In Fitness and in Health

[RobeOfTheMagi]

Since I'm a rock climber I usually workout with my own bodyweight, but my armwrestling curiosity has led me to lifting some weights. I was surprised that I could strict curl (back against a wall) 6x48kg with an EZ curl bar. The bouldering gym doesn't really provide more plates. I'd be very happy if I strict curled a 60kg (75% of my body weight) one rep max. But I suppose that will take some time and effort.

[1WayTrip]

@RobeOfTheMagi that’s nice going, especially seeing as you have never trained it before

I am a bit too long in the tooth to try a max on anything these days apart from grip. I am totally injury free for the first time in a long time so tread carefully.

[RobeOfTheMagi]

@1WayTrip cheers mate!

[Pointman]

Any good morning pre-workout routines to get you going at the gym?

I need an hour from the alarm going off to walking out the door to the gym for my body to straighten out and wake up. I've usually downed a cup of coffee and some water by then. Probably some Creatine and beet root powder extract (natural producer of nitric oxide.) I'm wary of pre-workout supplements.

Would love to hear if anyone has any tips on how they get going before the gym. No matter if it's coffee, bananas, sudoku or meditation. What are you doing?

[yannis]

@Pointman what worries you about pre workout supplements if I may ask? There are some very good ones out there and definitely some not very good ones.

[1WayTrip]

@Pointman strong black coffee loaded with honey then a 10min brisk walk to the gym. No matter what the weather my car stays at home.

By the time I get there body and mind are ready to rumble.

[Pointman]

@yannis I suppose I'm more wary of stimulant pre workouts and what's in them than non-stim. I could be open to taking one but the entire supplement world is unregulated and has seen plenty of problems, including with contaminants. I suppose it just feels a bit like the wild west and I'd like to be certain of what I'm consuming and what it may or may not contribute to my health.

[Pointman]

@1WayTrip Does the honey serve a purpose here for you as a glucose/carbohydrate or just personal taste preference? How much are you adding? Can't say I care for sweetened coffee but honey is pretty easy to eat straight.

[yannis]

@Pointman. Look into Transparent labs pre workout called Bulk. Its a very well put together pre- workout that lists all the ingredients individually so no proprietary blends that nobody knows what is in it. Mainly caffeine, beta alanine and citruline malate. All very well studied ingredients. If you never had anything with beta alanine before, it will give you a tingling sensation the fist few doses and then your body will adjust.

[1WayTrip]

@Pointman both really, instant energy kick and I have grown to like the taste of the coffee with it in.

The antioxidants are good for post workout recovery also.

[jdwaid]

@Pointman is the issue feeling fatigued in the morning or more about not able to get the most from the workout? Personally I find it very difficult to work out on only coffee and water, the muscles need glucose to perform lifts effectively. I would expriuemnt eating one or two packets of instant oats with brown sugar, it will give your muscles all the glucose it will need to perform in the gym.

[Pointman]

@jdwaid More morning fatigue and just getting going to the gym. Trying to not be groggy. I've tried eating something small before but should probably revisit and see how it goes.

I would prefer to not work out in the morning but schedule makes it tough and I like the tone setting for the day.

[jdwaid]

@Pointman best of luck and keep us posted when you find some that that works for you. If you do try a small meal just make sure it’s packed with complex carbs. 150 grams should be more than enough.