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just some questions

matic Posts: 13 Joined: 2004/02/10	2004/02/11, 10:43 PM HEY, I AM HAVING TROUBLE ON HOW TO ADD WEIGHT TO CERTAIN EXERCISES. FIRST HOW DO YOU ADD WEIGHT TO HOME SQUATS, CALVES, AND PUSH-UPS? ALSO, CAN SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN BY WHAT DO THEY MEAN BY "CONTRACTING." PLEASE EXPLAIN IN DETAIL WHAT EXACTLY AM I SUPPOSED TO BE DOING. YES, I AM A NEWBIEM BUT, I GUESS YOU ALREADY FIGURED THAT OUT BY THE QUESTIONS HEH. THANKS A LOT IN ADVANCE.
matic Posts: 13 Joined: 2004/02/10	2004/02/11, 10:45 PM ALSO, ANOTHER THING. WHEN THEY SAY DO SETS OF 15, 15, 12, 10, DOES THAT MEAN DO 15 THEN TAKE A BREAK AND SO ON. OR WHAT? MUCH THANX IN ADVANCE.
yadmit Posts: 4,670 Joined: 2003/10/05	2004/02/11, 11:00 PM I can answer some of the questions... Adding weights: You can add weight with a barbell over your shoulders or hold some dumbells in each hand as you do them... that goes for the calves and the sqauts. Not sure how to add weight to pushups unless you want someone sitting on your back and I'm not so sure that's a good idea. Sets: Do the number of reps in each set, but take a break between sets. You do not want that break to be too long... 30 seconds to two minutes from what I understand. And I believe that depends on what your goals are. A pro might be able to give you a better idea on the wait in between sets. Contracting: Not sure if I'm explaining it correctly or not, but tighten the muscle you are working. I think that is right, but I stand to be corrected! I'm still learning too! t -------------- Tim "I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies, for the hardest victory is over self." Aristotle
ioioio Posts: 302 Joined: 2004/01/29	2004/02/12, 02:31 AM Yes Tim day i think you have the contracting bit right on target. Look matic, for push ups don't add any weight just yet, you are a beginner so take it easy for the first couple of weeks. I am still learning too!!! You should wait for about 2.5 minutes if you are a beginner, but 1.5 or 2 minutes is ok i guess!!! If you don't get the results you were hoping for don't give up, train hard and eat right, GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!
matic Posts: 13 Joined: 2004/02/10	2004/02/12, 01:42 PM THANKS A WHOLE LOT GUYS. YOU ARE REALLY HELPING THE NEW EXPERIENCE.
matic Posts: 13 Joined: 2004/02/10	2004/02/12, 01:49 PM I NEED HELP WITH SOMETHING ELSE. WELL, SINCE I JUST STARTED WITH THE WHOLE "FITNESS" THING, I NEED SOME SUGGESTIONS ON SOME MORNING ROUTINES I SHOULD BE DOING. SHOULD I WORKOUT IN THE MORNING? SHOULD I ONLY STRETCH? WARM-UP? AND WHEN? BEFORE BREAKFAST OR AFTER OR IMMIDIATELY AFTER BREAKFAST? WHAT? ONCE AGAIN THANX.
yadmit Posts: 4,670 Joined: 2003/10/05	2004/02/12, 01:55 PM There are many schools of thought on any of those questions. I can say for the time of day workouts, it doesn't seem to matter, it's what works best for you. If you work out at night, like me, make sure you stay up for a while as typically your body is a tad wired. Some work out in the morning for the energy for the day. As for eating, again, many schools of thought on this. BB1 may have some suggestions, along with HEC, Mutt and others. Some say cardio first thing in the morning on an empty stomach is the way to go. I'm still trying to get a handle on all of it too! I think the key thing is that you are working out... it's just a matter of balancing everything. t -------------- Tim "I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies, for the hardest victory is over self." Aristotle
matic Posts: 13 Joined: 2004/02/10	2004/02/12, 02:37 PM O OK. THANX. ANOTHER THING...LOL WHEN YOU DO THIGH EXERCISES, SPECIFICALLY LEG RAISES, HOW DO KNOW IF YOUR BACK IS STRAIGHT? I ALSO HAVE ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH ABDOMINAL WORKOUTS. EVERYTIME DURING CRUNCHES, ETC, WHEN I LAY BACK TO RELAX MY ABS THERE IS LIKE A RELIEF FEELING ON MY NECK. IS IT BECAUSE I WAS USING MY HEAD TO PULL ME UP? IF SO, HOW DO I ONLY USE MY ABS, WAIST, ETC TO PULL ME UP TO DO CRUNCHES. THANX IN ADVANCE!
yadmit Posts: 4,670 Joined: 2003/10/05	2004/02/12, 02:42 PM Aren't leg raises for the abs? If I'm not mistaken, I think your back has to be straight for most exercises. As for the other ab exercises... really concentrate on what you are using to lift. If your hands are behind your head when you are doing crunches, try laying them across your chest. If you need to keep your hands behind your head, make sure you aren't using them to lift your head. You seem to be putting strain on the neck that way. As with any exercise, concetrate on the muscles you are exercising and that'll help lots. There is a good explanation of the exercises on FT in the Exercise Resource area... check 'em out! t -------------- Tim "I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies, for the hardest victory is over self." Aristotle
matic Posts: 13 Joined: 2004/02/10	2004/02/12, 04:24 PM THANX
matic Posts: 13 Joined: 2004/02/10	2004/02/12, 04:42 PM ALSO ANOTHER THING. WHAT DOES IT MEAN WHEN FT SAYS "SQUEEZE" OR "FEEL THE STRETCH" ON CERTAIN MUSCLES. WHAT EXACTLY AM I SUPPOSED TO BE DOING? AND WHAT IS THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PROGRESSIVE GAINS, BULK, LEAN, TONE, AND DEFINITION? THANX IN ADVANCE.
ioioio Posts: 302 Joined: 2004/01/29	2004/02/12, 04:49 PM Squeeze means to contract!!! if you don't know the exact meaning of contraction they check your dictionary!!! and leg raises are for abs not for legs!!!