My workouts have been a bit all over the place lately. I try to get in at least 2 strong major muscle group workouts (back/tri & chest/bi) with Eric in each week, and by myself I’ve been going almost every day, focusing on muscle groups I’ve been neglecting.
The biggest areas that I’d like to improve are my legs and my midsection. I’ve been spending the most time working on the abs, obliques and lower back and while I’m seeing some good results, core workouts really are the worst. I don’t know if its that the ab muscles produce more lactic acid or what, but they hurt like hell when I work them, and I’m sore and hunched over when they’re recovering. Legs are also just unpleasant to workout (and recover from) and this is obviously why they’ve been neglected. But hopefully the extra time I’ve been putting in at the gym will pay off.
Like I’ve mentioned in previous posts, you need to have a low body fat percentage to notice even well developed abs. So along with keeping an eye on calories (particularly fat), I’ve been running on the treadmill for 1-2 miles every other day. Like ab and leg workouts, I hate running (and I have knee problems), but as its become a more regular part of my routine I’ve gotten used to it. I’ve found that the treadmill is one of the best ways to do cardio, because the belt is gonna move at the speed you set it at, and unlike the elyptical or bicycle machines, if you stop running you’re gonna get fucked up. Maybe next Spring I’ll have those ripped abs I’ve always wanted.
November 4th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
I’ve found yoga to be really good for working the core without ending up too sore. I noticed you mentioned cardio… I’m lifting heavy again, but the goal is still to keep the body fat low while building muscle. For those of us with a naturally small build, how important is cardio in keeping body fat low? Is it enough to just lift heavy and eat right, or is some level of cardio also necessary?
November 16th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
mike, diet’s the most important aspect of keeping body fat low, regardless of your body type. integrating cardio into a weight-lifting routine can help burn even more fat calories, and help build small stabilizer muscles at the same time. cardio’s also good for heart and your body’s overall health.