I just remembered why I hate the gym

[circusgirl]

How did you injure your lower traps?

deadlifting with a rounded upper back.

I had a pre-existing weakness in the lower traps, it turned out, from YEARS of incorrect posture at my computer. I used to get nasty muscular backache, then I got a swiss ball and the backache went away. Unfortunately I didn't fix the weakness properly and it resulted in the back rounding on a PR and a spasm in the lower traps.

Missed out on the first PL contest I was going to do because of it.

Good things have resulted though - I have fixed the weakness, my DL form is much better AND since I visited a pyhsiotherapist (sp?) about the injury she gave me some rotator cuff pre-hab exercises so I wouldn't get the standard lifter's shoulder injury. So all in all, kind of a blessing in disguise.

But yup, that particular exercise with the lat pulldown hits the lower traps at the beginning of the pull.

 

[lil k]

That's when you put on the headphones w/ your fav tunes, rack up the leg press & tell the world to go fuck itself! One of the most common comments I get from people is about the intesity of my workouts. (Either that or I just sweat alot )

gotta love this girl.....

 

[Shak]

Ceebs - MP3 PLAYER

Ceebs -

I have the Rio Sport S35S MP3 Player and I LOVE IT.

I got it as a Christmas gift this year, so I'm not sure of the cost.
But, it's worth the investment. I used to carry around my stupid portable CD walkman that would skip every two second - I hated it. But this MP3 player is so light weight and the quality of the music is really amazing.

For anyone out there wanting a good portable music device, this thing kicks ass.

 

[msboss]

You know what I hate at my gym? The girls/women(if you can call them that) that need to much attention that they talk to each other and then laugh really,really loud and then look around to see who is looking at them. Or the ones with new boobies that over excentuate a movement by sticking them way out there so that you can't help but notice them. Oh plus the sultry looks while they do them. Almost like a dog in heat(or in pain)Kinda makes one laugh inside. I paid for boobs and that's not why I got mine.

msboss

 

[Afton]

Hey flexygrl! Im new ,dont mind me. Just wanted to say- I have that sme prob too! I hate it when you go back after a lay-off and you feel so weird. It does go away, but for me it doesnt. I hate that all the people inour gym are a bunch of 'social' gym rats. They hang around , stare ect... I mean , they'll work out and stuff but when they arent lifting- the 5 minutes rest they take between sets- they are staring, and making that idle chit-chat where they try to build themselves up in front of you- and seem tuff...
I also hate it when they walk away from their spot for 5 minutes and come back and go" I was using that..." Hey. If y'all walk away and I can get more than 1 set in while youre gone- than you snooze you loose buddy. I already feel dumb for W/O in the middle of 10 sweaty guys let alone one coming up and professing to me infront of everyone that he was using that bench!
I wear headphones too, but somehow they all try to talk or wink at ya anyways.... Sometimes I feel like Im at the club and not at a gym. Im the type that if I feel weird or uncomfortable- or like they're staring, I wont W/O like I should cuz Ill restrict my movement, not bend over ect... like Im trying to be in stealth mode... Believe me Ive tried the whole f**k urself attitude and it makes me feel worse, but thats me... I guess Im just used to always having someone around to lift with.
Good job tho girl!!!! Ditch the 'grey monster'!

 

[flexygrl]

Hey Afton,

Welcome to the boards!! It is so wonderful here. You will get a lot of support and information from very knowledgable people.

I'm not feeling so uncomfy at the gym anymore. I'm just making it a point to get myself there. I have been reading a lot of posts here for motivation and I have realized a couple of things.

I am in the gym for one purpose. That is to work out. I am not here to talk, or make friends. I am not here to get lovey dovey with my husband. The gym is a job. If I slack off I WILL get fired. I also just read a post about mirrors yesterday. They were saying that the mirror is your enemy. So yesterday I worked out and tried not to look in the mirror whenever possible. this is difficult because the gym is wall to wall mirrors. Well I did my best, and had a great workout!

I still have the "gray monster". I just feel so much better with it on. One day I will put it to rest, but not now.

I hope you start to feel more comfortable in the gym. Take care and welcome!!

 

[mrs.tony]

That's when you put on the headphones w/ your fav tunes, rack up the leg press & tell the world to go fuck itself! One of the most common comments I get from people is about the intesity of my workouts. (Either that or I just sweat alot )

i could not have said it better myself!!! Listening to music on my headphones really gave my workouts a jump start. I just get into my zone and am totally oblivious to anyone else there. I cant imagine my workouts without my MP3 player!!

 

[spatts]

I hear that alot....about music helping your workout. I just have to ask: What kind of training are you doing that you can perform your moves with a cd/MP3 player in your lap, or on the floor, etc...? I'm trying to picture this, and I don't think there's more than maybe 5 things I could do in my gym while toting one of those things.

 

[Nonerz]

My Nike MP3 player straps on my arm...it just gets really tight when I do curls...

 

[Afton]

Thanks flexygrl! I know, it's hard not to look in the mirror. I do , only cuz it actually helps me. I like to see the muscle contracting and swelling. Just like my gym clothes, I know it's silly , but I like to wear 'trendy' gym clothes , for me it is true what they say, sometimes clothing makes you feel the way you look, hence if I wear sloppy clothes I feel sloppy, and cute clothes I feel good about myself. I try not to be too flashy about my clothing but if it's leg day, then I need to wear tighter pants or shorts so I can see my muscles working..ect.. same for tops, I cant wear t-shirts, they are too sloppy, and I cant see a thing.
Music: ah yes, gotta have the tunes. I like my club mixes. Gets me going. And for motivation to work out harder: again might sound silly: I sometimes pretend that somebody that I wish I could prove myself to, or 'show-up' , Is watching me. I.E. I might pretend that my BF's sister ( who thinks she is polly perfect,weighs a disgusting 105lbs, and is weaker than a bird) I pretend she is watching me. And so it kinda puts me in a fake situation where I'd have to show her who was better... sounds silly and a little immature, but what if that really did happen one day? Or sometimes I pretend that the people who are watching me , think that Im a wussy little girl and this is my chance to show them up...
'my bad? sadly, thats pro'lly what the guys do.... he he.
My cd player sits on my waist. It is a pain sometimes ,as I have to keep switching back-n-forth between it being on my butt, or my belly. I had to get those behind the neck headphones so they dont get in the way, and my hair!!!! OMG , my hair! what a pain!
I have low-back length hair and putting it in a pony is fine, but when I sit on a machine that has a back or when I lay on a bench its right where I want to rest my head! If I put it down lo 1: it looks silly on me cuz my hair has no structure,and 2:its in the way of my headphones. But if I put it up high I look like pebbles and bam-bam. Thats alot of hair to pile on top! grrr! issues. Half my prep time to the gym is hair time! And Im already pressed for time. But I gues its my prob, I wont cut it so...
Well thats enough babble for now. Gotta try and pretend to work. ( I HATE my the company I work for , so I f**k off alot...oops) after bit y'all..