Muscle and The Pete Plan

[_PBH_]

I have a C2 at home and no other equipment at all so if I'm going to include weights I need to have a think about how I'm going to do that.

For me, I'm looking to just tone up what [little] I already have. So I do mostly body weight exercises. Situps, pushups, pullups. The pullup bar is one of those door-frame deals that cost me about $20. That's a pretty minimal expense for something that should provide positive results.

I also have a home gym, so I include some chest press and curls. I row 3 times per week (2xSS, 1xHIIT) and do the other exercises 2 times per week. Some weeks I try to sneak in another longer SS on Saturday or Sunday.

[Dangerscouse]

I have a C2 at home and no other equipment at all so if I'm going to include weights I need to have a think about how I'm going to do that.

For me, I'm looking to just tone up what [little] I already have. So I do mostly body weight exercises. Situps, pushups, pullups. The pullup bar is one of those door-frame deals that cost me about $20. That's a pretty minimal expense for something that should provide positive results.

I also have a home gym, so I include some chest press and curls. I row 3 times per week (2xSS, 1xHIIT) and do the other exercises 2 times per week. Some weeks I try to sneak in another longer SS on Saturday or Sunday.

Perfect solution as mentioned above. Coupled with slow lunges, may be even pistol squats, planks, side planks, reverse planks (really useful to counterbalance too much rowing) one legged press ups etc, you can get a great workout with no weights. You just slow it down or increase reps when you are getting better

[G-dub]

Squat (can be bodyweight for now or goblet squats with KB), Hinge (good mornings or KB swings), Press (push ups), Pull (pull ups would be great or rows with KB or exercise band) will get you most of the way there. Loaded carries with suitcase or KB, lunges (bodyweight or with KB), rotational stuff, planks will add to it. Using exercise bands is useful. Maybe invest in a decent KB. Probably should focus on those for awhile anyway and then think about barbells and the like. The above and what others are saying will make you feel good and help you move better.

[pdduggan]

Many thanks for all the advice. I'm going to add a few bits to the garage gym and get back to some gentle weights (which I haven't done in years!). Still undecided about whether TPP is the way to go for me; I don't really give much of a hoot about 2k times, except maybe as a measure of improving fitness and I can gauge this from meters covered in intervals and increasing pace required to keep me in the UT2 bracket. I'm looking forward to doing fewer 60min UT2 sessions though. 5lb to go!

[bob01]

Hi pleased to read you have found the responses to you question helpful, However, reading your latest addition to this thread it appears the original question did not reflect what you wanted.

PP and Muscle!!!

Why not reword the question and see where that takes us.

[pdduggan]

Hi bob

Thanks for reading and responding.

Once I reach my weight goal I want to change my training which is currently focused on long UT2 sessions with some sprint intervals. TPP looked interesting but I was worried about muscle loss if I wasn't doing any strength/resistance work as well. As it happens I think I've gone off the idea of TPP since I'm told it's focused on preparing for 2k races and I really want to just keep improving fitness more generally without any periodic goals.

Actually I think I've answered the original question by reading elsewhere that it's only while you're in calorie deficit that the possibility of burning muscle with cardio work becomes an issue (that was probably thunderingly obvious to everyone but me, but I did not know). Since I plan to be in balance once I reach my weight goal I think that my worries about muscle loss when following TPP (or any other cardio regime) were over nothing.

I'm convinced that I should be doing some strength work though, even if it's just bodyweight and some kettle bell and I'll be looking into the suggestions above. I'm still not sure exactly what I plan to do with the rower once I reach the magic number, but it will probably involve continuing with all-out 30s/90s x 8reps plus...something else. The something else needs to be less soul destroying than hour-long SS but that wasn't the subject of the thread.

[bob01]

Hi

Rowing is probably better than most aerobic type exercise and preventing muscle atrophy

I always, if I row, include some pressing exercises... even just various press-ups... narrow, normal?? wide .. and staggered... some shoulder work too.
Often I set up in my mind a little circuit of weights/machines.... nothing too elaborate or long.

Sometimes I do exercises that compliment the rowing action... leg press... dead lift .... ham curls and thigh extensions ... jumps ... some modified bent over rowing (not sure what it is called??) some back work * reverse crunch machine! then some sprints on the rower (keeping stroke long) and df high

I suppose that if meeting the LW restriction is a consideration this has to be factored in

[pdduggan]

That is interesting. Seems like a 'next step' rather than something I'd want to jump straight into as it means either an investment in equipment (and a space requirement) or a gym membership, but it's a good read. Bookmarked.

[bob01]

What i may suggest is joining a cheap gym.... just for the muscle

[pdduggan]

I have thought about that. Difficult politically though. The C2 purchase was approved only after lengthy negotiations, and even then long-term savings vs gym membership was a big factor in swinging it. C2 plus gym...? That's going to raise eyebrows. And probably voices.

[bob01]

Lol...
I suppose it depend what the difference in cost / getting there?? Between old gym and new one.

Same argument but now over a longer period.

I sure you can... Having done it one etc.

Is there any value to her of a 'buffed up' partner/husband

ATB

[pdduggan]

She claims not to be bothered. Oddly keen on anything with Hugh Jackman in it though.

[bob01]

Is there a HJ gym near you??/

[pdduggan]

Sorry, what's HJ?

[Allan Olesen]

Sorry, what's HJ?

My guess: A gym which has Hugh Jackman in it - something your spouse might be oddly keen on.