Weight Training

is the vine crawling up a tree less beautiful than the tree with 50 rings? :ohmy:

Mareeka wrote: is the vine crawling up a tree less beautiful than the tree with 50 rings? :ohmy:

No.

They are both very fit ...

If caring for the body is a way of life then it is good to attend to all that the body experiences. This care would include regard for nourishment and exercise, as well as, hygiene and sexuality. Rest and relaxation are part of an integrated caring. The mind too needs exercise. Good cholesterol and a healthy heart are to be considered along with the need for intimacy with friends and lovers. Manageable stress and muscular flexibility balanced with the search for personal meaning and finding copious opportunities for laughter.

Luthien wrote: Also, I don't know if you have any of these in your area, but I've heard a lot of people who are looking to get more into fitness, but can't afford premium memberships, go to Planet Fitness. I've heard things that make me not want to go there because I don't want to be restricted from using heavy weights, or an accidental grunt that may come from that (I'm usually pretty quiet). They're particular about not making noise, from what I've heard. But, I don't think you'll be getting into the heavy stuff quite yet, so I figured you'd appreciate a place that offers $10/month membership (up until the 10th of this month). http://www.planetfitness.com/

Thanks for the info, I'll look at the links you suggested. As for Planet Fitness, the closest one is about 45 minutes away (I'm currently in the boondocks). But maybe when I move in about 6-8 months there will be better opportunity.

Alan wrote: If caring for the body is a way of life then it is good to attend to all that the body experiences. This care would include regard for nourishment and exercise, as well as, hygiene and sexuality. Rest and relaxation are part of an integrated caring. The mind too needs exercise. Good cholesterol and a healthy heart are to be considered along with the need for intimacy with friends and lovers. Manageable stress and muscular flexibility balanced with the search for personal meaning and finding copious opportunities for laughter.

I agree. I well-rounded person makes for a better Jedi than one who only focuses on one aspect of being healthy.

In the Air Force, they started touting the four pillars of fitness: Physical, Mental, Spiritual, and Social. It's a way to monitor one's own overall health and wellness, but also allows supervisors to monitor whether their subordinates are taking care of themselves.

A couple more things worth mentioning are sleep and hydration. If we're here talking about physical well-being, food and exercise are important, but don't neglect sleep and hydration. Sometimes poor diet is a symptom of imbalance in one of those two.

selenatlantis wrote: I like the idea of weight training but have the following considerations that 'prevent' me. I would appreciate any suggestions.

Age: 47
Weight: Over weight
Health: When I over exert myself my heart starts skipping beats and I get dizzy until I slow down or stop / pain in ankles and feet from being on my feet 8-9 hrs a day
Expense: Minimum wage job / can't afford a $500 a year YMCA membership let alone a $50 a month fitness club membership / can't really afford space or money for equipment.
Preference: Isometrics / non-equipment / variation

I'm serious, nothing is cheaper or easier:

http://breakingmuscle.com/strength-conditioning/5-week-sandbag-workout-program-week-1-get-started

and

http://www.shapefit.com/exercise/rock-training.html

How did people get strong when we didn't have gyms?

Most people will gain more in the first couple months of training, then it slows down.

Overwieght people tend to have higher estrogen and thus better ability to maintain muscle. Skinny people tend to be better with pumps and short term bursts due to higher testosterone. The actual effect might be negligible.

What is the average strength gains for you guys or girls past the first couple months per month?

I do notice a difference in Spring, much faster muscle growth in response to resistance training... with the natural increases in testosterone etc.

Drexid wrote: Most people will gain more in the first couple months of training, then it slows down.

Overwieght people tend to have higher estrogen and thus better ability to maintain muscle. Skinny people tend to be better with pumps and short term bursts due to higher testosterone. The actual effect might be negligible.

What is the average strength gains for you guys or girls past the first couple months per month?

As long as I'm consistent with each workout, e.g. good form, proper nutrition, proper sleep, etc, my strength and size gains follow my training. If I don't eat right, my training doesn't do much but to increase my strength. Same goes for the amount of sleep I get. Most of the work really has to do with nutrition and sleep; training is just a small part of it.

Adder wrote: I do notice a difference in Spring, much faster muscle growth in response to resistance training... with the natural increases in testosterone etc.

I've noticed that in the colder months I get better muscle growth. This is because colder weather increases our metabolism and testosterone due to our body's natural tendency to keep itself warm by expending more calories. These are the months that our bodies need more food to maintain. I think during the colder months is the ideal time to work toward muscle growth.