The Grad Cafe Fitness Thread

[UFGator]

Hello all!

So doing a regular routine at the gym has really REALLY helped me manage all of this stress. I figure we can use this thread to keep ourselves motivated in that department.

Personally I am about 2 months deep into the Stronglifts 5x5 program (aka "SL") and I am amazed at the results. It's a great beginner strength training program, and I would highly recommend it to anyone trying to get into better shape. The program is 100% free and there is no sign up required. They have a well organized and active community on their forum, who are great for motivation and inquiries.

You can read about it here- http://stronglifts.c...aining-program/

Another well reputable strength program is Starting Strength (aka "SS"). http://startingstren...ginner_Programs I haven't participated in this program, but it is very similar to SL so I imagine it is also very effective.

Anyone else keeping active?

Edited January 26, 2011 by UFGator

[UFGator]

Shameless self bump.

[megumi85]

Shameless self bump.

I'll bite! Actually, I don't really know much about strength trainging. >.< Sorry! But, I will second that any kind of regular exercise routine is GREAT for managing stress and sleeping better at night!

My exercise of choice is running. I'm pretty slow, but I love it. I had a regular schedule down for a while, but it got disrupted while I was working on my application materials. Now that everything's in and I'm just waiting, I'm trying to start up again. I'm signed up for a 10km run this April, so I've got a goal to work towards too. It's really nice to have something I can do something about on my own, instead of just having to wait for. Also, I can't check all my applications statuses while I'm at the gym.

[Tufnel]

I'd give it more than an hour or two before feeling the bumping need.

I'm running but it doesn't do anything for me as far as stress is concerned. I've been a runner for years so any perceived increase in stress occurred concurrently with the treatment. Perhaps I'd be more stressed without running.

Sadly, increasing my running isn't really feasible, I already run quite a lot.

To manage stress, I'm catching up on films, reading outside my research area, drinking too much coffee, ect.

April couldn't come slower.

Edited January 26, 2011 by Tufnel

[arkel]

What a great topic! Exercise was supposed to be part of my plan for managing stress, but I've fallen off the wagon in the last couple of weeks! Thank you for the reminder!!

For a long time now I have wanted to get into running more seriously, and I even resolved to run a half marathon this year (although I have a LONG way to go before I will be able to do that!). I started out trying to run 4-5 times a week, but now I'm down to once or twice I'm hoping to maybe increase that to 3 times a week, but probably put off any race training until after the application season is over. Maybe now that I've announced my goal on the internet I will have to follow through?

I haven't really put much thought into strength training, but I probably should. I usually just add some pushups to the end of a run...acknowledging that I should do some weights eventually but not actually starting.

I also started taking beginner ballet classes this month, and they are amazing! They really help me to relax, because the body positions are so precise that I can't really focus on much else (aka grad apps) while I'm trying to do them.

[UnlikelyGrad]

Anyone else keeping active?

In the last month I've started doing an exercise routine in the mornings--a combination of weights (2-5 lbs) and yoga. So I have strength and flexibility covered...now I just need to incorporate aerobic exercise...other than running up and down the stairs between office and lab, of course.

[Irishlibra]

I normally try to run at least 3+ times a week, and I've recently, very recently started doing yoga The yoga has been incredible! It's the perfect way to relax and relieve some of the stress in my life. I'm actually thinking about trying a morning yoga routine. I love to sleep so much that I wouldn't have considered it in the past, but I had a friend that was telling me about all of the benefits he's experienced because of his yoga routine that I just might give it a shot.

I, too, need to do more strength training. I usually just do a few push ups and sit ups and call it good.

[was1984]

I'm mostly backcountry skiing and climbing (inside) right now. It certainly does help, especially the climbing.

[kotov]

I've been playing basketball to get ready for intramural season (we won our first game!). I was out of shape before this process started, though, so it's certainly not doing me any harm.

[Golden Monkey]

I'd give it more than an hour or two before feeling the bumping need.

I'm running but it doesn't do anything for me as far as stress is concerned. I've been a runner for years so any perceived increase in stress occurred concurrently with the treatment. Perhaps I'd be more stressed without running.

Sadly, increasing my running isn't really feasible, I already run quite a lot.

To manage stress, I'm catching up on films, reading outside my research area, drinking too much coffee, ect.

April couldn't come slower.

Yeah, likewise. Sometimes when attempting to train through the winter, I think running actually creates more stress for me than it relieves. But this year, I fell down the stairs, injuring my back, then dislocated my shoulder five days later, then managed to re-dislocate it 2 days later. So no running for me. Unfortunately, I already paid entry fees for two Spring marathons. Oh well.

[UFGator]

I'd give it more than an hour or two before feeling the bumping need.

I'm running but it doesn't do anything for me as far as stress is concerned. I've been a runner for years so any perceived increase in stress occurred concurrently with the treatment. Perhaps I'd be more stressed without running.

Sadly, increasing my running isn't really feasible, I already run quite a lot.

To manage stress, I'm catching up on films, reading outside my research area, drinking too much coffee, ect.

April couldn't come slower.

I find it ironic that you drink coffee to relieve stress . It has the opposite effect on me.

[MoJingly]

For me, NOT exercising is not an option. Bad things happen. I have to run to keep myself sane. Sometimes I leave work early just because I just can't wait to do it.

I wish I liked yoga. I admit I want to be somebody who does yoga, you know? But every time I try it, I hate it. It's so depressing.

[Eli-]

For me, NOT exercising is not an option. Bad things happen. I have to run to keep myself sane. Sometimes I leave work early just because I just can't wait to do it.

I wish I liked yoga. I admit I want to be somebody who does yoga, you know? But every time I try it, I hate it. It's so depressing.

Exercise = mandatory for me, too; I get that. I was a long-distance runner for 6-7 years, and after my third foot injury I got really into the yoga and now LOVE it. I used to think it was just a lot of sitting and breathing (i.e., not enough SWEATING and therefore total BS), but I couldn't have been more wrong. I still like running (well, now it's more jogging), but the yoga does something to my brain and nervous system that no other thing does. It works well with a light weight program, too. I will say, though, that it took a few months before it got really fun as opposed to just challenging.

[UrbanWonk]

I'll admit it--I bought a Wii Fit. But I love it! There are a lot of games that are more balance-oriented than fitness-oriented, but the yoga and strength training exercises are really good, and it lets you customize workouts or choose from time/focus area presets. Mostly, I like that it's pretty good at critiquing form--I tried yoga a couple of times, but I've lost a lot of flexibility (I used to do gymnastics), so I was too embarrassed to take a class. It's quite calming, and ditto on the others--you can't check app status while working out!

[turtle_shell]

I am an absolute exercise DVD junkie. I love to workout but not a fan of gyms.

[TMP]

I just tried bikram yoga. The first class was hard because I didn't really know what to expect so it felt like forever (90 minutes). The second class was amazing. For the first in weeks I was seriously calm and relaxed!

Right now I'm running. I can't really join a gym here in Germany just because I've had my fill of dealing with gyms overseas. So I'm running 5 times a week. I'm a marathoner so you don't really wanna know how many miles I can put in. Although just coming off from NYC marathon in November and 3 weeks of no running over the holidays (Thanks Lufthansa for losing my bag!), I'm just getting back into my training routine. I'm aiming for a couple of spring half-marathons so... I'm looking forward to those! Sometimes I think about PhD programs and the future but if I can choose a specific training plan/goal for the run, I can usually keep it all out of my mind and stay focused on the task.

[KRC]

Another well reputable strength program is Starting Strength (aka "SS"). http://startingstren...ginner_Programs I haven't participated in this program, but it is very similar to SL so I imagine it is also very effective

Actually, Rippetoe's program came first and has been utilized for decades before Stronglifts. Doing either is far better than faffing about the gym using machine after machine though.

It is a fantastic program that will give you REAL results quickly provided you stick to it *exactly* and eat/sleep well. I did Rippetoe's program for a while and also Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The thought of giving up BJJ to be a poor grad student is horrifying, but luckily a few of the schools I've applied to have "grappling clubs" which most times are close to BJJ or submission wrestling. More common though are judo clubs which seems cool.

How has your progress been (you can PM if you'd like )? Good thread and good luck with Stronglifts!

[UFGator]

Actually, Rippetoe's program came first and has been utilized for decades before Stronglifts. Doing either is far better than faffing about the gym using machine after machine though.

It is a fantastic program that will give you REAL results quickly provided you stick to it *exactly* and eat/sleep well. I did Rippetoe's program for a while and also Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The thought of giving up BJJ to be a poor grad student is horrifying, but luckily a few of the schools I've applied to have "grappling clubs" which most times are close to BJJ or submission wrestling. More common though are judo clubs which seems cool.

How has your progress been (you can PM if you'd like )? Good thread and good luck with Stronglifts!

I didn't mean to sound like I was discrediting Rippetoe's program, he is absolutely killer. I just hadn't heard about SS until after I started SL on my first round with it a bit over a year ago.

I'm 2 months deep into it, squatting about 250lb, deadlifting 355lb, OHP 150lb. I love the way I feel after this workout.

[KRC]

I love the way I feel after this workout.

Couldn't agree more. That plus the training economy that it offers and it's a wonder that anyone that lifts doesn't do a program like this.

[UFGator]

Couldn't agree more. That plus the training economy that it offers and it's a wonder that anyone that lifts doesn't do a program like this.

It's amazing what the program can do as far as beginning training. There are so many people at the gym that could be gaining so much more if they knew about these programs.

[was1984]

Couldn't agree more. That plus the training economy that it offers and it's a wonder that anyone that lifts doesn't do a program like this.

I'd say the main reason is lack of access to facilities for olympic lifting. The school I'm at right now definitely doesn't have them, at least for regular students.

Also, those lifts definitely require good technique or you can seriously hurt yourself. That scares a lot of people away.

Edited January 27, 2011 by was1984

[KRC]

I'd say the main reason is lack of access to facilities for olympic lifting. The school I'm at right now definitely doesn't have them, at least for regular students.

Also, those lifts definitely require good technique or you can seriously hurt yourself. That scares a lot of people away.

Yeah, OIy lifts do have a tendency to scare people off. Luckily both Stronglifts and Starting Strength are designed to be done without any olympic lifts at all. Stronglifts doesn't have them anywhere iirc, and you can do the SS variation that replaces cleans with chins (the Practical Programming variation).

[troy.princess]

For the past 10 years I have been doing Pilates & Yoga.

After my last application I found something new - Callanetics - it's a combination of Pilates, Yoga and Ballet, and decided to do that every day until I'll get answers from universities.

I don't like running very much but I try to walk as much as I can.

[lambspam]

I recently downloaded P90X 'cause I'm a big tool. Since I'm a little crippled, I can only do about half an hour at a time.

Hard as hell, but it'll make you appreciate oxygen and water much more than you ever thought possible.

[monotreme]

im starting yoga teacher training tomorrow!

it might come in handy in grad school around finals season.. de-stress w.yoga sessions, anyone?