Weight Lifting?

OB1Shinobi wrote: Theres really no excuse for anyone over 14 to not have some kind of weights if they want them tbh. If you arent interested in wieghts thats fine, but im not impressed with "i wish i could lift weights but i just cant afford it" ... youre playing video games arent you? Buying cigarrettes or booze or coffee or fast food or net-flix every week or month, im pretty sure you could get some weights if you made it a real priority.

Indeed. I've got a couple of dumbells, a barbell, some weight plates and two axle stands (for a bench) in the garage. That is my lifting 'gym'. But I also have an old $150 Total Gym in the spare room to stay toned during the swelting Summers when I'm too melted to do anything serious. That said, bodyweight, flexibility and balance is more important for me, since I'm ethically minimizing eating meat, and dairy annoys me. I can only eat so many eggs a day :pinch:

Indeed. I've got a couple of dumbells, a barbell, some weight plates and two axle stands (for a bench) in the garage. That is my lifting 'gym'. But I also have an old $150 Total Gym in the spare room to stay toned during the swelting Summers when I'm too melted to do anything serious. That said, bodyweight, flexibility and balance is more important for me, since I'm ethically minimizing eating meat, and dairy annoys me. I can only eat so many eggs a day

TOTAL GYM!?!?!?!

As used by the New York Fire department, and recommended by Chuck Norris?!?!?!

The one that makes a horrible "grrt grrt grrt grrt" noise as you slide up and down the rails, making it flat out impossible to get shredded and enjoy an episode of Blue Heelers at the same time?


(to be fair, it does pack away flat - you can put it under the bed and never take it out again :silly: )

JamesSand wrote: TOTAL GYM!?!?!?!

As used by the New York Fire department, and recommended by Chuck Norris?!?!?!

The one that makes a horrible "grrt grrt grrt grrt" noise as you slide up and down the rails, making it flat out impossible to get shredded and enjoy an episode of Blue Heelers at the same time?


(to be fair, it does pack away flat - you can put it under the bed and never take it out again :silly: )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfFFJHm_aRg

Anything for Christy :huh:

Well, between her and Nigella Lawson I guess I've got my youtube watching schedule for today...


Can we get TotJO sponsered by Total Gym?
Some of these are bloody hilarious.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZQlflG93Zc

I would think the reason weight lifting isn't something that's present on this board is because people are generally looking for advice how to get in shape and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle/body type. Doing these things does not require lifting weights. I'm sure there are plenty of people here who do lift, but they probably go to other forums dedicated to lifting when they want to talk about or learn about lifting.

FriendlyLion wrote: I would think the reason weight lifting isn't something that's present on this board is because people are generally looking for advice how to get in shape and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle/body type. Doing these things does not require lifting weights. I'm sure there are plenty of people here who do lift, but they probably go to other forums dedicated to lifting when they want to talk about or learn about lifting.

Lifting is actually stupidly good for you beyond sheer strength. It's a great way to get into shape, maintain a healthy body, and get into a routine.

...now if only i could get into my routine again...

steamboat28 wrote:

FriendlyLion wrote: I would think the reason weight lifting isn't something that's present on this board is because people are generally looking for advice how to get in shape and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle/body type. Doing these things does not require lifting weights. I'm sure there are plenty of people here who do lift, but they probably go to other forums dedicated to lifting when they want to talk about or learn about lifting.

Lifting is actually stupidly good for you beyond sheer strength. It's a great way to get into shape, maintain a healthy body, and get into a routine.

...now if only i could get into my routine again...

Nothing quite like weight lifting. Its not *required* for a healthy life, but only so much you can do without it.

Arisaig wrote:

steamboat28 wrote:

FriendlyLion wrote: I would think the reason weight lifting isn't something that's present on this board is because people are generally looking for advice how to get in shape and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle/body type. Doing these things does not require lifting weights. I'm sure there are plenty of people here who do lift, but they probably go to other forums dedicated to lifting when they want to talk about or learn about lifting.

Lifting is actually stupidly good for you beyond sheer strength. It's a great way to get into shape, maintain a healthy body, and get into a routine.

...now if only i could get into my routine again...

Nothing quite like weight lifting. Its not *required* for a healthy life, but only so much you can do without it.

Can't agree more. For strength, body composition, even cardiovascular fitness if you do it right, nothing beats resistance training.

I'm 50 and have made multiple attempts over the decades to build a decent physique in the gym using free weights and machines. The truth be told I never got very far with it because three things let me down:
1. Motivation
2. Diet
3. Alcohol

There was no consistency and to be honest I found working out in the gym to be boring beyond belief. I had to drag myself in there to do split routines 3-4 times a week. I usually ended up skipping sessions to go running instead. Some where along the line I discovered Cross Fit but dropped it after getting injured. Then there was a period of enlightenment where I started doing Army PT comprised of Calisthenics, Running, Pack Marching and HITT circuits. That quickly burned me out however.
One day I was browsing the net looking on ways to increase pull-ups and discovered "Convict Conditioning". That led me to the world of Calisthenics-Street Workout. Now I know what you are thinking but at my age cardio is not a great idea. Free weights puts too much focal pressure on the joints and isolates muscles. Body-weight training is the best solution that provides functional strength and well as cardio fitness. I now add weight to my dips/pull ups etc using vests and belt and run once a week. Fitter now than I was as a 21 year old Grunt.
I'm not crapping on weight lifting. It depends on what you are looking for. For me the ideal is a lean and muscular body that has good functional strength and good endurance. Calisthenics has given me that. Weight lifting now seems to me to be sort of quaint and odd.
Have been going 11 months almost daily and moving into intermediate territory doing muscle ups, front lever and archer pull ups. Working on advanced moves like flags and planches as well as dynamic moves. The great thing about Calisthenics is that as you get stronger your form improves and you start mastering advanced techniques. It takes a long time and you obsess about strict muscle ups and perfect form on the rings and doing levers, planches etc. As you progress you notice your physical development. Recently noticed first 6-pack abs since forever. Diet, sleep and attitude all click in to place. Being a bar athlete becomes a lifestyle. I've started dreaming calisthenics and do it any opportunity using whatever is around.
Sorry about the rant but wanted to share my experience. I used go to the Bar to get rounds in, now I go to the other Bar to get reps in. Salut.

When I'm not prepping for a PT test, I usually do weightlifting. Squats and deadlifts are my two most favorite exercises. I can eat more when I lift weights, but I have to watch what I eat when I'm only doing cardio and bodyweight training. Try squatting heavy every day for a month and tell me how much stronger you get. I got much better at lifting more weight and I've tried all sorts of routines. It sucks for the first week, but then it gets easier to just go in there and get it done. Do it first thing in the morning and you've got one of the hardest parts of your day out of the way.

steamboat28 wrote:
Lifting is actually stupidly good for you beyond sheer strength. It's a great way to get into shape, maintain a healthy body, and get into a routine.

...now if only i could get into my routine again...

GO LIFT TEN POUNDS!!

Just so you know I have been feeling the same this whole week and reading your post just helped me steel my resolve for today.
And as a man who appreciates epic beards, please enjoy this short video featuring the most epic beard in fitness....

Atticus wrote: Can't agree more. For strength, body composition, even cardiovascular fitness if you do it right, nothing beats resistance training.

Cardio,,, is that spanish??
PSA: SQUATS ARE ALSO CARDIO TOO, AS WELL!

OB1Shinobi wrote:

steamboat28 wrote:
Lifting is actually stupidly good for you beyond sheer strength. It's a great way to get into shape, maintain a healthy body, and get into a routine.

...now if only i could get into my routine again...

GO LIFT TEN POUNDS!!

Just so you know I have been feeling the same this whole week and reading your post just helped me steel my resolve for today.
And as a man who appreciates epic beards, please enjoy this short video featuring the most epic beard in the youtube fitness community....

Warning: Spoiler!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwzu1lDKnbs

Atticus wrote: Can't agree more. For strength, body composition, even cardiovascular fitness if you do it right, nothing beats resistance training.

Cardio,,, is that spanish??
PSA: SQUATS ARE ALSO CARDIO TOO, AS WELL!

Warning: Spoiler!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Zg5wzxKeZ4

Made me think of this:

And THAT reminded me of THIS...which you may not actually think is funny, but im a JR fan so i basically turn off my brain and just agree with everything he says about everything cause thats what it means to be a REAL FAN

steamboat28 wrote:

FriendlyLion wrote: I would think the reason weight lifting isn't something that's present on this board is because people are generally looking for advice how to get in shape and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle/body type. Doing these things does not require lifting weights. I'm sure there are plenty of people here who do lift, but they probably go to other forums dedicated to lifting when they want to talk about or learn about lifting.

Lifting is actually stupidly good for you beyond sheer strength. It's a great way to get into shape, maintain a healthy body, and get into a routine.

...now if only i could get into my routine again...

Yes, but lifting weighted objects isn't needed. There's a famous American football player named Troy Polamalu who notoriously never lifted weights. He still utilized weight resistance training, but used alternate workouts.

Famous WWE wrestler Dean Ambrose also does not lift weights. Typically utilizes the Hindu pushup, the burpee, the standing squat, and similar exercises.

The idea that you need to lift to get in shape and maintain a routine is silly. There's plenty of athletes who don't lift. If someone who isn't an athlete wanted to get in shape, they can do so without going to the gym and maxing out their bench press. It certainly can help, but it isn't needed. And lifting definitely isn't needed to maintain a routine. Just practicing self discipline can help someone maintain any routine they want.

There are many paths to fitness Lion. Each individual must learn what works best for their body and life style. I've done body weight, free weight, resistance machine, jogging, martial arts, isometrics...etc. they all yield results. That being said it was a combination of body weight, free weight, and sprinting that worked most efficiently for myself.

The idea that you need to lift to get in shape and maintain a routine is silly. There's plenty of athletes who don't lift. If someone who isn't an athlete wanted to get in shape, they can do so without going to the gym and maxing out their bench press. It certainly can help, but it isn't needed. And lifting definitely isn't needed to maintain a routine. Just practicing self discipline can help someone maintain any routine they want.

about as silly as the idea that you should avoid lifting weights.

"maxing your bench press" and "using free weights for training" are fairly separate concepts.

Do I do Bench Presses as part of my physical training? Hell yeah, they're a fantastic exercise, and post-surgery, I can actually do it!


Do I do bench presses to get better at bench presses? No. That's not my goal, nor is it likely the goal of (making up a number here) 82% of the people you might see using a bench and either dumb or bar bells.

Not everyone (or even necessarily "many") of the people who lift weights are training to be powerlifters (masters of the "Big 3" - Bench, Dead, and Squat)

Apparently Usain Bolt prefers machines to workout, and does a Seated Chest Press, but that's neither here not there - The fastest sprinter in the world still includes this quality upper body exercise in his routines, and I imagine if he is travelling, and the Gym he goes do doesn't have a seated chest press machine, he'll load up a bar and crack out a few reps.


I'm not "fanboying" the bench press, I just picked it because you mentioned it.

Weight lifting is not the exclusive realm of olympic and powerlifters, different exercises and techniques can be used in any routine.

In fact, I bench and curl to improve my push ups and pull ups - and I do all four to improve my swimming and Mud Run performance.

I do that last one to meet girls.

Weird old world, physical training.

Out of curiousity, I looked up Dean Ambrose (as I'd never heard of her)
anyway, it turns out they are into weights, according to at least one silly source that may or may not have anything to do with how he actually traines.


http://www.getmuscularity.com/2017/04/wwe-dean-ambrose-workout-routine.html

FriendlyLion wrote: Yes, but lifting weighted objects isn't needed. There's a famous American football player named Troy Polamalu who notoriously never lifted weights. He still utilized weight resistance training, but used alternate workouts.

Famous WWE wrestler Dean Ambrose also does not lift weights. Typically utilizes the Hindu pushup, the burpee, the standing squat, and similar exercises.

The idea that you need to lift to get in shape and maintain a routine is silly. There's plenty of athletes who don't lift. If someone who isn't an athlete wanted to get in shape, they can do so without going to the gym and maxing out their bench press. It certainly can help, but it isn't needed. And lifting definitely isn't needed to maintain a routine. Just practicing self discipline can help someone maintain any routine they want.

I doubt anybody was saying that it was necessary, nor required for good physical conditioning. Hell, I once ran my PT test without much effort after a few months of plyometrics. I whooped that test's ass. Do I like doing plyo? Hell to the naw, but it was hella effective. Different strokes for different folks.

It is not really a matter of weight lifting vs. body weight training.
Physiologically, resistance is resistance. It does not matter whether the resistance comes from free weights, pin select weight stack, resistance bands, body weight, clubbells, kettlebells, a mace, or anything else. To the muscles affected, it is all resistance.
There are pros & cons to each method.
What to use comes down to what Your goals are and what resources are available to You …

I doubt anybody was saying that it was necessary, nor required for good physical conditioning. Hell, I once ran my PT test without much effort after a few months of plyometrics. I whooped that test's ass. Do I like doing plyo? Hell to the naw, but it was hella effective. Different strokes for different folks.

I didn't say anyone was saying that it was necessary. I was just answering a question when Steamboat28 decided to take my reply as somehow an attack on weightlifting.