u/CptPatches

I'm a native Texan based in Madrid. The other day I got to talking with other American comedians about moving back home, what scene we'd want to be in, etc. For the comics I know from LA, NYC, Chicago, etc. the cup runneth over, but I'm wondering what Austin is like these days. Can Austin comics still enjoy the comedy scene without having to kiss Rogan and Hinchliffe's rings? Is there still a good amount of stage time?

A few days ago I posted about having trouble with bicep progression, and some commenters gave me a bit of a shellacking over the fact that my Caliber-generated routine is a bit of a "bro split." So I wanted to make a PPL split instead based on the workouts I had across my routine, to start in the first week of August when I return from vacation. I wanted to know if these days make sense:

Context: Male, 35, 113.5 kg, beginner, started weights in May. Lifting weights every other day. Main target is weight and body fat loss.

Push (and core)

• Dumbbell bench press, 3 sets, 8-10 reps
• Dumbbell incline bench press, 3 sets, 8-10 reps
• Dumbbell tricep extension, 3 sets, 8-10 reps
• Cable tricep pushdown, 3 sets, 8-10 reps
• Dumbbell shoulder press, 3 sets, 8-10 reps
• Dumbbell lateral raise, 3 sets, 8-10 reps
• Lying leg-hip raise, 3 sets, 10-12 reps
• Front plank, 2 sets

Pull

• Barbell bent-over row, 3 sets, 8-10 reps
• Dumbbell curl, 3 sets, 10-12 reps
• Dumbbell concentration curl, 2 sets, 10-12 reps
• Cable face pull, 3 sets, 8-10 reps
• Cable seated row, 3 sets, 8-10 reps
• Cable lat pulldown, 2 sets, 8-10 reps

Legs

• Machine leg press, 3 sets, 8-10 reps
• Dumbbell goblet squat, 3 sets, 8-10 reps
• Dumbbell standing calf raise, 3 sets, 8-10 reps
• Hip abduction, 3 sets, 8-10 reps
• Machine leg extension, 3 sets, 8-10 reps
• Lying leg curl, 3 sets, 8-10 reps

Thank you for any advice!

Tengo 35 años. Vivo con mi novia, 39, y nuestro compañero de piso, 48. Vivimos en Madrid. Buscamos compañeros de piso, y tenemos escrito en el anuncio que buscamos gente con más de 30 años.

Alguien me ha escrito en un mensaje que una edad mínima es ilegal. Es verdad? Solo queremos vivir con gente más cerca a nuestras edades. No somos los caseros, somos los inquilinos.

Gracias!

I am currently lifting dumbbells every other day. I have what I've been told is a bro split (I know, I know, not ideal, but that's what Caliber has given me), and my bicep curls seem to be the exercise with the slowest progress.

I do two exercises during bicep days: a standing bicep curl for three sets, 8-10 reps, and a concentration curl for two sets, 8-10 reps.

Yesterday, for bicep curl I did 9 reps of 9kg for my first two sets, but in my third set I could only hit 7 reps.

For my concentration curl, I did 8 reps of 7kg and then 7 reps of the same weight.

Usually I start with my left arm, as that's the one that fails first.

So my question is, should I keep trying with the same weights and eventually I'll be able to do more reps with more weight? Should I drop the weight down a level for a bit? Should I just completely change my plan so I'm doing biceps more often?

Thanks!

On leg days, I've got lunges. I'm not a huge fan. I'm a big guy, they make me sweat more than most exercises, and my right knee always stings a bit during the exercise and sometimes in the days after. It doesn't get super painful, more of a stinging/pinching sensation.

My theory is that my form sucks, but also I'm a big guy (~113kg), and that might be a lot of weight to put on them. This does not happen with other exercises that require knee flexion, like the leg press and extension. I do remember this happening (to a more serious level) when I did the Camino de Santiago years ago.

What can I do to make sure I'm not putting so much pressure on the knees? Should I get some knee sleeves? Should I sub them for another, easier exercise? My biggest goal right now is losing weight.

Thanks!

Hola,

Tenemos vacaciones en Santander por la ultima semana de Julio. Soy un superfan de las cervezas artesanales, y yo se que Cantabria tiene algunas de las mejores fabricas de España. Me recomendais unos buenos sitios para tomar y comprar cervezas en la ciudad?

Gracias!

I'm on week 5 of a plan that Caliber generated for me when I signed up for the app. Really enjoying it so far. Currently I have a four day a week split that goes:

1. Legs

2. Chest and triceps

3. Back and biceps

4. Shoulders and abs

Most things are going well, tough exercises are getting easier, weights are going up, body weight and body fat are going down, all that good stuff.

However, where I am really havung little progress with is the plank at the end of shoulder and abs day. It's only one plank when I do that workout. First time I did it, I got to 39 seconds. Second time 50. Then the last three times, I’ve dropped at 46 seconds.

What can I do to make better progress on the plank? Add another set? Add a plank to another day (maybe chest/triceps day?) Stay the course?

35/M/170cm/113.5 kg if it matters.

Thank you!

I've been working on my biceps once a week. My bicep day includes three sets of dumbbell curls, three of concentration curls.

I've noticed today that my left arm seems weaker than the right. It always fails about one rep short.

Is this normal? Any advice for improving?

For context, I live in Madrid, where the scene is mostly amateurs and hobbyists, with a handful of comics who do semi-pro stuff or work independently. Because of this, it's always felt like a good scene to become a better comic since there's less pressure to compete.

I was wondering, in a scene where there is a professional path forward (let's say New York or London as examples), are there still communities of people doing it for fun? Or do those paths forward make it more difficult to build community?

Hello all,

Started weight lifting a few weeks ago with the caliber app. My primary goal is weight loss. I noticed that it aside from warm-up lifts, it doesn’t include cardio warm-ups or cool-downs. Should I be adding these in? I usually just grab my stuff and go after my last lifting exercise. Should I be staying a bit longer and hitting a cardio machine before I jet? Should I be hitting one before I start?

Thanks!

I want to write more. I feel like I've got some reliable stuff, but I maybe debut a new joke, or the ground for a new joke, every other week. I'd like to just be able to write a lot, but I really can't figure out how to make it happen beyond things passively coming to me.

For those of you who are always writing new ideas, what are you doing to make it work?

Just got into weight lifting four days a week to help me lose weight. I was wondering what are some do's and don'ts for off days. I know "lifting" probably falls into a "don't" for off days, but I do enjoy a long walk in the park to hit those 10-15,000 steps or going for a run on the treadmill. Is that fine? Or is it better to relax relax?

Hey all,

Madrid-based, considering making a three-night last-minute trip. Seems Lanzarote and Menorca are still pretty (reasonably) cheap for the weekend, including lodging.

Anyone been to either? Highlights of both? I have no real game plan, just veg on the beach, eat and drink, maybe try to get in a day hike.

Hey all,

I'd like to get back do doing more weight training at the gym.

The issue: my gym is cheap so it's always packed. Getting some time on a weight machine is either luck or a long wait.

Conversely, the dumbbells rarely have people using them. The benches may be in use, but the weights are usually readily available.

Is there a recommended app for routines using dumbbells?

Thank you!