Physical Fitness

[SandyClaus]

Do any of you work out to improve your physical fitness for fishing?

Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I refuse to get on my knees for any fish.

I'd rather workout and get stronger.

5'9", 215lbs, 65, 1.5 Packs a Day.

My goal is to start the season in April at 205 and replace some of my fat with lean muscle.

My Routine:
Curls - 3 sets of 12
Back Rows - 3 sets of 12
Chest Presses - 3 sets of 12
Chest Flys - 3 sets of 12
Goblet Squats - 3 sets of 15

My Gym:

Personally, I find it helps me a lot.

But what about you guys?

Do you do anything fishing related to stay in shape?

 

[Rubberhook2]

I try to rub one out at least once a day...

Does that count?

 

[SandyClaus]

I try to rub one out at least once a day...

Does that count?

That's a rookie number, you gotta get that count up

 

[Luke]

I have done a variety of things over the many, many years. For about 25 years I was a serious runner and that made a difference. As I got older I stopped runnning. When I retired I got into a weight lifting routine at the gym with a trainer. That transition into what I think I found as the best overall strength and conditioning trainings for offshore fishing.

It is call BodyPump, group program with an instructor using free weights and aerobics to music. You push as hard as you want and after an hour you have worked your entire body.

For me it is the best training program for our stand-upo fishing because while working individual key fishing muscles you also work your back and core. I am sold…..check it out.

I do it three times a week at the Laguna Niguel YMCA - https://www.lesmills.com/us/workouts/fitness-classes/bodypump/

 

[jer dog]

I try to rub one out at least once a day...

Does that count?

does 12 OZ curls every night count .

 

[SandyClaus]

Impressive!

 

[pmurphy]

In preparation for my 11 day trip day after tomorrow, I have been working hard to increase the strength and endurance of my hands and wrists with grip strengtheners.

Also, yoga for my back and flexibility.

 

[SandyClaus]

does 12 OZ curls every night count .

Curls get the girls

 

[Rubberhook2]

That's a rookie number, you gotta get that count up

I tried that but chafing, callouses and blisters became an issue....

 

[hucklongfin]

In addition to that I go to the gym three times a week and have a bench and a few pairs of dumbells too.

 

[SandyClaus]

I tried that but chafing, callouses and blisters became an issue....

A little Cal's grease should take care of that.

Use the purple if "shrinkage" is an issue

 

[Rubberhook2]

On a more serious note, for strength, I have a flat bench with a 35lb dumbell that I use for bent over rows, especially my left pulling arm. Wrist and forearm strength I use standard wrist exercisers and a wooden dowel with weights attached by a rope that you wind up and down slowly. That one really burns...

For cardio gotta circle back to the rubbing one out thing. Done properly you can really break a sweat...

The other thing I need to mention is muscle cramps. When you have been dropping and winding heavy jigs for hours I have had my hands cramp up even with all the rubbing out cardio stuff. My hand turns into a claw with my fingers all closed and I have to pry them open. I have found that pickle juice is the fastest and best cure for cramps and I bring it with me on every trip...

 

[Rubberhook2]

A little Cal's grease should take care of that.

Use the purple if "shrinkage" is an issue

View attachment 1446741

Definitely going to have to go with the purple......

 

[SandyClaus]

You're way ahead of me!

And I really like the pickle juice!

I've also encountered hand cramps at the end of a long day, but didn't really think about being proactive.

Do you drink the pickle juice in advance to prevent cramps? How many of those do you drink a day?

 

[bob_marlin]

does 12 OZ curls every night count .

only if you do 12 with each arm

 

[Rubberhook2]

Yes, I have occasionally drank a pickle juice as a preemptive strike if I know a long night of physical activity is coming up. Have never drank more than 4 in one day. I get them at Albertson's where a 3 pack is about $4. You can get them online as well. I always take about 20 with me for myself and my fishing buddy who just turned 66 when we do our 3 day trips on the Vagabond. I have given them to others as well on trips.

That and mustard. Mustard is also really good for cramps but takes longer to work. We use those little individual packets of mustard like you would see at a restaurant. Eat a couple packs every day to keep in system. Went to Smart&Final and found a box of mustard packets but there was 1,000 packets in the box for $9...

Do you need any mustard?

 

[pacificscout]

does 12 OZ curls every night count .

 

[Workplacesafety]

I'm 66 don't smoke, except some really bitchen oil every now and then. I jog, very slowly 20 miles a week. Hard to keep it up but that sure helps . First thing I'd say is drop that pack and a half a day

Hard to do I get that. good luck.

 

[bob311]

row machine and peloton. The rowing machine will make your arms a back burn like hell and you will feel the same muscles burning on a big tuna fight. The peloton will strengthen your core, legs, and ass and will also help your stamina. Its rarely the case where some one doesn't have the strength, but more often than not they don't have the endurance. If you can get comfortable rowing and cycling for up to an hour there isn't anything in our waters that can break you.

Another thing to really pay attention to is hydration, sun exposure and sleep. Any one of those out of whack and it wont matter how much you exercise.

 

[wils]

Now that I am retiring from construction after 50 years - and now living 4 gallons of fuel from the gym I was going to stay in shape between houses - I'm considering getting a Total Gym alla Chuck Norris. and a jacuzzi. and a sauna

 

[irob2]

I generally just master bate rotating hands reall helps with grip strength

 

[michael e. bingham]

YMCA has really nice facilities ( Friars Rd ) ,I do 2 to 3 miles on the elliptical, 20 minutes or so on the weights , and 20 minutes on the rowing machine, it's free with Medicare, it's a great routine to get into, it clears your head and gives you some peace away from work and all the mental Masturbation called Life

 

[jer dog]

NICE DUMBELL .

 

[SandyClaus]

Yes, I have occasionally drank a pickle juice as a preemptive strike if I know a long night of physical activity is coming up. Have never drank more than 4 in one day. I get them at Albertson's where a 3 pack is about $4. You can get them online as well. I always take about 20 with me for myself and my fishing buddy who just turned 66 when we do our 3 day trips on the Vagabond. I have given them to others as well on trips.

That and mustard. Mustard is also really good for cramps but takes longer to work. We use those little individual packets of mustard like you would see at a restaurant. Eat a couple packs every day to keep in system. Went to Smart&Final and found a box of mustard packets but there was 1,000 packets in the box for $9...

Do you need any mustard?

I've got an Albertson's by me, going to have to give it a try.

Love the Vagabond. Got a 3 day scheduled in May!

Sigh, sadly I can still remember a time when little bottles snuck onto a boat contained something other than pickle juice

 

[Wandering Blues]

58, avg about 10 hours of cardio a week between running & cycling. I partially tore my bicep off my shoulder on a trip in 2021 (from an old shoulder reconstruction) and it took me a year to be able to do anything other than calisthenics. At the time, I was good for 345 a few times on the bench. Feeling better now, 35lbs lighter, and getting ready to intro weight training again at the new year.

The way I figure it, as much as a trip costs anymore, I want to be fit to stay on the rail til the cows come home.