Michael is Pumping Iron in Steel City!

[veganmadre]

oooh - do i detect a certain disapproval of bulking from tiff?!

no disapproval - i'd like michael as a fat, strong bastard or a skinny triathlete or a fat, flabby bastard or a skinny wimpy geezer... it's all good!

supremely jealous, though...

[michaelhobson]

Long time! No workout!

I had a full two weeks off from working out, now I'm working on free trial memberships at every gym in the burgh.

Thursday, January 19

XShadyside Gym - Trendy urban yuppy gym with the price tag to match!

Barbell Bench Press -
10xbar
8x135 pounds
6x155
4x185
2x205 It's been a while!

Dips - 2x10

Dumbell Curls -
8x35
6x40
4x45
2x50

Hanging knee raises 2x10

That's all, just a quick workout to check the place out.

[michaelhobson]

Sunday, January 22

Club1 - A full service gym with pool etc., a bit worn around the edges and kinda smelly. Not so great for double the price of my old gym! This place wants $165 a month for a family membership! It's a no go for the price and they only have one flat bench! and one squat rack! I will not be joining this place. I'm going to check out The Warehouse Gym next, they look a bit more promising!

Standing Barbell Shoulder Press -
10xbar
8x95 pounds
6x105
4x115
2x135

Leg Press (the lone squat rack was occupied by some dork doing using wrist wraps and straps to do 95 pound shrugs! )

10x3 each of presses, high presses to target hams and calf presses at 200,300 and 400 pounds. Definitely not squats, but it did get the blood flowing and give a reasonable workout.

Pull Ups - 5,3,3

Shrugs -
10x135
8x225
6x275
4x325

Dips - 2x10

Hanging Knee Raises - 2x10

Dumbell Shoulder Press - 6x50 pounds each

Crunches - 50

I have a pass for this place for the week, but I don't know if I will be back.

[Jay]

Are you in Pittsburgh or Richmond now? Wannalift, might be able to help you out on a gym if you are in Pittsburgh.

[michaelhobson]

Are you in Pittsburgh or Richmond now? Wannalift, might be able to help you out on a gym if you are in Pittsburgh.

Yeah, I've got his number, but he's way out in the burbs. I'll probably be getting together with him and Tyler very soon.

[wannalift]

there is a gym on liberty ave down the hill from the bloomfield bridge that might be worth looking into. forget the name, but you might want to check into that gym. its across from the church brew works which is a pretty rad place in itself. i always lifted at the university so i never really checked into any commercial gyms.

[michaelhobson]

there is a gym on liberty ave down the hill from the bloomfield bridge that might be worth looking into. forget the name, but you might want to check into that gym. its across from the church brew works which is a pretty rad place in itself. i always lifted at the university so i never really checked into any commercial gyms.

Yes, I am planning to check that place out tomorrow! Looks way cool, it's called The Warehouse Gym. A bit from their web site:

http://builtinbloomfield.com/index2.html

WHAT?! NO AIR CONDITIONING? NO WHIRLPOOL?

Exercise Warehouse Gym is not a health spa. We do not have any gimmicks to interfere with your workout. We've created an atmosphere for results. Not lounging around.

I'll let you know how it checks out, should be pretty cool. Maybe we can go there when Tyler is in town.

[michaelhobson]

Tuesday, January 24

Didn't make it to The Warehouse Gym today, but I'll get there soon. Tiffaney was heading to the local megagym that where we have a free week, so I met her there instead. I am so not impressed with this place, it's a giant waste of space. They have ONE flat bench and ONE squat cage, both of which were occupied by guys curling the 45 pound empty bar! The kicker was that they were both under the direct supervision of one of the gyms personal trainers. I will NOT be joining this overpriced swimming pool and smoothie bar complex!

Barbell Bench Press -
10x135 pounds
8x155
6x185
3x205
1x225

Deadlifts -
8x135 pounds
6x225
4x295
2x345
1x395 Not bad, good form and went up without a fight! Good to know I still have 400 in the tank!

Lat Pull Down - 10x150 pounds

Dumbell Bicep Curls -
8x35 pounds each
6x40
4x45
2x50
1x55

Dips x 12

That's it, nice session in spite of the surroundings!

[veganmadre]

Shut up and workout!

I do agree with your opinion about the gym, though. So incredibly glad that it's continued to be distasteful otherwise I'd have a hard decision to make about spending money to go there.

Why are you complaining about FREE gym access? As I recall, you are STILL PAYING FOR A GYM IN RICHMOND! Cancel it already!

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Nice workout. You keep up the training and I'll continue to make you fat.

[Phoenix]

Hey Michael, You should start a gym critic piece in the local papers and perhaps you can go and w/o for for free......

[michaelhobson]

Hey Michael, You should start a gym critic piece in the local papers and perhaps you can go and w/o for for free......

Good idea Phoenix! Then again, after one article nobody would want me near their gym!

Thursday, January 26

Standing Barbell Shoulder Press -
10xbar
8x95 pounds
6x105
4x115
2x125
1x135

Barbell Bent Over Rows (lats) -
10xbar
8x95 pounds
5x6x135

Barbell Shrugs -
10x135
8x225
6x275
4x325

Pull-Ups-2, Chin-UPs-2

Dumbell Bicep Curls -
8x35 pounds each
5x45
2x55

Hanging Knee Raises (abs) - 3x12

Crunches - 2x25