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Salutations and good health! I am pleased to have found the Rebellion after mourning the decay of Fitocracy for many years. I have been doing some kind of fitness activity for the past 15 years, but as an overweight office worker it is easy for me to fall out of shape quickly. Recently, the romantic siren call of the Triathalon has caught my ears and I am toying with preparing for one. I've never done a Tri before, and the last time I buckled down and did a training plan (6 years ago) I ended up getting freaked out after getting kicked in the head at a lap swim and yelled at -- if I can't be brave in the pool, how would I withstand Lake Michigan!? But I am a mom now and have taught my daughter that being scared is part of being brave, and so I am ready to try this again. Only ... I don't have a swim suit. Or a bike. And I haven't run a mile all year. Last summer I ran with a friend, but we did slow-paced intervals and I want to be a 30 minute 5K gal. So I'm basically re-spawning. My challenges three are for each aspect of the Triathalon.... 1) Run a 13 minute mile (I know I need a 9:30 for my speed goal, but I can do speed work later) 2) Buy a swimsuit (anyone have a recommendation for large bellies and long torsos?) 3) Save $50/week ($250 total) toward a new bike Here's a picture of my secret possum scarf -- a very expensive silk vestment I purchased to enchant my work day. It is like a cloak of invisibility for anxiety. On the outside I look competent, but secretly I am a shrieking anxious possum. I'm ready to possum-shriek my way through a triathlon! Or at least through the first baby steps of training! My name is Aubrey, but y'all can call me Aubrazilla

I hope everyone has a great Holiday season. I just ordered a bench and another 40kg kettlebell from Rogue Fitness. Has anyone else bought or received any cool health and fitness gear? Hopefully I can get a rower next year

I've decided I want to be able to do pull ups. I want to buy one of those at home bars, but I'm not sure what to buy! Does anyone have suggestions? Favorites? Definitely-do-not-buys? Can I trust one ordered on amazon, or do I need to buy one in a store? Thanks!

I currently have access to an old Soloflex my dad has in his basement. He swears by it. How accurate are the weight straps compared to a free weight and how good is a workout? I have a gym membership, but I wanted to know if it could serve as an effective alternative when I if/need one. I realize they don't make these anymore, but I thought I'd see if there's anyone out there who's used one before.

I made an effort to start tracking my progress at my gym for the weights I lift, but I have a problem: How much to the dang bars weigh? One odd-ball is labelled as 20Kg, but the 3 other (apparently unlabelled) barbells are different. Barbell type 1: I assume most of the barbells are the same weight (around maybe slightly heavier than the 20Kg?)Most of the barbells have round stoppers (whatever holds the weights out from the center of the bar) and seem to be about the same weight.Seems to live on the bench press (no one moves that bar around like the others)Barbell type 2: hexagonal stoppersNoticeablyheavier than the round ones. Barbell type 3: chrome barsshorter weight holding area (grip area is the same size)significantly lighter than the others.I'm trying to use the same type of bar, and I'm just tracking the added weight instead of total weight. To be honest saying "I benched 40 lb this morning" isn't very satisfying.

The husband and I are wanting to workout more, and get fit for our baby that's arriving January 1. We are living in a two bedroom apartment, that has a free gym. And it's not a bad gym, just small. It has a bike, treadmill, elliptical, and weight machine. The machine has a bench, pullup bar, two cables to the right and left, and has all the add ons for the cables to do different exercises. I like it, but I miss free weights like barbells and dumbbells. As much as I want to get some equipment for the apartment (especially for when it snows because, the gym may be close but walking through snow in Ohio while pregnant isn't ideal), there are some issues. Limited space with the baby arriving, and limited budget. My husband wants kettlebells, I'd like at least some sort of barbell. What is a good budget friendly, and apartment friendly exercise equipment?

Help a newbie lifter out. In the past few months, I've graduated from using the machines to using free weights. But I have some lingering questions about whether I'm using the equipment properly. Is there even a right way to do this? Do I load weight plates with the flat side in, or the flat side out? Also, the spring clamps ("collars"?) - they seem to have an angle to them... should they angle toward the plates or away? Am I being concerned about something that has absolutely no impact on anything? Thanks

Hi guys, Just wanted to post a quick question regarding shins and deadlifts. Is there any reason against using compression gear like full leggings or calf socks for deadlift day; just to avoid torn shins? I don't want to invest in gym pants when I can get the same result with compression socks. Thanks.

Hey all, I had the idea of getting myself a treadmill and building a desk to fit atop it so that I can have a treadmill desk in my home. Then I realized that I don't want to have a treadmill sitting out in my 2-bedroom apartment constantly. I'm looking for something more compact, then, that'll either fit in a closet or under a bed. It doesn't have to be a treadmill, though it should: a. leave my arms free to type and mouse b. be constructed so that I can put a laptop platform atop it c. allow for a low-impact, long-length workout Any ideas? Thanks!

Has anyone here tried this: https://www.perfectonline.com/product/pullup ? I have permission from my boss to install it (I live at work) as long as I repair any damage from removing it when I leave (years from now). I am considering this one over the not bolted to the door one becase it has different settings that would let me do body weight rows and build up to pullups.

I keep second guessing, so I'm asking here: Will I be sad if I buy this? http://sellout.woot.com/offers/adidas-squat-stand I have some reservations about buying a $200 squat stand. I have some reservations about going without a squat stand any longer. I know I won't be squatting more that the weight it says it can support (600 pounds). Can someone who has actually ever done squats with weight give me an opinion?

Hi all! One of my goals for the upcoming challenge is to Do More Than One Stinking Pull-Up. I want to save myself the embarrassment of my neighbors or the general public seeing me struggle (or hang listlessly) from a pull-up bar (or tree branch) so I wanted to get an indoor one for my door frame. The Art of Manliness recommends this pull-up bar (and there's also this one by the same company). Does anyone have any experience in using these? Are they fairly easy to set-up and take down? What the heck are they talking about when they give a max size for the door frame (moulding?)? I could also go with one of these, but I don't have entirely enough faith in it staying put. Thanks in advance! - Daniel

Hey guys/gals! My family just received our tax return and I'm seriously considering getting a pull-up bar for our home. However, here's where I'm running into an issue... I've been recommended one that would do GREAT for pull-ups, if I could do a pull-up... but I can't... Here's my requirements: 1. I'm in a rental home with molding on the doors, but I need something that won't be bolted/screwed in place that can support my 250 lbs. 2. I need it to be able to be placed waist high, so I can do bodyweight rows. Does anyone know of anything out there that would work for me? I don't want to fall victim to any "as seen on tv" scams or get something that's going to destroy our doorways (landlords would be most displeased), but I need something that is going to challenge me more than a one arm luggage row. Any thoughts?