Sure, the WInter Olympics always demand a bit of viewing time. However they pale in comparison to the spectacle of the Commonwealth Games - this year in Melbourne, Australia.
If you're in the UK, you can watch the action live via the BBC video streams. Australian viewers (using Bigpond broadband) can tune in here.
Sure, the WInter Olympics always demand a bit of viewing time. However they pale in comparison to the spectacle of the Commonwealth Games - this year in Melbourne, Australia.
If you're in the UK, you can watch the action live via the BBC video streams. Australian viewers (using Bigpond broadband) can tune in here.
I've added a wiki to this site. If you've never used one before, think of it as a set of pages that anyone can edit at any time. It can be a great way to share information - so share away!
Note : anyone can read the pages, but to add to them you'll need to create a login (there's a menu option when you go to the site). The current password is 'grinspoon' (an Australian band).
I've added a wiki to this site. If you've never used one before, think of it as a set of pages that anyone can edit at any time. It can be a great way to share information - so share away!
Note : anyone can read the pages, but to add to them you'll need to create a login (there's a menu option when you go to the site). The current password is 'grinspoon' (an Australian band).
The pages in the Places section are gradually being updated with Google maps, to highlight the exact area being discussed. Unfortunately Google is yet to provide detailed maps of some Australian locations (despite Google Maps being created by a Sydney-based developer); these will be added as they become available.
The pages in the Places section are gradually being updated with Google maps, to highlight the exact area being discussed. Unfortunately Google is yet to provide detailed maps of some Australian locations (despite Google Maps being created by a Sydney-based developer); these will be added as they become available.
An interesting study is being carried out by a team at Melbourne's (Australia) Howard Florey Institute, in which the plasticity of pain responses is being assessed. Their latest findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, indicate that pain is increased at times of mild thirst (if you're wondering, thumbscrews and a saline solution).
Think I'll skip the thumbscrews, but it is another reason to drink plenty of water both during and after workouts.
An interesting study is being carried out by a team at Melbourne's (Australia) Howard Florey Institute, in which the plasticity of pain responses is being assessed. Their latest findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, indicate that pain is increased at times of mild thirst (if you're wondering, thumbscrews and a saline solution).
Think I'll skip the thumbscrews, but it is another reason to drink plenty of water both during and after workouts.
It's been just over a year since I first began to share my bedroom with weight plates. Over that time the act of lifting weights has gradually moved towards the status of 'healthy obsession' (although there are some who would dispute the 'healthy' part of that phrase), and shows no signs of becoming anything less.
The following is a quick look back at the major events that shaped my training :
March '04
The Marcy Pro weight bench arrived. Complete with attachments for hamstring and preacher curls, this promised to support far more weight than I'll be looking at for quite some time.
If starting again, I'd probably buy a simpler bench; however at the time I bought this, the power cage was yet to be even a consideration.
My initial routine was based on a 10 week plan from a Mens Fitness magazine (it's the only time I've ever been tempted to buy one), with a few changes to suit the lack of equipment. Still, with a barbell, two dumbbells and a bench, I certainly had the basics covered.
April '04
I increased my cardio with a daily dose of cycling. It was only 15 mins, but that was quite enough for me at the time.
This was the month when I first uttered 'time to buy some more weights'. Well, I only started with 50kg. I decided to switch to Olympic plates (for several reasons, the main one being the increased size of the bar) and grabbed a set - barbell and 145kg of weights.
My diet slowly improved.
The deadlift entered my routines.
Knocked up wrist roller and a chain for grip work.
May '04
Photos and video first made an appearance on this blog.
Switched from a 3 day/week beginner's routine to a 4 day/week westside powerlifting routine.
Acquired a couple of Captains of Crush grippers (Trainer and #1), and moved the grip training up a notch.
Introduced both dynamic and isometric stretching to the routines.
June '04
First sampled the delights of Zercher Squats.
Power cage arrived. This is a purchase I've never regretted - the extra safety allowed me to push harder with confidence; the cage's versatility enabled me to try out a greater range of exercises. Fantastic.
One of the new exercises the cage enabled me to explore is the chin-up - and I still love them. Quick, simple and highly effective.
The cage also marked the beginnings of my squat training. Prior to that I didn't have so much as a pair of squat stands; so my leg work up to that point consisted of the usual raises and curls.
New exercises: Bradford Press, Sweeping the Floor, Box squatting, Rack Pulls and the Floor press.
Began noting weights for each exercise on blog.
July '04
Spent a gym-free week in The Netherlands. Managed to lose 3kg in the process, but put it back on with a few weeks. Illness shortly afterward made sure this was a light training month.
Dipped a toe in the waters of Olympic lifting with a go at the Hang clean. Toe in, toe straight back out.
New exercises: Zottman Curl, Incline close-grip bench press, Hang clean, Seated good morning.
August '04
New exercises: Neider press, Floor press (close grip).
Departed for a month of sun in Australia.
It's been just over a year since I first began to share my bedroom with weight plates. Over that time the act of lifting weights has gradually moved towards the status of 'healthy obsession' (although there are some who would dispute the 'healthy' part of that phrase), and shows no signs of becoming anything less.
The following is a quick look back at the major events that shaped my training :
March '04
The Marcy Pro weight bench arrived. Complete with attachments for hamstring and preacher curls, this promised to support far more weight than I'll be looking at for quite some time.
If starting again, I'd probably buy a simpler bench; however at the time I bought this, the power cage was yet to be even a consideration.
My initial routine was based on a 10 week plan from a Mens Fitness magazine (it's the only time I've ever been tempted to buy one), with a few changes to suit the lack of equipment. Still, with a barbell, two dumbells and a bench, I certainly had the basics covered.
April '04
I increased my cardio with a daily dose of cycling. It was only 15 mins, but that was quite enough for me at the time.
This was the month when I first uttered 'time to buy some more weights'. Well, I only started with 50kg. I decided to switch to Olympic plates (for several reasons, the main one being the increased size of the bar) and grabbed a set - barbell and 145kg of weights.
My diet slowly improved.
The deadlift entered my routines.
Knocked up wrist roller and a chain for grip work.
May '04
Photos and video first made an appearance on this blog.
Switched from a 3 day/week beginner's routine to a 4 day/week westside powerlifting routine.
Acquired a couple of Captains of Crush grippers (Trainer and #1), and moved the grip training up a notch.
Introduced both dynamic and isometric stretching to the routines.
June '04
First sampled the delights of Zercher squats.
Power cage arrived. This is a purchase I've never regretted - the extra safety allowed me to push harder with confidence; the cage's versatility enabled me to try out a greater range of exercises. Fantastic.
One of the new exercises the cage enabled me to explore is the chin-up - and I still love them. Quick, simple and highly effective.
The cage also marked the beginnings of my squat training. Prior to that I didn't have so much as a pair of squat stands; so my leg work up to that point consisted of the usual raises and curls.
New exercises: Bradford press, Sweeping the Floor, Box squatting, Rack Pulls and the Floor press.
Began noting weights for each exercise on blog.
July '04
Spent a gym-free week in The Netherlands. Managed to lose 3kg in the process, but put it back on with a few weeks. Illness shortly afterward made sure this was a light training month.
Dipped a toe in the waters of Olympic lifting with a go at the Hang clean. Toe in, toe straight back out.
New exercises: Zottman curl, Incline close-grip bench press, Hang clean, Seated good morning.
August '04
New exercises: Neider press, Floor press (close grip).
Departed for a month of sun in Australia.
