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Lifting weights. I lift weights 4-6 times per week. I started at 3 days per week. For the first few months I had to force myself to exercise. When you are firs

Lifting weights. I lift weights 4-6 times per week. I started at 3 days per week. For the first few months I had to force myself to exercise. When you are first starting out, lifting weights in a gym can be uncomfortable due to not knowing what you’re doing or feeling like the weakest one there. Once I started seeing results (first in strength, then in the way my body actually looked) I was hooked. Now I actually like exercising a lot and go out of my way to go to a local gym a couple times even on vacation. It’s a great hobby because it has a lot of side effects beyond just the enjoyment you begin to experience as you grow accustomed to exercising. You become healthier, better looking, and at less risk of injury in daily tasks. The only cost is a gym membership (and a diet high in protein if you want to optimize muscle growth, which can get pricey). It only takes about 1hr/day so it’s not very hard to fit into a daily routine.

lelandfe 5y ago
Ever considered lifting competitively? I did competitive powerlifting for a year and it was very fulfilling - the community is incredibly nice and supportive.
- edanm 5y ago
  (Context: I also lift weights regularly, and got way more into it a few months into the pandemic) Wouldn't you have to lift at a pretty high level to be even a bit competitive? My mental picture is that you probably won't reach anywhere near competitive levels until you are at least a few years in. I personally am still fairly weak by powerlifting standards. But this could just be in my head... I actually have no idea if there are options for beginners, despite somewhat following the sport.
  - lelandfe 5y ago
    There's a minimum to be sure - but you can join a competition-focused gym and start going as a spectator to meets even if you're not at a level to qualify yet! Those folks are more than happy to help you develop along that road :) But if you're competing as a male and can do a 1 rep max of either >300lb squat, >250lb bench, or >450lb deadlift, you'll likely be able to find an amateur competition to participate in! As a final note, if you've never worked towards a 1 rep max, you likely have no idea what your upper limit is. I certainly didn't – my deadlift max wound up being nearly twice the weight I was expecting when I started.
    - edanm 5y ago
      A 225lb bench is often considered a kind of minimum goal to work towards, usually achievable in ~2-3 years, I believe (depending on a lot of factors obviously). So that's somewhat in line with my expectation that you need a few years under your belt before you are really competitive. (FWIW, I've ben lifting somewhat seriously for a year and a half, far less seriously for a few years before that, and I bench ~155lbs 1RM, at least according to a 1RM calculator.)
- opportune 5y ago
  Personally I’ve only been lifting properly for 2 years and am not good enough for competition lifting (definitely not for bench, maybe for squat though). I take more of a hypertrophy than strength focus so am not accustomed to going for ORM with equipment and stuff like that. Does seem fun though
matwood 5y ago
I power lifted for many years and love it. I still lift regularly, but no longer PR because of age and some sport injuries. After working all day in an abstract environment dealing with code, there is something pure and simple about a deadlift.

lelandfe 5y ago

Ever considered lifting competitively? I did competitive powerlifting for a year and it was very fulfilling - the community is incredibly nice and supportive.

edanm 5y ago
(Context: I also lift weights regularly, and got way more into it a few months into the pandemic) Wouldn't you have to lift at a pretty high level to be even a bit competitive? My mental picture is that you probably won't reach anywhere near competitive levels until you are at least a few years in. I personally am still fairly weak by powerlifting standards. But this could just be in my head... I actually have no idea if there are options for beginners, despite somewhat following the sport.
- lelandfe 5y ago
  There's a minimum to be sure - but you can join a competition-focused gym and start going as a spectator to meets even if you're not at a level to qualify yet! Those folks are more than happy to help you develop along that road :) But if you're competing as a male and can do a 1 rep max of either >300lb squat, >250lb bench, or >450lb deadlift, you'll likely be able to find an amateur competition to participate in! As a final note, if you've never worked towards a 1 rep max, you likely have no idea what your upper limit is. I certainly didn't – my deadlift max wound up being nearly twice the weight I was expecting when I started.
  - edanm 5y ago
    A 225lb bench is often considered a kind of minimum goal to work towards, usually achievable in ~2-3 years, I believe (depending on a lot of factors obviously). So that's somewhat in line with my expectation that you need a few years under your belt before you are really competitive. (FWIW, I've ben lifting somewhat seriously for a year and a half, far less seriously for a few years before that, and I bench ~155lbs 1RM, at least according to a 1RM calculator.)
opportune 5y ago
Personally I’ve only been lifting properly for 2 years and am not good enough for competition lifting (definitely not for bench, maybe for squat though). I take more of a hypertrophy than strength focus so am not accustomed to going for ORM with equipment and stuff like that. Does seem fun though

matwood 5y ago

I power lifted for many years and love it. I still lift regularly, but no longer PR because of age and some sport injuries. After working all day in an abstract environment dealing with code, there is something pure and simple about a deadlift.