Staying Fit
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Earth
Staying Fit
I know some of you will recommend this be transferred to JB but I believe it is a relevant question.....
What do Private Flying PPRuNers do to stay fit? Pilots are generally not a lazy or slothenly bunch so do we take physical health as seriously as we should?
I personally cycle five times a week after work and I believe that is enough to keep the cardiac wolf from my door.
I can't believe that the UK's reputation of burger munchers stretches into this forum..............can it?
What do Private Flying PPRuNers do to stay fit? Pilots are generally not a lazy or slothenly bunch so do we take physical health as seriously as we should?
I personally cycle five times a week after work and I believe that is enough to keep the cardiac wolf from my door.
I can't believe that the UK's reputation of burger munchers stretches into this forum..............can it?
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 3,325
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From: UK
How far do you cycle? I used to do 16 miles a day for many years but almost met untimely death at the hands on Voloman so many times that I was headed to be a fit but flat corpse. So I stopped while I was still extant. And though I was fitter, it didn't lose me any weight.
It amazed me that people would say how foolish and unthinking of my (then) young family I was to fly old aeroplanes since it was so dangerous, yet didn't register the real threat to my life - cycling among the **** who are ill qualified to be in charge of a wasing machine, let alone a couple of tons of rusty metal travelling at speed, when delicate human flesh and bone are in the vicinity.
SSD
It amazed me that people would say how foolish and unthinking of my (then) young family I was to fly old aeroplanes since it was so dangerous, yet didn't register the real threat to my life - cycling among the **** who are ill qualified to be in charge of a wasing machine, let alone a couple of tons of rusty metal travelling at speed, when delicate human flesh and bone are in the vicinity.
SSD
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From: UK
1½ hours of Ju-Jitsu twice a week, and occasionally climb a few mountains when I can get away.
Not as much as I used to do, but better than nothing and good for the soul - the combination of full physical and mental attention is not unlike flying, although you end up with a few more bruises.
Interestingly my sensei flies a Yak-52, although we only met through martial arts. What that tells you I'm not sure.
G
Not as much as I used to do, but better than nothing and good for the soul - the combination of full physical and mental attention is not unlike flying, although you end up with a few more bruises.
Interestingly my sensei flies a Yak-52, although we only met through martial arts. What that tells you I'm not sure.
G
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 92
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From: South Coast
never realy worried about it much. I packed up fags 4 years ago and put on a few stone but i was built like a racing snake so it want a problem.
Ive got my Class 1 at Gatwick next week, so ive been out running tonight and had a nice salad for my tea - not gonna make a jot of difference probably, but it makes me feel better!
Ive got my Class 1 at Gatwick next week, so ive been out running tonight and had a nice salad for my tea - not gonna make a jot of difference probably, but it makes me feel better!
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Reading
Nowt at the mo, 'cos I broke my foot 10 weeks ago
and now I've got to revalidate my licence (didn't quite manage the 12 hours required this year).
BUT, usually circuit training once or twice a week. Seems to be enough for the moment, works up a good sweat and gets the heart working.
and now I've got to revalidate my licence (didn't quite manage the 12 hours required this year).BUT, usually circuit training once or twice a week. Seems to be enough for the moment, works up a good sweat and gets the heart working.
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Job Centre
Anything which gets you panting for 1/2 hour, three times a week (EVERY week that is, and not just the week before the medical) will keep the circulation in good order.
Plenty of room for interpretation there.
Convenience is a key issue - if I have to drive to the pool / gym, pay, get changed, do the stuff, shower, get changed, drive home, it adds another hour on to the 1/2 hour's panting.
Cos I live in the back of beyond, cycling or running in the local woods and paths is fave. Running is much harder work.
Result - Arnie Schwarzenegger from the waist down, everything else stick insect.
sd
Plenty of room for interpretation there.
Convenience is a key issue - if I have to drive to the pool / gym, pay, get changed, do the stuff, shower, get changed, drive home, it adds another hour on to the 1/2 hour's panting.
Cos I live in the back of beyond, cycling or running in the local woods and paths is fave. Running is much harder work.
Result - Arnie Schwarzenegger from the waist down, everything else stick insect.
sd
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Once the Summer arrives I try to cycle about 60 miles a week (building up slowly of course). In the Winter I do nowt. Generally I try to stick to vegitarian only lunches and avoid sandwiches, mayonaise and the like. Limit myself to two cups of char a day. Thus my weight fluctuates between 11.5 stone in the Summer and 12.5 in the Winter.
Also, my Class 1 renewal is late September so I am usually by that time slim, fit and healthy. Thank goodness it isn't in early April
I agree with Sunday Driver. If you are starting out, the thing to remember about exercise is that it is not how out of breath you are but how you are using your energy that determines how benificial it is. Cycling is superb for aerobic fat burning and cardio-vascular improving because of its lower intensisty and typically longer durations (1 hour a ride for example) and a good way to get started. Whereas running, although more tiring, actually burns more glycogen than fat due to its higher intensity and generally shorter durations (more anarobic), be careful to limit your duration when starting out. If you spend two weeks running your nuts off, you may end up in worse shape than when you started. If you have a medical soon, then this will show itself as a high resting heart rate. It is very important to build up slowly, adding to the duration each week and varying the intensity so that you don't just knacker yourself out all the time.
Also, my Class 1 renewal is late September so I am usually by that time slim, fit and healthy. Thank goodness it isn't in early April
I agree with Sunday Driver. If you are starting out, the thing to remember about exercise is that it is not how out of breath you are but how you are using your energy that determines how benificial it is. Cycling is superb for aerobic fat burning and cardio-vascular improving because of its lower intensisty and typically longer durations (1 hour a ride for example) and a good way to get started. Whereas running, although more tiring, actually burns more glycogen than fat due to its higher intensity and generally shorter durations (more anarobic), be careful to limit your duration when starting out. If you spend two weeks running your nuts off, you may end up in worse shape than when you started. If you have a medical soon, then this will show itself as a high resting heart rate. It is very important to build up slowly, adding to the duration each week and varying the intensity so that you don't just knacker yourself out all the time.
High Flying Bird
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Old Sarum ish
FNG - that confused me for a minute; I was thinking of a StairLift. 
I walk fairly briskly round town for at least 20 minutes most lunchtimes, plus several miles evenings/weekends when I can. Once every six weeks or so I head off to the hills with a friend & walk/climb 35 - 40 miles. Ouch.
I walk fairly briskly round town for at least 20 minutes most lunchtimes, plus several miles evenings/weekends when I can. Once every six weeks or so I head off to the hills with a friend & walk/climb 35 - 40 miles. Ouch.
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Smurph Castle
Shaggy Sheep Driver - I agree. As a seasoned commuter cyclist in London, I know about this problem all right and have excellent survival instincts on the road! (Ah dear, seems I have something in common with a Tory... 
)
Live 7 miles from work, but not doing that at the moment due to resting up for the marathon.
I exercise because I like it, not to be thin (just as well!) or to be a better pilot, though I wish I had my cycling hours in an aeroplane instead. I'd be an ace!
)Live 7 miles from work, but not doing that at the moment due to resting up for the marathon.
I exercise because I like it, not to be thin (just as well!) or to be a better pilot, though I wish I had my cycling hours in an aeroplane instead. I'd be an ace!
Spicy Meatball
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Liverpool UK
If you spend two weeks running your nuts off, you may end up in worse shape than when you started.
Does this sound good peeps?
Maz
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 382
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From: England
I'm a fitness freak. I do a 2 mile run at a fast pace every day, sometimes 5 miles. I also do lots of strength training every day with my own weights (it's so much cheaper than gym membership in the long run).
Joined: May 1999
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From: Quite near 'An aerodrome somewhere in England'
I find a heavier glass helps!
Aircrew medical (A1 G1 Z1 in the mob, JAR Class 1 since) held since 1966 - and fully paid up member of Athletics Anonymous. If you get the urge to commit jockstrappery, ring a mate who will talk you out of it and take you for a beer.....
Aircrew medical (A1 G1 Z1 in the mob, JAR Class 1 since) held since 1966 - and fully paid up member of Athletics Anonymous. If you get the urge to commit jockstrappery, ring a mate who will talk you out of it and take you for a beer.....
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From: Twickenham, home of rugby
I used to play football, until last summer when I:
Tore a hamstring, then
Tore a calf muscle, then
Got shin splints and
Damaged one of my achilles tendons.
So thought I'd just concentrate on swimming (1 KM, 3 times a week) and b
er me if I haven't ricked my back today.
If I were a horse I'd have been put down by now
So I'll try tiddly winks (and red wine for the circulation)
SD
Tore a hamstring, then
Tore a calf muscle, then
Got shin splints and
Damaged one of my achilles tendons.
So thought I'd just concentrate on swimming (1 KM, 3 times a week) and b
er me if I haven't ricked my back today. If I were a horse I'd have been put down by now
So I'll try tiddly winks (and red wine for the circulation)
SD
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 92
Likes: 16
From: South Coast
I try to stick to vegitarian only lunches
Tore a hamstring, then
Tore a calf muscle, then
Got shin splints and
Damaged one of my achilles tendons.
Nice to see you at EGHR last week, I trust Evo ensured you were suitably fed....
Trevelyan