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Ask HN: I hate gym. How to stay in shape?

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Re: Ask HN: I hate gym. How to stay in shape?

#211

Post by pkulak »

car wrote: post #103

Indoor rowing on a Concept2 rower has been my solution to keeping in shape. I usually row for 30-40 minutes 3 times a week at a low load. It’s a compound exercise, working the legs, core and upper body muscles (87% of all muscles supposedly) while sparing the joints. Also very convenient, no need to get dressed like for the gym or running. It took months to get up to speed with a lot of initial back pain, but the str…

I use an exercise bike, and ride about 40 minutes a day, but only because that's what was there. I've always thought about replacing it with a rower, since that works so much more of the body.

Re: Ask HN: I hate gym. How to stay in shape?

#212

Post by sebastianconcpt »

Do not discuss with Gym (or you'll be shooting your foots). Going to the effing gym is the only way. You'll develop taste for it when you start to learn from the positive feedback of seeing results. Take 3 private weelkly photos (same three angles, front side and back in underwear). If you're dieting right you will see very modest consistent progress.

Diet is 70% of your results, gym is 30%.

BTW, you should gym hard as if it's the end of the world.

In 3 years you'll unrecognizable. Atlethic as F*.

Fail and you will be in a worst place than you're right now, regarding to shape of course.

Re: Ask HN: I hate gym. How to stay in shape?

#214

Post by minimoose »

Kettle bells swings are the single most efficient way to get a full body workout.

Pavel's kettlebell workout https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKx8xE8jJZs

JRE - Pavel's talking about kettle bells https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWESVqOwMHw

Other things to consider:

Saunas are great. 20 mins 60 degrees C per Dr. Rhonda Patrick foundmyfitness recommendations.

There are tons of yoga videos you can follow along with on youtubes.

Eat healthy and get plenty of sleep. Good luck ^^

Re: Ask HN: I hate gym. How to stay in shape?

#215

Post by mecha_ghidorah »

You can buy some free weights at home, and do things even without equipment beyond some dumbbells and a barbell plus plates which don't take up loads of space. Floor press is a reasonable substitute for bench, you can squat without a rack by only squatting with a weight you are comfortable lifting over your head especially if you have a family member who can spot you, or failing that do something like kettlebell squats. You can get a skipping rope for cardio you can do in your yard/on your balcony.

Sure you're probably going to have a hard time getting as ripped as an action star in a modern movie or a full on bodybuilder, but you can absolutely manage to be in pretty decent shape.

I work out at home, and that is my set up and I am genuinely in better shape than most of my friends

Re: Ask HN: I hate gym. How to stay in shape?

#216

Post by duped »

mistymountains wrote: post #205
duped wrote: post #200

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I live in a 2,000 sqft house with an attached garage and barely have room for that and an exercise bike. I definitely didn't have space in my last 750 sqft apartment.

Right, but you have room for a television and multiple couches etc. Give me a break.

You're right, we do - we don't have a lonely spartan lifestyle. If you ever live with a partner, have kids, entertain, have hobbies, work from home... floor space and storage come at a premium.

Re: Ask HN: I hate gym. How to stay in shape?

#217

Post by syntheweave »

Quadrupedal movement(i.e. crawling), a resistance band routine and pullups will hit everything strength and mobility-wise, and cost and weight are close to nothing relative to a full gym. For pushing the intensity even further you can add a weighted vest or just stuff a backpack with books, with some padding to keep it stable. But you only want to do all of that a few times a week max, because it's very strength-focused and will overtrain you quickly if you let it; for the majority of sessions, a warm up to work through any stiff joints, and then cardio, is the right amount.

For cardio, it's a matter of "pick your poison". Some people like the bike or rowing, some have found a traditional sport they can practice like shooting a basketball, or a video game like DDR, Beat Saber or Ring Fit. Many people have gone for a treadmill desk or stepper machine. If you're doing boxing, maybe the classic speed bag and jump rope will do the trick.

Re: Ask HN: I hate gym. How to stay in shape?

#218

Post by dangom »

Saw this on a separate thread the other day:

"Get some weights. Pick up the weights. Put down the weights. Eat healthy food." There is no real secret. No need for a gym to do those.

But now more seriously - I'd suggest just getting a pull up bar. You can then do pull-ups in addition to push-ups, squats and some core work, and that'll hit all of the main muscle groups. You can do that at home.

Re: Ask HN: I hate gym. How to stay in shape?

#219

Post by ostenning »

dangom wrote: post #218

Saw this on a separate thread the other day: "Get some weights. Pick up the weights. Put down the weights. Eat healthy food." There is no real secret. No need for a gym to do those. But now more seriously - I'd suggest just getting a pull up bar. You can then do pull-ups in addition to push-ups, squats and some core work, and that'll hit all of the main muscle groups. You can do that at home.

A finger board is also great if you are interested in rockclimbing. I’ve got one installed just above my kitchen door and I have to pay the “Troll Toll” to enter the kitchen ;)
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