back extension on Roman chair 9/28/05

I am starting to think using free weights is actually more effective than using fancy machines. I have been doing back bending exercises with this machine and sometimes I wondered if I am training my back muscles or pushing using other muscles as well. Yesterday that particular machine was taken so I went to the good old Roman chair and took 25 pound plate on my chest. It was a lot harder than I remembered. It means that I have not been keeping things up. I kind of felt that with chest and shoulders exercises. Because I couldn't do ab yesterday, I just did cardio and back. Then I got into heavy stretching. Stretching on back day is the best! I got into yoga state for a while and even with all the noise and music, I felt like I went somewhere. However my goof still continues! I forgot to do my biceps! Ahhh.

goof, goof, goof 9/27/05

As soon as I wrote the last entry, I realized that I forgot to stretch that day! That was goof number 1. Then yesterday I made it to the gym, a little later than I hoped, and realized that I forgot to pack my socks! So I exercises on bear feet wearing sneakers. Grrr. Not too sanitary. Then I even forgot to write the entry last night! Goof #3. Today I hope to make it to the gym, but tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday are meeting days. Then there is a Japanese movie and wind ensemble concert on campus on Friday. Ahh, so many things to do. I am thinking wind ensemble would do good to my mental health. Let's see how it goes.

knees, new leg press machine 9/25/05

Today was another legs day, but I am happy to report that I didn't feel discomfort this time. Maybe something I did on leg press and calf press went wrong. Anyway, I have been doing various exercises on new machines. I really like plate loaded leg press, but now that I can push more, it takes a little bit of time to load and unload the plates. Besides doing math and increasing weight just a little is a difficult task for me. So I have been going with handy dandy no weight version. I don't know how to call it officially, but you control the weight with push buttons. I really have to watch how deep I should be doing with leg press, but I did with 400 pounds today. The picture in the explanation looks to have knees closer, which makes it harder. But you really shouldn't bend more than 90 degrees to start with, wouldn't it?