Comments on: 4 Observations From My Hotel Workouts http://www.johnisfit.com/2007/09/20/4-observations-from-my-hotel-workouts/ My Weight Loss Blog Mon, 30 Jan 2012 07:15:58 +0000 hourly 1 By: john - from fat to fit http://www.johnisfit.com/2007/09/20/4-observations-from-my-hotel-workouts/#comment-269 john - from fat to fit Tue, 25 Sep 2007 11:53:48 +0000 http://www.johnisfit.com/2007/09/20/4-observations-from-my-hotel-workouts/#comment-269 Jan - thanks for the positive comment! I'm proud of myself for that too. Angela - I actually found the smaller, more intimate setting of a small weight room more enjoyable than a loud, noisy gym. It was enough for me to see one or two other (already fit) people working out. My problem with a gym membership (and don't get me wrong I may end up needing to join one eventually) is that it takes more time out of my already precious minutes of the day, plus it would be so much easier for me to never make the ride in. When your workout is at home there are fewer excuses, at least for me. Israel - The key for me is to use metrics like mph to watch my progress through the data. True I could just look at one measurement like heart rate and presumably in order to keep it up as I got fitter I would need to up my mph so technically that one stat would be a good indicator, but I like multiple statistics and it's motivating to me to try to push against them. John - I suspect you are right. However, I also think that is probably something that would only make a difference in moving between levels once you are much more advanced than I am, where my goal is simply to achieve a sweat every morning, which is a big step up from where I was at. I can certainly imagine some time in the future wanting to step it up and moving to free weights (other than the dumbells I am already using) - but that is going to mean a gym membership and I am not ready for that yet for a number of reasons. Jan – thanks for the positive comment! I'm proud of myself for that too.

Angela – I actually found the smaller, more intimate setting of a small weight room more enjoyable than a loud, noisy gym. It was enough for me to see one or two other (already fit) people working out. My problem with a gym membership (and don't get me wrong I may end up needing to join one eventually) is that it takes more time out of my already precious minutes of the day, plus it would be so much easier for me to never make the ride in. When your workout is at home there are fewer excuses, at least for me.

Israel – The key for me is to use metrics like mph to watch my progress through the data. True I could just look at one measurement like heart rate and presumably in order to keep it up as I got fitter I would need to up my mph so technically that one stat would be a good indicator, but I like multiple statistics and it's motivating to me to try to push against them.

John – I suspect you are right. However, I also think that is probably something that would only make a difference in moving between levels once you are much more advanced than I am, where my goal is simply to achieve a sweat every morning, which is a big step up from where I was at. I can certainly imagine some time in the future wanting to step it up and moving to free weights (other than the dumbells I am already using) – but that is going to mean a gym membership and I am not ready for that yet for a number of reasons.

]]> By: john http://www.johnisfit.com/2007/09/20/4-observations-from-my-hotel-workouts/#comment-257 john Sun, 23 Sep 2007 02:02:58 +0000 http://www.johnisfit.com/2007/09/20/4-observations-from-my-hotel-workouts/#comment-257 "Not going to say better, but different." For me, I would say better. When developing real world strength it is important to work with weights that forces you to stabilize the load. Cables, pulleys, rods, etc. remove this important aspect. Which usually means you can push more weight, but the little muscles that provide stability don't get the work they desperately need. I learned this the hard way when I worked on bench presses using a Smith Machine. "Not going to say better, but different."

For me, I would say better. When developing real world strength it is important to work with weights that forces you to stabilize the load. Cables, pulleys, rods, etc. remove this important aspect. Which usually means you can push more weight, but the little muscles that provide stability don't get the work they desperately need.

I learned this the hard way when I worked on bench presses using a Smith Machine.

]]> By: Israel http://www.johnisfit.com/2007/09/20/4-observations-from-my-hotel-workouts/#comment-252 Israel Fri, 21 Sep 2007 20:05:59 +0000 http://www.johnisfit.com/2007/09/20/4-observations-from-my-hotel-workouts/#comment-252 i dont usually focus too much on the mph. i just make sure that i am getting a good pace in, that my heart rate is up, and that i am sweating and feeling it in my legs. i dont usually focus too much on the mph. i just make sure that i am getting a good pace in, that my heart rate is up, and that i am sweating and feeling it in my legs.

]]> By: Angela http://www.johnisfit.com/2007/09/20/4-observations-from-my-hotel-workouts/#comment-246 Angela Fri, 21 Sep 2007 00:08:43 +0000 http://www.johnisfit.com/2007/09/20/4-observations-from-my-hotel-workouts/#comment-246 I find working out in a gym very motivating. I got over the self-consciousness pretty quick, especially since most of the people at my gym are overweight like me anyway. I like having others around--it keeps me motivated. And I'm less likely to quit once I've taken the time to drive myself over there..... I find working out in a gym very motivating. I got over the self-consciousness pretty quick, especially since most of the people at my gym are overweight like me anyway. I like having others around–it keeps me motivated. And I'm less likely to quit once I've taken the time to drive myself over there…..

]]> By: JanB http://www.johnisfit.com/2007/09/20/4-observations-from-my-hotel-workouts/#comment-245 JanB Thu, 20 Sep 2007 18:19:13 +0000 http://www.johnisfit.com/2007/09/20/4-observations-from-my-hotel-workouts/#comment-245 You can check your speed per mile by walking at a steady rate for 15 minutes, multiplying that distance by 4 to find out how fast you are going. Your speed will be in miles per hour. Congrats to you on keeping up your workout while away. I am so proud of you!! You can check your speed per mile by walking at a steady rate for 15 minutes, multiplying that distance by 4 to find out how fast you are going. Your speed will be in miles per hour.

Congrats to you on keeping up your workout while away. I am so proud of you!!

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