September 18, 2007
Don't Waste Your Life by Spending Too Much Time In The Gym
I was working out today, thinking about how I spend too much time in my gym! I see the same people every day, the same trainers, the same girls, etc. I like my gym, because it is in my comfort zone. I've trained there for over a year and I know where everything is. I get a great workout, but somehow I feel like I'm missing out on something.
Do You Want to Look Back on Your Life and Think of all The Time You Spent in a Gym?
In my golden years, I guess I don't want the majority of my memories to be telling some muscle-head to put his weights away. I want to meet people out in the "real world" and I guess I feel I'm limiting my exposure to a bigger variety of people. Do you guys ever feel like this?
Many of the Women I Find Attractive Don't Have Gym Memberships
In the past I've dated a lot of women who do things like run and Yoga, etc. I have never dated a woman I've met in the gym. I'm single again and I'm re-thinking me strategy a bit. Why not get fit, but do it in an environment where I enjoy the people I meet? I could still go to the gym, but mix it in with other activities.
Step out of Your Gym and Head Outside Every Now and Then!
I feel weird jogging outside. Isn't that funny? I have ran on a treadmill for so long that I'm not sure I could run on pavement…LOL! When I'm in a free-weight room I feel like a 3rd degree black belt. I have tons of experience and knowledge and I have a mastery over everything in the gym. The gym is my "comfort zone", but deep down I know that it would be good for me to workout outside of the gym every now and then!
Trading My Gym for "Mother Nature" Once a Week!
I give advice to people all the time which requires them to step out their comfort zone. I'm going to practice what I preach and and step out of my comfort zone. Once a week I will go outside for my cardio workout…maybe I'll run stairs or go to my high school track…or possibly run around the lake (I live near a beautiful lake in Seattle called Green Lake that has a jogging and bike trail around it).
Are Any of You "Gym Rats" Up to the Challenge?
I know I'm not the only person who is in a workout rut. If any of you haven't ran over 2 miles on "real pavement" for over a year…you qualify for my challenge. Will you trade one of your workouts in the gym each week for some type of outdoor workout? Please tell me I'm not the only person in this predicament…LOL!
Tags: Life Outside of the Gym, beautiful woman, cardio workout, dating advice, gym, gym rats, treadmill, workout outside, workout routine
Comments
September 18, 2007
Tyler Durden said:
I mix the gym and the track and i have to tell you that running on the treadmill is much easier than running on the track. When you're on the track you have to use the muscles in your legs much more then on the treadmill. This is because the treadmill does the job instead of you, your only task is just to "stay on it' and don't fall. On the track it's you who have to create the energy to reach a certain speed and not the "ground"!
It's hard to explain what i want to say since it's not really clear for me either!
C said:
Just wait until you start running outside – things like hills and stairs are going to be a huge surprise! I don't like treadmills so I only run outside, and I live in an extremely hilly area, so it's double the workout. Have fun!!
john said:
I love going rollerblading and swimming when the weather is nice.
Lester said:
I like running outside but can't do it too often as my knees really act up. Once or twice a week, I will walk briskly outside with 3 pound hand weights thru a wooded area with a nice trail… It really is a nice break from the gym.
I just wanted to say that I really like your website. Your articles on low back disorders/exercises were very interesting and I am now reading Stuart McGill's book on the subject. I was wondering if you might be able to put a piece together on a complete stretching routine and also if you could put an article together on leg strengthening exercises for people with knee pain.
Thanks so much for the great work.
admin said:
Lester,
Stuart McGill's book is a must for anyone with low back pain! Seriously…many physical therapists and physicians are making their clients backs worse by giving out the wrong advice.
Note: To anyone who doesn't know the story he's referring to:
Conquer Low Back Pain While Getting Fit
Lester…I also have a different take on stretching. I'll definitely write an article on that soon.
Knee pain…although I have never experienced knee pain…I know someone who has and I'll get that info into my blog soon.
Great requests,
Rusty
admin said:
C, Tyler, and John,
See…now you guys are making me feel bad! Just kidding…I do play sports outside, but I just haven't done any cardio workouts outside…in a while. I used to run hills about 4 years ago, but that was for only about 3 weeks.
I bet I'm going to be a bit sore after I run the stairs over at my local high school track.
The Master of the Treadmill,
Rusty
September 19, 2007
Angie said:
Running stairs is a killer, the treadmill is boring, and pretty much cardio is SO not my thing! I would so rather be bustin' ass doing strength training, whether it be bootcamp style outside or even just punching around the punching bag out in my gargage (which by the way is collecting a lil dust…time to get my butt out there).
Good post..wonderful fall weather here, definitely time to change it up and get outside!
September 20, 2007
admin said:
Angie,
Yeah…I remember running stairs when I was in high school…If I remember correctly it was one of the toughest cardio exercises ever! I need to get back to doing that type of stuff…I'm at the point where I can go full speed on any treadmill on a pretty steep incline…I have to get back to challenging myself with tougher cardio work.
Note: I don't like the slow and steady cardio stuff. I like Interval cardio, because it burns fat like crazy!
Rusty
April 2, 2008
Matt said:
Rusty,
So I ran on the beach for the first time last weekend. Such an awesome experience. It was in the morning so there wasnt many people out or anything like that. It was very peacful, especially when the runners high kicked in. But now my feet still hurt and I'm afraid to really push myself on cardio cause I dont want to make it worse. I ran barefoot like an idiot. Has this ever happened to you? When should I go back to intense cardio again, i miss it! Thanks
-Matt
admin said:
Matt,
You thought you were Abeba the barefoot marathon runner who won gold in the Olympics! I have torn my feet up big time by spending a day running along the beach. In fact, I do it all the time…I LOVE to Skimboard. So I'm familiar with the pain of sand tearing up the bottom of you feet.
[A Skimboard Video...if you don't know what that is. I grew up on a beach where this was big.]
Rusty
April 15, 2009
Joshua said:
Try hot yoga, there are hot fit girls there, and you get a freaking great work out and stretch.
Oh yeah, there are really sexy girls stretching all over the place.
August 14, 2009
Denise B said:
Funny, I can't run on a treadmill. I run outside, in all kinds of weather, on trails with roots and rocks, up flights of stairs, through mud or snow (but not on pavement – tough on the knees)…but I can't run on a treadmill.
Although, it would be nice in the dead of winter and summer.