Pilates will not help you in an event that requires you to be at your physical best. Strength and speed will. Powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, bodybuilding, and gymnastics/calisthenics/bodyweight training for strength. Running, swimming, rowing, and cycling for speed. CrossFit for both. You want a strong core? Do overhead squats with a 61-kg/135-lb barbell. Do strict toes-to-bar. Do an L-sit for 60 seconds.
> Pilates will not help you in an event that requires you to be at your physical best
Given that your 'best' peaks at age 22-30 (approx) and only goes downwards afterwards, I'm not sure what this even means.
> gymnastics
This kinda pops out among the others, no? To the point it's a bit strange to have them all in one list. Gymnastics is all body strength and flexibility and condition. Could be the definition of physical best imo, mostly because of the 'all body' part: unlike most if not all other things you mention, sports like gymnastics/climbing/... require you to actually use and train the highest percentage of all muscles in your body. Powerlifting/crossfit etc maybe try to achieve that, but don't because there's still focus on typcial muscle groups like quads biceps. Put a gymnast next to the average crossfit guy and you'l clearly notice the difference, the former is way more balanced overall.
> Do you want a strong core? Do overhead squats with a 61-kg/135-lb barbell. Do strict toes-to-bar. Do an L-sit for 60 seconds.
Kinda relates to my previous point: all of thse train almost the exact same muscles in the core, leaving out the rest. Your core is more than just abs.
I know a CrossFit coach who only coaches to make a living (his passion is Olympic-style weightlifting, but there's no money in that in the US).
Heard from him multiple times: "CrossFit is bullshit."
It's a very cultish activity. I'm an amateur weightlifter and lift at my coach's box, and I just find it bizarre and unnecessarily painful (judging by the bodies on the floor after a WOD).
I do both Olympic weightlifting and CrossFit. I like Olympic weightlifting more--it's my passion. I use CrossFit to keep fit. I'm a 73-kg class weightlifter; been lifting since 2018. My snatch PR is 75 kg, and my clean & jerk PR is 94 kg. Can't wait for this COVID-19 lockdown to be lifted so that I can go back to the gym.
That's cool. Same here, can't wait. I actually bought a cheap barbell and some light weights so at least I can keep practicing technique in my apartment :)
CrossFit uses strict work as part of their training, such as strict pull-ups, strict toes-to-bar, etc. There are even strict versions of their famous benchmark workouts. One of them is "Cindy, Strict!" (https://www.crossfit.com/190111). My score was 12 rounds + 5 strict pull-ups + 10 push-ups + 12 air squats (387 reps).
Seems like "Part of" is the key word, and it also appears as though the goal of each day is to tell people about it in the comments. A solid calisthenics program would probably be more valuable imo.
I love calisthenics. I do the Recommended Routine over at Reddit Bodyweight Fitness: https://www.reddit.com/r/bodyweightfitness/wiki/kb/recommend.... I do this routine in addition to my Olympic weightlifting training. I do CrossFit for fitness testing and for that HIIT stimulus, not for "training" training.
Seems like "Part of" is the key word, and it also appears as though the goal of each day is to tell people about it in the comments. If it works for you, cool.
I do not think dress codes are "idiotic." I understand why they exist for companies and organisations. I went to an all-boys Catholic school in Sydney, Australia, and we wore navy blazers, ties, and polished shoes. It was about respect and reputation. I get this. I see this everywhere, in every country. I'd rather see well-dressed people than see slobs. I'd rather look at beauty than ugly. I'd rather smell a pleasant scent than an unpleasant odour. Hey, that's just me.
Now, living in the inelegant U.S., I am a programmer who works in companies with no dress codes, but chooses to wear bespoke suits, sport jackets, and the occasional tie and/or hanky in the jacket's breast pocket... because I love clothing, grooming and elegant style. I have always loved these things, ever since I was a kid.
I understand that programming and dressing well is a rare combination, and I get flak for it from the men once in a while, but the women like it. Hmmm... I wonder why. ;-)
Do keep in mind that one of the strengths of the U.S. is its overall lack of refinement; culturally, we idolize elegance, but respect scrapiness. More refined cultures tend to smack down imperfections, which is why a lot of start-ups happen outside of the Old World.
I also love suits and bespoke clothing (having a custom-tailored shirt makes such a difference), but I understand why a lot of people don't -- it's expensive, and a chore to deal with all the time.
Speaking of which, I need to get my shirts pressed...
Americans do not idolise elegance. The definition of "idolise," according to the Oxford dictionary, is to "revere or love greatly or excessively." We do not see this idolisation of elegance in the way Americans dress and, most importantly, in the way Americans respond to dressing well, dress codes, and well-dressed people.
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