Fitocracy: LoadingReadyRunners

[Avistew]

Aren't those just for semi-pornographic purposes?

They don't vibrate. They have something inside that shifts when you shake them.

[MrPayneTrayne]

I believe met was making a handjob joke. Regardless, I don't trust much that's 'As Seen on TV'.

[aeric90]

I believe the concept is that while you're doing a regular exercise like a bicep curl for example, the weight constantly shifts causing your stabilizers to become more active in the motion. Stabilizers are often neglected when people workout and are most frequently targeted to 'tone up'.

The only problem is that this is in no way an practical motion and your stabilizers aren't consistently used due to the shaking. You're better off doing things like stability push-ups with a pivot board, Bosu ball, Swiss ball or medicine ball. Not only are they more effective at developing stabilizers because your stabilizers are constantly active at keeping you balanced, they're more flexible work out tools allowing you to work on a lot more than a single weight ever could.

[MotorWaffle]

Well...peanut butter and chocolate whey protein shakes are the LEAST disgusting that I've tried...guess that makes them the winner.

[Matt]

... that sounds like something that would be impossible to make without including a hojillion calories. Which may or may not be your intent.

-m

[aeric90]

THIS is the protein I use and it tastes amazing. Every flavour so far has been great. Each serving for me is 400 calories (2 scoops) and I take 2 servings a day. The best part is that I normally feel like I've had dessert as a result and I don't get cravings later on.

Edit: Oh... it's expensive though. Was of the more expensive proteins on the market. Worth it!

[Avistew]

Does anyone know if there are protein powders that don,t include whey or casein? I'm allergic to both.

Mind you, I can't process animal protein either, so I guess I'm better off just eating eggs whites or something.

[aeric90]

There are vegan protein powders that are based on soy, rice, or peas. I don't know any brands but I'm sure if you go to a vegan food store they'll be able to help you.

[Avistew]

Good point! Thanks. I find I have trouble eating after I exercise, I'm hoping drinking a shake will be easier.

[2stepz]

There are soy protein powders almost anywhere. AdvantEdge has a decent vanilla one, but it has a higher carb count than I prefer, so I've switched.

I've been mixing This kind with a frozen banana and some peanut butter powder (PB2). It's makes for a great pb and banana milkshake with much lower calories and a lot of protein.

Also - figured out today that I've been drastically being under pointed because I wasn't adding in the heart rate. It's hidden in the options panel, and when added, nearly triples the points I get for my cardio.

[Avistew]

(To make things difficult, I'm also supposed to avoid soy because of my thyroid. But I don't really stick to that, it's too much of a pain).

I wore wrist weights for my upper body exercise yesterday. It definitely makes a difference. Today I'm in the city, and usually that means walking up and down California Street for a while, but I had to stop earlier than usual because my shoulders were killing me (I wear a backpack with my laptop and a bunch of stuff).
I've decided to take it as a good sign.

[Matt]

There are soy protein powders almost anywhere. AdvantEdge has a decent vanilla one, but it has a higher carb count than I prefer, so I've switched.

I've been mixing This kind with a frozen banana and some peanut butter powder (PB2). It's makes for a great pb and banana milkshake with much lower calories and a lot of protein.

Also - figured out today that I've been drastically being under pointed because I wasn't adding in the heart rate. It's hidden in the options panel, and when added, nearly triples the points I get for my cardio.

Interesting. I don't actually track my heart rate when running, but that's neat to know.

-m

[Avistew]

Yeah, I didn't realise the heart rate thing either.

Speaking of heart rate, one of my big successes last time I exercised was getting my heart up without being out of breath. Due to my asthma, I had never thought of the two as being possible to dissociate. Whenever my heart was up, I was unable to breathe.
But back in 2010, for the first time ever, I got my heart rate up (as high as it had ever been as far as I measured, actually) and I could still breathe. I mean, I wasn't breathing the same as during rest, but I was physically able to get air into my lungs.

That was so exhilarating. Heart tracking is definitely something I'm interested in because of that. Plus I want to see how low I can get it during rest once I'm regularly active.

[Tally]

How does one actually track one's heart rate, anyway? I'd sort of like to try it during some of my exercises, but do you need fancy equipment or is there an easy way to do it?

[Matt]

If you're at a gym (like Oak bay rec) the machines should all have heart rate sensors built in, so you can measure your peak and estimate your average.

If you're out and about on your own, you're pretty much stuck with either buying a monitor, or measuring your pulse periodically, and estimating an average.

-m

[psychopez]

If you have an Android phone with a good enough camera, you can download the Instant Heart Rate app.

Turn it on, put your finger on the rear camera, and wait 15 seconds. It will measure your pulse. Don't know if there's anything like it for iOS, but I would imagine so.

Since I run using RunKeeper to track my distance and time (Which uploads automatically into Fitocracy), I have a handy dandy pulse measuring tool.

[2stepz]

I bought a heart rate monitor. It's a set with a strap and a watch... polar seems to be the best option from the fitness forums I'm on.

Thisis the one I have. I love it. I use it combined with MapMyRun to track my trail excursions.

[PlasmaCow]

there really needs to be a "hauling sh*t around" option on fitocracy, seeing as every Tuesday evening I:
unload a trailer of kayaks
carry them into the swimming pool
run a beginners coaching session
rescue upturned kayakers and empty flooded boats several times a night
take all the boats out the pool
reload the trailer
then depending on what the clubs doing next outing, unload or move the loaded trailer

Granted I don't do it all by myself, but quite often I'm left doing more than half the heavy lifting of un/loading the trailer.

[Metcarfre]

Heart rate monitors on machines are usually super inaccurate aren't they?

I have a fancy pants altimeter watch that I should try and find the HRM attachment for on eBay or something.

[Matt]

Heart rate monitors on machines are usually super inaccurate aren't they?

I have a fancy pants altimeter watch that I should try and find the HRM attachment for on eBay or something.

they're better than not measuring your heart rate, or taking your pulse at 15 minute intervals.

-m

[MrPayneTrayne]

I rode 16 kilometers on my bike today and netted less than 200 points. Dafuq.

[aeric90]

Heart rate monitors on machines are usually super inaccurate aren't they?

I have a fancy pants altimeter watch that I should try and find the HRM attachment for on eBay or something.

they're better than not measuring your heart rate, or taking your pulse at 15 minute intervals.

-m

Especially depending on your exercise. Anything requiring two hands to be safe/possible is iffy and even then attempting to exercise, count, and watch a clock simultaneously might result in disaster unless you constantly stop to do it.

[TomBrend]

Fourth workout of starting strength was today. I screwed up and did 85 instead of 65 for some warm ups for Press. 85lb is not a warmup for 90lb. I might have to deload for that next time, but we'll see.

[Avistew]

I now have a podometer (also known as 3DS) and I went to the gaming store (hoping to get some streetpass hits. Spoilers: I didn't) and walked about 3,000 steps (3,156).
That's almost a third of the daily recommended amount. If you add up the fact that I also walk in my daily life for various reasons, I should be walking the 10,000 steps no problem. Sure it's not a huge exercise but it's something, and I'm going to keep track of it today, and then try to raise it regularly.

[tamaness]

I've used my phone as a pedometer, but it's really hard on the battery. I'm going to start using a small belt-clip one for day-to-day stuff, and just track runs with my phone.