At 11:08 AM 1/18/00 -0600, you wrote:

<snip!>

>Here r my thoughts and they're tentative at this point so feel free to
>comment or offer suggestions.  I believe that cardio is a complete waste of
>time.  Genetically, I believe our bodies our *not* well adapted to cardio
>(similar principle to the paleo diet -- we're not programmed to eat grains
>and dairy).  In nature, creatures *usually* exert themselves for short
>amounts of time, and then they rest.  So, if this is true, y not use
>anaerobic bursts of strength (e.g. weight training) for health and skip the
>cardio entirely.

There is alot of different 'types' of cardio.  The ability to recover after
burst type
activity I think is more valuable to a 'normal' person rather than
continual low
level exersion ala marathon running.  An exercise like rowing that combines
both
significant muscular effort and endurance is considered by many to be a great
'cardio' exercise as it both increase the amount of blood pumped in each
beat and
increases the force of that beat.  Sprint exercises mimic this to some
degree.  Loaded
carries for time or distance is also an excellent alternative.  You can
have a great
benefit in a 15-20 minute 'trial' rather that an hour plus run.

>What type of exercises should I do for health.  Here's what I'm doing now.
>As far as exercise, I'm definitely improving, but I'm for sure if it's
>healthy.

<snip!>
I think your exercise list is OK.  Alot has to do with personal
preference.  I really
liked the dumbbell exercises.  Any barbell/dumbbell standing press is great.  I
would loose the leg extensions - the squat is good and there can be problems
with leg extension machines causing knee tracking problems, particularly with
heavy weight.  You might want to include some olympic moves eg snatches and
clean and press.  They take abit more effort to figure out but the are
excellent IMNSHO
for general strength.  Also, there are some odd exercises like one arm
swings that
can add alot of 'functional' strength (that is, has a lot of carryover to
other activities)

>Are squats considered a healthy exericse?  They do compress the spine, and I
>do spine extension to keep this to a minimum.  Would it be heathier to cut
>out the squats and just to leg presses (for legs) + hyperextensions (for
>lower back) and crunches (for abs).  The good thing that I like about squats
>is that I do *not* have to do lower-back and ab work b/c they get
>stabilization involvement in the squat.

 From what I hear, the spine compression is generally not considered much of an
issue until you're squatting 3+ times body weight.  I figure you prolly not
doing that
or you wouldn't be askin workout questions on the paleo list.  ;-))))  I
really think that
you should keep away from leg presses and such as they have more potential for
problems that squats owing to proper set up even in quality machines.  If
you're
particularly worried about the squat, DEADLIFT!  I think squats are great,
but I think
deadlifts are even better.  (Of course I deadlift better that I
squat....  )  You'll work the
same prime movers in the legs, hit the back even harder and get some trap
and arm
involvment  (ALOT at heavy weights)  There are deadlift variants done with
one-arm
that really hit the sides and other stabilizers.  Old time strength nut
Herman Goerner
lifted over 700lbs with one arm!!!

>Any help is Appreciated,
>Justin Hasselman
>Jefferson City, MO

I hope this helps.  You can private email me if you don't think the list in
general will
appreciate this discussion.

    Wade Reeser  [log in to unmask]

Ob. Paleo:

Just got an old copy of "Meat 3 Times a Day".  Published in 1946 it's a
real trip!  I
haven't finished it yet but the authors talk about the error of
vegetarianism and the
excellent health derived from meat consumption.  The bibliography lists a few
old standbys, Steffanson and Pottenger, (only an article each)