October 5, 2012

Training in an unfamiliar place ... the gym

I generally feel like I can hold my own when it comes to athletic endeavors. I can run (duh). I can play softball and volleyball. I can throw a football (a spiral even) and run a route to catch a pass. I can dribble and shoot a basketball.

But put me in a gym (away from the cardio machines), and I am completely lost. I don’t know what to do with weights or how to stretch. I don’t know the proper form. I don’t know the proper terms. I feel completely out of my element.

So, last night was completely comfortable for me.

Actually it was … well except for that last set of push-ups. 


Ack! Uncomfortable arms!

Last night was my first session with Chris from Peak Wellness. We went through some moves I’ll be doing in Phase 1 of my program. He was patient. And explained and demonstrated things … many, many times. And he was the reason I was comfortable in an unfamiliar environment.

We started with foam rolling (I hear great things about this, but I don’t do it … err, until now – it’s on my plan) and rolling calves with tennis balls. They both felt awesome in an “ahh, this hurts but it feels so good” way.

Then, things got serious: push-ups, split squats and cross leg-ankle rock (without the crossing of the legs and rocking). I did three sets with eight reps of each (look at me use these new terms).


Feels so good on the calves

Next up: band pullbacks, single-leg dead lifts and side-lying clams. I did three sets of each with 20 reps of the pullbacks (which got surprisingly hard … does pulling on a band sound hard?) and eight reps of the dead lifts and clams.

The fun part of the night: medicine ball slams. I slammed a medicine ball into the ground as many times as I could for 30 seconds. I did three sets with 30 seconds of rest in between. 


Now this is fun ... but my arms hurt

We wrapped up with stretching that felt pretty darn good. I was even familiar with one of the stretches. 


I do this after every run.

It's pretty cool to know that I have a program made for me. The things I did last night (and will continue to do) all support my goal of becoming a better runner. 


Do you feel comfortable with weights? Do you know what to do? Do you use a foam roller? Have you ever had a session with a trainer? Do you like push-ups?

7 comments:

  1. Great job...I do like weights but not dead lifts and things like that...I prefer to use resistance bands and light 5-10lb weights...I enjoy working out hard..I feel more accomplished when I do that...

    http://runningsurvivor.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Weight rooms scare me. I don't know what to do so I don't do them at all. Can you send this guy my way? Does he have any friends in Cleveland that are willing to help me out? Also, are those Brooks Dyads on your feet?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are Brooks Adrenaline 11. They are retired running shoes, but work for the gym. I LOVE Brooks!

      Delete
  3. I am also completely lost in a gym. I tried many times but ... only failures. Better running, swimming, biking ecc.
    Hi from Italy

    ReplyDelete
  4. That is awesome! I feel intimidated in weight rooms and feel like I have no idea what I am doing. Looks like you did a great job!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great job!! I actually love weights. I know, I'm a weirdo.
    I do use my foam roller but I really hate it. It hurts so bad! I guess it's good for me though. At least that's what they say. ;)

    ReplyDelete

Comments rock!