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Why I Recommend Strength Training and NO Cardio If You're In A Startup

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Re: Why I Recommend Strength Training and NO Cardio If You're In A Startup

#11

Post by sequoia »

Do startup "hackers" really need their own fitness regimen? Are they really that set apart from the rest of the population and that similar to one another? Is there a startup person diet as well? This one-size approach doesn't make sense to me; it seems there are probably variations among startup people & their needs similar if not identical to the general population, for whom one work out plan will not fit all.

"Folks in tech tend to think... differently. They will often think in discrete parts, rather than holistically. (This is call 'neckbearding,' and it's done by people called 'neckbeards.')"

Sorry, male startup people. Maybe targeting startup people as a niche market for non-tech non-business related services is a good marketing move. Personally, I hope to never ride my Startup Bike™ to get a Startup Latte™ followed by a trip to the Startup Gym™. I expect to consume the same bikes, lattes, and gyms as the rest of the population. :)

Re: Why I Recommend Strength Training and NO Cardio If You're In A Startup

#12

Post by petercooper »

"What do you do for cardio? Lift weights faster." ;-) http://www.jensinkler.com/lift-weights-faster/

If you're not particularly fit then rigorous strength training including ballistic and plyometric activities will get you out of breath, increase heart-rate, and give you a serious workout while being a lot more fun than running on the spot. (But as always, different strokes for different folks..)

Re: Why I Recommend Strength Training and NO Cardio If You're In A Startup

#13

Post by dicktalens »

sequoia wrote: post #11

Do startup "hackers" really need their own fitness regimen? Are they really that set apart from the rest of the population and that similar to one another? Is there a startup person diet as well? This one-size approach doesn't make sense to me; it seems there are probably variations among startup people & their needs similar if not identical to the general population, for whom one work out plan will not fit all. "Fol…

>Are they really that set apart from the rest of the population and that similar to one another?

Yes. :) Lifestyle is one of the biggest factors into fitness regimen fit. The lifestyle of folks who work in tech/startups, especially with regards to variability, tend to be far different than your average working Joe.

Re: Why I Recommend Strength Training and NO Cardio If You're In A Startup

#14

Post by bengillies »

I'm not sure I understand the whole "The only exercise people should be doing is strength training" meme that seems to be going around at the moment. Can someone with more knowledge explain it to me?

It seems (to me at least) that some exercise is better than no exercise, and that more exercise (at least to an extent) is better than less exercise. It seems to me therefore, that people should find an exercise that they really enjoy (whether running, cycling, strength training, climbing, martial arts, etc) and do it. That way, they'll be doing something they enjoy and they'll do more of it.

It seems slightly disingenuous for "experts" to recommend that everyone drop everything else and just do one type of exercise as if everyone they're speaking to is exactly the same, has exactly the same goals and enjoys exactly the same stuff.

Are they targeting geeks/the HN crowd because geeks tend to favour the idea that there is one "right way" of doing something and are more likely to latch on to it?

Re: Why I Recommend Strength Training and NO Cardio If You're In A Startup

#15

Post by pvnick »

bengillies wrote: post #14

I'm not sure I understand the whole "The only exercise people should be doing is strength training" meme that seems to be going around at the moment. Can someone with more knowledge explain it to me? It seems (to me at least) that some exercise is better than no exercise, and that more exercise (at least to an extent) is better than less exercise. It seems to me therefore, that people should find an exercise that the…

Read this article for the answer http://startingstrength.com/articles/barbell_medicine_sulliv...

Fitness relativism is not acceptable. It leads people to live unhealthy, and, in some cases, shorter lives.

Re: Why I Recommend Strength Training and NO Cardio If You're In A Startup

#16

Post by EnderMB »

dicktalens wrote: post #13
sequoia wrote: post #11

Do startup "hackers" really need their own fitness regimen? Are they really that set apart from the rest of the population and that similar to one another? Is there a startup person diet as well? This one-size approach doesn't make sense to me; it seems there are probably variations among startup people & their needs similar if not identical to the general population, for whom one work out plan will not fit all. "Fol…

>Are they really that set apart from the rest of the population and that similar to one another? Yes. :) Lifestyle is one of the biggest factors into fitness regimen fit. The lifestyle of folks who work in tech/startups, especially with regards to variability, tend to be far different than your average working Joe.

But is it REALLY that different to a lot of office workers? Developers and startup types like to think that they are unique in having work hard for long periods of time, but they really aren't. Junior Lawyers work long hours, apprenticeship labourers work long hours, anyone involved in the creative process for digital agencies work long hours, teachers that are starting out work long hours. It's really no different to those careers, and they all seem to manage to exercise and have some form of social life just fine.

My first job was a startup, and the hours weren't much different to working in an agency (where I work now). I still manage to go to the gym three days a week, and I manage to get a run in every week.

Re: Why I Recommend Strength Training and NO Cardio If You're In A Startup

#17

Post by atdrummond »

pvnick wrote: post #4

Completely agree, this is very good advice. I wish I had more time to respond but I'm at risk of being late to work. Here's how you put forth the minimum amount of time commitment while deriving the greatest amount of benefit: -If you typically squat less than 270 pounds all the way down to parallel, do Starting Strength until you do [1]. -If you typically squat at least 270 pounds all the way down to parallel, do Ma…

What's the rationale for shifting programs right at 270 lbs? That seems somewhat arbitrary, at least more so than say 225 (2 45 lbs plates per side) or 315 (3 45s per side).

Re: Why I Recommend Strength Training and NO Cardio If You're In A Startup

#18

Post by pvnick »

atdrummond wrote: post #17
pvnick wrote: post #4

Completely agree, this is very good advice. I wish I had more time to respond but I'm at risk of being late to work. Here's how you put forth the minimum amount of time commitment while deriving the greatest amount of benefit: -If you typically squat less than 270 pounds all the way down to parallel, do Starting Strength until you do [1]. -If you typically squat at least 270 pounds all the way down to parallel, do Ma…

What's the rationale for shifting programs right at 270 lbs? That seems somewhat arbitrary, at least more so than say 225 (2 45 lbs plates per side) or 315 (3 45s per side).

http://www.exrx.net/Testing/WeightLifting/SquatStandards.htm...

Really it's somewhere between 250 and 300, but I chose 270 because 1) it's in the middle near where average-weight men would be and 2) starting strength just keep being good right up to around 300 pound squats.

Re: Why I Recommend Strength Training and NO Cardio If You're In A Startup

#19

Post by sopooneo »

A year ago, everyone in my office got memberships to a gym down the street. All the other guys had long discussions about what was best and this article and that one, including a lot of stuff about only doing strength training. I did the stuff that I found made me feel most refreshed and cleared my head best.

Now there are only two us that ever go anymore. I am fit. They are not. It must be remembered that the routine you design is not going to run on a cpu that will execute it exactly over and over without complaint. It runs on you, which in my case is much more fickle, and needs to be indulged a bit to keep going.

Re: Why I Recommend Strength Training and NO Cardio If You're In A Startup

#20

Post by landland »

As someone on leangains following a Reverse Pyramid Training program after Starting Strength, I agree that this is good general advice.

However, it IS general advice. "Cardio" is loosely defined, and can be anything from steady state (takes a longish time) to intervals (can be VERY quick) and anything in between. I'd be more inclined to say if you like to do it, be it basketball or gardening or running or whatever, then do it because you'll be more likely to stick with it.

I don't really buy the lack of time argument as a reason to not do something you enjoy that has health benefits. I see the argument here though, IF you believe you lack time (which I don't think you should believe) then MVF is a good way to go, but not the only option.

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