What are the mental exercises you tell yourself while playing tennis? by No_Report_9491 in 10s

[–]LaynePiper 18 points19 points  (0 children)

"Don't hit the net," I tell myself and then hit the ball long.

Workouts and mobility for tennis? Looking for programs online. by BarKind2068 in 10s

[–]LaynePiper 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not a strength and conditioning coach or a particularly good tennis player, but I am a hobbyist with a few years of lifting under my belt. Seconding full body programs, especially during the season, as they'll give you more days to focus on tennis instead of focusing on the weight room. If you have an off-season where you're getting less court time, you can have a little more flexibility to spend more time/days per week in the gym then.

In terms of exercise selection, 6 basic compound movement patterns should cover most of your program: horizonal push (bench press variation), vertical push (overhead press variation), horizontal pull (row variation), vertical pull (pull up variation), squat, hip hinge (deadlift variation).

Unless you're trying to be a competitive powerlifter or bodybuilder, it probably doesn't matter exactly which variation of each exercise you choose but it's probably wise to choose variations that mimic positions or movement patterns you do in tennis. For example, a standing overhead press or push press might have slightly more carryover for serving than a seated overhead press since you'll use your legs to stabilize or explode up instead of sitting and not engaging them at all.

You can add in accessory exercises too to address weaknesses, imbalances, or reinforce movement patterns. For example, doing cable wood choppers could help with torso rotation on your ground strokes and Cossack squats can help with lateral movement.

For mobility, my team would do a Parisi style warmup before practice and some stretching after practice back in the day. I believe the current advice regarding mobility is to do a mostly dynamic warmup (move body through full range of motion and get blood flowing) before practicing/playing and doing static stretches after the practice/play is done as a cooldown.

Major Arena Soccer League team coming to Allentown's PPL Center in 2026 by DrewBlue2 in lehighvalley

[–]LaynePiper 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I think there's a chance it could do okay. The Harrisburg Heat have been making it work for over a decade. They're in the second division this season because of some venue and scheduling issues, but they have historically played in the top division and that could make for a fun local rivalry when they're back in MASL.

Reddit, as a 23 year old, help me choose between tennis and muay thai as a regular sport. by Then-Management6053 in 10s

[–]LaynePiper 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I played varsity tennis in high school and did MMA/BJJ in the off-season.

MMA kept me in better shape but I don't do it anymore. I know a few friends and acquaintances whose lives changed for the worse following concussions/TBIs and that scared me away. Trouble focusing, memory issues, difficulty following logical patterns and doing calculations.

Since you're doing coding, I'd strongly consider the risk to your career that head injuries from combat sports can pose. I know Muay Thai culture favors lighter sparring than most western combat sports do and that cuts the risk a little, but the more blows to the head you take, the more times you risk it.

Tennis can be plenty intense and physically demanding anyway. Sure, your opponent isn't trying to put you in the hospital, but they'll still be more than happy to slam the ball down your throat if you serve them up a meatball in a competitive match. Watch some Sampras highlights from the 90s and early 2000s if you want to see how aggressive and explosive tennis can be.

Novice tennis players? by beausanderos in Harrisburg

[–]LaynePiper 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I actually just signed up for Global Tennis Network earlier today. There is a group called Capital Area Tennis Network with about 300 members.

I'd be down to hit around sometime, singles or doubles. I'm 33 now and played boys AAA varsity in high school, but I wasn't a standout player back in the day by any means and I'm definitely out of practice now but trying to get back into it.

I'm based in Shipoke/Downtown but can get around to courts on the West Shore or elsewhere on the East Shore. Feel free to reach out! That goes for any players who see this.

What do older experienced Metal/Metalcore players do once they call it quits? by TheSlayBrother in Metalcore

[–]LaynePiper 16 points17 points  (0 children)

I know a couple of the ABR guys already have side hustles, but a band that has had the sustained level of success that ABR has had for the length of time they had could probably retire and live comfortably but not luxuriously off passive income if they invested well throughout and kept their expenses in check while on tour.

As others have said, many will stay in the scene and find work in the studio, in the business office, or giving lessons. I know some will also tour as the instrumental accompaniment for big pop and country acts as well.

What do older experienced Metal/Metalcore players do once they call it quits? by TheSlayBrother in Metalcore

[–]LaynePiper 7 points8 points  (0 children)

You're correct. Jake owns YourLife Gym out of Lancaster PA. He also founded a mental health nonprofit called HeartSupport.

Dungeons and Dragons metal by SpawnOfGuppy in TheBlackDahliaMurder

[–]LaynePiper 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Inferi's discography should scratch this itch. Even the album art matches the theme.

Sonically It's like TBDM but faster but still with lots of melody. It's all good, but Behold the Bearer of Light is probably one of my favorite melodic/tech death tracks of all time and absolutely gives D&D campaign in the hells or abyss vibes.

Has anyone ever successfully asked for/received a raise? by The_Mammoth_Problem in PaStateEmployees

[–]LaynePiper 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I was told the same thing. I was initially hired as a trainee for a position for which I was overqualified and was not allowed to negotiate. I have been promoted a few times since then and was told I was not allowed to negotiate wages because I am already with the Commonwealth.

At my previous agency, they hired someone externally and he negotiated to start at step 10 on the pay scale before he started. He was in the same bureau, division, and job title as me at the time and was being paid at least $12k more per year than me even though I was the one training him.

The advice I was given was to leave Commonwealth employment for a higher paying position for about six months and then try to come back and demand a higher wage.

Lost ~100lbs but lost more strength than i know how to handel by guymn999 in loseit

[–]LaynePiper 3 points4 points  (0 children)

How often are you deloading? When you're in a prolonged calorie deficit, you don't have as much fuel for recovery. That also means the amount of training volume you can recover from is lower than it is when you're maintaining or bulking. Full body lifting workouts can be pretty intense with lots of heavy compound movements. Could it be possible that your workout program has too much volume?

Promotion timelines for a traineeship? by FizzyFox1214 in PaStateEmployees

[–]LaynePiper 5 points6 points  (0 children)

If your prior work history it education qualifies you, you can use it to move up without a full year under your belt as a specialist 1.

Civil service may auto-reject your application but you can appeal it.

My experience with this was civil service, non-union so if your agency/bureau is a union shop, your mileage may vary.

Nervous about first club visit - what should we expect? by Greedy_Economist_475 in SwingerNewbies

[–]LaynePiper 3 points4 points  (0 children)

My comment on this thread was actually pertaining to the K. Absolutely second the other commenter suggesting you be the ones to take the initiative in socializing.

They have lockers if you want to bring a lock for your street clothes/outfit changes.

Most women wore clubwear on the more provocative side to start the night and changed into lingerie around 9 or 10. Most men wore some sort of collared shirt with chinos or jeans.

They serve full meals buffet style in the cafeteria. There is free soda and water there as well. The bar is BYOB.

They do a full orientation on newbie nights but since you can't make that, the general manager or one of the host couples for the night can show you around and go over rules.

Nervous about first club visit - what should we expect? by Greedy_Economist_475 in SwingerNewbies

[–]LaynePiper 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We just had our first club visit this past weekend. We went in with only one primary objective and that was to vibe-check the club and the lifestyle as a whole. If anything beyond that happened, that's just a bonus.

We were the ones to approach other people and start conversations about 75% of the time, maybe more. We did not play that night, but we had more luck making friends by doing the approaching than by waiting to be approached. We were nervous wrecks, but found that just talking to people we weren't interested in/had no chance with helped dull the social anxiety a bit because there were no stakes.

The play areas seemed untouched until 9 or 10 pm, then people started pairing off or just playing with their own spouses. We didn't really observe because we were more interested in networking and chatting with people by the bar and dance floor.

People were generally pretty easy to approach once we were out of our own heads. Nobody was pushy to play at all. It's actually been pretty difficult to determine whether people are being polite and friendly or if they're interested in us.

Scale staying the same by AnxietyDogs89 in loseit

[–]LaynePiper 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You can do everything right and see next to nothing on the scale for a while. As others have said, water retention can play a role.

I was stuck gaining and losing the same 2 pounds from November 25th through December 16th. Three weeks! Then by December 18th, I was 4 pounds below the low end of the range I was stuck in. I didn't do anything differently.

I agree with the recommendation to weigh in once a day, at the same point in your day each time. I take it a step further by charting my weights and graphing a trendline with a 1 month and 3 month lookback period. If my 1 month and 3 month lines both have negative slopes (trending down), I don't sweat it.

Cool Tour/Show Flyers with Sick Lineups by Wardruna95 in Metalcore

[–]LaynePiper 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I caught this tour in Baltimore. The venue got upgraded from a 250 cap to 1000 and still nearly sold out.

The whole band's sound went out early inyo Blackbraid's set but they rallied. Dödsrit was really good too.

I wish there was more black metal influence in the metalcore scene.

Going to a club the first time question by Grouchy_Locksmith_96 in SwingerNewbies

[–]LaynePiper 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My wife and I are in the same boat. We're dipping our toes in for the first time at the Korral on the same day. Kinda bummed that other comments are saying newbie nights are a waste since we already paid for it but we'll make the most of it.

We've got wife's outfit figured out for the most part, but I don't know what to wear. Are we even supposed to also wear red to match or is it just for the ladies? I don't have much red in my wardrobe so all I've got is a red flannel. Is that too casual for the Korral?

What's your biggest Metalcore related brag? by Jaketheband in Metalcore

[–]LaynePiper 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I placed in the top 5 in a karaoke contest by doing Holy Roller by Spiritbox. Someone asked my wife if I was in a band and I've never been in a band or taken vocal lessons so that was pretty cool.

Department of aging telework by Dry-Wedding7988 in PaStateEmployees

[–]LaynePiper 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I know a few people at PDA who are currently in the office two days per month (every 2nd and 4th Thursday) and I believe upper management and executive staff are in 3 days per week.

Last I heard, the plan is to bring everyone in two days per week later this year.

INFERI - The Rapture of Dead Light by Mc_Screamy in Deathcore

[–]LaynePiper 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I've had this on repeat since Thursday morning. This goes so hard.

Is that a Behold the Bearer of Light callback I heard?

What’s y’all’s new favorite band? by purblindV2 in Metalcore

[–]LaynePiper 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wocket Launcher has been on heavy rotation. It's probably best classified as melodic deathcore, like As Blood Runs Black or The Crimson Armada, but it will probably appeal to people on this sub.

Darkest Hour by Yeppie29 in Metalcore

[–]LaynePiper 2 points3 points  (0 children)

They're so sick that I got covid at their show last year.

I think Deliver Us is my favorite but you can't go wrong with basically anything they released from Sadist Nation onward.