Onward ho with our series on home workout equipment . Coming in at #9 we have the venerable treadmill. It's the largest piece of equipment on the list, and the most expensive. But it's a popular item and for good reason.
Continue readingImproving Pull-up ROM
Not long ago, I wrote a post on the importance of using a full range of motion (ROM) in strength exercises. One of the most difficult exercises to do full ROM is the pull-up (or chin-up, which is just a pull-up variation). Just because it's hard doesn't mean we shouldn't do it!
Continue readingHome Equipment – 9: Pull-up Bar
Onward ho with the endless series on home fitness equipment. This time around it's the pull-up bar. Considering it's primarily just a horizontal pole above your head, it's surprisingly versatile. That's right, the pull-up bar isn't just for pull-ups. And of course, there are different bar styles.
Continue readingLifting ROM
Range of motion, or ROM, is an often overlooked but very important part of lifting weights. It's a key factor in maintaining mobility, especially as we get less young.
The term "muscle-bound" is usually associated with a heavily developed bodybuilder whose own muscular development limits his movement. But big muscles don't automatically lead to poor mobility. Lots of athletes have significant muscular development along with excellent mobility. It's not a muscle's size that limits mobility; it's the ROM. And that applies to any size muscle.
Continue readingHIIT vs Tabata? Really?
I wasn't planning on writing this post. But I'm doing it anyway.
One of the news feeds I use recognizes that I read a lot of fitness-related articles so it shows me more than most people see. Most are easily dismissed by the titles: they might be "click bait" or something I already know or something I don't care about. This one's headline warned me it was likely to be a train wreck; I was curious to see just how bad it was. My mistake.
Continue readingHome Equipment – 8: Weight Bench
Continuing our series on home workout equipment, at #8 we have the familiar weight bench. Some folks would probably list it higher. Personally, I think even number eight is being generous. But they can certainly be useful.
Continue readingHow Strong Do You Need To Be?
Many years ago (but not too many...I'm still a young man after all), I asked a friend how many situps he could do. I still remember his response: "As many as I need to."
An amusing answer, but it raises an interesting question: just how strong do we need to be?
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