Category Archives: Training

There is no cure for being short.

I’m not in the habit of bagging blogs. But I came across one the other day which purported to provide remedies for various ailments. The post that first drew my attention was about five ways to increase your height. Yes, you read that correctly: your height. And, yes, it was serious. The post listed theContinue reading “There is no cure for being short.”

Pain. A poem.

Pain is my best friend. He lurks in fibre and ligament, playing hide and seek amongst time-worn bones and weary blood. He enters my thoughts and hopscotches through my brain, tugging on discontent and dreams better left alone. He wanders through my cells, arteries, and veins, grasping at the walls of my heart in aContinue reading “Pain. A poem.”

Marathon Walk!

Today I walked 24 kilometres. Why? I dropped off my father’s car at a smash repair place, and rather than catch a combination of trains and buses home, I decided I’d walk. Five hours and just under 24 kms later, blisters and sore legs, but not too worse for wear otherwise. Hungry, though! Had toContinue reading “Marathon Walk!”

Workout. A Haiku Trilogy.

Endorphins Working out can hurt Endorphins overload me Pain and rush, so good Gains Just one last rep, man Lactic acid overdrive But what gains I make Weight The weight of my world Bench press, squats, rows, curls, pull ups Take my cares away

Training Without Calves (or, Cows With Guns)

See what I did there? Okay, well it sounded funny at the time*. I have been lying in bed recovering from my torn calf for the last week and a half (grrrrr…). Being the fitness-addicted idiot that I am, I decided that it was time to get back to exercising before I went stir crazy.Continue reading “Training Without Calves (or, Cows With Guns)”

The Lesson. A poem.

Fitter than I’ve ever been Big, tanned and super lean All it took was one little tear And suddenly I’m geriatric Limping like an old man Bent over and wizened Amazing how an injury Can make the years catch up A vision of my future? Perhaps, perhaps not I guess I’ll warm up more nextContinue reading “The Lesson. A poem.”

Not Without My Calf! A true story of cows, muscle fibres and underinflated ego.

Today, I tore my calf muscle. For those of you not familiar with the calf muscles, they are not part of a cow, but located on the back of your lower leg. They are important for balance, walking, running and generally being human. When you tear your calf muscle it normally happens high up on the back ofContinue reading “Not Without My Calf! A true story of cows, muscle fibres and underinflated ego.”

Chest Day!

Today was chest day in my 4-day body split workout (Back/Chest/Shoulders/Arms). My workout for each body part changes each time to dupe muscle memory (so the muscles don’t get used to the range of motion and stress), but here’s the routine I did for chest, today.

Armistice Day! Oops, I mean arms day.

I just finished an arms session and thought I’d talk about it.
My body part split workouts involve clustering exercises for Back/Chest/Shoulders/Arms, split over four days. The arms workout is split into triceps and biceps, and I change this every session, so the following information is only reflective of today’s session.

Healthy Huff ‘n Stuff

As you may or may not know, I’m a bit of a health nut. I work out regularly, get plenty of cardio, try to eat right, read fitness magazines, and so forth.
Over time I’ve picked up a few things here and there to keep healthy.

Rest, Recuperation and the Art of Camouflage

It’s been three days since my last workout. I’m lying on the lounge, checking Twitter. Alpha Girl enters and does a double-take. “Hey,” she says. “Aren’t you supposed to be doing 500 push ups or something, by now?”
“I’m having a week off,” I reply.
“So, you’re resting your arm?”
 “As a matter of fact, yes.”
“Good. It’s about time you used your brain for something other than being stupid, or upset with yourself. Are you intending to lie around all week?”

Tabata This, Tabata That…

So, I’m a bit of a fitness freak (well, less freak and more fitness). Exercise is not only great for physical fitness, but for mental fitness as well. Research has shown that regular exercise can decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety, and contribute to improved self-esteem. So, I need to exercise to keep reasonably on track, head-wise.

The Ballad of Long Term Systemic Gym Junkie Injuries

I’m just finishing my fifth set of weighted pull ups – that’s where you hang a 20 kilograms barbell from your belt and do correct form pull ups from a suspended chin up bar – when Alpha Girl enters and stands with her arms crossed. “You sweat a lot,” she says. “And do you have to grunt so loudly?”