Does anyone NOT like lifting heavy?body/medium weights
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I'm a firm believer in doing whatever exercise gets you off the sofa, but the best exercise to preserve lean body mass is resistance training. You can also incorporate sprints or HIIT. Body weight exercises (pushups, pull-ups, pikes, etc.) are good. Fighters jump a ton of rope to get lean.
But I have to be honest, the results I'm seeing from heavy lifting are so unbelievable that even if I didn't like it, I'd be doing it.0 -
Lifting heavy just gets results a lot faster. I did videos for 13 months, and while it did increase my fitness, I have been lifting heavy for 3 weeks and can see visible results already. Personally, I think the lifting is easier. But, everyone should do the exercise that they can and will do. I chose to buy some weights and I had a place to set them up. Not everyone has that ability or they can't afford a gym membership.But I have to be honest, the results I'm seeing from heavy lifting are so unbelievable that even if I didn't like it, I'd be doing it.
No kidding, tlt12345, that green bikini is rockin!0 -
Heavy is best.....period.
What do you mean by heavy exactly? A 1-5 rep range? Or 6-8? Or 9-12?
What if my goals and preferences mean I prefer a mixture of metabolic and neural adaptations rather than purely neural (although whether that can purely be achieved is debatable...)
Context is the best....
I think i gave the aproprite context in my quote. the rest of it i mean.
Then we will have to disagree then.
Lifting heavy (and I presume that means the person desires to trigger predominantly neural adaptation) is not always the best route for an individual who's goals primarily centre around preserving or marginally increasing LBM whilst dieting down.
Don't get me wrong. I think it is excellent but I actually think working at a higher rep range (say 6-12) is the best mix of adaptations for the average person if I was forced to speak generally. Obviously this is goal dependent...0 -
I was perfectly satisfied with how I looked and felt when all I did was cardio and 5# dumbbell dvd-type workouts (it was actually . I looked good in a bikini and had no problem climbing the rope wall and all the other obstacles in Warrior Dash. It was a colossal improvement over how I looked and felt before I did any kind of exercise. And honestly, I felt pretty good about myself even as a sloth.
But I'm abso-frickin-lutely THRILLED with how I look and feel now that I lift heavy and run.
For me, and this might just be a personality quirk of my own, but doing circuit type training with light weights was tedious and boring. It felt like exercising just for the sake of burning calories. Treadmills and ellipticals feel the same for me. Like a hamster on a wheel, just going through the motions. No adrenalin rush. I just want to get it done to get it behind me.
I don't feel that way with running outside (especially trail running) and heavy lifting. It's a personal challenge that demands my full focus and attention. Each time I finish, I feel, "BOO-YA! I kick *kitten*! RAWR!!!!" And I do it for that rush, and the relaxation that follows, just as much as for the health benefits and physical results.0 -
Depends on your goal really. I rarely lift heavy. I do a lot go higher rep, low weight lifting for endurance and sport specific range of motion work for performance.0
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:laugh: Thanks for the tips! I would never starve myself to be skinny! Fit is much better
Good! I think you need to do what you want to do. See if it works. If it doesn't come back and ask for advice. No doubt a-holes like me will say "Told you so" but at least you'll know what doesn't work for you. 0 -
I think perhaps I'll look into it in the future, when all of the stars align and I can afford what I need as well as have transportation that wont inconvenience anyone else.
Thanks everyone who's commented so far!0 -
heavy is relative. I had no strength starting out a few months ago. I can do 10 push ups now, that's taken weeks of training, so for me, push ups on my knees were heavy.
. I couldn't lift the olympic bar when i first went to the the gym so a couple of weeks with dumbbells have been heavy for me.
I agree with the get moving and have fun, don't be stressing about not affording gym. There are some awesome body-weight routines out there.0 -
heavy is relative. I had no strength starting out a few months ago. I can do 10 push ups now, that's taken weeks of training, so for me, push ups on my knees were heavy.
. I couldn't lift the olympic bar when i first went to the the gym so a couple of weeks with dumbbells have been heavy for me.
I agree with the get moving and have fun, don't be stressing about not affording gym. There are some awesome body-weight routines out there.
Thanks! I also am a failure at push ups :P congratulations on 10! I think the highest I ever did was 13, but I've been seriously slacking on working on those goals :P0 -
heavy is relative. I had no strength starting out a few months ago. I can do 10 push ups now, that's taken weeks of training, so for me, push ups on my knees were heavy.
. I couldn't lift the olympic bar when i first went to the the gym so a couple of weeks with dumbbells have been heavy for me.
I agree with the get moving and have fun, don't be stressing about not affording gym. There are some awesome body-weight routines out there.
Of course it's relative. To me, heavy lifting equals using 80+% of whatever your 1RM is for work sets. For example, my current deadlift 1RM is 495, thus I mainly use 405-425 for my work sets. Obviously, if you are just starting out, unless you are pretty damned awesome, 405 is going to seem stapled to the floor for you.
Finding the 1RM as a new lifter isn't as hard as everyone makes it out to be either. It's just a matter of sacking up, and not being scared to get stapled to the bench, floor, whatever as you work your way up in weight for the first month or so. Hell, if you take it seriously, you'll be hitting a new PR every week for the first few months.0 -
I'm convinced lifting heavy is the most efficient way to get where I want to be, after reading seems like hundreds of posts and articles both here on MFP and elsewhere. However, joining a gym that has the equipment I need is out of budget right now and other options are too far to drive. I absolutely do not have room in my home to purchase the necessary equipment and do it at home. But one day I will probably join the YMCA just for free weights, when I can afford to.
In the meantime...I was going to buy the book "You Are Your Own Gym" and when I went to purchase it, discovered he (Mark Lauren, the author) recently published a new one called "Body By You." The new one is a little easier, I think, than his other book, which is where I needed to start. It's all bodyweight exercises. I started it last week. I took pictures and measurements the day I started and if I have good results, will be posting in the forums when I've completed several cycles. The book is only $10 on amazon.0 -
Back in 2006-2007 I was in the the best shape of my life. I had super toned arms, legs, and abs. I didn't get that way by heavy lifting. I did 3-5 miles of running about 5 days a week for cardio. Then, I alternated The Firm's "Upper Body" "Standing Legs" and "Abs". I never lifted over 8 pounds. I didn't realize how toned I was until I was looking at some old photos. The key was clean eating and consistency. I'm sure people will say that I should have lifted heavier, but this system worked wonders for me. I hate lifting weights & I figure lifting SOMETHING (light weights or body weight) is better than not doing anything at all.
I am far from that person I was in those pictures. I've got a ways to go... again.0 -
Back in 2006-2007 I was in the the best shape of my life. I had super toned arms, legs, and abs. I didn't get that way by heavy lifting. I did 3-5 miles of running about 5 days a week for cardio. Then, I alternated The Firm's "Upper Body" "Standing Legs" and "Abs". I never lifted over 8 pounds.
At the risk of sounded like an old curmudgeon, you were also in your mid 20s then. It's a little easier to be in the best shape of your life when you're in your physical prime.
I didn't do a lick of exercise in my 20s and looked great (until I got a desk job and didn't alter my eating habits accordingly). It takes a lot more effort now. :sad:0 -
Back in 2006-2007 I was in the the best shape of my life. I had super toned arms, legs, and abs. I didn't get that way by heavy lifting. I did 3-5 miles of running about 5 days a week for cardio. Then, I alternated The Firm's "Upper Body" "Standing Legs" and "Abs". I never lifted over 8 pounds.
At the risk of sounded like an old curmudgeon, you were also in your mid 20s then. It's a little easier to be in the best shape of your life when you're in your physical prime.
I didn't do a lick of exercise in my 20s and looked great (until I got a desk job and didn't alter my eating habits accordingly). It takes a lot more effort now. :sad:
I had my son when I was 21. I weighed 152 (somewhere around that) when I first started working out. I'm 5'3" and that is heavy for my height. I was FAR from in shape when I was in my early 20s. My doctor, at the time, was concerned about my health. So, I got busy. There is no way that I would have looked that good if I had just sat around. Just because a person is in there 20s doesn't mean they look great and don't have to work out. I had to work HARD for that body. The reason I am out of shape now (in my 30s) is because I went back to school, worked out less, and ate out of stress. 0 -
I lift heavy.
I like not wasting time.
Sky punching and twirling 5lb dumbells to beach body sally is not productive nor condusive.0 -
Thanks guys! I really liked what you said, Madworld1. Gives me hope that lifting isn't the only way! I'm in my "physical prime" (at least my age thinks I am :P) but do spend most of my day working on a computer. I'm making improvements to be more active aside from my 4-5 days a week workouts, but it's hard when all your work is computer based.0
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I know the popular opinion is that heavy lifting does not make chicks look bulky but I am one of those rare snowflakes who do end up looking like a body builder and do have an easy time building muscle. Especially in by biceps, traps and back. I don't know if it is from being a base in cheerleading for five years in middle/high school and paddling or if it is just by body type (Short 5'1 and apple shaped) but back when I was in 10th grade til about 19 I use to get teased about my back and shoulders being more wide and ripped than all the guys at my school. Or that I could body slam all my boyfriends. My husband still teases me to this day because I am stronger than 90% of the women and a lot of the guys we know.
I've had three kids since then and gained quite a bit of weight. HW of 178. I lost 26lbs from straight cardio, body weight exercise like push ups, sit ups, leg lifts and light strength training with 5-10lb dumbbells. I actually want to get back to 115-120 and I prefer the petite and smooth (no deep muscle cuts or veins) look. I don't want to look as muscular as I did before. But that's just my preference. This is me at my HW and after losing 26lbs. Sorry I cant show a final pic at my goal. Hopefully one day soon!
Sorry I dont have any like sports bra pics or flexing pics to show the difference but I think I look different in the pics. At least enough to say that what im doing is working even if it doesn't include heavy lifting.
And side note, if I can find any pics of me back from the old days that I spoke about I will post them to prove that a girl/woman can get bulky without taking supplements or being fat. Just depends on her body type and body composition.0 -
Also, I know a lot of heavy lifters who can't run a mile. I don't think their outer appearance proves that theyre healthy. There should be an all around mixture for optimum health. You don't have to lift heavy to be healthy. Lifting heavy has a ton of benefits and can give you a sleeker, trimmer figure. It all depends on your goals. I want to be able to do a marathon and I love running so I run a lot. I do want to preserve my muscle and lean body mass as well so I do resistance training and light strength training. I do not want to get ripped or cut so I don't lift heavy. Just depends on your personal goals.0
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Also, I know a lot of heavy lifters who can't run a mile. I don't think their outer appearance proves that theyre healthy. There should be an all around mixture for optimum health. You don't have to lift heavy to be healthy. Lifting heavy has a ton of benefits and can give you a sleeker, trimmer figure. It all depends on your goals. I want to be able to do a marathon and I love running so I run a lot. I do want to preserve my muscle and lean body mass as well so I do resistance training and light strength training. I do not want to get ripped or cut so I don't lift heavy. Just depends on your personal goals. we have similar goals! And may I just say, your wedding day photo BLEW ME AWAY. What a gorgeous girl you are! 0
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.BUMP!0
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How heavy is heavy?0
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Avoiding injury is for me so I'm more a medium type 10-15 reps. I'm 61 and I want a the best quality of life I can get as I get older. Big muscles at this time of life are ok but not the driver.0
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I would just point out to the OP that lifting heavy need not take much of your time. 3 gym visits a week, 1 hour at a time will do it. A person could get away with less if they can't find the 3 hours + prep time. In my experience prep time however can be factored into your normal day to some extent.
As for the cost, it may depend on where you live. In my city there are community centers that cost $19 a month, and they are full gyms with all (or most) of the necessary equipment. Hopefully you have something like that. Almost any of us should be able to afford $20 a month to improve our health.
For my time and effort I wouldn't want to do anything other than a heavy lifting routine. I think it produces some of the best results, some of the most rapid results and longest lasting results if you can get into it. It does require effort though, you have to really put your mind and body into it, it is often just grueling hard work. It's benefited me quite a bit and I worry about people intent on taking shortcuts or doing workarounds to get to their goals. Usually those workarounds aren't permanent and the health changes aren't very real.
I think the real point I would make if any is just make sure you do something where you are putting in honest to god effort and not shortchange yourself.0 -
thanks!0
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bumping again for more answers 0
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My two cents:
Most of the time, I do not lift heavy. I do body weight or low weight (15-20lb free weights). However, this is because I am a distance runner, not because I dislike lifting heavy or don't agree with it. I don't want to add more stress during marathon training. You can get a great body without heavy weights, it might just take longer. Its about 1) your goals and 2) what you are willing to commit yourself to. Don't start an exercise routine that you hate, because you won't stick to it.0
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