This is definitely my favorite machine in the gym. No, the person in the photo is not me, you goofball. I don't know why, but it feels good to use it. It's called a Multi-Hip Machine. I like it because there seldom is a line for it even at peak hours (not sure why, probably because it takes a bit of tinkering to learn how to set the floor height, the lever distance, the lever angle and the weights.) The big guys apparently consider it A. T. T. N. (A Tad Too Nelly). As seen in the photo, you can use it for leg abductor. Swing the lever higher and you can do adductors. If you turn 90 degrees either direction, with the lever up high, you can swing your leg over it and do a nice smooth exercise ending up with glute work. If I'm lazy, this is where I do all of my leg work. I might try to add the hamstring curl, or the leg press, but these machines are very popular, and folks tend to just sit on them between sets to rest (considered rude).
For upper body, I do the close-grip overhead pull down, a wide grip pulldown, a seated pushdown (hits triceps and some chest), then triceps and biceps. I just try to get to whatever machine is free, I just hate waiting for a free machine, even if it messes up my order.
I'm working for the next two nights. I love going to work these days, as different people who have been off for several days get a load of my change in appearance. Last week, when the day shift crew came in at the end of my shift, I noticed a bunch of them whispering in the corner. Finally, one of them comes up to me and says, "You look different... and we were wondering... if you... got a.... Facelift."
It made me laugh.
Reader: Ha Ha, very funny :-)
Maria: You know, people ask about what I'm doing, but I still look the same to me. The only difference so far is that my hair is more black than it ever was before I colored it. I'll probably wait until I really see a difference and update my photo.
Karen: I do need to make sure I don't overdo it, because of that really old injury to my right shoulder 10 years ago. Going to the gym really does feel like it did back before nursing school; I just need to remember I'm 10 years older now. Oh, and my indulgences include Ramen (how the Hell they pack 8 grams of fat in each package is an absolute mystery to me), putting margarine on bread, and peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches.
Posted by: Eric | August 24, 2005 at 01:47 PM
Glad to see your hair dye, cold cream, eliptical & multi hip machine are showing some rewards... I know you don't need to hear it again, but remember, slow and steady wins this race, don't progress to crazy pyramiding or whatever if the workout/skin care regimen you have going for you continues showing some results... I don't want to hear about how you hurt something on the cable machine or the smith machine from overloading.
You're at the point where those healthy habits can sort of tempt your devil side. We all have them, (my personal passion is for chocolate chip cookies and instant foods like mac and cheese). Stick with it and even if you do have a cookie once in awhile don't beat yourself up over it or fall off the fitness wagon :). Sounds like you're doing great and that's good to hear!
Posted by: Karen | August 23, 2005 at 09:38 PM
So when are you gonna post a photo of the Facelifted You so we can ogle, too? :)
Posted by: Maria | August 22, 2005 at 07:01 PM
Are you sure you got all the Ponds Cold Cream off your face? :-)
Posted by: A Reader | August 22, 2005 at 10:22 AM