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Strength training and endorphins

cnbbnc
cnbbnc Posts: 1,267 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Soooooo....I've switched from being a cardio girl to primarily strength training which I'm loving. I leave the gym feeling tired/good, but I think I'm missing having the rush I would get after cardio. Is it just me, or is the endorphin high just not there (or there to a much lesser extent) with lifting weights?

Replies

  • SonyaCele
    SonyaCele Posts: 2,841 Member
    lift heavier, push yourself harder. Get a spotter so you can squeeze out that last rep you didn't think you could do. Get your mind into it, not just your body. i get massive endorphin rushes from lifting.
  • diyadiamonds
    diyadiamonds Posts: 74 Member
    edited November 2015
    SonyaCele wrote: »
    lift heavier, push yourself harder. Get a spotter so you can squeeze out that last rep you didn't think you could do. Get your mind into it, not just your body. i get massive endorphin rushes from lifting.

    Same! I HATE cardio, the only cardio machine I can force myself on to is the stair master! I do weight circuit as my cardio.

    OP are you adding weight as you feel yourself get stronger? There's nothing that gets me more pumped than knowing I can lift heavier than before. The best natural high! Don't have to shoot up for it or smoke it, just have to sweat for it!!!
  • lisalsd1
    lisalsd1 Posts: 1,519 Member
    Yeah, I'm going to agree with the previous posters. Running makes me exhausted, makes my foot hurt...not good at all. Lifting however makes me feel awesome...but there is a mental component. I dread running...I look forward to lifting.

    Accomplishing lifting goals is much more gratifying than running a little faster or further.
  • yusaku02
    yusaku02 Posts: 3,472 Member
    The feeling from smashing a PR is out of this world. The first time I deadlifted 315 I felt like a king for the rest of the day.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,055 Member
    I've just started lifting weights again and right now am only getting the rush from the leg press, so, legs and heavy weights is working for me.
  • ew_david
    ew_david Posts: 3,473 Member
    When you hit your first legit PR, you'll feel that rush.
  • tulips_and_tea
    tulips_and_tea Posts: 5,756 Member
    Good choice! It takes a bit to get used to the transition. You will get a high from lifting but it's different than the one you get from cardio, IMO. Definitely adding weight consistently and making progress helps a lot.
  • FredKing1
    FredKing1 Posts: 98 Member
    My trainer has me on a HIIT program which includes light weights (typically 10 exercises for 30 secs. @ with 30 secs. rest - sometimes 60 secs.) I'm losing weight and feel my aerobic capacity is improving, but I'm not getting stronger - in fact I've lost inches on my arms. Is HIIT incompatible with muscle building or can I do both?
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