ok last summer i managed to dislocate my shoulder. last october i managed to do the other one. i've also not been able to lift recently due to constantly breaking my finger doing silly things anyway due to not much activity plenty of beer and plenty of pizza curry and kebabs i put on a few pounds i'm back to 260ish and i need to get down to 210 for august ish when i have a the option of a judo comp but unless i get down to 210 i'm in the open ended weight division against some BIG! guys like 320+ so anyway i have a skipping rope (jump rope) a small set of dumbells a sit up bench and not a great deal of time with work and college spring is coming so i'll be getting rid of my car and cycling everywhere (when it stops raining obviously ) so i need some ideas for and excersise plan to 1 tone up and harden up soft joint tissues firm and tone muscles hopefully shed the beer gut (although a considerable amount has been invested in it ) its very difficult to get out jogging because i have a really badly worn pair of shoes and no money for a new set and i kinda value the use of my shins.

just a quick question for you personal trainers out there what are the risks of getting your heart rate above you age predicted max? mind is 197 and i managed to get it to 204/5 for nearly 5 mins last week.

Hi Si

I'm in the sunny North-West, I go swimming regularly, as I like how it tones my arms and legs, I don't like the brats in the pool, so go to the really early adult sessions, and it costs 20p extra to avoid the kids grrrrrrrrrr. You could try water aerobics, it does tend to be a bit female dominated, but your dodgy shoulders would like it, and it's very good for toning.

From what my trainer has told me, if you get your heart rate above your predicted max, it is anaerobic, which means you are not burning fat but burning carbohydrates, no biggie, but it's not something you want to do particularly, as it defeats the purpose.

hi kykaree when i mean taking my heart rate over my predicted max i don't mean for fat burning or anerobic levels i mean the MAX! as in you heart shouldn't be able to physically go any faster which is 220 - you age in years mine is 197 as i'm 23 but i had my heart rate at 203/4