Back to the Gym
 

It's been about six months now since I finally returned to the gym after about a five year absence. It's been an interesting experience.

I think the biggest difference I've noticed since returning is the change in the "social" atmosphere that I used to enjoy. It used to be pretty loud in there, between the clanking weights and just the general banter among patrons. The clanking is still there but, boy, almost no one talks to one another anymore outside of their workout partner (assuming they have one).

The cell phone appears to have taken over. My one frustration has proven to be those infernal little devices, actually. Not just what they have done to the socializing, but what they have done to the availability of the equipment.

People camp on the equipment while absorbed in their cell phones. I swear, they don't seem to realize just how distracted they get, and how much time they spend sitting on the equipment and not using it. I see folks going what seems to be five minutes between sets.

This morning was a great example. It was leg day for me. I now work my way through my routine in a way that many would consider "backwards" - I like to pre-exhaust my quads, hamstrings, and calves before hitting the squat rack.

When I arrived, I began with seated leg extensions, noticing that there was a young lady using the only squat rack in the place. I figured no problem, she'll be long since done before I need it. Except, well, I did six sets (including warm ups) of leg extensions, then six sets of leg curls, then six sets of seated calf raises. And she was still in the squat rack... I had yet to see her actually do a set...

So I went to the 45 degree inclined leg press right next to the squat rack. Did six sets there, and she still had not moved. So, finally, I very politely asked her how much longer she thought she would be. She turned out to be very friendly, bubbly, and quite willing to move - "oh, I'm done, you can have it". I think she may have actually done two sets the entire time...

That's an extreme example, of course, and most folks are there to work. Every day, though, I'll see someone on a piece of equipment, nose buried in their phone, and I'll manage to get two or three different exercises in before they finish one. And I'm an old man (62 years old) who doesn't exactly burn up the course.

Thank God I go early (7:00 am) and it's not crowded. I couldn't imagine trying to get in a workout with the after work crowd in that kind of atmosphere. I dunno, maybe when it's crowded, they don't dilly-dally like that.

That minor annoyance aside, it's been great getting back into the gym.

Need pics of the gal in the squat rack.:D


Just kidding, but I see the same thing. It's rare to see a teen to 30 year old that isn't on their phone..oblivious to everything around them.

^^^^ Jeff needs to take his phone to the gym :D.

It's January 13th. In a couple weeks the place will be empty and you'll have the squat rack all to yourself.

My last trip to the gym was pre-Covid, meaning it was at least a year before Covid existed, but "pre-Covid" sounds better. I feel great when I get in a routine and go regularly. Good for you for going back after a 5 year hiatus. I really need to go. Just showing up is half the battle.

It costs me about $100 a visit :(

So I bought a Total Gym 1000 like what Chuck Norris uses (so it must be good) The good thing about it is I can do the lying down like you would on a surfboard, then inclinded by about 33 degrees and "paddle" like you would on a board. My surfing is OK but the paddle out on medium to large days kills me. So I'm building up my paddle muscles in the comfort of home.

I may stop going to the gym.

I see a good story....."Rack in the Gym" :D

Need some pics first.

The last time I worked out at a gym, was at a YMCA near my house. Instead of going through the circuit, it was just random people using random machines. Mostly younger people.

^^^
I don't think she has her feet placed right....they are too far forward.

Before Covid I would go to the gym at 11:30 pm to avoid the folks you speak of Jeff.
Of course I'm retired, I enjoyed having the place to my self and maybe six other people.

I’ve been going to a local crossfit gym since July on a two day a week basis. Including warm up and cool down, the duration is around an hour. Its a small place. Each one hour time slot can have two five person groups. There are generally one or two trainers present to help you through your custom workout. Each session is different and challenging. The coaches make sure you have the correct form when performing any exercise.

I am one of the few guys training. It is mostly women of all types. It costs more than I ever thought I would spend on gym membership, but it is absolutely worth it. The environment is supportive and positive.

You guys have heard me mention my lifelong friend and good buddy Pastor Dave. We call him that because, well, he is a pastor. His father married my wife and I, who I actually "stole" from Pastor Dave when he wasn't looking (the three of us are still best friends). Pastor Dave is the guy I used to hunt Alaska with, when he lived there. But I digress...

Pastor Dave and I have held a "birthday challenge" since we were young men. It was easy when we were young, but it got a lot harder as we aged. I last met the challenge at 53, Pastor Dave beat me and made it to 55.

The challenge was to total 1200 pounds in the three competitive lifts in powerlifting competition. Squat, deadlift, and bench. Pastor Dave buried me in the bench, we were equal in deadlifting, and I crushed him in the squat. Granted, not much of a total for guys of our size, but a worthy goal for a couple of guys lifting to stay in shape with no competitive aspirations. And no drugs.

I will, of course, never get there again. My number one goal, my guiding aspiration is... to just not hurt myself. I'm repping out at 15-20 reps in all movements, not trying to show off or be a hero. Whole different mindset than the "go heavy or go home" mantra of my youth.

And I'm having fun.

I don't know how many people on a Porsche forum will recognize that a 1,200lb total is chimpanzee strength. 5% of a gym might be able to do that. Actually breaking 1,000 is a benchmark and very rarefied air for any age.

Good to hear you're still getting after it Jeff. One of the things I say to myself when I'm feeling good and tempted to throw on another plate: "the most important workout is not this one- it's tomorrow's." IOWs, you have to guard against the joy of battle to avoid injury to get to tomorrow.

I think this social demographic has moved to smaller crossfit type gyms in the past few years. The dregs are left at the big gyms. I guess I am part of the dregs b/c I still go to/belong to a big gym. Depending on what time I go mine is full of high schoolers who definitely camp on equipment, but are quick to smile and hop off when I walk up and say "do you mind if I work in with you"?

We were both 240 pound guys back when we were at our peak, so hardly competitive weights. By way of comparison, my old buddy Jeff Magruder totaled 2,100 when he was in the 242 pound class. Even set a world record in the bench (his specialty) at something like 637 pounds, if I remember correctly. Granted, he was a pro, he was juicing really heavily, yada yada... But, still, in that time and place, in that gym, my meager 1,200 just faded into the background. Some of those guys' moms could do that.

Great attitude. What a relief, what a sense of freedom - not feeling like we need to throw on that next plate. We used to feel obligated, pressured, compelled. Meh. No one "expects" anything from the old fart with the big gray mop on top. Free to do as I please. No ego anymore. I love it.

I never did any real gym work in my youth, but started in November with a running coach as I have a goal of running a sub 5 minute mile- long story; probably longer odds!

I go twice a week one on one with the coach. His “theory” is that if you can squat one and a half times your weight, you can run injury free- pounding on the joints is more than your weight and my knees suck.

He is more concerned with power output than total weight, so he has electronic device that magnets to the squat bar and then a special mat goes on the ground inline. He enters the weight of the bar into an app and then when you squat, it records how far you move the weight and how fast which gives you a power number. Every few weeks, he adds weight and takes away reps; then we build up reps, add weight- rinse and repeat.

He has me doing several other workouts and runs to strengthen all of me- I’m staring to get a little “cut” in my abs!

I have really wanted to get back to the gym. I was a gym-rat for 30+ years, 4 days per week. As I got older and experienced injuries (work related) I began getting more conservative at the gym. Then I blew out a shoulder (work) and had it repaired. Never came back quite right. Now, a year ago, had a complete shoulder replacement and it feels great. But I am 67 now.... I really want to get back in and just get in shape and build some strength. Once the New Year rush is past, I will check out a local place.

I do not visit gyms, simply because of how very intimidating it would be for others to see someone with my physique. Tall, muscular, athletic. I stay at home as a favor to them. Also, because I am lazy. ;)

Holy moly!!! That's quite the goal!! Best of luck to you. How old are you? I could barely do that when I was in the best cardio shape of my life, as a college soccer player and erstwhile amateur bicycle racer.

You're putting a lot more into it right now than I am. I need to include cardio as well. For me, that's going to be on the road on a bicycle. I don't think my new right hip would take the pounding inherent in running.

Along with my age, that new hip is weighing heavily in just how I have been working out. Light weights, lots of reps. No more "peaking" like we used to.

It sounds like that is what your coach is having you do, the classic powerlifting practice of "peaking" for a contest. We would do a three month cycle, starting with light weights and high reps, in the 15-20 rep range, with lots of sets. Over the course of those three months, we would gradually add weight and lower the reps and sets. At the end of the cycle, we would do heavy doubles for just one maximum effort set, after having done half a dozen warm-up sets. Then it was a week of rest before the "contest" (our respective birthdays), then a week of rest after that. Then the next three month cycle would start.

Today, I'm just not doing the cycle. I'm just sticking to the light end of it, doing what we would do in its first few weeks. Just trying to burn calories, get some tone, and lose some weight.

I know I'll never regain either my soccer player / cyclist physique nor my peak lifting physique. Somewhere in-between is my goal. General fitness, not occupying either extreme. And, again, the A-number-one goal is to not hurt myself...

Hi Jeff,

We aren’t too different, I’ll be doing most of my cardio on the bike this summer. We are limiting my miles to 10 a week because of my knees.

My HS freshman 1600 was 5:04:11. I had to stop running due to my knees and less than ideal family situation. It has always bugged me that I never beat 5 minutes, so here at 54 years old, I suddenly think it is doable!

This summer without coaching and very minimal training besides cycling, I did 6:37. After coaching and training in December I did 6:26 and a couple weeks ago I did 6:11, so moving in the right direction.

We aren’t really optimizing my workouts for each race yet, but are taking them into consideration for training schedule.

Good luck to you as well in your workouts, as long as we take care of ourselves, life is better and easier- although not cheaper! One on one training is pricey, but I cannot motivate myself except on the track racing- I leave it all there when I run- tasting blood and seeing God!

You're not wrong about the cell phones. But that's everywhere in our world, not just gyms.

Been a gym rat for 35 years. One day I was a senior in college and looked at myself in the mirror. Two much beer and junk food. Couldn't have run 3 miles if my life depended on it. At 24 years old. Pathetic!

So I changed. Right then and there. Whipped myself into shape. Started running. Started lifting. Didn't hurt that I met Mrs. Dave a few months later and she was an 80's aerobics queen, runner, and worked at a gym. She wouldn't let me slack. And still won't.

Been at the same gym for 26 years now. Good atmosphere. Very social. I know everybody there. Know everybody's names. Say hello to everyone, everyday. Its fun. When I see somebody new, especially somebody young and looking at their phone I go over and strike up a conversation. Most people appreciate it. I try and encourage people. Most of the youngsters are blown away to learn I'm 60 years old. Would like to think Ive helped inspired a few to keep at it. Have run across a surprising number of car guys. Girls tend to assume you are the old creepy gym guy, but I'm always quick to point out my wife and how we work out together every day and that seems to get them to be friendly.

For rwest, sub-5 minute mile is moving! I can still run sub-6, but I can't string them together like I used to. There was a time when I was better than a 5:30 pace for a 5K, but to shave another 30 seconds would have been almost unthinkably huge. Not sure I agree with your trainers theory. Leg strength mattersl, but simply being lighter is more important if you are going to save your joints. I'm 5'8 and generally weigh in around 155 lbs. If I gain even 3-5 lbs, I notice it immediately and feel it in my knees and feet.

Hi Dave,

We’re talking about weight too. I’m 5’11” and here in the middle of winter when I can’t easily put miles on my bike, I weigh around 168lbs. My lowest weight in recent history has been around 160lbs. I think I can achieve 155lbs and still be healthy. I was talking to another coach casually and he was saying that every pound lost is 2 seconds off your mile time. Not sure If I believe that, but I know moving less weight around the track will make a big difference.

Just this week we were discussing time shaving beyond training- we figured losing the weight, pacing better and track shoes could possibly net 30 seconds!

I’m still just running in regular Brooks running shoes, same ones I train in. Coach keeps bugging me about getting high end spikes- I told him once I do a 5:30, I’ll buy a pair- the goal time is all that matters, so until I’m closer, no sense wasting money.

I think my squat weight is 145lbs or so- we are working slowly.

Wow, I'm envious. My left leg weighs more than you guys... ;)

I went through the most amazing transition when I discovered the gym. I'm almost 6'1". When my wife and I first met (we were about 21, maybe 22), I had my soccer player / cyclist physique and weighed about 170 pounds. I actually frightened her mother - "does that boy ever eat?". It turned out she wasn't going to have to ask that for long...

I was just out of school and living with a room mate who lifted. I wasn't playing soccer anymore, so I was looking for a way to get some exercise in. He invited me to the gym. The rest, as they say, "is history".

By the time my wife and I got married, at 26 years old, I weighed 240 pounds with less body fat on me than I had at 170. I just exploded in that four or five years of heavy lifting. My room mate told me I had the "genetics" for it. Unfortunately, I was kind of a genetic freak, or the soccer and cycling had predisposed me to a certain physique.

I was literally "all legs". Anyone remember Tom Platz? Guys in the gym started teasing me that I was his long lost twin brother. I was never able to build upper body size and strength, and never managed to bench more than three plates (315). My buddy Pastor Dave did four (405). So I had to make it up in the squat, which it turned out I had a natural talent for.

My goal today is to get down to about 220. That would be a very healthy weight for me. I guess one other goal is to still be able to buy pants. Don't laugh - I actually reached a point where I couldn't. Everything I bought had to go to my mother in law for some seamstress work. I would buy the biggest waist size available so she could take that part in while keeping the thighs as big as possible. Alas, she's not with us anymore, but that shouldn't ever be a problem again anyway. Not at my age.

You weighed 170? I would not have guessed that, and I would have guessed you are taller than 6'1". You're not a small man.

You sound like you could do it, if anyone could. You've got 3 inches on me, and stride helps. If I were you I don't think I'd want to be under 160 . But I warn you, even going from 5:30 to 5:20 pace is a big deal. I'm no expert. Never "formally" trained with anyone. Just ran and got lots of exercise. Balance is good. Lots of leg exercises, not just squats. Don't neglect the front of of your lower leg either (most do) Will help stabilize the knee/ankle and prevent shin splints. I'm squatting about the same as you at around 160. But I do a ton of other leg stuff as well. Light on T/Th, then "big leg day" on Saturdays.

My PB was a 16:48 5K at the age of 53. Was holding comfortably in the low 17's until covid hit. The interruption in routine affected me, along with some minor knee/muscle injuries about the same time. I've gotten through those and running around 19:15 for my 5K. I'm gradually speeding up and expect I'll get into the high 18's soon, but no faster. A little slower in the 10K at about 42 minutes. Never been a distance runner. Around 10 miles and I just hit the wall. Wife and daughter are both good for halfs, but not me.

Good luck. I appreciate your ambition.

Yeah, but you could snap me like twig!

And yes, I do remember Tom Platz.

I was supposed to try out a new gym last month, then my knee and back went out and the doctor couldn't get me into PT any sooner than Jan 31st.
So after I start that, I will see what happens.

I just sound taller.

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Good luck Jeff, I just started back in my home gym. I want to lose 20 lbs by April so I have to commit to it.

Been a gym rat/goer for the past 40 years since my teens. Started out with one the local iron shack meathead gyms to the current health club. Its amazing how much the culture has changed over the years. 3/4s of the people in the gyms now are there to update their Instagram accounts more than to exercise. As long as I have been going, one thing that I always have done is get in, do my workout and get the hell out. Sure I talk to people I know in there, but Iv'e never liked the gym atmosphere in general so not looking to spend the day in there. After taking a year and a half break due to all the Covid shutdown nonsense, it seems even worse now. Spent that time working out in the firehouse gym. Much more peaceful, but lacking in the equipment area..

Plus its not the same without all the nice fit babe eye candy :p

Unfortunately, the cellphone thing isn't going away. I take mine in myself, mainly because that's how I get dispatched, and to listen to music. ( I despise the music they play in the gym...). Other than that mine would stay in my car .

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Was at the gym yesterday and I’m squatting 145lbs and not well! For “fun”, I had the coach use the electronic power meter on a bare bar just so I could see what my range of motion is unweighted. It was quite a bit different, so I need to work on getting the weight lower.

I also found that a fairly close university has some open track times and I went there this morning to do my strides and intervals- $5 and I had the place to myself for almost an hour. I was able to consistently turn 42 second 200M times with a minute rest between each one. So much better than running outside in the ice, snow and slop that I’ve been running on for a couple months.

The gym I go to is part of a PT clinic and everyone using it is with either a therapist or coach and rarely more than one or two people- never seen a gym babe or cellphone clogger. Sometimes it is a bit humbling as there are people recovering from an injury and are barely able to do exercises that most of would consider very basic.