Category: Workout categories

Nobody’s getting younger

On By scottpetersenIn Exercise, Workout categories1 Comment

I went to my primary care physician for the annual “wellness check.” Everything seems to be okay. I weigh what I did in college (true) but I’m also 2 inches shorter. I blame gravity. Anyway – he looked at me and asked if I exercise. I told him I go to a nearby gym 4 or 5 times a week. And I play golf. He smiled and said (his words) “you’re investing in your future.”

Most mornings I go to our local fitness center between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. (when I’m not golfing or have other stuff on my plate). My normal protocol varies – 40 minutes on the NuStep or the cross country ski thingee; then an elliptical; some weights; stretching; and a few times around the walking track. I sometimes ramp up the treadmill to 15 degrees and then walk backwards at 1.1 mph (you could sell seats for that). As I reported on March 25, 2017, I have four different workout regimens. I’m usually in the 75 minute range.

What’s interesting is that over the last few years – the “crew” that shows up on these early mornings is pretty much the same. It’s the same guys and gals who toe the line to work out. The guys have melded well such that earlier this year, a dozen of us had lunch at a local restaurant whose exec is also part of the group. And earlier this week, we did the same thing. Our brotherhood is known as “The Lunch Bunch.”

Nobody’s getting younger. But exercise and social interaction provide a strong RX for health. And a group like ours provides inspiration – to show up. . . . .

The Death March

On By scottpetersenIn Workout categoriesLeave a comment

[A repeat from March 25, 2017] I go to the local fitness center a few times a week. When I come home, I often get the question “how was your workout?” And my response – for the longest time – was “fine.” And that was it.

But my workouts vary. Sometimes it’s a quick in and out. Other times, I’ll be there for a while – punishing my body. Grunting, groaning, lumbering and lurching through all manner of cardio, weights, stretches and contortions. So one day when I got home and Donna asked “how was your workout?” – I responded “I did the puppy dog.” I got the look . . . . “What’s that?” Donna asked. “I was only able to work out for 45 minutes.” “Oh.” Later that week, I went home, got the question and responded “I did the Gorilla.” Nearly 90 minutes of exercise. And so it goes. I have now identified four distinct categories of workout:

The Puppy Dog — A workout of less than 45 minutes

The Regular — An hour

The Gorilla — An hour to an hour and a half

The Death March — Pushing two hours

“Death March” workouts are rare but they happen. While on vacation a few weeks ago, ta dahhhh I set a modern day record . . . . .

Death to the Infidels

On By scottpetersenIn Workout categories1 Comment

[A repeat from March 25, 2017] I go to the local fitness center a few times a week. When I come home, I get the question “how was your workout?” And my response – for the longest time – was “fine.” And that was it.

But my workouts vary. Sometimes it’s a quick in and out. Other times, I’ll be there for a while – punishing my body. Grunting, groaning, lumbering and lurching through all manner of cardio, weights, stretches and contortions. So one day when I got home and Donna asked “how was your workout?” – I responded “I did the puppy dog.” I got the look . . . . “What’s that?” Donna asked. “I was only able to work out for 45 minutes.” “Oh.” Later that week, I went home, got the question and responded “I did the Gorilla.” Nearly 90 minutes of exercise. And so it goes. I have now identified five distinct categories of workout:

The Puppy Dog — A workout of less than 45 minutes

The Regular — An hour

The Gorilla — An hour to an hour and a half

Death to the Infidels — Pushing two hours

“Death to the Infidel” workouts are rare but they happen. However, while on vacation a few weeks ago, I came up with a fifth category: “Death to the Infidels – al-Shahid [the martyr].” This is where I try to kill myself working out. But I don’t succeed . . . .

Death to the Infidels

On By scottpetersenIn Workout categoriesLeave a comment

I go to the local fitness center a few times a week. When I come home, I often get the question “how was your workout?”  And my response – for the longest time – was “fine.”  And that was it.  

But my workouts vary.  Sometimes it’s a quick in and out.  Other times, I’ll be there for a while – punishing my body.  Grunting and groaning, lumbering and lurching through all manner of cardio, weights, stretches and contortions.  So one day when I got home – and got “the question” – I responded “I did the puppy dog.”  I got the look . . . .  “What’s that?” Donna asked.  “I was only able to work out for 45 minutes.”  “Oh.”  Later that week, I went home and got the question.   “I did the Gorilla.”  Nearly 90 minutes of exercise.  And so it goes.  I have now identified five distinct categories of workout:

The Puppy Dog — A workout of less than 45 minutes

The Regular — An hour

The Gorilla — An hour to an hour and a half

Death to the Infidels — Pushing two hours

“Death to the Infidel” workouts are rare but they happen.  However, while on vacation a few weeks ago, I came up with a fifth category:  “Death to the Infidels – al-Shahid [the martyr].”  This is where I try to kill myself working out.  But I don’t succeed . . . .