mwz: Day 14

I did my first real spin class (with an instructor). It was interesting. I think I will like it, although, today wasn't the greatest.

I had a pretty good case of nerves at the beginning. I tried to work it out and when she (the instructor) said to go all out (in the first five minutes), I did. It partially worked. Unfortunately, my nerves were soon replaced by the desire to throw up from exhaustion.

The last fifteen minutes, (of 45) I slowed down and stopped upping the resistance. This helped me from feeling worse but at the end I felt really weak and was shaking. I had a hard time making it through the stretches. Thankfully, I didn't throw up in my first class.

After the class, I couldn't find anywhere to sit and rest. So, I sat on a bench in the locker room and drank more water. That was boring (and kinda weird).

When I felt a little better I meandered over to the weight room. I had planned to do some arm work (to help with the swimming) but I wasn't sure about it since I just wanted to lay down and rest. I found the next best thing though. I found a bench and lifted weights behind my head (10 lbs each hand). That let me lay down and rest the parts of me that were tired. After doing some sets of those, I felt good enough to do other things.

I wanted to record what I did but I don't know how to describe any of the exercises. I just found a site that has a bunch of exercises. It's BodyBuilding.com. (I don't know their politics and I hope I don't find out. ;) )

So this is what I did (grouped by what they were paired with):

Lying Dumbbell Tricep Extension: 10lbs each hand (EH). 10x3
Dumbbell Flyers: 10lbs EH 10x3

Straight Arm Pulldown (lat machine): 25lbs 20x3
Wide-Grip Pulldowns Behind the Neck (lat machine): 55lbs 20x3

Dumbbell Bicept Curl (but sitting): 20lbs EH 20x3
Seated Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist curl: 20lbs EH 10x3

*I made up "Standing Pushdowns" and I can't find the real name for it. Basically, I stand with my arms straight out and push the bar down toward my legs. This is supposed to strengthen the second half of my swim stroke.

UPDATE: I found the "Standing Pushdowns". They are actually "Straight Arm Pulldowns". I modified the exercise name and provided the link in the list.

mwz