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I agree that you don't need any new fancy techniques and equipment to get in shape. However, doing the same week every week just isn't very fun. Most of the p
by socrates1998 12y ago
I agree that you don't need any new fancy techniques and equipment to get in shape.
However, doing the same week every week just isn't very fun.
Most of the problem with being and staying in shape is the lack of interest in it.
The author enjoyed weightlifting because he had never done it before and he saw himself getting stronger, which is very fun the first time you do it.
The most important part of a fitness program is interest and motivation. A close second should be safety, but generally you can get into decent shape doing almost any sport or activity.
For me, this article's fitness program, Starting Strength, sounds insanely boring, but that is because I have been doing these lifts off and on since I was 15 years old. And I did them a lot in college for football, so, it no longer appeals to me.
I say, find something that is interesting to you and do that thing. It can be yoga, martial arts, soccer, basketball, walking, whatever, as long as you really enjoy it you will do it hard enough to get in shape and improve your health.
- zacharycohn 12y agoIt is called STARTING strength for a reason. :) In my experience (which is not universal), the workouts aren't boring though. Running on an eliptical for an hour is boring. Getting into the gym, warming up, doing my workout, cooling down, taking a shower, changing my clothes, and walking out of the gym in 45 minutes isn't boring - it's awesome.
- socrates1998 12y agoI am glad that you found something you enjoy that keeps you in shape. But, boring is very subjective and I think weightlifting is boring because I did it for so long and I have done all I can do with it. My point isn't that this particular program is boring or not, I just think interest trumps content in regards to fitness. So, if you like it, then do it.
- makeset 12y agoYou might not realize this if you have never trained for strength, but strength is very obviously measurable, especially with barbells, and when you get that feedback often enough with a program like this, it quickly becomes addictive. You know how many reps you got with what weight the last time, you shoot for one more rep or 5 lbs. heavier, and you get it! And you know you didn't have it a week ago. You just got stronger! So you start chasing your own progress in that "boring" lift, and it becomes far more exhilarating than any wobbleboard kettlebell juggle variation-of-the-day a personal trainer pulled out of her ass.
- socrates1998 12y agoI don't want to sound like I am bragging but, I competed in powerlifting (Clean & Jerk and bench press) in high school and played college football. I have lifted for strength too much is my point. I don't want to do it anymore. As I have gotten older, I have found that the most important part of my fitness plan is to do something that is interesting to me. Interest in an activity is more important than the activity itself. This goes along with the article, which debunks the new trendy fitness regimes in favor of a classic program.