I’ve embarked on a new adventure in my life...working out.
Forever I have wanted to work with a trainer and realize my true (ok, possible)
potential and now I have the chance thanks to the Student Activity Center at
CMU.
Last week was my first foray into the SAC (I have been there before but
never to workout, it has always been for a remote or to bowl) I had set up a
meeting with my personal trainer, Emanuel, to have my "fitness
evaluation". Sure I was worried, I had never been accused of being fit,
but I knew that if someone was going to help me out it was going to be this
guy. A very easy going guy that Emanuel, I was worried that he would take one
look at me and say "OH MY GOD!" but he didn't, he was all about
getting my training started and helping me hit my goals (more than 2 push-up's
at a time).
The first thing on the agenda was the fitness evaluation. Some stretching,
step-ups, crunches, push-ups, blood pressure and pulse rate all done in a
private room. I did well on most everything, although my push-ups were SORRY!
.. ......
Once we finished up with the appetizers is was on to the
entrée; bench press and squat. Those had to be done out amongst other people,
something I was a little nervous about, like I said, I have never really worked
out and so I was apprehensive, thinking that people would be watching me, I
really felt uncomfortable. I didn’t
need to though, that’s why I have Emanuel. He put me at ease and said, “Just
focus on the workout…that’s what everyone else is doing”. So I did.
.. ......
First up the bench press, Emanuel says, “let’s start with
the bar to get warmed up” (I may be guessing but what he really wanted to say
was “since you can barely do a push-up you had better start with a broom handle
and some balloons”) So start with the bar we did, and you know what? It was a
good warm-up, after that we did some sets just to see what my max weight was (I
uh…don’t remember, yeah that’s it. It must have been high though; three, four
hundred pounds maybe? )
.. ......
With the bench press done and my arms like jelly we moved on
to the squat machine. (Now mind you the whole time Emanuel is teaching me about
the machines, the muscles that they work and even a little about my body. I
love the fact that he is all about health and but not pushy. He asked questions
and I answered, I asked questions and he answered). Now with the bench press I
was nervous because I have the upper body strength of a toddler, but the squat
machine, that’s my thing… I ride my bike (I crash my bike, but that’s a whole
‘nuther blog) I walk and for years I carried plenty of weight around on these
legs. I knew that I would pass that test. After adding several plates to the
machine I ended up maxing out “above average” score one for Bobby!
.. ......
Once we finished up with the evaluation Emanuel and I sat down
and went over the numbers, all in all not bad. I only had one thing that was
below average…say it with me… PUSH-UPS! After setting my goals (more upper body
strength and cardio) and trading email addresses Emanuel and I went our
separate ways.
.. ......
The next time we meet, he’ll have a full 7-day workout set
up for me, 4 days of workouts (upper, upper, lower, lower to start) and 3 days
of cardio. I am really pumped about this. I am not trying to be in a marathon
or take on some dude in a cage fight, I just want to wear shorts and a t-shirt
and not worry about it.
.. ......
Working out isn’t all physical, it’s mental too. Not just
mental like putting your mind to it, but mental in making yourself feel great
on the inside, proud that you are accomplishing things. Now I need to put my
mind to about 50 crunches…
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Check you later!
.. ......
Bobby