I wish I could show you half the exercises I do with weights (when I do weights). I don't have a bench - I use the ball whenever I feel I need a bench. half the time I do things standing on one leg, though, just for the extra challenge. heehee.

pushups. do them. they are so incredibly strengthening!! do them!! do pyramids - one pushup, one crunch, two pushups, two crunches...until you can get to 10. the best way to strengthen your upper body fast is pushups. that said, yeah, free weights, military press, and bench will be good. excellent part about using the ball is that you can do incline flat or decline. very cool.

where to get weights? well, I got most of ours at Canadian Tire. Our american friends say there isn't a store like that in the states. they don't need to be amazing, but the cast hexagon ones are very convenient to use, and don't fall apart like the old sandfilled ones do.... Oh, and I'd be inclined to buy the weights you need, not a set. maybe start with 8's and 12's? oh, yeah, don't mail order. the freight would kill ya! heehee

I envy your bag in the basement. with all the bikes that are down there, and the gym (yeah we have a weight stack gym, too, but I prefer the free weights and the upstairs) there's just no room! <smile>

that's a fantastic rank to have in martial arts. how long did that take you? how many years was it before you went all out in TKD? doesn't it stand to reason it will take some time for you to get there with mountain biking? I've been at it quite a few years. it's only the last 2 seasons that I'd say I got good. oh, and what changed? aside from some attitude, I started road biking to train for mtbiking. with the sports you already do, you can definitely kick butt on a bike. got any cool hard-riding girls you can train with? that's always a good kick!!

Anyway, you'll get there. have faith in you. and have fun!!

Namaste,
~T~