Tips

Need some fitness or nutrition tips? Here are a few of Davey Wavey's favorites!

5 Fitness Mistakes Gay Guys Make…

August 11, 2015 By

gay men gym working outNone of us are perfect. Not even gay guys. 😛

In my experience, there are a few mistakes that gay men, in particular, tend to make when it comes to the gym, fitness or nutrition. And before anyone throws a temper tantrum in the comments below, these mistakes are obviously total generalizations and don’t apply to all gay men everywhere.

So without further ado, these are the mistakes that gay men tend to make:

  1. Sleeping where they lift. Because a good hookup is easier to find than a good gym, don’t sleep where you lift. Unless you really don’t mind seeing a parade of one night stands each and every workout, source your sex life elsewhere. That is, of course, unless he’s worth switching gyms for.
  2. Skipping leg day. Though applicable to gay men in particular, it’s my humble opinion that leg and glute muscles don’t get enough loving from men of any sexual orientation. Because biceps and chest muscles are flashier, they receive a disproportionate amount of training. Beyond the aesthetics of a balanced physique with strong leg muscles and glutes, having a strong lower body provides benefits including improved performance and decreased injury risk.
  3. Not eating carbs. Somewhere at some point, people got the idea that carbohydrates are a bad thing. And for some gay men, a bread basket might as well be the Apocalypse. In reality, our bodies need carbohydrates to function properly; eliminating carbohydrates isn’t a smart idea. Instead, focus on cutting simple carbs (like those found in sodas, sugary drinks, white bread, pastries, etc.) in favor of complex carbohydrates like brown rice and whole wheat products.
  4. Hiring the “hot” trainer. How your trainer looks is less important than how he or she teaches. Sure, eye candy is enjoyable but it’s the connection that matters. You need a trainer that works will with you, and that helps you achieve your fitness goals. How he or she looks isn’t a factor in getting you from point A to point B.
  5. Starving yourself before bottoming. I’ve heard many gay men say that they starve themselves before bottoming in hopes of achieving “cleaner” intercourse. To them I say, no man is worth your health. And that communication, respect, patience and understanding are all far more important to being a good partner than unrealistic anal expectations.

We all make mistakes, but it’s through our mistakes that we are able to learn and grow. So if you’ve experienced any of the above, consider today an opportunity to evolve.

What other workout or nutrition mistakes do you see gay men make? Let me know in the comments below.

P.S. If you’re looking for a workout program that you can do at home, download Davey Wavey’s Bootcamp Workout and get started today!

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Best Men’s Gym Underwear.

July 14, 2015 By

Hey Davey,

I’m new to the gym and want to make sure that I’m using the best gear. I haven’t been able to find any good information about the best underwear to wear while working out. What’s your favorite?

From,
Jim

Hey Jim,

The only thing I love more than working out is underwear. And the only thing I love more than underwear is men. So I’m probably the best person to answer your question in the entire world.

underarmou_underwear_review-585x292When it comes to workout underwear, my criteria is as follows:

  • Comfort
  • Non-chafing
  • Support
  • Sweat-wicking

I think some of the sexier men’s underwear brands deserve kudos for their creativity, but most of their underwear doesn’t pass the gym comfort test. With all the mesh, straps and tiny pouches, it’s a recipe for rope burn and testicular difficulties. These underwear are made for show, not performance. Rather than underwear that detracts from your workout, opt for underwear that enhances your workout.

Which leads to the next point, non-chafing. It’s an issue so important that it is deserving of its own paragraph. From jock straps to briefs to boxers and everything in between, I have exercised in every underwear known to man. As someone who runs frequently, the only underwear that doesn’t chafe my thighs is boxer briefs. Because the fabric is tight around your thighs, chafing is minimized or eliminated entirely. Hands down, boxer briefs are the way to go.

Which leads to the next point, support. Even beyond chafing, baggy underwear like boxers don’t keep the family jewels in place. No one wants a ball slip while doing crunches or having things bounce around every time you do a lunge.

blue-frontAnd speaking of the family jewels, specialized moisture-wicking fabrics help keep things dry. Heavier fabrics like cotton tend to absorb your sweat; this makes for a thick, smelly mixture of swamp ass that is only appealing to a small subset of men on Craigslist.

So what are my top choices?

Well, I’m biased. As the creator of the DirtyFit underwear line, I can’t help but plug my undies. Not only do they meet all four criteria, but they’re made in the USA and people swear by them. Though you can order them through my DirtyFit Apparel online store ($26.95), Amazon.com is currently having a buy 2 get 1 free special.

LM9299S_0001_1If money isn’t a consideration and you’re really looking to make an investment, I also really enjoy the Lock ‘Em Down Boxer Brief from Lululemon ($38). I exercised in them until finally the fabric around the thighs wore out.

But I’d love to hear what your favorite gym underwear is… Please share your favorites in the comments below!

Love,
Davey

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5 Secrets Gyms Don’t Want You To Know.

June 18, 2015 By

gym secretsAs someone who has worked out in more than a hundred different gyms, I’ve learned a thing or two about how they operate. While the majority of gym employees are good, trustworthy people, gyms are still looking to make a profit - sometimes, at your expense.

  1. The initiation fee can almost always be waived. When you join a new gym, many will try to charge a one-time initiation fee. It could range anywhere from fifty to a few hundred bucks. In most cases, this fee isn’t actually required; it’s just a way for gyms to make more money from you. Remember, the gym wants your business. You’re the one with the power. Tell the gym that you won’t pay the initiation fee, and that you won’t join unless they waive it. At the very least, they should be able to lower the fee significantly.
  2. The monthly membership fees are usually flexible. For some gyms, the monthly membership fee is set in stone. But for most, there’s room to negotiate. Joining a gym is a lot like buying a car. They’ll tell you a high number. You can come back with a lower number. And perhaps you’ll meet somewhere in the middle.
  3. Many gyms offer discounts. Sometimes, this discounts occur through your insurance plan or place of employment. Other times, gyms offer discounts for students, elderly individuals, models or even people listed on IMDB (yup, my gym gave me an IMDB discount!). But you need to ask.
  4. The “fitness assessment” is really a sales pitch for personal training. After joining, many gyms require some sort of fitness assessment wherein they’ll ask you about your goals, make you do a few push-ups and show you the equipment. In reality, this is almost always a way to up-sell you on personal training. Sometimes, trainers will you show particularly complicated exercises or question your workout plan so that you feel like you need their help. Personal training, of course, isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But know that the fitness assessment is merely marketing.
  5. Many gyms skimp on cleaning. Check out the rug at the front door. Is it covered in hair, dirt and crap from outside? That’s a good indication that the gym doesn’t prioritize cleanliness and is cutting corners to save money. In actuality, gyms are breeding grounds for nasty germs, so you’ll want a gym that’s clean and tidy. If the front door rug is clean, that’s a great start.

Do you have any other gym secrets? Share them in the comments below.

P.S. For five, 12-minute ab workouts that you can do at home or at the gym, download Davey Wavey’s Six Pack Program - and enjoy the benefits of a stronger core!

 

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Let’s Talk About PrEP.

June 16, 2015 By

img.phpThis is a blog about health and fitness. And when it comes to your health, being proactive against disease and affliction is of paramount importance.

And that’s why I want to talk about PrEP.

And before anyone else mentions it, no this is not a sponsored post. This is an honest and open conversation that our community needs to be having.

First things first, PrEP is short for “pre-exposure prophylaxis,” and it involves the practice of using drugs like Truvada to prevent HIV infection. For high risk communities (i.e., sexually active gay or bisexual men), some doctors are prescribing this treatment to reduce risk of HIV infection. When taken as recommended, studies show that it can be up to 99% effective.

So is PrEP right for you? That’s something that only you and your doctor can decide. There’s a lot to consider, including risk factors, side effects, the fact that PrEP doesn’t guard against other STDs and, unfortunately, price. Truvada is expensive (roughly $1,500 per month) but it can be covered by insurance and there is a co-pay assistance program.

It’s estimated that about 500,000 people in the United States are potentially good candidates for PrEP. But according to PBS New Hour:

The drug’s manufacturer, Gilead Sciences Inc., says that in reviewing records from about half of U.S. pharmacies that dispensed Truvada between January 1, 2012, and March 31, 2014, it found that only 3,253 people had started the PrEP regimen during that period.

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HIV infections in the United States.

So why has PrEP been so slow to catch on?

There are probably a number of factors. For one, a lot of people don’t know about PrEP. It isn’t currently being actively marketed and, for whatever reasons, people don’t seem to be talking about it. There’s also a layer of stigma. I’ve heard PrEP referred to as the “slut pill.” People who proactively prioritize their health shouldn’t be shamed; they should be celebrated and emulated.

At a certain point, we need to recognize that condom campaigns and HIV education aren’t enough. HIV infections continue to rise. We need a new tool and PrEP could be part of the answer.

At the end of the day, gay and bisexual men are at high risk for HIV infection. And here is a treatment that dramatically cuts that risk. For me, it’s as simple as that.

What do you think about PrEP? Let me know in the comments below.

 

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Is Form Or Weight More Important?

May 25, 2015 By

Hey Davey,

I want bigger muscles and know that I need to lift heavier and heavier weights, but I have a question. What’s more important? Lifting lighter weights with perfect form or heavier weights with decent form?

From,
Ben

deadliftHey Ben,

I know exactly what you’re asking - and you’re definitely going to hate my answer. Consider yourself warned.

First things first, you are absolutely right. In order to increase the size of your muscles, you need to progressively increase the amount of resistance that you’re working against. This signals to your body that it needs more muscle to get the job done. But it’s also important to do this in a way that’s both safe and effective.

In other words, it’s true that lifting light weights won’t make you bigger or stronger. But improper form can get you injured. Being injured will keep you home from the gym and prevent you from getting the results you want.

As such, the answer isn’t one or the other. It’s both. If you want to increase your size and strength, you’ll need to perfect your form and then lift heavier and heavier weights.

To focus on better form, I recommend taking a few steps:

  1. Check your ego at the door. The amount of resistance that you’re working with isn’t a measure of your manhood. Let go of the idea that you need to be lifting as much as (or more than) the people around you; compete with no one but yourself.
  2. Slow down and focus. Pay attention to each repetition. Don’t rush through it. And, most importantly, don’t use the momentum of your exercise to cheat on each repetition.
  3. Lighten your load. Lower the amount of resistance that you’re using until you’re able to complete a full set of slow, proper repetitions. It’s probably less than what you’re used to, but you’ll be able to build up from here over time.

I hope that helps.

Love,
Davey

P.S. If you’re serious about adding lean muscle, I recommend downloading my program, Size Matters: Davey Wavey’s Foolproof Guide to Building Muscle. It’s a step by step guide to building the size you’ve always wanted!

 

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