Where can I pick up strenuous physical labor in DC on an occasional, volunteer, or (extremely) part-time basis? [more inside]
posted by Inspector.Gadget on Aug 14, 2009 - 13 answers

How do I get better at arm wrestling?
posted by bob bisquick on Aug 13, 2009 - 13 answers

Are full squats (below parallel) bad for the knees? [more inside]
posted by pyrom on Aug 2, 2009 - 31 answers

Strength trainees: how do you keep yourself motivated? [more inside]
posted by ludwig_van on Jul 20, 2009 - 30 answers

Is there any reason that barbells would be indispensable from a serious stength-training program? Or are dumbbells just fine? [more inside]
posted by Vorteks on Jul 1, 2009 - 12 answers

With the advent of NASA's return to the moon I have a question of whether or not The Apollo astronauts could have recovered from a less than perfect landing. [more inside]
posted by Gungho on Jun 18, 2009 - 19 answers

Ok, so I've read, highlighted and taken notes on Rippetoe's Starting Strength, after half of Metafilter and my gym going friends recommended it. I've run into some trouble with the program, though, since I can't seem to do deadlifts and I can't follow his dietary advice. [more inside]
posted by ayerarcturus on May 17, 2009 - 29 answers

[ExcerciseFilter] What's a good target for weight gain in strength training? Not to say body building, but general fitness-level training. I can't seem to find a clear resource for equating weight training to muscle mass. [more inside]
posted by cavalier on Feb 27, 2009 - 8 answers

Yoga, martial arts, gymnastics, parkour, something else?! I'm looking to get more flexible, strong, healthy, and to have fun. What are the long term consequences of any of these activities (studies, anecdotes, etc)? Which should I do? (Bonus points if in Boston, but not necessary) [more inside]
posted by losvedir on Dec 20, 2008 - 13 answers

I think I'm about ready to move on from Starting Strength and I'm looking for bodybuilding routine. [more inside]
posted by ludwig_van on Nov 12, 2008 - 17 answers

How can I test and build up my strength, tenacity, and courage. As far as I can see, there are limited opportunities to test my mettle in the corporate world ( besides calling out some a**hole in the boardroom ). I am looking for things to do that will put me to the test and see what I am made of. I am thinking along the lines of CrossFit, 'Man vs. Wild', high stakes negotiation, or skydiving. The only time I can really remember being tested was a fight in 10th grade and the hazing I went through in University. How can I earn a badge of honor when I spend most of my time in a cubicle. I would prefer answers that would not involve the risk of certain death, although I wouldn't mind getting the living sh*t scared out of me. I also wouldn't mind pushing my mind or body to the limit. I am willing to travel, spend money, bleed, and cry.
posted by kaizen on Sep 24, 2008 - 51 answers

What town in the United States has the lowest amount of detectable radio waves? [more inside]
posted by mdbell79 on Jul 17, 2008 - 16 answers

Why is squatting causing pain in my hips? [more inside]
posted by ludwig_van on Jul 3, 2008 - 10 answers

Why would my wireless router lose its signal strength all of a sudden? [more inside]
posted by INTPLibrarian on May 29, 2008 - 12 answers

Should I seek additional physical therapy for my mysteriously injured knee, and how can I continue to work out in spite of it? [more inside]
posted by Who_Am_I on May 22, 2008 - 5 answers

How do I strengthen my throwing arm for softball in 4 weeks? [more inside]
posted by neuron on Apr 13, 2008 - 8 answers

I'm looking for writings about human psychological endurance in the face of extreme hardship, whether that hardship is by choice or circumstance. Examples inside. [more inside]
posted by desjardins on Apr 4, 2008 - 27 answers

Looking for a simple routine to build upper body strength without weights. [more inside]
posted by rachelpapers on Apr 2, 2008 - 24 answers

Suggested workout programs to put on some upper-body muscle and add general torso definition, while leaving room for running? [more inside]
posted by dondiego87 on Feb 17, 2008 - 17 answers

Help me improve my pushups. I've been doing martial arts 5 nights a week (M-F) for 9 months now. We do anywhere from 30-150 pushups a night, but I'm incapable of keeping up with the rest of the class and have not really improved much since I started. [more inside]
posted by bindasj on Jan 18, 2008 - 21 answers

Pamela Landy, in the 2nd and 3rd Bourne movies, is an uncomplicatedly powerful female character and I'm looking for other fiction movies with similar characters. (Inside I explain a little more what I'm looking for.) I don't have any spoilers inside for the Bourne movies, and please avoid spoilers for any movies you recommend, thanks! [more inside]
posted by sparrows on Jan 14, 2008 - 51 answers

Is running 3+ miles 4 or more times a week hurting my muscle mass gains? I'm alternating jump rope in 1-2x a week with it for 30 minute sessions. [more inside]
posted by gmodelo on Nov 30, 2007 - 12 answers

How can a person overcome general insecurity, improve their self-esteem, and bolster their sense of self worth? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 25, 2007 - 18 answers

[Exercise Filter]: What's your exercise routine? Should I change mine? [more inside]
posted by doppleradar on Oct 16, 2007 - 11 answers

Shoulder exercise recommendations to protect my joints from repetitive martial arts drills? [more inside]
posted by hermitosis on Sep 19, 2007 - 12 answers

What are the factors that control/limit human strength? [more inside]
posted by lastobelus on Jul 2, 2007 - 12 answers

Please help me define my strengths and weaknesses. I am trying to do a SWOT type analysis of my personal strengths and weaknesses, but I am finding it difficult to know what kind of things I should put on the lists. Can anyone point me to resources which would help with this? [more inside]
posted by zingzangzung on May 18, 2007 - 9 answers

I was on Effexor for about a year to treat my depression, during which time (for the first time in 7+ years) my weight training came screeching to an abrupt halt. (My energy level just wasn't there anymore, nor was I able to focus enough to be able to have a satisfying workout.) [more inside]
posted by Tbola on Mar 7, 2007 - 4 answers

Help me fix my stubborn rotator cuff. [more inside]
posted by dead_ on Dec 7, 2006 - 8 answers

Strengthtrainingfilter: If I have a workout comprised of 6 exercises, 2 sets each, can I do all 6 exercises in a row twice, or do I have to do each one twice in a row? [more inside]
posted by sirion on Dec 5, 2006 - 11 answers

I'm beginning to lift weights for the first time in my life. Help! [more inside]
posted by JPowers on Sep 20, 2006 - 25 answers

How do you determine when you are physically strong? [more inside]
posted by Loto on Jun 20, 2006 - 38 answers

I'd like to strengthen my grip, but those spring handgrips are weak. Do stronger ones exist? [more inside]
posted by tomble on Apr 9, 2006 - 16 answers

Could use some help troubleshooting a signal strength problem on my wireless network [more inside]
posted by gfrobe on Apr 7, 2006 - 6 answers

Simple, structured abs workout - got one? [more inside]
posted by Miko on Apr 7, 2006 - 16 answers

What's the bare minimum of strength training I can get away with? [more inside]
posted by hamster on Jul 8, 2005 - 14 answers

How do I get into and stick with a good leg strengthening (muscle building) program? [more inside]
posted by wolftrouble on May 5, 2005 - 8 answers

I want to gain more muscle mass and strength. I don't want to look like a bodybuilder, but I do want to look very fit. (I'm a male nearing 40.) My problem is, I don't have a good gym nearby and I live in a small apartment. I don't have room for a free weight system. Can one build the sort of body that I want without weights or a machine, simply by doing exercises (pushups, etc.)? How reasonable is that approach? If that won't work, what sort of machine should I buy that doesn't take up much real-estate space and is pleasing to the eye. (I've looked into these, but they only go up to 52lbs. Is that enough?)
posted by grumblebee on Feb 11, 2005 - 20 answers

In On the Waterfront, Edie's pop says to her, "See this arm? It's two inches longer'n the other one. That's years of workin' and sweatin', liftin' and swingin' a hook. And every time I heisted a box or a coffee bag I says to myself--this is for Edie, so she can be a teacher or somethin' decent." Can a lifetime of labor really do that to your arm?
posted by profwhat on Nov 15, 2004 - 11 answers

Some time ago I saw two male gymnasts on a late night talk show (I think) who did a routine where they lifted eachother and twisted their bodies in amazing ways -- all at EXTREMELY slow speed. Anyone know who these guys are?
posted by treebjen on Aug 26, 2004 - 10 answers

I've played the regularly guitar for eight years now and find that bar chords tire my hand/wrist/forearm *very* quickly. If the ratio between them and other chords is more than 50%, I just can't get through a whole song. This isn't terribly limiting overall, but it does make certain styles inaccessible. So I need some help. [more inside] [more inside]
posted by weston on Dec 27, 2003 - 17 answers

What would be an average increase in muscle mass (lbs or kilos) in a woman going from weak and sedentary to seriously buff and strong over a period of about a year? And for a man?
posted by suleikacasilda on Dec 15, 2003 - 17 answers