I have decided to give simplefit a try...lets see how it goes.
W1 D1 - 10 rounds.
Didn't really push myself, took it easy, just wanted to get a feel for the routine and not rush things.
W1 D2 (this morning) - 00:53, 00:55, 00:52, 00:59, 00:56
Surprised to find that I didn't find a sets of 10 bodyweight squats easy! Obviously a bit weak, but that's why I'm doing this! Sets of 2 pull ups were quite tough but managed to do them.
W1 D3 will be on Saturday.
Some general thoughts and questions I have, please bear in mind I'm not an expert...
- Would it not be better to prepare for the day 3 challenge by mixing in some other exercises & variations on days 1 and 2, to build strength of supporting muscles?
- Has anyone on this forum ever got to level 8?
- Do people mix any cardio in?
My log
Moderator: cheapo
Re: My log
W1 L1 D3 this morning:
8:34, so not ready for the next level yet.
Slightly disappointed as on paper the workout didn't look too difficult and I thought I would be able to do it in 5 mintues. But found the pull ups really tough.
Breakdown was like this:
10 pull ups in sets of 3,2,2,1,1,1 (this took over 5 minutes)
21 push ups in sets of 15,6
21 squats in one set of 21 (pleased with this, as I found squats much harder earlier in the week)
8:34, so not ready for the next level yet.
Slightly disappointed as on paper the workout didn't look too difficult and I thought I would be able to do it in 5 mintues. But found the pull ups really tough.
Breakdown was like this:
10 pull ups in sets of 3,2,2,1,1,1 (this took over 5 minutes)
21 push ups in sets of 15,6
21 squats in one set of 21 (pleased with this, as I found squats much harder earlier in the week)
Re: My log
W2 L1 D1 - 14 rounds. Bit disappointed I was hoping for 20.
Re: My log
W2 L1 D2 complete. Pull ups were a real struggle today, but I was quite tired after a hard week in work. Diet also not been great. Hoping I can improve on my day 3 time on Sunday.
Re: My log
W2 L1 D3 - 8:12
10 pull ups in sets of 3,2,2,1,2
21 push ups in sets of 15,6
21 squats in 1 set
My aim is to keep improving on my day 3 time every week, and only to consider modifying things if I hit a plateau over a few weeks. So really should be pleased to knock 20 seconds off it I guess, but can't help but feel a bit disappointed.
After banging out my first 3 pull ups I thought I might be able to finish in 5 minutes, but the pull ups are really tough. Tempted to add some additional exercises to my routine, but like I say not going to do that unless I feel I've completely stopped making progress. Feel in particular like the small muscles between my shoulder blades need strengthening.
I think what gained me those 20 seconds today was finishing my pull ups with a set of 2, although i suspect my form wasn't perfect.
Also am pretty much going to failure with each set of 1 or 2 pull ups. The only alternative to that I think would be to do assisted pull ups for a few weeks until I improve, but not keen on doing that.
10 pull ups in sets of 3,2,2,1,2
21 push ups in sets of 15,6
21 squats in 1 set
My aim is to keep improving on my day 3 time every week, and only to consider modifying things if I hit a plateau over a few weeks. So really should be pleased to knock 20 seconds off it I guess, but can't help but feel a bit disappointed.
After banging out my first 3 pull ups I thought I might be able to finish in 5 minutes, but the pull ups are really tough. Tempted to add some additional exercises to my routine, but like I say not going to do that unless I feel I've completely stopped making progress. Feel in particular like the small muscles between my shoulder blades need strengthening.
I think what gained me those 20 seconds today was finishing my pull ups with a set of 2, although i suspect my form wasn't perfect.
Also am pretty much going to failure with each set of 1 or 2 pull ups. The only alternative to that I think would be to do assisted pull ups for a few weeks until I improve, but not keen on doing that.
Re: My log
W3 L1 D1: 13 rounds
1 less round than last time! Disappointed obviously but not going to dwell too much on this. There could obviously be a number of reasons. Tiredness, diet, bad day at the office, etc. As long as there is a general trend of improvement then I will be happy. Could even be that I'm becoming more aware of correct form.
1 less round than last time! Disappointed obviously but not going to dwell too much on this. There could obviously be a number of reasons. Tiredness, diet, bad day at the office, etc. As long as there is a general trend of improvement then I will be happy. Could even be that I'm becoming more aware of correct form.
Re: My log
W3 L1 D2
Completed the 5 rounds in 50-60 seconds per round.
Made sure to rest 3 minutes between sets which definitely made things easier. Only really struggled with the 2 pull ups in the fifth set.
Definitely felt stronger today than the last couple of workouts. I did notice today that as l pulled myself up my knees were slowly coming up towards my chest. Not sure if this is considered cheating but I'm going to allow myself to do it until l get stronger, as I was thinking of changing to assisted pull ups anyway.
Completed the 5 rounds in 50-60 seconds per round.
Made sure to rest 3 minutes between sets which definitely made things easier. Only really struggled with the 2 pull ups in the fifth set.
Definitely felt stronger today than the last couple of workouts. I did notice today that as l pulled myself up my knees were slowly coming up towards my chest. Not sure if this is considered cheating but I'm going to allow myself to do it until l get stronger, as I was thinking of changing to assisted pull ups anyway.
Re: My log
W3 L1 D3 - 7:46
10 pull ups in sets of 4,3,3
21 push ups in one set
21 squats in one set
Happy to have knocked another 30 seconds off my time. Rested around 3 minutes between pull up sets which l think helped me to do it in just 3 sets. Also pleased to have completed 21 push ups in one set for the first time. That last set of 3 pull ups, 21 push ups, 21 squats without a break really had my heart pounding.
Sadly not going to be able to do any pull ups this week as I'Il be away all week with no access to a pull up bar. Will do some push ups and squats though and get right back into it from next weekend. Anyone know a good alternative to pull ups that requires no equipment?
10 pull ups in sets of 4,3,3
21 push ups in one set
21 squats in one set
Happy to have knocked another 30 seconds off my time. Rested around 3 minutes between pull up sets which l think helped me to do it in just 3 sets. Also pleased to have completed 21 push ups in one set for the first time. That last set of 3 pull ups, 21 push ups, 21 squats without a break really had my heart pounding.
Sadly not going to be able to do any pull ups this week as I'Il be away all week with no access to a pull up bar. Will do some push ups and squats though and get right back into it from next weekend. Anyone know a good alternative to pull ups that requires no equipment?
Re: My log
W5 L1 D1 - 18 sets
Did zero workouts between 18 and 28 october due to a combination of first being away with work, then being away with friends, and generally being too lazy to workout in hotel rooms.
I also consumed a frightening amount of alcohol between 22 and 25 october, being away in france with friends.
So wasn't expecting much when I returned to Level 1 Day 1 on Tuesday...but surprisingly I smashed my previous day 1 record!
Performed a total of 18 sets. Last time round it was 13, and my previous best was 14.
The best explanation I can think of is that the rest did my muscles some good. It was my fourth week, when it is indeed advised to take it easy, so it kind of makes sense. Although rather than take it easy I basically did nothing and got drunk.
Just to be clear - I am not recommending that it is a good idea to go on an alcohol-fuelled binge every four weeks, and I am certainly not planning to do so!
Did zero workouts between 18 and 28 october due to a combination of first being away with work, then being away with friends, and generally being too lazy to workout in hotel rooms.
I also consumed a frightening amount of alcohol between 22 and 25 october, being away in france with friends.
So wasn't expecting much when I returned to Level 1 Day 1 on Tuesday...but surprisingly I smashed my previous day 1 record!
Performed a total of 18 sets. Last time round it was 13, and my previous best was 14.
The best explanation I can think of is that the rest did my muscles some good. It was my fourth week, when it is indeed advised to take it easy, so it kind of makes sense. Although rather than take it easy I basically did nothing and got drunk.
Just to be clear - I am not recommending that it is a good idea to go on an alcohol-fuelled binge every four weeks, and I am certainly not planning to do so!
Last edited by ronnymuk on Thu Nov 06, 2014 1:51 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: My log
W5 L1 D2 (I am calling this week 5, where week 4 basically consisted of doing nothing)
Completed the 5 rounds, in 50-60 seconds per round.
Slight concern - started to feel moderate pain around both my inner elbows at around set 3, which was new. Considered abandoning the workout to be on the safe side, but decided to keep going. Last night after the workout my arms were still quite sore around the inner elbow area. But today they seem fine.
Completed the 5 rounds, in 50-60 seconds per round.
Slight concern - started to feel moderate pain around both my inner elbows at around set 3, which was new. Considered abandoning the workout to be on the safe side, but decided to keep going. Last night after the workout my arms were still quite sore around the inner elbow area. But today they seem fine.
Re: My log
W5 L1 D3
Completed in 6:12.
10 pull-ups in sets of 4-2-2-2
21 push-ups in 1 set
21 squats in 1 set
Happy to have knocked around a minute and a half off my previous best! Definitely feeling stronger. A good week. At this rate I should be at level 2 at some point in the next few weeks.
Based on the big improvement this week I am going to continue to have a very easy week every fourth week.
Completed in 6:12.
10 pull-ups in sets of 4-2-2-2
21 push-ups in 1 set
21 squats in 1 set
Happy to have knocked around a minute and a half off my previous best! Definitely feeling stronger. A good week. At this rate I should be at level 2 at some point in the next few weeks.
Based on the big improvement this week I am going to continue to have a very easy week every fourth week.
Re: My log
W6 L1 D1
19 rounds, which I am delighted with considering I didn't feel motivated at all. Beat my previous best by 1 set.
19 rounds, which I am delighted with considering I didn't feel motivated at all. Beat my previous best by 1 set.
Re: My log
W6 L1 D2
Completed the 5 rounds at the usual pace of around 50-60 seconds per round. Noticed again a slight pain around both my elbows. Seems like day 2 is when this can happen, but not as painful as last week.
W6 L1 D3 - 5:33
10 pull-ups in sets of 4,3,3
21 push-ups in sets of 15,6
21 squats in one set
A good improvement again, around 40 seconds knocked off last weeks time! Not entirely happy with my workout though, as for my final pull-up I really struggled and my chin barely reached the bar. Still, seem to be making progress.
Completed the 5 rounds at the usual pace of around 50-60 seconds per round. Noticed again a slight pain around both my elbows. Seems like day 2 is when this can happen, but not as painful as last week.
W6 L1 D3 - 5:33
10 pull-ups in sets of 4,3,3
21 push-ups in sets of 15,6
21 squats in one set
A good improvement again, around 40 seconds knocked off last weeks time! Not entirely happy with my workout though, as for my final pull-up I really struggled and my chin barely reached the bar. Still, seem to be making progress.
Re: My log
W7 L1 D1 - 21 rounds
Paced myself at 1 round per minute, with 2 rounds in the first minute. Last couple of rounds were really tough, but pleased to have made progress again. This is my third week since last break, so next week will be a break.
Paced myself at 1 round per minute, with 2 rounds in the first minute. Last couple of rounds were really tough, but pleased to have made progress again. This is my third week since last break, so next week will be a break.
Re: My log
W7 L1 D2
Completed 5 rounds at usual pace. Again very slight pain around elbows but again not as bad as previously. Didn't feel particularly strong. Concentrated on doing pull-ups slowly and with good form.
Completed 5 rounds at usual pace. Again very slight pain around elbows but again not as bad as previously. Didn't feel particularly strong. Concentrated on doing pull-ups slowly and with good form.