I HATE strength training.....any non-lifting suggestions?

Bumping because I've been told I shouldn't do free weights so interested in other ideas.

Who told you that? And why? Under what context?

I'm gonna guess a doctor? *shrug*

See, I'm gonna guess a friend that said lifting would make them bulky or impede weight loss. Maybe I'm cynical?

bump

Try a class. It sounds cheesy but It's a good way to better know what you're doing (It can be intimidating if you're new to it) and there a more social atmosphere. Plus I set goals with myself about upping weights or perfecting form which make it less boring.

personally I would rather lift than cardio anyday, I find it hard to committ to cardio now.

Hill hiking with a pack is the best of both worlds

Bumping because I've been told I shouldn't do free weights so interested in other ideas.

Who told you that? And why? Under what context?

I'm gonna guess a doctor? *shrug*

See, I'm gonna guess a friend that said lifting would make them bulky or impede weight loss. Maybe I'm cynical?

I told my exercise physiologist that I want to do stronglifts 5x5 and she said this:

"In regards to the 5 for 5, this is not for novice trainers, in fact this would be for more experienced weight lifters. Although is says it is safe I do question this considering if you have not done weight training before I am concerned your muscles and tendons are not conditioned to endure this type of load. Everyone has different proportion of muscle fiber types and this determines what style of weight training is most effective however this is not possible to find out unless you were to undertake an invasive muscle fibre test which I do not at all recommend. For your level of experience, age, size and being female I would recommend staying around moderate sets and reps (ie 2-3 sets, 12-15reps). The key to building muscle mass is you must lift repetitively to the point of muscle fatigue. This should be the guiding factor when you are choosing your weight. Ensure when you follow this that you maintain good technique. If you lose technique before you finish the set the load is too heavy and is very unsafe. Heavy does not necessarily mean better. I hope this helps."

I have sent her the thread about weight machines versus free weights to read as it talks about some of the older ladies lifting free weights etc and that it isn't for experienced lifters only.

I do have some pain in my left shoulder that a physiotherapist couldn't fix and said to see a doctor. Still need to check it out so that is an issue for some lifts.


Edited to say I am on weight machines that she approved for me right now.

Wat.

Hates strength training...does not compute.

I guess you could try crossfit or something. I've never tried it but I know a few people that like it. It's not as good as lifting, but it's something.

LOL agreeeeeeed


anyway to be helpful: fingertip push ups, planks, wall squats, running [legs], it really depends on what in the world you want to focus on! My calves for example are 17 inches and pure muscle, i have NO FAT on my calves, theyre pretty much flexed 24-7 or so it seems. but my arms, are flabby lol! they didn't use to be, but they are now, before i use to play a lot of sports; so i would do fingertip push-ups
these basically consist of a flat wall, and you, spread your fingers like a volleyball player does in order to do a "set" and basically you step a foot away from the wall and your do standing push ups on the wall with your finger tips [hence name] no palm, and after each push in you push your self back out clap and continue that, this will def help build your wrists and your upper arms, and your forearms, because you're using your personal weight to do it.
anyway, planks are great for your abs, have to do various plank exercises for best results of course. wall squats and running are legs....
as they say on the "Biggest Loser" the only real machine you need to lose weight is you.

personally however I am using a 10lb dumbbell, one hand, and i will watch TV or talk to someone while I am doing my reps.
I love lifting, but because I am so use to it, long ago I hated it too....

yoga. yes, yoga -- it's really all you will need.

yoga is awesome!!!!!


























for recovery from strength training

yoga. yes, yoga -- it's really all you will need.

yoga is awesome!!!!!


























for recovery from strength training

QFT.

but truth be told, I did start weight training with body weight. There was a time, not so long ago, that a chin up felt impossible to me.

I have found kettlebells slightly less boring.

If you don't want to do weight training there are a miryad of things to try - circuits, martial arts, plain old chin-ups on a bar in the park...LOADS

I had a sequence of pressups to learn culminating in a handstand pressup somewhere, might be worth googling, I bet you'd build muscle doing that.

Done all that; In reality, it would seem for me; chin ups are the only thing that comes close (and are part of my current routine to some degree) as this is 'heavy lifting'.
Sure, the rest is good for burning calories and for endurance; but it doesn't offer the same results, at least for me.

Of course, doing the reverse (I forget the proper name, it's late and I didn't get much sleep last night) exercise of that would be a 'military press'. Part of various x5 style plans people are suggesting. And it seems a bit silly to just do your arms, when you could be doing your whole body with a couple more exercises.

As for the person being told to avoid Strong lifts - from what I've read they all advice starting a good chunk under what you're capable of and building up from that. Jumping straight in at full weight probably wouldn't be a good idea.
I made a point of certainly starting lower than I could to give my body time to get used to it.

I'd suggest finding a group of friends to work out with vs. doing it alone at the gym

I was very fortunate to find a small family gym that we meet in a group and do all types of fun things for cardio, weights, etc. and never the same thing 2 days in a row. We have a personal trainer that works with us and we accomplish a lot. We use weighted (medicine) balls, our own brunt strength and body, the big rubber balls, and we always have fun. The hour flies by and I actually look forward to my evening workout sessions. I've seen more results in the past 3 months than I did in the 4 years I was at other gyms just using machines. YIPPEEE!!! :happy: :flowerforyou:

What kind of strength training are you doing? Are you just aimlessly picking up weights and lifting or are you following a program? Do you set goals for yourself...i.e. last week I was lifting this much...this week I"m going to add 5 Lbs to that exercise, etc.

Also, you don't actually have to spend a ton of time in the weight room...lift heavy, full body compound lifts. My routine basically consists of 3 exercises done 3x weekly, 3x5 times (with warmup on squats and a set or two warm up on OH press and bench. I'll add more later on, but as a beginner this is great for me and I'm in and out in about 30 minutes.

I've found that really pushing myself, following a program, and making progressive goals has really helped me learn to love weight lifting. I'm also starting to feel and see some results, so gravy.

This! I used to just do my own thing. Did seem very boring and I didn't know what I was doing. Now I do "New Rules of Lifting for Women" (It's a book, but I got it from my local library before I decided I loved it and bought it). Bought a whole weight set for less than 2 months of what some folks on here pay for a gym membership. I put something interesting on to watch and time passes in no time. Love having incremental goals and getting stronger. My weight loss has been reeeeeeaaaaly slow. If I didn't have running/lifting to challenge me I'd have given up a long time ago. And lifting heavy for about 4 weeks has made my body look the best it has in YEARS. How quickly I've seen changes has just been crazy. So yeah, you can go do yoga or insanity of 30 day shred or whatever (and not knocking that, that can be a lot of fun). But in about 25 minutes 3 times a week I'm really SEEING my body looking so much better. And it's become fun now that I actually have a plan to follow.

Not what you asked but let me give you a bit of advice I wouldn't accept if given to me long ago.... Use a supplement called nitric oxide and lift weights. Get a trainer or friend that will show you how to lift properly.
Why do this?
To get you used to the way your muscles feel when worked out and soon, I hope, you will feel how the muscle feels when it has a proper pump. To me this feeling makes lifting feel like you are accomplishing something and I now crave the full muscle feeling. Therefore I want to lift weights.

Bumping because I've been told I shouldn't do free weights so interested in other ideas.

Who told you that? And why? Under what context?

I'm gonna guess a doctor? *shrug*

See, I'm gonna guess a friend that said lifting would make them bulky or impede weight loss. Maybe I'm cynical?

I told my exercise physiologist that I want to do stronglifts 5x5 and she said this:

"In regards to the 5 for 5, this is not for novice trainers, in fact this would be for more experienced weight lifters. Although is says it is safe I do question this considering if you have not done weight training before I am concerned your muscles and tendons are not conditioned to endure this type of load. Everyone has different proportion of muscle fiber types and this determines what style of weight training is most effective however this is not possible to find out unless you were to undertake an invasive muscle fibre test which I do not at all recommend. For your level of experience, age, size and being female I would recommend staying around moderate sets and reps (ie 2-3 sets, 12-15reps). The key to building muscle mass is you must lift repetitively to the point of muscle fatigue. This should be the guiding factor when you are choosing your weight. Ensure when you follow this that you maintain good technique. If you lose technique before you finish the set the load is too heavy and is very unsafe. Heavy does not necessarily mean better. I hope this helps."

I have sent her the thread about weight machines versus free weights to read as it talks about some of the older ladies lifting free weights etc and that it isn't for experienced lifters only.

I do have some pain in my left shoulder that a physiotherapist couldn't fix and said to see a doctor. Still need to check it out so that is an issue for some lifts.


Edited to say I am on weight machines that she approved for me right now.

I hate to disagree with professionals, but she's pretty far off base here, I think to a lack of understanding of what 5x5 beginner programs consist of. She seems to think we're going to have you doing max lifts right out the gate.

Nothing could be further from the truth. You start with an empty bar and increase weight very slowly, giving your tendons and ligaments plenty of time to develop. And the low reps help you avoid repetitive use injuries.

Also, it seems you may have misrepresented what she said. Sounds like she suggested a different type of weight training than 5x5 whereas you made it seem like she said don't touch weights.

It's a very solid beginner program for pretty much all able bodied people

i agree with davpaul. weight lifting programs are usually very progressive and built over time.


check out this article on how to leave the machines, and go to the weights. http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2013/01/24/rage-against-the-machine-how-to-switch-from-exercise-machines-to-free-weights/