Just thought I'd share my Tuesday night gym experience. K wasn't there, poor girl has the stomach flu. So I just went after my biceps, back, and legs.
Yesterday was a really good day because I experienced a few "firsts" ever at the gym.
- Got to the top of the UN-knotted rope! This was only my third attempt on it, the past 2 times were me getting a feel for the technique. I use the wrap technique - wrap the rope around my right leg and put my left foot on top of my right with the rope pinched between both feet. The last few times I was only comfortable with going up halfway. But yesterday I started climbing, looked up and realized "oh, it's not too much farther to the top, might as well get on up!" And I did! The descent can be tough. I didn't want to slide down and burn my right leg and hands, so I attempted to keep my wrap and let the rope gently slide through/redo my wrap if necessary. Going down takes alot of work and control. I got all the way up and down without falling and minimal rope burn. I know I have improvements to make on my technique but for right now I'm just glad I did it. Climbing this rope is alot harder than climbing the rope with knots in it, so it took alot of energy out of me. I only had enough climbing juice for 1 trip up the knotted rope. The great thing about this is if I keep it up I should have no problem climbing the ropes at the Spartan Super/Beast... even if I'll be exhausted and covered in mud!
I also used the Smith machine (squat rack) for the first time. I had been doing squats on the premade barbells but those only go up to 60 lbs. So I figured if I want to squat more I should probably start getting familiar with the squat rack. It's easy enough to use - the only part that got me was adjusting the height. The bar setting I ended up having to use is lower than where it would sit on my shoulders, but you want to make sure the bar is not set above your neck, otherwise you can't use it. I did a few squats with just the bar to get a feel for the machine, got used to the flipping motion used to lock/unlock the bar, etc. Then I just loaded 50 lbs on there for starters. Next time I'll try a higher weight.
Then I tried out the scary cable machine. You don't see a varied group of people using this machine. It's usually guys, most of which look like they've been lifting for a long time. I totally get why not alot of people use this thing. It's kind of intimidating.
But this thing is pretty awesome. I used it for some bicep curls and rows, but I also plan on using it for squats, crossovers, and woodchops. Just pull out the pins on the pulleys to adjust them, move them to your desired height, and off you go! Ours also has a few different attachments - variously shaped bars and a rope. You can google "cable machine" and get tons of ideas for workouts on this thing.
I love trying new workouts and new machines in the gym. Sure you might wind up looking silly if you try to use something without knowing how it works, but that's why I always use Google/watch videos if I'm ever unsure of something. Not only do I not want to look stupid, I also don't want to use bad form and injure myself. And now I know how to do things! Knowledge is strength.
Another first - seeing someone wearing a McDonald's shirt in the gym. I didn't even know they made tshirts? And seriously, I hope that was her only clean shirt. Because, wtf.
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