The importance of fitness in BDSM

[ineedneedles]

I have a question. I would like some input on what everyone does to stay fit in this lifestyle. I have always been very conscious of my health. Still being new to this lifestyle has left me thinking, what can I do to make myself a better sub? I see a personal trainer 2x a week and teach spin class 4x a week and do some occasional yoga. I know I need more flexibility and more core strength. Being in many positions with or without bondage can be both mentally and physically draining. I want to be able to perform not just to my Master's expectations, but above and beyond. Any thoughts?

[denuseri]

i do yoga, i dance, i run, i do circuit training, i practice tantric meditaions, i do lots of isometrics and i do positional focusing excersises (i practice holding the positions expected of me ) on a regular basis, sometimes for much longer than i am ever required to hold them during his use of me. basically if yu expect to run a mile for the track meet,, you train to run for far more, of course all that goes out the window when your owner wants to push yu to the limits and beyond sometimes

[cadence]

Due to some stuff that happened last year, I let myself become physically stagnant, which in turn also affected my emotional health.

For me it is pretty important to be physically healthy and fit, as well as emotionally.
I am pushed a lot mentally, and in order for me to be able to continue further, I need to be physically fit and healthy.

I can't do what I used to, but I am slowly getting back into a good routine.
I walk as much as I can, ride my stationary bike, and do what I can to keep it up. I used to walk an hour and a half a day, and work out with wieghts for a half hour. I am slowly building back my stamina, and would like to get into boxing eventually.
I pay more attention to what I eat and I try to get more sleep.
Keeping busy and active, helps you to become more healthy emotionally in my opinion.

[AdrianaAurora]

I run. At least four times a week. Its something I love to do and as much as physical for me its a psychological need. I also enjoy walking/hiking on the weekends.
On the days I don't run I do Pilates. Its great for core strength and I greatly prefer it to Yoga. Aerobics and similar classes I just plain hate, lol.
I know I should and keep planing to add some strength/weight training to nicely round it up. Unlike a lot of people I actually love the gym and used to go regularly. The reason I stopped going is because my work/life schedule got changed thus turning my nice mid-morning ritual into an afternoon nightmare. The only time I can go 4-6pm is their rush hour i.e. everything is packed with middle aged old farts that strut around like a bunch of cocks (as in bird) and try to ogle girls they can never have. Creeps.

As far as holding positions goes, personally I never had any problem except some of them are murder on the knees, lol. But I don't know if you can do much about that.

[crazy_grrluk]

lol im feeling rather unhealthy after reading the posts before me. I ahve 2 children and they keep me fit lol. I am also on my feet all day with work and the only real chance i get to sit down is when everything is all done and dusted.. even then i cant sit still. I dont do yoga or any other form of excerise... maybe swimming once in a while but thats about it.

I prob walk around 6-8 miles a day

[Ozme52]

I expect position practice and meditating on how awesome I am from my submissive...

Personally, I ride a bicycle (40+ miles at a go,) for leg strength, Tai Chi for physical and emotional balance, and do a variety of low impact sports to keep my whip hand in good condition.

[thepast]

Being fit enhances play. Plain and simple.

I don't mean that you need to be a marathoner, or super skinny, but 1/2 the fun of BDSM is the ability to fuck senseless with your partner, or have an intense play session, and to do that, you need some cardiovascular health. Now, does this mean everyone has to run out & join a gym? Oh hell no. But you need to be able to have some sort of stamina & strength to be able to do a lot of heavy duty play. There are those that will disagree, and that's fine, this is just my opinion. I have fluctuated (down! woohoo!) 60lbs or so since starting in the Lifestyle, and have been in & out of shape, and I can definitely tell a difference when it comes to the play. You don't need an elaborate work out regimne (sp?) or even to join a gym--you just need to stay active for 30-45 min, 3-4x a week: you will notice a difference.

As for BDSM-specific activities (such as positional training)... that gets a little more specific to certain muscle groups. The best way to increase kneeling time is... you guessed it... kneeling. As such, the best way to increase ANY ability to hold a position is to practice it over & over, and build up your endurance.

Does my Owner require it of me? Nope. But it definitely enhances my quality of life, thus His, and makes me more availible & of greater service to Him for a longer period of time. I also feel better physically, mentally & emotionally (mostly because I am a runner's high junkie)... That's just me though--everyone has their own motivation.

Short of that... Being fit adds to your lifespan, which is something you should want to do for yourself AND your partner... So, take 30 min today away from the computer: go walk the dog, chase your kid around the park/neighborhood, or go for a jog to burn off the stress of the day... you won't regret it

Just my two cents.

[AdrianaAurora]

I'm really sorry grrluk I really didn't mean to bum anyone out, I was just answering ineedneedles question. The trick is to find whatever works for you and your body type (you cant fight that,grrr).

I always loved running because its great for soothing a restless soul, but I didn't do it regularly or religiously until I started dating my husband and noticed women in the street giving me the nasty "WTH does he see in her" looks, as if I already wasn't feeling very self conscious - he is 6.4, very athletic and over 240lbs, while I'm barely 5.3 and hour glass curvy. So instead of turning mean, and unable to change my height, I decided to tone up. People who never tried have this preconception about gym and weight training being difficult and vile chore, as did I, but it isn't and once I tried it I liked it.
I usually came in around 11am and stayed 1-2h, the best part was at that time no one was in just us 3-4 girls and a trainer, so we had his undivided attention without having to pay for private lessons, lol. Thus afternoon creepy crowed was a shock to my system and I stopped going. These days I am as confident about my looks as a woman can get, lol, but I seriously need to find another one (Delia you must be psychic, lol) because I am training for a marathon next year. I didn't mention that in my previous post because I didn't want you to think I am crazy, lol.
I started Pilates to prevent my occasional back ache caused by my small frame, genetics, running after a toddler and "considerable chest assets" (as described by one of the formentioned creeps from the gym) becoming acute.
Weekended hiking though is just a great excuse for tiring kids out so mom and dad can later have undisturbed play time, lol.

[ineedneedles]

As for BDSM-specific activities (such as positional training)... that gets a little more specific to certain muscle groups. The best way to increase kneeling time is... you guessed it... kneeling. As such, the best way to increase ANY ability to hold a position is to practice it over & over, and build up your endurance.

I really need to work on my kneeling! Thanks for all the input! I really appreciate it!

[fetishdj]

I have a dog. A young, fit, hyperactive dog who insists on lots of running and play and long walks....

Other than that I am unhealthy but occasionally do exercise with weights. I also walk pretty much everywhere at the moment - not just with the dog but when going places by myself.

And I am pleased to see someone else post about how physically and mentally draining being in bondage can be. There was a thread on mydungeonspace recently where some people were claiming it isn't draining at all! If you are holding a position, are bound (*especially in suspension) or are suffering pain you are using energy. Holding muscles in one position requires energy as do the nerves needed to transmit pain signals. INtense emotional or intellectual work is almost as energy draining as physical exercise. I know this from the times I have been in exams and had my blood glucose drop rapidly when I am sitting in one place, hardly moving but thinking quite intensly.

[crazy_grrluk]

I'm really sorry grrluk I really didn't mean to bum anyone out, I was just answering ineedneedles question.

u didnt bum me out..... lol. but i did look for the word excercise in my dictionary.. but couldnt find it

[TomOfSweden]

What do you mean by "in this lifestyle". Staying in shape is paramount no matter what your lifestyle. There's no human activity that I've ever heard of where being in shape isn't a good thing.

I cycle a lot and lift weights. It's very time effective. The bike is combined transport and work-out and the gym doesn't take a lot of time.

[claire]

Well I avoid exercise so much that I have been avoiding even reading this thread.

but i did look for the word exercise in my dictionary.. but couldnt find it

Unlike crazy_grrl, exercise is in my dictionary, but it is a very bad word - you know like those other bad words such as work....

If you have been brave enough to look at my thread in self portraits, you know I am not fit. That doesn't mean that just because a person is fat, they are not fit. I have been fat from a very young age and was put on my first diet at age four. Yet, I have always been limber. That is thanks to my genetics. I inherited my body type which included the limberness, from my grandmother. I am also fairly strong, thanks to those same genes. I have been more aerobically fit at other times in my life, and even though I may not have always been able to keep up with the thinner folks. Although I always thought that if they were carrying a backpack filled so that we were carrying equal weight on our frames, I would out perform them. How would those of you who are fit, fair if you were carrying an additional 200 lbs (90 kg) around with you all day everyday?

However, you are correct. It does effect what BDSM activities I can participate in and my endurance in some activities is limited. I doubt I will ever exerience suspension. Although I have seen a picture of a very large woman suspended in a fishnet. However, I can hold position for a long time. For instance I can sit in front of the computer for long hours with out any problems.

As with everything else you take what you have and your work with it. Even fit people have limitations, bad backs, knee problems ....

[ineedneedles]

What do you mean by "in this lifestyle". Staying in shape is paramount no matter what your lifestyle. There's no human activity that I've ever heard of where being in shape isn't a good thing.

I cycle a lot and lift weights. It's very time effective. The bike is combined transport and work-out and the gym doesn't take a lot of time.

I totally agree. I have pursued a healthy lifestyle before I came into the BDSM lifestyle. I was just curious if anyone did anything specific to this.