Stronglifts 5x5 for Women

Join

Endorphin high

xidia
xidia Posts: 606 Member
in Social Groups
I get this pretty much every time from weights and it's AWESOME. I've had it once or twice from cardio, but that's it. Anyone else find that cardio just doesn't have the same endorphin effect as weights for them?

Replies

  • tameko2
    tameko2 Posts: 31,634 Member
    Its a different high for me, the cardio high may not be actual endorphins - more like just higher blood oxygen levels? I feel good and energetic after cardio but I don't get that really mellow good feeling brain chemistry the way I do with lifting, and it doesn't last nearly as long. The brain chemistry boost from lifting is like, 18 hours, easy. I could especially tell when i was suffering through a really severe depressive episode last year and I'd feel pretty good for about that long and then I'd start to feel awful as the day went on, and on the back to back rest days I'd spend the second one pretty unhappy.
  • nexangelus
    nexangelus Posts: 2,080 Member
    I get more of a "rush" when running to be honest, weights just gives me a warm feeling inside, like I am a superhero of sorts ; )
  • xidia
    xidia Posts: 606 Member
    It's turning into one of the best techniques I have for keeping depression at bay for exactly that reason. Glad I'm not the only to have spotted that particular feeling!
  • jody75
    jody75 Posts: 37 Member
    I think the endorphins hit everyone differently. My partner is a runner and she gets the endorphins from that big time. Running just sounds like a pain in my backside but I can go to the weight room and come out on top of the world.
  • sarahisme18
    sarahisme18 Posts: 574 Member
    Haha, I was JUST thinking about this today. It's my second week doing SL5x5, and every single day after I've done it I've spent the next 24 hours feeling REALLY good. Super positive, happy, energetic (even though my body is tired). I have felt that way in the past after cardio, like after Zumba I would feel good and happy for an hour or so. After running I've felt REALLY good, but that too only lasts for another couple of hours. After lifting though.... it's different, and it lasts for at least a day.

    Originally I was going to do a breakdown where I did cardio one day, lifting the next, and then rest, repeat. But after the first 3-4 lifting days, I just really wanted to go back to it after rest and not do the cardio, which is weird for me! I'm usually a cardio bunny. But this good feeling is too addictive!
  • vicmonster
    vicmonster Posts: 297 Member
    Running makes me happy but lifting makes me feel BA!
  • chocolatecroissant
    chocolatecroissant Posts: 155 Member
    Does anyone else get an endorphin low after 5x5?! I'm seriously considering stopping as I'm dreading every session and feel like **** afterwards. I'm not sure it's worth doing if it's having such a negative effect. I'd be interested if anyone else experiences this too?
  • michelledsmith517
    michelledsmith517 Posts: 33
    i'm fired up after almost every type of workout.
  • Fittreelol
    Fittreelol Posts: 2,535 Member
    Running makes me happy but lifting makes me feel BA!

    Same! Well I don't run, but i bike and rock the arc trainer.

    Chocolatecoissant: As well as being delicious you might be over training, ready to move to an intermediate program, or under eating. It depends on how long you've been feeling this way, what other activity you're doing, etc.
  • chocolatecroissant
    chocolatecroissant Posts: 155 Member
    Thanks for the feedback. I doubt I'm over training as I find I need at least 2 days rest between sessions and just do some cardio then. Maybe it's diet. I suspect it might be a combination of not being very good at the lifts (poor form) and the programme just not suiting me, as I've lifted for years and never had this result before.

    Just read some very inspiring results and supporting photos from lifting in another thread though which was good.

Categories