But, what if I don't want to lift?
Replies
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amberstarrcogle wrote: »I knew before I posted I was going to get a lot of "you gotta lift, bro!" Reactions, and I appreciate them for what they are. I think that for me, the bodyweight training is the way I'll go- for now. I believe that lifting my fat@!! While practicing yoga makes me stronger than I (or others) may think I am- but I know that's not enough. Thanks for everyone's advice, but I don't see myself in a gym squatting 100lbs anytime soon. And that's ok with me.
I feel as though you're kind of missing the forest for the trees here. Lifting heavy indicates a progressive overload, which can be done through bodyweight exercises...as long as there's the overload. Not only does it help with strength, but maintaining lean body mass. When you're in a deficit, your body loses water, fat, and muscle. To combat the muscle/LBM loss many people incorporate a heavy lifting program (either through the gym, at home with weights, or body weight variations) to accomplish it.
Saying you knew that you were going to get a log of "you gotta lift, bro!" reactions, IMHO, is pretty condescending to the people who gave you great information.0 -
Lift your 4 kids.0
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MrTolerable wrote: »Worse case just don't lift and don't be as fit as possible
Sorry but this makes me laugh. It really depends on what you define as "fit". There is zero reason to lift weights if you don't want to. You can be amazingly "fit" without weights.
Absolutely agree with this. Cyclists and swimmers who don't weight train are very good examples.
there are many cyclists and swimmers who do weight train...they aren't doing strong lifts or anything (because goals)...but most athletes I know, regardless of discipline do some kind of resistance work to varying degrees...and it also depends on if they're in season or not.0 -
Capt_Apollo wrote: »TimothyFish wrote: »Capt_Apollo wrote: »As far as the whole elliptical or treadmill vs. weight lifting thing? OMG, I can't imagine anyone thinking that spending hours as a cardio hamster is less boring than lifting. I run. I run quite a bit. Give me the open road and I'll happily run 13.1 miles but more than a half mile on the treadmill and I'd rather open a wrist. It's sweaty and it's mind numbing even with a TV or music.
Would I rather run or ride outside? You bet. But goals don't wait for nice weather. Therefore I get the work done inside on my treadmill or bike trainer. Boredom doesn't cross my mind. The work has to get done, therefore the work gets done.
idk man, i got a bike trainer in november, and let me tell you, i don't know if i'll ever ride my bike outdoors again!! no people and cars to avoid, no potholes, dogs. no junk miles wasted getting to the proper bike path.
the treadmill still sucks but i did what i had to inside because of yesterdays "blizzard."
I get a *BETTER* workout on my bike trainer than riding outside. As you say, no interruptions, traffic lights, cars, potholes, etc. Just me and my suffering.
To each his own, I suppose, but to me, riding on a trainer is torture. Our winter temperatures are usually above freezing where I live, so riding outside is always an option, but riding the trainer feels like death. I want to be outside to feel the wind on my face and to see what is happening in the world.
honestly man, i thought the same thing. that i'll get bored, that i won't be able to go for more than a few minutes. but i love my indoor trainer. i can focus entirely on cadence and my heartrate and my pedal stroke. i can do intervals properly, and do hard climbs and it's all coming from my legs, not from me weight cruising down hills and such. and an indoor trainer i don't have to worry about the bad weather, and i can catch up on my DVR.
a typical outdoor ride for me was this: okay, red light coming up, got to stop... okay, time to go, jerk just cut me off!! okay, coming up is that pot hole they never fixed... where is that pot hole? looks like they fixed that pot hole!! but not that one WATCHOUT! hey, this guy is crossing in the middle of the street, lucky i don't hit him on purpose... is that guy running in the bike path? ugh... with headphones on... let me scream "on your left" as i pass and see if they freak out! they did!! hahaha!!! runners suck..."
you get the idea.
I can't say I've had that different of an experience, but even with all the stuff (like the driver last week who decided to run the stop sign after I got into the intersection) I prefer getting outside and going somewhere. There was one year that I tried very hard to ride the trainer, but once the new wore off, I hated it. At the time, I thought it would be better than riding in the cold. This year I spent my money on warm clothing and bright lights. As a result, I'm in the best shape I've ever been in January.0 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »MrTolerable wrote: »Worse case just don't lift and don't be as fit as possible
Sorry but this makes me laugh. It really depends on what you define as "fit". There is zero reason to lift weights if you don't want to. You can be amazingly "fit" without weights.
Absolutely agree with this. Cyclists and swimmers who don't weight train are very good examples.
there are many cyclists and swimmers who do weight train...they aren't doing strong lifts or anything (because goals)...but most athletes I know, regardless of discipline do some kind of resistance work to varying degrees...and it also depends on if they're in season or not.
I guess to be fair I do a 1hr (fairly intense) yoga session per week, plus 3x 20 minute "core" sessions that involve planks, pushups, crunches and various other things. So although I don't lift anything, I do end up with a reasonable amount of core and resistance training. Just not enough to mess up my swimming, riding or running speeds.
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TimothyFish wrote: »Capt_Apollo wrote: »TimothyFish wrote: »Capt_Apollo wrote: »As far as the whole elliptical or treadmill vs. weight lifting thing? OMG, I can't imagine anyone thinking that spending hours as a cardio hamster is less boring than lifting. I run. I run quite a bit. Give me the open road and I'll happily run 13.1 miles but more than a half mile on the treadmill and I'd rather open a wrist. It's sweaty and it's mind numbing even with a TV or music.
Would I rather run or ride outside? You bet. But goals don't wait for nice weather. Therefore I get the work done inside on my treadmill or bike trainer. Boredom doesn't cross my mind. The work has to get done, therefore the work gets done.
idk man, i got a bike trainer in november, and let me tell you, i don't know if i'll ever ride my bike outdoors again!! no people and cars to avoid, no potholes, dogs. no junk miles wasted getting to the proper bike path.
the treadmill still sucks but i did what i had to inside because of yesterdays "blizzard."
I get a *BETTER* workout on my bike trainer than riding outside. As you say, no interruptions, traffic lights, cars, potholes, etc. Just me and my suffering.
To each his own, I suppose, but to me, riding on a trainer is torture. Our winter temperatures are usually above freezing where I live, so riding outside is always an option, but riding the trainer feels like death. I want to be outside to feel the wind on my face and to see what is happening in the world.
honestly man, i thought the same thing. that i'll get bored, that i won't be able to go for more than a few minutes. but i love my indoor trainer. i can focus entirely on cadence and my heartrate and my pedal stroke. i can do intervals properly, and do hard climbs and it's all coming from my legs, not from me weight cruising down hills and such. and an indoor trainer i don't have to worry about the bad weather, and i can catch up on my DVR.
a typical outdoor ride for me was this: okay, red light coming up, got to stop... okay, time to go, jerk just cut me off!! okay, coming up is that pot hole they never fixed... where is that pot hole? looks like they fixed that pot hole!! but not that one WATCHOUT! hey, this guy is crossing in the middle of the street, lucky i don't hit him on purpose... is that guy running in the bike path? ugh... with headphones on... let me scream "on your left" as i pass and see if they freak out! they did!! hahaha!!! runners suck..."
you get the idea.
I can't say I've had that different of an experience, but even with all the stuff (like the driver last week who decided to run the stop sign after I got into the intersection) I prefer getting outside and going somewhere. There was one year that I tried very hard to ride the trainer, but once the new wore off, I hated it. At the time, I thought it would be better than riding in the cold. This year I spent my money on warm clothing and bright lights. As a result, I'm in the best shape I've ever been in January.
The Sufferfest + Trainer Road = How to become a bike beast0 -
I'm a big believer in doing what you like and will stick to. I like variety so I hike, play soccer, lift weights, and do yoga. The thing I hate is straight up running - which is a lot of people's favorite thing. Ehh, I don't need to like something just because someone else does. If you end up feeling like you need more muscle mass for your goals later, adjust your plan. Until then, enjoy!0
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Saying you knew that you were going to get a log of "you gotta lift, bro!" reactions, IMHO, is pretty condescending to the people who gave you great information.
No part of me appreciating everyone of the suggestions I got (including the "you gotta lift, bro!" Ones) was condescending. I appreciate the input, individually- for what it is. If that somehow translates to me patronizing anyone, I apologize.
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i need to do more yoga. i'll be going to a class on friday.0
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amberstarrcogle wrote: »I don't mind- I like reading everyone's fitness preferences. I find it inspiring lol
You are doing some degree of resistance work with yoga...that is what is important...you don't have to "lift"...but doing some kind of resistance work is very important to your overall fitness.
That said, you should not be worried about getting a "weight lifter's body" or whatever from lifting...those people using training programs very specific to that goal and are very dedicated to those programs as well as very specific diets (to include a surplus of calories) to put on mass...it doesn't happen by accident unless you have some really killer genetics. I lift regularly and don't have anything resembling a body builder's body...most people would describe it as a more stereotypical "beach body"...just sayin' there's nothing to be afraid of.
But again...you don't have to "lift"...it really just depends on your goals. My goals change throughout the year so my fitness follows suit...when I'm training for long endurance rides I spend most of my time on my bike and very little time in the weight room...maybe a couple days per week for 1/2 hour or something doing primarily body weight work and plyos or something to assist with my riding.
In the summer I tend to have a well balanced general fitness regimen where I lift a few days per week and make sure I get out and ride a good 80 miles per week or so just to maintain a decent base...this usually carries through to the fall.
In the winter I tend to do way less cardio work and spend the least amount of time on my bike and more time in the weight room where it's warm and the lights are on...then about this time of year (hints of early spring on the horizon here in NM) I start riding more again and by late spring and early summer I'll be hammering away the miles.0 -
I have tried riding to work before. It is about 20 miles of crazy roads. And in the end the workout wasn't that good. I find it was much more effective to drive and bring my bike and clothes with me to work, and just go for a ride on the trail after work. Then drive home. While I would certainly *prefer* to ride outside, I am fully aware that indoor training makes for a better workout. I do about half my bike time indoors even on the nicest of spring and summer days.
Wow that is a total threadjack... sorry
I guess it depends on where you ride. No way is riding inside better training for me. If I've spent a few weeks riding inside and then go outside, my decrease in performance is ridiculous. Seeing that right now after riding inside for 5 weeks. I agree with you, though, on the stopping. I hate the constant stopping. That is why from March - November, I ride in local cycling rallies/tours weekly. Often I can go 62 miles without ever unclipping.0 -
I have tried riding to work before. It is about 20 miles of crazy roads. And in the end the workout wasn't that good. I find it was much more effective to drive and bring my bike and clothes with me to work, and just go for a ride on the trail after work. Then drive home. While I would certainly *prefer* to ride outside, I am fully aware that indoor training makes for a better workout. I do about half my bike time indoors even on the nicest of spring and summer days.
Wow that is a total threadjack... sorry
I guess it depends on where you ride. No way is riding inside better training for me. If I've spent a few weeks riding inside and then go outside, my decrease in performance is ridiculous. Seeing that right now after riding inside for 5 weeks. I agree with you, though, on the stopping. I hate the constant stopping. That is why from March - November, I ride in local cycling rallies/tours weekly. Often I can go 62 miles without ever unclipping.
If all you do indoors is spin I agree that is pointless. See the links I posted just above for how to *REALLY* work on your bike indoors.0 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »MrTolerable wrote: »Worse case just don't lift and don't be as fit as possible
Sorry but this makes me laugh. It really depends on what you define as "fit". There is zero reason to lift weights if you don't want to. You can be amazingly "fit" without weights.
Absolutely agree with this. Cyclists and swimmers who don't weight train are very good examples.
there are many cyclists and swimmers who do weight train...they aren't doing strong lifts or anything (because goals)...but most athletes I know, regardless of discipline do some kind of resistance work to varying degrees...and it also depends on if they're in season or not.
Absolutely. But that isn't my point. I can show you countless cyclists and swimmers that do no weight training and you wouldn't be able to tell just by looking at them. They look like they lift weights.
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cwolfman13 wrote: »MrTolerable wrote: »Worse case just don't lift and don't be as fit as possible
Sorry but this makes me laugh. It really depends on what you define as "fit". There is zero reason to lift weights if you don't want to. You can be amazingly "fit" without weights.
Absolutely agree with this. Cyclists and swimmers who don't weight train are very good examples.
there are many cyclists and swimmers who do weight train...they aren't doing strong lifts or anything (because goals)...but most athletes I know, regardless of discipline do some kind of resistance work to varying degrees...and it also depends on if they're in season or not.
Absolutely. But that isn't my point. I can show you countless cyclists and swimmers that do no weight training and you wouldn't be able to tell just by looking at them. They look like they lift weights.
Unless you count the fact that I do a bunch of planks/crunches/pushups as "weight training" I don't lift anything, yet I have a fairly build upper body. Nobody will mistake me for someone who actually spends time in a weight room, but I am far from a twig.
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Is it your do not want to or you do not feel you have time? For me, the 30 Day Shred would get old after awhile. If you want light weights, her Body Revolution is a good program. Right now I use Chalean Extreme which is heavy weights with less reps. Depending on the weights you use (meaning if you have to adjust weight plates all the time) it can be between 30 and 45 minutes. It is three days of weights and two days of cardio.0
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cwolfman13 wrote: »MrTolerable wrote: »Worse case just don't lift and don't be as fit as possible
Sorry but this makes me laugh. It really depends on what you define as "fit". There is zero reason to lift weights if you don't want to. You can be amazingly "fit" without weights.
Absolutely agree with this. Cyclists and swimmers who don't weight train are very good examples.
there are many cyclists and swimmers who do weight train...they aren't doing strong lifts or anything (because goals)...but most athletes I know, regardless of discipline do some kind of resistance work to varying degrees...and it also depends on if they're in season or not.
Absolutely. But that isn't my point. I can show you countless cyclists and swimmers that do no weight training and you wouldn't be able to tell just by looking at them. They look like they lift weights.
I'm pretty sure I could tell...I know a handful of semi-pro and professional cyclists and I can very much tell that they spend most of their time in the saddle and very little time in the weight room...that's not to say they don't look fit...they do look fit...but they don't look like they lift weights..but all of them do resistance work to some degree as it ultimately makes them better cyclists...they're just not out there doing a bunch of mass building type of lifting.
The notion that someone who does not lift weights will magically look like someone who does lift weight is absurd...that is not to say they aren't fit and/or don't look fit...pretty much every athlete I know looks fit as all hell..but they don't necessarily look like they spend any considerable time in the weight room.0 -
I have tried riding to work before. It is about 20 miles of crazy roads. And in the end the workout wasn't that good. I find it was much more effective to drive and bring my bike and clothes with me to work, and just go for a ride on the trail after work. Then drive home. While I would certainly *prefer* to ride outside, I am fully aware that indoor training makes for a better workout. I do about half my bike time indoors even on the nicest of spring and summer days.
Wow that is a total threadjack... sorry
I guess it depends on where you ride. No way is riding inside better training for me. If I've spent a few weeks riding inside and then go outside, my decrease in performance is ridiculous. Seeing that right now after riding inside for 5 weeks. I agree with you, though, on the stopping. I hate the constant stopping. That is why from March - November, I ride in local cycling rallies/tours weekly. Often I can go 62 miles without ever unclipping.
more and more pro triathletes are doing most of their riding indoors.
http://triathlon.competitor.com/2011/11/training/pros-and-cons-of-bringing-triathlon-training-indoors_111670 -
Need2Exerc1se wrote: »Lift your 4 kids.
BAM!0 -
Liftng4Lis wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »Lift your 4 kids.
BAM!
Well if that qualifies as lifting- this whole post was for nothing! Lol0 -
amberstarrcogle wrote: »Liftng4Lis wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »Lift your 4 kids.
BAM!
Well if that qualifies as lifting- this whole post was for nothing! Lol
Just make sure you clean and press them too.0 -
Cycling indoors just seems pointless to me and I get easily bored.
Well if I'm going to be watching TV anyway, might as well burn calories while I do it.
I do find the calorie burn pathetic though, compared to what I can do at the gym on a treadmill or elliptical (but it might be because my legs tire too fast if I crank up the resistance too).
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amberstarrcogle wrote: »Liftng4Lis wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »Lift your 4 kids.
BAM!
Well if that qualifies as lifting- this whole post was for nothing! Lol
Seriously, ever carried one and the next day you had DOMS....you're lifting!!0
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