Why do people, especially women, enjoy lifting so much?
jhloves2knit
Posts: 266 Member
I've never lifted and probably never will, since I'm old and have heart disease and back problems. But I get curious when I see how much people get into lifting. Is it like a runner's high? Can you describe the feelings?
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Cause it's awesome and makes me feel awesome and makes me look fairly decent.
I don't know what a runners high is like (I don't/can't/won't run) but I know when I'm done I feel like I'm a badass: 12 feet tall and made of steel (and usually hungry.)0 -
What's not to like about being strong?
When bingo wings can make me fly, I'll reconsider. Until then I will work on perfecting my pretty snatch. Right now she's cute, but I'm aiming for a perfect snatch.0 -
STRONG!! Makes you feel so awesomely strong!0
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Cause it's awesome and makes me feel awesome and makes me look fairly decent.
I don't know what a runners high is like (I don't/can't/won't run) but I know when I'm done I feel like I'm a badass: 12 feet tall and made of steel (and usually hungry.)
Great clear and clever answer. Thanks!0 -
I was going to post something serious but the last comment made me lol0
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nice0
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I can't speak for the especially women part as most of the women I see at my gym stick to the elliptical or treadmill. But for me it's an amazing feeling knowing that what seemed impossible to lift 6 months ago now feels light, and the confidence you get knowing that something that was once physically impossible for you is now not only possible but easy and believe me this confidence is transferred into your everyday life.
The feeling of setting your goal and hitting it, the new muscles and definition popping up where there was none before, the magical disappearance of pain and fatigue due to your increased strength, the stupidly tired feeling where your muscles feel like jelly and the knowledge that because you gave it everything you had this time the next time you'll be able to do a little more.
And yeah the general badass feeling.0 -
Working in a Wellness Center with lots of our clientele in their 80's, don't use age as an excuse. Both your ailments improve with exercise and fitness.I've never lifted and probably never will, since I'm old and have heart disease and back problems. But I get curious when I see how much people get into lifting. Is it like a runner's high? Can you describe the feelings?
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
it's therapeutic. it makes me relax. my frustrations melt away.
it improves my bone density. it makes me less susceptible to injury at work.
I like how my muscles look. i burn more even doing nothing.0 -
I've never lifted and probably never will, since I'm old and have heart disease and back problems. But I get curious when I see how much people get into lifting. Is it like a runner's high? Can you describe the feelings?
So... You don't lift weights because you have three good reasons to lift weights? Too many reasons? Or are you looking for a fourth?
I took ten years off myself lifting weights. You can too.0 -
Because I love getting stronger!0
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It changes your body like nothing else can! And quickly.
I LOVE the functional fitness....just being stronger doing daily things.
Shapes your body.
Makes you feel.....healthy.
The feeling you get when you look at your reflection and see a stronger, more beautiful you looking back!0 -
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Cause it works!
E.T.A:
I've also had medical problems... Most of my actual injuries are from horses, but I've had some weird stuff go on with my heart, I already have horrible arthritis in every joint possible it seems (my fingers are even getting disfigured now). I have knee problems, a broken (crushed by a horse) foot, I've suffered from back problems since I was 11 (horse accident)..
I am only 20, but to have my body start failing me at such a young age drove me to seek fitness. Especially after my son was born.
I have only been lifting for a few months, but I already feel better. EVERYTHING feels better. Your muscles hold everything together and (for me) strengthening them has made it possible to not be on ibuprofen everyday of my life.
I started out light and the important part is to lift correctly! It does WONDERS for a weak body.0 -
Because I love picking up 90lb dumbbells. And I have back problems too, it can be done! No excuses.0
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Just curious0
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There are so many reasons why I like lifting, but the main ones are:
I actually enjoy it.
Vanity - I like the shape my body is starting to take.
But the biggest reason why I lift is because of the improvements I have noticed when I ride my horses. I am a much more effective rider, and have had huge improvements in both how well I ride plus how well my horses are going, and the only thing I have changed in the last 12 months is the lifting of heavy things.0 -
Agreed, you can definitely find a safe, effective lifting program for you - doesn't have to be barbells. Lots of options out there, they make one-pound weights and moves can be modified to be safe for all body types.
I like it because, yeah, it just feels great - you can feel your body getting stronger, you can hit goals fairly quickly, and it makes EVERYTHING in your life easier - you sleep better, pick up kids and moving boxes easier, clothes fit better, that really nice muscle burn the next day that says you killed it - it's nothing but good stuff. You wouldn't have posted this if you weren't interested, so I encourage you to find a way to do it!0 -
As a woman It's super empowering, knowing that you are getting stronger and yep there is definitely a high, the endorphins buzzing, a euphoric feeling afterwards, it truly feels amazing.
Plus you get a lovely shapely firm muscular athletic body rather than a smaller but still wobbly one. I don't wanna be "skinny fat"
Everything in life that felt hard becomes easier, chores, carrying groceries, sports, physical hobbies like yoga etc
It also makes it possible to take up new physical activities you may have felt not strong enough for.
It strengthens your back so that you won't have back problems anymore. It would help your overall health.. Lifting is for people of all ages! I regularly see people in their 50's-80's in the weights room. I personally plan to be one of those people
And I also find it more fun than cardio, it just seems to occupy my mind more, as you have to think about form, keep count of your sets and reps. Time flys by when I lift but seems to crawl when I'm on a treadmill.
I think you should definitely keep your mind open to it.
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I was told I will be skinny fat even when I get to my ideal weight and I later realise it's not my weight that's bothering me. It's how I look in front of the mirror. I'm 4 weeks into strength training (will move to lifting when I feel stronger).0
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I don't know that I love doing it, but I love what it does for me. For instance:
It makes everyday tasks easier.
It enables me to carry a backpack over long distances and not be in pain the next day.
Increased core strength makes me more stable and less prone to fall.
Increased strength and bone density makes me less likely to be injured if I do fall - which is very important for women as we age.
Having a higher LBM raises my metabolism (yay for more food!).
My osteoarthritic knee never bothers me, even on long hikes or runs.
If any of these things appeals to you, you may want to change your stance on whether or not you decide to include strength training in your fitness regime.0 -
I don't know that I love doing it, but I love what it does for me. For instance:
It makes everyday tasks easier.
It enables me to carry a backpack over long distances and not be in pain the next day.
Increased core strength makes me more stable and less prone to fall.
Increased strength and bone density makes me less likely to be injured if I do fall - which is very important for women as we age.
Having a higher LBM raises my metabolism (yay for more food!).
My osteoarthritic knee never bothers me, even on long hikes or runs.
If any of these things appeals to you, you may want to change your stance on whether or not you decide to include strength training in your fitness regime.
:flowerforyou:
It has helped with my back issues, and made my body better and better.0 -
It helps me manage stress. To lift weights you need a lot of positive mental attitude - I am strong and I can do this runs through my head before attempting a PB. This spills over to the rest of my life and makes me feel empowered.
It also helps that I feel great because I think I look great and it makes me laugh when I catch guys giving me double takes.0 -
I run AND lift weights. Lifting doesn't feel like runner's high to me at all. I love my runner's high! It really kills stress and raises my mood. Lifting is a different kind of feeling. There are 2 reasons I love lifting. First, the feeling of strength and power when you work your muscles is really unique and enjoyable. Secondly, the look and feel of a strong, tight body is priceless. I'm crazy happy with my abs!0
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It makes me feel strong and sexy! I love the feeling of getting a PR, of lifting something I never thought I could. Getting a nice set of guns is pretty nice too :laugh: I also was having some back issues, which lifting has cleared up!0
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Because I love being strong. I love when a parcel is delivered and I reach to take it but the post guy will hesitate and say, "it's heavy!", but I take it anyway and it's not at all. I loved the time when my mate down the road ordered a new cast iron chiminea for her husband. It was delivered to a neighbour's house and she came to get ME because she new I could carry it home for her. I really loved last weekend when my husband and I were filling in a hole in the lawn from an old pond with compost we bought from the tip. My husband filled the 40 litre trugs (because my back problems means I can't bend over and do the shovelling) so I carried them to the car. A guy had been watching this for about 5 trugs worth and asked my husband, "where can I get a wife like that?". My husband said, "at the gym". I love knowing that I'm strong enough to lift a tire in and out of my boot if I happen to get a flat. I love being strong enough to move furniture by myself when the mood takes me. The list is endless. Edit: I wanted to add that because of my aforementioned back problem, I have done NO heavy lifting for about 3 years and I am STILL strong. It's a gift that keeps on giving...
My question is, "why do women tolerate being weak and reliant for the most basic things on others?"0 -
There are some similarities for me between running and lifting. Both make me feel strong, capable and empowered. But i feel good in different ways afterwards. Nothing quite compares to the high, or the sense of achievement a long run gives me.0
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I love getting stronger and looking better.0
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Because I don't want to be old and decrepit! If you lift it helps bone density (something I need to prepare for with my family history), and as you get older you lose muscle- why not prevent that? I plan to enjoy my retirement when i get there, and not stay home grumbling about ailments. Preferably with a ton of scuba diving, I want to still be able to lift air tanks with ease. Lifting has already helped aleviate my hip osteo-arthritis, maybe because of strengthening the supporting muscles around the joint?
As for the feeling, it does make me feel like a badass, I look better, I'm not remotely bulky and I look nothing like Arnold Schwarzenegger- women won't esp if they avoid steroids!
Finally- it's never too late to start- just find a professional to guide you and help avoid injury. You know you want to :devil:0 -
Btw op, i lift with my dad. He is 76 and has had 2 back operations.
I'm 42 and fat.0
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