**** Official 2020 Fitness Thread ****

[loochy]

Originally Posted by lewdog

I love the “weights are bad for your joints” generic comments. Lift smarter when you’re older. Lifting free weights is still the best bang for your buck for weight loss. If your joints are bad, lighten the load and perfect your form.

BUT I CAN'T DO SQUATS BECAUSE BAD KNEES

SO I WILL DO QUARTER RANGE SQUATS AND LEG EXTENSIONS

[kepp]

Okay, so I joined a gym after a LONG absence from lifting/working out. I have been running for 10 years or so and am in good overall cardio shape, but have gotten skinny fat, as runners often do.

In my mid-to-late 20's, I was much more into lifting. My max bench reached 295 at one point. But I have to say, I'm a bit discouraged. I've been going for a few weeks now, but I can barely put up 135 a couple times. I'm basically starting from scratch.

I'm 5'11" and weigh ~175, but I have a higher fat percentage than I'd like...like over 20%. My goal is to be tone (belly) and gain strength. I don't necessarily feel the need to get to where I used to be, but I'd like to be able to do 225 a few times.

So...lose fat, tone up, gain strength. Any suggestions on how to organize workouts?

[InChiefsHeaven]

Originally Posted by kepp

Okay, so I joined a gym after a LONG absence from lifting/working out. I have been running for 10 years or so and am in good overall cardio shape, but have gotten skinny fat, as runners often do.

In my mid-to-late 20's, I was much more into lifting. My max bench reached 295 at one point. But I have to say, I'm a bit discouraged. I've been going for a few weeks now, but I can barely put up 135 a couple times. I'm basically starting from scratch.

I'm 5'11" and weigh ~175, but I have a higher fat percentage than I'd like...like over 20%. My goal is to be tone (belly) and gain strength. I don't necessarily feel the need to get to where I used to be, but I'd like to be able to do 225 a few times.

So...lose fat, tone up, gain strength. Any suggestions on how to organize workouts?

At your size and weight, I think you should get some protein in you and hit the weights. Do some cardio and such but man, you need muscle mass. We're about the same hight and I'm 200 lbs, and I'm carrying 24% body fat, so I have some work to do to get below 20%. Sounds to me like you just need to bulk up (again, protein) and hit the weights. There's a ton of programs free on line, just Google.

[Chargem]

Originally Posted by kepp

Okay, so I joined a gym after a LONG absence from lifting/working out. I have been running for 10 years or so and am in good overall cardio shape, but have gotten skinny fat, as runners often do.

In my mid-to-late 20's, I was much more into lifting. My max bench reached 295 at one point. But I have to say, I'm a bit discouraged. I've been going for a few weeks now, but I can barely put up 135 a couple times. I'm basically starting from scratch.

I'm 5'11" and weigh ~175, but I have a higher fat percentage than I'd like...like over 20%. My goal is to be tone (belly) and gain strength. I don't necessarily feel the need to get to where I used to be, but I'd like to be able to do 225 a few times.

So...lose fat, tone up, gain strength. Any suggestions on how to organize workouts?

Either Starting Strength or Stronglifts 5x5 is the biggest bang for your buck in getting you back up to respectable weights quickly and adding some muscle.

[PAChiefsGuy]

Originally Posted by lewdog

I love the “weights are bad for your joints” generic comments. Lift smarter when you’re older. Lifting free weights is still the best bang for your buck for weight loss. If your joints are bad, lighten the load and perfect your form.

Best bang for your buck losing weight is eating and drinking healthy and disciplined. Gym is just an added bonus.

Cardio does far more for losing weight than lifting weights will. Good for your heart too.

[ThaVirus]

Originally Posted by PAChiefsGuy

Cardio does far more for losing weight than lifting weights will. Good for your heart too.

I've read the contrary, actually. By lifting weights you can change your body composition in adding more muscle, which will burn more calories in the long run.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

I've read the contrary, actually. By lifting weights you can change your body composition in adding more muscle, which will burn more calories in the long run.

Yup, muscle burns calories. Gain muscle, burn more calories.

[PAChiefsGuy]

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

I've read the contrary, actually. By lifting weights you can change your body composition in adding more muscle, which will burn more calories in the long run.

I've read that too. I don't buy it. Personally, I'll take cardio over lifting any day as far as keeping my weight down but to each their own. Do what works best for you.

[ThaVirus]

Originally Posted by PAChiefsGuy

I've read that too. I don't buy it. Personally, I'll take cardio over lifting any day as far as keeping my weight down but to each their own. Do what works best for you.

Well, sure. If you only care about what the scale says, lifting weights won’t give you those immediate losses like distance running would since you’re likely to gain weight in muscles.. I think science backs lifting>running though.

It takes a lot more calories to maintain a 6’2” 215 pound body full of muscle than it would a 5’11” 175 pound slimmer body of a distance runner. The muscular guy is burning insane calories while he’s going about his day, resting, sleeping.

Plus, lifting heavy weights burns a shit ton of calories in its own right.

[penguinz]

Originally Posted by PAChiefsGuy

Best bang for your buck losing weight is eating and drinking healthy and disciplined. Gym is just an added bonus.

Cardio does far more for losing weight than lifting weights will. Good for your heart too.

Weight really isn't a measurement you should be using unless you are trying to make weight for a fight. Go more by how you feel and look in the mirror.

Going by weight I am less than 1 point from being considered obese. Could not be father from the truth.

Cardio strengthens heart and lungs. It really does not do much for burning calories.

Weight training builds muscle which needs more energy therefor you burn more calories and your body will look to utilizing fat stores to do so.

[penguinz]

Originally Posted by lewdog

I love the “weights are bad for your joints” generic comments. Lift smarter when you’re older. Lifting free weights is still the best bang for your buck for weight loss. If your joints are bad, lighten the load and perfect your form.

Who the **** let you in here!