For BG fitness fanatics, a question..

[Meat]

does your gym have a power rack? You can do back squats on that if you learn how to bail out if there's a problem, or just use bumper plates. My old gym only had a smith machine too, that was the reason why I went and found a new one.

Chances are if your program is designed by a professional, it's calling for back squats or whatever squats for a specific purpose, usually because those specific stresses and muscles worked are essential to the rest of the program and feed into the rest of the lifts. If you switch things up you're no longer doing that program, and you risk overexerting a muscle group while neglecting another entirely.

I made the mistake when I first started of trying to substitute zercher squats for back squats, which absolutely killed my deadlift progress by overstressing my lower back, and didn't make much progress on my hamstrings/glutes because they don't engage as much compared to back squats. Then I changed gyms and started following my program to the letter, and my squat more than doubled in like 2 months, lol. Just something to think about I guess.

edit: also it's not ideal but have considered learning to clean the weight up to your chest and then going into a set of front squats? You'll probably run into a wall here eventually since you can most likely squat a lot more than you can clean, but it's doable I guess. Then again, it's another substitution, so yeah.



is the pain mainly on the bottom of your foot, almost like you're standing on something sharp and it feels like the skin/muscles on the bottom of your feet are really tight? Maybe radiating into the ankle or a tightness/pulling in your calves too? It sounds a little bit like Plantar Fasciitis, which can be really fucking painful, but can be (hopefully) solved with orthotics/shoes to correct whatever's wrong with your gait.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plantar_fasciitis
could this be what you have?

there's also barbell hack squats as an alternative. But really without a rack your best bet is going to be pre-exhausting, do leg extensions and leg presses 1st then move on to a squat with 2 ppl lifting the bar onto your back. or even like a squat clean type of movement

[Lucavi]

Chesticals are getting huge since I started my workout routine back up.

Its amazing just how fast dormant muscle pops right up once you start hitting the weights again.

[Meat]

has anyone ever used a pair of these? they're called vibram five fingers, i'm thinking of getting a pair for leg day
http://store-images-cache.gearjunkie...walnut_p5_.jpg

[lovehatehero]

yes, I own a pair of the sprints though. http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/pro...s_Sprint_m.cfm

I love them. Took about a week of running in them for my feet and lower calves to get accustomed to them. I would suggest running on grass if you can you first few time running to get used to them. But i use them for everything. Lifting, specially Olympic style lifts ( deadlift, clean n jerk/press etc etc) they are amazing for balance. Plus i used to get really bad shin splints running and when i started using them I don't get them at all, even on the rarity I run with normal shoes.

[FallingHigher]

Sorry if this is the wrong thread to ask but...does anyone know where I can buy some cheap weights for lifting on the days I'm not going running/playing football? I live in the UK btw if that makes any difference.

[Wintermute]

Sorry if this is the wrong thread to ask but...does anyone know where I can buy some cheap weights for lifting on the days I'm not going running/playing football? I live in the UK btw if that makes any difference.

Might be a silly suggestion, but have you tried Argos?
Can order off the website and have some poor chump deliver them to your door.

[Caiyuo]

In reference to Vibram Five Fingers, they were brought up a few pages ago if you want to see what was mentioned about them so far.

[Weiing]

@residue

Spoiler: show

http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...xi/vibram5.jpg

^Mine

YES. I love my VFFs. I currently have sprint; my fiance has the KSOs. I plan to buy a pair of KSOs eventually. If anything, buy the classic or KSOs, as the strap on the sprint digs in on my right foot. So you may feel that pain, tooooo. Just warning you.

I have yet to sprint in them...but now that my school year is done, I am planning to start sprinting (in the grass/field) with them next week.

I wear them to bike and workout/lift weights. Like lovehatehero, they are SO awesome for lifting. They really are amazing for balance.

I walk with them everywhere, too. When I'm out and about.

One word of caution, as I've said before: Some people experience mild pain (especially on their pink toes) when they first wear any VFFs. This is mainly because your feet have been too used to getting crunched in. I had that experience, but after 2-3 times of wearing them and breaking them in, they no longer hurt. So if you feel pain, tough it out! On the other hand, my fiance was lucky and never experienced the pain.

[Jak]

Those shoes look ridiculous but amazing.. do people actually walk around shopping, running errands, etc. with them? I'd be afraid I'd get made fun of too much. ._.

[Weiing]

Those shoes look ridiculous but amazing.. do people actually walk around shopping, running errands, etc. with them? I'd be afraid I'd get made fun of too much. ._.

I do. And I've heard people comment quietly... like "hey, look at those shoes...cool."

I've had people approach me and ask me about them. No bad comments yet. I now look to see if people are wearing them when I'm out and about, and have seen a few. I just haven't got the balls to say "HEY NICE SHOES! I have them, too!"

[Caiyuo]

Tiny feet! lol If it's of any comfort, I've heard people say All-stars serve as a decent substitute shoe for things you can't or don't want to wear VFFs to without sabotaging the work you've done to acclimate your feet to them.

[Atreides]

do you mean for squats/deadlifts? all you really need is a flat-bottomed shoe, all-stars works great for it. I never get the people at the gym who squat 300+ lbs in sneakers. Sorry, but if im gonna balance that much weight on my spine I'm not going to stand on a bubble of air, lol.

[Meat]

That's what I've been using, I just buy a new pair of chucks every 1-2 months, use em till they're smelly, wash em and add em to the everyday pile. horrible for running of course but great for no impact cardio.

[Weiing]

Yeah chucks are nice... BUT VFFs are better. ;o

I heard Nike has this new shoe sort of like VFFs but not as 'obvious'.... But screw Nike! It's still not as good as VFFs.

[Tyche]

The greatest shoe ever made is made by Nike.

[Tyche]

Do they make VFFs for all the strange aliens with morton's toe?

[Weiing]

Do they make VFFs for all the strange aliens with morton's toe?

I wondered about that... Don't think they have it, but I'm sure it'd have to be custom designed for each individual.

[Odesseiron]

So I haven't checked in a while, but today I tried on a pair of size 36 jeans I recieved for christmas. Much to my surprise, they fit rather well! I have room in them and they don't "cut" in to me. I am VERY happy about this. I've wanted to be a 36 for quite some time. I know everything is cut differently, but these were VERY tight 2 months ago. I wear them very well at the moment. I'm also down to under 220 lbs again! I have another 20-25 lbs to go. I want to ideally be 190-200 lbs at 6'3. Just thought I'd share my latest accomplishment :D

[Weiing]

That's very awesome! Congrats on your achievement so far and good luck with the rest!

[richardd]

dude, that's fucking aweosme. congrats man!