For the last year or so I've been looking to add another form of exercise to my regiment (standard weight training that's gotten very boring over the last few years) but there are so many to choose from: pilates, yoga, kickboxing, etc. I've recently seen classes called "Core Strengthing" and "Core Conditioning" (two seperate classes). I was wondering what alternative forms of exercise (outside of sports and sex) you all have experimented with and has been both fun and rewarding, individually and as a couple. Thanks meatheads!

I consider training my lungs through the art of the saxophone to be an exercise for myself. For 8 years of my life, the sax was the object that made my lungs trained.

I also find that depending on what type of job you have, you can get exercise from this area of life as well. I, a Practical nursing student, find that if i keep walking and lifting moderately heavy objects (linens and patients) during the day, by the end of the shift, I feel as thought I've worked out for close to 2 hours but only in the areas of my body that have been strained during the day.

These may not be considered alternative fitness due to not everyone is in this field and not everyone is interested in musical instruments, but this is the way i get fit while being a student.

~Kathy~

Originally posted by Kathy & Jay:
Core work is a great way to strengthen up your abs, as well as promoting central strength. Since the core works as the starting point for almost any move your body makes, it becomes much, much easier to control the direction of your body (balance and agility) as well as explode outward for strength (power movements).

I base my exercise program around core work. If you're interested in doing core, there are two authors that are a must read:

1) Peter Twist: Canada's premier expert on core conditioning. He works with several hockey teams as a conditioning coach.
www.twistconditioning.com

2) Paul Chek: One of the world's foremost experts in core conditioning elements, and a naturopathic guru to boot.

The Chek Institute

Jay

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kathy & Jay,

Thanks Kathy, though I'm more thinking of more general exercise routines. I will definately check out the authors you suggest, Jay. Being an exercise/sports nut, I've been curious as to core training for awhile now. Have you seen results? What can I expect from core work? Ideally I want something that will increase both strength and flexibility and want to pick something that really challenges me and produces strong results.

I know, from a second party point of view, that Jay's flexibility has increased and his strength is quite impressive. This is one of the main reasons behind his back not giving out as much anymore- he's got a good core to back up his back. Jay's two cents coming shortly...

~Kathy~

Two words mashed togeather has worked for me Crossfit.
Bit of a warning...start off slow and do not try and do an entire workout right off the bat. They are short but brutal!

http://www.crossfit.com/

All you have to do is log in each day and your regimin is up for all to see.
There are even vidos and descriptions on how to do each excersize.

Go slow

quote:

Originally posted by Bad_IDA:Have you seen results? What can I expect from core work? Ideally I want something that will increase both strength and flexibility and want to pick something that really challenges me and produces strong results.

You won't SEE physical results of core work unless you're ripped. The vast majority of strength gains and muscular development in core work is targeted to the internal abdominals, obliques and lower back, which is why you seldom see the narcissitic "T-Shirt" gym crowd doing core work; It doesn't greatly improve one's physique, at least on its own.

What it does do is strengthen the body as a unit, and- when combined with other activities (see Paul Chek's work)- teaches the body to properly cushion itself during natural movement, allowing you to push yourself farther when running, squatting (i.e. lifting something), chopping, or carrying someone/thing.

It won't help you bench press 300lbs (A strengthened core will help hold the body during the stress of a heavy press, removing excess stress on stabilizer muscles, but that's it), but- combined with strength training, aerobic exercise and a healthy diet- it will allow you to break a large block of wood with a single chop of an axe, or to carry a 200lb someone 100 meters to safety.

It also is a great thing for developing balance and agility, since the core is the prime mover for maintaining your balance.

If you've ever seen those athletes that can stand atop an inflated ball, and do squats on them (wakeboarders, skiers, and hockey players are notorious for it), you're seeing a well-developed core in action.

As for flexibility, it does help, especially as far as torso maneuvering is concerned. I can basically bend myself backwards and hold indefinetely at a reverse 90 degrees; not back for a guy pushing 210lbs and with back problems.

However, since Kathy lives 200kms away, she doesn't see the other half of my workout- the one with 45 minutes of stretching and pilates-based exercises to start off. If you want to be flexible, strecthing is a mainstay; Its basically mandatory- again, MANDATORY- for becoming more flexibile.

For fitness and stretching combined, pilates is the way. For women, doing pilates is natural, but most men have to swallow their manly pride in order to do it, since its about the most feminine-looking exercise set anyone can do, and the classes- often set to soft music and dimly lit rooms for "ambiance" don't help.

But its worth it: With a regular routine, you should notice results (in flexibility, not visually) within 5 weeks, provided you're doing it right.

If you go with pilates, but can't work yourself up to going to the class, by a basic pilates book, and start from there; Teaching yourself is normally less expensive than a class, and you can use your body as a gauge rather than having some instructor slam it down your throat.

BTW:

Paul Chek's best book is "How to eat, move, and be Healthy", but if you're not into naturopathic living, it can be a tad annoying. Try his book "Awesome Abs" (ISBN 1-55210-002-2) to get you started. If you're uneasy buying books with "questionable" covers in public, I'd advise using the internet; For more inhibited people, the cover- a body builder's midsection and groin (in extremely tight, revealing posing trunks)- is a tad too "gay" for them to be seen buying in public. Not my opinion, mind you, but I've had friends refuse to buy it for that reason.

"Awesome Abs" is only 70-odd pages, but is basically the blueprint for a perfect core, and includes the most detailed explanation of how to do a proper abdominal crunch I've ever encountered.

For Peter Twist, see if you can find "Strength Ball Training" (ISBN 0-7360-3828-0) by he and Lorne Goldenberg. It starts with an inflatable exercise ball, and basically lays out core exercises that compliment every major muscle/body part.

Hope that helps.

Jay

NN, thanks for your input! I wish there was a class in my area for this, as I do believe it would kick my ass (which is good). Unfortuantely that is not the case. And my gym doesn't have the space for this by myself. I have to admit that I'd feel rather self-conscious about starting up, particularly knowing that some of the exercises would be slightly unorthodox and my technique would be questionable at best in the beginning.

Rex-I work at a college and get to use their weight room for free, unfortuantely this limits the availability of a professional trainer, though I have to admit I've wanted to try one. I really need to move to a more populated area.

Jay-I guess what I hope to gain is: increased flexibility, increased strength and it would be nice to see the results. However it sounds like that core combined with regular weight training would be a nice balance. Maintaining a good lower body balance would be beneficial in my golf game as well. I hadn't thought that core would produce that.

I'm not opposed to doing pilates, however it would be nice to find a class talored to guys. Now I know I'm asking too much, particularly for my area. But I think it would be fun to do as a couple.

Thanks for the help. Hopefully I'll find something in my area soon. Or, better yet, move to an area with more fitness clubs than drive-up liquor stores.

-K

quote:

Originally posted by Bad_IDA: Maintaining a good lower body balance would be beneficial in my golf game as well. I hadn't thought that core would produce that.

There's a book on it:

The Golf Biomechanics Manual