Search the Community

Any recommendations for stretches for after a workout or a cool down routine or does everyone just stop lifting and head to the locker room? I found with running that I need to stretch or do something otherwise I end up hurting my back. Any good resources on how to do stretched properly?

And just like that, the next challenge is upon us. Honestly, I've been raring to go all week. I've got a 90-day training plan I've been sitting on, and I waited until the start of this challenge to apply it. I've spent the past week, pretty much just resting and doing yoga and eating lots of fat and vegetables. It's been pretty okay. Definitely impressed upon me how vital diet is in getting yourself to looking the way you want to look. I'm fasting my way through today after having had cheat day yesterday, and I feel like things are going pretty good. I've ended up in a coaching group led by Jason Ferruggia, and have found myself with probably more in the way of resources than I'll ever really need for a lot less than I was paying to buy individual programs before. Can't believe I didn't think to do this sooner. So! What's up this challenge? Same old same: trying to get to looking great naked while improving strength while training martial arts. The only difference is, this time, I don't have to carry the weight of my own programming anymore. Goal 1: Bodyweight Bodybuilding 4x Per Week Yup. It's a whole slew of exercises designed around using calisthenics to build the body. It's the best of both worlds, as I see it: building strength that's functional, as well as having fun with all kinds of different things. I don't feel right listing the specific exercises; feels like proprietary information, you know? But I will remain accountable to y'all for doing them. It's essentially a bunch of moves and some pre-programmed finishers. Graded out of a possible 24. +4 STR Goal 2: MMA Bodyweight System 4x Per Week And this is where it gets interesting. XD Dunno if you heard of this guy, but he created a system of using MMA moves to condition the body. It's short, intense, to the point. It's basically practicing cage-fighting mechanics, combined with striking work. It's kind of my way of touching base again with martial arts, which I need to get back into again. Same as above, proprietary stuff, can't list the workouts themselves, but I will be accountable to you that I did them. Graded out of a possible 24. +5 STA Goal 3: High Volume Maintenance Right. So I haven't ever been the best about paying attention to my body's needs for maintenance. Warm-up? Cool-down? The hell are those? The thing is, I've gotten a lot better at warming up. I'm not quite so good when it comes to cooling down. That's something I need to do more of. I wasn't so good about warming up before I made it a habit; now I need to make my cooldowns habitual as well. Graded out of a possible 42. +3 CON LIFE GOAL: REDEFINING HUSTLE So, some of you might remember that my car basically bit the dust this past week. And I'd been working on finding a solution to that. My dad basically came in and helped me get a new car, which is awesome. And now I'm going to have to make car payments, like an adult. This is not a problem, except that I need to find another job to help me get there. So, I'll be working the personal training job, plus another job (possibly two), whilst simultaneously attempting to build up some clientele on my own. My work is cut out for me. But for the moment, let's just focus on getting that next job. Pass/Fail. +1.5 WIS, +1.5 CHA So, what's gonna motivate me? After all, I don't have a spouse to look good for, a kid to inspire, or anything like that. Yeah, I want to take care of my family, but being able to do more pull ups or getting teh abzzors isn't particularly relevant toward any of that. What drives me in this? Honestly, it's the fact that I have you all to be an example for. Struggling for physical beauty and capability has just been something I've done for a long time. Y'all give me a reason to keep on fighting over here, because I know y'all are gonna work hard wherever you are. I gotta step up if I'm going to lead you all with anything like a clean conscience. I'm ready if you are. Let's go to work.