Summary: Prioritize lifting like you used to prioritize the oneitis you once orbitted.
My favorite question to ask people in AskTRP is whether or not they are lifting. I do this because if they aren't lifting, there is no point in them asking for advice when it comes to women, because lifting should be a mandatory pre-requisite before women. A good number of them say yes, but far too many say no and come up with their hamster wheel of excuses of why not.
"I can't afford it"
"I am hurt"
"I have no transportation"
"I have a lingering injury"
"I don't have time"
"Fuck you for giving the YOU NEED TO LIFT! advice, I am tired of coming here and the only advice people give is to lift"
Etc. Etc. Etc.
My favorite is when they bookend their question saying "Please don't give me the advice to lift, I have heard it too many times, I want actual advice"
Lifting should be your oneitis.
Think of the time you had oneitis for some girl. Most of us here probably have. Think about how badly you wanted her. How you would have done anything to be with her.
What if she called you up? Asked to hang out? At her place? And to bring a bottle of wine? What would you do? You'd do anything to make sure you were able to meet with her that night. Even if you were sick. Even if you were injured. Even if you couldn't afford it - you'd find a way. Even if you didn't have time - you'd make the time.
This should be your attitude toward lifting.
This past weekend I jammed the fuck out of my fingers. I thought they may have been broken(thankfully, they weren't). However I had giant gashes that probably needed stitches on them. My first reaction was "How will this affect my lifting". Because I have been lifting long enough to where I am constantly making progress, going hard, seeing results. And a hiatus from that would undo all the hard work I have done in the gym and slow my progress.
My past me would have used my hand injury as an excuse to be a lazy fuck and not go to the gym for a week. Not anymore. I still went to the gym and dead lifted - I couldn't do as much weight as I normally could for grip reasons, it was a bit painful, and my bandage/gauze turned into a dark red bloody mess by the time I was done, but I didn't skip.
If you are not uncomfortable at the thought of missing a day of lifting, you are not doing it right. You're not training hard enough or lifting heavy enough.
Now let me be clear - I am not encouraging those of you who truly have a legit injury, or legit illness, to lift through it. At some point its more important to recover that injury than suck it up and lift through it.
What I am saying is that you need to be completely honest and accountable with yourself. Do you truly, truly, truly have an injury or illness in which its best not to lift until it gets better? Or are you just using it as an excuse to be a lazy fuck? Don't cheat yourself. Because it will become a habit. Sooner or later you will invent more and more excuses to not lift.
Lifting is all about discipline and toughness. What is the point of lifting if you are not being honest with yourself?
If you can't afford it - Find a cheap gym. Shit, the gym I go to is $40 a month. If you can't afford $40 a month for a gym membership you have deeper issues. Stop using money as an excuse to not lift - It doesn't fly. Think back to when you had oneitis. Would $40 deter you from going out with her? Nope.
If you have no transportation - Find a way. Get a bike, get a cheap beater car, take the bus, whatever. There has to be a gym within a reasonable distance. Think back to when you had oneitis. Would you have crawled 10 miles over broken glass to go out with her? Probably. Same attitude needs to be taken when it comes to lifting. Find a way.
If you are sick or hurt - ask yourself if you REALLY are sick or hurt. If you are sick, its best not to go to the gym - as you wont be able to give your best, and you don't want to make others sick. But find a way to make up for it. If you are hurt - how serious is it? Ask yourself this question: In your oneitis days, would this sickness/injury have detered me from fucking my oneitis? If the answer is no, you are good enough to lift.
The "I don't have time" excuse is the dumbest of all. You can use a great, progress making weight training program that only takes an hour a day 3-4 times a week. You're telling me out of 168 hours of your week, you can't find 3-4 hours (1-2%) of your week to dedicate to lifting? Really? In your oneitis days, you would have done anything to spend 3-4 hours with your oneitis. You would have cleared your schedule, asked off at work, even skipped your own parents funeral if you had to. Like with the I dont have enough money excuse, if you can't find 3-4 hours a week to dedicate to lifting, you have deeper issues. I used to work 2 jobs, 90+ hours a week, and still found time to go to the gym. Was I tired? Yes. But I sucked it up.
Make lifting your oneitis. It should be something you make time for, prioritize, and would jump over many hurdles in order not to miss. It would take a serious injury or illness to keep you away.
As a personal trainer, I can confirm that time is the biggest excuse for the general population. We here in TRP are not general population, we live by different rules, and therefore need to make whatever adjustments are necessary to be above average.
My day starts at 4:50am so I can get to school(across the city for me) just so I can workout before my classes start. Now I'm not saying that's EXACTLY what you need to start doing, the message behind this is that if something is important enough, you'll find a way to make the time for it. Doesn't matter if you're a single parent with a 60hr a week job, you'll STILL find some time somewhere to play with your kid. If it's important enough, you'll find a way through any excuse.
That's when you start lifting your kids.
This is actually a thing.
I have done push-ups with my daughter sitting on my back. It's great fun for her, and extra weight for me.
And like Hercules and the horse, the older and heavier she gets the stronger you become
I think the story is with Milo of Croton and the calf.
I'm glad to hear someone else does this as well. I have been doing this for years. Eventually my son will be to big, but until then it is a great way to get something done on the days I have him.
Never too big to deadlift and do push-ups with
A relevant time to remember to not drop the weights
Setting a good example for him as well. Thanks for doing society a solid.
Good feminist training too.
Just make sure her diapers are on tight
She's almost 9, I think we're good.
Fucking exactly this. You make time for lifting because you must, there's no choice in the matter, no excuses. I hit the gym at 6 am with the old ladies on the cardio machines. It's not easy and its not ideal but you do the best you can with the time you've got.
This morning it was freezing rain and I woke up with a bit of a cold. I walked the 10 minutes to the gym and was the only guy lifting. Fuck the weather, I can't miss Lower Power day (doing phul).
It's kind of like brushing your teeth. You don't do it cause it's fun, you don't pick up your toothbrush and go "Yay I'm so excited!!".
No. You do it because it's a habit you've had for a long time, and you know there's short term & long term consequences to not doing it.
Keep the effort going. The burden never gets lighter, you just get stronger so one day it'll feel lighter.
Honestly some of us are lucky. Not only do I find the gym fun, but sometimes it's the best part of my day.
I wasn't able to lift for a month because of accommodating to a new lifestyle with my job where I'm typically gone for 14 hours each day, and when I could finally step back into the gym, it was Christmas for me.
I love Phul. A little over 3 months in and the results are amazing. Lower power day is a beast
Got a link to phul? Is it ok for beginners? Have been messing around with 5x5 so far.
get phul of muscles
That website also has good lessons how to do all the lifts. If you're going to do this or any program, I recommend writing down or using an app to track your progress. I uploaded the routines to an app (Strong app) and i just reload the routine each time & track my lifts week to week. It's super easy to just compete against yourself from last week and then bask in the glorious progress after a few months. e.g. I hit 5x105 on bent over row in Oct and I just hit 5x175. That's the kind of stuff that keeps me pumped to keep going back
how you liking phul? Ive been thinking of transitioning to that after like 6 months of 5 x 5 now
It's fun, got a good variety of exercises. I did 5x5 for about a year and a half, then 531 for a year, and just started phul at the start of 2017. Not sure where your training is at but I wouldn't personally recommend switching off 5x5 unless you've hit at the traditional 2/3/4 plates for bench/squat/DL (or close to it).
yeah that's what I was thinking lol. Bench is around 195-200, Squat is 255, DL is just under 3 plates.
That's pretty impressive for 6 months of 5x5. Looks like the DL is your weak spot. Once you start plateauing repeatedly look into programs like 531 and the like for more powerlifting, or phul/phat for a bodybuilding mix. I'm no expert but that's what I've been doing and seeing solid results.
yeah, honestly my squat and deadlift should be much higher but I goofed around a bit and skipped some workouts one too many times. Also, I tend to deload on those often because I have some mobility and flexibility issues in my hips that can be a limiting factor (dont want injury). I like to take it slow I guess.
I'd say my worst lift is def rows. It's like 165-170 and it seems to be stuck there. Overhead press is around 130, im hoping that this last deload will finally get me to a plate, but I wont know for another two weeks
Do you use the Wendler 531 app in the Apple store? Browsing now and I see several different ones.
Would like to add that while I agree with the sentiment that one should stick with a 5x5 for as long as possible - if you're getting bored and/or frustrated, it's ok to switch to a new program as long as you stick with it and don't program hop.
I've been through brute linear progressions before and they frustrate me so much. Did Olympic weightlifting for a year, then pretty much took a year off.
Hopping back into the swing of things a couple months ago, by all accounts my numbers should put me back into a linear progress again. Said fuck that, took up GCZL's J&T 2.0 and I've been making progress and more importantly, having fun again in the gym.
Find a program you like and stick with it. Consistency + suboptimal programming beats inconsistency with optimal programming.
I had to stop 5x5 early because of joint pain. A PT told me that basically my bones/wrists could not keep up with my muscular gain.
For people like myself, I think it's a good idea to switch it up by settling for slightly lower weight but much higher rep until you can work yourself up. It eases up on the joints.
Damn, a year and a half? What kind of results did you see? Also, did you add any additional exercises post workouts A/B?
I started 5x5 after dropping about 60 pounds from doing an obscene amount of running. Unfortunately I also lost a lot of muscle and have never lifted before so I started at the bar and continued slowly. Deloaded many times and finished just below the 2/3/4 plate standard due to plateauing across a few lifts. I originally dropped weight from 250 to 190, and 5x5 brought me back up to 210 (I'm 6"1). I added pull ups and barbell curls, and dips and skullcrushers as assistance exercises on the days the app recommended it.
That's seriously impressive, friend, and takes quite a bit of dedication. I failed the OHP at 80lbs but got it today (I'm 6'1, 170, never lifted before, started with bar across the board save for DLs). I was wondering how long to stick with 5x5 before heading to another program, but just from reading your posts, I'm thinking now to make it a longer term commitment than I originally thought. I'll be sure to throw some of those exercises in at the end. Thanks for the feedback, man. Much appreciated.
When i was a kid and made up excuses not to do shit, adults always said to me: " I you want it there aren't any excuses. Now when i ask them why they don't lift they give me the same bullshit excuses i gave as a kid
'Instead of saying 'I don't have time', say to yourself, 'this isn't a priority'. It's amazing how quickly your attitude to doing the 'tough' things change'. - Posted on Reddit somewhere.
I woke up at 420 all summer because that was the only time I could guarantee my gym would be open and not in conflict with my 60-70 hour a week job. You make it happen and you learn to love the grind.
I started working out the summer I got a 10 hour factory assembly line job. I could have an entire shift lifting 50 lbs boxes off of skids 6 feet tall going for 2.5 hours straight between 10 minute breaks.
Then I get to go home for just enough time to rest my sore feet, eat, gym for like 1.5 hours and home to sleep for 6 hours. THAT was fucking shitty.
I am a 4:30am waker myself. Gym isn't very big, I get there when it opens so I dont have to wait for or share equipment.
I have a 80-90 hour work week. I usually wake up around 5 am, roll into work at 5:45, and leave around 9-10pm. Then sleep, because By this point I am literally too exhausted to do much of anything. I need 8 hours of sleep to be functional. I can cut it, but my brainpower suffers, and in my field my mind needs to stay sharp. Job hours will get better but not for another year or so. How does one solve this?
Get a new job unless you enjoy the work.
Weigh your risk and reward because that sounds like a pretty shitty grind to be honest. If your work isnt reward at all then what the fuck is the point? You're sacrificing physique, socializing, and your own happiness for money?
What's the wrap?
The job grind is worth it because in a year and a half my salary will be minimum 6 figures, and my hours will be much more manageable. Plus despite the shitty hours at this point, I'm made for it. Can't see myself doing anything else.
Ok absolutely then that's what I was curious about. Living life like a slave and not being able to be free to work out is shitty but if you're going to be able to have it pay off whatever.
Add some fitness info in your favorites tab and check it out next year or something like that. Retire by your mid forties with a great physique and you'll slay
Lunch breaks? Thinking even more basic than the gym; physical activity. This can include anything where you exert yourself, playing soccer isn't the gym, however it's still good for your health and well being.
Seeing as you work 12hr days on average, I'm assuming you don't have time to drive to the gym, spend an hour there & drive back to wherever. A solution is bodyweight exercises. Simple, can do them anywhere with virtually no equipment other than a small open space.
That solves the "gym" part of the problem, what about the time? Got news for you. Exercise does not have to be 1hr-3hrs at the gym for you to reap the health benefits; half hour? I've even done 20 minute workouts during days that have been particularly crowded. Honestly try this, a few supersets of 3-5 bodyweight exercises with a minute rest in between, will give you a good sweat and can be fit into the span of 20-25 minutes. Obviously, this is an alternative to what would be ideal (the gym), however since you mentioned that 12hr days will be your routine for the next year, is a sufficient & acceptable substitute for you to still be in good health. Better than nothing.
Now this is all assuming you have the drive & energy to do this. If you have a physically demanding job, you're already doing physical activity, which takes care of at least a good portion of your daily goal. Anything else would be supplementary.
Hope this helps, best of luck.
Unfortunately I work thru lunch. However I am running up and down multiple flights of stairs multiple times a day. I am not planted in front of a desk all the time, but no opportunities for resistance exercise.
I refrain working up a sweat at work, as I dress in professional attire.
you have time to read and write on reddit, haven't you?
whatever it is, there is absolutely no excuse to not make as many pushups, bulgarian split squats and pull-ups as you can every day. and dont forget your dips on the kitchen bar while the coffee machine is running.
No kitchen. I eat strictly from the caf at work. Haven't had time except today to read/comment for awhile. Today also happened to be a day I visited the gym.
Just started with Stronglifts 5x5, and if I hustle I can get to and from the gym in an hour, the lifting part is about 30 minutes.
just be ready for that to take longer as you advance in the program. Before you know it, you'll need longer rests between sets and exercises. Also, look into adding some accesories, like some hypertrophy for triceps, biceps, and abs at the end of your work out. you'll thank me later
Previous post was deleted for Reddit link ...
I thought that too, but the example workouts that the "guy" has made are about 30 minutes including warm ups. But sure, I won't complain if I'm there an hour instead.
There seems to be conflicting opinions about adding stuff to the workout, so I'm not sure what you "can" and "can't" do. Apparently pullups are ok.
Pull-ups and dips are what the creator suggests as supplements but definitely do isolation on your tris and bis too like skull crushers and curls. Some weighted or hanging ab work too maybe. Otherwise you get the infamous SL 5x5 Tyrannosaurus rex figure.
Haha, alright, I'll look into what those are exactly. So you do those after the normal A/B workouts?
Yep. I stopped doing SL a long time ago but on the app you have the option to add pull ups and dips. I don't remember which is workout A/B but I then added tris to the pull up day and bis to the dip day.
Instructions unclear already got...
Biceps yes. Abs are redundant.
Replace your B squats with pulldowns or pullups. That's all you need. All the big compounds work your core like hell, and triceps are hit by bench and OHP respectively if you do it heavy and with good form.
Completely disagree. Your number one accessory should be core work.
I used to be in your boat of never doing any core work because squats/deadlifts.
I was 128% wrong. Finally started incorporating them about 2-3 weeks ago every workout and I immediately saw the carry over to my squats.
Isn't this what will happen if you go stronglifts route?
http://i.imgur.com/c9tcDnT.png
Exactly. There is no such thing as not having enough time. One just prioritizes gym below too many things, useless things very often, such as TV, games, drinking, ECT.
As someone who's about to become a personal trainer, I'm well aware this is the single biggest hurdle. People get all keen and psyched up on motivation, but lose steam before they develop the discipline. Do you try to combat this with your clients, or do you just let them go and line up newer prospects?
I'm so invested in this problem its about the only thing that stops me from actually pulling the trigger and getting started.
"If it matters, you'll find a way. If not, you'll find an excuse"
The best part about lifting is that, if done correctly (not too often, but with effort) you won't pass two months without visible results.
Hell, society led me to believe that excercise was the most difficult thing on earth and after 3 months I already had no fat and muscles.
Sad part is that people give up too soon. They hit the gym everyday, doing all the correct exercises and do some good progressions but don't see results in the first month and because of that, end giving up. I had a friend who did this and I was kinda proud of him until he gave up because booze and weed were "his thing". He justified saying "dude, you've seen me, sweating my balls off and lifting like I have never lift before yet I don't see any muscles, you don't see them too".
He was doing an awesome job at keeping form for a beginner, and adding more weights.. Had he kept this for 6 months, even 1 year, he would be a fucking greek god. Really sad.
This is why you see the same people at the gym and the new people often disapear quickly. Once you get passed the "feeling motivated" fase you have to enter the discipline one. I'm sure I'd have quit if I didn't enjoy lifting (I started way before discovering TRP)
People aren't taught proper nutrition or basic physiology in school, and there's a huge war on masculinity and typically masculine behavior now.
When I first started I just did random shit that I figure would work. Some OHP, biking, curls, tricep stuff and then left in like 30-45 minutes after my circuit to do it the next day or day after.
But no amount of work will lead to improvement without diet to fuel it and without a regimented MEASURED routine to exploit it.
Considering that this post is mostly newbie-oriented, I think the best pirce of advice that can be offered is "just go" no fancy diets or routines, leave that for later, know your body first and investigate and learn
Sure, as a starting point i agree. Getting in the routine is fine.
But you have to understand the rudimentary truth that you NEED a routine and diet if you want improvement at the gym. Its not rocket science. All I've done the last few months has been a simple modified Strong Lifts routine. I'm fueled by sausages and KD half the time to save money and do something like 10 different exercises total.
But that combo has me at the strongest I've ever been in my life. And only getting stronger still. When you start you can be out in an hour and fifteen minutes only 3 times a week and be making great progress.
ok, but this is really dependent on the person. If you're like 100 lbs over weight, then no, you will not be all muscle, no fat, and visible results in 3 months lol. Exercise is pretty damn hard to start and keep to for extremely obese people.
Someone who's 100lbs overweight will see a noticable difference in the mirror after two months of good, hard work. Not only that, but they will have noticed the numbers going up on the bar and have developed a significant amount of confidence from it.
Don't discount 2 months of work.
Probably because I have a base but I can easily put on 12lbs in 30 days. Yes some will be fat. Same with cutting I can easily cut 20-25lbs in 60 days. Don't even get me started when I began to run gear. If you have any muscle base at all you should see big results in 2 months.
The 20% improvement is no myth as I believed earlier in life. Of course, 12lbs sounds a bit too much for a starter as him will probably will lose some fat even from lifting alone (as my case was)
Here's a 4chan google drives dump on various bodybuilding/weightlifting ebooks, articles ect. that is very helpful and fascinating to read for newcomers and immediate lifters. https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/0B0Vyec-yHY6DYmNiMkg1dlZIelU
Hero yo, they even have Starretts supple leopard!
This is incredible, thank you!!!
yea yea liftng etc etc
I dont lift because my hands get too calloused and my boyfriends complain when I jerk them off. And it cracks my nails.
Also, I am big boned not Fat.
So how do I bang this dime that I work with? Whats the magic secret?
Textbook AskTRP response when I ask when someone isn't lifting.
My favorite: "I don't want to get big, I just want to be toned"
AKA what a woman would say. Alan Thrall has a good video about that response.
To be fair, getting stocky from lifting is a widely "known fact".
I believed it until I cut body fat to low numbers and not only had to fix my pants but all my jackets were way too big.
Show me a beefy guy with 11 percent BF. Without gear, they don't much exisit and this same guy can bench 175% his weight and barely look like he lifts when wearing a suit.
Lift heavy and stop eating. Boom, you get beautiful
I don't want to get big. I want to get stong as fuck.
I don't really enjoy lifting all that much or look forward to it with anticipation. However I still do it.
I do it at home, with a squat rack, a bench, a bunch of weights and a pullup bar, because there's no way I can be arsed to drive or cycle somewhere in the cold to do something I don't enjoy.
So I minimised the displeasure as much as possible, reduced the time component, and found something to make it bearable (podcast).
Rather than posting you're not a real man and basically attacking people, it's probably more motivating to many to explain how you can make it bearable. When you say find a way, this is the way.
I used to hate lifting.
I played football in college, and celebrated when I graduated because that meant I didn't have to lift anymore.
Then I became a lazy skinny fat piece of shit who lost all my muscle mass I gained in college.
Why did I start to enjoy lifting? Because I made progress. Progress is what gets you addicted to lifting and causes you to enjoy it. If you do what you do, and just lift because you feel obligated to do it, and just lift to check it off your list and say you lifted, of course you won't enjoy it.
I started to take lifting seriously. And go hard and heavy. Combined with proper nutrition. Then it started to become something I really really enjoyed.
That's your problem - you aren't taking it seriously enough.
Read Martin Berkhan's article "Fuckarounditis" which explains why you need to stop fucking around when it comes to lifting.
Of course I am taking it seriously, I do it on a strict schedule and I calculate my macros and stick to them rigidly. I notice results. I don't enjoy the doing part though, it's hard work and painful and sticking to macros is sometimes difficult, but I still do it.
Our existence as men is pain, gotta embrace it. Really though some people naturally love the pain and challenge, with lifting or with any sport and some men are just indifferent - it is what it is.
That's fine, go ahead and read the Fuckarounditis article anyway and see if there is anything in the article that is speaking to you.
Cheers, good article. I can relate to so much stuff, that's how I used to be a while back before discovering 5x5 and proper nutrition.
My advice to anyone new is that nutrition is far more important than you think. When I started 5x5 and the path to righteousness my lifts were going up so slowly or stalling a lot. Once I stuffed my face with chicken though they went through the roof, adding the 2.5kg on every time on every lift (except OHP, fuck OHP) and breezing through it. Remarkable stuff.
I'm on a cut now though and lifting purely to maintain muscle mass. I'm grumpy because I don't get to eat much and what I eat is boring, and my lifts are either stalled or going up in 1kg increments. But I am really looking better every time I look in the mirror.
I like those TRP articles about people that have succeeded socially from their physique, I read those and it gives me the drive to get in there.
nutrition i majorly important.i knew a guy who was in near perfect health could easily bench 225 and showed me a video of him pulling all the weights on one of the machines. He had a heart attack.full blockage when he finally got to the hopital. he wouldve tried to walk it off if his friend didnt force him to go to the hospital. they had to pad him too.they said the one he had is known as the widowmaker.
literally the only fuck up was his cholesterol.
Diet > weights
damn. What did he eat on the regular, do you know? I eat a lot of eggs on the regular..
Oh man I feel this, I used to lift for 2-4 months straight 4 days a week but I hardly ate anything and my nutrition was all out of wack, so I'd quit because I'd get a super cut stomach but literally no gains anywhere else. My problem was that I had no idea how to properly create a plan or how to manage my food. Now I have a great plan, and am killing the calorie game. The hardest part is the food though, I've had pan fried chicken everyday for two months (I ate 1kg of chicken for lunch today) but the results are incredible. I've gained 7kg from going every day 6days a week, and I look really good. There are definitely prerequisites in life, and when you tick off the small things like exercising and eating well it opens the world to so many possibilities. Hopefully I get oneitis again soon, cause thats been a big part of my motivation.
Do you really believe he 100% sticks to his workouts and diets and gets 100% the results he should?
He's hamstering. I dont know anyone who is 100% dedicated like that and doesnt have AT LEAST a hate/love relationship.
His is straight hate. Im not buying it.
Theres two types of people who 100% are dedicated to lifting/dieting:
Hate/Love it
Fucking LOVE IT.
Edit: On a comment below he hinted that hes not satisfied with his results. Hes obviously not lifting right or eating right or going 100%. He stated that just to have 'credibility' to speak against it. If he was FUCKING YOKED from going 100% as he claims, he wouldnt complain about results. The 'white knights' are agreeing and saying 'maybe some people dont like working out' lol. The male hamster is just as apparent as the female.
Lifting and Drugs.
The 2 topics on TRP that bring out the full spectrum hamster wheel of excuses, of why they don't lift, or why they do drugs.
The challenge of getting better and stronger is enough to make a man enjoy it. If you aren't enjoying it, it means you are just going through the motions.
Very noticable effects can come as soon as 3 months if youre going 100%. Hell, even 1 month.
Not many things in life come that fast. Degrees take 4 years. Sometimes years just to get an extra 3000 per year to your salary. Thats hardly noticeable because people end up spending that extra money on dumb shit since they got a raise.
I used to be super pumped to lift when it was with my bros. Since I graduated, I have never gotten it back. And moving a lot since has made the acquisition of bros difficult. Yet still I go, and I lift for the day that I get the pure motivation back. Whether or not I ever do.
Lol what could you possibly hate about lifting? The pain of of hook grip deadlifts? Being sore? What? Your body is literally designed to be able to physically exert itself and then recover without negative lasting effects unless of course you injure yourself.
I get bored, and I dislike exertion.
I like stuff that has an instant reward factor, like trying to play something difficult on guitar, you are constantly improving and you can hear it, but with lifting you don't really get that. It's delayed and it doesn't give me any satisfaction. My mind is empty the whole time as well which I dislike, I enjoy concentration. Especially when resting between sets.
Guess what, lifting can fix both your laziness and boredom. Solid idea listing to podcasts. I get through required reading by listening to books on tape at the gym and then skimming sections during my study time.
I take it your probably out of shape and that's ok. Lifting gets easier as you get stronger. I have to rest like 5 minutes in between my heavy ass sets which is actually less than many elite lifters do. Compared to other forms of exercise lifting is the easiest.
Have you ever thought that maybe different people like different things?
From his other comments it seems clear he isn't out of shape.
How do you manage to stay focused on both tasks? Do you actually absorb what is being read to you or does it simply provide a sort of foundation for your reading later on?
It depends on the person. I can listen to a song once or twice or watch a movie and remember everything. Mainly though the audio books provide a foundation for my reading though as you said. Its simply just something useful I can do while I'm at the gym for two hours besides lifting. I also rest quite a bit in between my main movements- about five minutes these days since I'm working above 85%. I'm only doing four sets of my main movement so 20 minutes. I lift 4 times a week so 80 total minutes. That's about two chapters of the book I'm reading now.
Interesting. So what's your routine look like. I'm kind of a newbie when it comes going to the gym.
I guess its different for different people. I enjoy it:
A) Because I have a lot of friends that I can meant there. Lots of banter in and about things in general, lifting, politics, etc.
B) Because I have set goals that I work towards every single day. I see improvement every single work out.
C) Because I can listen to plenty of great music and just enjoy that alone
D) Because the women are fucking gorgeous.
E) The after gym shower of being completely clean and trim.
F) Generally people are less liberal there.
Nothing else for ya. If you don't like that I don't know how you can enjoy it. The biggest component for me is just the intrinsic part: I have my goals and I'm achieving them over and over and over and over. I love seeing, feeling, and showing the result of discipline and sweat and blood. I love being able to share that experience with all my buds at the gym that know all the same shit. I like the comradarie.
My gym is all men. You can cut D) out
I think that is an even better lesson when you don't like it. It's a tough physical stress, it shouldn't be something your body is naturally looking forward too. The mental addiction to progress perhaps, but the physical effort? It'll take time to push through that block.
In any case. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the state of experiencing fear and pushing through anyway. Lifting when you don't like it is way better on your mental toughness than lifting when you like it. If you like lifting, it means you're not pushing out off your mental comfort zone anymore.
You do not have to actually go to gym and lift weights, you can use your body's weight for training. Calisthenics.
Not to be completely and utterly morbid or pathetic but nothing has ever made me want to live more than lifting. The best advice I got from this sub was forget the programme on day 1, week 1, month 1, just go, just start, and take it day by day, before you know it you're deadlifting with perfect form and women start touching your shoulders and arms more. Exercise should not be in your routine, it should be your routine.
I agree. There is something about walking out of the gym with a good arm pump that makes you feel like you can conquer the world.
Seems like a lot of the counter-points to this post seem to be missing some of the key points as to why this is such a staple of TRP. If you're lifting simply to score babes, you're missing the point.
If you think that lifting should somehow become easier, you're missing the point. You should always be pushing yourself to be stronger.
To quote Thomas Paine: "What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value." By "dearness", he means that for which we pay a high price.
Before I found TRP, after a heart-wrenching breakup, I began lifting. In the beginning, I lifted to release my anger, frustration, sadness, etc. I needed to channel all the shit into one outlet. I was lifting at this point because fuck her -- she'll see how jacked I get and regret her shitty decisions. I didn't have discipline, but I had motivation.
After that phased out, I began imagining how much I could absolutely obliterate the white knight who swooped in to "save her" -- previously a mutual friend. They began fucking within a week of our breakup. My lifting was still fueled by emotion that stemmed from her. My reason for lifting was still defined by her bullshit. I still didn't have discipline, but I had motivation.
Finally, I realized that I was no longer lifting out of anger, frustration, or for the need to prove how wrong she was for leaving me. I now lift for myself. I'm not in the gym lifting because I want to score hot babes -- that's tangential to my goals. No, I'm in the gym 5 days a week because I like the challenge; I enjoy the discipline; I enjoy making goals and overcoming them. I like to know that I can overcome pain consistently. Now I have discipline, and new motivation.
Upon this realization is around the time I began reading TRP.
If you're lifting simply because you want to fuck a chick, you are still completely missing the biggest lessons from lifting. If all you do to improve yourself is to score, then you're not actually improving yourself for the sake of being a better man. If you're compromising your time in the gym for time practicing game, then what else will you compromise for women as an excuse for "practicing game".
Stop defining your success by women's standards, and start defining your success by your own metrics.
Good post... if you are lifting for women, thats fine if it motivates you, but ultimately you get the most out of lifting when you do it for yourself.
When in doubt, lift, and be smart about it.
You just can't help some people. Lifting is the foundation. No lifting, no testosterone, no confidence. No self improvement. Lifting is the base upon which you build the pyramid.
People also do not realize that lifting heavy is an important component of any fat loss regimen and cutting. Why? To lose weight, you must run a calorie deficit... no other way about it. If you run a calorie deficit, don't lift and only focus on cardio, then your body is going to inevitably lose muscle as well as fat. If you lift heavy while running a calorie deficit, that sends the message to your body that you need that muscle, and thus your body preserves it. You're not going to gain much muscle while doing this--the focus is to burn fat while preserving existing muscle.
Aka "Tell me what I want to hear, don't give actual advice or I'll cry and complain". Those people are looking for a quick fix and think there's some magic bullet that will solve all of their problems in one easy step.
Wen I used to be fat and novice, I actually gained a lot of strength (and some size) while losing fat cuz I had enough protein, did HIIT cardio, and ate only natural carbs and also supplemented with zinc and multivitamins. And I used to be very very fat. Like obese fat lol.
What's an "unnatural" carb?
Processed or refined sugars like cooking or baking sugar. Candy, White bread, high fructose corn syrup, the like
Soft drinks and crap prolly
I like to say processed carbs vs. Natural carbs. Processed carbs are breads, bagels, dough, that type of stuff. Your body needs good healthy carbs from veggies, whole grains, oatmeal, brown rice, that type of stugf.
110% true that.
Totally false 110%.
Huh so what does your body need then? When I was underweight and bulking I ate a LOT of rice, oatmeal, farro and other whole grains to get to my 3,500 daily calories. Also lots of chicken, eggs, turkey and protein shakes of course, but carbs were usually 30% of my macros, I thought that was pretty normal and healthy.
Your body needs energy, not carbs. Carbs is a totally unecessary nutrient (read carefully: nutrient - comes from nutrition, food). Your body needs very little glucose, and it does not have to come from carbs.
If you're a serious lifter, your body very well needs the energy from those carbs.
Unlike amino acids and fats, there are no essential carbohydrates.
Your liver is able to make glucose via gluconeogenesis, if it isn't available in the diet.
There is growing evidence that sugars in the diet (even complex carbohydrates in the form of starches) are directly responsible for metabolic syndrome (heart disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, etc.) in a significant fraction of the population that is sensitive to excess carbohydrates in the diet. See recent work by Jeff Volek and Steve Phinney.
He prob. means fruits and vegetables (which are carbs) vs. rice, pasta, etc.
Rice and pasta have their place in muscle-building diets and avoiding them categorically isn't coming from a sound nutritional basis unless you're going for a very specific homestatic state like ketogenesis.
Sweet potatoes > rice and pasta any day for bulking.
I like them better too but there's a lot more I can do to switch it up with the rice (Latino background) than the sweet potatoes.
I think he meant processed carbs, like refined bread and stuff. There's a ton of bad carbs out there
-Dunno why this is getting downvoted, it's is all true.
Cuz they think that I meant to say that it's possible to gain muscle and lose fat for anyone but I clearly meant for people above 30% body fat. Those downs were all knee jerk reactions.
doing this now. however, you'll top out at a certain level. then it all about preserving muscle while still losing fat. after that, i plan to bulk a bit.
Fuck lifting, I just Fuck for hours.
As someone who has lifted for 6-7 years EXTREMELY consistently, this article resonates very well.
What you start to notice, after being this consistent, is that NOT working out because a non-option, because it actually induces stress/anxiety that is more stressful than working out itself. any loss of willpower fromm of laziness, late nights, lack of sleep is overcome by anxiety/stress from missing your workout.
Basically, OCD. but I don't a give a chit. It has allowed me to almost fool proof my habit. Sick? I still do stretches/light lifting. Broken leg? workout your upper body so that it is stronger in some way than if you had a whole body workout. the net gain must be more than zero in the end, despite shortcomings.
I have pretty bad muscular genetics, along with fast metabolism. was 140 at 5'9". Started out with the bar on the bench. Started out chest pressing 25 lb dumbbells. a year later it was only 55. year later 65, then 70, 80, 90, 95, 100, 105. took me 6-7 years of painfully PAINFUL slow progress. you would never guess that once barely benched the bar and now can do 105 pound dumbbesll for 10-12 reps on the flat bench, down to my chest, in a slow motion.
I like this a lot. I just had something removed from my forearm and couldn't lift for 2 weeks because of stitches. First day back deadlifted an hour after getting stitches out. A little less weight but damn it felt good. One week later I'm basically completely healed and my lifts are almost to where they were. Good post. Lifting is my oneitis.
For those starting to lift or those who have been for a while.
DO NOT SACRIFICE FORM FOR MORE WEIGHT.
There's no shame in lifting less weight to insure you maintain correct form throughout the entire set/sets.
There's nothing funnier than seeing newbies struggling to curl a 20 or 25 and then rep it out using their shoulder but not realizing what the fuck they're doing.
Form is everything.
There's nothing funnier than seeing complete newbies curling. Most guys think that's the muscle women care about most - the wrong answer to the wrong question. You need to build strength before isolation exercises start becoming meaningful.
Unpopular opinion, but FITNESS should be your oneitis. I say fitness instead of lifting because TheRedPill isn't about slaying as much pussy as you possibly can, it's about having the confidence to do what you want, when you want, how you want. As long as you are doing some kind of workout to better yourself (whether it be lifting, running, bodyweight, material arts, etc) and you stick to that regime, you'll be able to accomplish what you want out of life.
I do agree with some points in this thread about having the discipline to get up and do some kind of regime everyday, but it doesn't have to be lifting. As long as you are pushing to better yourself, do what you please.
Too bad i can't upvote twice.
If you only want to lift without a plan you'll end up having enormous biceps, chicken legs and scoliosis because "i lift bro!".
Routine must comprehend:
Eating right: some comments here are spot on, but some other are just ignorant (no complex carbs? really?). Consult a physician if you can't make a meal plan or follow a comprehensive and well detailed routine.
Stretch : yeah stretching is not for ladies, hell even yoga is good gor your body and mind. Stretched and relaxed muscles can express more power. Now, i'm not saying that you have to put on yoga pants and join yoga class but steal yoga routines to do in the days you...
Rest: yeah rest, no way you have to lift 7 days a week, 365 days a year. It will do more harm than good. Do stretches (look above), light bodyweight exercises instead, bike, swim or walk.
Also play a sport alongside of lifting if you feel not so motivated: you will train also to be physically better at it.
Could not have said it better.
This sub is focusing too much on Game and pick-up in general, which is, yes, one of the aspects of TRP but not it's main point. I wonder where all these deep psychological posts are gone ..
While I understand that the key point of TRP is not pick-up, and being better at picking up women shouldn't be your end goal as it is a consequence of getting your shit together, we need to see who this post is speaking to.
People new to TRP and people who ask questions typically find TRP because they want to get better at picking up women. As we learn more about TRP, we understand it better that picking up women is not the main goal, but a consequence of doing things right.
So I think it's reasonable that this article - speaking to those who are new to TRP - approach the topic from the point of view of Game/pick-up.
If you really are hurt though don't lift if it is likely you can re-injure yourself. Hurt my back snowboarding and tried to deadlift before fully recovering. Didn't work out so well.
Now I'm stuck driving home during rush hour instead of at the gym for a few more days. Fuckkkk
Damn, As a fellow boarder that is one of my worst fears. Can you focus on legs or arms in the meantime?
Yes and no. Overall result is more time lost. I think I'll be fine in another 2 days.
I'm a noob boarder and after so 2 days of boarding I didn't realize how stiff legged I was. I wasn't bending my knees enough so I let all the load get to my lower back. My back was on fire for a few days.
After a few days my back felt good enough to do non-back stuff. So I was able to get through a Push day fine and consecutively a Leg day fine. Then decided to do my normal deadlift day. Most of the pain was gone, but I guess that doesn't mean good to go cause my form broke down at 250 lbs and I usually pyramid up to 405 lbs.
Hurting myself put me on the back burner literally for past 3 days. I might do push day tomorrow if stops bothering me and then the next Pull day just forgo deadlift until may Sunday.
I'm generically happy with all my lifts right now, but hurting myself is making cutting a giant pain in the ass. When you have to eat at least BMR to be healthy it makes eating at a deficit hard if you aren't burning any extra calories.
There will always be a reason not to go to the gym. Something hurts a bit, you're a little tired, your stomach feels funny, you're a bit late.
JustDoIt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuPLxQD4akQ
Those are the days where you feel even better after doing your training because you fought against yourself as well as the iron
I find as soon as you get into your routine the pain goes away and all that matters is the sweet caress of the iron weights.
...Until I go to do my ab exercises with a sour stomach, that's just no fun.
Can't afford it/no transportation? Shut up and do push-ups, pull-ups, planks, sit-ups, chair dips, etc in your home.
Protip for those with young kids: Look into your local YMCA (now rebranded The Y) as an option for lifting. Most have a childcare program that can supervise your kid while you lift.
There is definitely very few good excuses for not lifting. Obviously if your doctor orders you not to for X weeks, don't fucking lift for X weeks, but otherwise, most excuses are just bad.
Or homegym if you have the space & funds. You can get a lot of kit for the price of a years membership. Work out while you babysit.
True. My local Y has a sauna and steam room though, which is good for meditating. It's nice to be with only your thoughts and the heat.
If I ever get around to buying a house when I get the funds, I am interested in building or buying a power rack, bar, and some weights.
I legitimately had a dream the other night about being in the gym and lifting weights. The oneitis is real
I have no problem with lifting but there should be more info in this sub about building careers and financial empires.
Lifting is much much easier bro
I honestly thought this post was shitty sarcasm until I got to the comments. It's embarrassing.
Brand New redpiller...Genuine question in response to the "Are you lifting" question.
Does it HAVE to be weights/specific routine/program to fulfill this requirement?
I am just starting off after YEARS of ZERO gym time. My brother suffered a SERIOUS back injury lifting and that put him out of commission for almost a year of bedrest so I am TERRIFIED of lifting.
However, I am doing bodyweight fitness (30 day fitness app) and on days where I don't have a routine per the app, I am adding cardio.
Is the situation that I need to be LIFTING or that I need to be working out? I feel I am working hard every day, but I am not "lifting" in the traditional sense of dumbbells and iron.
Is the relationship to "Iron" dependent on actual "weights" or just working out?
You sound like I did. I was scared to mess with barbells for the fear of hurting myself or looking stupid. In reality if you take it slow and learn proper form it can be really enjoyable and as safe as anything else you could be doing. Barbells are not scary, they are your friend. They will make you big and strong.
You can choose to do bodyweight fitness instead. I won't tell you you're wrong to do so, but you'll keep a very lean look. If you want big traps, chest, legs, lats, etc. you need weights.
Again, thats for you to decide. Do you feel like you are giving yourself the best lifting regimen via body weight? Do you feel like you are cheating yourself? TRP is all about self accountability. Are you making yourself the best man you can be with body weight lifts?
A lot of supposed red pillers will use body weight exercises or some other non barbell program as an excuse/hamster to not actually do serious heavy barbell lifting.
Body Weight exercises are better than nothing, but if that is your main source of lifting, you better have a good reason why you aren't doing barbell lifts as your main lifts. From my 3 years on TRP and AskTRP that has been my experience - most are using body weights as an excuse not to do real barbell lifts, for whatever reason, whether it be laziness or fear or self confidence issues or whatever.
An analogy for body weight exercises: It's like someone being OK with making $30k, where if they just put in more effort, they could be making $100k. Why settle when you can go bigger if you are just willing to step up and put in more effort.
Perfect analogy. That was the EXACT clarification I needed. Fuck half-assing this. Appreciated.
Then again, there are some really fit people who only do bodyweight. I think the main difference is hypertrophy. Sure, the bodyweight only person may be fit, but the lifter looks better for the same amount of work.
Sorry, you don't seem to have a proper understanding what is possible with great Bodyweight, gymnastics training and martial arts. Especially gymnasts possess some of the best physique and often much better mind muscle connections and skills then lifters. So Bodyweight Training, martial arts and gymnastics is -if it's done right (please read convict conditioning and overcoming gravity) certainly as good as lifting, especially because it helps more to know how to use your body, improves posture and can be more easily fitted into anyones schedule.
Yeah and to achieve that they need to literally make it their career. You're not going to look like a male gymnast training 4-6 hours a week.
Simple Bodyweight training willl be as effective. Not to the same extent in gaining muscle mass but more in posture improvement and movement efficiency. Gaining mass is massively overrated in our culture(look at many lifters with horrible posture who don't look great even though they have the muscles). People are also attractive with less mass than average lifters if they look like athletes. In fact most athletes look better than lifters and only lift/train with Bodyweight as a foundation.
also im not saying it must be Bodyweight exclusively. If you want, use some kettlebells or barbells or rings - I don't care. All these methods are good. But don't tell people that Bodyweight, Martial arts and gymnastics are not as effective/great as barbell work and kettlebell training. That just shows improper understanding of these other methods
have an upvote, man of truth.
I do bouldering and make bodyweight training with rings afterwards and I look and feel like a fucking machine. you see these stiff lifter typesand their creatine muscles and you know, you just KNOW BY INSTINCT, that one on one in the woods they wouldn't look too good. once the lifter raises his arm i am already behind his back crushing his skull.
Lifting can get really fucking boring, focusing on the same movements for years with the only progress you make being the amount of plates on the bar isn't for everyone. Especially once they're close to their genetic muscle mass limit.
Look at the guy below at first glance and tell me if you think he lifts.
http://imgur.com/a/NfWl6
He does absolutely no barbell work except squats. His upper body is a result of weighted calisthenics.
Lifting is great, but it isn't the only answer to achieving discipline through strength training.
You're right, but you also showed an extreme outlier who is probably one of the best at bodyweight fitness. You need to truly master movements to get to that level which probably requires even more discipline and time than lifting.
He isn't one of the best. There are those far better than him, I'm showing people that weightlifting isn't the only or best option.
Start with the bodyweight for a month to strengthen your core for lifting and to prevent DOMS from hell your first week of lifting if you've never lifted before.
Then start a beginner program (SL5x5, SS etc) at a real gym. Learn to love leg day and the discomfort that follows.
Amusing that there's such a complicated term for it, while the Swedish article just refers to the classic "training ache" - ache you have after you've been training, simple.
Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness is a pretty common term.
It's Muskelkater in German, which basically translates to muscle hangover. I find that very fitting.
Body weight is largely useless. If you have the means to work out properly in a gym that's better.
The key to it is a progressive overload routine that can be measured. If you aren't keeping logs of your improvement over time and not continually challenging yourself with compound movements or heavier weights on other exercises you WONT get any stronger.
Once you're stronger you can work on focusing on whatever you want: whether that's the fuccboi aesthetic of 160lbs 10% bodyfat, or go the strongman route of dirty bulking.
Either way I'd recommend ACTUAL weights if you want the most out of it. Body weight routines CAN be good, but in terms of the most "bang for your buck" your time spent in a gym is better than spent doing body weight stuff, it will cost you, but it pays off imo.
Everyone's just lazy because lifting is hard work. No one wants to do hard work in their spare time. Good write ul
Er'rybody wanna be big, but nobody wanna lift big.
I would suggest that self improvement be your "oneitis". To include lifting, eating right, reading motivational or instructional material, and meditation. But yeah, lifting and it's related disciplines, running, making good food, and maintaining a positive attitude have helped me a lot. I feel better, and stay busy. That and realizing the way women manipulate men (and get a pass for it), has made me much less interested in them. If the opportunity presents, I go for it, other wise, meh.
It doesn't have to be lifting.
I love the barbell. My best lifts are a 445 Squat, 335 Bench, 515 Deadlift, 240 Snatch, and a 305 Clean & Jerk.
It's very easy for me to show up because I like it. The hardest part is picking the right weights, holding myself back, and training smart.
Every human should have some physical pursuit that they love. Lifting, Mountain Biking, Break-dancing, Rugby, whatever. Just as long as you're doing it for yourself. If it takes huge reserves of discipline, then you probably picked the wrong thing. I'd have a much harder time training for a marathon than I would lifting weights because I find that shit to be fucking boring.
But if you don't do anything physical then you're missing out on a huge chunk of being alive.
What is your opinion of substituting with martial arts? I am in professional school so of course time is limited, but I made some sacrifices and started training BJJ 5 hours a week to great benefit.
That's tough... ideally both IMO. They're both good for boosting testosterone and confidence. I do both Muay Thai and lifting. Lifting gives me the best physique, but I find that Muay Thai helps much more with mental confidence and frame.
Does your BJJ gym have a weight room anywhere? If so, try to dedicate 30-min before or after practice to hitting the weights, even if it's just the big lifts (bench, squat, dead, etc.)
I can't agree with you more. Lifting coupled with a martial arts discipline and meditation are essentials for any man in my book. I usually lift in the mornings. Head to work, and then head to class 3 times a week in the evening.
Of course, ideally both. I have done consistent heavy lifting in an earlier life phase and miss it, the strength, and the physique it brings.
Lifting is a separate component of your fitness training. We all know the adage that a small trained guy will beat a big untrained guy but a big trained guy will beat a small trained guy. Martial arts is your training. Lifting and diet makes you bigger. The two together make you whole.
Martial arts is not a proper substitute.
Lifting DOES NOT EQUAL exercise. They are two separate things.
This shit storm I've spawned with this comment has inspired me to start waking up at 5am twice a week to lift. It won't be easy, but I don't think theres a good reason I can't at least attempt to do both.
Good martial arts are far superior. The only reason to lift is because you have mastered your art of choice and are now only limited by your physique. Allow me to explain.
You speak of discipline and toughness. Lifting will certainly give you this, however, do you believe you won't get the same and more from a martial art? I've pussied out on a deep and heavy squat before, but you can't pussy out when you're about to get choked out. In the real world, in real combat -- that would mean that you fucking die.
So, in what way is lifting superior to a martial art? Well, we could say that you get bigger, more muscular, and stronger than you ever could doing martial arts. But what does that really matter for? Watch this body builder get fucking demolished by a female jiujiteiro.
No, you pussy-worshiping cocksucker, frame. Above all. You wanna know what else martial arts teach? That's right, frame. Because if you lose your frame, and it's real life combat, guess what? You fucking die. Simulated combat can and will sharpen that ability. You will begin think strategically, you'll be more comfortable with it under extreme pressure, and it'll start seeping in to all areas of your life.
In addition, you will develop camaraderie that gymbros will never give you. Confidence that the iron hides from you. An intense desire to be as fit and healthy as possible, something that you think you're doing by lifting. Until you self-actualize, it also gives you a mission. Make martial arts your mission. Lifting is only a supplement.
Good martial arts include: BJJ, Muay Thai/Kickboxing, Boxing, Judo, Sambo, Wrestling, and MMA (a combo of all, but with no specialization). I'd recommend BJJ or MMA above the others.
Jesus Christ dude. I didn't shit on martial arts, I just said that its not an either-or dichotomy. It was implied that martial arts can replace lifting, which I think is bullshit. Do both. But if you can only pick one, lift, as you aren't developing a physique via martial arts.
Absolutely. Do both.
In what way can't it? Did I not just refute that?
Many higher belts in my BJJ gym have never lifted barbells in their life but are fucking ripped. I don't think you understand just how taxing it is on the body. Aside from that, I just demonstrated that getting big is inferior, unless you're going for bear-man levels. Even then, that guy has done martial arts.
It's not just about the bodybuilding. It's about the strength that is developed with lifting. I did BJJ and Muay Thai for 1 year. Then did weights/BJJ/MuayThai for 6 months before I dropped the martial arts due to scheduling, college/work. I fucking loved it and it's amazing, but they are not comparable.
BJJ will not get my press power to 300lb. You can get strong with martial arts, but nothing will defeat strength training with weights. Lifting weights will not teach someone to fight. They offer different benefits therefore are not comparable. Yes, they are both "exercise". Basketball is exercise, riding bikes and jumping rope is exercise as well. Doesn't make them comparable in terms of what they offer. All they have in relation is that they are exercise.
Great points. And that's also core of my argument. The benefits.
Why do you need that above fighting? Remember, we all agree that both is best. But OP and I are duking it out on which to choose if you can only pick one.
Lifting heavy weights without tons and tons of cardio is one of the best ways to speed up your Testosterone production. All the extra stress associated with martial arts or some sort of other sport/exercise/physical art is detrimental to your recovery. Lifting = shortest distance between two paces Everything else is not a straight line
Finally, someone with actual discussion and benefits of lifting over arts. I did start lifting before doing BJJ, which might have contributed to my current successes by bootstrapping testosterone production that was long missing. Once you get past that, though, I'd rather do BJJ then get my lifting in. I still strive for both.
Recovery is mostly nutrition and sleep. I recover like a boss anyway because I pay attention to my micronutrients and get 9hrs sleep minimum per night.
The reason TRP advocates lifting is because it makes your body more physically appealing to women, because in general women prefer men who "look like they lift." It's not for reasons like "discipline and toughness".
Why should I seek approval from women?
This entire subreddit exists to teach men how to get laid. You can't get laid if women are repulsed by you.
Are you implying that a fit body from martial arts is repulsive to women? Is frame not better? Have you read anything I've posted?
I do both. I look better than him and wouldn't have fallen for any of that white belt shit. Sorry brother, start lifting.
I do lift, did you even read my post? My point is that OP says lifting comes before martial arts. That's wrong. Let me spell it out for all of you:
Lifting + martial arts > martial arts > lifting
Prove me wrong.
No need to get all supremecist about it. I've found that I've had just as much comradeship from gym-bros.
They're two different things entirely. Doing both is the best of both, and between the two I would go with the one that gives me the strength to actually achieve the things that I like: being able to portage a heavy ass canoe, being able to hike long distances with a heavy pack, being able to landscape, being able to XYVZ. I have no interest in whether or not someone could beat me up if they know grappling because this is will literally never happen to me in my entire life, and I know it.
I hope to get into boxing later perhaps anyways for good cardio.
You're going to see a lot of gains in your BJJ game if you start hitting the gym too. Try to find time for both. I can stack a lifting session onto a BJJ class if I don't roll too hard. I'd give that a try.
BJJ is terrific and is a great base for a fighter. I would suggest transitioning to MMA after several months if you can.
Weight lifting and martial arts are not perfect substitutes.
(1) Even though there are a lot variation in different lifting routines, martial arts don't engage your body in the same way. No matter how many hours of martial arts you do, it won't improve your strength and aesthetics like lifting (which is key for dread game and raising SMV). Also, lifting is fundamental to prevent injuries in martial arts.
(2) Personally, I lift, train muay thai and BJJ. The muay thai and BJJ part are mostly for fun, but they improve my breath and stretching in a way lifting doesn't. It also boosts your confidence a lot, as you won't take shit from anyone because you know how to handle yourself in the event of a fight, even if it never comes to it (better inner game).
(3) If you must (and can) choose, then lift. But take all advice here on TRP - and in life - with a grain of salt. Know yourself and do what works for you.
Perfect is enemy of good
Thanks for the response. Since making this post I have been lifting in the early morn and it sucks ass waking up for it, but successful people do what the unsuccessful are unwilling to.
Depends what your goals are. BBJ though is basically a form of cardio its not gonna build you any muscle so you still need to lift. Treat BBJ just as any other hobby (unless you are actually trying to get into semi professional MMA) and carve out some time for it but don't make it a priority because just like all other hobbies if you aren't making money from it the benefits aren't that great, is it better then videos games? Hell yeah, better then lifting? I personally don't think so. But if you have the time and money for it do what makes you happy.
Maybe I get the stick for going against the grain here but I think as importent as lifting or any physical activity is there is no holy grail to be found in the act of lifting itself. Do it, be done with it, if you like it the better.
If you don't wanna lift....get into BJJ. Seriously, get fit and learn how to defend yourself. Seriously, the confidence of knowing you can just snap some dudes neck if he gets out of hand is priceless.
This is good! I also go by the idea of Lifting is a microcosm of life. If you push yourself everyday in the gym you will fail everyday, but the next day you get back after it or even the next set. That is life in a nutshell.
I respect your passion, really I do, but if you have really been lifting for as long as you claim then the few weeks required to heal from this type of injury would not undo ALL of your progress. It would hardly undo any of it.
Its more about the mental part.
I took a week off from lifting when I was on vacation, and when I came back my lifts weren't as good as they were before I left. It's that fear of not progressing on my lifts that I use for some of my motivation
I used to play videogames 3-4 hours a day. I went cold turkey and stopped playing completely and I replaced my obsession for games with lifting. It's been only 3 months since I started but I practiced every other day without ever missing a session and I'm seeing results. I was really skinny and I still am but IDGAF, I make progresses every week and I feel better. I feel good. I do it for myself. I must say that the confidence and T boost lifting gave me, coupled with martial arts, really had a huge positive impact on me. Listen to OP newbie comrades, everything he says it's true.
I don't know how long you've been lifting, but I think there are three phases:
1. Not going or not caring if you miss a work out because you aren't disciplined.
2. Solid routine, automatically off kilter when you miss a day or shit goes wrong in your work out
3. Used to your routine so much that missing out in an off week or day in a month is negligible.
Once you're used to it there isn't a frantic necessity to never miss any work out because of fear of losing discipline. Forcing yourself to work out when you have a fucked up hand, muscle, neck strain or anything like that is a GREAT way to get injured and be permanently fucked.
Definitely force yourself when your sick or other shit until you build discipline over months or a year or something. But past that do NOT risk your actual health for working out. Most the time you'll be fine, but habitually ignoring your body out of some need to demonstrate strength is just not going to end well usually.
Lastly I read this title as "the only oneitis in your life should be a lifter" and was kind of disappointed not to see any Power lifting chicks. Those women are fucking FINE man. That's good enough motive to go to the gym alone.
You'll never convince someone to lift if they are a passive aggressive weakling.
Thanks, hadn't heard about the benefits of lifting heavy shit before this post.
Haha never gets old The first 99 responses out of 100 to the question " what should i do to be more attractive " is LIFT YOU FUCKING FAGGOT
lifting is OK, but there are other types of exercises. Swimming, boxing, MMA, martial arts - it doesn't have to be lifting. I work in Manhattan; getting too bulky makes you seem like a Jersey Shore guy. I'm not sure how it translates to the rest of the country.
Lifting =/= Exercise
They are not one in the same.
No, but as you get closer to 40, don't forget exercise. A couple intense cardio sessions really help with them energy levels
It's also very good for your lungs, doubly so if you have asthma, and more importantly for your heart. People who skip cardio just to lift all the time are shooting themselves in the foot. Bulking is not an excuse to skip it; you estimate the calories burned and account for it in your calories consumed.
If I'm on SL 5x5 on a Monday/Wed/Fri nightly weights routine, when should I be doing my cardio?
I am older and am not yet anywhere near skinny.
I usually just do it after or on a separate day.
It really doesn't take much. 10 minutes of moderate to high intensity like running, swimming,etc is usually enough get the heart racing.
When I was running 5ks after I gave up half marathons, 10 minute spin bike and two 3 mile runs a week dropped my time way more then 12 mile runs
the exercise I mentioned swimming/boxing also build muscle. What is it to you that lifting does that makes it so important?
I spent my life lifting (and still do). When I was younger I went heavy and got HUUUGE. Now (later in life), I regret gaining the size. It would have been better if I just put on lean muscle from boxing and swimming (I did those too for a long time).
If the goal is to be healthy, than boxing and swimming are better for you. If the goal is to gain confidence, than boxing is better. If the goal is to gain size, than lifting.
That sort of implies that lifting will necessarily lead to that. I've been working out for 1.5 years so far and just finished my PR of OHP at 140 lbs 5x3 sets.
But in terms of ideal physique? Still pretty far I'd say. I think that If I cut down and got leaner I would be noticeably bigger and broader than the average person but by no means anything "bulky" in that sense.
It takes a lot of fucking effort or roids to actually get bloated out that way, and if you have a balanced routine you'll never actually get a shitty bro-split physique.
Eh, you don't need to fret over missing a few days in the gym.
I know plenty of gym rats who still have shitty game because they're uninteresting.
Lifting and health should be a priority focus, but if no girl wants to see you naked because you're dull AF, then what's the point?
I do a total body workout twice a week and play casual pickup bball and soccer. I'm by no means jacked and I have 3 plates, 2 of which are models (like repped by Major Models in NYC) and 100+ N-count.
Jacked dude with average personality loses to average dude with great personality most of the time (unless we're talking about UFC ring girls, strippers, etc. - those chicks are all yours).
I don't want to fully refute your post, just want to point out that social skills and social proof are probably just as, if not more, important as lifting.
Ahhh, the usual "I hardly lift at all and yet am pulling NYC model 10s" hamster.
Not doubting you, but I sure see shit like this a lot around here and AskTRP. You need to read that post "Exception to the Rule" that was stickied a couple weeks ago
The problem is that even if you are telling the truth, newbies will come in and see you saying you are not jacked and only lift twice a week and yet still pull in 10s, so they too will hamster and rationalize that they don't need to go hard in the gym and develop a nice physique in order to rope in the women.
Why not have both? You are turning it into a false dichotomy.
TRP neophytes are going to read your post and think that having an average physique is OK and therefore they dont need to lift hard & heavy.
Having both personality and physique is the goal: I agree with you.
The problem is I see so many posts here along the lines of:
"I've been lifting 7 days a week for the past six months. I can bench press 350 but am still not getting laid. Help!!"
It wastes people's time because no one is taking time to develop other attributes or learn other strategies. Lifting is not a cure all, and for most neophytes, will not even remotely set them up for success until they've gotten a lot of experience gaming.
Every hour in the gym is an hour you're not practicing game in the real world.
That doesn't mean "don't lift," it means understand there is a lot more than lifting.
I disagree. Lifting should always come before game. It's a pre-requisite.
It's what I tell to many guys here. Lifting isn't just about strength and size. Its about confidence, discipline, motivation, testosterone, posture, challenging yourself, and being a man. All of those things are what you need when it comes to game.
Gaming before you lift(or trying to game without lifting) is like trying to compete in a marathon before you have even run a 5K.
Gaming women should never take precedence over lifting. Lifting always comes first.
No.
At what point have you sufficiently "lifted" to qualify to game? When you can lift a certain weight? There's no pre-requisite to game.
You should be gaming strangers at all times.
Having success with women is just like a muscle in the gym. You gotta train it. If you neglect training a muscle its not grow or get stronger (better). If you don't train (go approach, socialize, study game) in having success with women your results won't be that great. Obviously if you get jacked and you're attractive you'll have some women that just fall into your lap with no effort, but if you're also good with women its like taking candy from a baby at that point. The key point OP is trying to make is lifting should be one of the foundations of the pyramid that is your life.
I very much disagree. This post is not balanced. It's saying "lifting is life"
I think you're interpreting OP is stating you should be in the gym for hours and hours a day. But what he is stating is you should just make it a priority in your life. Get your ass in the gym and devote 30 minutes to an hour of your day to lifting weights, its that simple. And the effects of doing so are great both physically and mentally there is no reason you should NOT be doing it. If you disagree otherwise its cause you haven't done it or refuse to try it. If devoting that little amount of time in your day to doing something that benefits you substantially is taking away too much from your time then you need to readjust your priorities, and really evaluate what you're spending your time on.
On the other side, personally I love lifting. The high I get from pulling a new PR is akin to sex. Really everything regarding fitness interests me whether it's leading strength coaches, triathletes, strongmen, crossfit games athletes, weightlifters, etc. My current routine has me in the gym twice a day 6 days/week. I look forward to my lunch break HIIT session every day. Before starting to lift around the time I found TRP I had no interest in any of it.
I do get girls, but they are few and far between. We're talking maybe half a dozen/year. Could I do better? Yes, but the time and effort I put into my own fitness is more important to me that that. Weekdays are working, eating, exercise and recovery. Weekends are for getting my other shit together (bills housekeeping, etc), socializing, and spending time with my daughter.
I have this desire to see what the limits of my own body are, to find that place where I have reached my potential. I'll have time for girls in the years to come, but for now this is more of a priority.
Dude, You are by far to obsessed with lifting. Other sports like Bodyweight training, gymnastics and martial arts also develop a great physique and even cool skills and a good use of the body. Lifting is great for some people, but all the other sports I mentioned are as effective And suit better to other people.
Please stop telling people they need to lift - there is no rational argument that this is much better than some other effective sports - neither to get women, not to get a better physique, nor for health.
Body weights and fucking gymnastics?! What fucking sub is this? Lift a weight you fuckin puss
Please think for yourself - everyone here tells you need to lift but there are lots of successful people who succeed in life and with women without lifting (and some even without a sport). This is not a lifting sub and I find it ridiculous that everyone should lift. Plus, I find it ridiculous to claim only lifters look great. Look at male models and actors on tv - lots of them look great and do other sports...
God, yes. I pulled my hamstring yesterday morning while doing RDL (freak accident, no idea why), and my first though was "fuck, this is gonna kill my progress." I was more pissed that I couldn't finish my workout and that I have to take a week off than anything else. The pain will go away, but gains are lost. I did need an off week here soon, so I will use this week as a stretching, light cardio week and examine my baseline nutrition better.
What are you proposing if you do injure yourself? I took this week off from lifting because of an injury and I didn't see any other options. Gains are important but I'm not going to have a second course of spinal surgery.
You have to be realistic about your injuries. I've lifted since I was 15 (seriously since 18, now 23), and there has been a course of minor injuries, with the most recent being tweaking my lower-back on DL.
The old me would get injured, then take 2 wks off. This time around, I was making tremendous progress and took a new approach. Instead of dropping the weights and quitting, I went in and decreased how heavy I was going. There was still pain when squatting, so I tried leg press, and bam! No back pain. I began to supplement in reverse hyper-extensions to also help alleviate pain in the lower lumbar region, along with other exercises to work the neglected muscular regions and help heal the injury.
Eventually after a month or two, with a changed up routine, I was able to squat and deadlift heavy, but with the use of a belt. This injury taught me a lot. 1) Work around your injuries 2) utilize foam rollers/stretching to reduce chance of injury 3) wear a belt.
It's all situational, but if you intend to lift heavy, you have to also learn to try and reduce any potential chance of injury. When it does inevitably arise, you must work around it to try and mitigate the negative effects to the best of your abilities.
I ruptured my l4-l5 disc when I was younger and dumber and had to have it repaired. I did the same thing as you with the reduced weight for a week or two and the reverse hyper extensions. Then I hurt myself worse doing something I shouldn't have. Anyways, do you have any recommendations for helpful stretches? Or a good resource for information on them? I've been working on mainly the hamstrings and iliac area and have found it to be quite helpful to recovery.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJBtRTrmV20
This is the foam rolling routine I use, and throw in some basic band stretches. Also I always slowly warm-up into my weight no matter how light/heavy I'm going.
Truth be told, I'm not 100% comfortable giving you advice on this, as your issue sounds more serious than mine. If anything I advise regularly seeing a chiropractor, which I will be doing now that I've recently graduated and have some money to spare, better to take preventive measures before injury is an issue. My friend who is an avid powerlifter also suffers from similar problems, although I believe he has lower-lumbar discs which are herniated instead of ruptured. He still puts up decent numbers such as 500lbs on the squat... How this will affect him in his late 30s/early 40s I can't say, but it's part of the game, and everyone I lift with would gladly sacrifice their body to achieve things that most believe aren't humanly possible.
Thanks for the link, I don't just blindly leap with advice, I merely cultivate information.
You stop lifting. Obviously there is a point where the risk of continuing to lift outweighs the reward when it comes to injury or illness. The question you need to ask yourself is if you TRULY are hurt/sick, or just saying you are to rationalize an excuse not to lift
Reading this got me hyped for my next lift, and I only started doing it three weeks ago. I feel like it gives you an alternative source of relaxation and focus that other activities just can't seem to scratch
I wish I could upvote this a hundred times.
Great post, however I believe this mentality should be applied not only to lifting but also to your passions and hobbies.
Let me tell you all the truth, for I have trained on Mt. Oliftus- Chest day is the best day!
I've started lifting ever since I found TRP and I have loved it ever since. It's a real good hobby for me, somewhere to blow off steam and feel good.
However there have been times where I was just like FUCK this I'm not going to the gym kind of days for injuries, extreme weather, and lack of sleep. But other than that I always make time for the gym.
I remember there was a point in time where I literally walked 5 miles to get to the gym so I could workout. Make time for it.
One of my shoulders is currently fucked up. Ok. That just means more emphasis on squats, while I do LIGHT shoulder work (active recovery).
If your knee is fucked, time to get Jersey Shore swole in the pecs, arms and delts.
Most injuries, other than maybe a spinal fracture, offer no reason to stop lifting.
Shit, this was suppose to be my rest day, now I feel the need to do a routine
I have stopped lifting (mainly due to traveling) and do believe that lifting/ or heavy exercise inherently attracts women. Testosterone & other endorphines can be sensed by women (at least the healthy ones).
I haven't read all the comments, so disregard this if it's already been said. I applaud you for going to the gym and fighting through the pain. But with a injury like you've described, make sure that mother fucker is wrapped up very well. The gym is one of the easiest places to pick up bacteria. If you're only wrapping your wound with breathable fabric, you may be subjecting yourself to some nasty viruses and bacteria.
Thank you for your post.
It made me decide to start lifting agian, after an injury that has affected and tortured my leg for almost two years. Your words have reached the right ears.
I have learned to live with the pain, at least when I'll start lifting agian it will be pain of my own choice.
I need to stop excusing myself and figure out a way to do it.
I had all of my wisdom teeth out a week ago (at 31). It's the only thing that's stopped my lifting. Back to the gym in 4 more days.
Lifting doesn't have to cost anything. I didn't have an extra $40 a month to commit, so I found some landscaping stones ranging from 10-30 pounds, a few cinder blocks, a couple 5 gallon buckets, two 40lb sandbags, a cast iron bar with flanges on the ends. I also had a tree branch to pull up from. The only thing I paid is $4 for the sand bags.
100% agree. feels like shit when i miss a day or two.
have to say it feels great, almost always being the most fit male in the room. this happens 9/10.
The true crime I see is seeing people pay a shit ton of money for a committed membership at a fancy gym, when they could go to a free gym (i.e. university gym) or pay less money and get the same god damn results. Most school gyms have everything you need. I used my school gym throughout undergrad and grad school, got pretty lean and got checked out a lot, and got better results than my classmates who paid money to go to a "better gym". Currently going to planet fitness and paying 10 dollars a month. Discipline and the bare minimum is all you need to better yourself. Also, the people I know who pay more don't even go consistently.
You're absolutely correct; unfortunately the fitness industry has been monetized to give this illusion that you need a load of bullshit to get fit (get a trainer! pay a ton of money for a "good gym!" get a load of supplements you don't need! etc.)
Discipline and the knowledge of what to eat are what you need. I pay a little over $20/month for my gym membership, and it has paid off in dividends in the past 5 years alone.
I use to lift a backpack full of books.
I did a number on my back doing deadlifts 5 months back (got greedy and upped my weight too fast), I can barely bend over without feeling like I am 30 years older than I am. I have been doing some light exercise at home with some free weights I have, but doing say 20 pull ups in sets of 5 will knock me on my ass for a few days. Any advice outside of slowly building my lower back up again with light exercise and stretching?
Not a personal trainer here, but pull ups are exercises you want to avoid if you have an injury. They are extremely intensive.
How are you with lat pull downs or cable rows? If you can handle those, work your way up to dumbbell rows, and then move on to squats to see if you are able to get into the deadlift starter position and keep it.
You are a pussy using your lower back injury as an excuse like I once did. It hurts because you used shitty form and are weak down there. Once you lift with proper form, you won't hurt it, and you will strengthen it.
20 pull ups in sets of 5 - OK, you are working some muscles, but what about your lower body?
I set aside the second bedroom and made a gym out of it in my old place. I bought weights in 20kg increments from 20 to 80kilos and bars, and I lift 20 reps as soon as I wake up -- 10 with 20 kilos followed by 10 with 40, then when I get home from work, I do another 20 -- 5 with 20, 5 with 40, 5 with 60, and 5 with 80. I don't see why I'd need to work out in the gym. Any thoughts?
You need a cage and a barbell.
This lifting "program" you say you are doing, while I guess its better than nothing, makes zero sense. You say you "lift 20 reps" - lift what? Do what? Are you benching it? Curling it? OHP'ing it?
And then you get home and do it again? "Lift" twice in one day?
What about your lower body.
This makes zero sense.
My thoughts: Your program sucks.
Torn bicep tendon in my shoulder. Used it as an excuse a few years ago. Now I Lift. I guess all the other muscles in the shoulder built up and covering the weak link. No more talk of surgery.
I was hurt but lazy. No more.
One hour is about 4% of the day. No excuse not to give your body 4%. That ain't shit.
Bruh fix your fingers please. A week off from lifting is good sometimes, ever heard of strategic deconditioning? I've left the gym for a week and come back stronger and bigger cause I gave my body the time, sleep and calories it needed to repair. Just don't be an idiot and skip the gym cause it's raining or you're watching the game or w/e
I just came from r all and I can't tell if this is satire or not. Not everyone likes lifting.
Amen to this doctrine. Become strong as fuck and it will make you rock solid. Women will love it.
While lifting is important I disagree with the idea that lifting is the be-all end-all most important part of Red Pill philosophy. You can swole as all hell and heaven and still be awkward, lonely, unsuccessful, and without confidence. It's important for sure, but there are many other steps to becoming a true man and many other problems and challenges we've gotta face in life, and lifting in and of itself won't fix even a small percentage of them. It's the supplement, the aid, but not the cure.
I strongly strongly disagree.
The positives of lifting will help a man more than any other course of action he can take.
I'm in my 40s and lifting is THE big constant in my life. Lifting gives me far more than I give, in terms of personal confidence, what my woman thinks about me, and how the world treats me. Hell, looking at my peers in the 40-50 age range, it's obvious I'd be a much different person without weight lifting (squats, deadlifts, bench, etc.).
Just a note - dont forget the recovery time is longer in the 40's than when your're in your 20's. I find that I can no longer do the 5-6 split due to overtraining - and thats with giving 48 hours between similar muscle groups and alternating routines (push/pull legs vs individual muscle groups per day).
On my off days for rest - I just go swimming
Ive been lifting for a few years now, along with running, and mild bodyweight fitness. Mostly specific muscle group training like back day chest day arm day throughout the week. I squat, ohp, and deadlift about twice a week. Ive grown to dislike the feeling of deadlifting and weighted squats, It doesnt feel right. I assume that my form is not perfect, but ive done a lot of research and think I have the right idea more or less.
I have tried doing only full body workouts ohp squats, dl. But I dont like this regime, it doesnt feel right to my body. I am too sore after workouts.
I have noticed that although my body is a lot bigger and I have gained significant muscle mass, went from 180 -210. My body doesnt feel strong, my bones are always cracking really loud, knees, shouldersx wrists, forearms. I feel heavier and slower. After I do squats , dl and ohp , I cannot fully function for a day or two.
Also my body symetry is off, left side shows much more mass.
I am considering removing the compound workouts (dl, squats, ohp) and focusing more on lifting, resistance, cardio, and bodyweight. Any suggestions or ideas ?
What if I told you........ you are supposed to be sore.
Either your form is really shitty, or you are over exaggerating
Your form sucks
You are trying to hamster your way out of the tough lifts because you are a pussy and are looking for a way out that gives you an excuse. Man up and keep the 5 main compound lifts(OHP, Squats, Dead Lifts, Bench, Weighted Chins) a part of your routine and look up YouTube videos on proper form
There's a lot of really intelligent posts in this forum, but the meathead ones like this are disappointing. The "do you even lift, brah" mentality weighs down the practical advice, sound reasoning, and clever observations I have come to find here. I'm by no means saying don't work out or get in better shape, but come on, don't let it consume your life.
Spoken like a true hamster who doesn't lift.
I agree with some aspects of this, I remember when I first started lifting weights six years ago when I was 20. I had lived more or less a sedentary life up to that point, and obviously I had wanted to change that. Lifting gave me a lot of positive things, confidence, determination, discipline, but it doesn't fix everything. Lifting really helps, even if you have an unfortunate body type (too skinny, too fat) lifting will give you confidence. My advice is start small, start with the basic lifts, squat, deadlift, and bench, with some accessories. The 5X5 program to beginwith is best, help you build a really solid base, go light, learn the lifts well. I think the secret to making lifting more interesting as you begin is train for strength. You don't need to become a hardcore powerlifter, but you can't imagine the benefits of becoming phsyically more powerful will do for you, but don't become obsessed. In fact, I wouldn't recommend training through injuries or illnesses at all. I did strongman competitions when I was an undergrad, I have a permanently fucked shoulder now, because I trained through injuries. I progressed really quickly, from a complete dork, to the biggest guy in the gym, lifting the biggest weight. It went to my head, and I started making stupid decisions. I still train in basic powerlifting with some body building, but I take it easy, I don't push it too far. Sometimes you can train through a little soreness, or a few minor abrasions, but don't become too obsessive when you start seeing results. That's how a lot of guys start ignoring red flags in their bodies, they get injured, they may need surgery, and then they won't have their outlet while they heal for however long. Be careful, be dedicated, but lift smart, know when to back off, fight another day.
Yeah Bodyweight requires more skill to gain mass. But actually free weights are as complex - especially if you don't want to hurt yourself in the future.
Everyone should pick his favorite method. It's important to work out with a good method for ones aimes. That's it. Not: you gotta be lifting.
And here a look at the best of bodyweight training:street workout world championship
Your hamster is at light speed in terms of bodyweight lifting.
Just cut to the chase and admit that you are a mangina. No man should ever choose body weight exercises over barbell given he has access to both.
This is ridiculous. I have tried it with arguments but if someone is too stubborn, there is no chance of a conversation.
Any advice for someone who finds lifting boring as fuck? Like I'll go to the gym and try and listen to a podcast or an audiobook while i'm working out. But its just a hassle earbuds fallout, headphones fall off it your working it hard. But I need extra stimulus besides just breathing counting and lifting in order to not be bored to tears while doing so.
Look up Martin Berkhan's Fuckarounditis article and read it. If you don't enjoy it you aren't working out hard enough and are wasting your time.
Lifting is Freudian sublimation to red-pillers, similar to how excessive eating is to other groups.
Unlike what most people say, I found the beginning of lifting to be the shit part. I am a disabled guy from having a fucked up heart, and after getting weight lifting cleared(somewhat) I got in there with the most fucked up muscle imbalances imaginable. My hips and abs are so weak that I can't even squat without my spine turning into the St Louis Arch, and my heart gives me blackout eyes anytime I try to do standing core lifts.
Since that was happening, I am in the process of about 9 months of trying to fix my horrendous issues so I can actually lift. I used to lift as a teenager and loved it, so it makes you feel really shitty when you can't even hardly squat the bar without screaming pain and weird form. I want to be back into the grind of doing it day in and out and getting bigger. I would do gear to make it go quicker, but that would be bad on the heart plus make the imbalances worse.
Totally agree with this post. Started back with lifting because I was ready to get back into the dating game after being out for the year once I get home from being overseas (had a girl in mind that I was at first trying to get ripped for). Now I'm training for a half-Ironman and combining that with lifting. Making huge improvements in just 2 months in everything (performance and looks). Working out now just for myself. Still plan on hitting that girl up when I'm back, but not sweating the results either way on that (more fish in the sea mentality now). The amount of stress release and just the workout high is enough to keep me going back day after day.
One should be very careful with this one. Working around an injury is very difficult and shouldn't be taken lightly. I have recebtly injured my wrists due to working 9 hours a day with a keyboard and then going to the gym to boxe and do tons of pull ups. Now I am depressed as fuck because I can't exercise as hard as I want to.
if youre just starting out, the 5x5 program is the tits.
Just do it! You young bucks will appreciate the effort you put in when you're approaching 60 yo
Lifting has helped me definitely since I started a few months ago, especially free weight exercises like the deadlift - my posture is so much better. Building more muscle causes more body fat to be burnt and also planks are great for your abs. Like someone else said, lifting isn't the only exercise, things like boxing and mma/bjj are great for fitness. The discipline involved in going 'x' amount of times a week, is also good for your character, I only go 1-2 times a week, but my advice as a newbie to the gym is join now or at least buy some weights and a bench at home and lift a bit, it'll improve your strength and confidence.
This is such bullshit. I have a regular body and I don't lift. But I'm very smart and intelligent which attracts women. To each its own. Bulging your body outta your clothes is not the answer. Just do what inspires you to dream for bigger things. That's the answer.
Can't tell if this post is sarcasm or not.
If its not... lol. I bet you are a skinny fat mangina with a spare tire.
Nice post. Even if you have an injury you can still go to the gym and modify your routine based on what you can do, at least in some cases. If you hurt your knee do just light bench and seated exercises, or if you hurt your shoulder do mostly legs; you get the point.
Not having time is rarely a true issue. The are plenty of two day programs that will get you big and strong.
Bodyweight exercises and programs like convict conditioning work well if you truly cannot afford to go to a membership, and you can get reasonable progress with them.
All the excuses in the world are worth exactly nothing. No one cares that you have it extra hard. Some just have to put in more effort - so what, life is not fair.
Lifting really is one of those things you need to just do to understand the benefits. There's a reason the advice is so oversaturated -- the benefits are enormous.
Hell, if I gained no muscle or aesthetics at all by lifting, I'd still do it for the positive endorphins and mental clarity. It's THAT important.
I used to have an attitude that if I missed gym even for a single day, something big is missing from my life. I used to workout for hours. It does work as having a fit body made me feel strong and more confident. I could approach any girl and did get appreciative looks and occasional flirting on the tube, in the mart and the gym from the women without even trying.
However one side effect of too much workout was that my hair started to thin out at the crown. At first I ignored it, then cut my hair really short. My dad is bald and my older brother's hair has also thinned out, though not as much as mine so it could also be due to genetic disposition. I researched this online and male pattern baldness (MPB) occurs due to buildup of DHT in the hair follicles. DHT is a type of potent testosterone which is produced because of a high level of testosterone in the body, a direct consequence of lifting.
I still go to the gym but not on a daily basis and not for hours like I used to before. DHT is in fact good for a man as it helps build muscle and keeps you functioning sexually at an older age, according to research. But it is bad for hair.
Good message, and I also hate missing a workout in the gym, but some explanation on WHY you should treat lifting like a meeting with the so-called "love of your life" would have been useful.
Not sure if I'm doing it right (doing 5x5 every other day. Do 5x5 program, run .5 miles, go down the aisle of machines. Do a leg machine, then an arm, then a leg etc..Then I hit the ab machines. Then I run a .5 mile again at a high sprint. Then go home. Then rest the next day) Not sure if this is a smart move (I'm 6'1 146lbs)
I can do it kinda easy and I drive an hour to work, hour back. And I work 7 days on 1st shift 5am to 1pm, then 2 days off, then 7 days on 2nd shift 10pm to 5am, then 2 days off, then 7 days on third shift 10pm to 5am.
Also about to join an BJJ gym on Fri.
Hope my "program" is a smart move. I guess I could do EVERY day but I thought rest was a good idea.
Only retards lift every day
I only lift 4 days a week on a bulk and 3 on a cut
Just remember one thing. Will it help you get laid(more), yes. Will it change all the bullshit you have to deal with, no.
Framing this in a different light that helped me overcome my hesitation to lift:
Muscles are to women what huge perky tits, a narrow waist and a gorgeous ass are to us. When you start making gains, you will get stares, not glances, and these are super easy approach targets.
The testosterone increases are addictive AF. The increased confidence you're getting from your awesome bod plus this T surge destroys approach anxiety. You will think of great one liners upon seeing a target and you use them and the chick will love it.
And deep in your lizard brain you will feel the need to achieve your goal of drowning that pretty face of hers in your seed. And you do not question it. You are on autopilot. You naturally DNGAF.
You stop lamenting recent breakups with women and start opening new opportunities. And the opens become your focus and you constantly search for new birds down for fun and not much else.
Muscles obviously increase your overall presence in many social contexts. Bratty female coworkers who couldn't shut up if they're life depended on it, now become quiet and compliant when you start talking.
The male higher ups start respecting you in ways all your hard work hadn't yet achieved.
You get energized. Far more than any energy drink, stimulant, etc. You take risks and you get motivated.
If you truly believe yourself to be alpha, lifting is the quickest way to naturally tap into your nature that society has tried to pummel into submission. All for 30 mins at the gym. Easy.
For me it's rock climbing. I lost 11 kg and look fucking shredder just by enjoying myself outside with friends and trying hard. I can't do lifting it's too boring.
A little of this here https://soundcloud.com/user-580652804/the-mark-baxter-podcast-episode-6-rollo-tomassi-and-ed-latimore
I have started with body weight due to bulging a disc in my back, but damn lifting sure makes the day go by a lot faster and its enjoyable.
Im 14 and gyms wont allow me in so how should i go about trying to lift, i already do body-weight excercises at home and at the park but i want more and good weights are really quite expensive for me so what should i do
At what point do you guys consider a person to be lifting "heavy"?
Post the lowest weights you'd consider "heavy" for the following lifts:
SQUAT
BENCH PRESS
DEADLIFT
Every person has a different "heavy". It depends on the individual.
In your teens, your oneitis should be video games.
In your 20s, your oneitis should be lifting.
In your 30s, your oneitis should be making money.
In your 40s, your oneitis should be raising kids.
In your 50s and on, your oneitis should be relaxing and enjoying life.
I hate that so much of this sub thinks that the way you are in your 20s is the way you always are. How about a thread from someone over age 22.
I believe you're looking for posts and comments from /u/VasiliyZaitzev
You don't need to dedicate a decade of your life to one particular aspect of your life. I'm in my mid 20's working towards a very lucrative career, I lift and diet regularly, and I hope to raise a family by my late 20's or early 30's.
I don't plan on changing my physical regimen as I age-- that's just a recipe for failure.
Then you weren't lifting hard enough to begin with.
Well, can't you just lift yourself ? I do 200 pushups daily, 6 sets of 33 through the day. Does that count as the sacred "Lifting" you preach or do I still need to spend 40 box each month ?
You're cheating yourself if that's what you're doing. You're way out of range for any progress in strength or hypertrophy and all you're doing is getting really good at doing 200 push ups in 6 sets of 33 lol
What configuration would you advise then ?
At this point for chest? None anymore. Start benching at 60% to 80% of your max for 3-5 sets of 5-12 reps once or twice a week as part of a general fitness program. The lower range if you're interested in maximizing hypertrophy the higher range for strength but both ways will accomplish both goals.
What you're doing right now is spinning wheels.
That's for you to decide. Do YOU think 200 pushups a day are enough? Do you think you are cheating yourself and selling yourself short?
My answer is of course you are cheating yourself. Pushups, while great, only work some muscles. What about your lower body? Lower back? Muscles which are secondary/tertiary in push ups?
I also hike a lot, my goal is not to get completely wrecked, and I don't feel like getting into more complex routines. I'd like to stay on something bodyweight based and as simple as possible.
I lift and and then ski on the weekends, how about that. You know you can do both.
Honestly, just invest in some adjustable dumbbells. You can work pretty much your entire body with dumb bells, an incline/decline bench and a pull up bar. Money was my issue so I invested around $500 a few years back and I haven't regretted a penny.
Any chance you could post some pictures of your home setup? Maybe PM?
It's nothing special. Just a a pair of bowflex adjustable dumbells, a small folding inclined bench (about 1.5 m length, maybe 60 cm width) that I lean against the wall when not in use, and one of those iron gym pullup bars that hangs from my doorway. When I wake up I shadowbox with tiny weights in my fists or on my ankles. After that cardio I just fold out the bench, hang the bars on my doorjamb and spin the dial to the weight I'm lifting at. I work upper body, lower body, or core muscles sunday to friday. Saturday is a rest.
Idk man, you can get a yearly membership for like 120 dollars at plenty of gyms.
If you've got your own place that's fine, but you're leaving out a bench, a rack, and about another couple hundred dollars worth of weights. http://www.ebay.com/bhp/45-lb-weight-plates
Right now I'd need SIX of those things + a barbell AND more plates to add on it just for deadlifts. And if I wanted to increase that its yet another 2 plates to buy.
Your total easily reaches something closer to 1200$ if you want all the best equipment for working out and improving safely. That's the equivalent of 10 years at a normal gym.
If you can drop that money then do it and get yourself a nice comfy place to enjoy at home, but I like the variety of weights and machines at the gym, getting spots, getting buds, flirting with the desk girls, and other shit.
86 bucks for 45 lb plates seems a rip off. Its just cast iron. Used plates on kijiji were more cost effective. I don't use a rack I just adjust the weights on the two dumbells I have and work on the used incline bench I got for 50 bucks and given enough time I can thoroughly work out all the major muscle groups. I agree that the variety of the gym machines are good and encourage periodic trips to the gym to try out new methods, etc. However getting buds, flirting with girls and other shit is not why I'm taking the time to train These activities have their time and place. While I'm working out isn't usually when I feel like doing them. Frankly I prefer to lift alone and only do group sessions when comparing my progress to that of my peers. However to each their own, Imma do me
I used the same routine thereabout and it went nowhere. I have (or had?) a scar on my back from where the skin was rubbed raw from my carpet when I did sit ups.
And it got me nowhere as far as I understand it. Not only that, but doing only push ups will fuck up your physique if you do it for too longer or too intensely. There's a few vids on youtube about that. I'd recommend trying to AT LEAST increase intensity by doing diamond push ups or other variants as well as weight dips/pullups, squats, supermans, mountain climbers, planks, etc.
But since I started lifting with a routine and eating right I've tripled my strength and gained something like 40+ lbs of muscle. I regret not having started with that in the first place, I would have probably have already reached my goal by now, and had time to get shredded before summer.
I'd guess you could find something better at 15 dollars a month. Nowhere near as unreasonable as 40.
I pay $10 a month for my membership.
You'll make way better gains with your physique in the gym then any bodyweight exercise can do. Progressive overload with increasing weight is how you build muscle. Doing 200 pushups a day overtime is essentially an endurance test for your body at a certain point, and you stall.
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Does heavy cardio count? Wish I lifted more, but I tire myself out most days before I get the chance
No. Cardio without lifting = muscle mass wasting away.
I don't necessarily agree (you only lose 'mass' because toning makes your muscles denser, not weaker) but I'll still heed your advice and try to lift twice a week to compliment my cardio
You don't need to "agree," it's just a fact. If you do not lift or stimulate your muscles, along with proper nutrition (protein macros especially), you will lose muscle mass.
"Toning" has nothing to do your muscles; it has to do with losing bodyfat to make your muscles more noticeable.
Lifting twice or three times a week is fine for a beginner as long as you're cutting and hitting all of the major muscle groups. If you're fat, losing the fat is the major priority, and more cardio is good to that end. Don't forget that you can lose muscle mass while cutting fat though-- it's an insidious process, unfortunately.
Why go to the gym if you don't like it? It won't last, and you won't get results. Men and women alike will be able to see through that facade.
Men only go to the gym to impress other men (although some journeys start off to impress women). When you're jacked you get much more attention from men rather than women.
Women will be attracted to your dedication and the fact that you devote a lot of time to a hobby. I say stick with something you enjoy, that will be most attractive. This doesn't give you permission to be a fat slob.. just eat like a normal person and you'll be fine.
You couldn't be more wrong. Women go fucking nuts over abs and jacked men.
Women go nuts for Justin Beibers abs, and I'm pretty sure he has never touched a weight in his life.
Girls go nuts for Photoshopped Justin Bieber abs.
How often do you walk around with your top off and a pump on? Probably a few times a year? Why devote so much physical and mental effort in to something that you will barely use in your arsenal? Sure they'll see it when you're fucking, but by then you've already won them over with other means.
I got offered a job based on nothing but the way I looked.
Out of absolutely no where in a fucking walmart.
that's the power of working out. You demonstrate your discipline, your strength, your integrity and MARKET yourself.
The "halo principle" is 100% in effect for most people, and if you optimize your looks its as good in a social setting as it is in a professional one. A guy that goes to an interview and weighs a mean 140 lbs at 6' compared to someone who is a lean 200lbs at 6' with the SAME qualifications.
I guarantee that that bigger guy will get the job, because they'll automatically think of how he got to where he is. They assume that only a good professional would have the ability to eat right, have a balanced life to accommodate working out, have the discipline to go through with it, and organize everything to optimize it.
Not everyone looks up to guys that work out. Sure the majority do in this subreddit, but I can assure you that I know many people that wouldn't hire the 200lbs guy. Everyone has different perspectives and views on life. People could say "oh he's too dedicated to the gym, we want someone who's more focused on their job". "Oh the last guy we had was a total gym junkie, and he turned out an asshole."
Just a thought.
You don't understand, lifting/exercising makes you proud of your own body to the point where you gain confidence through it and people can feel it.
Obviously it makes you look better so people also look up to you better, it's a win win situation
Now i agree with the gym thing, i personally don't go to the gym, i have my dumbels, my pull up bar and i do shit at home, but that doesn't stop me from going at it until i'm dead sore
Also lifting/exercising feels fucking great afterwards (it's quite painful during the training it you do it well), i've been smoking weed for 7 years now, it's obviously not the same high at all but there's definitely a high for a good hour/few hours if you exercised hard enough
Also you'll be proud of yourself for sticking to your regimen with discipline, some days it won't be easy, you'll feel weak, but you do it anyways and feel even better than usual
You just reiterated what I said lol. And yeah confidence can come from looking good, amongst many other things. You'll find though that even the hardcore gym junkies that people inspire to look like, have even lower self confidence than your average Joe (eg Photoshopping their pictures, taking steroids etc). Confidence is not made in the gym solely. It's made from all aspects of life. Gym isn't the magic cure.
Oh it surely isn't you have to believe in yourself, as you said in all aspects not only physique.
But looking at yourself making progress will net you confidence because you just proved yourself to you, and i think that's the toughest part
Things skinny fats say
I don't like going to the gym, never have, but I go there because there's no other way to get the body I want other than hammering away at the weights.
Women don't "see through the facade." Sorry to break it to you, but all they see are Chad's jawline, shoulders, abs, and biceps.
I feel sorry for you my friend, life's too short to be doing things you don't enjoy. I hope you can find some enjoyment one day. Learn to love the gym and your results will be that much greater.
I'm enjoying my life because of my efforts in the gym-- no need to feel sorry; the fact of the matter is, if you're OK with being a skinnyfat or scrawny dude who gets ignored by women, then by all means, avoid the gym and like the rest of the beta losers who need to marry women.
Let's see pics of this body you're so confident about !
To be honest I have never heard of a gym 40$ a month. Don't think you can find anything this expensive in my city.
I spin plates starting at 2:00 AM and don't stop until I'm pissing blood.
No. There are other fitness activities besides lifting. Jeez
Spoken like a true non lifting hamster
Fuck that. Some people just don't spark with lifting. If you see lifting as a choir, it's getting harder and much more disciplin draining the heavier you lift.
Or like, just get money and fly off to anywhere in africa or asia manne. Better be a kingpin in africa or asia than a mere servant at home.
Also, if you're not already ripped, don't waste your time with these complex workouts. Just think legs, push, pull, 3 sets high weight low reps (e.g.: squat, bench, lat pulldown) and you're in and out in 40 minutes.