Aw... this thread is sweeter than sweet! I like the picture in the opening post already.
I wanted to share some ideas for allowing people to convert other types of exercise into "distance" figures for this group experiment, if I could:
I know there are people who read these boards and are into weight training and other types of exercise which is measured in "reps" rather than distance. I was thinking that people who engage in these activities should have a simple formula for turning the pumping of iron, sit-ups, push-ups and the like into rewarding progress for all of us. With that in mind, I propose the following, which could be stickied into the final post each week, when our progress is tabulated.
For sit-ups, push-ups and other exercises
not involving free weights:
One "mile" per 20 reps, or 0.05 miles per rep. So, someone who does 20 sit-ups and 20 push-ups each morning gets credit for 2 miles that way.
For weight-training with the goal of muscle tone (lighter weights, more reps per set) :
One-tenth of a mile per full completed "set". Example: Scott does his daily workout on his upper body to help build muscle tone. He incorporates 8 different exercises into this regimen, and does 5 sets of 15 reps per exercise. So, Scott will get credit for 8 exercises multiplied by 5 sets per exercise, for a total of 40 sets. Since each set is 0.1 miles, Scott can take a reward of 4 miles total for this effort. The number of reps per set is ignored, and just the total sets at 0.1 miles each is computed.
For weight-training with the goal of body building (heavier weights, less reps per set) :
Two-tenths of a mile per full completed "set". Example: Jeff is trying to bulk up for his football league. He does a leg workout every other day which involves high-intensity leg presses, squats and so forth. He does 5 exercises, but in sets of 1 - 3 reps and only 3 sets per exercise (because this is extremely hard work!). So, he'll receive credit for 5 exercises multiplied by 3 sets each. The total number of sets is 15, which is plenty to meet Jeff's needs. So, Jeff gets credit for 15 sets at 0.2 miles each, or 3 miles total.
What do y'all think? Is it too confusing or anything? I tried to keep it simple as possible but still handicapped to be fair towards varying exercises and the effort involved. People who weight train will have to make the decision of what the exercises they're doing are intended to accomplish, and judge for themselves whether they get the low-intensity credit of 0.1 miles per set or the high-intensity credit of 0.2 miles per set, but that's not hard to work out (or shouldn't be, anyway).
I'm eager to hear what the rest of you think!
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