Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Tink41

(537 posts)
Sun Sep 8, 2019, 07:39 PM Sep 2019

Any trades people here?

I was in pretty good physical condition before the bottom fell out in 2008, since then I've let myself totally deteriorate. Off of work 21 mos, 21 mos, 18 mos, 18 mos and just became so depressed nothing mattered. I'm wondering if anyone out there knows how to keep yourself in physical condition while off waiting on the "book"? How do you describe to a personal trainer the types of things we do so we can keep those muscles, stretched and strong? I quit smoking a year ago and this is my last dragon to slay. I enjoy being active but am so tired after work, climbing stairs, ladders all day I have no energy for anything after work. Advice??

9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Any trades people here? (Original Post) Tink41 Sep 2019 OP
Not sure of your questions... pangaia Sep 2019 #1
Hi! Tink41 Sep 2019 #2
OK got it. i think pangaia Sep 2019 #3
Yoga's good. sharedvalues Sep 2019 #6
I'm in the same situation. Well, not the "waiting for the book" part, but FailureToCommunicate Sep 2019 #4
Stopped smoking a couple of years ago safeinOhio Sep 2019 #5
I asked my husband about this (he worked construction for decades). enough Sep 2019 #7
Thanks All! Tink41 Sep 2019 #8
If you have access, rock climbing might work. Lars39 Sep 2019 #9

pangaia

(24,324 posts)
1. Not sure of your questions...
Sun Sep 8, 2019, 07:42 PM
Sep 2019
I'm wondering if anyone out there knows how to keep yourself in physical condition while off waiting on the "book"? How do you describe to a personal trainer the types of things we do so we can keep those muscles, stretched and strong?

I'm not sure what your 2 questions here are? Can you explain to me?

Tink41

(537 posts)
2. Hi!
Sun Sep 8, 2019, 07:48 PM
Sep 2019

Question #1 In my trade we have a book system, which after being laid off you wait on til your number comes up and you go back to work. Sometimes the wait can be a few days. After the recent financial "depression" we went thru the wait was 21 months to 36 months.

Question#2 Doing physical labor for 8 hrs a day we use muscles that are not necessarily used in everyday life, along with flexibility and balance. If you aren't using those physical attributes for months at a time while laid off you can deteriorate rapidly.

pangaia

(24,324 posts)
3. OK got it. i think
Sun Sep 8, 2019, 07:59 PM
Sep 2019

I don ;t see where you NEED a personal trainer, just some advice, perhaps....

I go to the Y 4-6 times a week. I do cardio for 25-50 minutes.. depending.
'Then machines. for 30 minutes-- depending.... And I swim sometimes--

Also good are yoga, tai chi,

then, if you are interested in something else--- aikido(although a bit rough on the knees, to which I can attest), tae kwon do,gung fu

for all of those I suggest you need a very good teacher... otherwise it can become... something else....

sharedvalues

(6,916 posts)
6. Yoga's good.
Sun Sep 8, 2019, 08:58 PM
Sep 2019

Also run stairs? That’s good for balance and keeping strong.
Go do some sprints?

That’s what I do. You can also do CrossFit though it can get expensive.

FailureToCommunicate

(13,989 posts)
4. I'm in the same situation. Well, not the "waiting for the book" part, but
Sun Sep 8, 2019, 08:13 PM
Sep 2019

the working construction all day and being way too tired to do any additional meaningfull exercise at the end of it. By meaningful, I mean aerobic, good for the heart stuff. I use most of my muscles climbing staging, hammering, grinding, drilling, etc, but seldom actually 'get out of breath' type aerobic heart workout, that I know I need.

So, my son the personal trainer says get up and do aerobics BEFORE work: run, jog, calisthenics, HIIT, or whatever. But, I say, I have to start work early. He says "Dad, I have clients that come to the gym by 6 A.M. for 30-40 minutes and THEN do heart surgery all day. Suck it up"

There went that excuse.

Anyway, the key seems to be doing anything aerobic, especially HIIT (high intensity intervals) What we used to call "wind sprints" to get more benefit in a shorter time.

And, as far as staying in shape during lay off time, probably just do some "circuit training" where you move from one type of exercise, (or machine if you're at a gym) to another...the so-called "full body" calisthenics. You could go to a gym, or get a personal trainer to get started, or even check out TONS of options on YouTube.

Good luck! Your heart, and your doctor, will thank you!

safeinOhio

(32,532 posts)
5. Stopped smoking a couple of years ago
Sun Sep 8, 2019, 08:35 PM
Sep 2019

and retired almost 18 years ago from a super physical job. Started running a year ago. Look forward to that runners high every other day. Started slow and short. Now long, 4 to 6 miles. Never a runner before. I love it and feel great. Weight is down, blood pressure is the best I’ve ever had. Hope to run a 5K on my 70th Birth day on thanksgiving. Started out with 17-18 minute miles and just under 10 minutes now. Seems to help my balance too. Works for me. 😀

enough

(13,237 posts)
7. I asked my husband about this (he worked construction for decades).
Sun Sep 8, 2019, 09:35 PM
Sep 2019

He says find what you like for aerobics (he rides bicycles off road), could be running/jogging/hiking, swimming, volleyball, etc. For balance and flexibility he swears by yoga. He goes regularly three times a week (early evening classes), or more if he’s feeling especially sore or tired.

This is a very interesting question, Tink41. All the best to you.

Tink41

(537 posts)
8. Thanks All!
Thu Sep 12, 2019, 06:04 PM
Sep 2019

Appreciate the responses and I've committed myself to trying some of these. I'm a fan of water aerobics, and pilates I've tried kettle bell but that might kill me just starting out again. The bad part is we start work at 6am, I leave by 445 am so early morning is out.

Latest Discussions»Support Forums»Exercise and Fitness»Any trades people here?