Staying fit and in shape

A

autopiamateur

New member
Do any of you pro detailers have serious exercise regimes to help you stay in shape to detail cars quickly and comfortably? Who has the most rigorous "detailer's diet?



Detailing is obviously very physically exhausting, unless you maintain a strong cardiovascular system and musculo-skeletal system.
 
I've got that couch potato shape myself. Just work way to much(not complaining)

and to tired to work out.
 
Ha ha. If you do this full time, and actually do most of the work, you will be in pretty good shape. Obviously, your other personal habits can effect your condition. When the weather is warm, I do mountain biking; although not always in the mountains:)
 
Most other detailers I have met are on the Marlboro diet. Every time they get hungry, they stick a red in their mouth and light up some tasty cancer. I've actually had customers comment to me that I'm the only one they know who works on cars and doesn't smoke.

I think that the better condition you are in, the faster you can work. I've worked with some overweight and heavy smokers in the past, and they simply can't keep up in this industry. They normally have to be let go because of low production. They need constant breaks and really die when the temperature gets over 75. I'm used to working in 80, 90 and even 100 degree weather.
 
I'm out of shape myself (dang winter). If your serious, go to a a gym, tell them what you do and they should be able to figure out the best exercises for you. Or you could do lots of details and get yourself conditioned by doing it.
 
Depending on how often you detail, it could really be your full workout. Most people need protein/glucose after 30-50 minutes of exercise, so if you took a break every hour, or so, had some water and a high protein/low fat munch, you'd keep your metabolism up, keep a constant source of protein coming, and have all the exercise you need. It would probably take you 3 minutes out of every hour or two, and you'd be in pretty damn good shape.
 
gym whenever I have nothing else going on...otherwise its 60hour weeks and I am too tired to go to the gym..



one thing my friend does though, and I think he is extremely crazy - gets 4 hours of sleep, wakes up at 330am every morning to be out of the house at 4, at the gym by 430, works out for 1.5 hours, gets to the office at 7am, works til 6 or so, then goes and does more training at gracie compound, and finally gets home at 1030pm...INSANE, but he is in really good shape and is on his game!
 
mini1 said:
Most other detailers I have met are on the Marlboro diet. Every time they get hungry, they stick a red in their mouth and light up some tasty cancer. I've actually had customers comment to me that I'm the only one they know who works on cars and doesn't smoke.
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I've noticed this as well, a LOT of mechanics and detailers are smokers. Not sure why or what factors cause it, but it's not some random abnormality, I've seen it too often in too many places.



Anywho, I get regular walking / running exercise with my g/f and our dog, which we take out almost daily. Between that and the detail shop, I don't really have the extra time to throw at a gym for more exercise, so I hope I'm getting enough of it :spot
 
toyotaguy said:
gym whenever I have nothing else going on...otherwise its 60hour weeks and I am too tired to go to the gym..



one thing my friend does though, and I think he is extremely crazy - gets 4 hours of sleep, wakes up at 330am every morning to be out of the house at 4, at the gym by 430, works out for 1.5 hours, gets to the office at 7am, works til 6 or so, then goes and does more training at gracie compound, and finally gets home at 1030pm...INSANE, but he is in really good shape and is on his game!
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that's not crazy, that's stupid (unless he has some insane gentics or is juicing), and will lead to burnout, sooner than later (and even if he doesn't burn out, he's nowhere near his phsyical peak because of his training)



the body grows and advances when it sleeps, not when it's training .... pounding it over and over and over takes away from its recovery abilities.



training for 90minutes twice a day is silly; best anabolic window is 40-45minutes, heavy compounds. (again, for people with normal genetics and not drugged up)



i just mention this because, after having kick boxed/weight lifted/powerlifted for over 10yrs and having trained countless other athletes, it gets frustrating to see person A say "my friend spends 3-4hrs a day in the gym training. he's hardcore!", and then see person B think "I'd like to get into bodybuilding/fitness/etc..., but I don't have 3-4hrs to train everyday. Heck, maybe 30minutes two or three times a week max", never realizing 2-3x/week; 35-50minutes/session is plenty.
 
I stick to a 5/3/1 4-day lifting routine (Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri), and do HIIT cardio 4-5x a week. I get around 2300-2400 calories a day and log everything I eat.



When I'm detailing a car, I make sure I have 2-3 meals with me. Usually chicken/rice, a protein shake or bar, etc.



It's tough getting in the gym after a full detail, but you have to stay consistent if you want to stay in shape. A half hour nap can work wonders, too.
 
make sure you work your "core" ie your lower/upper back, your abs and your legs.



I was able to swing a deal with the gym that with my membership I could post up a ad and some cards for my biz-think about that.
 
I agree that when you do detailing full time it really is a work out of it's own.



I consider myself in good shape and I try to get to the gym at least 4 days a week and do a mix of weight lifting and cardio. I've been focusing more on my core lately as I will have a lot of back pain after a 10-12hr day of detailing now.
 
Hi all, I'm 54, work full time 50 plus hours a week, detail in the spring/summer/fall, and have been a bodybuilder/weightlifter for the past 30 plus years. Mind you I'm certainly not competitive material, but not bad for an old guy.
 
I'm sure if I made the time I could do some type of work out routine. The time is there, I just don't make it.
 
I agree with the gym You might not have the time but you will feel better and eat right because being out there detailing you tend to forget to eat and drink lots of water.
 
Just do your running :).

I feel particularly faint after a full-day detail. I think it has something to do with all the angles, bending sideways, upside-down, reaching back and forth, up/down, stretching, getting in and out of the car, turning around in the seats, reaching into crevices, wiping, standing up and down and kneeling repeatedly, moving from side to side...



Does a number on the circulatory system, I think :rofl. It's like when you're seated or kneeling down for a period of time, then you suddenly get up and see stars or purple colors for a few seconds...all those awkward motions messes with the blood circulation, no?
 
MichaelSpoots said:
Just do your running :).

I feel particularly faint after a full-day detail. I think it has something to do with all the angles, bending sideways, upside-down, reaching back and forth, up/down, stretching, getting in and out of the car, turning around in the seats, reaching into crevices, wiping, standing up and down and kneeling repeatedly, moving from side to side...



Does a number on the circulatory system, I think :rofl. It's like when you're seated or kneeling down for a period of time, then you suddenly get up and see stars or purple colors for a few seconds...all those awkward motions messes with the blood circulation, no?
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LOL! I remember back in like '96 when I was shampooing the carpet on a car and I stood up too quick......saw stars and then fell flat on my a$$! Luckily I fell into something fairly soft though! :D
 
MichaelSpoots said:
It's like when you're seated or kneeling down for a period of time, then you suddenly get up and see stars or purple colors for a few seconds...all those awkward motions messes with the blood circulation, no?
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Has to do with blood pressure and how your circulation system is working while you're in those positions. Basically, when you decide to get up quickly, your heart has to adjust for the higher amount of blood pressure required by what you're doing, and it takes a few seconds before that happens. It's normal for everyone to experience.



But, if you very often see stars, or they seem to last for kind of a long time, go get checked out by your doctor. Get an ECG, as it can be the sign of a weakened heart muscle or blockage.
 
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