vicarz: (Storms)
vicarz ([personal profile] vicarz) wrote2016-02-08 06:22 pm
Entry tags:

He's dead, Gym.

Part of the reason I'm not writing is I'm rabidly addicted to diablo again. Yay diablo. I'm writing in part because I'm home sick...3rd time this season, and I'm sick of diablo for at least 10 minutes.

I work out a lot - I should not be sick. I guess this is how I'm wired. Should I not pass my weak genes on? I had 2 colds this winter, neither of which effected my gf. She got sick and I thought I'd probably already had it...and now in the requisite incubation period, I'm sick. On the other hand, I intend to live a long time
(unless somebody crosses me, then I'll show him I'll go the whole way)
and it's far better to face these germs now than to get sick at 70.
(note to self - flu shot! I'm late!)

But for a gym post - this is boring. I'm happy with the gym and not lagging after setting my records. Part of the happy reason why I'm happy is that I'm still getting stronger. Slowly. But that's kind of how it's supposed to work - slowly, over time, with hard work, you get stronger. What I squatted 4 times a month ago I did 5 times this week, 3 times a month ago 4 times this week. 1 rep there, 10 lbs there, and I keep growing. Yay.

The only other gymmy thing I have going on is getting better at socializing. I've learned either to approach people that need major form tips, or how to give form tips to people that will not mind receiving them. One big lesson I learned is simply "hit and run." Don't chat all day - just give a main point, compliment the good stuff, and get the hell out of there. That minuses the creep factor a great deal.

Or maybe I just look like I want to help - like yesterday, when this skinny kid was squatting and his knees were collapsing so bad they practically knocked. I couldn't help "asking" if he wanted an unsolicited tip, despite the leavemealonephones. He was very receptive, and I noted his depth was great and his back looked good, but his knees...and he knew it, noting as I did when I was less experienced, that he's fine at lower weights...so I recommended both that he "spread the floor" (and explained what that is and feels like) and that he check form tips on utube videos. Perhaps it was the age difference. Perhaps it was the fact I was pressing what he was squatting. Perhaps he lacked the social skills to tell the creepy wannabe coach to go away. But he thanked me profusely and I told him to think nothing of it. This seems to be happening more.

I also, fwiw, sometimes ask super strong guys for pointers when I see them doing something I am not familiar with but that doesn't look idiotic.

I remember going to a gym outside B'more that had a bar. I'd like to own a gym with a bar - I would call the bar "Fuck it."

[identity profile] wantedonvoyage.livejournal.com 2016-02-08 11:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Tell us of this spreading the floor, Obi Wan.

I won't ask for help of the lunks in my gym, but I will ask you.

And I want a shirt from the Fuck It Bar.

[identity profile] vicar.livejournal.com 2016-02-09 12:50 am (UTC)(link)
Spread the floor - it forces the legs to engage. I think Elliott noted (as quoted by a friend) you have 3 checkpoints when you squat: ass, abs, and for me, back...hmm but that's not the same as spread.

Here is Elliott, who rambles like all fuck, coaching to tell kids to "show your crotch."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZ-DE1jtaRQ
Starts really at 6:40 talking about a supplemental exercise / technique to teach/cue it.

But now I'm off topic. Um...literally, you push your feet apart using your entire leg. When you squat like this, at first you'll find you get tired inner thighs. The band / belt on your legs makes sense so you feel it the whole time, but it takes a while to try and "push the floor apart with your legs" while you are trying to stand up with silly amounts of weights on your back.

Actually, if you have a lot of time, and can take massive bronyisms, this guy - whose beard terrifies and sickens me - gives good coaching cues and background information.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bs_Ej32IYgo