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Under-the-Desk Exercise Equipment?
stoat asks: "I am a rather large man looking for exercise alternatives. I was thinking that an under desk pedaling machine might be just the ticket. Could perhaps hook it up to your computer and log total calories burned. The question is, has this already been done? It would seem to be the rather large number of 'large' people in the geek community could really use something like this."
Oh course, his consideration is bad from a nutrition point of view. A normal diet should have:
Fat %30 of kcalories
Saturated Fat %10 (incl in fat %)
Carbohydrate %60
Protein %10
I'd recommend ready a good nutrition book, which will explain why most protein diets are spoofs.
I think the guy wants to program while he's walking. I would too. I love walking, because it's a great time to think. But sometimes I think of something cool, and I have to wait until I get in front of a machine before I can act on it. Since I like to walk a few miles at a time, that can be a couple hours before that happens. I'd love to have a wearable, not so I can write a lot of code when I'm walking, but so that I can do quick little things when I don't want to go back to a computer right away.
If tits were wings it'd be flying around.
Creatine is fine, but the thing is that Cliff still needs to find the time to work out.
My suggestion to Cliff would be to read everything he can on the Cyberpump website. It has everything you need to know about H.I.T. (or High Intensity Training), which basically espouses the benefits of brief, high intensity weight training. Just the thing for the time-poor. If you are pressed for time, at least read the HIT FAQ.
Also, if you're interested in creatine, check out the following article in Lyle McDonald's Nutrimuscle on Cyberpump for some unbiased information on creatine supplementation.
Wocko
Although it would be nice to have some type of excersise that you could do while working I doubt it going to have much effect, and more importantly isn't going to significantly improve your quality of life.
Got to admit I am looking for some kind way (time, and lack of inertia) to get fitter, although I have the opposite problem, I used to weigh about 28lb (?? 2 stones) more than I do now, although back then I was working for the forestry, rebuilding an old stone house and studying kung fu, now I even get tired going up stairs which really comes as a shock.
can't someone just make the internet go away?
~ppppppppö
Sheesh, how defensive. I'm not maligning the martial arts; I even mention (albeit as an afterthought) that since the student of martial arts is capable of causing damage to others, there might be a reason to make sure he understands the ethical import of his situation. What I have a problem with are the pervasive hidden agendas, the constant assumption of spiritual truths. I don't feel that everybody who wants a workout without religion should be relegated to "an aerobics class". If someone wants to learn how to defend themselves (e.g. a teenage girl doesn't want to get raped, an old man doesn't want to get mugged, a football player wants to keep in shape during the off-season), they should be able to do so without having spiritual values forced upon them. To a degree ethical values are fine. A martial arts instructor can say you shouldn't hit, but the teacher who says you should love your mother and give to charity is abusing his power (even though you should love your mother and give to charity). He is preying upon people in a vulnerable state who are taking him as an authority.
But I'm done arguing with you. Obviously I'm assaulting your religious sensibilities (I was under their spell once too, I know the seduction first-hand) and courtesy dictates I stop.
meant "decreases muscle recovery periods"
True, I do :). I find that though there's nothing wrong with Zen (legitimate practitions of it seem more at peace with themselves than your average citizen) or martial arts (taught me to kick some SERIOUS ass) many martial arts schools tend to use an ad-hoc system of ethics loosely based on Zen-buzzwords in order to enforce a false hierarchy and ensure a monthly stream of revenue. I've checked out many disciplines and found this to be the case with the majority. Students unwittingly become voicepieces for their teachers. This phenomenon is undoubtably cultlike.
Most teachers of martial arts wind up considering themselves qualified teachers of religion as well. This is an extremely dangerous abuse of power. What's worse is that they're implicitly converting to their belief system many people who wanted nothing more than a Billy Blanks style of workout. If you take Yoga or Tai-Chi, odds are your target is some state of harmony/bliss/awareness. It's therefore expected that some spiritual virtues will be emphasized. But if you're taking kickboxing, you are expecting little more than a workout. It's therefore unfair for them to push upon you an alien belief system. What if you believe in Jesus, heaven, all of that stuff? Or in Yehovah and the splitting of the Red Sea? Or in the Big Bang, evolution, etc. To be forced to acknowledge another shape to the universe when all you wanted was an exciting workout that would teach you to defend yourself is an act of brainwashing.
Imagine a short 10 year-old geek (give him tourette's or diabetes to sadden his plight) picked on by the other kids. He takes Karate because he's seen the movies, played the video games, and knows that it will teach him how to fight back. To not be a victim. And when he goes to Tae-Kwon-Do school, they fill his impressionable mind with yet-another-ethical-system and yet-another-belief-system. When his technique is poor, they tell him he lacks "spirit". And he's vulnerable, so these lessons stick. That kid has just lost a MAJOR part of his ability to think independently. Yes he can rediscover his freedom later in life, but he might not. Many don't.
You can argue that since the martial arts teach a person how to become a fearsome fighter, it's vital that some lessons be given regarding self-control, etc. so this ten year-old kid won't himself become a bully. But that's no reason to fill his head with mystical doctrines. Oh well, maybe I just had the wrong teachers :).
Didn't the Federal Intern Agency put together something like this for the President?
running is not better than lifting, read the original message again, it says loose weight, AND gain muscle. running will help you gain a little muscle, but pretty much only in legs. running however is a great cardo program
THE fastest way to loose weight and tone up a bit would be to find a traditional northern style kung-fu class. THAT will whip you into shape.
kung fu is a cardo style exercise that also makes use of small free weights to give you some upper body strength.
Get one of those electric muscle workout things. They simulate you working out... you flex without thinking about... so you can do some real work... coding. :-)
Considering I started at 245 and I had a two week period where there was absolutely no way to work out, pretty good. I am down about 3 inches on my waist, gained over on my arms, and lost over an inch on my legs. It sounds silly, but one of my goals was to actually see the zipper on my pants, and I can now do this for the most part. I plan to do it again and focus even more on setting goals, this is something I have never been good at before, but I have really found it to be helpful during the program. :)
Now if only he could put hair back on my head!
We now return you to your regularly scheduled moment of insanity...
First, I'm a fat guy who is in the process of slimming down, so what's here is what's working for me and, more importantly, what my doctor recommends.
If you're looking to lose weight, please don't start by lifting weights. Lifting weights increases muscle mass, which is heavier then fat, believe it or not. So you'll be industriously lifting weights, and not losing much at all. On the good side, depending on how you choose to lift weights, you'll either tone what you have or develop a lot of new muscle (the general rule is low weight and lots of reps=muscle toning and high weight and fewer reps=big muscle mass).
The first thing anyone should do if they're want to lose weight is to consult their doctor! Losing weight involves a combination of eating properly and exersizing and you should always consult your doc to make sure that what you've planned is actually healthy for you. The last thing you want is to set off a heart-attack or some other injury because what you're doing is too much. Start slow, and stick to your plan, once you have it.
Having said that, there are some very good general guideline anyone can use.
But these are things I do, and though I can't guarantee they'll work for everyone, they have worked for a lot of folks. Take it for what it's worth.
Good post. Unfortunately, as I'm sure a lot of Slashdotters know, the I.T industry and related industries usually demand 16 hour+ days. Oh well. I guess lifting a rackmount server is quite staunch exercise and will be a fair replacement for free weights :-) (lift, up, down, lift that server). Or a 21" Sun monitor. Sheesh. I think the glass in the front must be at least 120lbs. The whole thing, slightly more.
"A few atoms won't even light a match" - Dr Jones, 1933
The fastest way to loose weight, and gain muscle is to lift weight. Preferably free weights, because they offer better rage of motion than machines. It is a fact that you burn more calories resting after lifting (you body burns calories to repair the muscle tissue you slightly damage when working out). Combine this with 20 mins of cardio every other day, with one day off for both. Your body will change rather quickly. I must add that eating properly is probably 60-70% of your battle. Without eating properly, the change will not happen as quickly. Eat 5-6 times a day. This is important. 5-6 smaller, balanced meals consisting of 40% carbs and 60% protein will yield the best results. Usually the 5-6 meals are 3 regular meals and 2-3 protein shakes like met-rx (you can use any high quality protein mix, but met-rx tastes good).
I know some wrist execises you can do under desk, but you have to beware of chafing and I'm not sure if you should do them at work...
Scuttlemonkey is a troll
"The fastest way to loose weight, and gain muscle is to lift weight. Preferably free weights..."
For safety reasons, you should try to have a spotter watch over you when working with free weights, in case you lose control or get a cramp. It's really easy to hurt yourself, especially when you're first starting out.
If you don't someone who can serve as a spotter around, a machine may be a little bit better because of the limited range of motion. I've also been wondering about machines like the Bowflex -- the lack of actual weights looks like it might make it a little safer, but I've never actually used one of those.
Martial arts fit the bill for many people, despite the cult/fascist/zen approach taken by some schools
While I respect your right to your own opinion, I must disagree here. You use these terms in a pejorative manner.
If you're looking for strictly a cardiovascular workout, take an aerobics class. While Billy Blanks is an extremely skilled martial artist, this Tae Bo shit has to stop. If you're not willing to put in the time and expend the energy, you shouldn't be doing it.
LK
"Hi. This is my friend, Jack Shit, and you don't know him." - Lord Kano
I think that the idea of a peddling mechanism is a good one to start. My uncles had one from the 70's, no real way to interface them, but they fit in front of a chair and pedalled as fast as you like. The resistance was provided by a wing nut and a washer tightening the connection between the support and the pedalling mech. Anyway, I think that the devices exist, but in the long run ...
Back away from the keyboard. Muscles need room to move. You won't get any real cardio/fat burning effect until you make all the big muscles work real hard doing real world things. I agree with lifting weights as a good place to start. It builds muscle and that helps burn fat. It also doesn't hurt too much cardiovascularly. A good weightlifting session doesn't leave you miserably out of breath, but breathing hard and sweating good. After that gets comfortable, a couple of minutes (5, 10, 15 to start) on an excercise bike mixed in and then the hardest part ... eating better. I think the first thing that can be done to help the transition is to drink water instead of soft drinks. Not exclusively mind you ... that would be suicidal, but cut soda back to dinner and lunch and if you drink, try to save it for the weekends.
As soon as I find the key to this eating right thing, I'll tell the world. I can't claim to be an expert, but if you want a pretty good starting point in a weightlifting/resistance training program, go ahead and e-mail me. I might be able to help. Good luck.
...under the desk exercise regimens. Unfortunately there are largely prohibited by recent harassment legislation.
More seriously, try visiting The Hacker's Diet. It has done (and is continuing to do) wonders for me.
Remember, exercise, while good for you, doesn't cut the weight as well as eating less (or more accurately, eating BETTER).
--
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I know everyone says, "find an exercise you like!", but really, most exercise bores the hell out of me...I'm not into nature or sports or whatever... but something that did get me doing 30-45 minutes of aerobic exercise every day is Dance Dance Revolution! Heheh, finally, a video game that isn't about sitting on your ass all day! It's totally addictive.
Quick synopsis: you get a 3' x 3' dancing pad, with spots for the 4 directional arrows. A song plays, and little arrows float up the screen, and you have to step on the arrow on the pad in sync with the screen's arrows. Sound easy? It's not. You've got to hit the pad exactly on the beat, and the songs are generally dance songs, so they can be pretty fast. It's extra-challenging if you have no sense of rhythm (like me).
The songs are pretty good too...Konami teamed up with EMI Japan to put real songs on the game. Some familiar ones are Chumbawumba's "Tubthumping" and an odd cover/remix of the Village People's "In The Navy".
Anyway, it's out for PSX, and I think Dreamcast now too. It's an import game, with modchip detection, so you'll need a stealth mod, plus the dancing pad of course (waaay cheap, I've seen 'em go for 15 bucks).
Seriously. Creatine will pack on muscle mass like you wouldn't believe. And this muscle mass will burn tremendous amounts of fat. In addition, creatine increases your muscle recovery periods which means you will increase the amount of times per week you will be able to work out without overtraining.
As for pedaling equipment: You shouldn't think about work, school, etc. when you exercise, or else you will have a terrible workout. I used to take a book with me to the gym and read between sets in order to conserve time (any other geeks out there do this?). This led to my workouts lasting twice as long as necessary, and being half as intense as they should have been.
What you need is a sport you'll enjoy (Martial arts fit the bill for many people, despite the cult/fascist/zen approach taken by some schools). Instead of a cycling machine, you might try cycling for real. Outdoors. Wind, rain, muggers, all that stuff. That way, keeping up with your exercise routine won't be a burden, and you'll feel fulfilled throughout the rest of the day (insert sappy music here). You might even find you get more out of the day if you don't condense activities. I know I do.
Without going too much into the subject, I recommend doing something that you like. That could be mountain biking, stationary cycling while watching Letterman, kickboxing, swimming laps, taking a walk during your lunch break, jogging, calisthenics, basketball... Your options are endless. To begin I would focus on doing something that's enjoyable rather than a "What's Best for You" program that strictly guidelines dietary intake, and has some extensive grid of 30 different exercises for you to do.
While the under-the-desk pedaling idea sounds good, it won't be the change you're looking for, IMO.
(Off-topic, but informative! Those cancel out...)
Small potatoes make the steak look bigger.
Bravo, Cliff!
[rant]
I have read all that all have to say and I am not surprised at the differences in opinions. I am personally finishing a 12wk program of exercise, dieting, and supplamentation (God I hate spelling that!). I have reduced my body fat by over 10%, adding a large amount of muscle and changed my eating. I still love a good greasy burger, but I don't focus on them. It suprises me how many of us are not willing to find the time to take care of us. I work out of town for 50-60 hours a week minimum, travel to and from work each week, and still make time to make a difference. I spent a long time researching different approaches before using a particular one.
Yes, a high protien diet can be bad for you, IF you don't counter it with a large amount of water intake (10 cups or so) per day. The body needs that protein to repair the muscles that you are going to "damage" when working out. Cut back (not cut out) on the carbs to allow the body the options to use up the fats you have now. The more mucle you have, the more enegy your body needs to keep goig, thus you burn more carbs/fat.
Yes, Creatine is a excellent choice for a supplement (got it that time!) to you diet. Just remember that you still need to drink water! Creatine sucks up water like mad!
Yes you need the weights, not just running. Not matter what sport you take part in, you can benefit from the effects of a structured weight training program. Why do you think that the US Olympic Track & Field Team has one of the best weight centers? Train with weight 3x weekly and perform INTERVAL intensity aerobic exercises 3x weekly. This is because the body will respond to the intense aerobics much better than low-impact aerobics.
My suggestion would be to look at the Body for Life program. It is a great way to reshape your body, and who knows maybe you could win some cash?
Just find something that will work for you, and do it. We work in somewhat sendentary jobs, and will waste away if we don't do something!
[/rant]
We now return you to your regularly scheduled moment of insanity...
Seriously how hard is it to get up and take a walk?
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