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Re:Show HN: 1 min workouts for people who sit all day by me80iq on Saturday May 24, 2025 @06:12PM (#44084107)
> If this is something that interests you, I want to hear how you balance a long day on your desk vs exercise.

Do things that actually make a difference, which means heavy barbell training. Anything else is generally subpar and inefficient, the main issue being no meaningful progression can be made after the first few weeks.

Heavy compound barbell training (squat, press, bench, deadlift) can be progressed and adapted to for decades. It's also an extremely efficient use of time.

Re:Show HN: 1 min workouts for people who sit all day by siliconc0w on Saturday May 24, 2025 @08:14PM (#44084607)
I WFH and tend to do this to break up the day. Every 45-1h I wander to the garage and do a set of something. Definitely recommend if you have the space for the equipment.
Re:Show HN: 1 min workouts for people who sit all day by awb on Saturday May 24, 2025 @07:37PM (#44084437)
The best exercise is the one that you’ll do.

In the vein of atomic habits, reducing a task to its minimal effective dose is great for starting new habits.

For people that sit all day, a 1min exercise snack makes a lot of sense. After that becomes easy and routine then gradually increasing the duration and difficulty up until a typical 30-45 min workout 2-4x a week is a great end goal.

Re:Show HN: 1 min workouts for people who sit all day by dttze on Saturday May 24, 2025 @07:43PM (#44084468)
Greater chance for injury too.
Re:Show HN: 1 min workouts for people who sit all day by 2muchcoffeeman on Saturday May 24, 2025 @09:26PM (#44084855)
Don’t learn how to lift weights from the internet and get a good coach.
Re:Show HN: 1 min workouts for people who sit all day by xaoz on Saturday May 31, 2025 @09:45PM (#44148106)
Almost all experienced lifters experience injuries. Lifting heavy weights is a more dangerous activity than some other forms of exercise.
Re:Show HN: 1 min workouts for people who sit all day by andoando on Saturday May 24, 2025 @06:21PM (#44084135)
While I agree barbell training is superior, there's plenty to do with calisthenics at home, especially with some dumbells, kettleballs
Re:Show HN: 1 min workouts for people who sit all day by buu700 on Saturday May 24, 2025 @08:20PM (#44084617)
I had the same thought, with the caveat that I'd be less specific than "barbell training". Adjustable dumbbells take up less space in a home gym, and with few exceptions and caveats, you can do all the same movements and progress up to advanced levels. I do currently use a barbell for deadlifts, but for squats I use Titan mini farmer handles with a Slant Stack (higher weight limit than 24" standard dumbbell handles but no need to make room for a whole squat rack), and for everything else I use dumbbells. (Well also a weight belt for certain things, but not any of the main lifts.)

Anyway, I haven't tried the app since I'm not really the target audience, but if it doesn't already, I do think that allowing users to put in a list of all their available equipment for the AI to factor in when recommending workouts would be great. Maybe even let it recommend equipment that aligns with the user's fitness goals and space/budget constraints (possibly as an opt-in feature), and slap on an Amazon referral code. A single 1RM deadlift or a couple bench press reps every now and then would do someone who would otherwise be sedentary much more good than grinding out a bunch of pushups or jumping jacks or whatever.

Of course, integrating potentially dangerous equipment and movements also makes proper form and safety guidance that much more critical, so it isn't something that I'd want to rush without proper testing. It'd be cool if it could watch you on video and give AI-generated real-time feedback, or at least provide recommended resources to find a personal trainer if you need one.

Re:Show HN: 1 min workouts for people who sit all day by plaguuuuuu on Saturday May 24, 2025 @08:52PM (#44084742)
Functional strength is really important esp as you age, but it does little for cardio and doesn't confer the same cognitive and cardiovascular benefits.

HIIT burpees is the most brutal thing I've found so far that fits in a 5 minute break.

Re:Show HN: 1 min workouts for people who sit all day by Fire-Dragon-DoL on Monday May 26, 2025 @05:09AM (#44095479)
How can you fit that in 5 minutes if you need a shower and drink a gallon of water right after that? Lol
Re:Show HN: 1 min workouts for people who sit all day by UlisesAC4 on Sunday May 25, 2025 @02:22AM (#44085976)
The idea is to be fit, not to be shredded.
Re:Show HN: 1 min workouts for people who sit all day by melvinzammit on Sunday May 25, 2025 @02:27AM (#44085991)
Yes I agree, that's the ideal. However when I'm stuck working on my desk all day sometimes I find it hard to put on an exercise mindset until I build a habit of doing something for a few days. Hopefully this will help me shift back into that. Sometimes I wish I can build a mini gym behind my desk maybe that will motivate me.