TopHatPlus
12-01-2014, 02:46 PM
Hello everyone, i have not been on the forums for quite awhile, but i have not slowed down. I am starting a new log, there is a new journey starting, with new goals, and new perspectives.
I have spent the last number of months with very very little ambition, i have not missed any workouts, my weights have gone up, i was ganging weight (not a lot of productive weight) but i have finally found my escape back into the life of top performance.
I established my biggest problem was my gym, the flamborough YMCA had turned from a new life into a pit of non achievers. Every workout at the YMCA was becoming a test in my patients and my tolerance. I found it increasingly more difficult to get myself into the mental state required for hours of muscle shredding workouts i longed for. I was continuously the strongest person there, lifting weights with not only the highest strength to weight ratios but 99% of the time there were 50+ pounds above any one else there. I use surrounding weight lifters as a bit of a personal challenge, seeing someone lifting as much weight or more really triggers my competitive nature and gets me pumped for more weights.
The shift -
My parents have recently purchased a beautiful 4 season home in Huntsville so i got the pleasure of stay there for a week between and during new years. I spent every morning at FITT Gym on west street in downtown, where i was just in love with the facility. It was small, but packed with all the goodies a lifter could handle, which included dumb bells unto 120 lbs (this was the first time i have had access to this large of weights so i took a shot at 110 lb dumb bells flat bench and got 4 reps) and was nicely tucked into surrounding wilderness with some out door facilities as well. Atlas this could not last and i was headed back home.
I was on vacation from december 21 - january 6th, so i spent the end of my holiday time at La Fitness. I have looked at almost all of the surrounding gyms in my area and i was instantly impressed with La Fitness. I started a 3 day trial and was blown away. It was the first time i had used a spin bike that was buttery smooth and fit me very well in a very long time. The vibration from the worn out spin bikes, the clunking feel in the cranks, the wobbly seat post and bars really caused my arthritis to flare up and would cause me a huge mental distraction while i was at the gym. The quantity and quality of the ab equipment was astounding, i worked out so hard on my abs in those 3 days i couldn't sit down for another 5 days. I have now been a member of La Fitness for 1 week and have had astounding success and already seeing great improvements. The membership is also $20 a month cheaper then the YMCA which more then off sets the increased fuel cost.
I can happily report that all my current changes have helped me to lose over 15 pounds in bad weight, while maintaining muscle, and strength. The equipment has helped me nurse a sore shoulder back to prime condition and has greatly helped with my cardio.
If anyone on here goes to La Fitness burlington in appleby and HWY 5 and would like to workout, let me know, i am there every other day from 6:30-9:30 pm and 8:45-11:30 on my weekend workouts (that will change when i start working saturdays in the spring)
The workouts-
My personal best have been good, but this new facility will help me greatly increase them.
Current weights - 150 lbs
Incline Barbell - 245 lbs x 5
flat barbell - 305 - 4
Decline - 335 x 4
Shoulder press dumb bell - 95 lbs x 7
Incline dumb bell - 100 lbs x 7
Flat bench dumb bell - 110 lbs x 4
Lateral pull down cable - 250 lbs x 10
low row cable one hand - 110 lbs x 4
Squats - 185 lbs x 5
Leg press - 450 lbs x 4 (plus the sled)
These are obviously my top weights, i get pretty close to all of them on every workout, but i don't necessarily push top weight on all workouts, some are done strictly for the pump. I do not do heaving on my bicep curls, max is 35 lbs per hand and i will pump out 10 reps per hand with 4+ seconds on both retract and extension, i just love the pump! I now have hammer strength machines at the gym so i use those after my dumb bell or bar bell lifts to just completely destroy the muscle group without the risk of personal injury.
The excitement burns and the ambition continues.
I have spent the last number of months with very very little ambition, i have not missed any workouts, my weights have gone up, i was ganging weight (not a lot of productive weight) but i have finally found my escape back into the life of top performance.
I established my biggest problem was my gym, the flamborough YMCA had turned from a new life into a pit of non achievers. Every workout at the YMCA was becoming a test in my patients and my tolerance. I found it increasingly more difficult to get myself into the mental state required for hours of muscle shredding workouts i longed for. I was continuously the strongest person there, lifting weights with not only the highest strength to weight ratios but 99% of the time there were 50+ pounds above any one else there. I use surrounding weight lifters as a bit of a personal challenge, seeing someone lifting as much weight or more really triggers my competitive nature and gets me pumped for more weights.
The shift -
My parents have recently purchased a beautiful 4 season home in Huntsville so i got the pleasure of stay there for a week between and during new years. I spent every morning at FITT Gym on west street in downtown, where i was just in love with the facility. It was small, but packed with all the goodies a lifter could handle, which included dumb bells unto 120 lbs (this was the first time i have had access to this large of weights so i took a shot at 110 lb dumb bells flat bench and got 4 reps) and was nicely tucked into surrounding wilderness with some out door facilities as well. Atlas this could not last and i was headed back home.
I was on vacation from december 21 - january 6th, so i spent the end of my holiday time at La Fitness. I have looked at almost all of the surrounding gyms in my area and i was instantly impressed with La Fitness. I started a 3 day trial and was blown away. It was the first time i had used a spin bike that was buttery smooth and fit me very well in a very long time. The vibration from the worn out spin bikes, the clunking feel in the cranks, the wobbly seat post and bars really caused my arthritis to flare up and would cause me a huge mental distraction while i was at the gym. The quantity and quality of the ab equipment was astounding, i worked out so hard on my abs in those 3 days i couldn't sit down for another 5 days. I have now been a member of La Fitness for 1 week and have had astounding success and already seeing great improvements. The membership is also $20 a month cheaper then the YMCA which more then off sets the increased fuel cost.
I can happily report that all my current changes have helped me to lose over 15 pounds in bad weight, while maintaining muscle, and strength. The equipment has helped me nurse a sore shoulder back to prime condition and has greatly helped with my cardio.
If anyone on here goes to La Fitness burlington in appleby and HWY 5 and would like to workout, let me know, i am there every other day from 6:30-9:30 pm and 8:45-11:30 on my weekend workouts (that will change when i start working saturdays in the spring)
The workouts-
My personal best have been good, but this new facility will help me greatly increase them.
Current weights - 150 lbs
Incline Barbell - 245 lbs x 5
flat barbell - 305 - 4
Decline - 335 x 4
Shoulder press dumb bell - 95 lbs x 7
Incline dumb bell - 100 lbs x 7
Flat bench dumb bell - 110 lbs x 4
Lateral pull down cable - 250 lbs x 10
low row cable one hand - 110 lbs x 4
Squats - 185 lbs x 5
Leg press - 450 lbs x 4 (plus the sled)
These are obviously my top weights, i get pretty close to all of them on every workout, but i don't necessarily push top weight on all workouts, some are done strictly for the pump. I do not do heaving on my bicep curls, max is 35 lbs per hand and i will pump out 10 reps per hand with 4+ seconds on both retract and extension, i just love the pump! I now have hammer strength machines at the gym so i use those after my dumb bell or bar bell lifts to just completely destroy the muscle group without the risk of personal injury.
The excitement burns and the ambition continues.