Exercising/Jogging

[uwochris]

Hey guys,

Just curious how many people here exercise regularly and what type of training do you do?

When I went to do my Cat 1 and I told my doc I don't exercise he was shocked. He told me to start running or do something to keep me in shape. In heeding his advice, I began jogging recently and will try to keep it up at least 3 days per week.
I have also, however, heard that jogging is bad because it will gradually wear down your knees. I don't know if this is true or not, but I suppose infrequent jogging will be more beneficial than hurtful.

So, who here jogs or exercises regularly?

 

[FL000]

Jogging is horrible for your knees, especially as you get past your mid-30's. My bad right knee provides a convenient excuse not to jog. I hate jogging. However, I do have a great zero-impact jogging machine in my building that I enjoy using. If you can find one of these, it's a great substitute. Walking has been recently touted as "just as good as jogging", and doesn't bang your knees around as the latter. Also, biking is a good outdoor activity that can get your blood pumping. The most important thing is that you engage in some aerobic/cardio activity several times a week for at least 30 mins. each time.

I didn't exercise regularly for years until I got into my 30s. I found that it's not a matter of "finding time" to do it, but rather a matter of incorporating it into your lifestyle. It must be a regular part of your day. A light, brief weightlifting regimen and a few (50-75), properly executed crunches are great for muscle tone as well. Once you start to see the results, you will get hooked. I'm no muscle head by any stretch of the imagination, but my grandfather always told us that if you didn't have your health, you didn't have anything.

And speaking of stretching, you should always stretch before (and some say after) your routine. When you have those days that you just don't have time to get a workout in, a thorough muscle stretch doesn't take very long, and your back will thank you later in life.

Most hotels have at least a stationary bike or treadmill, or offer a pass to a nearby health club.

I'm no health expert, but this is what works for me. As I'm sure you know, you should consult your physician before jumping into any stressful physical routine.

 

[CL60]

med bust

uwochris,

If you want to fly for an entire career, you're better off paying the excercise "insurance" than not. I run and work out with weights almost everyday and have done so for my entire adult life and really enjoy it. Sure, there are benefits and detractors to any repetitive exercise but staying in shape, in whatever way is preferrable to you, will definitely do you more good than harm.

There are lots of ways to keep in shape but to make them work they require a personal commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Remember this too, all the working out in the world is not worth a $hit if you don't eat right and get proper rest.

I also want to enjoy an nice healthy retirement after all my productive flying years are finished. Why even take the chance with your medical, or your life?

Good luck,

 

[Batman]

"x" number of heart beats...

I am a firm believer that each person has a predetermined number of heartbeats. It is mind boggling that someone would dress up in athletic gear and go out and try to see how many heart beats they can use up. My goal is to never use more than 84,960 heartbeats (59 HB/min x 60 min x 24 hrs) in a day. Thank God for the man that invented the escalator and moving sidewalk--He was probably a pilot. The same appreciation can be given to the man who invented the electric golf cart.

If you are a regional pilot, exercise is the last thing you need to worry about. I have never seen a fat regional pilot simply because one cannot afford to eat three time a day on regional wages. Also, a regional pilot is always guaranteed that his or her aircraft will be parked in the most distant corner of the ramp. I think is it a conspiracy by mainline management, so that pilots use up their heartbeats before they max out on Captain pay on the Triple Seven.

So, for those you of you who want to use up your heatrbeats, go ahead--I will be able to cross you off the senority list in 20 years.

PS. I have already used 56,640 heart beats so far today!

 

[RJones]

My exercise would be extreme for most of you. I exercise and keep fit by playing hockey at least three to four times a week. Mostly pick-up, however, I do play on a league. I played when I was a youngster and throughout high school, then took a few years off, picked it back up in my early thirties and boy was I out of shape. I couldn't believe how fast I would get winded and have to sit out...a minute shift felt terrible and that's about all I could stand for sometime. Now days (early forties) I can hang with the high school kids.

I don't care how many heartbeats I use up, it sure beats being a couch potato and not having the strength to do my lawn like I once did. Every time I go to my AME he comments about my strong heart. Do something for yourself, I just happen to pick something I enjoy doing.

RJ

 

[Ted Striker]

That has to be the stupidest thing I have ever heard.

 

[RJones]

Really?

 

[FL000]

I'm most certain that Mr. Striker was making reference to the post above yours. Y'all posted at the same time.

As for the "stupidest" post: if you were joking, that's pretty funny. If not, you are going to shocked when you find yourself, not us, dropping off the seniority list. Unfortunately, I won't benefit from your demise since you're obviously not on my seniority list, having not seen a fat regional pilot.

 

[CL60]

Any excercise is good

RJones,

Striker must be talking about the rather strange "heartbeat" post. That was either intended to be humorous or... I'm not sure what...

Couch people do serve a purpose though, they add to attrition rates.

See you,

 

[CL60]

Fat pilots

FL000,

I too have seen many pilots of all venues with a beer blister the size of a pony keg attached to their respective gut. Some are just naturally big people but some are just out of shape... bad!

Don't know how they keep their medicals year after year...

 

[Ted Striker]

RJones,

Sorry man, I wasn't talking about your post. I was talking about the one above yours. I am down with hockey, best game in the world - GO WINGS!! I was talking about the genius with the "total heartbeat" theory. Hopefully it was a joke. If so, sorry! If not...well I guess that is just nature at work, eh?!

 

[bssthound]

Ease into the exercise. If you start of gradually your body will be able to adapt and you'll lessen the chances of injury.

I lift regularly and get some sort of cardio exercise about 3 times a week. I try to bid my airline trips to cities where the hotel van will take me to a gym; if there's not one within walking distance.

If there's no gym access I'll run sprints or even do pushups. You can get some sort of exercise if you want.

Nutrition is also very important. I prepare, at my crashpad, several meals before a trip and keep them in a refrigerator in ops.
I'll usually eat one after a round trip. It costs no more than $3 and I can get a nutritious meal, rather than going up on the concourse and loading up on saturated fat and sugar for $8+.

It's never too late to start. I'll be 39 in about a week and my heartrate is 45. I'm 6' and 210 lbs, down from 242 at the beginning of the year. If diet & exercise will work for me it will work for anyone.

Get started, you'll be amazed.

 

[FL000]

...my heartrate is 45.

45?? If we ever get paired up together, I'm going to politely request that we move the defib to the cockpit.

 

[TurboS7]

I do a 5 to 6 mile "run walk" once a week. I run 2 miles at least 3 times a week. I also do an upper body workout at least once a week and more. I play baseball once to twice a week on a semi-pro baseball team. Consideriing how much sitting around you do as a pilot that even isn't enough. On layovers I try to walk at least a mile or two to get something to eat that helps me get the excercise that I need. With all that I still weigh 210 my problem is that I like to eat a lot, oh well.

 

[Batman]

Heart beat theory...

Yes, my heart beat theory was an attempt to display a little humor towards the subject of exercise. I am glad a few of you used up some of your heart beats in responding.

I would hope that all pilots find some type of physical activity that suits them. Whether it be hockey or jogging on the beaches of the Caribbean, exercise is a must in maintaining one's health.

I have always wondered how some of those hefty mainline pilots continually pass their physicals? What about the flabby flight attendants in back? I have major safety concerns when it comes to aircraft evacuations and obtuse flight attendants.

PS. I was in RDU the other day and I figured out what happens to pilots that can no longer fit through the cockpit door...They become rental car bus drivers.

 

[ILS JNKY]

working out

I try to use the precor running machine at the gym at least 3 times a week ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, staying at at least 35 mins or a little longer........................................

 

[katanabob]

RJones,
Where are you based? I'm hoping I'll be able to find good pickup hockey games whereever I end up; I haven't played since highschool and it's eating me up.

As to the rest of the exercise posts.. I have run my whole life but pushed myself to run a marathon last year. The greatest accomplishment of my life thus far. (Those who have done it can sympathize)

 

[Joseph II]

For the past 5 years, I have been overweight. When I went in for my 1st Class my doctor commented on my high blood pressure. I'm only 25 and didn't feel like dying or loosing my medical any time soon.

Since then I've been lifting weights 2X a week, walking at least 4 and biking 1 or 2 days for 3 hours at a time. It's only been a short while but I can already tell my heart is stronger.

 

[Ty Webb]

To the Guy who started this whole string:

The best thing you can do for yourself is to acquire a habit for excercise. You will relieve stress, become happier with how you look/feel, will require less sleep, and be happier in general if you follow through with it.

Don't let the chatter of experienced workout fanatics confuse you, though. If you are new to the whole cardio thing, learn to stretch, and start by doing 6 mins the first time, maybe 8 the next few times, and eventually work your way up to 16. Then, you will start building in a little for warm-up and cool-down, and before you know it, you will be doing half an hour a day! Just remember, though, to keep it fun . . . no law against starting on a stairmaster for 3 or 5 minutes, then switching to a bike, or maybe a hike . . .

Regardless, the best thing you can do for yourself is to start taking care of yourself, and you have done that. Good Luck.

 

[MINIME]

Do find some kind of workout that better fits you,

I'm no athelete, but not too long ago I realized that I was putting on some extra pounds ( all the chicks were going to the cappies) he, he, he!!! Sooo, I started trying to jog. At first, I crawled, walked and jogged the 5k track we have in our neck of the woods. Now it has become a most enjoyable part of my day and I feel like a million bucks afterwards. For the overnights, I try to go the hotel gym if available and run the treadmill for at least 30 minutes, even if we get in late. You'll find that you feel so much better physically and mentally and you won't forget to call for the gear!

Just my experience