Byte me gym go'ers!

Greetings All,

    So I am working out the other day and I noticed something that I just hadn't connected before.  How many personal electronic devices do you see people using at the gym these days?  On the cardio machines it's all about having a Kindle going while sweating.  Over on the free weight floor I lost count how many devices people use there, Ipods, iphones, droids, zens. 
    I can remember way back (possibly in another life) being made fun of for my very large and bulky "portable" CD player.  "Why don't you just use a cassette player (A.K.A. Walkman)?" They would ask.  Isn't that funny?  The kids who had the electronics back in the day were nerds, now this is just the norm.
    Of course it is also a blurry line for who is going to the gym now a days.  I work out in a gym that is very close to a high school and I see jocks and nerds workout side by side, but I have noted very little interaction between them.  Ok so it's a good thing that nerds are going to the gym, but I only wish it would provide more common ground for social interaction.


Super Jerry

What is so motivating about Gangsta Rap?

Greetings All,

Question:  What is the most motivating music in the gym?  I did an impromptu survey the other day and most of the gym and found that most of the hard core lifters had hip-hop or gangsta rap on their ipods.  I suppose what ever gets you worked up is what's right for you.  I would just like to see someone with more unusual tastes musically.  At least the older generation of lifters did show a tendency to go with heavy metal.

As a true nerd myself, I have always had.....shall we say.....unconventional tastes musically. However I find that anything with over 200 beats per minute is great for cardio. I personally go with the early to mid 90's club beat. (What kind of nerd would I be if I wasn't at least a little out of style?)  I also believe any monster ballad is good to cool down with.

Secondly,  What is it with the "Beats by Dr. Dre" headphones while you are working out?  Come on people.  These things weigh like 25 lbs.  These may be the "in thing", but to my eyes in the gym they just make people look stupid.  Ear buds, ear hooks, or anything else that isn't so intrusive.  If you are so focused on having the perfect sound from your headphones, I would think that you are not paying enough attention to your workout.


Super Jerry

Death of a Muscle Nerd

Greetings All,

    Last month we lost one the greats in the sport of bodybuilding, Mr. Nasser El Sombaty.  Nasser was from the Mass Monster age of the late 90's and was by definition a true Muscle Nerd.  He spoke several languages and boasted several degrees in history, sociology and political science.  He was often pictured working out wearing his Harry Potter'ish glasses (before anyone knew who Harry Potter was).

In his later career, Nasser was said to have been branded persona non grata in the professional bodybuilding world because of his ability to "call a spade a spade".  He was never afraid to point out when he or anyone else was unfairly placed in a competition. 

    Organizational politics aside,  I respect a man who works his mind as hard as he works his body.  RIP Nasser!  You are posthumously awarded the status of Muscle Nerd!

Super Jerry

The dreaded diet.

Greetings All,

Do you know what diet is?  It’s die with a “t” on the end.  It is now time to start that wonderful process of cutting out fats, sugars, and all things that make food great.  The things we do….  Well this year I have enlisted the aid of an IFPA pro bodybuilder to help me out with dieting.  His name is Master Gunnery Sergeant Garry Engle.  He was nice enough to answer a few questions for the quest:

 1.) What first inspired you to get into bodybuilding? What were some things you expected and what were some of the surprises?

I started lifting weights for high school football. I kept it up when I joined the Marines and I started putting on some muscle after I learned how to eat. The progress kept coming so I thought I'd give bodybuilding a try. I won my first contest and was hooked from there.

 

I knew it would be hard work but was surprised to find how much long-term diet affects your body composition.

2.) What helps you stay motivated (both immediate and long term)?

Looking good, feeling good, being physically capable, competition, and vigor and mobility into my old age!

3.) Since turning pro, has the pressure of training and competing increased significantly or would you say that it's "the same dance, just a different tune"?

The competition is much stiffer as a pro. If you want to be competitive as a pro, it has to be a lifestyle commitment.

4.) What are some of your "pet-peevs" when it comes training, dieting, gym etiquette, etc.?

I try not to be too critical of people in the gym. At least they are in there!

Leaving a full load of weights on a bar or station is pretty rude. It's pretty funny when guys get an over-appreciation for their physique and think it equates to being tough or being a fighter.

5.) Have you ever met any unconventional people in the world of bodybuilding? People that might not fit the usual stereotype. I myself have come across other Muscle-Nerds, Muscle-Goths, Muscle-Thrashers, even Muscle-Steampunks (actually, I think he was more of a Dieselpunk).

People would be surprised to find the variety of types of folks in bodybuilding, figure, and bikini. Lots of college grads, professionals, students, military, accountants, doctors, all kinds of people. I have known a few who like to get costumed at times.

Am now for the nerdly questions:

6.) Who is your favorite comicbook/cartoon character?

I have two! Daredevil and Snakeyes.

7.) Do you have any geeky or nerdly interests (comicbooks, gaming, computers, sci-fi, et al)

I'm on a computer all day for my job and I am pretty well known for my computer nerd skills.

8.) Who are 3 people in history (alive or dead) that you would most like to talk with?

Hmm.. Adam, JC, and Abraham Lincoln

9.) What are people most surprised about when they first meet you?

That I've been a Marine for 20 years.

10.) Any favorite quotations?

"A person who won't read has no advantage over one who can't read." Mark Twain

Here is one of his video clips:

 

Maybe one day I’ll get to his level.  A man’s gotta have a dream, right?

 

More to come,

Super-Jerry

 

Here we go again!

Greetings All,

Well it’s that time again.  Time devote myself with psychotic obsession to the task of packing on muscle and trying to maintain my nerdly interests.  Much has happened in this little off season.  I had an interesting experience of seeing someone from my past whom hadn’t seen me in a very long time and they were completely unable to recognize me.  They said I had obviously lost weight and that I looked so different.  They didn’t say I looked better (although I am going to hope that’s what they meant), just different. 

So it’s time continue the road and see where it leads.  This year’s costume; next year’s reunion; it’s going to be interesting to see how it all turns out.  I get to do more of the quest on my own this year though.  I had my trainer last year, but now I can’t afford him.  Besides, I genuinely hope I have learned enough to do things myself. 

I will keep everyone up to date!

 

Super-Jerry

Sorry for the delay!

Greetings All,

    I know it’s been a while since my last post.  I have been tearing my hair out trying to get ready for Dragon Con.  I took final delivery of my costume this past week and had a photo shoot in it only the next day.  The shoot was so much fun!  We shot it against green-screen so the photographer can edit them to look like we are truly superheroes.  There was this awesome moment when I slipped a bit and had to go down on one knee to regain my balance.  The woman taking pictures told me my shoulders looked great in that position and I should stay in that pose.  That kept me flying high for the rest of the day. 

    My hair is now dyed the vivid red that it has to be for the costume.  It has been an amusing at work for everyone to see me with the red hair and their reaction to it.  I am also getting the “You’ve lost weight!” comments more than ever.  27lbs worth; I hope they would notice.

    As we are coming to the end of the first major goal (in shape for the last superhero costume for Dragon*Con), my trainer has requested the honor of the last post before the con.  Next week, look for pictures of progress to date and some images from the photo shoot in costume.  I have to warn everybody that after next week, there will be only a monthly post until training resumes in January for the next major goal.

    What is the next major goal?  Well, ambitious as ever, I have set my sites on a 2 year plan that will get me to 235lbs at 5% body fat.  At my height and with my body type, that will be quite a challenge.  However I am a firm believer that the game isn’t big enough unless it scares you a little!

Super-Jerry

First goal is nearing completion!

Greetings All,

Well, the first part of this mad quest is nearing the end.  Dragon Con is now less than a month away and the butterflies are starting to set in.  I have all these annoying questions swarming around in my mind.  Questions like, “Will I look completely ridiculous in my costume?” Or “Will all of this dieting and working out have been in vain?” 

Many people tell me that I have lost weight, but strictly speaking that wasn’t what I was going for.  What I wanted to do is loose fat (which I have).  A few who have seen me in a tank top have said I look bigger and more defined which is very encouraging.  All in all though, I won’t be satisfied until I see what I look like in my costume.

The costume and makeup tests are scheduled for the 18^th of this month.  The photo and video shoot will be the day after.  I promise I will post lots of photos of me in my superhero glory.  The excitement is mounting!

Super Jerry