I know strength training is important, but hate lifting

I really like the book New Rules of Lifting for Abs. It is a progressive program. Each routine has warm-up, ab specific work (plank variations), and 4 compound lifts.

I can finish in under an hour, even if I am interrupted by every household member in the family.

I get frustrated with lifting when I stall and when the routine is boring. I have not had that isue with NRoLFA, in fact ... I actually look forward to these training sessions.

Check it out from the library, and see if it will work for you.

Also, if you truly decide after checking out short compound lift routines that you cannot bear to lift weights, check out Yoga ... weightlifting your body.

strength training burns a lot more calories than just cardio alone, theres ways to get it done quickly though.

Have you heard of low carb, high fat, ketogenic diets? theyre great for dropping alot of weight- and you can do it eating great food too lost 20 lbs this summer doin it

Kick boxing with weighted gloves and a weighted battle bar.

Honestly, if you rule out lifts and stretches you are really limiting your options. Pilates may be a good compromise, all you need is yourself, a mat, and a good program, and it's less "stretchy" and feels like more of a strength workout.

What about group fitness classes, like a barbell strength class? Do you have that available to you?

Go to:

www.nerdfitness.com

Look under the tabs for the Angry Birds Workout. It uses your body weight as resistance. Planks, push-ups, squats and rows. You can skip the rows (they require hand weights) if you'd prefer. There's plenty of benefit to be had without doing them. Steve has how-to videos on his site and YouTube that explain everything beautifully.

You can do great things for your body without ever touching a weight. Best of luck to you!

I was JUST about to bust out some nerdfitness knowledge. You win.

Lifting itself doesn't burn a lot of calories. Even an intense 1 hour session might only be about 100 calories. And its not an aerobic exercise. Its the recovery from the intense workout that utilizes the extra calories. So it is a good thing to do in addition to some cardio. Do the weights first so you have the energy to lift the weights as intensely as you can, then do the cardio.

Unfortunately, you need some type of resistance to stimulate muscle growth. You can use body weight if you want to, or light weights, kettle bells, even sandbags. The problem is your body will grow and adapt as much as required and no more. So in order to continue growth you have to lift heavier weights to stimulate hypertrophy. You can certainly pick a desired weight range and once you get to it you can stay there. And when your muscle grow and adapt, you can just continue to lift the same weight. They won't grow but you'll maintain the strength and size they've achieved thus far.

Again, you can just use resistance bands if you want, but some type of resistance your body doesn't get under normal circumstances.

And stretching, I hate it too, but its kind of important, especially when weight training. Your muscles tend to get tighter over time with weights, and you'll lose flexibility. Even a somewhat sedentary lifestyle, like working at a computer most of the day can cause leg and back pain, especially in the hip flexor muscles, as they tighten with less use because they get the range of motion when used. Its sort of a use it or lose it scenario.

You certainly don't have to turn all hulk and start body building, but I would recommend finding a way to get into these things. Try to get a group of friends together and hit the gym for 45-60 minutes a few days a week. Weights are also good for keeping bone density, which is usually stressed as important for females as they're more prone to osteoporosis. My 2 cents

EDIT: Sorry! Plug in where I said muscle growth with muscle strength. I realized after thats what you were asking. The same applies, still need resistance. But you can lift heavier weight for less reps if that sounds any more appealing? hehe That will help increase your strength without putting an emphasis on increasing muscle mass and size.

kettlebells! they can give you a great work out

maybe it's the moves you're doing? if i only did stuff like bicep curls, skull crushers, tricep kickbacks, side lateral raises i'd hate lifting too.


look into compound movements like deadlifts, squats, pushups, pull up, turkish get up, snatches and push presses, kettlebell swings, etc. these all work multiple muscles and some - like the swings, turkish get ups and olympic lifts - will work your entire body.

the turkish get ups and oly lifts are fun, imo, plus since you don't really see many (if any?) people doing these in the gym, it makes your workout look like a fully loaded banana split next to someone else boring old crumbled-smooshed up-cookie-from-the-bottom -of-the-bookbag workout