Posted by Lieutenant Alexis Bonner (Assistant Chief Medical Officer) in Side Sim: At the Gym (Open to All)

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Achilleas Petrakos (Chief Science Officer) in Side Sim: At the Gym (Open to All)
<snip>

“Well if you’re interested, I could give some lessons on any of the weight training and spot you. I had to do a pretty extensive workout routine in the Academy and that had me do a varied amount of exercises.” Achilleas offered.

CSO Petrakos

Alexis almost shook her head no. Weight training wasn’t her thing, but it would give her something else to do in her spare time. She had plenty of people to avoid, well two people anyway. And cardio burned calories and blood sugar, it didn’t really keep the muscles in shape. “Why not. Doesn’t hurt to try, right?” If she tried it, she would understand the exercise better and be able to make more informed recommendations. “What would you suggest?”
Lt. Bonner, AMO

Achilleas put a hand to his chin in contemplation for a moment before holding up a finger. “So depending on if you want to focus on arm strength or leg strength, my first suggestion for arm strength would be the bench press. This way I could spot you and take the weight for you if you get tired or falter. My second suggestion is for the legs.” He held up another finger. “That would be the leg press. You sit and hold onto some grips in front of you while extending your legs out fully. You won’t need any spotting for that and can add or remove weight as you need.”

CSO Petrakos

“I have never lifted weights, so I will take your suggestion. Though I’m afraid I could not…’spot?’ you. I doubt I could do more than call for help if I had to lift it off of you.”
Lt. Bonner, AMO

Achilleas smiled as he rolled his shoulders. “It’s alright, I’ll make sure to not do anything close to my limit. High weights isn’t the only method but also high reps with lower weights. Reps can help tone and define muscles without really adding to them. Either way we can both start with the leg press as you won’t need someone to spot you.

CSO Petrakos

Alexis nodded, “Alright.” She followed him over to the weight machine, her mind devouring the configuration and quickly picking up how it worked. She also knew that higher weights would increase muscle mass, but lower weight with more time, or how did he put it-reps, would increase stamina. Out of pure intellectual curiosity, “So why did you decide to start this type of exercise?” She wondered if anyone did it for other reasons than being “buff,” or whatever they called it.
Lt Bonner, AMO

Achilleas moved behind the machine that Alexis would use and set the weight to thirty pounds. He thought it’d be a good introduction without really pushing her and they could increase it if it was too easy. He moved to the machine he was going to use and set the weight to seventy-five pounds. As he came around the front and get comfortable on the seat he responded. “Well Starfleet wants their officers in decent physical condition, at least what they told us in the Academy. I’m not sure how much that actually carries over into practical life on a starship though. I’ve found that it’s too easy to get focused on your work and not manage your self care well enough. As for this type of exercise, well cardio is fantastic and all but a bit of strength training included is fantastic for a more well rounded regimen. Holistically a healthier body leads to a sharper mind.”

CSO Petrakos