Hello, I'm new!
- morganalefay
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Thu Jun 26, 2008 5:33 pm
- Location: London, UK
Hello, I'm new!
I signed up yesterday, and today I went out and bought a sledgehammer, so I thought I'd say hello! This is such a brilliantly simple and functional idea, I had to give it a try.
The obligatory bit about me: I'm a 45-year-old, 5'5" girl who has always done some form of exercise - I walk everywhere (I haven't had a car for about 9 years), I like swimming and I also cycle a lot - up until recently I spent 6 months of the year cycling to work which is 14 miles away (I now mostly work from home). I also do yoga and Pilates, a bit sporadically.
I started working out with weights after hitting 40 and reading about weight training and maintaining your bone density (also I'm a bit fed up with my classic female cr*p upper body strength). After injuring a shoulder doing 'isolation' exercises, I wanted to do more functional stuff, and became a devotee of Mistress Krista, which is how I came across Shovelglove. I had been thinking about kettlebells, but this seems easier, cheaper and more fun (though kettlebells still sound like fun!)
I've got a 10lb hammer, figuring that as I regularly work out with a pair of 5kg dumbbells (about 11lb each) that would be a reasonable place to start, but VERY CAREFULLY. I'll post up progress!
Just to add that I love the whole Everyday Systems concept. I've been working on trying to establish habits for a few years now, and this looks like it would help quite a lot.
Geographical and nationality footnote: I'm a Brit - actually I'm Welsh, though I live in south-west London in the UK.
The obligatory bit about me: I'm a 45-year-old, 5'5" girl who has always done some form of exercise - I walk everywhere (I haven't had a car for about 9 years), I like swimming and I also cycle a lot - up until recently I spent 6 months of the year cycling to work which is 14 miles away (I now mostly work from home). I also do yoga and Pilates, a bit sporadically.
I started working out with weights after hitting 40 and reading about weight training and maintaining your bone density (also I'm a bit fed up with my classic female cr*p upper body strength). After injuring a shoulder doing 'isolation' exercises, I wanted to do more functional stuff, and became a devotee of Mistress Krista, which is how I came across Shovelglove. I had been thinking about kettlebells, but this seems easier, cheaper and more fun (though kettlebells still sound like fun!)
I've got a 10lb hammer, figuring that as I regularly work out with a pair of 5kg dumbbells (about 11lb each) that would be a reasonable place to start, but VERY CAREFULLY. I'll post up progress!
Just to add that I love the whole Everyday Systems concept. I've been working on trying to establish habits for a few years now, and this looks like it would help quite a lot.
Geographical and nationality footnote: I'm a Brit - actually I'm Welsh, though I live in south-west London in the UK.
It's vital to know exactly how ridiculous you are.
Welcome, Morganlefay! Give my regards to Mistress Krista.
I worked (very briefly) in London a few years ago. I was a librarian at an investment bank, which meant I had a relatively piddling salary but with master of the universe perks (the Travel and Expenses system wasn't set up to handle mere librarians). I was so grateful for the opportunity that I worked non-stop and didn't get to travel outside of London much, but managed to have a great time nonetheless (the hospitality of my co-workers, and the charming local custom of hitting the pub before/instead of dinner were instrumental in this).
Reinhard
I worked (very briefly) in London a few years ago. I was a librarian at an investment bank, which meant I had a relatively piddling salary but with master of the universe perks (the Travel and Expenses system wasn't set up to handle mere librarians). I was so grateful for the opportunity that I worked non-stop and didn't get to travel outside of London much, but managed to have a great time nonetheless (the hospitality of my co-workers, and the charming local custom of hitting the pub before/instead of dinner were instrumental in this).
Reinhard
I'm new to the shovelglove thing...did my first full workout with it this morning. Let's just say it aint' for sissies! I warmed up first with 15 minutes of aerobics, and by the time I was done shrugging, I was dripping in sweat. Didn't time myself though...I was just trying to learn the moves. Next time I'll watch the clock.
Meredith
- morganalefay
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Thu Jun 26, 2008 5:33 pm
- Location: London, UK
I had my first go with it yesterday afternoon, and it felt quite different from anything else I've tried.
The 10lb hammer didn't feel as heavy as I expected, but I was careful to hold it quite near the head. I found I was putting quite a lot of knee bending into the shovelling movements in order to be careful of my back, as I don't have any problems with it, and don't want to start having any. I also found myself doing a sort of 'bell ringing' manoeuvre which involves holding the hammer out in front and going into a deep squat, then pushing up again and raising my arms in the air (sort of like the SG equivalent of a dumbbell swing, possibly?)
The most important thing, though, was that it is tremendous fun - I didn't want to stop at 14 minutes and had to stop myself!
The 10lb hammer didn't feel as heavy as I expected, but I was careful to hold it quite near the head. I found I was putting quite a lot of knee bending into the shovelling movements in order to be careful of my back, as I don't have any problems with it, and don't want to start having any. I also found myself doing a sort of 'bell ringing' manoeuvre which involves holding the hammer out in front and going into a deep squat, then pushing up again and raising my arms in the air (sort of like the SG equivalent of a dumbbell swing, possibly?)
The most important thing, though, was that it is tremendous fun - I didn't want to stop at 14 minutes and had to stop myself!
It's vital to know exactly how ridiculous you are.
- morganalefay
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Thu Jun 26, 2008 5:33 pm
- Location: London, UK
Ah, that time-honoured British custom which Londoners are particularly good at observing .... everyone hits the pub on a Friday!reinhard wrote:I ... managed to have a great time nonetheless (the hospitality of my co-workers, and the charming local custom of hitting the pub before/instead of dinner were instrumental in this).
Reinhard
It's vital to know exactly how ridiculous you are.
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- Posts: 17
- Joined: Wed Jan 10, 2007 10:05 am
Re: Hello, I'm new!
Snap! I'm from Cardiff and I live near Wimbledon.morganalefay wrote:
Geographical and nationality footnote: I'm a Brit - actually I'm Welsh, though I live in south-west London in the UK.
Where did you get your sledge? I have been SGing for nearly two months, and started with a 7lb sledge which I have now added two 1lb weights to. The whole thing weighs 10lb now, so I'm not sure whether to get a 10lber next or go straight up to 12lb.
LM
- morganalefay
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Thu Jun 26, 2008 5:33 pm
- Location: London, UK