#743

My options for location are easygym and pure gym, so very chain-y. Tbh I think I would find a women only gym as intimidating as one full of muscly guys (I consider myself non-binary/agender and have always felt incredibly nervous in woman’s spaces… but that is a whole different bunch of anxieties).

Everyone’s replies are very helpful, I think it just confirms that they probably aren’t for me, any level of background music is a big issue for me (don’t think I could exercise with headphones to block it either) and fluorescent lights are too fatiguing as well for that amount of time.

Need to figure out some home exercise I guess :+1:

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#744

Are there any local sports/cricket grounds nearby to you? They sometimes have gyms that the public can use as well, would be a whole different vibe with no loud music or anything. Might work out more expensive, but worth the extra cost?

#745

I don’t think there is anything close enough. The advantage of the ones I had thought of was that they are right there for after I drop my son off, so I wouldn’t have any extra cost or stress of extra journeys to get to them.

Really cycling is my preferred exercise but it gets difficult logistically on those days because I can’t take my bike with me when I drop R off, so by the time I get home it becomes difficult to really plan it properly. That’ll be a lot easier once he starts school to fit in though, just need something else to be my main thing until September!

#746

you’re probably right, dunno if it’d be for you based on what you’re saying.

but you can always just swing by and ask for a tour and that will let you know what it’s like. its free and you wouldn’t need to get changed or do any exercise stuff, just have a 5 minute nosey around. don’t think you would need to book it either, just show up the next time you’re passing.

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#747

Would the outdoor gyms you see at some parks or jogging home after dropping off R be ok options?

#748

I’m not so much a running fan, don’t like the impact of it so much. Outdoor gym would be cool but I haven’t seen anything like that around here. Maybe I could just use the mini climbing wall at the kids playground :grinning:

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#749

If there are any yoga classes near you (especially in the gyms you’re thinking about) they might be a good introduction, often they will dim the lights and music and the pace is slower at least at the start. The PureGym I go to charges an extra £2 per class but you might also be able to find pay-as-you-feel classes or introductory offers so you can try it without spending a ton

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#755

I would love to do this too, I’ve always had a belly. Even when I lost loads of weight and was skinny everywhere else I still had a paunch.

Think it’s just one of those genetic things, :pensive:. I always think if I get properly fit again I’d treat myself to a personal trainer to see if they could help shift it, but no way I’ll ever be actually arsed :slightly_smiling_face:

Sorry!

#756

My current tactic is doing all the abs exercises on ring fit as much as possible until i actually hate myself :sweat_smile:

#760

I fucked up my plan to cycle to work one way and run the other way, by running to work and forgetting I had no bike in work, so ran home too. Now my heel is incredibly sore. Has been like that for a month now with no sign of healing. Is that what happens when you run?

(it is about 5k from my house to my work so only did 10k in total that day)

#761

are your shoes fucked? i was getting a sore heel once and it turned out my shoes were fucked

they looked fine

nb: im not a runner and know fuck all about running

#762

Idk. They are not that old and look okay? I am not a runner and know fuck all about running.

Some of the rubbery bits on the soles keep coming off which is annoying.

They are awful bright coloured HOOKA or HOKKA or something like that.

#763

Running?
Annoyingly it’s probably something only cardio can get rid of?

#764

Have you thought about some kind of yoga/barre/pilates? They’ll be more chilled and low key environment but I find barre and pilates super challenging.

oh I see @nemrac has already suggested this!

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#766

My top button on my work shirt used to cut off my blood and at the end of the day I’d be lightheaded but now it’ does up fairly easily.

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#767

Yeah, I sometimes do that. Have two kettle bells and a cheapo matt - keep them under the stairs. Usually do it when my wife is out and son is in bed. Quite like it - stick Channel 4 news on and can do it barefoot with just shorts on and not have anyone complain.

#768

Pretty tired after 4 consecutive days of commuting by bike. First time I’ve done it in about 18 months and probably about 40 miles in total for the week.

I probably need to start taking it a bit easier with the gears really, don’t I.

#769

“spinning is winning”, as they say

seriously though, you probably just need to let your body get used to it. in my experience, it doesn’t take too long for you to get used to an increase in exercise as long as you don’t absolutely cane it when you’re starting fresh. go easy on yourself in the meantime.

i’ve trained my body to be fine with a 120km week commute, plus an additional ~200-300km at the weekend, so if i can get used to that, anyone can.

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#770

Yeah, for sure!

Realised yesterday that spinning/taking it easier really doesn’t take longer time wise either, so will be smarter about it from now on. :slight_smile:

#771

Finished the Tour de Zwift over the weekend :smiley: Did the long distance group ride in all 7 stages (~ 240 km and 3,500m of elevation in total), and although they’re not supposed to be races the folk at the front certainly treated them as such. I decided to push hard too and did pretty well - improving from placing in the top 45% in Stage 1 to the top 25% in Stage 7. Was great to ride virtual models of actual courses ridden by the professionals too. I’ve hit 3 W/kg now (225W at 75.7 kg), which in practice meant I struggled to keep up with groups on the flat but hared past them on the climbs. Attacking on short and steep climbs is definitely my strength ATM, but climbing in general is where I passed people on the virtual road.

New goals:

  • Keep improving my FTP (dunno what’s realistic by year’s end, but closer to 3.5 W/kg would be nice; I’ve got two more weeks of an FTP builder programme to go, then I’ll retest)

  • Attempt the Alpe du Zwift (after a couple of easier weeks!)

  • Try some Zwift races (currenly on the border between their cat C and D)

  • Unlock the Tron bike in Zwift (50,000 metres elevation gained - I’m about 26% there ATM)

  • Get outside as soon as the weather allows!

  • Get as close as I can to a sub-3 hour ride round Arran by the end of summer (I managed 3h20 last year after 6 months of cycling, so hopefully I’ve still got plenty of improving to do)

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