super calisthenics - Page 2

**Lady C** · 12-Dec-05, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikhemm

would it be advisable to separate lifting weights and calisthenics of different days?

Yes, I would try to do two lifting days per week minimum.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikhemm

Also, what is the benefit of lifting weights besides simply becoming stronger?

By building more muscle mass your metabolism stays high and you stay heathlier long term. You lose muslce mass after reaching age 30. Those are the biggest reasons.

mikhemm · 12-Dec-05, 08:37 PM

Thanks Lady C. When I do separate lifting and calisthenics, let's say if I do calisthenic exercises for my chest, shoulders, and biceps, should I lift weights for thos same muscle groups the day after? Or should i wait several days? If so, would it be advisable to lift weights for my chest, biceps, and shoulders on one day (monday) and do calisthenics for my triceps and back the proceeding day (tuesday)?

BingBong · 12-Dec-05, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikhemm

I am intrigued because it doesn't require any weight equipment. I want several people's opionions before I choose to buy the product. here's the address; i was thinking about getting the flexibility manual too.
http://www.elasticsteel.com/

my question is how far can one get with this type of exercise. What is a realistic goal when using this type of workout? What should one's goals even be? Is getting bigger a good option? Or is it just a rip off?

I have both of those. The flexibility book I got months ago. I opened up new ideas for my training. The gravity advantage I got when it came out. It's goal oriented. has 4 routines. the go from easy to difficult. but exercises are good, many new one's. some compound and some isolate muscles.

mikhemm · 14-Dec-05, 01:17 AM

Bingbong, is it advisable for one to do these calisthenics everyday- for instance, is it considered safe to do the 4 most difficult routines everyday, or should there be a rest? What about calisthenics in general- should there be a day of rest in between doing calisthenics?

BingBong · 15-Dec-05, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikhemm

Bingbong, is it advisable for one to do these calisthenics everyday- for instance, is it considered safe to do the 4 most difficult routines everyday, or should there be a rest? What about calisthenics in general- should there be a day of rest in between doing calisthenics?

mikhemm, are you asking about gravity advantage routines?
According to the author, one should start with 3 times a week and move to 4-5 times a week. The routines become more difficult. But still 6 exercises per routine. Takes about 20 minutes. I think personally there should be a rest between days. That is my oppinion. Muscles does need time to grow. The also recommend some exercises to be done everyday. Multi joint exercises, like a push up variation and horizontal pullup variation.
Do you just like calisthenics or you don't have time/ money/place to do weights? For me it's both.

BingBong · 19-Dec-05, 07:54 PM

I been thinking about it,
calisthenics are still muscle building exercises. So to do them everyday is like not giving the body a chance to rest. Also there are many more exercises than simple pushups. Some isolate traps, delt, biceps or triceps. Those are pretty difficult, so if you bang out like 3 sets of ten you will be very soar. There is not way you can do two days in the row of those.

mikhemm · 21-Dec-05, 11:27 PM

As I have been waiting for my book i have decided to do low weight high reps. I like it a lot better than working with heavy weight. Like calisthenics I am working with muscle endurance rather than with brute strength (I also feel I am getting more of a work out). Every week I work out so I usually don't get too soar unless I have quit for a week or more. Last night I tried the low weight high reps--I feel soar two days later and I sweated a lot as I was working out. I am looking forward to get the book.

also, just a question- if one decided to work out a particular muscle group everyday very hard but letting the muscle group rest one day a week, what would be the damage or disadvantage? Would n't the one day rest make up for everyday of ripping the muscle?

BingBong · 27-Dec-05, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikhemm

As I have been waiting for my book i have decided to do low weight high reps. I like it a lot better than working with heavy weight. Like calisthenics I am working with muscle endurance rather than with brute strength (I also feel I am getting more of a work out). Every week I work out so I usually don't get too soar unless I have quit for a week or more. Last night I tried the low weight high reps--I feel soar two days later and I sweated a lot as I was working out. I am looking forward to get the book.

also, just a question- if one decided to work out a particular muscle group everyday very hard but letting the muscle group rest one day a week, what would be the damage or disadvantage? Would n't the one day rest make up for everyday of ripping the muscle?

Interesting question. Runners run 5-6 times a day and their muscles are ok.
In terms of calisthenics and one day rest, I guess it depends on how much you are doing. One set of 10 push up a day is one thing,
but high volume training may be too much. I mean other systems besides muscles need rest, heart, lungs, lymph, nervous etc.
I am sure someone here can give an expert opinion.

mikhemm · 26-Jan-06, 02:46 AM

I just want to let you guys know I got the books. It's amazing. I feel so sore and am working muscles i never had. for gaining muscle mass the book sucks, but my goal is to maintain my physique rather than add to it. The guys at the gym think i'm a pussy, but when i challenged one of them to lift his own body weight as designed in the book, after 3 his face was red (too tired). the man has trained his body to respond to mass weight and trained to body as individual muscle groups rather than a unit. the other guys still aren't convinced. I should challenge them pretty soon. It is funny to see these huge guys stuffing protein shakes and protein pills in their mouth, yet failing miserably at body weight exercises. lifting weights can be beneficial, but there will be an age when the body can't take that kind of strain any more. with elasticsteel, however, i will be able to continue to build my endurance flexibility well into my elderly years.

**threenorns** · 26-Jan-06, 05:50 AM

don't be getting elitist, now, lol. it's not that the guy had trained his body to respond to mass weight as much as he didn't give as much attention to muscular endurance as he did to raw strength. he trained his fast-twitch (explosive) muscles and didn't give as much attention to slow-twitch (endurance) fibres. had the tables been turned and they had challenged you to a bench-pressing contest, you'd've been the one with the red face.

there is no reason at all one can't lift weights into one's senior or even elderly years (the second example started bodybuilding when he was 72!). point of fact, it's becoming more and more recommended that the elderly start weight-training to protect their bones, maintain balance, and improve overall health and independent functioning.

**LiftGirl** · 26-Jan-06, 01:38 PM

There's an older gentleman at my gym that comes in to lift regularly. He's got a major hunchback, and he's always there with some younger guy (physical therapist, maybe). Anyway, I kind of admire him even though he can't lift very much and can barely walk that he's still coming in and lifting. Although, I also kind of think, what if he had started lifting earlier in life?

**threenorns** · 26-Jan-06, 01:48 PM

yep - there's a *lot* of little old ppl at my gym - i think they get some kind of discount or belong to some kind of program. they come in and the majority can't handle more than a plate or two on the cable stack, but it's interesting to see how fast they change. within mere weeks, they're moving more freely, they're talking more quickly and laughing more often, one guy doesn't lean on his walker as much as he used to - just every now and then. if he keeps going the way he is, i think he'll be getting rid of it soon and maybe just need a cane if anything.

my favourite is the great-grandmother who comes in with her teenaged great-granddaughter (i think - could be some kind of volunteer, but i don't think so). they take forever, but they're so sweet to watch.

mikhemm · 27-Jan-06, 09:22 PM

I can honestly say that if those guys challenged me to a test on benching, i would just walk out because they would wail me.

i have seen a picture of a man in his sixties/seventies that looked really good (buffed). you could tell he lifted weights. I was thinking that when I'm older I will not want to lift weights till the point i feel every nerve in my body is going bust. maybe i should pick them back up though.

didn't want to sound elitist, although i probably was

peace and happiness to you all