squeeeb

gym rat or occasional gym goer, if you work out with some kind of frequency, i want to know all about your gym workout experience, except for the actual excercise routine part.

how often do you go to the gym? do you go morning, noon, night, or whenever you can?

do you eat before a workout, or after? do you have a routine you follow before going (i always get a cup of coffee and drink it on the way to the gym), or do you just go to the gym whenever/however?

do you listen to your own music, or the gym's music?

are there people at the gym you have become friends with? people you've never talked to but know by sight and give the head nod to? people you see and don't like? ever pick up a chick/dude at the gym?

i want to know about your gym experiences, what it means to you, what you think about when you are there, all that stuff. free form, tell me whatever you can, whatever you want to. i really want to know.

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onward to mayhem!

Baraka_Guru

My current routine has me going Monday and Wednesday night at 7pm; pretty much right after work. I also go Saturday at just about any time during the day.

Eating before my workout is important to me because I do up to an hour of heavy lifting and cardio. I always have a small meal 3 hours beforehand, and then a protein shake, a banana, and a teaspoon of coconut oil 1 hour before I hit the floor. I drink lots of water too.

I gave up on listening to my own music until I'm done with my personal trainer.

I'm almost at friendship level with my trainer, I guess. I've only been at this gym for a few months, and I haven't really met anyone yet. Other than that, the regular front desk girl is personable and calls me by my first name. There isn't anyone I don't like at the gym...yet, and I've never picked up at a gym, no matter how tempting it would be.

I don't go to the gym to socialize or to show off. I'm there to work. I'm serious about my lifting, and so I stay focused and work hard. I'm a "form first" kind of guy, and it ticks me off to see how many people abuse form just to see how heavy they can lift something. It's amazing how many people do hip exercises when they're "blasting their biceps."

I love the feeling of adding extra weight to a lift and being able to do it...properly.

__________________
Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

Eweser

I've started working out at home, but when I was a gym goer I went 5 days a week before work (there's a fairly nice gym set up at work) for an hour (sometimes longer if needed to get through my sets). I would drink a 5 hour energy before I left. No food. I worked with weights on Mon, Wed, Fri and did medium cardio on those days. On the other days I did hard cardio. I listened to my own music via my mp3 player. Since I was there so early, I usually had it all to myself. I'm not much of a socializer. I was (am) focused on getting/staying in shape. I like to get in and out.

__________________
"Whoever wrote this episode should die!"

Willravel

I go daily except Sunday, from about 7am to about 8am. I only don't go when I've hurt myself or I'm sick.
I wake up, put on my clothes and hit the gym. When I get home, I have a hearty, protein-rich breakfast.
Gym's are why the iPod was invented! It's not like the gym is going to put Wagner or Holst on the loudspeakers. At least not my gym. If there is a gym out there that does, I have to find it.
I have casual friendships with some of the other people at the gym, but nothing particularly deep. Mostly we share what we know about health and where we heard it from to determine if it's true or bullshit. And yes, the gym is a good place to find fit members of the opposite (or same) sex. Many a mojo can be found there, though some come off sleazy.
The gym is a building full of equipment I don't have at home that has some eye candy. I don't think of it as much more than simply the place I go to exercise. It does what it's supposed to do for me, what I pay for.

Charlatan

I hate going to the gym. I go now just to take yoga classes and I take them after work around 6:30 or 7 pm. Other than that, I like to run. When I have the time I like to do yoga two to three times a week and run two to three times a week.

I don't eat before either activity and I listen to my own music when I run and the gym's music when doing yoga.

The only reason I go to the gym for yoga rather than doing it at home is the motivation and structure of a class.

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

squeeeb

charlatan - have you seen Yoga Today - Yoga Delivered Daily

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onward to mayhem!

FelixP

I work out at home, usually twice a day; I listen to my own music. I used to watch TV, or the occasional movie, but I've been on a music kick lately. I usually eat two slices of dry toast, a granola bar, and one scoop of whey protein w/water before I workout. Some calories, doesn't make me too pukie, and I don't get cramps (no lactic acid). I remember one time I drank coffee before running...god I was so fucking sick. Shitting and puking and cramping and shitting and puking and collapsing in agony...not fun.

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Free will lies not in the ability to craft your own fate, but in not knowing what your fate is. --Me

"I have just returned from visting the Marines at the front, and there is not a finer fighting organization in the world." --Douglas MacArthur

cadre

How often do I go to the gym? 5-6 days a week. 3 days of lifting and 2-3 days of cardio. I like to go in the morning but my work schedule has me going in the evenings right now.

I always eat before working out, not right before though. If not I feel sick afterwards. I also have a cup of coffee or a protein shake afterward.

I listen to my ipod at the gym.

As far as the people are concerned, I know a lot of the employees and trainers and a couple of people that I've spent time talking to. I'd like to get a job training there so I've made a point to introduce myself to most of the trainers. I've been hit on at the gym many times but never gotten a date there.

When you go to the gym as often as I do, it becomes a lifestyle thing. People who go on occasion tend to be less serious about it but for me it's a part of the rest of my life (all of which involves being healthy and active). I'm currently getting my education so that I can work as a part time trainer. Going to the gym and working hard keeps my energy levels up, my libido going and keeps me in shape for the rest of my life (I lead an active life.).

__________________
My life is one of those 'you had to be there' jokes.

Zeraph

The gym is for those with little imagination

Baraka_Guru

Imagination is child's play....

__________________
Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

Titan_Uranus

4 times a week ,hip hop gets me through it.

highthief

Currently go to a smaller gym at my office building for workouts with weights/core.

I do that 3 or 4 times a week at lunch time.

I then run in my own neighbourhood 3 or 4 times a week, usually in the evenings or early on weekend mornings. It's flexible.

At the gym, we have a couple of TVs and usually watch the news or some sport. I may say a few words to the other regulars but as it's lunch time, I don't have all day to chat so I try and get my workout done very quickly as do most of the other folks in there at that time.

When running, no IPods or anything, I just run and think, or run with a group and chat. Running is more sociable for me than the gym is, in part because there are fewer time constraints.

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Si vis pacem parabellum.

Jimellow

I go to the gym five days a week, with weekends being optional depending on what my plans are like otherwise.

You mention not being interested in individual workout routines, and that's fine, but if you're planning on going, I would advise you to diversify the muscle groups you work so that different parts of the body are given adequate rest each week.

In regards to music... If I am running/cycling, I will listen to uptempo music via MP3 player. When I am lifting, I find music to be distracting, ultimately preventing me from focusing on a given set. The gym has speakers and plays music throughout, and that serves as adequate background noise to workout to.

I go to the gym in the morning to early afternoon. I eat a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast, and go to the gym shortly thereafter. When I get home, I eat a lunch, usually consisting of chicken, cottage cheese, fruit, yogurt and a granola bar. If you are doing cardio work, it's generally advised to eat within thirty minutes afterwards, as that is when your body is pumping and likely going to benefit most from the calorie intake.

Meeting people at the gym? I've met a few, but I'm an independent person and do my own thing. Most people go to the gym at the same time, so if you go consistently, you will likely see them as well on a regular basis. I don't go to the gym to socialize, while others do. I tend to think that if you are talking or having a discussion while performing a given exercise, then you aren't exerting yourself enough, but even that is better than not going at all.

In my experience, most people are in their own worlds while working out. If someone needs a spotter or help, they'll temporarily reach out and request it from another, but I find that for the most part working out is a very independent practice; the gym serving as a place where people go to reach personal goals and perhaps get away from the rest of their life for a little while. This view is heavily based on the fact that I am generally an independent person and do my own thing at the gym. Someone that is very social and talks a lot to the various patrons likely would have a completely different opinion of what working out and the gym experience constitutes.

The scenery at the gym is usually quite good. People that go to the gym on a regular basis are going to see physical benefits and results, and thus there are quite a few attractive people there most of the time. With that said, everyone has their own goals and I find it to be a very open environment, free from the judgemental views you are more likely to find in mainstream media and advertising. Everyone going to the gym shares a common goal, and I think there is mutual respect for that throughout.

For me, being physically fit and healthy is a key aspect to enjoying life. It literally feels good to be healthy and in shape, and I think a gym membership is one of the best investments a person can make in life, providing it's used. A large percent of the population isn't healthy, nor are they interested in working out, and I'm very pleased to be a part of the population that is, even if - or perhaps, because - it puts me in the minority.

__________________
Desperation is no excuse for lowering one's standards.

surferlove007

I go everyday if I can, typically in the evening. I like seeing all the other motivated people around me which helps get me in the mood to sweat. Not to mention the eye candy walking around.

Usually wait an hour or so after a workout before eating unless I had a really intense time.

Got my own ipod, I jam out to fast paced music to help motivate myself more.


I have a knack for mentally remembering people vividly so I notice people if I've seen them more than once. Also after 3 years away from the gym I'm at now in fort worth with my parents I still recall people from forever ago. I've noticed people from high school that I never talked to and follow suit with still not talking to them. Haven't ever gotten a date with someone from the gym. I treat the gym like a job, don't date there. I go there to relieve stress, the last thing I'd want is to taint a place I go to relieve stress.


I think about the good example I'm setting for myself and for the future habits I'm building mentally/physically while I'm there. Basically maintaining my want to stay in great shape. It's also better for my mental health when I'm in shape. I feel better and happier afterward. I just like the people there too, people that care about being healthy and not lazy. I've found that dating men I look for someone who's as much of or more of a gym rat than I am.

Plan9

Fuck, my EYES.

__________________
Whatever you can carry.

"You should not drink... and bake."

surferlove007

Is the blue really that bad??

Plan9

I'm sorry, I can't answer you... I have royal blue scars on my retina.

__________________
Whatever you can carry.

"You should not drink... and bake."

Baraka_Guru

Quite a few of you go to the gym quite often. As I stated above, I go 3 times a week. It would be 4, except I'm now biking with the weather being so warm.

I lift those 3 times.

For 2 of the sessions, I warm up for 10 or 15 minutes, do a full-body lifting routine for about an hour, and then do high-intensity cardio for another 10 or 15 minutes to work out the lactic acid.

For the last session, I do a supplemental arm and shoulder workout because they are lagging behind. I also throw in some core work since the session is shorter by nature.

This is based on the program my trainer is having me do. It's a bit against my philosophy of "less is more," but it seems to be a good program for a short-term booster.

My trainer's sessions end at the beginning of September. At that time, I will only be lifting once or twice per week full-body, or two or three times per week split routine. I will drop some of the isolated lifts and focus mainly on heavy compound lifts—possibly even slowing my reps down. I hope to bring my session time down from 1 hour of lifting to 30 to 45 minutes.

Outside of the gym, I walk up to 60 minutes a day, so I don't need much cardio work. I figure if I get in one long high-intensity session per week, that should do it. Lifting itself builds the cardio system and burns lots of calories, so it all works out in the end.

So, once I get my own program up and running, I'll be going to the gym no more than two or three times per week in the warmer months, and three times per week in the winter. That sounds about right.

__________________
Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

squeeeb

when i am going regularly, i go to the gym 3 times a week, mon, wed, fri, and just do upper body weights. i listen to my own music, although the gym recently switched to a decent radio station.

i can't work out at home, i've tried, i have the stuff, but i'm too easily distracted at home. i need to "go to the gym," it's the whole process thing. i go to work out and leave, not socialize. that said, there are people i see regularly and get to know by sight, and we say hi, give each other the head nod. i do like it, it feels like i belong to a small community. it's like the bar, a place i go where i fit in and i'm doing what i like with others doing the same thing.

__________________
onward to mayhem!

genuinegirly

I enjoy being physically active in the morning - need a little endorphins to get my day started off right.

My routine:

Wake up.
Drink glass of water.
Poop.
Dress.
Run.
Stretch.
Undress.
Stretch.
Shower.
Lotion.
Hair.
Makeup.
Dress.
Food.
Ride univega / walk / bus when it's not summer to lab.

If my husband decides to go to the gym after dinner at 7pm to do his workout, I will usually join him. At those times I enjoy one of those recumbent bicycles for 20 minutes of cardio, run a lap or nine around the indoor track, then sit back and read a gardening magazine while stretching until he's ready to go home.

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"Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq

"violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy

LordEden

Ok, you have ruined my fantasy that hot girls don't poop. Thanks, thanks alot.

Now everytime I see a hot girl I want to hit on, I'm going to get a mental picture of her going "ER ER ER ERRRRR *PPFFFFFFFFF* *PLOOP*". I'm now officially scared for life.

/sarcasm

Is there every other day thing the best way to work out? Work out, rest a day, work out, rest a day?

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Vice-President of the CinnamonGirl Fan Club - The Meat of the Zombiesquirrel and CinnamonGirl Sandwich

Baraka_Guru

It depends. As a rule, you should give each muscle group at least 48 hours recovery time. It sometimes takes 72 hours. Gauge it depending on how you're feeling. Also realize that it can take as long as 7 days for a muscle to fully heal.

Overtraining is one of the most prevalent problems holding people back from their exercise goals.

Cardio is another story. You can do cardio pretty much daily, but even then it's good to have at least one or two days per week to allow for adequate recovery, especially if you do high intensity.

If you go pretty hardcore, it's a good practice to take a full week off of all exercise every 3 or 4 months. Press the reset button, so to speak.

Stress can wreak havoc on your body. Rest is underrated.

__________________
Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

genuinegirly

Hey, it's a crucial step. If I don't do it before I run, there's uncomfortable junk going on inside.

__________________
"Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq

"violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy

Willravel

I will occasionally indulge in boat running.

It burns a lot of calories.

Plan9

Seriously... mile 9 turbo-shits are a huge buzzkill when you hit that big hill.

Heh, I got a great story about ditching the trail and coming back missing a sock.

__________________
Whatever you can carry.

"You should not drink... and bake."

surferlove007

My bad...

Shell

...this is my kind of gym

Attached Images

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..."Say what you think. Those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" ~ Dr. Seuss

snowy

I've been meaning to go to the gym, really. I just haven't had time lately. Now that my schedule is starting to smooth out again, my intention is to start lifting weights. I get more than enough cardio elsewhere, as I ride my bicycle as my primary mode of transportation, and there is nothing I love more than sprinting home. Of course, my gym is the university rec center, so it's a bit different than a normal gym. It's really too big to make friends at the gym; however, I do run into people I know there.

When I was using the gym on a more regular basis, I would eat a banana beforehand and drink a small container of chocolate milk afterward. I also often worked in a casual swim in the deep well to stretch out all of my muscles, followed by a brief session in the sauna. That's the real reason to go to the gym in my opinion--the pool and sauna. The ab and yoga classes are also a plus. I'm planning on taking some yoga through the rec center this fall, as it's cheaper than yoga classes for credit.

I definitely listen to my own music. On my iPod, I have a playlist titled "Ninja Training Music" just for workouts.

And yes, genuinegirly, a good poop is essential before any heavy workout, especially running.

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If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

surferlove007

I've found my favorite gyms are the school rec centers. Just so nice and everything you could want. They don't typically spare any expense there. I agree that time in the pool/sauna is well spent for your muscles I do it everyday as well. Odds are I'll continue going to a University rec center following graduation.