To Lift or Not To Lift?

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Replies

  • rileyes
    rileyes Posts: 1,406 Member
    ydyms wrote: »
    HOW do you lift properly? I'm confused and keep trying to learn..

    Practice, practice, practice.

    I learned a lot from the forums and YouTube. You can try googling a particular exercise "how to" as well. I suggest downloading the StrongLifts 5x5 app. This app can help you develop in the five main compound lifts--Squat, Bench Press, Overhead Press, Row and Deadlift. If the Olympic bar is too heavy, you can begin with dumb bells. <--Form first.

    I also bought these books--> Starting Strength, New Rules of Lifting for Women and Strong Curves.

    You can film yourself and post your video on the forum for a critique or hire a personal trainer to help get you in sync.

    There are lots of cues that you can learn to help your lift like "push through the heels" and "squeeze the glutes".
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    jimmmer wrote: »
    Lift if you want to and it gets you towards your goals. Don't if you don't and it doesn't.

    Simple.

    Strength IS important in a well balanced approach towards general health and fitness, but that doesn't necessarily have to be gained using a barbell. Those of us who are into the iron game and are obsessed with it would do well to reflect that a well put together general calisthenics program would be sufficient to help 90% of the population stay healthy and happy.

    As someone who rotates both lifting and bodyweight depending on what sounds more interesting each year, amen :) I have found very few people who accept that the "other" way of training is also efficient.
  • muscleandbeard
    muscleandbeard Posts: 116 Member
    Lifting makes your body look good, that's why I lift
  • kimiuzzell
    kimiuzzell Posts: 611 Member
    I've always been a typical pear shape. Cardio got me fit but I became scrawny up top yet remained heavy below... Making me look very out of proportion, and at my lightest I looked a little odd....

    With lifting, my top half has filled out a little and my bottom half is firmer. I look far more in proportion, and although over 2 stone heavier than I was at my "fittest", I look slimmer than I did before because there is not that screaming difference in shirt and skirt sizes!

    I'm not quite "hourglass".... Yet.
  • wtskinner
    wtskinner Posts: 178 Member
    I lift to help keep my strength and muscle density up as I get older and help control my blood sugars. They stay much lower when I include lifting 3 days a week in my normal routine.
  • bbassard
    bbassard Posts: 4 Member
    Lift.

    Mobility, Endurance and health.

    And of course I love how it transforms your body.

    I do a mixture of mma, weightlifting, backpacking, rock climbing and also want to incorporate rock climbing and light gymnastics. I just want to be the best possible human I can be for the longest amount of time.

    @JBassard such a cool thread.
  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
    edited January 2016
    Lifting rocks! I have really been concentrating on it for around 6 months now rather than cardio and I'm really seeing noticeable and positive changes...plus I love feeling strong :smile:

    and I'm doing it so my bones/muscles are healthy/strong which will stand me in good stead for getting older.

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