New member....gym rat but want to go further.....any advice?

[dmk777]

Good for you!! Great minds...right!? Ha. Not sure how accurate that test is but I'm glad I got a good result. How are you Donna? How was your weekend?

Yeah true Hun bit of an ego boost lmao. I'm great thank had a amazing weekend went to London with my other half weather was red hot and for English weather in Oct should be freezing lol even brought back a great sun tan !!
And how are you Jen ? Been up to much ?

 

[jjtt]

Fall clothes shopping sounds fun! I went to Atlanta Sunday and ran a 1/2 marathon so that was fun.

So I've got some 5x5 questions. Today was the first day that I started. I will do 5x5 three times a week and 4-5 days a week I will do some type of cardio. You've probably answered this but
1) how many minutes (how long) of cardio should I do those 4-5 days? I am going to do intervals most days but I have to give my ankles a break 1 or 2 of those days (too many years of running/gymnastics).

2) so when I'm not doing intervals what's the second best fat burning cardio to do? Time limit?

**seeing today was my first day to do 5x5 I went pretty light to just get form Down. Several questions here....

3). I have watched/read/researched proper form on BB rows. Anyone have any tips? They felt weird today although that could be because I'd never done them before. Do you grasp the bar wide or shoulder length? Do you grasp bar with palms facing outward? Any tips would be helpful.

Today was challenging. I kept feeling like I should be doing more exercises but I know that's just because that's what I'm used to. I just need to mentally change my mindset that it's quantity and not quality..right? (help me with my OCD please!!)

I didn't realize you are a runner...that's great! I just ran my first half-marathon- I had a time of 2:18 which I was happy with. I could have pushed myself harder, and I will next time.
Well if you like to run I just suggest you continue to run for cardio if that's what you enjoy. Again, if you are trying to grow muscle, keep it under 45 minutes. Is that really your goal, to get bigger? I keep getting the feeling you may just want to lose fat...?
As for the rows, have you been on exercise rx? they have little animations for the exercises.
Weight Training, Exercise Instruction & Kinesiology

here's the bb rows link
Barbell Bent-over Row

 

[dmk777]

I love this bent over row Zed introduced this to me a few month back and it's great really does the job.

 

[jennifer778]

I didn't realize you are a runner...that's great! I just ran my first half-marathon- I had a time of 2:18 which I was happy with. I could have pushed myself harder, and I will next time.
Well if you like to run I just suggest you continue to run for cardio if that's what you enjoy. Again, if you are trying to grow muscle, keep it under 45 minutes. Is that really your goal, to get bigger? I keep getting the feeling you may just want to lose fat...?
As for the rows, have you been on exercise rx? they have little animations for the exercises.
Weight Training, Exercise Instruction & Kinesiology

here's the bb rows link
Barbell Bent-over Row

I knew I liked you and you run!! . That's a great time!! Awesome job!
Yes my goal is definitely to get bigger. That's exactly what I want. I really want that more than the fat being gone..I probably talk about the fat alot more because it's buggin me. I can't stand it honestly. I want to be lean. I know I am 'thin'
Now but I want to lean out and so these little 'cells' of fat are just totally unacceptable to make. Hopefully that makes sense...yes, I want to get bigger and much bigger at that!

Am I on the right track to accomplish both of those?
Thanks for the tips. I'll go look at them now. My chest and legs are sore today and I love it. My back only kind of is which makes me think I didn't do the rows properly.

 

[jennifer778]

I knew I liked you and you run!! . That's a great time!! Awesome job!
Yes my goal is definitely to get bigger. That's exactly what I want. I really want that more than the fat being gone..I probably talk about the fat alot more because it's buggin me. I can't stand it honestly. I want to be lean. I know I am 'thin'
Now but I want to lean out and so these little 'cells' of fat are just totally unacceptable to make. Hopefully that makes sense...yes, I want to get bigger and much bigger at that!

Am I on the right track to accomplish both of those?
Thanks for the tips. I'll go look at them now. My chest and legs are sore today and I love it. My back only kind of is which makes me think I didn't do the rows properly.

Btw..in trying to get bigger...the 1/2 marathon was my last long distance run for a while. I probably should've mentioned that. I know the longer distances will eat into my muscle and I want that muscle.

 

[jennifer778]

I didn't realize you are a runner...that's great! I just ran my first half-marathon- I had a time of 2:18 which I was happy with. I could have pushed myself harder, and I will next time.
Well if you like to run I just suggest you continue to run for cardio if that's what you enjoy. Again, if you are trying to grow muscle, keep it under 45 minutes. Is that really your goal, to get bigger? I keep getting the feeling you may just want to lose fat...?
As for the rows, have you been on exercise rx? they have little animations for the exercises.
Weight Training, Exercise Instruction & Kinesiology

here's the bb rows link
Barbell Bent-over Row

Can't say it enough: yes yes yes I want to get big!!

Sorry my OCD is kickin in. Lol

 

[jennifer778]

I love this bent over row Zed introduced this to me a few month back and it's great really does the job.

Thanks for the tip. No double chin today, yeah? LOL. Either way I'm
Sucking back my chews now!! Ha

 

[jennifer778]

I didn't realize you are a runner...that's great! I just ran my first half-marathon- I had a time of 2:18 which I was happy with. I could have pushed myself harder, and I will next time.
Well if you like to run I just suggest you continue to run for cardio if that's what you enjoy. Again, if you are trying to grow muscle, keep it under 45 minutes. Is that really your goal, to get bigger? I keep getting the feeling you may just want to lose fat...?
As for the rows, have you been on exercise rx? they have little animations for the exercises.
Weight Training, Exercise Instruction & Kinesiology

here's the bb rows link
Barbell Bent-over Row

One last thought...stairmaster a good workout?
Also can I throw in some ab work on the days that I'm doing the 5x5 or would that be overkill?
Thanks your the best.

 

[dmk777]

Haha nope just the one chin today chic lmfao !!

 

[jennifer778]

Haha nope just the one chin today chic lmfao !!

LOL. That's too funny. Hope you're having a good day. What's the time difference from GA (eastern time zone) to where you live?