why do you lift?

[kimlin85]

I feel like I don't lift enough now to even post in here, but what the hell.

It's the fastest, easiest, and cheapest way for me to lose weight and keep it off - with proven results.

And it's fun to challenge myself and see my strength increase.

Also, I've never been very athletic (sports wise), so it's nice to be involved in something somewhat athletic that doesn't require me to have years and years of experience under my belt to be good at it.

you made such a great transformation, physically and mentally. what are you able to do these days? I remember you said you had some abdominal issues after the baby.

[scandalous_cynce]

A more visual reason why I lift...

My friend on the left (125 lbs. all cardio) - Me on the right (130 lbs. all weights)
She swears cardio is everythingggg and is solely focused on the numbers on the scale. I'm glad Alicia showed me the way.

[02GTIFREESKIER]

I work out the same reason all of us do... For the opposite sex(Or same sex. Not that there is anything wrong with that.).

There are puuurrdy ladies at the gym year round. You look good in a swim suit for the puurrrdy ladies at the pool in the summer. And Girls love taking your shirt off.

We are instinctively drawn to people who are in good shape(physically, mentally, financially, etc). Its axiomatic that if you want to attract the opposite sex you should be in good shape.

I don't care how shallow it sounds compared to some responses if we are being honest with ourselves we all lift for this reason at some level.

[Symphony]

I just want the b!thchezzzz!
In all seriousness, I started last year and was 6'0 tall and 125 lbs.
Who wouldn't start resistance training when you're that size.

[Techun]

I just want the b!thchezzzz!
In all seriousness, I started last year and was 6'0 tall and 125 lbs.
Who wouldn't start resistance training when you're that size.

Did anyone ever confuse you for a barbell at the gym?

[Chilledman]

Did anyone ever confuse you for a barbell at the gym?

Hahahahahahhahahahaha

[g60vwr]

I always wanted to lift. I never had the motivation / help to get started.

I do it for confidence. I do it because Ive been heavy my entire life. I do it because Im very driven by cost/benefit, Im paying for it so lets make it happen...

I do it because I love complements. I love when people havent seen me in months, years whatever and the first thing they say is damn, or you look good.

I do it because I needed the guilt when Im out of the gym, I have no will power with food. When Im not in it- it helps me to eat one cookie - instead of 6

I started paying more attention to myself because it was about time. Im 30- and I can say that I eat decently, sleep well, and Im in the best shape of my life. Far from impressive, but Im starting to get attention.

To me nothing beats when I know I can do it. If its moving something heavy or just squatting with my niece holding her up to see fish in a tank, I can do it know because I am stronger. To, me that is the most impressive part

[DTMTrini]

what do you care most about? strength? health? aesthetics?

also, have the reasons you lift changed over the years?

As a fore-note, my "gym" is
1) Streets (skateboarder for 11 years, I can skate from my block [112th st for anyone who knows NYC] all the way down to Battery Park [Southern tip of Manhattan] and back with ease)
2) Swing rings
3) Central & Riverside Park (been "freerunning" since before I knew the 'activity' even had a name) always saw it as tons of fun when I was a kid and exhibiting my 'inner animal'
and
4) Playgrounds when they aren't occupied.

That said, I don't lift, but I do curl dumbbells (biceps, triceps, gentle wrist curls, and pectoral engagement) at home weekly just for the strength. I don't look to build huge muscles that are blowing out of my shirt or having rock hard muscles. It's just for the resistance + muscle strength and endurance alongside everything else I do.

[dc5rn]

i workout because i want to look good.. lol its an awesome stress reliever too

[Wpseiler]

Im 31 yrs old and prob in the best shape i have ever been in.
I weight train, because
-I fight mma
-I sprint
-IM getting divorced and it helps me keep my sanity!

what do you guys mostly do? free weights, kettlebells, machines??

Im really into kettlebells, it just amazing for your core

[Wpseiler]

I just want the b!thchezzzz!
In all seriousness, I started last year and was 6'0 tall and 125 lbs.
Who wouldn't start resistance training when you're that size.

wow. im 6'1" and stuck at 180, trying to hit 190.

you taking any shakes, supplements?

[dr_spock]

I lift to maintain strength. 20+ years at a desk job has really softened me up.

[spoolin215]

I finally have a reason to lift again. Competition! Yay.

[vwbrvr6]

Mostly, just because I like to pick things up, and put them down a lot.

But seriously I don't want to be a fat ass slob like I see most people around are.

[Chilledman]

That said, I don't lift, but I do curl dumbbells (biceps, triceps, gentle wrist curls, and pectoral engagement) at home weekly just for the strength. I don't look to build huge muscles that are blowing out of my shirt or having rock hard muscles. It's just for the resistance + muscle strength and endurance alongside everything else I do.

Lmao so you do the most brofest useless lifts possible !
Your forearms must be jacked !

[Symphony]

wow. im 6'1" and stuck at 180, trying to hit 190.

you taking any shakes, supplements?

Yeah I've been working out for a while now, I'm closer to 150 now but still trying to work my way up. I had a life-threatning illness and I lost a lot of weight, I'm only 17 but I have hopes of transforming my body and hopefully do weighlifting profesionally.

[Ialbert]

i am not very often to lift, the reason why i lift is i care my health, i think many people do it because this reason. It help you to notice that what you should do for your health.

[dcmix5]

I am 37 now and still play hockey, and I have lifted for that sport since high school and haven't stopped much unless injured (which cost me about 5 years once). Functional strength is a requirement on the ice, especially at this age. At 5'7, 200 pounds, which is not fat, it is a pleasure smashing into people out there.

[Chilledman]

Why ?

What else will I do other then watch TV and get fat like the rest of the US ?

[Fritz27]

I kind of was going through the motions with lifting for the better part of the year so far, but I've been reinvigorated this summer with lifting. I got in really crappy shape during finals, but I've been eating really well and lifting better and I'm feeling awesome. I sleep like a baby at night and I'm looking as good as I've looked in probably three years. At this point I'm just lifting to look awesome in my suit for my wedding next year and I'm trying to capitalize on the momentum of feeling good and lifting and increasing strength. I know this feeling doesn't last forever, but damn it feels really good right now.

Also, the more I lift the less I have to do cardio and other things that really suck ass. Huzzah.

[Chilledman]

So I don't have to smile !

[leaftye]

So I can lift and break bigger rocks.

[TigerinColorado]

1. Makes you feel so much better (inside) afterwards.
2. Endorphins. Like 'em.
3. Better posture.
4. Helps my endurance at work a great deal.
5. I enjoy it (the buzz) B4, during, after.
6. Helps me sleep better at night.
7. Makes me excited to wake up and see what I can do.
8. Nature's Anti-depressant.
9. Makes food taste better.
10. Decreases stress response.
11. Sense of accomplishment is strong.
12. Goals. Goals are good to achieve.
13. The mirror. There it is again.
14. People comment. Make them good ones!
15. Helps my joints feel younger.
16. Muscle > Fat.
17. Because its really obvious when people don't.
18. It makes everything in life more comfortable.
19. Athleticism gets a nice boost.
20. My hobbies are physically demanding.

[Residentevol]

I want to break things easily and have tree trunks growing from my hips...