Springtime Renewal

I can tell that Spring is finally here, not just because the tiny peepers are screaming their tiny throats out, but because the Snow Birds have returned from the South. Being away has not improved their driving abilities. There's a new tick-borne viral disease afoot that appears to be alarmingly lethal and tiny insects perpetually buzz about ears and eyes. Yep, it's Spring.

Because today is Arm Day, I decide to only do one cardio session. But I feel much better, and so I don't actually carry through with my planned de-escalation. My new Ryka Dash Walking Shoe are lightweight and reasonably comfortable, except when I first start pedaling on the LifeFitness Cross-trainer. I can feel the inside seams of the top of the shoe as my foot flexes and it's distracting. Eventually it becomes unnoticeable so I'm fairly happy with them. Tomorrow I'm going to test out the Ryka Intent XT 2 cross-trainers with the Nexersys kickboxing machine.

I almost walk past the breaker benches before remembering that I warm up with Close Grip Bench Presses. These are always fun! I start with just the Oly bar and knock out 25 reps so quick I almost lose count. Then add a pair of 10s. The reps come a little slower. Two weeks ago I got two sets at 65 lbs. so it's time to up the weight just a tad. I'm still going for reps because this is a warm-up after all. So I only add 10 lbs total to make it 75 lbs. I still get 25 reps, but it takes me longer with a pause at 15 and a pause at 20. I've forgotten my towel (first time ever!) so I drape my hoodie over the bench.

Everything else is fairly routine. I haven't upped my weight or reps in several weeks. Perhaps it's time to change it up? I'm not looking for growth or size. But I enjoy being strong. And fast. That's why I enjoy whacking the Nexersys so much. It's where I get to indulge my I see a lot of regulars but the gym isn't crowded. The Mayor appears briefly. M does a few minutes on the elliptical and then the treadmill before leaving. Jude, DanielRyanFan and Crippled Girl, creepy PJ Pants, Big Glasses Dude, Tattoo Tank, Frankenstein... they all come and go. I know I'm spending too much time here: an hour of cardio and today 90 minutes lifting. Plus another 15 minutes stretching. Yep, I've got to cut back somehow.

Venus moves from the treadmill where she's doing a version of Intervals to the Step Mill. I think it's Intervals only because she doesn't seem particularly flustered during the "run" phase, so it can't be HIIT. I move from cardio to an abbreviated Mat Stretch. When I drop into a split, I look up to check my form and see that Venus is staring from across the gym. I haven't seen Chatty Guy lately, but people's schedules change. It's Spring, and no one wants to be inside these days.

Wednesday Cardio and Arm Workout
(6.74 miles and 15,520 lbs moved)

CrossTrainer

Calorie :   148 CAL
Distance: 3.88 mile
Speed :    7.73 mph
Duration : 00:30:10

Barbell Close Grip Bench Press

137.5

Set 1 : 45x25
Set 2 : 65x25
Set 3 : 75x25

Dumbbell One Arm Triceps Extension

28

Set 1 : 20x12
Set 2 : 20x12
Set 3 : 20x12 SuperSet with

Dumbbell Alternate Bicep Curl

28

Set 1 : 20x12
Set 2 : 20x12
Set 3 : 20x12

Barbell Reverse Grip Skullcrusher

52.5

Set 1 : 17.5x15
Set 2 : 37.5x12
Set 3 : 37.5x12
Set 4 : 37.5x12
Set 5 : 37.5x12 SuperSet w

Barbell Curl

52.5

Set 1 : 17.5x15
Set 2 : 37.5x12
Set 3 : 37.5x12
Set 4 : 37.5x12
Set 5 : 37.5x12

Barbell Reverse Curl

75

Set 1 : 40x25
Set 2 : 45x20
Set 3 : 45x20
Set 4 : 45x20

Cable Triceps Pushdown

65

Set 1 : 40x12
Set 2 : 50x9
Set 3 : 50x7
Set 4 : 50x7

Seated Flat Bench Leg Pull In

100

Set 1 : 100 Lap/Rep

Elliptical Training

Calorie :   260 CAL
Distance: 2.88 mile
Duration : 00:30:02