Exercising for snowmobiling?

[gmustangt]

Ended up having some good conversation last night about training.

We agreed that there is no replacement for some good old fashion competition, its one thing to go to the gym by yourself do some weights then ride the bike, elliptical etc. ( nothing wrong with that ).

But back when i was training for hockey, when i was the biggest, strongest best shape of my life. There would be 3-4 guys in the gym training in a group and everyone always wanted to beat the other guy. IE; he ran that lap in 1 minute ima do it in 50 seconds etc...

So if you got a group of buddies with common goals, group training is a way to take your workout to the next level and amplify your results. Human nature to be motivated by competition!

Because no guy wants to loose to there buddy!

 

[aebsledder]

Ended up having some good conversation last night about training.

We agreed that there is no replacement for some good old fashion competition, its one thing to go to the gym by yourself do some weights then ride the bike, elliptical etc. ( nothing wrong with that ).

But back when i was training for hockey, when i was the biggest, strongest best shape of my life. There would be 3-4 guys in the gym training in a group and everyone always wanted to beat the other guy. IE; he ran that lap in 1 minute ima do it in 50 seconds etc...

So if you got a group of buddies with common goals, group training is a way to take your workout to the next level and amplify your results. Human nature to be motivated by competition!

I agree 100 percent. Unfortunately, most of my friends have zero interest in any fitness level whatsoever. They are exactly like I was before I took a vested interest in staying active and fit. I would always think that I was in good enough shape to do about anything I wanted, and trick myself mentally that I was still capable of doing things that I couldn't. Now that I am in a better position physically, it would be hard to imagine going back to that stage. It is really hard to explain to people just how much more enjoyable it is to ride when you are in good shape. Not only has it improved my general skillset, it has enabled me to ride twice as much as I normally would per trip. I had a group of friends I would work out with almost every day, but my job has taken me elsewhere and I don't have the opportunity any more. Not only would it improve your performance, it helps tremendously with staying motivated.

Because no guy wants to loose to there buddy!

I agree 100 percent. Unfortunately, most of my friends have zero interest in any fitness level whatsoever. They are exactly like I was before I took a vested interest in staying active and fit. I would always think that I was in good enough shape to do about anything I wanted, and trick myself mentally that I was still capable of doing things that I couldn't. Now that I am in a better position physically, it would be hard to imagine going back to that stage. It is really hard to explain to people just how much more enjoyable it is to ride when you are in good shape. Not only has it improved my general skillset, it has enabled me to ride twice as much as I normally would per trip. I had a group of friends I would work out with almost every day, but my job has taken me elsewhere and I don't have the opportunity any more. Not only would it improve your performance, it helps tremendously with staying motivated.

 

[gmustangt]

I agree 100 percent. Unfortunately, most of my friends have zero interest in any fitness level whatsoever. They are exactly like I was before I took a vested interest in staying active and fit. I would always think that I was in good enough shape to do about anything I wanted, and trick myself mentally that I was still capable of doing things that I couldn't. Now that I am in a better position physically, it would be hard to imagine going back to that stage. It is really hard to explain to people just how much more enjoyable it is to ride when you are in good shape. Not only has it improved my general skillset, it has enabled me to ride twice as much as I normally would per trip. I had a group of friends I would work out with almost every day, but my job has taken me elsewhere and I don't have the opportunity any more. Not only would it improve your performance, it helps tremendously with staying motivated.

Ya thats to bad about loosing the workout buds, as of yesterday i actually just switched gyms so i can train with a buddy, as i know results will only improve.

Another phenominal excersise routine is TRX ( suspended body weight ).. Bench press and jog etc... all you want but nothing will hit your muscles like TRX. Im sure youve seen this at your crossfit gym aebsledder.

TRX can varry in difficulty just based where you position your body.

No matter what i do over the summer i will be sore after my first ride, my body is just not used to using those muscles.

The TRX system is VERY good at hitting those muscles you never knew you had.

With TRX you increase your flexibility range of motion etc...and use so many muscle in your body as you need to stabalize your self because you are suspended!

Personally i think TRX is one of the best things you can do especially as a sledder.

Your whole body will be come more stablized, stronger, flexible and better controlled! = better control of sled

Best part is how cheap if not free it can be, no need for the $180 system, take the rope thats laying in the garage tie some handles on to it and through it over a tree branch!

http://www.youtube.com/user/TRXtraining

lots of good info / excersises on the web regarding TRX.

 

[enis750]

I havent read through this whole thread, BUT ... if it hasnt been montioned
CROSSFIT

If you think you are in good shape, this will show you YOU ARE NOT
if you think you are in bad shape, this wil make you want to DIE

Hands down, best thing to do to lose weight, get in shape and learn proper nutrition
some say "oh its too expensive" , I say you are a fool
if you can spend 1000's on sedding trips, new sleds/gear etc, you can afford CROSSFIT
i mean its your health were talking about here

pulling those stucks when your actually in REAL SHAPE, is much easier
and even riding in general is a lot more fun when your not gassed at the end of the day

if this has been mentioned earlier in the thread, my apologies for the repeat

PS - no I am not a coach there, or an owner. Just endorsing a solid product

 

[christopher]

Weds, August 22nd.

Starting Weight = 241.0 (January 1st)
Current Weight = 212.6

Percentage Lost = 11.78%
Total Lost = 28.4lbs
Body Mass Index = 28.8
Percentage Body Fat = ?

My Personal Goal = To weigh LESS than 200lbs by Thanksgiving Day, and fit into a 34 waist (-10 sizes from start)

Pounds remaining to Goal =12.6
Diet I am following: ATKINS, LOW CARB!

Ideal Body Weight = 192.0lbs
http://www.halls.md/ideal-weight/body.htm


Today I started in with some supplements to get things moving along a bit faster.

Irwin Naturals: Full Diet
http://irwinnaturals.com/products/we...las/full-diet/

Irwin Naturals: System Six
http://irwinnaturals.com/products/we...as/system-six/

Irwin Naturals: 3-in-1 Carb Blocker
http://irwinnaturals.com/products/we...-carb-blocker/

Nature's Way: CLA-1300
http://www.naturesway.com/Products/D...-CLA-1300.aspx

Renew Life: Organic Triple Fiber
http://www.renewlife.com/organic-triple-fiber.html

 

[aebsledder]

I havent read through this whole thread, BUT ... if it hasnt been montioned
CROSSFIT

If you think you are in good shape, this will show you YOU ARE NOT
if you think you are in bad shape, this wil make you want to DIE

Hands down, best thing to do to lose weight, get in shape and learn proper nutrition
some say "oh its too expensive" , I say you are a fool
if you can spend 1000's on sedding trips, new sleds/gear etc, you can afford CROSSFIT
i mean its your health were talking about here

pulling those stucks when your actually in REAL SHAPE, is much easier
and even riding in general is a lot more fun when your not gassed at the end of the day

if this has been mentioned earlier in the thread, my apologies for the repeat

PS - no I am not a coach there, or an owner. Just endorsing a solid product

I mentioned Crossfit in a few of my earlier threads. And you are correct, it is HARD. I would not recommend Crossfit to someone who is just starting though. You can always "scale", but there is some potential for injuring yourself, especially for men. I have noticed that men have a tough time checking their ego at the door doing the workouts and are trying to lift way too much weight with horrible form...especially when fatigued. This is one of the largest criticisms of Crossfit, and I don't think it's unfounded. I consider myself to be in pretty good shape and I have concentrated on Crossfit workouts that are primarily body weight and endurance. I am pretty comfortable with back squats and presses, but overhead squats and cleans are a weak point in my repertoire, so I am working on it. And it can be hard on the ego, there are some women in my sessions that are utterly amazing. If you do decide on Crossfit, make sure your gym has an "elements" program or some other type of Olympic Weightlifting class. That being said, there are some amazing workouts that are nothing more than a 400 meter run, pullups, and box jumps. Lots of different body weight options. Good to see some other people on here that are interested in the fitness aspect of sledding.

 

[Matte Murder]

There is a lot of backlash to Crossfit from traditional gym owners and the body builder types. Big showy muscles get in the way for a lot of the functional strength training that is Crossfit but as aebsledder says there is some truth to it too. If you do Crossfit really watch out for your self. Running backwards in uneven parking lots is not the safest thing you could do to get in shape. Lots of stuff like that is used and when you are tired you are especially prone to injury. Injuries really hurt your progress, one of the main reasons I quit lifting heavy weights. I found kettle bells to be a much safer way to do Olympic style lifts with much lower chance of injuries. You still have to watch out for your shoulders and if you get a 70lb(or whatever) kettle bell overhead and it get's away from you just turn it lose and watch your feet! Swings, jerks and the clean and press with kettle bells are good for both functional strength and endurance. I would love to be able to ride 3-4 days a week and get in shape for riding by riding but not in the cards this year.

 

[lshobie]

Ya watch Crossfit especially if you have previous injuries - like a low back injury. I'd recommend staying away from it if you have a low back injury in fact.

 

[aebsledder]

Ya watch Crossfit especially if you have previous injuries - like a low back injury. I'd recommend staying away from it if you have a low back injury in fact.

Still doing the Beachbody workouts? I kind of hit a wall with them and needed a change. Still try and work some yoga in, and I like some of the X2 workouts to work on my flexibility and stability. Running a 5k obstacle race today...should be fun!

 

[Matte Murder]

Sounds weird but Yoga is the answer for us older guys, especially if you have stacked up injuries to knees and back. I firmly believe you could get all the cardio, strength and endurance just from doing Yoga. The Yoga workout in P90X is pretty tough, it is what knocks most guys out of P90X. I have found that finding a straight athletic male Yoga instructor is key to finding the kind of Yoga that works best for men. Women instructors are inherently more flexible and usually have much better balance than guys. Yoga that focuses on extreme flexiblity and balance will smoke most guys who have any serious muscle mass. There is something to be said to be the only guy in a class of 30-40 hot fit women though. They all seem so concerned with the muscle bound dude working his azz off...

 

[sledboy82]

Im on month 3 of cross fit. I told myself i was going to give it a try and i did. The first 2 weeks my body hurt big time. I have improved alot since week 1. So im going to give it a year and see what happens. I lost 5 lbs so far.

 

[volcano buster]

Sounds weird but Yoga is the answer for us older guys, especially if you have stacked up injuries to knees and back. I firmly believe you could get all the cardio, strength and endurance just from doing Yoga. The Yoga workout in P90X is pretty tough, it is what knocks most guys out of P90X. I have found that finding a straight athletic male Yoga instructor is key to finding the kind of Yoga that works best for men. Women instructors are inherently more flexible and usually have much better balance than guys. Yoga that focuses on extreme flexiblity and balance will smoke most guys who have any serious muscle mass. There is something to be said to be the only guy in a class of 30-40 hot fit women though. They all seem so concerned with the muscle bound dude working his azz off...

Is this how you justify going to this class to the wifey?

 

[snowrdr]

Sounds weird but Yoga is the answer for us older guys, especially if you have stacked up injuries to knees and back. I firmly believe you could get all the cardio, strength and endurance just from doing Yoga. The Yoga workout in P90X is pretty tough, it is what knocks most guys out of P90X. I have found that finding a straight athletic male Yoga instructor is key to finding the kind of Yoga that works best for men. Women instructors are inherently more flexible and usually have much better balance than guys. Yoga that focuses on extreme flexiblity and balance will smoke most guys who have any serious muscle mass. There is something to be said to be the only guy in a class of 30-40 hot fit women though. They all seem so concerned with the muscle bound dude working his azz off...

You nailed that topic on the head. I have had multiple stupid lack of flexibility injuries over the past few seasons and Yoga has been recommended for helping with this issue. Fact of it is I am nervous to go since I am about as flexible as a 2x6 and don't want to rip and tare even more, but I think the time has come.

 

[smokindave]

I had some bad health last winter and ended up taking over 6 months off of work.
In that time I went from 167 lbs all the way to 205 lbs.
I started back to work at the end of June driving a knuckle crane truck hoisting shingles rooftop.
Everyday I fingerprint around 70,000lbs of shingles in a fourteen hour day,wiith our hot summer and repetitive lifting of bundles I am now getting closer to my target.
I am now down to 180 and hoping to get to 170 before the season starts.

 

[Matte Murder]

volcano that is just a weird comment. I really can't think of anything I "justify" with the "wifey". Been with my wife for almost 30 years, don't cheat on her and there is this thing we have called trust. See if you can get your balls back, check your wifes purse, prolly where she keeps them.

snowrdr I am sure there is a good instructor somewhere in Reno. Just shop it around. I met a guy in a self defense class and I could tell by the way the guy boxed that he was some kind of fitness nut. I asked him what he did and when he said Yoga instructor I was kinda shocked. Teased him about being gay. He was like come to class tough guy. So I did and just got smoked. It was horrible. Didn't go back for a year. His school is www.slobody.com. I picked up a little flip card thing he had called the Daily Dozen and did that nearly every day for a month then went again. Not so bad. I took a while to get the balance and flexibility to really be any good at it. I will never be super bendy Yoga dude but I have to say that my back, neck and knees are better now than any time in the last 10 years and I am a double knee replacement candidate, broke my back racing cars and have a neck that used to seem it was made of glass(13 years of football and multiple serious car crashes). So just start slow, do what you can do and pass on the stuff you can't. There are some basic moves you can practice at home(Daily Dozen) that will lay the foundation for the harder stuff. I find that practicing at home a lot and doing classes when I want to check my form or push myself works good.

 

[gmustangt]

Some very effective and very simple nutrition advice:

Drinking a glass of water with 1/2 of a lemon squeezed in to it daily does so much good for your body it seems to good to be true.

Lemon Juice prevents many illnesses and helps cleanse the body and get the bad stuff out of you.

http://lajollamom.com/2011/01/drink-warm-lemon-water-in-the-morning/

Do some research water with lemon squeezed in is very good for you.

 

[polaris dude]

and lemons speed up the metabolism

 

[aebsledder]

Sounds weird but Yoga is the answer for us older guys, especially if you have stacked up injuries to knees and back. I firmly believe you could get all the cardio, strength and endurance just from doing Yoga. The Yoga workout in P90X is pretty tough, it is what knocks most guys out of P90X. I have found that finding a straight athletic male Yoga instructor is key to finding the kind of Yoga that works best for men. Women instructors are inherently more flexible and usually have much better balance than guys. Yoga that focuses on extreme flexiblity and balance will smoke most guys who have any serious muscle mass. There is something to be said to be the only guy in a class of 30-40 hot fit women though. They all seem so concerned with the muscle bound dude working his azz off...

You are so right...The first time I did the p90x yoga my wife walked in and I was throwing the mat into the corner and yelling obscenities at the tv. I was frustrated because I felt so helpless. The older I get, the more I realize that Flexibility=Durability. I am also very inflexible, and I have to work on it constantly. Yoga improves every element of your athleticism, bar none. I have also been pretty surprised at how much flexibility Olympic style weightlifting requires. My shoulders, hips, and hamstrings are very tight and it is very difficult for me to achieve the proper form in some of the lifts I have been trying. I generally just check my ego at the door and try to do the best I can. I do enjoy the challenge though, flexibility is something that you can see some pretty significant improvements in if you work on it. Going to torture my legs today...Overhead lunges and burpees. OUCH!

 

[ottawaair]

You guys should ride mountain bikes on some of the sled trails you frequent. Good exercise & get to know the trails better.
Of course, the mountain riders might have a hard time with this.

 

[ak ryda]

I havent read through this whole thread, BUT ... if it hasnt been montioned
CROSSFIT

If you think you are in good shape, this will show you YOU ARE NOT
if you think you are in bad shape, this wil make you want to DIE

Hands down, best thing to do to lose weight, get in shape and learn proper nutrition
some say "oh its too expensive" , I say you are a fool
if you can spend 1000's on sedding trips, new sleds/gear etc, you can afford CROSSFIT
i mean its your health were talking about here

pulling those stucks when your actually in REAL SHAPE, is much easier
and even riding in general is a lot more fun when your not gassed at the end of the day

if this has been mentioned earlier in the thread, my apologies for the repeat

PS - no I am not a coach there, or an owner. Just endorsing a solid product

Couldnt agree more. Have worked out my entire life and NOTHING has shown results like CF. Totally transformed my body in the first 3 months. The combination of strength and conditioning is simply unmatched.

Sure, you can say there is risk of injury, but I think the degree of risk is a function of people who are out of shape and trying to do things their body simply cant do. This applies to CF, softball, basketball, soccer, or any other physical activity.