"It is exercise alone that supports the spirits, and keeps the mind in vigor" - Cicero
Cicero was a Roman philosopher, statesman & lawyer, among other things. Talk about ahead of your time! While I do not think he was any sort of an athlete or fitness fanatic, he understood the importance of health.
I quite like this quote and use it often.
So should you!!
Happy Friday night....I'm going to the gym!
Whether your goal is to LOSE lbs and tone up or GAIN MASS and PACK ON muscle, here are my tips, advice, and "the skinny" to MOTIVATE, INSPIRE, & help you ACHIEVE your goals! A place of ongoing encouragement! Success depends on New Ways of Thinking! With a focus on Diet & Nutrition, aka "The 80/20 Rule" & Form/Technique
The "Mighty Squat"
Friday, April 12, 2013
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Being creative ( making do with what you've got) PT II
* Disclaimer* This is not a rant.
This is, however, a lengthy, multi-part post on how to continue achieving your goals with what appears to be limited means.
Leaving a large gym stuffed with copious amounts of leg presses, free weights, benches, squat racks, etc and moving to a smaller, urban gym can, and did, take some getting used. After all, my personal goal is to continue adding size/mass. And all the afor mentioned equipment is very necessary for achieving that. If my goal was to tone up and lose weight I'd be in hog-heaven, as the entire second (2nd) floor is dedicated to nothing but cardio equipment.
Let me start by stating what I do like:
I. Real people with real goals. Lets keep it 100% shall we? Its located in a busy section of town and people are dedicated to coming before, during, and after work.
ded*i*ca*tion
noun
1. committed to a task or purpose
II. Very few knuckleheads. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Down with the knuckleheads! The weight droppers & dumbbell throwers who irritate the hell out of you! Murphys' law says tonight when I go one will be there.
III. With the lack of certain items, there is an abundance of others. Like 7 stations to work your back. An area quite honestly, I have neglected.
IV. Cleanliness. I was raised in the military, was in the military myself, and make NO excuses as to why I want my surroundings, especially a place where multitudes of people sweat, clean. Nuff' said.
V. Its not Happy Hour all the time. In fact, I think I'm the only one who doesn't have an Ipod in my ear stuck on replay-ay,ay,ay. Folks pretty much stay focused and there doesn't seem to be the "Mayor of the Gym" strutting around like a peacock past its prime.
In Part III, we are going to start getting "creative" with our workouts.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Being creative!(making do with what you've got) PT I
A wise man once said, "I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination" - Jimmy Dean
This could not pertain anymore than to my current/new gym.
I've been a busy bee the last few months. I've been here, there, and everywhere including a move to "The City". Now, as we know, everything in the city is more expensive.....EVERYTHING! So, when I went gym shopping naturally I realized I would have to not only pay a little extra, but sacrifice some too.
Y'see, I came from a GOLD'S gym in the "burbs". ( A LARGE GOLDS) Free weights for days! The dumbbell rack went up to 135lbs thank you very much. I never Dumbbell Bench Pressed that much, but it was nice to have it none the less. Just sayin'. There where 8 or so Benches for your Barbell Bench including Decline, Incline, and about 8 Squat Racks. Lets here it again for the Mighty Squat!!!
But I digress.
So, when you go to a smaller, more urban gym with much less you tend to get a little homesick. UNTIL, you realize you shouldn't dwell on what isn't, but what is.
And I'm going to explain all of this later in Part's II and III and IV. (Complete with pictures)
I realized I needed to get creative, while still being able to achieve my goals. And it is possible. When I ran my Cafe years ago I always said,
"When life gives you lemons, learn how to make Arnold Palmer's" - Joshua Williams (Me)
I looked at several gyms, one of which was SO nice (The complimentary Kiehl's products and towels where a nice touch) I was almost seduced into justifying $155 a month into joining. (I said ALMOST). Maybe one day after I win the lottery.
The second gym was fine, large, but quite dirty. Cleanliness is next to Godliness & I won't tolerate a mess!
The 3rd and now my current, was inexpensive, clean, & convenient. However upon my initail assesment seemed lacking in free weights benches, racks and the like.
Or did it?
This could not pertain anymore than to my current/new gym.
I've been a busy bee the last few months. I've been here, there, and everywhere including a move to "The City". Now, as we know, everything in the city is more expensive.....EVERYTHING! So, when I went gym shopping naturally I realized I would have to not only pay a little extra, but sacrifice some too.
Y'see, I came from a GOLD'S gym in the "burbs". ( A LARGE GOLDS) Free weights for days! The dumbbell rack went up to 135lbs thank you very much. I never Dumbbell Bench Pressed that much, but it was nice to have it none the less. Just sayin'. There where 8 or so Benches for your Barbell Bench including Decline, Incline, and about 8 Squat Racks. Lets here it again for the Mighty Squat!!!
But I digress.
So, when you go to a smaller, more urban gym with much less you tend to get a little homesick. UNTIL, you realize you shouldn't dwell on what isn't, but what is.
And I'm going to explain all of this later in Part's II and III and IV. (Complete with pictures)
I realized I needed to get creative, while still being able to achieve my goals. And it is possible. When I ran my Cafe years ago I always said,
"When life gives you lemons, learn how to make Arnold Palmer's" - Joshua Williams (Me)
I looked at several gyms, one of which was SO nice (The complimentary Kiehl's products and towels where a nice touch) I was almost seduced into justifying $155 a month into joining. (I said ALMOST). Maybe one day after I win the lottery.
The second gym was fine, large, but quite dirty. Cleanliness is next to Godliness & I won't tolerate a mess!
The 3rd and now my current, was inexpensive, clean, & convenient. However upon my initail assesment seemed lacking in free weights benches, racks and the like.
Or did it?
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Quote for the Week!
Hello Folks. Why yes, it has been awhile.
For my return to the motivational sector of the World Wide Web, I thought it best to start my soapbox with this weeks "Quote for the week!", which just happens to be one of my personal favorites.
I' orginally posted it here on Monday November 5, 2012.
For the rest of the month we, er uh...I, will be talking about doing the best with what you've got.
Quote for the week!
"When the world says, "Give up", hope whispers "Try it one more time" - Franklin D. Roosevelt
FDR was the 32nd President of the United States of America and led us through the Great Depression and World War.
For my return to the motivational sector of the World Wide Web, I thought it best to start my soapbox with this weeks "Quote for the week!", which just happens to be one of my personal favorites.
I' orginally posted it here on Monday November 5, 2012.
For the rest of the month we, er uh...I, will be talking about doing the best with what you've got.
Quote for the week!
"When the world says, "Give up", hope whispers "Try it one more time" - Franklin D. Roosevelt
FDR was the 32nd President of the United States of America and led us through the Great Depression and World War.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Quote for the week!
Here is another one from none other than AHHHNOLD! This one particularly hits home not only fitness-wise, but personally. I hope it helps you as much as it does me.
"Strength does not come from winning your struggles. Develop your strength when you go through hardship and choose not to surrender. THAT is strengh!" - Aronld Schwarzenegger
"Strength does not come from winning your struggles. Develop your strength when you go through hardship and choose not to surrender. THAT is strengh!" - Aronld Schwarzenegger
Thursday, January 17, 2013
The Holidays are OVER!!!!
Folks, the Holidays are OVER!
If you could make time to go to all those functions, eating and cocktailing till the wee hours of the morning, then you can make time to go get fit. Walk, run, join a gym (mine cost $29 a month!) Thats ONE happy hour tab!
Seriously, the average person spends 3 hours a day on Facebook! THREE!!! Why can't you spend three hours a WEEK making yourself feel, look, and be better? HMMMM???
Its a new year and summer will be here before you know it! So what is stopping you?!
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Quote of the week!!! Pretty neat!
Here is a'n excellent quote from a friend of mine +christine khoo who, I might add was one of my first clients and currently attends my gym.
"Life is like a box of.......fractions: 1. always simply 2. If there is no common denominator, move on 3. You are only a part of a whole, so get over yourself''
"Life is like a box of.......fractions: 1. always simply 2. If there is no common denominator, move on 3. You are only a part of a whole, so get over yourself''
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)