lifting question

jillmarie125
jillmarie125 Posts: 418 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Since I have been working out and losing weight I have always lifted heavy things. Well heavy to me. I feel that if i am not making that ugly face by the end of my set, its not heavy enough. My workouts are usually with kettlebells and some bar work with cardio in between sets. By the time my workout is over, I am spent. I have seen great results from this but wanted to try something new. I asked my trainer to put me thru a lifting routine. Last night we did. We did back squats, deadlifts, bench press and then pull ups and dips.

Now here's my question- When I left the gym I wasn't sweaty and exhausted like I normally am. I know it's because I am use to quick burst of cardio between the lifting sets. And this time we focused on heavier weigths and no cardio. But shouldn't I have been tired? Like too tired to do anything else? I left the gym feeling like I didn't do enough work. Yet today my body is telling me different. It's sore, in a good way.

So is this just something I need to get over...the whole dripping with sweat = good workout. Or did I just not work hard enough?

Replies

  • jessspurr
    jessspurr Posts: 258 Member
    I know how you feel but I have no idea what the answer is, so I would like to hear the responses!
  • jillmarie125
    jillmarie125 Posts: 418 Member
    I'm glad you know what I mean. I know I cam make things more complicated than they are. It was just a slow paced work out so I didn't feel like I did enough.
  • Sarge516
    Sarge516 Posts: 256 Member
    As a Personal Trainer, here is my theory on Cardio vs Resistenace Training.

    Think of resistance training (strength training, weight lifting, etc) as an investment. Fatty tissue uses no calories to exist, but muscle does. Doing resistance training adds muscle, therefore, you will burn more calories during your daily life and when you are not working out. Cardio training burns calories at the time - instant gratification. Doing strength training is a critical part of any fitness routine for a whole lot of reasons. One big one many people don't think about is structural tolerance -- Having stronger muscles (and consequently, ligaments, tendons, and bones) makes you less prone to injury and makes everyday tasks easier.

    The components of fitness and health (to my way of thinking) are:
    - Strength training
    - Cardio
    - Flexability training/stretching
    - and a good healthy diet.
  • juliewatkin
    juliewatkin Posts: 764 Member
    Many times I don't break a sweat. Sweating =/= good workout as far as building strength.
  • MercenaryNoetic26
    MercenaryNoetic26 Posts: 2,747 Member
    I don't drip sweat and I lift my little *kitten* off. It's anaerobic. I'll get a slight sweat when doing active rest with plyos between sets.
  • dinosnopro
    dinosnopro Posts: 2,177 Member
    It varies from day to day based more on hydration level for me.
  • 89nunu
    89nunu Posts: 1,082 Member
    I don't sweat when lifting! (well sometimes on really heavy leg days) it doesn't mean it's a bad workout!!

    Don't sweat it!
    (see what I did there?)
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    You don't need to sweat or lift to failure in order for it to be a good workout.
  • Leadfoot_Lewis
    Leadfoot_Lewis Posts: 1,623 Member
    Worry about progressing with your lifts and not how you "feel" after a workout. :smile:
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    real "strength" training and lifting doesn't involve cardio...that's circuit training. You won't necessarily break a sweat lifting...often you will but not necessarily...you are lifting heavier weights and resting between sets to be able to keep getting your heavy reps in. Just progressively keep increasing your reps. This is something entirely different than sweaty cardio...this is a long term investment in your body composition, not a quick calorie burn.
  • jillmarie125
    jillmarie125 Posts: 418 Member
    Ok! Thank you all for your responses. I actually feel better. When I left, my trainer was like "oh here you go again thinking you didn't work hard enough." I am sure I annoy him with it...because well I annoy myself at times!

    I read all the post about lifting and I really want to get in to a good routine with it.

    I really appreciate the responses!

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