The Fitness thread

[Phil Young]

A recent thread made me realise...there isn't a dedicated thread for everything fitness related...so I thought we could have one

Q) What's the point?
A) Talk about common interests, share ideas about your routine's / workouts etc.

Fitness, nutrition and physiology isn't just a job for me but a major passion and I'd love a good thread where people from all different sports etc can talk about what their passion is that keeps their heart ticking over

Thought our first post could be an ice breaker and a 'little bit about me'.

Guess it's only right to start off with me.

ABOUT ME;
I've done sports for as long as I can remember, and what I love in everything that I do is the competition. If it's not with someone else then it will be with myself, getting to be the best I can be at something.

-kickboxing (Chinese not Thai)
-boxing
-roller blading
-ice skating
-weight training
-badminton & tennis
-volleyball
-football
-cycling
-running
-rock climbing
-athletics
-general gym stuff

...basically, I'm interested in everything and all sports!

PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT;
Having a resting heart rate of 41bpm

Would like to hear from anyone with the same passion for their fitness / exercise so if that's you, get involved

 

[Marcel]

41bpm? Shine a light! That's my variance when I stand up!

 

[Phil Young]

41bpm? Shine a light! That's my variance when I stand up!

Lol! You joining in or what?!

 

[u8myufo]

Good thread Phil and I will pop back in from time to time to see what is happening. I always enjoyed swimming a lot as a youngster and Table Tennis was a regular club sport for me, sadly I kind of drifted away from that but instead grafted bloody hard doing a a lot of physical manual work in construction for 30 odd years. The odd thing about reading your achievement. Whilst in Hospital after the Heart Attack my print outs from the ECG`s showed I had a relaxed heart rate of 43bpm and still is at the moment, which is why they did not want to put me on beta blockers after I came out.

 

[Phil Young]

Good thread Phil and I will pop back in from time to time to see what is happening. I always enjoyed swimming a lot as a youngster and Table Tennis was a regular club sport for me, sadly I kind of drifted away from that but instead grafted bloody hard doing a a lot of physical manual work in construction for 30 odd years. The odd thing about reading your achievement. Whilst in Hospital after the Heart Attack my print outs from the ECG`s showed I had a relaxed heart rate of 43bpm and still is at the moment, which is why they did not want to put me on beta blockers after I came out.

Wild guess here but assuming your heart attack was caused by an abnormal blockage/clot???

 

[TriggerHappy]

PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT;
Having a resting heart rate of 41bpm

Ha! Just wait until you have to (heaven forbid) go to hospital...I ended up in A&E a while ago and my resting heart rate of 46 fell below the 'safe' limit on the obs. machine they had me hooked up to for the duration of my stay. It beeped endlessly to notify staff there was a problem and couldn't be disabled :bonk::bonk:

 

[Phil Young]

Ha! Just wait until you have to (heaven forbid) go to hospital...I ended up in A&E a while ago and my resting heart rate of 46 fell below the 'safe' limit on the obs. machine they had me hooked up to for the duration of my stay. It beeped endlessly to notify staff there was a problem and couldn't be disabled :bonk::bonk:

My aim is to get below 40 now

 

[andya700]

Great thread Phil.
I am now 55 and have competed in many sports, and my RHB today was 50BPM even though I am unfit.
I am trying to get back into losing weight and getting fitter, with an aim to competing in a couple of sports.
I need to lose four stones in weight, but as I go to a gym four times a week and spend 1 hour 20 minutes doing cardio work, I feel quite healthy.
I bet your kick boxing helped with the badminton, as one of my doubles partners competed at Kyokoshinkai, and he was lethal (if a little unpredictable at times).

 

[andya700]

Good thread Phil and I will pop back in from time to time to see what is happening. I always enjoyed swimming a lot as a youngster and Table Tennis was a regular club sport for me, sadly I kind of drifted away from that but instead grafted bloody hard doing a a lot of physical manual work in construction for 30 odd years. The odd thing about reading your achievement. Whilst in Hospital after the Heart Attack my print outs from the ECG`s showed I had a relaxed heart rate of 43bpm and still is at the moment, which is why they did not want to put me on beta blockers after I came out.

How do you feel now Rich, because one of my mates (cycle racer, really fit) was in the construction trade, and he is being monitored at the moment, after having a "funny turn" (sounds bad, but they don't know quite what it was). He had chest pains, and irregular heart beat, also sweating at night.

 

[Phil Young]

Great thread Phil.
I am now 55 and have competed in many sports, and my RHB today was 50BPM even though I am unfit.
I am trying to get back into losing weight and getting fitter, with an aim to competing in a couple of sports.
I need to lose four stones in weight, but as I go to a gym four times a week and spend 1 hour 20 minutes doing cardio work, I feel quite healthy.
I bet your kick boxing helped with the badminton, as one of my doubles partners competed at Kyokoshinkai, and he was lethal (if a little unpredictable at times).

Good to have you involved Andy.

You know, I haven't played badminton in years but aim to go with the wife next week but that'll be just a little knock about for me I think based on us playing tennis together last week lol (she likes sports but we are normally at different levels...it's good to do stuff together even still!).

 

[u8myufo]

Wild guess here but assuming your heart attack was caused by an abnormal blockage/clot???

Oh it was Phil What I should have said though was, there seems to be differing opinions to normal resting bpm, some say around 50, some say 60 others just say anything between 60-100. So when you say having a bpm of 41 was an achievement. I am interested to know is there any technique or regime that you adhered to accomplish that? Seems like I got mine without trying too hard

 

[Phil Young]

Oh it was Phil What I should have said though was, there seems to be differing opinions to normal resting bpm, some say around 50, some say 60 others just say anything between 60-100. So when you say having a bpm of 41 was an achievement. I am interested to know is there any technique or regime that you adhered to accomplish that? Seems like I got mine without trying too hard

Some people naturally have a strong heart - mine is usually around 52-60 without training.

You sound like one of those people too, hence why I thought your attack would be more to do with arteries / veins / clotting since naturally your heart is big and strong

Mine came down to it's lowest as I've reduced my body fat significantly. With less of a workload I guess it's gotten stronger through that. I've always been in exercise and due to my competitive nature it's always high intensity so I have to put it down to lowering body fat.

I aim for below 40 because I'm not 6-7% yet

*edit* Rich, just saw another thread dedicated for you. Didn't realise your heart attack was so recent. What was the cause? Hope you're feeling better now.

*re-edit* just read your post about what happened.

Bah, an unfortunate clot. Did they find any reason for the clot or was it an 'it could happen to anyone' type?

 

[u8myufo]

Some people naturally have a strong heart - mine is usually around 52-60 without training.

You sound like one of those people too, hence why I thought your attack would be more to do with arteries / veins / clotting since naturally your heart is big and strong

Mine came down to it's lowest as I've reduced my body fat significantly. With less of a workload I guess it's gotten stronger through that. I've always been in exercise and due to my competitive nature it's always high intensity so I have to put it down to lowering body fat.

I aim for below 40 because I'm not 6-7% yet

*edit* Rich, just saw another thread dedicated for you. Didn't realise your heart attack was so recent. What was the cause? Hope you're feeling better now.

*re-edit* just read your post about what happened.

Bah, an unfortunate clot. Did they find any reason for the clot or was it an 'it could happen to anyone' type?

Just a build up from over the years Phil, and yes it could happen to anyone at any time. I have gone really paranoid about what I am eating at the moment Phil, and considering the related emotional ups and downs that you will get after an attack, I have still not given any thought or had a craving to smoke. Normally we make decisions in life and then umm and ahh about them for a while and change our minds. Quite ironic being a photography forum, it seems that my brain was took off of "M" and switched over to "A" for a brief period. I seem to have had those decisions about my smoking habit and diet made up for me already. I cannot seem to drag them back out for re evaluating It is things such as this which make you realise how complicated the human brain and body is, and imho will never be replicated.

 

[Nod]

Use "P"! You can always twiddle a wheel if you want a bit more control for a while but remember that it's usually easier to get poor "exposures" in "M" than any of the semi automatic modes unless you meter carefully!

 

[u8myufo]

Use "P"! You can always twiddle a wheel if you want a bit more control for a while but remember that it's usually easier to get poor "exposures" in "M" than any of the semi automatic modes unless you meter carefully!

 

[Phil Young]

Come on folks, need a few more introductions!

 

[nilagin]

I've been weight training on and off for around 31 years, aged 19. Last break was longest at around 8 years due to a shoulder injury I got at work. Restarted just over 6yrs ago. Cardio work had been restricted to two 1/2hr sessions a week, as I find it very tedious and get little out of it. Would rather take very short breathers, between sets or supersets using weights, to get the heart rate up and work up a sweat. I trained Monday to Friday before work, cardio was done during the only two lunch breaks I had per week. Now I have to relocate at work, I'll have to see what their works gym has to offer, or consider having to pay for gym use for the first time in about 30 yrs.

 

[akr]

Come on folks, need a few more introductions!

I'll play. Am late thirties, and the only exercise I currently do is around 3 times per week cycling to work (7 miles each way) and swimming on average 2 days per week.

In my younger days played football almost daily, swam in a club in my teens, played a bit of rugby, cycled everywhere, did Taekwondo for 3 years at 19.

Unfortunately this has led to various injuries, broke my arm playing football for my university, then broke it in the same place same year doing taekwondo when someone kicked my in precisely the same place, and have since broken the same arm again cycling to work though this time nearer the elbow. Knees are also a bit shot from all the football, so am tryign to concentrate on low impact sports like swimming and cycling.

I'd be interested in hearing what people do post exercise (nutrition, general recovery) and people's experience of training where time is limited (I have a young family and finding time to exercise is also an issue with work as well). Short sharp sessions would be great.

Have done two triathlons now but would like to get lots fitter so I feel I can attack them a bit more instead of struggling through them. The running especially is problematic but I've been told the cross trainer is a good low impact alternative to running targeting similar muscles so may start giving that a go in the gym.

Al

 

[Phil Young]

Welcome!

Haven't done TKD but we use a lot of the same kicks in KB. Never thought about picking it up again??

I might have got into it if there was more punching but I don't think there's a lot going on in that department is there?

My favourite kick; jump spin roundhouse!

Al, regarding the post workout nutrition, what is it you want to hear about?

 

[Phil Young]

I've been weight training on and off for around 31 years, aged 19. Last break was longest at around 8 years due to a shoulder injury I got at work. Restarted just over 6yrs ago. Cardio work had been restricted to two 1/2hr sessions a week, as I find it very tedious and get little out of it. Would rather take very short breathers, between sets or supersets using weights, to get the heart rate up and work up a sweat. I trained Monday to Friday before work, cardio was done during the only two lunch breaks I had per week. Now I have to relocate at work, I'll have to see what their works gym has to offer, or consider having to pay for gym use for the first time in about 30 yrs.

Do you have any goals at the moment or just training for enjoyment?

I hate doing cardio at the gym too... I can't think of anything more boring tbh! Give me a pair of rollerblades and I'm going for it!!

 

[Leslie]

I'll play!

I'm 37 now and have played some kind of sport or done some sort of fitness regime since I was at school. I'm one of those people that just doesn't like feeling unfit.

I'm currently training for the Great North Run in September and depending on how my training goes I'll hopefully get under 1:40 for the half marathon. I've run 3 marathons, Edinburgh once and London twice. My best time for the marathon is 3:37 which was last year at London.

By far, my proudest sporting moment was playing volleyball for GB in the 1996 Paralympics in Atlanta. Good times!

 

[Phil Young]

I'll play!

I'm 37 now and have played some kind of sport or done some sort of fitness regime since I was at school. I'm one of those people that just doesn't like feeling unfit.

I'm currently training for the Great North Run in September and depending on how my training goes I'll hopefully get under 1:40 for the half marathon. I've run 3 marathons, Edinburgh once and London twice. My best time for the marathon is 3:37 which was last year at London.

By far, my proudest sporting moment was playing volleyball for GB in the 1996 Paralympics in Atlanta. Good times!

Hi Les,

Well done on the Paralympics!

What trainers do you run in?

 

[akr]

Welcome!

Haven't done TKD but we use a lot of the same kicks in KB. Never thought about picking it up again??

I might have got into it if there was more punching but I don't think there's a lot going on in that department is there?

My favourite kick; jump spin roundhouse!

Al, regarding the post workout nutrition, what is it you want to hear about?

We did a fair bit of punching as well and elbow strikes, though there was certainly a lot of focus on kicking. I did ITF as opposed to WTF. WTF did straight leg kicks I believed, whilst we accelerated the kick through to the last moment. I do miss it, but not sure my knees and left arm could take it. Until I'd done some proper sparring, I never understood how tiring 3 minutes could be, sometimes without much actual contact!

We'd periodically practise some weird kicks, I really enjoyed jumping over chairs etc to do various flying kicks - not much use in real life but fun in the session! At home I would practise kicks to the knees endlessly, as well as endless sit-ups and push ups. I'm sure they will give me some good arthritis later, but we did knuckle ones often, and then jumping ones on the knuckles to toughen them up. I don't miss the stretching in the class I have to say, it would nearly make you cry! - EDIT here's my former TKD Teacher, I never enjoyed sparring with him, I could never even get close to him, it was crazy -Silvio Simac now a big screen action actor http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0799272/

Re post workout, I never really know what to do.

So food wise - best time to eat after a hard session, what to eat etc, as well as what you should do, stretching, cold \ hot shower etc. I have always just gone with lots of usually pasta and a warm shower but I'm just starting to wonder if I should try and improve my recovery more.

 

[Phil Young]

We did a fair bit of punching as well and elbow strikes, though there was certainly a lot of focus on kicking. I did ITF as opposed to WTF. WTF did straight leg kicks I believed, whilst we accelerated the kick through to the last moment. I do miss it, but not sure my knees and left arm could take it. Until I'd done some proper sparring, I never understood how tiring 3 minutes could be, sometimes without much actual contact!

We'd periodically practise some weird kicks, I really enjoyed jumping over chairs etc to do various flying kicks - not much use in real life but fun in the session! At home I would practise kicks to the knees endlessly, as well as endless sit-ups and push ups. I'm sure they will give me some good arthritis later, but we did knuckle ones often, and then jumping ones on the knuckles to toughen them up. I don't miss the stretching in the class I have to say, it would nearly make you cry! - EDIT here's my former TKD Teacher, I never enjoyed sparring with him, I could never even get close to him, it was crazy -Silvio Simac now a big screen action actor http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0799272/

That's wicked to have been trained by a high profile instructor! Here's my sensei competing a few years back, he's the taller one. The guy he's fighting looks like he is TKD.

YouTube link

Quite funny when we spar (which will be this Wednesday) - he is 6'3" and there's me...5'5...and a half! This week I am going to be adopting a more defensive/counter tactic but probably chuck in a few jumping roundhouses to see if that has any effect...It's really difficult being a shorty

Re post workout, I never really know what to do.

So food wise - best time to eat after a hard session, what to eat etc, as well as what you should do, stretching, cold \ hot shower etc. I have always just gone with lots of usually pasta and a warm shower but I'm just starting to wonder if I should try and improve my recovery more.

This is a really tricky thing to get right but once you have, will give great results.

TBH, most people will only need a post workout meal if they are building - which should be protein and carbohydrate based. Reason for this is to take advantage of the anabolic state which is stimulated by weight training and actioned by the carbohydrates.

If we're talking about any kind of cardio, pre-workout nutrition is all you need to focus on and this will always be carbohydrate. Depending on the level of intensity, it could be anything from 1g per 2mins to 2g per 1min.

If you've had a hard weights session, heat is your best friend after the workout. Many people think that stretching will reduce soreness...but actually a good sauna session is really the only thing that will help here as it keeps blood to the area where damage has occurred and increase recovery time.

Stretching isn't necessary after a workout but if you want to work on flexibility, a heated room is also good for this.

Cold should only be used to reduce swelling and blood flow - which is almost always going to be injury based.

 

[omens]

For some reason, I've always been "sports averse".

Hence I did kickboxing in my teens, and weight lifting in my twenties. It's only now that I've taken up running (I call it running but it's essentially HIIT).

 

[Leslie]

Hi Les,

Well done on the Paralympics!

What trainers do you run in?

Thanks Phil.

Currently running in Asics Cumulus 13's as I've got a neutral running gait. I got fitted many years ago and ended up with one of the previous versions of what I'm using now. When they've needed replaced I've always just bought the next version. To be honest though I think they have about 600 miles in them just now so I could be doing with a new pair! Might arrange another fitting to see what other options there are out there just now.

 

[nilagin]

Do you have any goals at the moment or just training for enjoyment?

It's mostly enjoyment, it gives a great buzz. Resting heart rate is about 55bpm, which suits me fine and we have lung capacity tests twice a year as part of our medicals at work, mine has come back as capacity of a 29yr old since restarting the training, last one had slipped to 32yr old though.
Plus my job included some heavy lifting, being able to lift or old up heavy lumps of steel whilst someone else bolts it up has saved plenty of time and hassle.

 

[Phil Young]

Thanks Phil.

Currently running in Asics Cumulus 13's as I've got a neutral running gait. I got fitted many years ago and ended up with one of the previous versions of what I'm using now. When they've needed replaced I've always just bought the next version. To be honest though I think they have about 600 miles in them just now so I could be doing with a new pair! Might arrange another fitting to see what other options there are out there just now.

Les, if you think the Cumulus is good, you should try the nimbus! My wife has a cumulus 12 and prefers that to her kinsei funny enough.

Cumulus is OK and comfortable enough but for a bit more money, the nimbus is another level. Very good cushioning and the mid-upper feels like it was made for your foot. There's a slight support in it too which is great for the impact distribution.

Takes a little more impact from the knees too. Which is always nice

Needless to say, the nimbus is my favourite shoe by assics

 

[Deleted member 21335]

Go on then I'll play.

I used to work as a personal trainer/ manager of the fitness side of things for a large commercial chain a few years ago before getting out of the industry. I have always participated in sport of some sort from primary school age and still do. I have had a dabble at many things but the main ones that stand out are...

Rugby League - Played at a reasonable level and at professional clubs although was never signed professional.
Thai Boxing - Did this until I started taking Rugby more seriously and then a little bit afterwards.
Bodybuilding - After rugby, this is what i stuck to for quite a few years quite seriously, although never competing. I stopped doing it seriously after a complete pec rupture which will be 5 years ago in August. At the time I was at my biggest at 15 stone 3 lbs, with abs on show. Not bad for 5' 6". My favourite stats from bodybuilding days were....Pumped, my arms would measure 19 1/4" at their peak and my PB squat was 220KG for 2 reps (full reps to at least 90 degrees).

Since the tear (and subsequest surgical re attachment), I have stayed off the steroids and a lot of people have commented how much better I look for it (people who aren't bodybuiilders themselves). I still train almost daily and maintain what I have now, which isn't bad I suppose but I also do things that involve quite a level of fitness. For the last 4 years or so I have been playing rec ice hockey for a local team which I really enjoy. I couldn't skate previous to this so it was good to learn something new and get some fitness back and I enjoy being part of a team. I have far too much competitiveness with regards to sport though and am constantly looking at ways to improve whatever I am doing. Like with my photography, I never feel good enough at whatever it is.

I have also tried some cross fit over the last few months but stopped when a quad pull hampered my training for a few weeks and never got back into it.

 

[Phil Young]

Hi Gaz,

That pec tear must have been so painful! Do you have any photos of it? Assuming it dropped on the same side?

That's pretty good stats for your BB, pop some photos up!

I wanted to get into ice hockey years back - I can skate to a reasonable standard but never got into it.

 

[Deleted member 21335]

Hey Phil,

The pec tear hurt more after they re attached it then when it came off. It was so quick it was more a shock. I didn't take any photos to document it unfortunately. Plenty bruising down the bicep area and of course, it just hung there which was weird. There is a slight gap now but just relaxed you can't really tell until I lift my arm up, where there is a noticeable gap between the pac and deltoid instead of tying in as it would normally.

I also have no really photos from when I was bodybuilding. Especially when I was that weight. Just never a fan of photos of myself. I do have a couple that I keep on my phone from when I was a little lighter just so I can prove to people I am not full of BS when I say I used to be a lot bigger.

Hockey is good but frustrating for me as a lot of the people I play with are better, possibly because they have been playing since juniors and I am reasonably new (and started quite old).

 

[Deleted sulking member 63079]

I'm currently trying to get in shape by next June, through a mixture of:

Road cycling (currently just the commute, 5 miles each day)
Mountain biking, but living in Norfolk, don't get the chance to get out on the MTB much.
Martial arts (Choy Li Fut kung fu)
Rock climbing (indoor wall at the uni).

I've lost 2 stone over the last year, hoping to lose the same again by next June.

 

[Phil Young]

I'm currently trying to get in shape by next June, through a mixture of:

Road cycling (currently just the commute, 5 miles each day)
Mountain biking, but living in Norfolk, don't get the chance to get out on the MTB much.
Martial arts (Choy Li Fut kung fu)
Rock climbing (indoor wall at the uni).

I've lost 2 stone over the last year, hoping to lose the same again by next June.

Welcome aboard

Well done on the weight loss so far, I've lost quite a bit myself since end of March so worth you on that journey! What's happening next June - why the deadline?

I love rock climbing done it outdoors a few time as well as indoor training. Have always wanted to go to a location with a partner with some ropes and just climb. Haven't done it yet though.

 

[Deleted sulking member 63079]

Welcome aboard

Well done on the weight loss so far, I've lost quite a bit myself since end of March so worth you on that journey! What's happening next June - why the deadline?

I love rock climbing done it outdoors a few time as well as indoor training. Have always wanted to go to a location with a partner with some ropes and just climb. Haven't done it yet though.

Getting married next june and want to be less of a fat git for it

Hoping to get to the peaks at some point in the summer for a couple of days of climbing, seem to be very busy at the moment though so not sure when we'll fit it all in.

 

[Phil Young]

Getting married next june and want to be less of a fat git for it

Hoping to get to the peaks at some point in the summer for a couple of days of climbing, seem to be very busy at the moment though so not sure when we'll fit it all in.

Oooh good goal to have

 

[akr]

That's wicked to have been trained by a high profile instructor! Here's my sensei competing a few years back, he's the taller one. The guy he's fighting looks like he is TKD.

YouTube link

Quite funny when we spar (which will be this Wednesday) - he is 6'3" and there's me...5'5...and a half! This week I am going to be adopting a more defensive/counter tactic but probably chuck in a few jumping roundhouses to see if that has any effect...It's really difficult being a shorty

Re post workout, I never really know what to do.



This is a really tricky thing to get right but once you have, will give great results.

TBH, most people will only need a post workout meal if they are building - which should be protein and carbohydrate based. Reason for this is to take advantage of the anabolic state which is stimulated by weight training and actioned by the carbohydrates.

If we're talking about any kind of cardio, pre-workout nutrition is all you need to focus on and this will always be carbohydrate. Depending on the level of intensity, it could be anything from 1g per 2mins to 2g per 1min.

If you've had a hard weights session, heat is your best friend after the workout. Many people think that stretching will reduce soreness...but actually a good sauna session is really the only thing that will help here as it keeps blood to the area where damage has occurred and increase recovery time.

Stretching isn't necessary after a workout but if you want to work on flexibility, a heated room is also good for this.

Cold should only be used to reduce swelling and blood flow - which is almost always going to be injury based.

Thanks Phil

Silvio was a great teacher, and an amazing fighter. I never saw anyone near his level. Unlike some other schools, he wouldn't let us go for belts if he didn't feel we were ready\ good enough. We'd often go to tournaments and we'd see some black belts, and how they got to that grade you'd never know, it was embarrassing.

That video of your sensei reminds of the competitions and sparring, I do miss those.

I've never done weight training but maybe one day! Thanks for the post workout advice, really will only be doing cycling and swimming, and need to start some push-ups\sit-ups again. Just trying to speed up recovery time.

 

[Deleted sulking member 63079]

That's wicked to have been trained by a high profile instructor! Here's my sensei competing a few years back, he's the taller one. The guy he's fighting looks like he is TKD.

YouTube link

This is my Sifu :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nsbFBj1wpQ


Neil Wilcott from Hung Sing Martial Arts, he's taught by Grandmaster Doc Fai Wong. The Grandmaster also comes and teaches at our school for a week every year or two.

 

[Phil Young]

This is my Sifu :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nsbFBj1wpQ

Neil Wilcott from Hung Sing Martial Arts, he's taught by Grandmaster Doc Fai Wong. The Grandmaster also comes and teaches at our school for a week every year or two.

He's so fluid with his movement! Looks very graceful.

I don't know much about kung fu, what's it about, why would somebody choose that over karate for example??

 

[Deleted sulking member 63079]

He's so fluid with his movement! Looks very graceful.

I don't know much about kung fu, what's it about, why would somebody choose that over karate for example??

Well, there are several different styles of Kung Fu, Choy Li Fut is a great balance of strikes, takedowns, grappling, joint locks, pressure point attacks etc.

It's also aimed at fighting multiple opponents.

"Choy Li Fut is the most effective system that I've seen for fighting more than one person. [It] is one of the most difficult styles to attack and defend against. Choy Li Fut is the only style [of kung fu] that traveled to Thailand to fight the Thai boxers and hadn't lost." –Bruce Lee

There are over 150 forms to learn (kata in karate) and 53 different weapons to learn to wield.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkJjShkQ1eU

 

[nilagin]

If you've had a hard weights session, heat is your best friend after the workout. Many people think that stretching will reduce soreness...but actually a good sauna session is really the only thing that will help here as it keeps blood to the area where damage has occurred and increase recovery time.

Surely you want to decrease recovery time.