Why do people, especially women, enjoy lifting so much?
Replies
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My question is, "why do women tolerate being weak and reliant for the most basic things on others?"
Amen sister.
And I'm not afraid to admit that I sometimes flex my muscles in front of the mirror and watch in admiration (and so does my husband). I used to admire waif like women, now give me a solid strong woman any day of the week. So hot.0 -
I really love lifting weights. It makes me feel good. It has helped me lose fat, not just size, and given me a great figure. It feels good to be the only woman in the weight room and have respect for being there. It's going to set me up for healthier bones later in life. It has helped my injury recovery and management. It's good to feel strong, and you just don't ever realise how that affects every day life. I am 45 and I don't intend to give up my weight training any time soon.0
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I have chronic illnesses so I've felt weak for most of my adult life. Lifting makes me feel strong and like I can control something in my life.
I've also cut way down on pain medication since I started and I look a lot better in a bikini.0 -
It has many positive benefits besides the herniated discs, hernias, crushed sternum, torn rotators cuffs.
why do women lift? penis envy?0 -
Meet Ernestine Sheppard.
Older than you, back problems, lifts.0 -
I'm 42 and still in the "overweight" category. I've lifted off and on at various times since I was a teenager, but this time around I've been at it for nearly a year.
I can't speak for anyone else, but I love lifting for all sorts of reasons. I love being strong and getting stronger. I love the way it makes my body look. I love what it does for my self esteem and confidence. I love being able to lift, carry, and move stuff without having to ask for help. It's been a healthy and appropriate outlet for expressing frustration and anger. It makes me feel great.
I think it's been so healthy and important for me--I have a hard time articulating all the reasons why, but I know I'm much better off when I'm focused on building strength.0 -
Why wouldn't you?0
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I've never lifted and probably never will, since I'm old and have heart disease and back problems. But I get curious when I see how much people get into lifting. Is it like a runner's high? Can you describe the feelings?
Started lifting seriously at forty-six with back problems; I tore up my back in my early 20's moving loaded fixtures in retail. I'd still in the "untrained" category for most of the weight I lift, but my back problems have largely abated as the weights go up. There ARE weight training programs to spare and strengthen your back.
As for why I lift... there's something about the feeling of raw POWER when you load a bar equal to your bodyweight and then some and get it to move exactly how you want it to. It's an absolute rush to look at a deadlift that months ago I wouldn't have attempted and say with a straight face, "THAT bar is going up six times" - then doing exactly that.0 -
I always get a major buzz from it, which is kind of similar to a runner's high for me. I do both. But mainly, it melts fat SO quickly!0
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"The Iron is the best antidepressant I have ever found. There is no better way to fight weakness than with strength. Once the mind and body have been awakened to their true potential, it’s impossible to turn back."
Henry Rollins0 -
I do it because I'm a small woman, only 5' tall. My DH is an old meathead from the 80's and it's just something we've always done together. I like the time we share & the common interest to progress at something that makes a difference in everyday life.
It makes me feel strong & confident. I like that. Too many positive reasons not to do it. I've had to tweak it some since being diagnosed with T2D and changing my diet a great deal. I had to not let my metabolic issues get in my head & I've been able to progress in ways that I hadn't been able to in years.
I know it sounds cliche, but I feel better now than I have in YEARS...and I look pretty good too!!! :laugh:
It's good stuff. :drinker:0 -
I've never lifted and probably never will, since I'm old and have heart disease and back problems. But I get curious when I see how much people get into lifting. Is it like a runner's high? Can you describe the feelings?
I'm on the older side, have heart disease and a history of joint and back problems and I lift. I'm not recommending it as such, but it has seemed to suit me. Part of the problem with heart disease is that I can't do "intense" exercise and I feel that lifting gives me an opportunity to do something more "intense" (It certainly FEELS intense - especially the deadlifts!) in a safe manner. At least, I believe it to be fairly safe. I don't get the same sort of high that I've had from exercise in the past, but sometimes I do get a pleasant feeling afterwards, as if I've had a deep massage. I certainly get a feeling of achievement if I manage to lift more than I've ever done, and that can be a kind of high in itself.
I started lifting when I was severely obese, and again, it felt like an exercise that I could do safely at that size.
I don't know if I'll keep it up for ever (I'm debating whether to cancel gym membership soon), but I hope I will always do some sort of resistance/strength training. When I've been away from the gym for long periods, I've done bodyweight exercises to keep my strength up. To be honest, I think it's one of THE most important things I can do for my health, as a middle-aged woman. My thinking is that older women, as a group, get the most benefit from resistance training, as they have the most risk from bone and muscle wasting.0 -
My reasons have already been listed by previous posters. I'm just replying to say that in spite of the way you described yourself (old and infirmed), in spite of how sure you are that lifting is impossible for you, still you are "curious" about it.I've never lifted and probably never will, since I'm old and have heart disease and back problems. But I get curious when I see how much people get into lifting.
That's a spark. That's a part of you that doesn't yet believe you can't have strength and health.
You should trust it.0 -
It as given me confidence and strength! I love feeling strong! Also has so many health benefits, strong bones, metabolism.0
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I dont want to look twiggy, but i dont want fat on my body, so that means i need muscle. I feel strong when i lift. I am recovering from bulimia and strength is key. Also muscle burns calories even when ur sedentary.0
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Because it makes me happy. It makes me confident. It makes me feel badass. Because the strength I have gained in the last 4 months since starting lifting is astonishing.
Most importantly though, because it makes me like me. I didn't like the fat lazy cow who didn't really do a lot, i'm starting to love the me who kicks *kitten* in the gym. I never thought I would be able to say I really like me and right now, I do.0 -
I do it for the strength, the stares, the glares, the body & most of all so when I need to take groceries in I can do it in one trip.
There is no other feeling when you make a new PR or get done with a set you just didn’t think you could push through. It’s somewhat like runners high, but better. You feel like a beast when you drop the weights down and feel like a beast all over again when you pick them back up. The two aren’t comparable for me.0 -
1.) I love lifting- it's my "thing"
2.) I love being well defined- I love being "jacked" swoll" shredded"ripped"
whatever.
3.) Life is heavy- there are heavy things everywhere- would love to live in a world where you never have to pick things ups- because when you can pick them up- guess what- life is easier- the stronger you are- the better that gets.
4.) I' ma mothertrucking god when I lift. nothing can stop me.
weighted pull ups? totally
triple digit size of a small motorcycle dead lift? yes please.
Let's be real- the world is heavy. Life is easier when you are stronger.0 -
I just feels good, and the results are so rewarding.
I guess I felt like a badass at first, but now it's just part of me.
I don't lift particularly heavy. I had some medical issues last year that I have to be careful with, so I'm creative with lifting. I'll do straight lifting one day and then do lighter weights mixed with pilates or something the next. I'm really happy with the results. Will I win a contest? Heck no. But I don't want that.0 -
I liked feeling strong. It was also fun to sit on a machine a guy just exited and increase the weight, while they are watching and they just look at you while you pump and sweat. I also like to think, "that's right, look all you want, I'm taken". Guys like that had their chance and they missed it...i am now with a man who loves me even when I wasn't in my primo shape.0
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I'm only in week 4 of lifting, but I already feel so amazing. I feel/see muscles being uncovered. My self-confidence is actually going up. The feeling of completing a lift today that you couldn't do last time is just, WOW. Empowering. And I love talking lifting with the guys and seeing how excited they get that a girl is lifting heavy. :-)0
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I love lifting because it really shows me what my body is capable of.
The feeling of lifting a weight that 2 weeks ago you could barely move, is like nothing else.
Seeing the body fat go and reveal your stronger muscles is something i never got with cardio.
I love the fact that it makes me better at jumping / running / balancing / throwing
Not immediately related, but I love that now I don't care what I weigh, because the tape measure tells me what i need to know!0 -
I hate lifting. When I'm doing it all I can think about is how much my arms and legs are burning, all the sweat running into my eyes, and how much I want to give up, put the weights down, and go and watch TV.
Then I've finished, I'm in dire need of a shower, I'm already thinking about how much my body is going to ache the next day, but... I feel empowered. I feel brilliant about myself and the fact that I've done it, I feel strong, and I'm already thinking about the next session. I love lifting.0 -
My reasons have already been listed by previous posters. I'm just replying to say that in spite of the way you described yourself (old and infirmed), in spite of how sure you are that lifting is impossible for you, still you are "curious" about it.I've never lifted and probably never will, since I'm old and have heart disease and back problems. But I get curious when I see how much people get into lifting.
That's a spark. That's a part of you that doesn't yet believe you can't have strength and health.
You should trust it.
^^^^^ Yup!
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I hate lifting. When I'm doing it all I can think about is how much my arms and legs are burning, all the sweat running into my eyes, and how much I want to give up, put the weights down, and go and watch TV.
Then I've finished, I'm in dire need of a shower, I'm already thinking about how much my body is going to ache the next day, but... I feel empowered. I feel brilliant about myself and the fact that I've done it, I feel strong, and I'm already thinking about the next session. I love lifting.
Hahaha! I love this! That's exactly what goes on in my brain! The feeling of achievement is like nothing else in the world.0 -
Weight lifting was invented by the Spanish Inquisition! I prefer to do anything else in the gym (I keep away from gyms until the winter, when its too cold and wet to enjoy exercise out of doors)... Its boring and the pain it can induce is horibble...0
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I'm coming back to make another point, because I glossed over your old with back problems thing. I'm a cancer survivor. I had 4 operations last year alone. Each time I was given the OK, I would pick up 3# dumbbells and shake to lift them. But there was no GD way I was going to give in. Each time I got closer to "back to myself," I had to have another surgery. I could have given up many times. I even had a surgeon tell me he's never had a patient beg so much to be given the OK to workout. It took a lot of dedication, but I made it. I'm back. I'm healthy. I'm strong.
Earlier this year, my 13 year old picked up my weights. He told me he had noticed how I never gave up, and it inspired him. He lifts and runs now. That's the part that puts the lump in my throat. That's the part that made it all worthwhile. Not the hot butt. Not the great shoulders. The kid who looked up to his mom and picked up weights. That's something I'll never forget.
Go inspire someone.0 -
Lifting weights makes me feel like superwoman. I love it so I do crossfit which combines weights lifting with endurance and high intensity. I love both being and feeling strong and weight lifting takes care of both of these. I'm constatntly improving because there is always more weights/plates out there to lift. I feel empowered when I do it at the gym because not many females are into it, and those that are tend to stick to the low weight / high rep concept. I'm the only 120lb girl at my gym (that I ever see) doing barbell work like cleans, jerks and thrusters and who does full BW pull-ups/chinups. I must admit it does go to my head a little cause I hear the comments, see the looks and even get approached sometimes about my training. I am awesome, lol.
Ok I'm not really that egostical cause i've learned along the way that most people (in the real world) don't care how much you lifted that day or if you set a new PR, but that's what I have MFP for! My friends on here are awesome and don't mind hearing about my running, crossfit, weight lifting, or my eating habits
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I've never lifted and probably never will, since I'm old and have heart disease and back problems. But I get curious when I see how much people get into lifting. Is it like a runner's high? Can you describe the feelings?
I've had a runner's high. There's no lifting high that I get. I love that I have more mobility. Most of the things we think are inevitable with age are a result of poor fitness and muscle loss. I can do simple things now that I couldn't before, because I've gained muscle. I enjoy having better balance. I enjoy being more coordinated. I enjoy feeling like I can do the things I want. I enjoy knowing I can do things for myself if needed without help, because I am strong. I like feeling stronger. I like challenging myself. I like feeling like I am learning new skills. I like wearing smaller clothes at the same weight. I like having the ability to eat more. I just enjoy it. As someone else said, I feel empowered.0 -
I run and lift, too. I don't get a high from either, though.
But I spent my first 38 years thinking I had a bad back, bad knees, bad joints, and couldn't run. I'm hypermobile, and body parts would randomly pop out of joint. I was rereading a journal from when I was 37, and I'm amazed at how many times I wrote things like, "Threw out my back at work again. I'm on the couch and muscle relaxants for the next few days." "Re-injured my knee. Glad I still have that brace from last time I hurt it." "Going for xrays on my wrist."
Since lifting, I haven't had ANY of those injuries*. Increasing my muscle strength has made my joints more stable. I'm not going to win any kind of lifting competitions, but I can overhead press 70 pounds, bench press 100, squat and deadlift 160. And I'm damn proud of that, since that time I threw out my back at work, I was lifting a 26 pound cat. (Granted, it's much easier to lift a barbell, since a 26 pound cat is like a fur-covered sack of Jell-O, but still....)
I can bring in all the groceries in one trip. I don't have to take all the drawers out of my dressers if I want to rearrange the bedroom furniture. I'm not worried about spraining my ankle hiking with the dog. When my husband hurt himself after a fall at work (multiple herniated discs), all the household duties fell on me, and I was glad I could do them.
Plus, it's improved my body shape in ways I never thought possible. But honestly, that's pales in comparison to the less visible physical changes.
* I did have a stress fracture from running, and I currently have a nagging case of Achilles bursitis, but two wear-and-tear injuries in almost three years of kicking *kitten* is a lot better than hurting myself about once a month before I exercised regularly.0
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