Weightlifting. Why don't you?

It's so smelly in there, I could smell it far outside the room. but i will try when i get someone to help me xD I dont wanna do it incorrectly

whmscll wrote: »

tomatoey wrote: »

whmscll wrote: »

I want to try weightlifting but I have chronic back issues (mild scoliosis) as well as shoulder and elbow issues (intermittent bursitis) so I'm afraid of injury. I do resistance training now, but I really like the high energy that comes with doing cardio and high intensity interval training. Am looking into joining a crossfit "box" that will scale the workouts for me and not bug me about not eating Paleo.

Whoa, I would think twice about doing crossfit if you have bursitis and scoliosis... lifting heavy for time and reps seems like it would be a really bad idea, in that case. I mean I don't know what "scaling" means in that context but still...

I actually really like lifting, but can't do much with it right now bc of some injuries, doing mostly bodyweight stuff until I can.

Before I tried it, I thought it was the definition of absurdity (like someone said, "pick crap up just to put it down again, seems pointless"). But once I had a go, I found there was something weirdly satisfying in whatever feelings were happening in the muscles used. I hope I'm able to do it again soon.

I've been wondering about this. I'm gonna go talk to a crossfit gym or two and then evaluate whether or not this is for me.

On a related note...can you reduce bodyfat and strengthen muscles by doing other types of strength training besides lifting? i.e. Bodyweight exercises and resistance training? I mean, I know you won't get as much result as lifting, but are these a good alternative if injuries or other issues keep you from lifting?

I think there's a limit to what can be achieved, if you have issues that prevent you from doing the gymnastic maneuvers constituting advanced bodyweight progressions - there does have to be an increase in challenge to the muscles for them to grow (or stay the same with weight loss). I think it's certainly possible to get somewhere better than would otherwise be the case, though. Ways to increase difficulty without using weights include going more slowly (using "time under tempo"), pausing at different points in the movement, doing single leg exercises, and using resistance bands and the cable machine with carefully chosen exercises.

+1 for getting input from a physiotherapist, for sure!

Reasons I don't lift weights:
1. I don't have and can't afford a gym membership
2. If I could afford a gym membership, I'd never lift weights there because I hate it. Lifting heavy stuff, in my opinion, sucks.

tomatoey wrote: »

MonkeyMel21 wrote: »

2 main reasons.

1) I don't know what I'm doing with more than 10lb weights in my hands
2) I don't want to get injured

I do strength training twice a week anyway, but I love to run so I mostly do that. It's what keeps me active and motivated.

I love cardio for a million reasons, but you're more likely to get injured from cardio-related overuse than you would from a sensible resistance training program using good form.

Maybe I should have said "don't want to get injured due to my incompetency", lol.

howndogfossr wrote: »

Reasons I don't lift weights:
1. I don't have and can't afford a gym membership
2. If I could afford a gym membership, I'd never lift weights there because I hate it. Lifting heavy stuff, in my opinion, sucks.

I thought this, too, until I went in with a plan. Now, I can't imagine my workout without it

whmscll wrote: »

I want to try weightlifting but I have chronic back issues (mild scoliosis) as well as shoulder and elbow issues (intermittent bursitis) so I'm afraid of injury. I do resistance training now, but I really like the high energy that comes with doing cardio and high intensity interval training. Am looking into joining a crossfit "box" that will scale the workouts for me and not bug me about not eating Paleo.

They will all scale (crossfit is for every body type) and, although the co-owners can't do gluten and one can't do dairy, there are very few mentions of paleo and gluten-free. We bring lettuce for cookouts and other people buy the buns because some of us can't do gluten or choose not to consume it and the majority prefer to keep wheat around.

I was honestly just scared of getting hurt and that kept me away from weightlifting for a very long time. I found that kettlebells were a nice middle ground and that was fine for a while. I've always run a lot but just got burned out and decided I needed a change because I was bored and always injured. Now I rarely run and prefer CrossFit.

Edit: I love my road bike but I'm terrified of the drivers here in Albuquerque and I'm not a fan of peddling up the steep incline to get back onto the mesa. I really enjoy cycling along the river but I really hate the end where I have to put my bike back onto the roof rack of my SUV because I'm so short by comparison.

Need2Exerc1se wrote: »

Packerjohn wrote: »

No_Finish_Line wrote: »

azulvioleta6 wrote: »

Well, I do lift weights, because I know that I need to do so. I've done it since my teens, so it's just normal for me.

However, I can see two big issues:

1. Cleanliness--so few people practice proper hygiene! Weight rooms can be kind of disgusting.
2. Chauvinism. In a lot of places, men very deliberately try to make women feel uncomfortable and unwelcome. Mostly, I lift more than these men...once they are put in their place, they leave me alone. You have to have a certain kind of personality and dedication to deal with that kind of crap though.

dumbbells might just be the filthiest thing on earth

Doubt it. How About The Credit card machine stylus and keypad at the pharmacy pick up?

Or money, or public restroom floors.

Should have also mentioned the kids ball pit at McDonald's etc. Talk to the poor kid that has to clean it out about what he finds.

RiverMelSong wrote: »

I tried it, got really intimidated so I stopped. Moved house/gyms, tried it again (actually got one of the guys at the gym to show me the proper way etc), lifted weights for a couple of weeks but it practically bored me to tears. So I went back to swimming, running and yoga. Much happier now

I get the benefits of lifting, I really do. And if someone loves it then more power to them! I just hate how pushy some people on mfp are about it..

Haha. No kidding.

I like this thread. Doesn't make me feel like an oddball anymore. So I won't have a super hot body. Who cares. I'm 37 and I have stretch marks and a ton of loose skin anyway... and I'm definitely not weak.

I HATE cardio, although it's a necessary evil. Lifting rocks!

I do a little of both and so far so good in terms of weightloss and getting/keeping some definition. My question on weights though and progressively doing more is whether it's sustainable in the long term.... I mean when I'm 60 I'm not sure I want to be lifting huge weights to maintain!

Thanks will look into those, just concerned I'll need to lift forever to maintain my lady-bulk!

Like a few folks mentioned earlier, I run a structured lifting program 2-3 days a week in the off season to complement my sportsing (technical term), but when I'm full on triathlon training and racing, I just can't prioritize lifting.
My plan gives me one day off a week, and I'm already doing 2 a days or brick workouts many days. Plus, being all sore and wobbly from DOMs would ruin the next day or two of workouts. I do some yoga, maybe a quick lifting session after a speed workout, but no way I could run SL 5x5 right now. All that being said, I LOVE deadlifts.

It can be frustrating at times that the party line on MFP is "minimal cardio, pick up heavy stuff" as the only way to improve body composition. It's like people think all cardio exists in a vacuum that is only working your heart and doesn't improve the musculoskeletal system at all. I've seen quite a few people say "cardio doesn't build muscle." Most of the muscles I've gained in my legs are a result of cycling, same for my shoulders and swimming. Most cardio, except maybe the elliptical turned to the lowest possible setting, necessarily involves a decent degree of resistance. Resistance builds muscle. Running also does incredible things to improve bone density.

To each their own, I suppose. There's no One True Way™ to becoming fitter.

whmscll wrote: »

On a related note...can you reduce bodyfat and strengthen muscles by doing other types of strength training besides lifting? i.e. Bodyweight exercises and resistance training? I mean, I know you won't get as much result as lifting, but are these a good alternative if injuries or other issues keep you from lifting?

Right now I am using machines for a few reasons, one of which is having a chronic pain disorder and wanting to build some preliminary strength to help reduce the potential for injury when I eventually get to free weights (in a couple of weeks). I am getting strength progress on machines and my balance has greatly improved, which was one of my concerns. No injuries or unusual pain. I think you should do what you can do and then reassess. I feel that starting with machines has been very beneficial in my case despite free weights being preferable.

Also, I would much rather do resistance training than cardio. I hike quite a bit, but I wouldn't do cardio in the gym unless I were forced by the weather. I find gym cardio really boring. I'm really looking forward to the free weights.

There isn't a decent gym within walking distance, traffic can make going to a decent gym 3xs a week a PITA, and I don't have the space or money to invest in a home gym.

I did startbodyweight until a car accident in January forced me to stop, then a lot of high rep / low weight and resistance band training my PTs approved, and now I'm giving Body By You a shot and will move onto YAYOG when I finish.

I would like to lift though. I loved when we were allowed to enter the weight room in PE.

Lifted weights for 4 months straight. Hated every stinkin' minute of that crap. I stopped.

Have done cardio consistently for 4 YEARS. Love every minute of it. Never gonna stop.