the warehouse and would workout alone there. He never put the collars on the bar so if he got stuck under it he could just tilt the bar and the weights would fall off and he’d be free.
Miss Gretchen…
If you’re just starting out running, it will hurt for 6 weeks and then stop hurting. Get good shoes, stretch well, and start out by combining running and walking. I’ve been running for over 20 years and I still enjoy it because it’s free , you can do it anytime, and you don’t need a partner. I also ski cross country in the winter but still run also. But, I no longer go anywhere for spring break, just bike week in Daytona and believe me, you don’t need to be buff to go there.
Well, if you come over, I’ll borrow my father-in-law’s buffer and we’ll get you hooked up!
Anyone remember the scene in “Fatal Instinct” (is this the right name? Spoof on “Fatal Attraction”, “Basic Instinct” with Aramand Assante and Sean Young. What a hoot!) where Armand buffs Sean?
