Fun strength training?

kmm7309

I think I have the cardio down by now, and I'm still (usually) losing the weight at a good rate of 1.5 pounds a week (despite my hypothyroid and PCOS). I still have a long way to go before my huge layer of fat is gone, but I feel like I need to add some strength training to my regimen, maybe to try helping my metabolism. Anyways, I pretty much hate strength training, so I am asking you, my friends, for some help. I have a few questions:

1) Have you found anything fun to do for strength training?
2) Do they sell it in a video?
3) Is it cheap/free (I can pull youtube up on my TV if it's on there)?

meshashesha2012

lift heavy.

if you're lifting heavy enough then it wont matter if you're having fun or not because you'll be concentrating in getting the lift done with proper form .

i use the same formula for cardio because i HATE cardio. i do intervals mainly so i'm too bust worrying about preparing for the next increase in speed to even think about having fun.

Jynus

strength training is maximal effort with very heavy weights. so unless that directly is fun for you, there is no real way to make it fun. A heavy compound lift is a heavy compound lift...

Twiztedbeing

Maybe this guy can give you some insight.


http://highlifeworkout.com/2012/02/19/how-many-reps-should-you-do-2/

He is straight about everything and has plenty of youtube videos about food and exercise. I follow his way of training and I love it.

http://www.youtube.com/user/BrandonCarterTV

torygirl79

Body pump is a fun introduction, more a mix of strength and cardio than full strength though. There is a video version available.

Jynus

Maybe this guy can give you some insight.


http://highlifeworkout.com/2012/02/19/how-many-reps-should-you-do-2/

He is straight about everything and has plenty of youtube videos about food and exercise. I follow his way of training and I love it.

http://www.youtube.com/user/BrandonCarterTV

This is not strength training. this is cardio....

uglyhobo

Training for strength is probably the most fun. I look forward to going to the gym because I love the feeling of hitting a new pr....it's amazing. It's VERY fun setting PR's and exceeding your goals.

Training for hypertrophy(size) is fun because of the pump and feeling during the workout.

Just lift heavy and focus on getting stronger, because that's very fun.

JennieAL

It sure is fun to look in the mirror and see my *kitten* looking better than it ever has in my life. And it's fun doing a chin-up on my pull-up bar in the bathroom, and watch as I develop shoulders, biceps & triceps for the first time ever.

Is it fun feeling like my heart is about to jump out of my chest, breaking out into a sweat all over and feeling dizzy and nearly passing out from taking in all the oxygen required for those heavy deadlifts? Hmm... I revert back to the above and remember what my *kitten* now looks like when it's hard to lift 160 lbs

Rosa1213

I have to say, I don't know that it'll be "fun", but lifting gives you a great feeling.

It feels like I'm the She-Hulk, going out to smash the city and look hot while I do so.

chrisdavey

See avatar

Twiztedbeing

Maybe this guy can give you some insight.


http://highlifeworkout.com/2012/02/19/how-many-reps-should-you-do-2/

He is straight about everything and has plenty of youtube videos about food and exercise. I follow his way of training and I love it.

http://www.youtube.com/user/BrandonCarterTV

This is not strength training. this is cardio....

I was talking about the push to failure. The OP said they were looking for increasing metabolism. He has plenty of insight.

LesterBlackstone

Maybe this guy can give you some insight.


http://highlifeworkout.com/2012/02/19/how-many-reps-should-you-do-2/

He is straight about everything and has plenty of youtube videos about food and exercise. I follow his way of training and I love it.

http://www.youtube.com/user/BrandonCarterTV

LOL.

Nothing but broscience from this clown.

mariagabriella

kettlebell swings are fun!

Twiztedbeing

Maybe this guy can give you some insight.


http://highlifeworkout.com/2012/02/19/how-many-reps-should-you-do-2/

He is straight about everything and has plenty of youtube videos about food and exercise. I follow his way of training and I love it.

http://www.youtube.com/user/BrandonCarterTV

LOL.

Nothing but broscience from this clown.

Clown that is more ripped than 99% of people on here. I guess your right though, training to failure hasnt been proven or anything. sure....

Twiztedbeing

I think I am going to follow someone who actually has results. Not words in a book or on an internet. It makes sense, maybe not to you, but that's ok. Then this is not intended for you. But for those who want to try something different, there it is.

amy1612

Biased again, but if you can find a pole class give it a go

Its not free, and depending on where you go, may not be REALLY cheap, but is a fun way of building strength.

Heavy lifting is also really fun (IMO). Im doing 5x5 at the moment, you could do it at home if you had the equipment, but a gym is probably better for having people around to spot if needed and such.

You could do some body weight exercises too, free and plenty of youtube videos with different things to do. Personally I love strength training and dont find it boring at all. Maybe as you increase intensity you'll find yourself getting into it more, bicep curling a 5lb dumbell might be boring, deadlifting 110lbs is not

wellbert

Olympic lifting.

docktorfokse

Maybe this guy can give you some insight.


http://highlifeworkout.com/2012/02/19/how-many-reps-should-you-do-2/

He is straight about everything and has plenty of youtube videos about food and exercise. I follow his way of training and I love it.

http://www.youtube.com/user/BrandonCarterTV

Training to failure doesn't help you lift more weight, it just helps you lift about the same weight for more reps. Furthermore, if you're doing an actual strength routine, "failure" means tearing tissue or breaking a bone. If hypertrophy is more your thing anyway, you still have to deal with an over-taxed central nervous system with reps to failure.

Twiztedbeing

Maybe this guy can give you some insight.


http://highlifeworkout.com/2012/02/19/how-many-reps-should-you-do-2/

He is straight about everything and has plenty of youtube videos about food and exercise. I follow his way of training and I love it.

http://www.youtube.com/user/BrandonCarterTV

Training to failure doesn't help you lift more weight, it just helps you lift about the same weight for more reps. Furthermore, if you're doing an actual strength routine, "failure" means tearing tissue or breaking a bone. If hypertrophy is more your thing anyway, you still have to deal with an over-taxed central nervous system with reps to failure.

As far as your definition to failure goes you are way off. I have been doing training to failure to about 30+ reps each time. The first time I break 40 reps, I go up 15lbs in weight. There are many ways of doing an exercise. You chose to think of it in the wrong way. Going the route I am going I will end up being able to do really heavy weights with lots of repetitions. I have done just strength training and I could not do very many reps. I like being able to know that I can do a ton of a heavy weight. Not many people can.

deannajodouglass

i love Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30 dvd. she does a 3-2-1 system, where you do strength for 3 minutes, cardio for 2, and abs for 1. it helps you lose weight and gain muscle she has a meal plan for it and everything. i also got the iPhone/iPod touch apps called Arm Workouts Pro, Leg Workouts Pro, Butt Workouts Pro, and Ab Workouts Pro, and they are great. You can watch tv and do them, and modify them to your skill level. They come with pre-made workouts, but you can also make your own workout with the list of exercises they give you. These are great places to start

jkvoight1

I totally understand where you are coming from. Did you know you can use your own body weight to strength train without having to buy dumbells, bands, etc? I tried Jillian Michaels and LIKED it but I fell in love with the results of INSANITY! You can do it in your home so it cuts down on gym membership I also have a friend who has thyroid issues and she replaced one meal a day with Shakeology which really helped her metabolism. I hope this helped you. Have a wonderful day!