Why do you lift?

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paulxcook

Diamond Member
May 1, 2005
4,277
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Just curious. Many fit people don't see any benefit in lifting regularly because they have no reason to be lifting the amount of weight regular lifters do. Admittedly, I probably don't need to squat 500 lbs in every day life. Just an example.

So, for those of you that do lift regularly enough to have a routine, why do you do it?
 
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HN

Diamond Member
Jan 19, 2001
8,186
4
0
For me:

-the "just-in-case": in case i do need to move something heavy; in case i do need to use a long flight of stairs; in case i hit the slopes this year; etc. etc.

-feel really good afterwards.

-usually have the hour or so to kill between getting home after work and dinner.

-i hear it's good for your health, so what the heck...

 
Vic

Vic

Elite Member
Jun 12, 2001
50,422
14,337
136
Because cardio exercises burn muscle as well as fat.
 
purbeast0

purbeast0

No Lifer
Sep 13, 2001
53,685
6,568
126
i do it cause it's part of my lifestyle now. it's just fun to me now and part of my schedule. when i got back from cancun and my back was hurting I took off from the gym for 2 weeks. it was so boring to just come home from work and see whats on tv, etc. it also just makes me more disciplined as a person and it's fun to set goals to achieve then finally hitting them. while i'm not doing cardio now when I do it's especially good for me since I have asthma.
 
Cstefan

Cstefan

Golden Member
Oct 6, 2005
1,510
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71
It's a great stress reliever. Bad day at work=great hour under the iron for me. Except for legs, I look forward to being sore every three days.
 
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GoatMonkey

Golden Member
Feb 25, 2005
1,253
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Several reasons:

1. I have a bit of a heart condition. Not a really serious one, but I want to keep healthy so it doesn't become a serious one.

2. Pick up chicks. You can fairly easily meet women in the gym. And women will be more attracted to you if you don't have noodle arms, a flabby gut, etc.

3. I have arms and legs that look like wet noodles. I don't like looking scrawny. (see reason 2)

4. My dad has diabetes now. I'd like to avoid that.

5. I have a flabby gut. I want a reasonably flat stomach. (again reason 2)

6. I'd like to be in reasonable shape to play some sports.

7. Hot chicks in spandex. (see reason 2)

8. I used to have physical problems with my legs. Which caused me to give up psychologically on anything physical when I was little. I have now adopted the opposite attitude and want to work through any problem I have like that.

9. The hot chicks are running, bouncing, bending, stretching, sweating, etc. (again, see reason 2. yeah, I'm a pervert)

 
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skace

Lifer
Jan 23, 2001
14,488
7
81
Because I burned off so much muscle dieting that I actually looked awful. No definition. So I wanted the definition back and had to turn to weight lifting. Once I started though, I found a kind of MMO style addiction to the gains, the enjoyment of getting stronger and being able to overcome last weeks obstacle. I like attacking that pain threshold too, it's like constantly testing yourself. And last but not least, and as corny as it sounds, it has improved the overall quality of living for me.
 
TallBill

TallBill

Lifer
Apr 29, 2001
46,017
62
91
Well, I'm stronger and like my body a crapload better then before I started. We'll see where I get in 2-3 years.
 
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GenHoth

Platinum Member
Jul 5, 2007
2,106
0
0
I play sports, weights make it much easier to get the explosion and then hold people off the ball.
 
Deeko

Deeko

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
30,213
12
81
-Everyone dances around it, but come on...a reason everyone lifts is to look better
-I'm very competative. I lifting with friends while in college and it was motivation to to better - beat the other person. And I at least internally compare myself to others in the gym. I did a few actual competitions in college, too.
-I enjoy it. Its a hobby, not just going to the gym itself, but also tracking my progress, researching new exercises, all that stuff
-I played volleyball in high school/college...maybe being stronger doesn't help that much in volleyball, but being a better all-around athlete does
 
conorvansmack

conorvansmack

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2004
5,041
0
76
I lift for sports and to look better. It's tough to roll with someone in jiu-jitsu if you're being overpowered. Technique can only get you so far in sports.
 
EvilYoda

EvilYoda

Lifer
Apr 1, 2001
21,198
9
81
The usual reasons...to be in better condition, more energy through the day, make me feel good about myself and my line of work requires me to stay in good condition and to look good. simple :p
 
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mjh

Platinum Member
Oct 10, 2005
2,442
0
0
I do it because I enjoy the pain of really sore muscles the next morning. :p
 
FallenHero

FallenHero

Diamond Member
Jan 2, 2006
5,659
0
0
Because when I get in fights, there is always a gun involved...so I prefer to win those fights through endurance, strength, and practice of my skills. (Kinda goes beyond lifting, but the same reasons apply)
 
vi edit

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,345
126
I feel better.

I look better.

It's incredible stress relief (a driving function of feeling better).

Weight control.

Bone strength - I have fairly weak bones and weight training is one of the best ways of reducing stress fractures and maining bone density.
 
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