How fit are you?

fraser · December 2nd, 2005, 12:31 AM

Fitness seems to be a key component of the DIR system that is often overlooked IMO. Ok, GUE has a swim test to measure fitness but generally speaking most people can dog-paddle that distance blindfolded in the time allowed

So, my question is, how many of us are actually doing a minimal workout - eg three 20 min cardio sessions a week? How many of us are in the "I work out when I have time" category? Do we have any marathon runners, triathletes etc?

For me, this year I have been lazy and let my fitness deteriorate a lot (hence the question I guess!). I am now visiting the gym three times a week again and doing 30-40mins of cardio (normally running) at a time. But other than diving I am not doing any other sports.

Thoughts?

Cheers,

Fraser.

**Alastair** · December 2nd, 2005, 01:04 AM

Interesting topic - I'd be interested in how much people are doing. I'm not that diligent or that fit but I do make an effort.

Currently I exercise twice a week, I mainly use the gym although I do break it up by going swimming now and again. Typical workout is 40-45 minutes cardio and then 30-45 minutes of weight training. I've got a couple of workout's setup on the gym's computer system and it alternates them automatically.

I do find it hard to be disciplined about it but every time I go I tell myself it will make the twinset seem lighter

I did actually get a copy of Cameron Martz's fitness for divers and thought it was well written. It actually has quite a bit of content on why exercise is good for diving from a decompression standpoint.

Anyway twinset still seems heavy so I keep going.

Cheers
Al

Little Pete · December 2nd, 2005, 01:49 AM

Good thread.

I'm in the state of being well toned and defined with reasonable strength. Sadly this is backed up by having pretty poor cardio fitness and limited stamina. My uni accomodation is close to the main sports centre in Norwich (as best I know) so I have no real excuse.
I'm looking to get into more swimming as fitness work and I have a friend who will show me techniques that work both muscles and cardio at the same time. If I don't die then it should be worthwhile :D
Another friend who is aiming to move to twin 12s as well thinks we should get into some weights too which might be an idea but there is a limit to what I could add to my frame (not that much space for muscles

).

So:

Quote:

How many of us are in the "I work out when I have time" category?

1....me

Gareth Burrows · December 2nd, 2005, 07:16 AM

Im running about 3 miles a day on the roads at the moment. Six Days a week. And about 15 mins free weights.

But that's been increased from a couple of times a week as I'm training for fundies and need to get myself back into shape.

Phil O · December 2nd, 2005, 08:35 AM

I love to run ... but sadly my joints don't like it so much these days.

I've found Spinning and love it - it's a brilliant work out. Twice a week on the Spin bikes at my local gym with a couple of other cardio sessions thrown in keeps my heart ticking over.

Writing this post I realise I've been neglecting weights session recently so I must get back to it. That's me off to the gym now.

rooster · December 2nd, 2005, 09:13 AM

OK, no laughing.

When I first moved to a twinset I struggled a little with valves and also some lower back discomfort (a hangover from some gym showboating a f ew years back).

Went to my girlfriend's yoga class and after about 3 weeks i was much more malleable and stretchy.

Of course, I then did fundamentals and it got even easier to reach the valves when I had the harness set correctly

My preferred workout is:

2 x free weights
2 x 45 min swim
1 x cross train/ cycle

For free weights, I normally use scoring. For those that don't know it, it's a good way to track progress:

e.g. week 1

10kg x 3 sets x 10 reps = 300 so the following week I would make sure I increase this score by adding weight or doing more reps. The idea is to make SMALL progress every week and it adds up over time. The key thing is make the progression small though to avoid the risk of strains/ injury.

*Brian Allen* · December 2nd, 2005, 11:56 AM

I started training for fundies last May. For some reason i got it into my head that it was important to be able to run constantky for at least 30 mins before i did it. Think i read that in the Fundamentals of better diving. I also had to stop smoking. Now last time i stopped i put on 2 stone, so was determined not to let that happen.

I quit, and started gyming it 4-5 times a week.

Now 6 months later i'm doing 3 x 45 min cardio seshs, and 2 x 1 hour weights if I'm good. I play octopush/underwater hockey once a week too - now that is tough!!!

On the good side i never get back ache any more and i feel really fit (and rarely get hangovers any more)

On the down side i get the odd ankle or knee pain and have to stop for a bit, I also picked up a really cute girlfriend and now have even less money for dive kit than when i smoked

Mark Chase · December 2nd, 2005, 12:41 PM

9 hours of competative badminton over three days a week and I am still a fat git.

Did a tredmill test recently (bout three months ago) and colapsed in a heep totaly embaresed and drenched in sweat after 14mins. Then i found out to pass the diving HSE medical you only needed to last 9mins so I felt a lot better :D

ATB

Mark Chase

*Clare Gledhill* · December 2nd, 2005, 12:48 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Mark Chase)

Then i found out to pass the diving HSE medical you only needed to last 9mins so I felt a lot better :D

I didn't do a treadmill on mine - I did the step test - 100 repetitions up and down on a step about 12 inches high (they had a higher one for guys - I think it would have been eighteen inches)

Both legs up (one at a time) both legs down (one at a time) = 1 rep.

____________________

I started walking to work last year - 1.5 miles each way so 3 miles a day four days a week. Not good enough - but better than nothing.

My strength is a real liability - but it is less muscle strength and more bone or ligament strength I think. My wrist still hasn't recovered from the Gavins at Stoney two months ago - every time I pick up my set it takes another strain and starts to hurt again.

I have to address this - but can't quite see how.

Mark Chase · December 2nd, 2005, 01:20 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Gledders)

My wrist still hasn't recovered from the Gavins at Stoney two months ago - every time I pick up my set it takes another strain and starts to hurt again.

I have to address this - but can't quite see how.

Thats the advantage with being a man. We have tremendious wrist strength in our prefered hand :D

Hang on..... I have an idea.... team wrist strengthining excercise for the girls

Ill get my coat

ATB

Mark Chase

December 2nd, 2005, 12:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
fraser(Offline) "I'm only late on your timescale" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 463	How fit are you? Fitness seems to be a key component of the DIR system that is often overlooked IMO. Ok, GUE has a swim test to measure fitness but generally speaking most people can dog-paddle that distance blindfolded in the time allowed So, my question is, how many of us are actually doing a minimal workout - eg three 20 min cardio sessions a week? How many of us are in the "I work out when I have time" category? Do we have any marathon runners, triathletes etc? For me, this year I have been lazy and let my fitness deteriorate a lot (hence the question I guess!). I am now visiting the gym three times a week again and doing 30-40mins of cardio (normally running) at a time. But other than diving I am not doing any other sports. Thoughts? Cheers, Fraser. __________________ Damn it feels good to be a gangsta Last edited by fraser; December 2nd, 2005 at 12:36 AM.

December 2nd, 2005, 01:04 AM	#2 (permalink)
Alastair(Offline) DIRX Supporter Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 693	Interesting topic - I'd be interested in how much people are doing. I'm not that diligent or that fit but I do make an effort. Currently I exercise twice a week, I mainly use the gym although I do break it up by going swimming now and again. Typical workout is 40-45 minutes cardio and then 30-45 minutes of weight training. I've got a couple of workout's setup on the gym's computer system and it alternates them automatically. I do find it hard to be disciplined about it but every time I go I tell myself it will make the twinset seem lighter I did actually get a copy of Cameron Martz's fitness for divers and thought it was well written. It actually has quite a bit of content on why exercise is good for diving from a decompression standpoint. Anyway twinset still seems heavy so I keep going. Cheers Al __________________ Helium is our friend - GI3

December 2nd, 2005, 07:16 AM	#4 (permalink)
Gareth Burrows(Offline) Chimp 2 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Horsham, West Sussex Posts: 368	Im running about 3 miles a day on the roads at the moment. Six Days a week. And about 15 mins free weights. But that's been increased from a couple of times a week as I'm training for fundies and need to get myself back into shape. __________________ Garf Amusing and Clever Signature under construction.

December 2nd, 2005, 08:35 AM	#5 (permalink)
Phil O(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Milton Keynes Posts: 340	I love to run ... but sadly my joints don't like it so much these days. I've found Spinning and love it - it's a brilliant work out. Twice a week on the Spin bikes at my local gym with a couple of other cardio sessions thrown in keeps my heart ticking over. Writing this post I realise I've been neglecting weights session recently so I must get back to it. That's me off to the gym now. __________________ Phil

December 2nd, 2005, 11:56 AM	#7 (permalink)
Brian Allen(Offline) GUE Instructor Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London & Plymouth Posts: 594	I started training for fundies last May. For some reason i got it into my head that it was important to be able to run constantky for at least 30 mins before i did it. Think i read that in the Fundamentals of better diving. I also had to stop smoking. Now last time i stopped i put on 2 stone, so was determined not to let that happen. I quit, and started gyming it 4-5 times a week. Now 6 months later i'm doing 3 x 45 min cardio seshs, and 2 x 1 hour weights if I'm good. I play octopush/underwater hockey once a week too - now that is tough!!! On the good side i never get back ache any more and i feel really fit (and rarely get hangovers any more) On the down side i get the odd ankle or knee pain and have to stop for a bit, I also picked up a really cute girlfriend and now have even less money for dive kit than when i smoked Last edited by Brian Allen; December 2nd, 2005 at 12:12 PM.

December 2nd, 2005, 01:49 AM	#3 (permalink)
Little Pete(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 509	Good thread. I'm in the state of being well toned and defined with reasonable strength. Sadly this is backed up by having pretty poor cardio fitness and limited stamina. My uni accomodation is close to the main sports centre in Norwich (as best I know) so I have no real excuse. I'm looking to get into more swimming as fitness work and I have a friend who will show me techniques that work both muscles and cardio at the same time. If I don't die then it should be worthwhile :D Another friend who is aiming to move to twin 12s as well thinks we should get into some weights too which might be an idea but there is a limit to what I could add to my frame (not that much space for muscles ). So: Quote: How many of us are in the "I work out when I have time" category? 1....me

December 2nd, 2005, 09:13 AM	#6 (permalink)
rooster(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 61	OK, no laughing. When I first moved to a twinset I struggled a little with valves and also some lower back discomfort (a hangover from some gym showboating a f ew years back). Went to my girlfriend's yoga class and after about 3 weeks i was much more malleable and stretchy. Of course, I then did fundamentals and it got even easier to reach the valves when I had the harness set correctly My preferred workout is: 2 x free weights 2 x 45 min swim 1 x cross train/ cycle For free weights, I normally use scoring. For those that don't know it, it's a good way to track progress: e.g. week 1 10kg x 3 sets x 10 reps = 300 so the following week I would make sure I increase this score by adding weight or doing more reps. The idea is to make SMALL progress every week and it adds up over time. The key thing is make the progression small though to avoid the risk of strains/ injury.

December 2nd, 2005, 12:41 PM	#8 (permalink)
Mark Chase(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kent England Posts: 905	9 hours of competative badminton over three days a week and I am still a fat git. Did a tredmill test recently (bout three months ago) and colapsed in a heep totaly embaresed and drenched in sweat after 14mins. Then i found out to pass the diving HSE medical you only needed to last 9mins so I felt a lot better :D ATB Mark Chase

December 2nd, 2005, 12:48 PM	#9 (permalink)
Clare Gledhill(Offline) GUE Instructor Site Admin Pacman Champion! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,547	Quote: (Originally Posted by Mark Chase) Then i found out to pass the diving HSE medical you only needed to last 9mins so I felt a lot better :D I didn't do a treadmill on mine - I did the step test - 100 repetitions up and down on a step about 12 inches high (they had a higher one for guys - I think it would have been eighteen inches) Both legs up (one at a time) both legs down (one at a time) = 1 rep. ____________________ I started walking to work last year - 1.5 miles each way so 3 miles a day four days a week. Not good enough - but better than nothing. My strength is a real liability - but it is less muscle strength and more bone or ligament strength I think. My wrist still hasn't recovered from the Gavins at Stoney two months ago - every time I pick up my set it takes another strain and starts to hurt again. I have to address this - but can't quite see how. __________________ Clare . "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions....Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too can become great." Interested in DIR dive training? Always happy to chat/answer questions so get in touch via PM or visit www.dirdiver.co.uk

December 2nd, 2005, 01:20 PM	#10 (permalink)
Mark Chase(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kent England Posts: 905	Quote: (Originally Posted by Gledders) My wrist still hasn't recovered from the Gavins at Stoney two months ago - every time I pick up my set it takes another strain and starts to hurt again. I have to address this - but can't quite see how. Thats the advantage with being a man. We have tremendious wrist strength in our prefered hand :D Hang on..... I have an idea.... team wrist strengthining excercise for the girls Ill get my coat ATB Mark Chase