Hacker News Reader

Comment by traeregan | Hacker News Reader

Around a year ago, just before turning 40, I started a 5 day a week body weight / calisthenics-type exercise routine, and in December I started learning how to skateboard (mostly transition / ramps, not flip tricks).

Skateboarding isn't without fairly regular minor (so far anyway) injuries, but both have been really great ways to disconnect after work.

Skateboarding, especially, is one of the more humbling endeavors I've taken on. It's hard, there's no faking it, and work is the last thing on my mind while I'm doing it.

Exercising is great too but, sometimes, I still find myself glancing at work stuff on my smart watch or phone in between exercises.

Good luck finding your "thing(s)"!

View on HN

I have had the same experience picking up cycling during the pandemic - work is the last thing on my mind while pushing hard up a steep hill. Cycling comes with occasional injuries too, but is certainly less impactful than other forms of exercise. It's always encouraging to see (and often, be passed by) a much older cyclist, shows that this is a hobby that can be enjoyed for a large part of your life!

Yeah, I broke my wrist as a kid rollerblading. I do think cycling is a much better activity in terms of minimizing injuries while building cardio.

Much respect for taking on skating. I bought a board and was gung-ho to get into it (at age 24) and got super scared the first time I had to bail off the board downhill. Haven’t ridden since then!

Learning how to bail the "right" way is fundamental for sure, and the type of skating and obstacle that you're skating are important variables in how you fall. I'm not very good at falling yet, so I wear full pads and a helmet.

Good luck if you decide to give it another go! There's tons of great beginner content on YouTube. Here is one of my favorite channels: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCriJKZI1CjMOlDb8b32JpJg

I'm always slightly puzzled by the people who bring their phones into the gym. I leave mine in the locker. Disconnect and focus on the workout.

Mine has my workouts on, which vary 'as needed'.

https://darebee.com/workouts.html

I think it depends on the type of workout. I do a powerlifting style program that has a 3 minute rest time between sets, so I like to read during them.

If I were doing cardio or a circuit style workout I would forgo my phone and concentrate on the workout.

My routine has just enough exercises that I don't always remember the reps / timing / order / proper form, so the phone serves as my reference medium. Understood and agreed though - it's ripe for distraction. I should probably just write the routine down.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com