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Programmers stuck inside who need fitness ideas get out and meet people. Go to meetup.com, type in your area and type in running, health and fitness. Find a r

by maeon3 15y ago

Programmers stuck inside who need fitness ideas get out and meet people. Go to meetup.com, type in your area and type in running, health and fitness. Find a running club where you meet up somewhere and run around a loop, trail, or city area. I found that extremely rewarding. It is a filter to screen out the fraggles from the doozers.

tomjen3 15y ago
What is it that makes people assuming exercise -> running? It has all the unpleasant effects of exercise + it destroys your knees and you still don't have a sixpack.
- samskiter 15y ago
  Agree. I'm very active but don't do any cycling/running/gym work. I participate in sports for the enjoyment and adrenaline of the sport itself. Way more addictive - no need for training schedules and the like. I just HAVE to get to the beach when the wind is right. Still, that's not taking away from running, many people really enjoy it and there is no denying it a cheap way to get fit.
  - oinksoft 15y ago
    I just like to go places on a bicycle. Not Lance rides, just use it to get stuff done; it's very good for people with knee problems because it strengthens your knee ligaments, as far as I know. And it's been a good way to stay in shape!
- amouat 15y ago
  It also has a lot of advantages: - all you need is a pair of decent trainers and shorts - you don't need a partner - you make obvious and steady progress - most people unused to exercise need to work on cardiovascular stuff, not six packs - you get to go outside, not stuck inside a hall or somewhere
- beagle3 15y ago
  > It has all the unpleasant effects of exercise That's subjective; I like running outside. It lets me clear my mind like no other form of exercise. (I hate running int he gym, though) > it destroys your knees Only if you do it wrong. Unfortunately, 99.9% of the people do it wrong. I had started to develop some knee pains (only while running) after a healed knee injury. And then I discovered the Vibram Five Fingers, and after two weeks the knee pains were gone for good. They take a while to get used to, but they're worth it.
  - stevejalim 15y ago
    +1 for the Vibram suggestion. I had a similar experience, and running barefoot-style is a world away from hammering along pavements
  - digitallimit0 15y ago
    It's not the shoe that's solving your problem, though. The trick is to run on your forefoot and roll back to your heel. That's it. That said, it's true that the key difference in the average running shoe and the Vibram line is the lack of heel-cushioning, which as a result encourages correct running, but I felt it pertinent to clear that up. tl;dr run with an impact front-to-back, toe-to-heel.
    - beagle3 15y ago
      That's right. I knew that long ago, but I was unable to maintain that pose while running 10km -- old habits die hard. After about one month of walking and running with the Vibrams, my step changed from heel-first to front-to-back, as it should -- and it stays that way even when I don't use the vibrams (I hardly use them at all during the winter -- they're not good for running in city puddles) front-to-back toe-to-heel is the key. The vibram is a way to get there.
      - jarek 15y ago
        Wouldn't any shoe with no heel cushioning be a way to get there?
- AlexandrB 15y ago
  > ... and you still don't have a sixpack. Most forms of exercise will not give you a visible sixpack. The biggest thing that matters for a sixpack is body fat %, which requires a healthy diet more than anything else.
- AznHisoka 15y ago
  I agree... to each his own, but I find running very boring. If you're into the Paleo movement, it's recommended you focus more on slow movement such as walking, hiking, biking as well as full body exercises: squats, pushups, etc. Running for prolonged periods of time regularly can do our bodies more harm, especially if we're unfit in the 1st place. So it's just not a sustainable form of exercise. Better find an activity that's less stressful and more fun.
  - coyotej 15y ago
    I'm a Paleo guy, though I typically suggest that people should do whatever physical activity they actually enjoy. Paleo's recommendation of functional training just happen to coincide with what I like. As for running, I HATE running for any significant amount of time, and I chalk this up partially to my body-type - I'm very good with short sprints and have large muscle mass in my legs, which is the opposite of most serious [distance] runners who have leaner legs, but similar to track stars who do the 100M and such.
- Splines 15y ago
  I'm not a runner, but I do enjoy a brief walk when I'm stuck on something, feel uninspired or just feel like my brain is slogging. The break away from the screen is really welcome. At the moment I usually walk up, across and down a few floors in my building.
- scelerat 15y ago
  > it destroys your knees This is a myth. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/11/phys-ed-can-running-actually-help-your-knees/ http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/11/phys-ed-can-running...
  - hopeless 15y ago
    The problem^ is that the biggest predictor of knee pain/problems is previous knee pain/problems. So you could run for years (or even decades if I recall the research) with no problems but once it occurs it can be hard to recover from or avoid in the future. As someone with plenty of metal in my legs and interior surface damage to my knee joint, I'm acutely aware of my need to find non-running exercise. ^ as I understood the paper I read last year, which I now can't find but it might have been mentioned in the NYT
- jasonkester 15y ago
  Rock Climbing is probably a better plan then. It is fun in the way that you're not supposed to be having fun anymore at your age, to the point where you find yourself rearranging your schedule so that you can do more of it. And it absolutely will give you a sixpack by the time you're any good at it. The only downside is that it won't actually get you fit in the traditional sense. I can pull into a front lever using two fingertips, but I can't run a mile to save my life. Still, it's exercise that you'll actually do. And unless you live in Nebraska, there's a climbing gym within a 20 minute drive of you right this minute.
  - dekz 15y ago
    Rock climbing is fantastic, but as your claim that it doesn't make you 'fit' are a bit misleading. As with anything there are correct techniques and if overall 'fit'ness and being able to run a mile are related then you're doing it wrong in respect to your goal and you've probably chosen the wrong form of exercise. Continuous bouldering again is a great way to work your cardiovascular while also stimulating your core. Slow top roping on the other hand won't be the same. As seems to be the grandparents goal, you will definitely get a sixpack from rock climbing.
  - derwiki 15y ago
    For cardio, you could also do top-rope laps. Pick a route slightly below your peak, climb it, descend, climb it, descend, climb it, descend. It's fun to see if your technical improvement by the third time compensates for climbing slower because you're tired. And FWIW, I've been climbing 2 times/week for 3 years now and have no where near a six-pack :)
- mattstreet 15y ago
  There is plenty of evidence that running is good for your knees as long as you aren't making an injury worse. Also the only way to have a six pack is have low body fat, one of the many ways to achieve that is through running. I don't think one should assume exercise means running but your points against running are wrong as well.
jra101 15y ago
Another sport I would highly recommend is rock climbing. Most cities have an indoor climbing gym and on the whole I've found other climbers to be very friendly and helpful to people just getting started. There is also this whole puzzle solving aspect to rock climbing that I was unaware of before I started climbing. You can mostly brute force your way through a route if you are strong enough but there is always a more efficient way to do it that uses a fraction of the energy. Figuring out the right way to do a route is very satisfying to my inner nerd.
- ryaf 15y ago
  Agreed. I boulder daily. It is one of the most rewarding forms of exercise on many levels. And if you get involved with it on a serious level you will see fast results.
mark_l_watson 15y ago
Great idea. I belong to two different hiking groups so I have scheduled hikes every Monday and Thursday mornings. I find that when I am really busy (usually writing code) that having scheduled breaks helps a lot; same comment for scheduled dinner parties, lunches out, and other social events.
mathgenius 15y ago
i would recommend tango dancing (!= ballroom). Alot of engineers, scientists, etc. really get it. It's not about memorizing moves, it's about learning a logic, learning how to think with four legs. It's alot of fun. Oh and there's babes too.

by maeon3 15y ago

tomjen3 15y ago

What is it that makes people assuming exercise -> running? It has all the unpleasant effects of exercise + it destroys your knees and you still don't have a sixpack.

samskiter 15y ago
Agree. I'm very active but don't do any cycling/running/gym work. I participate in sports for the enjoyment and adrenaline of the sport itself. Way more addictive - no need for training schedules and the like. I just HAVE to get to the beach when the wind is right. Still, that's not taking away from running, many people really enjoy it and there is no denying it a cheap way to get fit.
- oinksoft 15y ago
  I just like to go places on a bicycle. Not Lance rides, just use it to get stuff done; it's very good for people with knee problems because it strengthens your knee ligaments, as far as I know. And it's been a good way to stay in shape!
amouat 15y ago
It also has a lot of advantages: - all you need is a pair of decent trainers and shorts - you don't need a partner - you make obvious and steady progress - most people unused to exercise need to work on cardiovascular stuff, not six packs - you get to go outside, not stuck inside a hall or somewhere
beagle3 15y ago
> It has all the unpleasant effects of exercise That's subjective; I like running outside. It lets me clear my mind like no other form of exercise. (I hate running int he gym, though) > it destroys your knees Only if you do it wrong. Unfortunately, 99.9% of the people do it wrong. I had started to develop some knee pains (only while running) after a healed knee injury. And then I discovered the Vibram Five Fingers, and after two weeks the knee pains were gone for good. They take a while to get used to, but they're worth it.
- stevejalim 15y ago
  +1 for the Vibram suggestion. I had a similar experience, and running barefoot-style is a world away from hammering along pavements
- digitallimit0 15y ago
  It's not the shoe that's solving your problem, though. The trick is to run on your forefoot and roll back to your heel. That's it. That said, it's true that the key difference in the average running shoe and the Vibram line is the lack of heel-cushioning, which as a result encourages correct running, but I felt it pertinent to clear that up. tl;dr run with an impact front-to-back, toe-to-heel.
  - beagle3 15y ago
    That's right. I knew that long ago, but I was unable to maintain that pose while running 10km -- old habits die hard. After about one month of walking and running with the Vibrams, my step changed from heel-first to front-to-back, as it should -- and it stays that way even when I don't use the vibrams (I hardly use them at all during the winter -- they're not good for running in city puddles) front-to-back toe-to-heel is the key. The vibram is a way to get there.
    - jarek 15y ago
      Wouldn't any shoe with no heel cushioning be a way to get there?
AlexandrB 15y ago
> ... and you still don't have a sixpack. Most forms of exercise will not give you a visible sixpack. The biggest thing that matters for a sixpack is body fat %, which requires a healthy diet more than anything else.
AznHisoka 15y ago
I agree... to each his own, but I find running very boring. If you're into the Paleo movement, it's recommended you focus more on slow movement such as walking, hiking, biking as well as full body exercises: squats, pushups, etc. Running for prolonged periods of time regularly can do our bodies more harm, especially if we're unfit in the 1st place. So it's just not a sustainable form of exercise. Better find an activity that's less stressful and more fun.
- coyotej 15y ago
  I'm a Paleo guy, though I typically suggest that people should do whatever physical activity they actually enjoy. Paleo's recommendation of functional training just happen to coincide with what I like. As for running, I HATE running for any significant amount of time, and I chalk this up partially to my body-type - I'm very good with short sprints and have large muscle mass in my legs, which is the opposite of most serious [distance] runners who have leaner legs, but similar to track stars who do the 100M and such.
Splines 15y ago
I'm not a runner, but I do enjoy a brief walk when I'm stuck on something, feel uninspired or just feel like my brain is slogging. The break away from the screen is really welcome. At the moment I usually walk up, across and down a few floors in my building.
scelerat 15y ago
> it destroys your knees This is a myth. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/11/phys-ed-can-running-actually-help-your-knees/ http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/11/phys-ed-can-running...
- hopeless 15y ago
  The problem^ is that the biggest predictor of knee pain/problems is previous knee pain/problems. So you could run for years (or even decades if I recall the research) with no problems but once it occurs it can be hard to recover from or avoid in the future. As someone with plenty of metal in my legs and interior surface damage to my knee joint, I'm acutely aware of my need to find non-running exercise. ^ as I understood the paper I read last year, which I now can't find but it might have been mentioned in the NYT
jasonkester 15y ago
Rock Climbing is probably a better plan then. It is fun in the way that you're not supposed to be having fun anymore at your age, to the point where you find yourself rearranging your schedule so that you can do more of it. And it absolutely will give you a sixpack by the time you're any good at it. The only downside is that it won't actually get you fit in the traditional sense. I can pull into a front lever using two fingertips, but I can't run a mile to save my life. Still, it's exercise that you'll actually do. And unless you live in Nebraska, there's a climbing gym within a 20 minute drive of you right this minute.
- dekz 15y ago
  Rock climbing is fantastic, but as your claim that it doesn't make you 'fit' are a bit misleading. As with anything there are correct techniques and if overall 'fit'ness and being able to run a mile are related then you're doing it wrong in respect to your goal and you've probably chosen the wrong form of exercise. Continuous bouldering again is a great way to work your cardiovascular while also stimulating your core. Slow top roping on the other hand won't be the same. As seems to be the grandparents goal, you will definitely get a sixpack from rock climbing.
- derwiki 15y ago
  For cardio, you could also do top-rope laps. Pick a route slightly below your peak, climb it, descend, climb it, descend, climb it, descend. It's fun to see if your technical improvement by the third time compensates for climbing slower because you're tired. And FWIW, I've been climbing 2 times/week for 3 years now and have no where near a six-pack :)
mattstreet 15y ago
There is plenty of evidence that running is good for your knees as long as you aren't making an injury worse. Also the only way to have a six pack is have low body fat, one of the many ways to achieve that is through running. I don't think one should assume exercise means running but your points against running are wrong as well.

jra101 15y ago

Another sport I would highly recommend is rock climbing. Most cities have an indoor climbing gym and on the whole I've found other climbers to be very friendly and helpful to people just getting started. There is also this whole puzzle solving aspect to rock climbing that I was unaware of before I started climbing. You can mostly brute force your way through a route if you are strong enough but there is always a more efficient way to do it that uses a fraction of the energy. Figuring out the right way to do a route is very satisfying to my inner nerd.

ryaf 15y ago
Agreed. I boulder daily. It is one of the most rewarding forms of exercise on many levels. And if you get involved with it on a serious level you will see fast results.

mark_l_watson 15y ago

Great idea. I belong to two different hiking groups so I have scheduled hikes every Monday and Thursday mornings. I find that when I am really busy (usually writing code) that having scheduled breaks helps a lot; same comment for scheduled dinner parties, lunches out, and other social events.

mathgenius 15y ago

i would recommend tango dancing (!= ballroom). Alot of engineers, scientists, etc. really get it. It's not about memorizing moves, it's about learning a logic, learning how to think with four legs. It's alot of fun. Oh and there's babes too.