why is heavy lifting so f**** important?!

jigglyone
jigglyone Posts: 410 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
every thread i read is "heavy lift this and heavy lift that, honestly!! what if some of us cant go to a gym or cant afford the equipment are we all doomed??? isn't strength training using your own body weight good enough???
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Replies

  • nz_deevaa
    nz_deevaa Posts: 12,209 Member
    As long as you have continuous progression, then you don't have to lift heavy. I do. But that's not saying you have to.

    Progression is the key.
  • nz_deevaa
    nz_deevaa Posts: 12,209 Member
    ... by the way, heavy lifting is often the fastest way to achieve people's goals.

    However, any activity that you do consistently is good.
  • paleojoe
    paleojoe Posts: 442 Member
    every thread i read is "heavy lift this and heavy lift that, honestly!! what if some of us cant go to a gym or cant afford the equipment are we all doomed??? isn't strength training using your own body weight good enough???

    Body weight is more then enough. You can get a ton of health benefits and build an impressive physique with body weight alone.
  • jigglyone
    jigglyone Posts: 410 Member
    every thread i read is "heavy lift this and heavy lift that, honestly!! what if some of us cant go to a gym or cant afford the equipment are we all doomed??? isn't strength training using your own body weight good enough???

    Body weight is more then enough. You can get a ton of health benefits and build an impressive physique with body weight alone.

    now thats what i like to hear :smooched:
  • Myhaloslipped
    Myhaloslipped Posts: 4,317 Member
    I lift heavy because I enjoy looking good naked, and cardio just takes too freaking long to yield any results. Also, being strong is empowering and fun.
  • Cranquistador
    Cranquistador Posts: 39,744 Member
    you mad?
  • nz_deevaa
    nz_deevaa Posts: 12,209 Member
    every thread i read is "heavy lift this and heavy lift that, honestly!! what if some of us cant go to a gym or cant afford the equipment are we all doomed??? isn't strength training using your own body weight good enough???

    Body weight is more then enough. You can get a ton of health benefits and build an impressive physique with body weight alone.

    now thats what i like to hear :smooched:

    Obviously I'm chopped liver.
  • jigglyone
    jigglyone Posts: 410 Member
    every thread i read is "heavy lift this and heavy lift that, honestly!! what if some of us cant go to a gym or cant afford the equipment are we all doomed??? isn't strength training using your own body weight good enough???

    Body weight is more then enough. You can get a ton of health benefits and build an impressive physique with body weight alone.

    now thats what i like to hear :smooched:

    Obviously I'm chopped liver.

    thanks for your input as well... not trying to dis respect anyone
  • AJ_G
    AJ_G Posts: 4,158 Member
    In order for your muscles to grow, you must lift weights heavy enough to cause your muscle fibers to tear. Your body then repairs the microtears in your muscles and your muscles grow and get stronger as a result. Heavy lifting is the most effective way to cause muscle growth. You want to lift with weight heavy enough to cause failure in 12 reps or less, otherwise the lifting is not nearly as effective for muscle growth. Body weight exercises are certainly much better than not lifting, but lifting to failure in the 8-12 rep range is optimal for muscle growth.
  • jigglyone
    jigglyone Posts: 410 Member
    As long as you have continuous progression, then you don't have to lift heavy. I do. But that's not saying you have to.

    Progression is the key.

    best words spoken:flowerforyou:
  • jayliospecky
    jayliospecky Posts: 25,022 Member
    The best exercise is one you will do.

    Heavy lifting is a great choice, but if you can't or do not enjoy it, do something else. Nobody minds if you do that.

    However, I would not recommend insulting people who choose heavy lifting, and enjoy it.
  • jigglyone
    jigglyone Posts: 410 Member
    In order for your muscles to grow, you must lift weights heavy enough to cause your muscle fibers to tear. Your body then repairs the microtears in your muscles and your muscles grow and get stronger as a result. Heavy lifting is the most effective way to cause muscle growth. You want to lift with weight heavy enough to cause failure in 12 reps or less, otherwise the lifting is not nearly as effective for muscle growth. Body weight exercises are certainly much better than not lifting, but lifting to failure in the 8-12 rep range is optimal for muscle growth.

    dang, i didnt know that! thank you
  • Yanicka1
    Yanicka1 Posts: 4,564 Member
    Because it work? I don't know...personally I don't want people to lift heavy, I like having the free weights all to myself
  • jigglyone
    jigglyone Posts: 410 Member
    The best exercise is one you will do.

    Heavy lifting is a great choice, but if you can't or do not enjoy it, do something else. Nobody minds if you do that.

    However, I would not recommend insulting people who choose heavy lifting, and enjoy it.

    never insulted ANYONE! just saying its all i hear:wink:
  • peachcats
    peachcats Posts: 99
    ego
  • twixlepennie
    twixlepennie Posts: 1,074 Member
    every thread i read is "heavy lift this and heavy lift that, honestly!! what if some of us cant go to a gym or cant afford the equipment are we all doomed??? isn't strength training using your own body weight good enough???

    Body weight is more then enough. You can get a ton of health benefits and build an impressive physique with body weight alone.

    now thats what i like to hear :smooched:

    You might be interested in Mark Lauren's plans-laid out in his books Body By You (specifically for women) and You Are Your Own Gym. NO extra equipment at all, besides things like a chair, counter ledge etc. All about the body weight :) I got Body By You for under $20 at Barnes and Noble.
  • jigglyone
    jigglyone Posts: 410 Member
    every thread i read is "heavy lift this and heavy lift that, honestly!! what if some of us cant go to a gym or cant afford the equipment are we all doomed??? isn't strength training using your own body weight good enough???

    Body weight is more then enough. You can get a ton of health benefits and build an impressive physique with body weight alone.

    now thats what i like to hear :smooched:

    You might be interested in Mark Lauren's plans-laid out in his books Body By You (specifically for women) and You Are Your Own Gym. NO extra equipment at all, besides things like a chair, counter ledge etc. All about the body weight :) I got Body By You for under $20 at Barnes and Noble.

    i heard about that book, and heard good things about it, problem is our local barnes and noble is no longer open :( is it possible that they have these books at a local library or other book stores?
  • husseycd
    husseycd Posts: 814 Member
    It's the fastest way to build muscle. We lose muscle as we age, so it's important to maintain it, or in many cases build it. Not only for aesthetics, IMO, but having more lean body mass equals a higher metabolism. And I don't know about you, but I do like to eat. The more I can eat and maintain my weight the better.
  • MelissaPhippsFeagins
    MelissaPhippsFeagins Posts: 8,063 Member
    I do not lift heavy because I have degenerative disk disease and my docs say nothing over 25lbs. I do use resistance bands for PT, but I don't even log that as exercise. That's a functional necessity for me and I never break a sweat doing it.
    I'm not sure I'd lift heavy if I could because when I was actively bulimic, I purged by over exercising and that's a train I don't want to get back on. I am impressed by people who do heavy lift, but it just isn't for me. :wink:
  • jigglyone
    jigglyone Posts: 410 Member
    It's the fastest way to build muscle. We lose muscle as we age, so it's important to maintain it, or in many cases build it. Not only for aesthetics, IMO, but having more lean body mass equals a higher metabolism. And I don't know about you, but I do like to eat. The more I can eat and maintain my weight the better.

    true, its always good to have a higher metabolism. i love eating as well, :blushing:
  • twixlepennie
    twixlepennie Posts: 1,074 Member
    every thread i read is "heavy lift this and heavy lift that, honestly!! what if some of us cant go to a gym or cant afford the equipment are we all doomed??? isn't strength training using your own body weight good enough???

    Body weight is more then enough. You can get a ton of health benefits and build an impressive physique with body weight alone.

    now thats what i like to hear :smooched:

    You might be interested in Mark Lauren's plans-laid out in his books Body By You (specifically for women) and You Are Your Own Gym. NO extra equipment at all, besides things like a chair, counter ledge etc. All about the body weight :) I got Body By You for under $20 at Barnes and Noble.

    i heard about that book, and heard good things about it, problem is our local barnes and noble is no longer open :( is it possible that they have these books at a local library or other book stores?

    My local library has them, otherwise Amazon has them for cheap
    http://www.amazon.com/Body-You-Guide-Womens-Fitness/dp/0345528972/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385433483&sr=8-1&keywords=body+by+you
  • princesstoadstool82
    princesstoadstool82 Posts: 371 Member
    every thread i read is "heavy lift this and heavy lift that, honestly!! what if some of us cant go to a gym or cant afford the equipment are we all doomed??? isn't strength training using your own body weight good enough???

    Body weight is more then enough. You can get a ton of health benefits and build an impressive physique with body weight alone.

    now thats what i like to hear :smooched:

    Obviously I'm chopped liver.

    thanks for your input as well... not trying to dis respect anyone


    listen to this woman!!!! her progress is amazing!!
  • jigglyone
    jigglyone Posts: 410 Member
    I do not lift heavy because I have degenerative disk disease and my docs say nothing over 25lbs. I do use resistance bands for PT, but I don't even log that as exercise. That's a functional necessity for me and I never break a sweat doing it.

    i was thinking about using those bands too! saw some the other day at the store, and i regret not picking one up
  • jigglyone
    jigglyone Posts: 410 Member
    every thread i read is "heavy lift this and heavy lift that, honestly!! what if some of us cant go to a gym or cant afford the equipment are we all doomed??? isn't strength training using your own body weight good enough???

    Body weight is more then enough. You can get a ton of health benefits and build an impressive physique with body weight alone.

    now thats what i like to hear :smooched:

    You might be interested in Mark Lauren's plans-laid out in his books Body By You (specifically for women) and You Are Your Own Gym. NO extra equipment at all, besides things like a chair, counter ledge etc. All about the body weight :) I got Body By You for under $20 at Barnes and Noble.

    i heard about that book, and heard good things about it, problem is our local barnes and noble is no longer open :( is it possible that they have these books at a local library or other book stores?

    My local library has them, otherwise Amazon has them for cheap
    http://www.amazon.com/Body-You-Guide-Womens-Fitness/dp/0345528972/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385433483&sr=8-1&keywords=body+by+you

    thank you!!
  • Lisselinde
    Lisselinde Posts: 11 Member
    A lot of 'fitspiration' blogs seem to make it okay to look down on those who don't lift - I totally know where you're coming from. They say "Oh, you don't lift?" as if it's a reason to feel embarrassed about yourself. I don't get it either. Fine, you can go ahead and love lifting if you want, but don't rub it in our faces as if it's some kind of moral issue. Lifting isn't absolutely necessary for someone to live a healthy lifestyle. What more, some of us (like me) can't afford gym memberships to go 'lift'. I go to after school classes to raise my GPA, but I don't go around to people saying "Oh, you don't take extracurricular classes? Tsk tsk."

    Everyone has their own definition of what 'fit' is. I lost a load of weight doing cardio and eating a lot of healthy food. But that's not good enough yet? Some of us choose to prioritize the extra time we have to do other productive things. I'm not going to pass this job interview because I have steel abs.
  • gingabebe
    gingabebe Posts: 165 Member
    every thread i read is "heavy lift this and heavy lift that, honestly!! what if some of us cant go to a gym or cant afford the equipment are we all doomed??? isn't strength training using your own body weight good enough???

    Body weight is more then enough. You can get a ton of health benefits and build an impressive physique with body weight alone.

    now thats what i like to hear :smooched:

    Obviously I'm chopped liver.

    thanks for your input as well... not trying to dis respect anyone

    Just admit you was just staring at the profile pic of the one :blushing:
  • jigglyone
    jigglyone Posts: 410 Member
    every thread i read is "heavy lift this and heavy lift that, honestly!! what if some of us cant go to a gym or cant afford the equipment are we all doomed??? isn't strength training using your own body weight good enough???

    Body weight is more then enough. You can get a ton of health benefits and build an impressive physique with body weight alone.

    now thats what i like to hear :smooched:

    Obviously I'm chopped liver.

    thanks for your input as well... not trying to dis respect anyone

    Just admit you was just staring at the profile pic of the one :blushing:

    lol duh!
  • Hezzietiger1
    Hezzietiger1 Posts: 1,256 Member
    sure don't lift.. just stay flabby.
  • jigglyone
    jigglyone Posts: 410 Member
    sure don't lift.. just stay flabby.

    so im gonna be flabby for not heavy lifting???
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    In order for your muscles to grow...

    Muscle growth is not the same as muscle strength.

    I understand why people want to increase strength - it is not nearly as clear why people want to add muscle growth when they haven't even achieved peak strength with the muscles they have. Most people I see lifting weights have more muscle mass than their bodies were designed for, and less strength than they should have for the amount of muscle mass. And that isn't a healthy combination.
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