Minor things that bother you

[kphoger]

Max, I still don't think we're talking about the same thing.  The theory being debated is that muscle growth happens because, when you work out, your muscle tissue suffers microtears and, as your body repairs them, they end up being slightly larger than before.  That's what k12 was saying, and what I affirmed, but what CtrlAltDel says isn't really true.

[Max Rockatansky]

Max, I still don't think we're talking about the same thing.  The theory being debated is that muscle growth happens because, when you work out, your muscle tissue suffers microtears and, as your body repairs them, they end up being slightly larger than before.  That's what k12 was saying, and what I affirmed, but what CtrlAltDel says isn't really true.

No we are on the same topic.  I was just pointing out that there are differences forms of "strength" one can build.  If someone just wants to build sheer muscle mass and nothing else then creating those micro tears is the way to go. 

If one wants to build endurance and stamina that requires different forms of strengthening (and regularly changing up routines).  Most people I know are full in on only one approach and not the other.  A good example would be a lot of these stereotypical gym bro types.  They usually have a crap ton of muscle mass but are devoid of any cardio strength.   You can often see it just in the quick fatigue they exhibit during weight training exercises.

[Scott5114]

I'm guilty of focusing more on weight training than cardio, but that's mostly a function of 1) God, cardio is boring and 2) with weight training I get to see the numbers go up and feel like I'm accomplishing something.

[Max Rockatansky]

Indoor cardio is about the blandest thing ever.  Doing it outside instead tends to spice things up given the variety of scenery.  I've found it a nice way to go down random streets I would otherwise have no business checking out.

[Scott5114]

It's been a while since I've done outdoor cardio, but one of the biggest drawbacks to it has always been the weather. Oklahoma weather is not really conducive to doing anything of that nature (it's either hot and extremely humid or cold and windy). In Vegas, winter and spring are nice but doing any sort of strenuous activity when it's above 110° seems like a bad idea.

The one form of cardio I halfway enjoy is swimming. With that wind and humidity don't really matter, and the hotter it gets the nicer it is. Still, though, it's hard to build a workout regimen around unless you have access to an indoor pool for the months where it's too cold outside to swim.

[kphoger]

2) with weight training I get to see the numbers go up and feel like I'm accomplishing something.

I can see the numbers go up on indoor cardio.  On a stationary bicycle, for example, the number of minutes I can go on a particular resistance level.

[kphoger]

The one form of cardio I halfway enjoy is swimming. With that wind and humidity don't really matter, and the hotter it gets the nicer it is. Still, though, it's hard to build a workout regimen around unless you have access to an indoor pool for the months where it's too cold outside to swim.

Unfortunately, the Durango Hills YMCA only has an outdoor pool.  But, if it isn't too far of a drive for your liking, the SkyView location has an indoor lap pool.

[JayhawkCO]

This is why I like living out west. Even on really hot days, mornings are cool enough to exercise outside. When I lived in KC, I'd still be sweating if I chose to go for a leisurely walk at 6 AM. It got up to 80° here today, but I went for a run at 6:00 when it was only 45° and it was glorious.

[thspfc]

indoor cardio

I would rather run or bike outdoors in temps anywhere from 20 to 90 than run or bike the same distance indoors. From April to October here, with the exception of the handful of days that hit the high 80s/90s, it baffles me that anyone ever uses a treadmill. A stationary bike is a little more understandable because not everyone has a real bike, but if you enjoy biking indoors, it's worth the investment and 100x more to get a real one.

[JayhawkCO]

indoor cardio

I would rather run or bike outdoors in temps anywhere from 20 to 90 than run or bike the same distance indoors. From April to October here, with the exception of the handful of days that hit the high 80s/90s, it baffles me that anyone ever uses a treadmill. A stationary bike is a little more understandable because not everyone has a real bike, but if you enjoy biking indoors, it's worth the investment and 100x more to get a real one.

For the bike, I kind of understand it if people like to watch a show or something while mindlessly pedaling away. I don't need a bike for transportation purposes, but could be convinced to get an exercise bike. I do prefer running/walking as I like getting in shape doing the same type of things that I want to get in shape for, since I like my mountain hiking/climbing.

[Max Rockatansky]

My wife doesn't like it when I go running during a winter downpour.  But I rather get drenched than having to suffer the boredom of a treadmill.

[JayhawkCO]

My winter weather is a little different. So I eschew running outside because I'll slip and break my neck.

[Max Rockatansky]

I trip about every 3-5 years while running.  The last time it was the wet I actually slide and only had minor road rash.  Dry asphalt and concrete cuts like a mother fucker.

[formulanone]

My wife doesn't like it when I go running during a winter downpour.  But I rather get drenched than having to suffer the boredom of a treadmill.

I catch up on old F1 races (or the most recently-missed event) on the app during morning treadmill time. Watching something get up to speed quickly gets me  motivated to move at 5am. Otherwise, the treadmill gets boring fast. I find music works a little better for the elliptical or the cycle.

I'll walk outside in the mornings if the weather's just right, the hotel doesn't have a fitness center, or if they refuse to open it up that early (some are 24 hours, many are not). It's below 40 degrees, forget it unless the sun has risen...doubtful unless I'm working a late shift at work.

I tell you what, I'm finally at an age in which sitting in one place too long makes me sore; so becoming sore from a little workout is a much better feeling in the long run.

[kphoger]

My wife has bad ankles, so a stationary bike at the gym is a lot better for her than a walk around the neighborhood on drainage-sloped streets.

[CtrlAltDel]

Max, I still don't think we're talking about the same thing.  The theory being debated is that muscle growth happens because, when you work out, your muscle tissue suffers microtears and, as your body repairs them, they end up being slightly larger than before.  That's what k12 was saying, and what I affirmed, but what CtrlAltDel says isn't really true.

If someone just wants to build sheer muscle mass and nothing else then creating those micro tears is the way to go. 

For the record, my understanding is that even muscle growth of this kind does not really come from microtears. But again, I'm far from an expert.

[Max Rockatansky]

My wife doesn't like it when I go running during a winter downpour.  But I rather get drenched than having to suffer the boredom of a treadmill.

I catch up on old F1 races (or the most recently-missed event) on the app during morning treadmill time. Watching something get up to speed quickly gets me  motivated to move at 5am. Otherwise, the treadmill gets boring fast. I find music works a little better for the elliptical or the cycle. 

I'll walk outside in the mornings if the weather's just right, the hotel doesn't have a fitness center, or if they refuse to open it up that early (some are 24 hours, many are not). It's below 40 degrees, forget it unless the sun has risen...doubtful unless I'm working a late shift at work.

I tell you what, I'm finally at an age in which sitting in one place too long makes me sore; so becoming sore from a little workout is a much better feeling in the long run.

I'm finding over time that I like colder weather for running.  The amount pre-run hydration I have to do is far less as the temperatures drop.  Below 35F it takes about a solid mile before I warm up enough to take off stuff like gloves.  Currently I run 35 miles minimum a week and try to get it all finished in during four working days. 

I try to get done with my running two hours before I leave for work.  That way I can down a bunch of water before I depart for the gym.  Said gym is only about 1.5 miles away and is something I can usually get 5-10 minutes after finishing a run.  I usually have 50-60 minutes to eat something after I'm done lifting.  I'm presently lifting six times a weeks for about 35-40 minutes a session during my five working days.  The two hours is about what I need to lose whatever excess water I have left from running. 

I currently use Bluetooth headphones for running and generally listen to music.  I got away from listening to stuff at the gym while lifting.  Usually I'm too focused anyways on what I'm doing with weights to notice much of a difference. 

My wife has bad ankles, so a stationary bike at the gym is a lot better for her than a walk around the neighborhood on drainage-sloped streets.

Most streets around me don't really have much of a drainage grade.  Fresno is big on using concrete shoulders and fords for drainage.  It tends to a yield a smooth running grade in dry weather but is a sloppy mess when it rains.

[SEWIGuy]

My wife doesn't like it when I go running during a winter downpour.  But I rather get drenched than having to suffer the boredom of a treadmill.

I catch up on old F1 races (or the most recently-missed event) on the app during morning treadmill time. Watching something get up to speed quickly gets me  motivated to move at 5am. Otherwise, the treadmill gets boring fast. I find music works a little better for the elliptical or the cycle.

Nothing makes indoor cardio seem exciting than an F1 race.

[Rothman]

The more I think about F1 races, the more they seem like a bunch of rich kids playing polo.

[Max Rockatansky]

The F1 race weekend in Las Vegas didn't really impress me much.  It felt incredibly unwelcoming in contrast to other racing series events I've attended.  It should have been a party environment and instead came off as snooty.  I'm glad I went but came away expecting more. 

[Rothman]

The F1 race weekend in Las Vegas didn't really impress me much.  It felt incredibly unwelcoming in contrast to other racing series events I've attended.  It should have been a party environment and instead came off as snooty.  I'm glad I went but came away expecting more. 

The big problem with the USGP was crowd control for the concerts, which were big draws in of themselves (included Eminem, whose tour dates were already limited).  Saw someone collapse and medics were hard to be found.  Real mob kind of stuff.

That said, we got to know the people in our section.  That was fun.

[D-Dey65]

The more I think about F1 races, the more they seem like a bunch of rich kids playing polo.

Even if I could've been one of those "rich kids playing polo," I recently started to think that the manufacturers of F1 cars and Indy-cars don't make them for drivers who stand taller than 5'8". I wouldn't be surprised if doing so violated some racing regulation rule book, because having a bigger car would give taller drivers an unfair advantage.

[Max Rockatansky]

The more I think about F1 races, the more they seem like a bunch of rich kids playing polo.

Even if I could've been one of those "rich kids playing polo," I recently started to think that the manufacturers of F1 cars and Indy-cars don't make them for drivers who stand taller than 5'8". I wouldn't be surprised if doing so violated some racing regulation rule book, because having a bigger car would give taller drivers an unfair advantage.

The tallest drivers this year are 6'1:

https://racingnews365.com/height-weight-f1-drivers

[Scott5114]

The F1 race weekend in Las Vegas didn't really impress me much.  It felt incredibly unwelcoming in contrast to other racing series events I've attended.

Pretty much none of the locals are happy when F1 is in town (it screws up commutes for weeks before and after the event, and business takes a dive at places that aren't involved in the race events), so that's probably part of the vibe you were picking up on. About the only neat thing about it is the Bailey bridge that gets put up over the Flamingo/Koval intersection.

[formulanone]

The more I think about F1 races, the more they seem like a bunch of rich kids playing polo.

Even if I could've been one of those "rich kids playing polo," I recently started to think that the manufacturers of F1 cars and Indy-cars don't make them for drivers who stand taller than 5'8". I wouldn't be surprised if doing so violated some racing regulation rule book, because having a bigger car would give taller drivers an unfair advantage.

I haven't browsed the FIA Technical Regulations in a long time (think of the MUTCD, but with less signage), but I'm not sure if teams could get away with a driver that happened to be 100 pounds heavier than the rest or too much taller. That driver would have to be a terrific talent and a well-funded one as well.

What would happen if there was a seven-foot F1 driver? Well, first they'd have to make sure the driver's helmet could (1) clear the rollover bar located behind the driver's head (2) not interfere with the halo device located as the the front rollover structure (3) make sure the driver's feet are about 10-20cm aft of the front wheels' centerline axis while the pedals are fully pressed down. After that, how to deal with cooling of the car and not obstructing its ventilation.

A team could probably twist the rule book with a petition to the FIA, but then they might be hampering their teammate with a heavier car in the process. Thus, the overall frontal area would likely be increased, which increases aerodynamic drag. The weight bias would also shift a bit of the car's balance towards the front; might be beneficial on some tracks, but reduce top-end speed on others. Then there's the added stresses on suspension and brakes also have to be considered; beefing those components up adds more weight, the enemy of speed and handling.

But I think it's a sort of a moot point; the drivers start their careers in karting, in which the vehicles are incredibly light so adding another 100 pounds to a driver would likely handicap them to the back of the grids, and they'll never get much of a chance to further their racing career from there. If they ballast the field from heaviest (no additional weight penalties) to lightest (highest weight difference attached), then it's possible.

There have been some taller/heavier drivers whom found success in other forms of motorsport; almost anything other than single-seaters can manage to squeeze most drivers, though I'm not sure how comfortably. The other consideration is how fast a driver can get out of a damaged or a vehicle which has caught fire; there's time limits performed in pre-season practices and you'd better be spring-loaded.