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Anyone go from a class junkie to heavy lifting?
Jambalady
Posts: 155 Member
I'm a class junkie. I like the social environment of a class setting and being around other people makes me more competitive. I have tried getting the Starting Strength books and 5x5 app and I can't seem to get myself motivated when I am by myself. I'll do it for a couple of weeks and then I get bored and distracted. Anyone able to get past the class mentality, the need for others to push them, to start weight training on their own? I have not found any heavy lifting type classes near me or that fit my schedule.
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Replies
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Don't make it an either or. Lift x 3 a week and take a class on alternate days.
(Or find a x2 full body programme)
I wouldn't say I was a class junkie, but most of my workouts were classes, quite a revolving mixture.
When I decided to lift, I, at first, did it along side the classes, Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Lifting light and working on form.
Once I had my routine ready to go, I dropped the classes on those 3 days, but carried on with the 2 days and added in a yoga class on Sundays.
At the moment I am just lifting and yoga, walking and rowing being my cardio, no classes they are too taxing.
I think I am lacking the need for others to push me, that may be why I could move into the gym on my own.
Cheers, h.6 -
Crossfit?7
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Davidsdottir wrote: »Crossfit?
No.
Compete with yourself. That's what its about. Or sign up for a powerlifting meet if you're struggling that much it'll give you something to work for3 -
You can lift as well as go to classes. Maybe finding a lifting buddy will help keep you interested and motivated.2
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Davidsdottir wrote: »Crossfit?
Box jump ACL tear in 3... 2...8 -
Don't know where you live, but there are weightlifting gyms that coach starting strength, powerlifting, olympic lifting... you'll progress better with coaching as well as enjoy the class aspect! Some Crossfit gyms do also have separate lifting tracks, but quality will vary greatly depending on the coaches.1
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I attend a lifting class at a local gym that focuses more on kids’ sports conditioning, but they also have adult classes. Look around for smaller gyms - they might have something that works for you.0
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I did both. I was front and center in step class 4 times a week and did several heavy lifting programs.1
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No.
Compete with yourself. That's what its about. Or sign up for a powerlifting meet if you're struggling that much it'll give you something to work for
Wow, just "No?" Whatever.5 -
Davidsdottir wrote: »
Wow, just "No?" Whatever.
When it has an 18% injury rate. The highest out of all lifting sports. I'm sorry but yes I have to say no.
Too many cross fit "coaches" are some joe blow from down the street ego took an online course. Followed by having people try to forcibly jerk heavy weights into the air with very little knowledge or understanding of the mechanics involved in the lift.
Thats my reasoning. I hope it's a bit more informative.8 -
When it has an 18% injury rate. The highest out of all lifting sports. I'm sorry but yes I have to say no.
Too many cross fit "coaches" are some joe blow from down the street ego took an online course. Followed by having people try to forcibly jerk heavy weights into the air with very little knowledge or understanding of the mechanics involved in the lift.
Thats my reasoning. I hope it's a bit more informative.
I think the idea was to be more motivated in a social atmosphere, which CF certainly does. In such cases a good alternative is to find a good hardcore lifting gym for powerlifting or Oly lifting because those tend to be more of a community where lifters encourage and support each other.2 -
When it has an 18% injury rate. The highest out of all lifting sports. I'm sorry but yes I have to say no.
Too many cross fit "coaches" are some joe blow from down the street ego took an online course. Followed by having people try to forcibly jerk heavy weights into the air with very little knowledge or understanding of the mechanics involved in the lift.
Thats my reasoning. I hope it's a bit more informative.
Interesting that it also has a lower injury rate than running, swimming, soccer, or any team sport I think.
The injury rate is far overblown much of the time by people who participate in far more dangerous activities.
3 -
Interesting that it also has a lower injury rate than running, swimming, soccer, or any team sport I think.
The injury rate is far overblown much of the time by people who participate in far more dangerous activities.
It's not just the injury rate but severity. Unless you get hit by a car you aren't going to come close to a snatch across the neck for damage!1 -
Wheelhouse15 wrote: »
I think the idea was to be more motivated in a social atmosphere, which CF certainly does. In such cases a good alternative is to find a good hardcore lifting gym for powerlifting or Oly lifting because those tend to be more of a community where lifters encourage and support each other.
Yes, this was why I suggested it.2 -
Wheelhouse15 wrote: »
I think the idea was to be more motivated in a social atmosphere, which CF certainly does. In such cases a good alternative is to find a good hardcore lifting gym for powerlifting or Oly lifting because those tend to be more of a community where lifters encourage and support each other.
Very true. That's what I had in mind. I've met a few like minded powerlifters at my gym and its all about drive and encouragement. I only wish there was a dedicated Oly/powerlifting gym in my city1 -
Most workout classes don't do it for me anymore. At the risk of offending some people, I'll say that most boot camp classes don't have the kind of intensity that I require nowadays. It certainly doesn't help that they're often filled with women who spend more time gabbing with each other than actually working out.
There are some exceptions. There's a CrossFit-style class that has been really helpful. An Insanity class would probably do me good, but there aren't any that are available to me nowadays. Also, while these aren't classes, I do have occasional group workouts with some like-minded people that help me push hard.3 -
Wheelhouse15 wrote: »
It's not just the injury rate but severity. Unless you get hit by a car you aren't going to come close to a snatch across the neck for damage!
You mean like the death rate for marathon runners, football, equestrian, or martial arts?
Don’t get me wrong I prefer powerlifting but think the angst against CrossFit is not rational when you compare statistics. It’s just not as bad as you may believe when compared to most things people do.4 -
You mean like the death rate for marathon runners, football, equestrian, or martial arts?
Don’t get me wrong I prefer powerlifting but think the angst against CrossFit is not rational when you compare statistics. It’s just not as bad as you may believe when compared to most things people do.
But at least half of those involve hard impact/contact with other people.1 -
But i get what you mean. Theres definitely a stigma surrounding it0
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I think you should do both; I do0
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if you wanna lift heavy , and you like to compete, check out Power Lifting. You can set a goal for a local meet, and then have a reason to push yourself every day. Thats what i do, I used to do classes all the time and had a great time with everyone, but i so much prefer heaving lifting. and maybe you can find or put together a team in your area so you can all train together.2
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I do both, I do a class most days, and will typically lift 4 - 5 days a week, planning it before or after a class.0
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if you wanna lift heavy , and you like to compete, check out Power Lifting. You can set a goal for a local meet, and then have a reason to push yourself every day. Thats what i do, I used to do classes all the time and had a great time with everyone, but i so much prefer heaving lifting. and maybe you can find or put together a team in your area so you can all train together.
That team idea is wicked!0 -
What about bodypump? It's a weight lifting class. Give it a try and go from there. Not super heavy though0
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But i get what you mean. Theres definitely a stigma surrounding it
They are like a religious cult is really my thing... One that encourages injury and not taking enough recovery time... The science not only doesn't back it up but it proves it wrong in a lot of instances. However it is still better than being a lousy couch potato...2 -
When it has an 18% injury rate. The highest out of all lifting sports. I'm sorry but yes I have to say no.
Too many cross fit "coaches" are some joe blow from down the street ego took an online course. Followed by having people try to forcibly jerk heavy weights into the air with very little knowledge or understanding of the mechanics involved in the lift.
Thats my reasoning. I hope it's a bit more informative.
Surely that's a problem of specific coaches and boxes and not Crossfit in general?
I hate gyms, struggle to stay motivated. Joined a Crossfit box last May, and our coaches are great. Really hot on making sure you're lifting correctly.
Can certainly see how you could injure yourself if badly coached, but that's true of most sports and training regimes anyway.4 -
Andy__Dane wrote: »
Surely that's a problem of specific coaches and boxes and not Crossfit in general?
I hate gyms, struggle to stay motivated. Joined a Crossfit box last May, and our coaches are great. Really hot on making sure you're lifting correctly.
Can certainly see how you could injure yourself if badly coached, but that's true of most sports and training regimes anyway.
The problem is it's not the exception, it's the norm.
Sure there are good boxes out there, but it's not worth playing the lottery. It's great if you've got no specific goals and want to play workout lottery 5 or 7 days a week, but I'd rather chase goals than flail about hoping to get somewhere.4 -
When it has an 18% injury rate. The highest out of all lifting sports. I'm sorry but yes I have to say no.
Too many cross fit "coaches" are some joe blow from down the street ego took an online course. Followed by having people try to forcibly jerk heavy weights into the air with very little knowledge or understanding of the mechanics involved in the lift.
Thats my reasoning. I hope it's a bit more informative.
And you have facts to back this? Running has far and away the highest injury rate of any exercise activity. Drives me nuts that so many people knock CrossFit who have never done, but it's "cool" to knock it so they do.4 -
And you have facts to back this? Running has far and away the highest injury rate of any exercise activity. Drives me nuts that so many people knock CrossFit who have never done, but it's "cool" to knock it so they do.
I don't remember mentioning running amongst "lifting" sports. But alright. And yeah polls have been done in regards to LIFTING sports. Among them cross fit ranked the highest.
I never bashed it if you read my post. I did however state that most coaches are some random who got his cross fit coaching certificate online. Along with that, many other posters have backed my claims. If you want to get good at throwing random things around as others have said. Choose cross fit. If you want to achieve goals for strength. Go with powerlifting or Oly lifting. With a proven coach.3 -
Me
I worked with a trainer who taught me how to use weights safely and that I have as much right as the big guys to use the weights section. Previously I would only use the ladies only gym!! Which had limited amount of equipment but then the gym did away with it.. best thing they ever did
Good luck0
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