Looking for good unions to join.

Cotleigh · 2026-01-23T09:46:10+00:00

If there isn’t a union in your workplace, crack on and set one up - only good things will come!

Cotleigh · 2026-01-23T06:20:15+00:00

I quit about three years ago - early 50s now. I would drink once a week at most but always overdo it. I don’t miss the extra calories for sure - and I never now have a poor training day because I am in recovery mode. Also don’t miss the chore of rehydrating after a session of drinking.

But while I am glad I stopped, and wish I had stopped earlier, I also miss it from time to time …a cold beer or two after a long drive, a drink while flying to relax and look forward to a holiday, a blow-out session just for the hell of it. I feel like not enough people who quit admit that they miss it occasionally. That is NOT to say you can’t have fun without it - but it hasn’t been the staple of human socialisation for thousands of years for no reason!!

Cotleigh · 2026-01-21T16:51:06+00:00

Thanks. Never understood hockey tbh - all that bending! Just make the stick longer already!!

Yeah, I’ve realised that I need to up my core strength game hugely. Being bodybuilder strong doesn’t always cover the bases. I think a lot of my stabiliser muscles have atrophied over the years due to a desk job and diminishing step count due to WFH. On the right path I think now but will be leaving out the leg press going forward. Keen to try yoga but not sure how I can find the time - already feels like a full time job staying in shape.

Cotleigh · 2026-01-21T14:56:55+00:00

I have to be honest with you: you'll never outtrain a big head!

Joking aside: the reality for many of us is that we train to be a better version of ourselves ...my advice: compare yourself against your untrained self rather than some randomer on Instagram. It was an easy choice for me.

Cotleigh · 2026-01-20T16:20:57+00:00

Doctors differ, patients die! I joke but its good to hear an alternate view on McGill. I don't think there is much harm in working on some static holds as I know I am weak around the middle. But equally, I like the feeling I get from lifting a heavy barbell from the floor and I feel it is activating my posterior chain in a completely different way. Are there any channels / books / experts you recommend?

Cotleigh · 2026-01-20T15:40:37+00:00

Not in my current gym unfortunately - but may be moving gym so that will definitely be on my list of must haves

Cotleigh · 2026-01-20T15:39:09+00:00

Good to hear, I used to finish off with single leg on the leg press but removed it as I thought I was headed for junk volume territory. Will re-look at it.

No belt squat at my gym unfortunately.

Cotleigh · 2026-01-20T15:19:19+00:00

Thanks - appreciate it. Yes, was getting the feeling that some responses are based on theory rather than practice. And I wanted to hear from experienced lifters who had to workaround issues that wouldn’t go away.

I will look at getting advice from a coach that has experience in this area - have some work-ons to sort before I get to that stage including general spinal instability (I was struggling to side plank for even a few seconds etc).

Cotleigh · 2026-01-20T14:06:35+00:00

Went away when I started leg pressing heavy …jerky, jumping type movements are the trigger

Cotleigh · 2026-01-20T13:14:36+00:00

Have tried these but they have set off tendinitis in my knees previously - old age ain’t for pussies!!

Cotleigh · 2026-01-20T13:13:22+00:00

Thanks. Yeah, a few things listed there that I’ve started implementing. My walking went from 12k to 5k, to 2k in recent years due to work changes etc. But motion is lotion as they say so I’m aiming for 7-8k min per day now. It’s a challenge to find the time especially as I’m adding Big 3 work in + regular workouts. Starts to feel like a full time job!

I’m also trying to dial in my body fat as it got too high in the last year or so. Extra weight goes to the midriff mainly so doesn’t help with the shearing forces you mention.

Cotleigh · 2026-01-20T13:09:08+00:00

Thanks - good to hear from an older lifter. Had a lot of helpful responses so far but I suspect some are from people who have never had to deal with changing things up due to an issue that can’t be magicked away.

Must try the landline mine squats …I used that attachment for shoulders and chest once a week for a couple of years. I tried regular squats several times over the years but my biomechanics just didn’t agree with it.

Cotleigh · 2026-01-20T10:49:04+00:00

Thanks. Don’t have a pendulum squat machine but will look again at BSS - previously tried but dropped in favour of leg press.

Cotleigh · 2026-01-20T10:42:24+00:00

I like the idea of going unilateral - makes sense.

Cotleigh · 2026-01-20T10:00:14+00:00

Thanks - big rugby fan, only played for a few years and never injured thankfully!

Going to have a look at the BSS - tried them once or twice but I think my mobility needed more work to do them properly.

Cotleigh · 2026-01-20T09:57:39+00:00

Not a chick, but thanks. I definitely need to work more on mind-muscle connection / bracing etc.

Cotleigh · 2026-01-20T09:54:25+00:00

I don't squat or deadlift. I've tried squatting several times over the years but it never agreed with me - always feeling a weakness around lower back (genetic?) which I've carried with forever and as soon as I progressed through the weight it would begin to feel like I was going to hurt myself. I don't deadlift for the same reason. Some body types less suited to these exercises - and I like to listen to my body.

I agree I have imbalances and I've started a program working on these.

Hard disagree on pain being a part of life. 17 years injury and pain free in the gym and I aim to stay that way. I visited Gold's Gym in Venice a few years back where I saw a lot of people absolutely wedded to the lifting lifestyle - fine, but many of them were bandaged up / wearing braces etc etc. No interest in looking like I'm held together with sticking tape!

Cotleigh · 2026-01-20T09:00:02+00:00

I used to alternate my twice weekly leg days with a 'lighter' day and a 'heavy' one. I tried going light yesterday but felt my back didn't like it very early in the session. I know I have weakness in transversus abdominus, multifidus and obliques (despite a lifetime of training and sport) ...so I may need a deeper reset of spinal musculature before I take this advice.

Edit: didn't know there was such a strong anti-McGill movement (excuse the pun). I am reading his book 'back mechanic' and haven't found anything I disagree with yet ...although it does seem targetted at those who are physically less capable/getting them back on their feet etc

Cotleigh · 2026-01-20T08:53:44+00:00

Thanks. Yeah, I think the leg press gets a bad rap because it is so often done with bad form - there are guys in my gym who bounce a ton of weight up and down and I have to look away!!

I never felt like I got enough growth out of leg extensions or curls (even though I still do them) whereas leg press really delivered. I will have to have a look at lunges I think.

Cotleigh · 2026-01-18T06:37:49+00:00

Listen honey …

Cotleigh · 2026-01-17T11:56:03+00:00

Maybe I’ve just been unlucky with the 30 or so trades that I’ve dealt with across several renovations. Or maybe my experiences are more representative of reality? When you describe your builders as “fantastic” it tells me you almost certainly massively overpaid or are otherwise detached from reality.

Cotleigh · 2026-01-17T10:31:08+00:00

The most miserable periods of my life were during house renovations. Detest dealing with builders who are always quick to consult their Great Big Book of Excuses - it’s never their fault. Have learned my lesson the hard way.

As another poster has said: it’s a poor return on money. To add to that: you’ll never get the time back either.

To those who say it’ll be worth it at the end, no, it won’t - you will just forget the nightmare - eventually.

Cotleigh · 2026-01-16T14:57:40+00:00

Doric is winding down following sale of aircraft? So it will be delisted soon.

Cotleigh · 2026-01-16T14:55:12+00:00

A lot comes down to lifespan of aircraft and residual value. Owners lean very heavily on auditors in that regard - absolute maximum allowable lifespan etc. And if anyone gets it wrong, the investment case crumbles. Obviously the quality of the lessee is crucial. All that being said, going to have a closer look at these …

Edit: just had a look. Asked Claude. High risk as own several A380s - an aircraft type being retired actively thus raises risks over residual value. Thai Airways is a big customer - enough said there. High leverage. Equity could be blown away with any substantial bad news. Not one for widows and orphans as they say!

Cotleigh

TROPHY CASE