People at the Gym and their physiques not changing

[cjbate]

My husband recently returned to workouts at his gym after a several year absence. His recent comment was that a number of the folks..."regulars", people he sees there ANYTIME he goes to the gym (he goes in the early ams) on any given day....and did several years ago....still, now, 2 years later, look exactly the same! They were ...two years ago/are currently.... probably there 5 to 6 days a week without fail, and yet they still have not shown signs of improvement. Beer guts, etc. Still no more muscle tone. Both men and women. His question was....why? What are they doing wrong? Any opinions?

My answer was...diet...ruining it in 15 ill-spent minutes in their kitchens etc....or, not pushing themselves enough. For example, in a few group exercise classes I have taken there, the group weight lifting ones....I try and push myself so that I cannot finish the set the instructor is doing. I start to feel a little wimpy because I notice that the other students can easily (too easily is my point) finish their sets w/the instructor leads. They smile their way through and I am the only one grunting and groaning and having to take breaks part way through the set because I tried to increase my weights that day.

Jen

 

[shelia]

you hit the nail on the head diet and intensity.you have to push yourself (at least I do ) to see changes.It wasn't until I upped my wt on a regular basis (everytime I can do 8 reps with the wt)that I started seeing changes in a shorter amount of time.after I finally figured out what I needed my body did a 360.I have always been strong but the muscle tone came later.I am hard on myself if I don't feel as if I gave 100% with every workout and improve the next go around.If I am going to spend a hour working out it will be intense}(

 

[toastythemosty]

I guarantee you that those people who have not improved are eating pizza and drinking beer! If I cheat, I cannot get away with it and doesn't look like they are getting away with it either. HA!
As far as working out goes, I know how you feel. I have times when I cannot keep up with Cathe and her group. The hardest part for me is the flyes (shoulder work). I cannot use the 8 lbs for those. Uh, no. I hate to use the word "can't" , but physically impossible for me right now. Just work as hard as you can and not worry about if you can keep up or not. You will eventually catch up if you keep going. I know I will.

Charlotte~~;-)

 

[Jacque1038]

I think many fitness myths hurt many people's progrss. For example many people feel that if they eat poorly it is not big deal because they can "make it up" by exersing. Also since many women are afraid they are going to bulk up they do high reps with low weights in hopes of becoming toned but not buff.

 

[Imafitnessfreak]

You all are very right about everything...those woman probably take a lot of pride in being able to finish the reps with the instructor...not realizing they are doing too little.

Also, just becaue those people are in the gym for an hour (or whatever) doesn't mean they are working out for an hour (or whatever). I think many people waste a lot of time being social, taking too long of breaks between sets and just not pushing!

The eating thing is so true, too! Six years ago I *thought* I was eating pretty darn healthy, heck, last year I thought I was eating healthy. I did not know 6 years ago what I knew last year, and I did not know last year what I know now. O.k., maybe I knew it a little bit but damn, it takes me forever to listen!!!

 

[Imafitnessfreak]

Charlotte, can you do a few shoulder flys with 8 pounds? If you can get just a few out using the 8's, keep 5's by your feet and switch. I want you to try...o.k.? Even if it's just one or two, then grab the lighter weight.

 

[shelia]

That is how I progress I may only be able to do 1 rep with x amount of wt I just drop the wt to a lighter wt and continue before to long you will be doing all of the reps.I try to stay for muscle building between 4-8 reps it doesn't sound like alot of reps but for me it is.keep at it you will progress.as for diet-today I have ate like a horse:9 mexican -along with a drink}( can't help it along with my other meals.But based on past experience I will probaly be down a pound or two tommorrow-after I have a little binge I lose wt.so I figure my body is telling me something.I have been soda free diet or regular since Jan. yaaaaa for me.

edited for spelling

 

[dmd]

I know what your DH means Jen. I too have a gym membership and notice the same thing. You know how I look at them though? I have had this membership for more than 7yrs and there are ladies in my kickbox class that look the same way they did when I started going there. No, they don't look like Cathe or Jai..( few do except the ladies here who are commited, oh so commited to Cathe and or their running or other sport), however, they have maintained good fitness through these years. That's impressive to me! I know so many people who are not interested in working out as hard as alot of us here do. They go to the gym, or take their walks and eat right ( maybe not super "clean" just well) and maintain their weight. Hey, thats great in my book

 

[toastythemosty]

Sarah- I'm gonna have to make an awful face to do shoulder flys with 8's, but since your challenging me, I have to now! LOL
I really appreciate the encouragement, your very sweet! Fried my arms today as I decided to do Power Hour so will do the flys on friday and enjoy "my outer body experience" with the 8's.
I'll let you know how it goes.

Charlotte~~

 

[Imafitnessfreak]

Charlotte, I know what you mean about "outer body experience".. I had a few of those this morning while matching Cathe on some (not all)weights during Muscle Max...I think it was shoulders too! Keep trying and tell me how it goes. Try not to pop a vein in your forehead!

DMD, You have a very good point. Maintaining a good physical state is a good thing...great, actually. Far too few do that at all, with over weight and obese people making up the majority of our population. There are different levels of fitness and not everyone desires the look of Oxygen Magazine cover girls. As for myself, I've never been able to do anything "just a little bit". I tend to "go all out". You should have seen me the week I baby proofed the house!:7

 

[cjbate]

Good point DMD.

You've got great delts, Imafitnessfreak! I would love to get my shoulders looking that way. I am not much above 8 lbs on side delts either...seems like as I go heavier, I see the results more in my rhomboids (upper back muscles that go up into your neck? I think I have the right term?) and I don't like the look. I am trying to use good form. I am not sure what the problem is. I have a very small frame. Narrow. Maybe it is somewhat of an illusion....the rhomboid problem.