At my old house, I had a squat rack, a bench, and about 130KG of plates. I used them every single day for about 12 months, and I was pretty strong, and feeling like I was on top of the world. Now, there's a lie in that last sentence. I didn't use them every single day, I used them every second day as the body, of course needs time to recover.
But then, circumstances changed, and I needed to do more around the house. I got weak, I got injured, and then I slowly lost the desire to continue.
Then, I sold the rack and the weights, and a fellow took it all away in a Honda Jazz. (I'm not kidding, that thing was cavernous). Now that I've moved house, I've rejoined the local gym. It was a cheap deal, they have several squat racks, probably have questionable finances and business acumen ... but they work for me.
Bonus: there's an awesome butcher next door.
I've restarted the same program I was doing long, long ago, Stronglifts, which involves the following alternating patterns of exercises.
Day 1:
- Barbell Row (though I tend to replace this with a few back exercises on the cable machine)
- Squat
- Bench Press
Day 2:
- Squat
- Overhead Press
- Deadlift
Each exercise is done 5 times for 5 sets, and each has an increasing warm up from bar weight to working weight.
My goal is to eventually complete pull ups / muscle ups - and my dead hang has improved dramatically this time around.
I'm also focusing heavily on ensuring that I'm giving my body enough protein to ensure that I'm able to repair whatever damage I'm doing in the gym - and well, I feel great.
About two weeks ago, I took a road trip to Melbourne, drove for 8 hours, got to the hotel, changed, went to the hotel gym and smashed some personal bests (though I needed to use almost every single plate they had) - then spent a few days catching up with family and friends and having a good old time (including going to concert I've had on my bucket list forever.- I will write about that soon!)
But, following that Wednesday when I hit my personal best, by Friday (and then into Saturday) I had a fever which put me out of action for about two weeks. (it wasn't COVID - just a virus or the flu) - but last night was my first time back in the gym for two weeks.
And I tell you what - endorphins are amazing from exercise. I deloaded by about 15% (ie, didn't lift as much weight as I normally did) - and focused on form and function in each of my movements, ensuring tension was maintained in my muscles throughout the reps. Now, today, some 24 hours later, I feel the familiar ache of muscle fatigue start to set in, and I'm looking forward to my day off tomorrow which means I can go do my lifts during the day, in peace, in what will mostly be an empty gym.
I might even soak in magnesium salts thereafter - I haven't decided.
This time, however, I know that this change has to be for life. In a few years, I'll enter my fourth decade, and for some stupid reason, I want to preserve my body as best as I can so I can enjoy all the other things life has to offer. I don't want to be perpetually in pain, or to not be able to go for a walk, or move my shopping into my car.
I want to be able to be a fucking old fart, powerful and strong, and to sleep well at night.
Look after your body. You've only got one.
Me, at some point in the past, at my new gym. 100kg back squat. :) I should probably tie my hair back when I lift, but fuck it.