out of balance
This winter in order to be a bit more structured during the off-season - I joined a gym call The Apline Training Center (formerly known as Mtn Athlete).
Previously, during the winter I usually go to Flatirons gym and work out on my own doing the same workout over and over again. Start out with 3 sets of strict dead-hang pullups (last year I got up to 3 sets of 8), do 100 push-ups, some shoulder work with dumb-bells and a bunch of jumps and lunges.
Last year I tried Crossfit (went to about ~4 different workouts) but it just didn't do it for me. I definitely liked the types of exercise and the intensity. The Crossfit workouts are short (HARD but short - ~20 - 30 minutes) and I didn't like the fact every workout is for time. I want to work hard but I don't care for every workout being a competition.
I saw an article about The Alpine Training Center in the paper so I thought I'd give it a go.
Oh my - i totally loved it...I am addicted to the workouts. The warmup is usually equal to a Crossfit WOD (workout of the day) and THEN we get to do another 45 - 60 minutes more of intense exercises.
strong lower body/weak upper body = out of balance
We just finished a 6 week "strength cycle" - we did a ton of olympic style lifting. Stuff like max front squat, bench press, deadlift, push press, etc. Anyways - Connie says that if you have a balanced upper body and lower body your bench press should be that same as your front squat.
max Front squat = 135lbs ( 122% of my body weight)
max bench press = 90lbs ( 81% of my body weight)
So as you can see - there's a huge discrepency - but considering my sports(mtn bikings/ speedskating) it makes sense. Still I would love to bench at least my body weight but I'm backing off from these workouts as cycling season ramps up.
the pain cave
Many a time I go into my own personal 'pain cave' and only have the ability to focus at the task at hand...nevermind what everyone else is doing or what is next..it's all about just surviving.
I guess others feel the same way too. Here's an article Rob Coppolillo did about the ATC.
me - suffering through something
Previously, during the winter I usually go to Flatirons gym and work out on my own doing the same workout over and over again. Start out with 3 sets of strict dead-hang pullups (last year I got up to 3 sets of 8), do 100 push-ups, some shoulder work with dumb-bells and a bunch of jumps and lunges.
Last year I tried Crossfit (went to about ~4 different workouts) but it just didn't do it for me. I definitely liked the types of exercise and the intensity. The Crossfit workouts are short (HARD but short - ~20 - 30 minutes) and I didn't like the fact every workout is for time. I want to work hard but I don't care for every workout being a competition.
I saw an article about The Alpine Training Center in the paper so I thought I'd give it a go.
Oh my - i totally loved it...I am addicted to the workouts. The warmup is usually equal to a Crossfit WOD (workout of the day) and THEN we get to do another 45 - 60 minutes more of intense exercises.
strong lower body/weak upper body = out of balance
We just finished a 6 week "strength cycle" - we did a ton of olympic style lifting. Stuff like max front squat, bench press, deadlift, push press, etc. Anyways - Connie says that if you have a balanced upper body and lower body your bench press should be that same as your front squat.
max Front squat = 135lbs ( 122% of my body weight)
max bench press = 90lbs ( 81% of my body weight)
So as you can see - there's a huge discrepency - but considering my sports(mtn bikings/ speedskating) it makes sense. Still I would love to bench at least my body weight but I'm backing off from these workouts as cycling season ramps up.
the pain cave
Many a time I go into my own personal 'pain cave' and only have the ability to focus at the task at hand...nevermind what everyone else is doing or what is next..it's all about just surviving.
I guess others feel the same way too. Here's an article Rob Coppolillo did about the ATC.
I never knew that situps could be anaerobic
But they well can be when you are hoisting a 35lb plate while
doing 182(!) of them! And don't worry -
that was only a SMALL part of that particular workout
So...will I be stronger this mtn bike season due to the workouts? I have no clue - I just know it was 4 months of hard work that always seemed like fun (after the workouts were done) ;) doing 182(!) of them! And don't worry -
that was only a SMALL part of that particular workout
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