[Cobra]

(05-28-2013 01:14 AM)lurker Wrote:  

Getting 5-6 hours of sleep will cut your gains. You'll also be exhausted after doing heavy DLs or squats.

You will not screw up your routine by doing lighter weight reps of the same lifts at home some days. A lot of programming uses lower effort days, and you'll end up "greasing the groove," or getting your neural patterns used to lifting a weight with proper form.

Work out when you can. Going to the gym late is better than not going at all.

Choosing a gym: you want to ask three questions to the chick showing you around and explaining all the fancy machines you won't be using.

1. How many squat racks do you have?
2. Can I use chalk?
3. Can I squat barefoot?

I had one guy shake his head and look down in clear shame at me at the last question once. He understood, but gym policy had just changed from above.

F**k me! I need to think consciously about working in extra sleep into my routine. Not making excuses but it's difficult to do with 3 kids and a wife who expects some help.

I get your #1 but I'm confused on #2 and #3. I thought buying some good work out gloves would be fine. Is there some benefit to using chalk? Also, #3, is the point to get better balance due to the contours of the feet getting direct contact with the floor?

I also realized that I'm raping myself on calories; I documented what I have been eating and for a 172 pound 5'8" guy, I'm taking in 2000 - 2500 calories at most. I'm stocking my fridge to get to 3400 a day. I got sample meals/plans off the internet. That should help.

Baby steps but hoping to get into a good routine and feel good about myself. First step of many.

[reaper23]

dude no gloves.

no gloves.

personally I like to wear lifting shoes for squats, but barefeet for deadlifts.

oh, and, can you drop weight on the floor?

i've left gyms because of those issues in the past, thank god i did

[little wing]

Spend a month getting in shape and working out at home.
Go running and biking every day. Then join a gym.
Also try taking Zinc

[Cobra]

So I called a guy that owns a "powerlifting" joint. I would imagine it's closest to a gym for men. However, the guy mentioned that it's a privately run place with no real hours. People come and lift; no chalk issues, no dropping issues, no barefoot issues, no noise issues. The dude even said that he doesn't care if I bleed either as long as I clean it up. I actually appreciate that.

That being said, the place seems to be for competition level or at least powerlifting focused dudes. Anyone have experience with these? Wondering if it's even worth my time to check out. My only other options are co-ed gyms with more eillipticals than weights. Although, a place like L.A. Fitness likely has ample amounts of weights and racks.

@little wing - I will definitely be getting some dumbells, barbells to start. As far as running, I used to be really into it when I was in the service. I'm just afraid it will take muscle off my body if I do too much of it.