Wolfy's Family Challenge

[WolfLady]

I just had a wonderful lunch with my family whom I haven't seen since last Christmas. There was much making of the much smaller me and as usual, the encouragement was beyond belief.

They started a jar going and by the end of the day there was close to five hundred dollars in it. It's my present for Christmas this year, IF I can do ten chinups, run two kilometres non-stop and bench 30kg.



Any advice for me? Is it unrealistic or is it possible? At the moment, I can run 300m non stop, I can bench 10kg and do no chinups. I've got six months to do it. Funny thing is, I don't even car about the cash. I just want to show that I can do it.

[Stovebolt]

As long as you don't overdo it, these sound like reasonable 6 month goals to me.

You will get the best results by splitting your bench, chinups, and running into smaller & smaller goals and hitting them a little at a time.

Example: Adding a small amount of weight each time you bench press (no more than 5lbs at a time, I'd say), or trying to do 1 extra chinup every week.

You're smart enough to know to lift WITH your head, not OVER it so we don't need to touch on that aspect that a lot of new lifters seem to forget.

We will definitely need to work on strengthening your back, chest, & triceps.

I have no idea about running (because I hate it!) but I'm sure someone else can offer some pointers there.


Best of luck! Perhaps when you win your $500 you could make a small contribution to Muscle & Strength.com?

[Doug]

Originally Posted by WolfLady

I just had a wonderful lunch with my family whom I haven't seen since last Christmas. There was much making of the much smaller me and as usual, the encouragement was beyond belief.

They started a jar going and by the end of the day there was close to five hundred dollars in it. It's my present for Christmas this year, IF I can do ten chinups, run two kilometres non-stop and bench 30kg.



Any advice for me? Is it unrealistic or is it possible? At the moment, I can run 300m non stop, I can bench 10kg and do no chinups. I've got six months to do it. Funny thing is, I don't even car about the cash. I just want to show that I can do it.

You can do both, prove to yourself that you can do it, and also earn some easy cash. Chin ups require back strength, concentrate on doing heavy 6-8 reps on your sets for back workouts for the next six weeks before attempting the chin ups, or have you already tried..??

What routine are you using for your back..??

Congrats on other people noticing a smaller you...

[darshan]

Are these the hammer chin ups or regular ones? How strict are they gonna be on your form?

I've seen girls bench press half their weight easy in under 6 months, I definitely think you can do that. I guess the main thing is if you enjoy benching, some females don't. Having a spotter will help, ask someone at the gym, it'll allow you to push yourself heavier each week, even if its a 0.5 kg magnet.

The chin ups, are a b*tch starting off, especially if you are a bit overweight. I progressed a bit faster with them because I had someone to help me do those negatives or whatever they are called.

Some techniques I've seen people use to develop their chin ups (starting from ZERO chinups), is to use a box, and jump to help you. When you can do like 10 or more of those. You do 1/4 chinups, then full chinups. Other things great for chinups are those bands you put on your feet, though very few gyms have bands for chinups.

I think the key is persistence, and make sure you improve every week, becoz it all adds up in the end.

Note: I still sux up at chinups but still working on 'em.

As for running. I think that comes from losing weight. The more weight you lose the easier it is to run, as you feel lighter.

[WolfLady]

Originally Posted by Doug

You can do both, prove to yourself that you can do it, and also earn some easy cash. Chin ups require back strength, concentrate on doing heavy 6-8 reps on your sets for back workouts for the next six weeks before attempting the chin ups, or have you already tried..??

What routine are you using for your back..??

Congrats on other people noticing a smaller you...

For my back I've only been doing one arm dumbell rows and shrugs. I'm a bit selfish when it comes to arms, I like to work my biceps and triceps because I'm seeing results and have been pushing those bits harder, a habit I need to break. I've only just recently added the long bar to my equipment collection and have been checking out some exercises that use it.

I have a chin up bar, I tried once when I first got it and dangled off it for a while while groaning in a most unladylike manner.

I admit I had the misconception that chinup were all in the arms. I forgot that there's more.

[WolfLady]

Originally Posted by darshan

Are these the hammer chin ups or regular ones? How strict are they gonna be on your form?

I've seen girls bench press half their weight easy in under 6 months, I definitely think you can do that. I guess the main thing is if you enjoy benching, some females don't. Having a spotter will help, ask someone at the gym, it'll allow you to push yourself heavier each week, even if its a 0.5 kg magnet.

The chin ups, are a b*tch starting off, especially if you are a bit overweight. I progressed a bit faster with them because I had someone to help me do those negatives or whatever they are called.

Some techniques I've seen people use to develop their chin ups (starting from ZERO chinups), is to use a box, and jump to help you. When you can do like 10 or more of those. You do 1/4 chinups, then full chinups. Other things great for chinups are those bands you put on your feet, though very few gyms have bands for chinups.

I think the key is persistence, and make sure you improve every week, becoz it all adds up in the end.

Note: I still sux up at chinups but still working on 'em.

As for running. I think that comes from losing weight. The more weight you lose the easier it is to run, as you feel lighter.

They're not going to be too strict on my form, so long as I get my chin over that bar!

[darshan]

Do you workout at home or at the gym?

If you are struggling with your chinups I really recommend bands, if you don't have a person to push you up.

Check out this clip on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGBi2tNBPtQ

They are as close as you can get to the real thing. For the love of god don't use the assisted chinup machine!! I sooo HATE THOSE MACHINES.

If you go to a gym that doesnt have the bands briing your own, you will still get the most of the range of motion.

Oh one more thing you may need to do some supplemental grip work. One of the things that screwed me up was that I had smooth girly hands. If you can't hold onto the bar you wont be able to do a chinup even if you are strong enough.

Hope that helps.

[WolfLady]

I workout at home. I almost have a gym. I'm moving from the spare bedroom out to the shed soon because I'm running out of room.

[darshan]

Sorry, if this is getting off topic, but how much have ya spent on ya home gym so far in AU (if you dont mind me asking).

You can order these bands online, if you don't already have them, for now use a box to jump and chinup.

http://www.kettlebells.com.au/store/...kage-p-98.html

[WolfLady]

Originally Posted by darshan

Sorry, if this is getting off topic, but how much have ya spent on ya home gym so far in AU (if you dont mind me asking).

You can order these bands online, if you don't already have them, for now use a box to jump and chinup.

http://www.kettlebells.com.au/store/...kage-p-98.html

Let's just say I'm a smart shopper who makes regular use of layby. I have a programmable electronic treadmill, a situp bench, a weights bench with the leg extender on the end and a support for the long pole thingy, two sets of dumbells, a little trampoline (thanks Doug! it's fun!), a chinup bar that fits into the doorway. I have not yet spent AU$1000 on fitness equipment, (all in total).

Gotta love end of season clearances.