Comments on: 4 Exercises to Focus on in the Gym http://zentofitness.com/4-exercises-to-focus-on-in-the-gym/ Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:33:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Son of Grok http://zentofitness.com/4-exercises-to-focus-on-in-the-gym/comment-page-1/#comment-894 Son of Grok Fri, 23 Jan 2009 21:41:39 +0000 http://zentofitness.com/?p=800#comment-894 Fitnessfail Chris, I do have a hanging pull-up bar. I dont think it is high enough to hang rings from though. Thanks for the advice! pretty cool. Fitnessfail Chris,
I do have a hanging pull-up bar. I dont think it is high enough to hang rings from though. Thanks for the advice! pretty cool.

]]> By: Chris http://zentofitness.com/4-exercises-to-focus-on-in-the-gym/comment-page-1/#comment-854 Chris Fri, 16 Jan 2009 06:29:33 +0000 http://zentofitness.com/?p=800#comment-854 @ Rob: That sounds great, I really think when training for a specific sport its key to stick to compounds and improve your performance in them. For me the only reason to use bodybuilding routines or work on accessory muscles is to develop a pumped up bodybuilders physique which neither looks appealing or is functional. If you haven't had a look crossfit.com could give you some inspiration for compound based intensive workouts.... @ Guylaine: Sadly what you'll probably find is that most people in gym's avoid compounds as they are simply too hard, its all too easy to do some machine chest/leg pressing.... Compared to for instance a combo of deadlifts and dips there is no comparison in terms of getting your body going. (HR, Metabolism, Muscle Activation) Thanks for the great comments guys! @ Rob: That sounds great, I really think when training for a specific sport its key to stick to compounds and improve your performance in them. For me the only reason to use bodybuilding routines or work on accessory muscles is to develop a pumped up bodybuilders physique which neither looks appealing or is functional. If you haven’t had a look crossfit.com could give you some inspiration for compound based intensive workouts….
@ Guylaine: Sadly what you’ll probably find is that most people in gym’s avoid compounds as they are simply too hard, its all too easy to do some machine chest/leg pressing…. Compared to for instance a combo of deadlifts and dips there is no comparison in terms of getting your body going. (HR, Metabolism, Muscle Activation)

Thanks for the great comments guys!

]]> By: Guylaine http://zentofitness.com/4-exercises-to-focus-on-in-the-gym/comment-page-1/#comment-853 Guylaine Thu, 15 Jan 2009 20:30:14 +0000 http://zentofitness.com/?p=800#comment-853 These are four great picks. I definitely don’t see enough people doing front squats at the gym. That's probably because you can lift more weight in the back squat by leaning forward slightly. The front squat leaves little room for cheating, so it doesn't 'look' as impressive. These are four great picks. I definitely don’t see enough people doing front squats at the gym. That’s probably because you can lift more weight in the back squat by leaning forward slightly. The front squat leaves little room for cheating, so it doesn’t ‘look’ as impressive.

]]> By: Chris - fitnessfail.com http://zentofitness.com/4-exercises-to-focus-on-in-the-gym/comment-page-1/#comment-852 Chris - fitnessfail.com Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:49:22 +0000 http://zentofitness.com/?p=800#comment-852 Trailgirl - Excellent points. If the self-promotional plug is acceptable, I just wrote something about those very issues (link in my signature on here). Take a look at the strength tables linked in that piece. Judging by those compiled numbers I'd be a little surprised if a bare 45lbs barbell is too heavy for most women in the big compound lifts. Though it's fine it if is. I'd also strongly suggest Mark Ripptoes "Starting Strength" for people new to strength training. My girlfriend just finished a three month barbell cycle with great results. Son of Grok - Do you have a pull up bar? You might consider getting some rings and hanging them. Ring dips are bit harder than bar dips, but are a great exercise. In my opinion the instability of them lends itself to great transfer to other activities as well. You can buy rings (for around $80) or make them yourself with PVC tubing heated in the oven and wrapped around a paint can for shape. Here's a link to one of many pages with instructions: http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-PVC-gymnastic-fitness-rings/ Trailgirl -

Excellent points. If the self-promotional plug is acceptable, I just wrote something about those very issues (link in my signature on here).

Take a look at the strength tables linked in that piece. Judging by those compiled numbers I’d be a little surprised if a bare 45lbs barbell is too heavy for most women in the big compound lifts. Though it’s fine it if is.

I’d also strongly suggest Mark Ripptoes “Starting Strength” for people new to strength training. My girlfriend just finished a three month barbell cycle with great results.

Son of Grok -

Do you have a pull up bar? You might consider getting some rings and hanging them. Ring dips are bit harder than bar dips, but are a great exercise. In my opinion the instability of them lends itself to great transfer to other activities as well. You can buy rings (for around $80) or make them yourself with PVC tubing heated in the oven and wrapped around a paint can for shape.

Here’s a link to one of many pages with instructions:
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-PVC-gymnastic-fitness-rings/

]]> By: Rob http://zentofitness.com/4-exercises-to-focus-on-in-the-gym/comment-page-1/#comment-850 Rob Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:55:38 +0000 http://zentofitness.com/?p=800#comment-850 I'm training for triathlons and I try to balance the demands of the three triathlon events to creates the ultimate training regime for total fitness. Considerations include: speed, power, endurance, flexibility, and strength. I also have to consider the development of maximum flexibility and corresponding range of motion in each joint plus training intensity. Weights play a part but sets comprising a high number of repetitions using lighter weights tends to achieve the desired balance. For me the true gains came when I changed my focus from individual muscle groups or body parts and towards movements such as ‘pull’ or ‘push’ which freed up my workout so I could hit a lot of muscles at once. I’m training for triathlons and I try to balance the demands of the three triathlon events to creates the ultimate training regime for total fitness. Considerations include: speed, power, endurance, flexibility, and strength.

I also have to consider the development of maximum flexibility and corresponding range of motion in each joint plus training intensity.

Weights play a part but sets comprising a high number of repetitions using lighter weights tends to achieve the desired balance.

For me the true gains came when I changed my focus from individual muscle groups or body parts and towards movements such as ‘pull’ or ‘push’ which freed up my workout so I could hit a lot of muscles at once.

]]> By: Andrew R - Go Healthy Go Fit http://zentofitness.com/4-exercises-to-focus-on-in-the-gym/comment-page-1/#comment-849 Andrew R - Go Healthy Go Fit Wed, 14 Jan 2009 07:23:07 +0000 http://zentofitness.com/?p=800#comment-849 4 great workouts! Thanks for the post. All the Best, Andrew R Go Healthy Go Fit 4 great workouts! Thanks for the post.

All the Best,

Andrew R
Go Healthy Go Fit

]]> By: Yavor http://zentofitness.com/4-exercises-to-focus-on-in-the-gym/comment-page-1/#comment-848 Yavor Wed, 14 Jan 2009 05:13:49 +0000 http://zentofitness.com/?p=800#comment-848 Solid selection of exercises bro. Good stuff! Solid selection of exercises bro.

Good stuff!

]]> By: TrailGrrl http://zentofitness.com/4-exercises-to-focus-on-in-the-gym/comment-page-1/#comment-847 TrailGrrl Wed, 14 Jan 2009 01:38:16 +0000 http://zentofitness.com/?p=800#comment-847 Good tips! Women often shy away from major compound movements like squats because they are "too hard" and we get sucked into the idea that foo-foo (the technical term) lightweight brightly colored dumbells will get us fit. The other problem is that an Olympic bar unassisted is just too heavy. And then there's the notion that free weights are masculine, not feminine. I found that doing different types of squats using a self-spotting rack setup (so I didn't need help with the Olympic bar) tone you up like nobody's business. Your butt will be like a half bowling balls. I learned that if I wanted a solid routine but simplified, and maybe one that doesn't take too long, to do squats, some sort of overhead press, deadlift, and either bench dips or pushups. That works everything pretty much. You can even do these outside at the trail with a log or tree branch. Keep the zen simplicity coming! TrailGrrl Good tips! Women often shy away from major compound movements like squats because they are “too hard” and we get sucked into the idea that foo-foo (the technical term) lightweight brightly colored dumbells will get us fit. The other problem is that an Olympic bar unassisted is just too heavy. And then there’s the notion that free weights are masculine, not feminine.

I found that doing different types of squats using a self-spotting rack setup (so I didn’t need help with the Olympic bar) tone you up like nobody’s business. Your butt will be like a half bowling balls.

I learned that if I wanted a solid routine but simplified, and maybe one that doesn’t take too long, to do squats, some sort of overhead press, deadlift, and either bench dips or pushups. That works everything pretty much. You can even do these outside at the trail with a log or tree branch.

Keep the zen simplicity coming!

TrailGrrl

]]> By: Tom Parker - Free Fitness Tips http://zentofitness.com/4-exercises-to-focus-on-in-the-gym/comment-page-1/#comment-846 Tom Parker - Free Fitness Tips Tue, 13 Jan 2009 23:00:28 +0000 http://zentofitness.com/?p=800#comment-846 I'm another dip lover. Thanks for the rucksack tip Marc. I've been using one for my other bodyweight exercises but never thought of using it to add some resistance to my dips. I’m another dip lover. Thanks for the rucksack tip Marc. I’ve been using one for my other bodyweight exercises but never thought of using it to add some resistance to my dips.

]]> By: Son of Grok http://zentofitness.com/4-exercises-to-focus-on-in-the-gym/comment-page-1/#comment-845 Son of Grok Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:38:39 +0000 http://zentofitness.com/?p=800#comment-845 I have been keeping my eyes open for a nice setup to use as a dip station. I have been doing them the ghetto bench way. Next step is to make one from scratch! The SoG I have been keeping my eyes open for a nice setup to use as a dip station. I have been doing them the ghetto bench way. Next step is to make one from scratch!

The SoG

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