DebbieH and Starlight6 (ruth)

C

cinza

Active Member
How are the step ups going?
Suggestions?

i am not doing well with remembering to drink all the water... i need a water tank strapped on to me .. then i would just consume tons of it just because it was there.

i have been doing some variations of our step ups in my body scultping class.

every one else in the class uses 2 risers... but i have raised my bench to 4 risers .... This way anything i do from the top of the bench lands up working like the step ups. The instructor works us laterally, making movements from the side instead of in front of us (like the step ups we have agreed on for this one month challenge.)

here is what we do, you might like it too ..(i hope i manage to make sense)

-Standing on the top of your bench or stool in a sqat you can take one foot and tap the floor diagonally behind you and return it to the top ... do not shift your weight around or body up and down... look as if you are doing nothing but tapping that foot on the floor and bench ..!
i love this one... it looks like nothing is going on...ha!

- Standing on the top of your bench in a bit of a sqat you can do a tap the floor as just described then stand straight up bringing the tapping knee to chest and repeat tap, then chest working that standing glute up and down like crazy...
- you can also do this with an abduction...(leg will go out to side then pull in .. tap, send leg out to side, straighen up, bring leg in, sqat, tap etc..

i did these with 8 pounds in each hand... sometimes doing flies with my arms, or tricepts kick backs or an upward push ....
THEN, i came home and did several sets of straight on step ups with 12 pounds in each hand.....
I am not resting between my first two sets.

i read if you shorten your rest you intensify the work out... I am looking forward to trying 15 lbs....

cinza
 
Hi Cinza!

Sorry it's taken me awhile to get back to you. I have been out of town. Thanks for sharing some ideas. I need to copy them off and go downstairs and see if I can figure out what you suggested. My step-ups and downs are going well. I've been faithful with my 3X/week plan. I will be doing my 3rd. set today if I can get off this machine!:7 I'm not quite the powerhouse you are though! Whew! I'll tell you what, they make me breathe just as hard as doing plyo-jax! Great bio and pix of you! I would never have guessed you at 49 like Cyndie said. Keep up the great work & I'll be looking forward to the updated photos of you!

Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH :)
"If You Get The Chance To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!"
 
RE: Hi Cinza!

I figured you were out of town, i hadnt seen anything new by you on the board!!

yep those step ups are good for the heart rate! I love the level of breathing.. its just hard enough to think you are doing some good without being painful! The legs feel like that too...

I need a set of 15 lb dumbells this week! last week i got my buddy to buy me 12 lb chrome...
I figure as i earn them i can afford them!
 
RE: Hi Cinza!

Cinza, you certainly do motivate me to do better! Actually of all the things I'm trying to do the step-ups are the easiest because I just love doing them! I don't know why, they've just always been a favourite. However - wow, you are doin it! I never thought of those variations (I've done some variety but not much). I will definitely be giving them a try though.

I am still doing 10 lbs. because I always go 2 weeks without making any weight change on any exercise, & then I can go faster if it seems right. This coming week I will try upping the weights & when I get my high step I will be going up in height.

Debbie H - how you doing girl? We've missed you around here - I've drifted in & out, not posting much until today, but I noticed your absence! Hope it was a nice trip. Have to run - husband is bugging me to get dressed for dinner with the dreaded mother in law! I'm joking, I think. Take care guys!
 
RE: Hi Ruth!

I was wondering how you were doing with the step ups. :)

I love them too!
They are the right kind of work.. hard ..and feel good.


I hate push ups !!
i cant get my chest to the ground most days..
I would join anyone wanting to make a push up plan.

:)
 
RE: Hi Ruth!

I was wondering how you were doing with the step ups. :)

I love them too!
They are the right kind of work.. hard ..and feel good.


I hate push ups !!
i cant get my chest to the ground most days..
I would join anyone wanting to make a push up plan.

:)
 
Thanks Ruth!

How nice of you! I've missed being here! It seems like my life has been a whirlwind lately, but a GOOD whirlwind. I've had the oppportunity to spend some extra time with my daughter this past two weeks and we are going back up to Cleveland to meet them tomorrow for an Indian's game. (GO TRIBE!!!!) Glad to hear your step-ups are going well. I like doing them also, but whew, baby, they make me breathe!:-tired I'm hoping to start seeing some results "back-there" soon! Did you survive dinner out? Have a great Mother's Day!

Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH :)
"If You Get The Chance To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!"
 
IS less More?

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON May-13-01 AT 10:11AM (Est)[/font][p]I was looking at the tall box on the firmbelievers.com site.. to check on form..
and they say
TOTAL Repetitions: 24-36 per leg..
http://firmbelievers.com/tallbox.html

Does that mean we Should not do more if we like?

Is less more?!
i have been doing "too much is never enough"


I tried to copy the infor from the firm page but it would not allow me to select it...

no one nibbled at the push up bait!! (whew! i was worried)
But if anyone does..
Just holler: drop and give me 10!

Happpy Mother's or choose your own Favorite Others Day!
 
RE: IS less More?

Hi Cinza & Debbie H!

I don't know if less is more, Cinza. I'm the type who always thinks more is better & more than that is better yet! It can get me into trouble though. Anyone have an opinion on this?

Ok,OK - I hate pushups too!! I can do proper form (modified) but I can never get down to the level Cathe wants us at! :-tired What is your challenge? Does it mean I'll have to do pushups? LOL You tell us what you want to try & I'm game. By the way, does anyone know where I can get the pushup handles Cathe uses on MIS?

Debbie, thank you for your nice note! I'm glad you're able to spend time with your daughter, I know she needs you right now. I'm sure you're both getting very excited! Enjoy your game, I will envy you as I love going to baseball games. Hope your Tribe wins for you - even more fun when they win! (We won't discuss my team.) Do you want to do pushups with us?

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers out there, I know for a fact you all deserve it!

[marquee]Hey Cinza! DROP & GIVE ME 50!! (ok 10!)[/marquee]
 
i did it !!

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON May-13-01 AT 01:04PM (Est)[/font][p][marquee]i did it !![/marquee]

the marquee works on my friends computer but not on mine at home?????
this is the first time i have seen one rolling.

I dropped for 10... whew!

my first one went to the floor and up again... but after that i made alot of indelicate noises and just managed 10 !
what a wimp!
my partner was incredulous as i ran from the computer and dropped to the floor!


I would love to get that command once a day ... with an occasional hitch...

Psh up handles: what are they for?
they make it possible to go deeper or change the angle on the wrist?

I use my dumbells like the the push up handles... not because i go low, but i wonder if its better on the wrists.

I have seen handles at all the sporting good stores where i live and on line.
try Troy... (Troy.com??)
they sent me a catalog and i saw some in there... I also saw some better prices on body bars than i have seen anywhere else.


THANKS!! I really smiled when i saw the marquee!

how about you Debbie...are you up for some push ups?
would 10 a day be a good thing?
 
RE: i did it !!

Hi Cinza, I'm glad to hear you made it through 10 - so did I, but I made some pretty strange noises too! My nieces are absolutely sure now that I am crazy.

Cathe says on MIS that the handles are for the wrists - puts less stress on them. You could definitely use them to change your angle if you wanted to. But what a great idea, to use the dumbells! I never thought of that. Sometimes an answer is right under my nose! I have also always used a moderately light dumbell to support my neck during crunches. I think it was Margaret Richard who gave me that idea. It adds some intensity too, obviously.

Oh and also Cathe says on MIS that if you use the handles only go down to the level of the handles, not below it. If you don't use them go down to the floor. :-tired

Ruth
 
RE: i did it !!

i have questions concerning selecting a set of dumbells on another string

someone wrote to me that she likes her hex dumbells for doing push ups!

so not only is the answer under your nose...
but its every where ever you look!

Is it time for another 10 yet?

10 a day sounds good to me... i like that .. not too much but a good start ... pretty soon i will be saying
"Hey Ruth I love those push ups, dont they feel great!!!... (right?) ;)
 
Hey Ruth & Cinza!

Good to hear from you! I'll join you on the push-ups but I question doing them every day?? I know your muscles need a break to recover and that would include chest muscles. How about maybe 3x/week (or 4) not on consecutive days? We could always increase the amount to say, 15? Just a thought, take it or leave it!;-) I will give it a try and see if it stresses my elbow. If so, I MAY drop out on you!

Cinza~Ruth is right as far as the push-up handle bars. They take stress off your wrists. They are available at most sporting goods stores that sell weights. I have them but at times have also just used my hex dumbbells. BTW, Cinza, I LOVE my hex dumbbells. They just feel right to me and they look more professional then the plastic covered ones, but that doesn't mean that the plastic ones don't work just as good. I think it is just preference.

Ruth~How do you use a dumbbell for crunches? Do you just craddle it behind your neck holding onto both ends?

[marquee]Okay, you two, drop and do 15!!!!!!!!!!!![/marquee]

Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH :)"If You Get The Chance To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!"
 
RE: Hey Ruth & Cinza!

Ruth what do you think on doing a few more push ups 3 times a week?

Thats the good advice..

I do pushups twice a week in my class work out ... total of 24 each workout.. its not a pretty sight.
... ( I always consider leaving class early when its time to do them, i hate them!...which of course means DO EM!

i was thinking 10 everyday because its small enough number not to really make me tired or sore... but maybe enough build my confidence and get me little closer to the ground before i make a serious attack on them.

i have a shoulder injury which doesnt stop me from doing them but Might explain why i am so much weaker on my pushups than anyone else i see.. i just about break myself trying to do good form.

So..
I can do it either way.. i will just do my best!

Take care
and shoot me a "give me 10" anytime just for the fun of it anyway!
I like to laugh all the way to the foor!
 
RE: Hey Ruth & Cinza!

Hi Cinza! Hi Debbie!

Just got home from work a little while ago, & tired to the bone! Too tired to eat but had to check the forum - you guys are so much fun - 15 pushups???!!! Okay, I'll try, but if I collapse in a heap on the floor...:)

Cinza, I don't like to do any exercise every day if possible, but if that's how you want to start, more power to you! I agree with Debbie though, as my understanding is that the muscle does not improve when you work it, but improves only when you rest it after working it. I can't wait to try it with my dumbells tomorrow!

Debbie I use the dumbells for straight-forward type crunches in just the manner you described. I can rest my head/neck on the dumbell which seems to help me put more effort into the crunch. It doesn't really work for too many of the variations, but c'est la vie.

Cinza, I'll be looking forward to the day when you say you love doing those pushups!! I don't know what makes it harder for some people than others, but I have a friend in the biz who tells me it's hard for many people. (24???!!!) :-tired

Must sleep! Take care, Ruth
 
RE: Hey Ruth & Cinza!

OK!!
i am going to do it your way with you guys......I know you are right!! and being sooo old i need my rest!

I am kinda tired this morning ... things hurt..
sometimes that happens because I Dont do anything ...rather than because I did do something..

But then hormones can effect the energy level.. I know i my muscles get totally weak during parts of the cycle.....
Does that happen to you?

anyhow by the time i do my bodysculpting (which includes pushups) i should be zipping.....after class i walk home 2.5 miles and do step ups! I think the walking is probably very good after all that squatting and plie work.

How you all doing the step ups?
i dont have 15 lb dumbells yet...and thats probably way better than having them for me at the moment.
I might do 10s today.

take care
time for coffee......(its morning here!)

[marquee]Thanks both of you!!![/marquee]

i cant see any marquee today.. but i just put one up
 
RE: Hey Ruth & Debbie!

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON May-15-01 AT 10:00PM (Est)[/font][p][font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON May-15-01 AT 09:26 PM (Est)[/font]

Did we take any measurements before we started this?

i did, but i have no idea what i did with them and how i decided what to measure..
i thought i wrote the numbers online here.....

anyhow.
whew..
i just did my sculpting class and did a million step ups on about 12 inches there with weights...and sqats with weights and lunges with weights..... then i came home and did OUR step ups till i couldnt do any more!

i always use a mirror so i can check form... and i can see that my backside really works while doing the step ups.. looks good too!

i am also doing deadlifts and seeing very strong shape as i stand up from the lift .....

I usually read deadlifts are for hamstrings and making definition under the glutes...
but i have also read they are great for glutes if you use the glutes with intention.
This months muscle fitness mag has a section on glutes.... no step ups though..
so much fun
so much fun that i wrote that and went and did a few sets of deadlifts with my new :-jumpy troy barbell!!
but

But I still HATE pushups!!
i barely could go a few inches today.
I like my pilates pushups... i do 9 of them twice a week along with the sculpting class pushups.
PILATES PUSHUP-
You stand, drop you head and roll the spine down till your hands touch the floor... then walk them out 1,2,3,4 till you hit the push up position... then 1,2,3 down and 1 count up... repeat 3 times then walk your hands back to your feet (try not to waddle the butt) and slowly roll up... stretch arms up...

do this whole thing 3 times...
 
Hey Cinza!

I did measure before I started but need to locate where I put my notes also! I just got down and tried just one set of your Pilates Push-ups! WHEW! :-tired Of course, I just finished PS-CS &T so that could explain the fatigue. I am not crazy about push-ups either. They are just plain hard for me-the goin' down is okay~it's the comin' back up that gets me! I try real hard to have great form when performing any type of strength work but my form on push-ups isn't a pretty site after the first few. I will perservere though. Practice makes perfect! How do you like your Troy barbell? There is just something about having a barbell that makes one feel sooo professional. I also use a mirror for form. I can't say that my backside looks good yet, though! LOL! Good job on all your hard work. You wear me out reading about it.

Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH :) "If You Get The Chance To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!"
 
Hi Ruth!

I hope you got some sleep. Looks like you work late hours! Thanks for the description on your "dumbbell crunches". I'll give it a try tomorrow.

I agree~push-ups are just harder for some people. I consider myself an advanced exerciser but push-ups get me. I tried something a couple of years ago in my classes. My daughter was getting married and my dress was cut in at the shoulder area. I told my students that I had to work real on the lil' bulge that sticks out of your bra(between the bra & shoulder) I call them "Bra-Bubbles":7. Anyways, that session, we started off with 16 push-ups the 1st. day and added only 1 extra push-up each class for a total of 20 classes which means we worked up to 35 push-ups nonstop by the end of the session (10 week period) IT WORKED!!! No more bra bubbles! Well, that was two years ago and I need to get back to working off those bra bubbles again! This is probably more then you wanted to know. Just thought I'd share this with you & Cinza as us 3 are trying to keep from hitting the floor face first.

Step-ups & downs are going well for me. I've stayed consistent. I will be doing my second series for the week tomorrow. Keep up the good work guys!

Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH :)
"If You Get The Chance To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!"
 
RE: The Troy!

I like my Troy but i have to get more plates! I think i have it finished with off with 40 lb ... I LOVE the rubber coated plates...that was why i chose it. Rubber plates cost way more than the regular ones so it think this was a good deal...all in all..(except i dont know what i paid for shipping..i am afraid to find out)


The snap collar has to be pinched .. i was afraid it was going to be too hard for my hand...(i have carpel tunnel... as well as a shoulder injury.....14 years of it.) But i can do it without problems...
funny I can really push it with certain weights and moves and then cant do small little things without pain.

I like having a barbell...?
great to look at in my exercise room.
but
I havent done a whole workout with it yet... i just do deadlifts.. I think its good quality for light weights.

I might like another barbell that is heavier also.

I think its fine not being padded... i can add some if i like for shoulder work....

I have a bodybar also ...only 12 but i love playing with it.... i use it for stretching ..(i make stuff up with it)
i love the padding on that. I want another body bar too!

Today I go to the coast to look at driveways at some gated community... . My partner has an traffic engineering firm, we go around making little reports on all sorts of concerns dealing with neigborhood traffic, intersections and developments.

Today we go to the ocean... Clam chowder for lunch... wind in the hair.
:)
take care.
 
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