You know those things that you should be doing, that you know are good for you, but that you really don’t want to do? For some people, its quitting smoking or drinking, for others, its going on a diet.
For me, its strength training. My thoughts on the subject can basically be summed up in one word: UGH.
I know it is important, and there really are a slew of benefits to it. I know building muscle is important, and the like the idea of losing the fat and being greeted with a nice toned body, but still: UGH.
About as much fun as getting my ass kicked in Super Mario Wii (aka. UGH)
For me, strength training is boring and repetitive. Also, despite all of the benefits, I can not shake the idea in my head that its a waste of time. I feel like I can accomplish alot more, and burn alot more calories, if I spend that time on the ARC Trainer, or spend that time running, walking, whatever. I also don’t ever feel like I accomplish anything doing it, when I was lifting some (some probably being a key word there, in hindsight) I never felt like I was getting to a point where I could add weights or reps, so I never felt I was getting stronger or getting anything to show for it.
I know it’s silly, but I have no issue problem spending a couple hours at a time on walk, or on the ARC trainer, yet I cringe at the idea of spending 20-30 minutes lifting weights. I was doing really good and doing a routine 3 times a week for a while, but I always hated those days, and one day I just slipped and its been almost all cardio since.
Regardless, I have to do it, especially if I want the kind of results I am hoping for. Thats one of the reasons why I made strength training one of my Perfect 10 Challenge goals, why I’m preparing myself for the 100 Pushup Challenge (and maybe the 200 Squats Challenge, which I just found out existed thanks to Andrew), and why I will be doing some strength training during my lunch workout today.
Who knows…I used to loath the idea of running too, and I’ve fallen in love with that, maybe Strength Training will grow on me too. In the meantime, UGH!
How do you all feel about strength training? Is there any other workout that you have to force yourself to do?
Hope everyone is having a good day. The weekend is almost here. WooT.
follow via twitter
follow via dailymile
Steve, I have a hard time identifying with the way you feel about strength training.
That is only because I love it so much! Start slow!!! Play around with the free weights and machines; see what is challenging but not impossible. Strength train one area of the body every other day; so if you do lower body one day, do your upper body the next day, then lower body again, etc. Your body needs that day of rest! Don’t let your body get used to strength training in the sense that you always do the same routine! Change it up, and often. Shock that metabolism! You can strength train, just like you can do anything! I wish you much luck today!
I did an upper body routine during my workout today, which basically consisted up going through the upper body machines and doing one set of 10 reps, then i went back around and did one set of 5 reps. Probably not the best course of action, but I did it.
The trainer who works in the gym some has started posting circuits for people to do, and I’ll probably try to start doing that in order to get more of a routine down
Good start! You are gonna rock this!
Haha…I damn well better!
(Trying this again…first comment wouldn’t post…)
I feel very similar…like cardio is more of a workout so I do it usually and let the rest of the stuff wait. I’m trying to do better tho. Of course, I don’t have access to a gym or machines, so all I can do is the home based stuff like squats, lunges, etc.
Hehehe…I’m kind of spoiled in that I have access to the three pretty decent gyms (two work gyms in two different buildings, and apt gym) and they are all less than 2 miles from my house. No free weights at any of the places though, but its all good.
You should check out Steve Kamb’s bodyweight workout (http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2009/12/17/advanced-body-weight-workout-warning-this-will-kick-your-ass/) if you want to get a good strength training workout in w/o needing to have all the equipment and stuff.
Is it wierd that I’m recommending a strength training program when I was whining about how much I hate doing it? Yeah..probably…d’oh!
How funny you mention tha link. I used that to write out my strength training routine about a month or so ago. Have I done it? No. But I DID write it down
I am brutal for falling into the mental trap of “cardio is better than strength training”! But it is totally necessary. And if you have more muscle – you will burn more fat automatically. See! I know these things – practicing them – totally different story.
SO.GLAD.I’M.NOT.THE.ONLY.ONE.
Strength training is definitely our friend, its just not one we necessarily need to see or talk to on a regular basis.
Thanks for stopping by, btw
I feel too that I get more accomplished with the cardio. But, I do also know that building muscle burns more fat too. It is just so darn boring!! And when you need to find the room at home with whatever to you have to make it work, it is even more dreadful!
And I do know that there is absolutely no way I will get the body I want without the weight training. Just getting started is like pulling teeth! but, I put that into my Perfect 10 also.
Haha..same reason its one of my Perfect 10 goals
And I figure if I talk about it on the blog I don’t really leave myself much of a choice but to start doing it.
I’d rather be playing Mario Wii…and that should tell you something
I’ve been saying the same thing for 6 years now. I’ve only put together about 4 good consecutive months of strength training and I even bought a home gym a few years ago. It just isn’t for me. I mix it in occasionally.
Also, you should be aware of the 200 sit-ups challenge. You can find a link on the hundred push-ups page.
Again, it feels so good to know I’m not alone in my opinion of this. If I had a home gym I promise you I would probably never use it (I don’t even touch the workout stuff I do have at home), I’d still go to the gym and get on the treadmill or ARC Trainer.
Thanks for the heads up about the 200 sit-ups challenge! I just saw there is a 25 pull up challenge coming soon too, that should be interesting (as I currently can’t do ANY).
I am doing weight training 3 times a week and cardio 4 times a week. Each time for an hour. The cardio days leave a better feeling. Maybe more endorphins. Pretty sure more calories burned. If I saw results from the weight training I might be more enthusiastic. I’m still puny after months of it but I hear it takes a while. Pounding protein to help, like 5 shakes a day, 165g ish. Who knows. Cardio in contrast is more immediately satisfying.
I agree…with cardio I work up more a sweat, see a more immediate calorie burn, and overall feel alot better after the fact.
The protein shakes are a good idea, I’ve been trying to get more protein in my diet regardless.
Thanks for the comment
I have a feeling bigger boned folks have an easier time with it.
I’m with Erin on this one. I love being in the weight room. Right now, we’re doing all cardio, and it’s driving me crazy. Don’t get me wrong; I like cardio. A lot. I probably even like it more than weights, most days. But I have to be honest, I like the effects that I can see and feel from weights more than cardio. If I lift weights, I have a nice pump in my arms. If I do cardio, I just sweat. Both are nice, but weights are a little nicer for me.
That’s a great mentality to have! I really hope I will be able to adopt that mindset once I try to set up a routine.
You took the words right out of my mouth! How I loooothe strength straining. It’s boring, repetitive, and I don’t feel like I am getting a good workout or doing things correctly at all. I’ve just started adding 20 minutes of weights/strength 2 times a week. Not a lot, but fuuuuuck it.
Indeed! At least you’ve added that much. I’m sure I’ll be starting small too, so that I can at least say I’m doing something
stronglifts.com have a 5×5 program that I found great. It’s only 5 exercises but it targets everywhere.
Hey, thanks Andrew! I’ll have to check that out!
I totally agree Steve. Strength training is not much fun at all for me. Other than doing the 100 pushups program, I’m not currently doing any sort of strength training. Like you, I know I should be, but so far I just haven’t gotten up the gumption to do it.
AMEN! 100 pushups seems like it’d be a decent workout though, can’t wait to start that myself.
That’s funny. I feel the EXACT OPPOSITE. I love weight training. I think it’s such an economical way to work out, because I can focus hard for 20 or 30 minutes or whatever, and then continue to burn calories while I’m off doing the next thing. Like watching Jersey Shore. Like MizFit always says, I love weight training, I DO cardio. But I hate it and have to force myself to do it every time.
I actually learned a lot about the science of weight training (well, broken down like The Science of Weight Training for Dummies) from the trainer Chalene Johnson. Do you know her? Well, she’s very rah-rah motivational, which can grate on my nerves. But my husband and I worked through her program ChaLEAN Extreme a while back and I learned a ton. She does some things like Jillian – working out large and small muscle groups at the same time for maximum calorie burn – but she’s very into lots of weight, fewer reps. (her cardio stuff was also interval – which I didn’t hate quite as much because, again, it’s economical) Totally changed my outlook on weight training, though. And made me strong enough to do boy pushups, which my husband says is hot. Just sayin.
I love cardio, but it is true that you can keep burning calories after strength training, damn, another perk!
I’ll have to check out Chalene Johnson, anything that can maximize calorie burn and maybe change my outlook would be okay by me.
Her Chalean Extreme is a Beachbody thing. My husband and I are hitting the gym pretty hard right now, and doing the Shred, so the box set sits on the shelf – so if you look at her and are interested, I’ll loan you my system so you can read it over and try it out. Lemme know.
Oh wow…thanks!
See? You’re my favorite. Just don’t tell the others.
Secret is safe w/ me
I’m with you. I friggin hate strength training. It makes me feel so tired, not like cardio which revs me up. I’ve been putting off starting strength training, but I’m out of excuses. It started Monday and so far, it’s as bad as I expected it to be.
I’m not quitting it though! I’m determined to have some nice arms by the summer!
WooT determination…if we grin and bear it long enough it will pay off