For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

[stewaat]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

Well the academy has gotten me out of my routine. I am not a fan of running and doing push ups/sit ups exclusively. We mix in some sprints but man I need to get back in the gym.

Tonight I'm hitting up the gym after work. I'm gonna have to take the extra time and do my own stuff because I feel like I'm going backwards. I've also slacked a little on the diet...shame on me.

Gotta get back on track!

[colkilla]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

Well the academy has gotten me out of my routine. I am not a fan of running and doing push ups/sit ups exclusively. We mix in some sprints but man I need to get back in the gym.

Tonight I'm hitting up the gym after work. I'm gonna have to take the extra time and do my own stuff because I feel like I'm going backwards. I've also slacked a little on the diet...shame on me.

Gotta get back on track!

i am with you on the academy-style PT regimen. i think coming out of the fire/rescue academy i was in the WORST shape of my life...

[areobee401]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

Can someone please explain to me the difference between working out using equipment vs free weights?

What are the pros and cons of equipment vs free weights?

[TMagic]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

Can someone please explain to me the difference between working out using equipment vs free weights?

What are the pros and cons of equipment vs free weights?

There are some benefits to both and I believe BOTH should be incorporated in a workout to some degree. Forget the whole "machines are for wussies" ideology that some people have:

Weight Stack Machines:

• Are a lot safer than free weights. The machine coordinates the movement of the exercise which allows you to concentrate fully on the muscle you are targeting without synergist muscles being a limiting factor.
  
• They allow you do target muscles that can be harder to target in other ways. Things like a lat pull down or leg extension are easily done on a machine. They allow you to really target specific muscles.
  
• You can take exercises to failure. This is something that you can not do safely with some exercises unless you are always going to have a spotter with you. With a machine, a spotter is not necessary.

Free Weights:

• They force your body to use more muscles to perform different exercises; i.e., they incorporate more muscles in an exercise. Synergists, stabilizers, and the target muscle are all worked.
• Machines are not one-size-fits-all. You basically have to "fit" the machine, and your body structure may just not work with it. With free weights, you can workout in a position that feels most comfortable to you; movements are more natural to your own body.
• They provide variety. You can do all types of workouts with free weights. You can combine workouts to incorporate more muscles in one exercise. With machines, you can only do what the machine is designed to do.

So, like I mentioned earlier, I think its a very good idea to incorporate a little bit of both into your workout plan.

[ehh]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

Anyone got a link to a good workout specifically designed for a basektball player? I am more interested in strengthening my core and legs than upper body.

I suppose I could scan the entire 50 pg workout package our coaches gave us in college.

[areobee401]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

Thanks TMagic

Reason why I asked was some of my gym buddies give me a hard time for using the machines.

[ehh]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

Your selling yourself short by using machines, stick with the free weights.

[USF11]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

Your selling yourself short by using machines, stick with the free weights.

Do both - But for major muscle groups do free weights.

[TMagic]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

Thanks TMagic

Reason why I asked was some of my gym buddies give me a hard time for using the machines.

No problem.

And like I said, that's the typical macho man attitude that dudes have. They get it from other guys that they know who got it from guys they learned to lift from, who got it from other guys they know, who got it from guys they learned to lift from. lol

Not to mention that all the muscle magazines don't really have many workouts or pictures with guys doing machine weights. So it's easy to see why guys have this attitude towards machine weights.

So yeah. Use a combination of both.

[windseer90]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

Wow yesterday I don't know what I was thinking. I decided to eat a lot of cookies and junk yesterday... what a dumb move. But at least it made me realize I can't do that anymore. Started off today with a good breakfast and busted my *** on the treadmill... time to re-motivate myself.

[WTF]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

Yeah, I've been eating cookies and sweets, etc. Bad move on my part as I've accumulated a little flab around my midsection. Time to bust butt again.

Also, quick Q for you nutrition buffs... Lean Hamburger 96/4%, good or bad? I know it's not great, but I figure it can't be too awful bad. Or can it?

[stewaat]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

I think it's fine. Honestly I'd rather get 80/20 and just drain the fat to save $.

[WTF]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

Yeah, i could do that as well... I just wasn't sure about hamburgers in general. From everywhere I've heard, that burgers are bad for you. I don't do any condiments (pickles only) so it's not like I'm consuming a lot of junk with it... but I love Hamburgers, but hadn't been eating them, as I heard they weren't good for you.

[stewaat]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

Yeah, i could do that as well... I just wasn't sure about hamburgers in general. From everywhere I've heard, that burgers are bad for you. I don't do any condiments (pickles only) so it's not like I'm consuming a lot of junk with it... but I love Hamburgers, but hadn't been eating them, as I heard they weren't good for you.

I eat 1 lb of ground beef a day and have no ill side effects or problems.

Burgers are bad if you load crap on them and have an excess of calories. They are a great source of protein and if you drain the fat you'll have a lean source which is mainly protein. Throw on some whole wheat buns and enjoy.

[USF11]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

I eat 1 lb of ground beef a day and have no ill side effects or problems.

Burgers are bad if you load crap on them and have an excess of calories. They are a great source of protein and if you drain the fat you'll have a lean source which is mainly protein. Throw on some whole wheat buns and enjoy.

Remember a calorie is a calorie.