Health and Diet

[Turkish]

On 03/06/2026 at 08:08, whelk said:

Encouraging

 Could lifting weights actually help you live longer? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0r2lekenlpo

 

 

On 03/06/2026 at 08:22, egg said:

I'd take some persuasion that it extends life as such, but there's no doubt that it makes life easier as people get older and helps mental health. I see fella's in their 70's in the gym throwing weights around. They're all sharp as a tack and no less sprightly than half the kids taking up space while watching insta. 

Being cardiovasularly fit extends your life, being strong increases the quality of your extended life. 

There is now tons of evidence that improving your VO2 max has insane health benefits and doing strength training means you're much better equipped to deal with old age. 

That's where i am at now, for me it's no longer about trying to keep up with the younger lads, its being fit, strong with good mobility and flexibility to still be fit and active at 70.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

A cautionary article about hoovering up too many supplements

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd6e25lpwxzo

I thought we had a thread on this. But I couldn't see it. So, I'm adding vitamins C and E to my intake. 🙂

[Turkish]

12 hours ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

A cautionary article about hoovering up too many supplements

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd6e25lpwxzo

I thought we had a thread on this. But I couldn't see it. So, I'm adding vitamins C and E to my intake. 🙂

I take creatine daily, have a rehydration salt power after a workout and a multi vitamin. The only thing I might add is a magnesium tablet which I’ve had from time to time but holding off on that as I’m starting an 8 week diet plan done by the nutritionist as the gym. Nothing new but good to have it written down in a plan to take the guess work out. Short versions is lots of veg, small amount or carbs and plenty of protein. Should do the trick 

[ecuk268]

On 20/06/2026 at 10:08, Holmes_and_Watson said:

A cautionary article about hoovering up too many supplements

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd6e25lpwxzo

I thought we had a thread on this. But I couldn't see it. So, I'm adding vitamins C and E to my intake. 🙂

If you are healthy and have a balanced diet you shouldn't need anything else.

[Weston Super Saint]

I think the Mediterranean diet has had its day...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c33y3151vydo

Quote

Daily life is not easy for Salvatore. At 17, he weighs 170kg (26st 10lb) and struggles to walk.

He can't tie his own shoelaces and his Vespa scooter strains to bear his weight - in one week, its wheels broke seven times.

Salvatore is among a growing number of Italian children and teenagers living with obesity. 

It is a striking development in a country long regarded as the spiritual home of the Mediterranean diet. Yet today, Italian children are among the most overweight in Europe, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

 

[Gloucester Saint]

2 hours ago, Weston Super Saint said:

I think the Mediterranean diet has had its day...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c33y3151vydo

 

I saw that, only 10% of their population following their traditional diet.

Fair to say Salvatore won’t be scoring a hat-trick v England in future Euros. Unless it’s the Obesity Euros.

Matterface ‘Salvatore is clean through here. How did that happen?’

Mick Quinn co-commentator: ‘Kevin from Leigh Park in the England defence went for a McDonald’s and the queue was longer than he thought’.

Edited July 26 by Gloucester Saint

[Turkish]

Surprise surprise 

 

[whelk]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd0xyl3yp2jo?app-referrer=webview

Dreadful statistic

 

[Farmer Saint]

9 hours ago, Turkish said:

Surprise surprise 

 

All medication causes deaths, but obesity causes more...

With over a million users, you're talking a 1 in 10k chance.

[Turkish]

46 minutes ago, Farmer Saint said:

All medication causes deaths, but obesity causes more...

With over a million users, you're talking a 1 in 10k chance.

And if the glutinous cunts could stop stuffing their gobs full of food the chances would be even less 

[Farmer Saint]

30 minutes ago, Turkish said:

And if the glutinous cunts could stop stuffing their gobs full of food the chances would be even less 

Well, that is also true.

[Weston Super Saint]

Why is the rowing machine such an underused piece of equipment in the gym? It's not technically difficult to use, sure, a good technique can massively improve speed, but isn't truly necessary. It works 80% of muscles in your body, is fantastic for cardio and reasonable for strength training.

During the 39.26 mins to complete a 10k row today (#humblebrag!!), the other three machines didn't even get touched. Not even by the Hyrox and Crossfit goons who can only manage a minute or two before collapsing.

If you're looking for a low impact, high output machine, which I'd suggest is probably appropriate for 75% of gym goers, this should be the first machine you use, but it's probably the most ignored!

[egg]

2 minutes ago, Weston Super Saint said:

Why is the rowing machine such an underused piece of equipment in the gym? It's not technically difficult to use, sure, a good technique can massively improve speed, but isn't truly necessary. It works 80% of muscles in your body, is fantastic for cardio and reasonable for strength training.

During the 39.26 mins to complete a 10k row today (#humblebrag!!), the other three machines didn't even get touched. Not even by the Hyrox and Crossfit goons who can only manage a minute or two before collapsing.

If you're looking for a low impact, high output machine, which I'd suggest is probably appropriate for 75% of gym goers, this should be the first machine you use, but it's probably the most ignored!

Agreed. You can do so much with them too. Distance, speed, mixing it up, lower or upper body bias, etc. it's not a fad, doesn't require upgraded membership, a specialist gym, a trainer, so would gyms push them?

Good time btw. I like 500m bursts. Under 1:40, but keeping the strokes per min as low as possible, aiming for 20-25. 45 second max break, repeat, repeat, etc. 

[Weston Super Saint]

I've tried the low stroke rate - 20 per min - but it just doesn't work for me. My back issues prevent me from pushing too hard without causing pain, so I stick to longer endurance efforts, usually four or five 30 min sessions per week with the odd 10k sprinkled in (they never get easier!), and try to be ultra robotic! Pace is always 26 strokes, time is usually somewhere between 1:56 and 1:59 per 500m.

I can't do the ultra fast pace that I was able to do previously, again because of the back, so I tend to do "push" minutes where I up the pace by a couple of seconds to simulate intervals. Last five minutes are always about emptying the tank.

[egg]

1 hour ago, Weston Super Saint said:

I've tried the low stroke rate - 20 per min - but it just doesn't work for me. My back issues prevent me from pushing too hard without causing pain, so I stick to longer endurance efforts, usually four or five 30 min sessions per week with the odd 10k sprinkled in (they never get easier!), and try to be ultra robotic! Pace is always 26 strokes, time is usually somewhere between 1:56 and 1:59 per 500m.

I can't do the ultra fast pace that I was able to do previously, again because of the back, so I tend to do "push" minutes where I up the pace by a couple of seconds to simulate intervals. Last five minutes are always about emptying the tank.

Sounds good, and well done for adapting rather than giving up. I've had to modify how I train since my neck surgery to protect other weak areas. I can't row as I did, but letting the legs do the hard work with the arms coming in after helps massively.

Keep going mate, and take comfort that you're doing more than most people half your age. 

[Turkish]

2 hours ago, Weston Super Saint said:

Why is the rowing machine such an underused piece of equipment in the gym? It's not technically difficult to use, sure, a good technique can massively improve speed, but isn't truly necessary. It works 80% of muscles in your body, is fantastic for cardio and reasonable for strength training.

During the 39.26 mins to complete a 10k row today (#humblebrag!!), the other three machines didn't even get touched. Not even by the Hyrox and Crossfit goons who can only manage a minute or two before collapsing.

If you're looking for a low impact, high output machine, which I'd suggest is probably appropriate for 75% of gym goers, this should be the first machine you use, but it's probably the most ignored!

Agreed it’s a great piece of equipment and also easier on your joints than running especially as you get older, good you got heart and lungs, makes you stronger. 
 

CrossFitters (like me😘) do use it. Our gym does testing on 1k, 2k and 5k regularly to measure progress. Also use them as part of workouts most weeks usually mixed with some weights or gymnastics 
 

I think one of the reasons it’s under used is people don’t know how to use it properly them just on and go way too fast stroke rates too high and are knackered after a few minutes, they don’t use their legs enough either and then think it’s too hard 
 

your time for 10km is very good by the way 👏

Edited 10 hours ago by Turkish

[Holmes_and_Watson]

2 hours ago, Weston Super Saint said:

Why is the rowing machine such an underused piece of equipment in the gym? It's not technically difficult to use, sure, a good technique can massively improve speed, but isn't truly necessary. It works 80% of muscles in your body, is fantastic for cardio and reasonable for strength training.

During the 39.26 mins to complete a 10k row today (#humblebrag!!), the other three machines didn't even get touched. Not even by the Hyrox and Crossfit goons who can only manage a minute or two before collapsing.

If you're looking for a low impact, high output machine, which I'd suggest is probably appropriate for 75% of gym goers, this should be the first machine you use, but it's probably the most ignored!

I don't do it so much, but would go canoeing in the summers. The rowing machines not only helped work all the muscles needed, as well as with stamina, but were always available to use.

[Weston Super Saint]

4 hours ago, Turkish said:

Agreed it’s a great piece of equipment and also easier on your joints than running especially as you get older, good you got heart and lungs, makes you stronger.  

your time for 10km is very good by the way 👏

Not sure there have been many times in my life that I've been fitter than now, maybe just after I left school...

When I get out on the bike at the weekends I'm beating PRs I set 8-10 years ago, not just by a little bit but smashing them by 30-40%, both on the flat and uphill stretches.

[Turkish]

59 minutes ago, Weston Super Saint said:

Not sure there have been many times in my life that I've been fitter than now, maybe just after I left school...

When I get out on the bike at the weekends I'm beating PRs I set 8-10 years ago, not just by a little bit but smashing them by 30-40%, both on the flat and uphill stretches.

That depends on your definition of fitness 

Your endurance is very good which is very important but that’s only one measure. How are your speed, power, strength, mobility, stability and flexibility?

Edited 4 hours ago by Turkish

[Weston Super Saint]

2 hours ago, Turkish said:

That depends on your definition of fitness 

Your endurance is very good which is very important but that’s only one measure. How are your speed, power, strength, mobility, stability and flexibility?

Speed (on the bike at least), very good. Strength very good (legs, arms, upper back), stability is excellent, core is solid. Mobility is OK, but painful to walk over a mile. Flexibility is non existent! Essentially I can move forward and backwards, I cannot twist at all and bending is awkward, slow and painful - awaiting corrective surgery after the cage they put in my spine has moved and the screws are now loose, so have to adapt what exercise I can do, hence why rowing, cycling and elliptical are the only things I can do right now, as they all work in one plane.

Saw a physio two weeks ago who is desperate to sort my hips out but can't give me any exercises to do as they will fuck up the spine!

It is what it is and no point complaining about it - like that'll stop me!

[Turkish]

14 minutes ago, Weston Super Saint said:

Speed (on the bike at least), very good. Strength very good (legs, arms, upper back), stability is excellent, core is solid. Mobility is OK, but painful to walk over a mile. Flexibility is non existent! Essentially I can move forward and backwards, I cannot twist at all and bending is awkward, slow and painful - awaiting corrective surgery after the cage they put in my spine has moved and the screws are now loose, so have to adapt what exercise I can do, hence why rowing, cycling and elliptical are the only things I can do right now, as they all work in one plane.

Saw a physio two weeks ago who is desperate to sort my hips out but can't give me any exercises to do as they will fuck up the spine!

It is what it is and no point complaining about it - like that'll stop me!

Good man, sounds like you’ve got a pretty good all round base. Mobility, stability and Flexibility is so important though as you get older. I stretch every day now and before and after workouts and it’s makes such a difference use a great app called GoWod for this

one of the best things to test mobility and stability is to do a few over head squats with a barbell doesn’t have to be heavy but a few reps of that will soon show you were your weaknesses are. 

Edited 1 hour ago by Turkish