Is weight lifting supposed to be fun ???

I was doing weight training in my PE class for the first time with a whole bunch of different machines and It wasnt bad at all, I thought it would be like doing push ups but It was the only exersise I had fun doing.

If it wasn't bad at all, it's because you weren't using enough weight to do any good! I've been lifting now for about 10 years, since I was about 15 or so. It's not really "fun" in the traditional sense of fun, but once you've been at it for a while, your muscles get addicted to it and you feel weak and antsy when you skip a workout.

Have to admit.... it gets kind of boring. Now, if I could watch TV at the same time..... maybe.

You probablly didn't have enough wieght.The_Hippie_God

So... do you think pushing yourself to the limit is more fun?

I mean.... is it better to do lots of weight lifting with a lighter weight, or less with a much heavier one (that you can barelylift)

Weight lifting is fun if you know what your doing. Weight machines are pretty much crap. Stick with classic barbell training such as squats, deadlifts, bench presses, upright rows, power cleans, snatches, etc. Those are the most important exercises.

[QUOTE="The_Hippie_God"]You probablly didn't have enough wieght.FamiBox

So... do you think pushing yourself to the limit is more fun?

I mean.... is it better to do lots of weight lifting with a lighter weight, or less with a much heavier one (that you can barelylift)

Depends on what you're trying to do. If you want to build muscle, then higher weight with less reps is ideal. If you just want to tone muscle, then you'd do less weight with more reps.

[QUOTE="FamiBox"]

[QUOTE="The_Hippie_God"]You probablly didn't have enough wieght.UT_Wrestler

So... do you think pushing yourself to the limit is more fun?

I mean.... is it better to do lots of weight lifting with a lighter weight, or less with a much heavier one (that you can barelylift)

Depends on what you're trying to do. If you want to build muscle, then higher weight with less reps is ideal. If you just want to tone muscle, then you'd do less weight with more reps.

you've got me interest now..... (goes off to put maximum weights on barbell)

Hope I don't hurt myself....

[QUOTE="FamiBox"]

[QUOTE="The_Hippie_God"]You probablly didn't have enough wieght.UT_Wrestler

So... do you think pushing yourself to the limit is more fun?

I mean.... is it better to do lots of weight lifting with a lighter weight, or less with a much heavier one (that you can barelylift)

Depends on what you're trying to do. If you want to build muscle, then higher weight with less reps is ideal. If you just want to tone muscle, then you'd do less weight with more reps.

Actually, high weight less reps gives you strength or explosive power. Explosive power is in the 1-5 rep range. Strength is about 5-8, muscle hypertrophy is around 9-15. Anything above that is muscle endurance. Remember that there is not such thing as toning or shaping your muscles. They only grow or shrink depending what you do.

[QUOTE="UT_Wrestler"][QUOTE="FamiBox"]

[QUOTE="The_Hippie_God"]You probablly didn't have enough wieght.WushuFighter

So... do you think pushing yourself to the limit is more fun?

I mean.... is it better to do lots of weight lifting with a lighter weight, or less with a much heavier one (that you can barelylift)

Depends on what you're trying to do. If you want to build muscle, then higher weight with less reps is ideal. If you just want to tone muscle, then you'd do less weight with more reps.

Actually, high weight less reps gives you strength or explosive power. Explosive power is in the 1-5 rep range. Strength is about 5-8, muscle hypertrophy is around 9-15. Anything above that is muscle endurance. Remember that there is not such thing as toning or shaping your muscles. They only grow or shrink depending what you do.

Thats pretty true.

Toning is merely focusing on different muscle groups to highlight the ones you want to look toned, and obviously a low body fat percentage.

And TC, yes weight lifting is fun. Its the old fashioned kind of fun that doesn't come in a can (but it can come in a needle, steroids ftw), or in a flashy media format. The fun comes AFTER the pain.

The fun comes AFTER the pain.RKfromDownunder

Yeah you have to go through hell to get to heaven(I think that's how it goes :P)

On a different topic... what rep range do you guys go for ...

I gor for 6-9reps 4 sets

I was doing weight training in my PE class for the first time with a whole bunch of different machines and It wasnt bad at all, I thought it would be like doing push ups but It was the only exersise I had fun doing.

Merc009

Lol, I can picture you with 5lbs weights - "Golly gee, this is fun!"

I'm not saying your weak, it's just the way you said it was "fun". It can be fun, but it's usually considered a strenuous activity (obviously). I lifted today and I had the most fun with the only non dumbell part of my routine: dips. You can really feel it in your triceps. Be sure to listen to lots of hard rock music. It helps.

On a different topic... what rep range do you guys go for ...

I gor for 6-9reps 4 sets

The_Hippie_God

I use mark ripptoes routine. Never fails even after you start to get more advanced.

Squats - 3x5, 5x1(Max weight), 3x3, or 5x5
Bench Press - 3x5
Deadlift - 1x5

Power cleans or snatches - 5x3
Squats - 3x5
Military press - 3x5

[QUOTE="RKfromDownunder"]The fun comes AFTER the pain.WushuFighter

Yeah you have to go through hell to get to heaven(I think that's how it goes :P)

Its pretty true.

The first few months were hell to my wrists, my whole body ached at night and walking to and from school every day (1 hour each way) was excrutiatingly painful.

Extreme tendonitis does not mean do less, it means DO MOAR, NAO. Actually it doesn't, but listening to your body is stupid...

[QUOTE="Merc009"]

I was doing weight training in my PE class for the first time with a whole bunch of different machines and It wasnt bad at all, I thought it would be like doing push ups but It was the only exersise I had fun doing.

IgNIght

Lol, I can picture you with 5lbs weights - "Golly gee, this is fun!"

I'm not saying your weak, it's just the way you said it was "fun". It can be fun, but it's usually considered a strenuous activity (obviously). I lifted today and I had the most fun with the only non dumbell part of my routine: dips. You can really feel it in your triceps. Be sure to listen to lots of hard rock music. It helps.

How much do you lift then? (not trying to turn this into a "how much can you bench" thread.

[QUOTE="Merc009"]

I was doing weight training in my PE class for the first time with a whole bunch of different machines and It wasnt bad at all, I thought it would be like doing push ups but It was the only exersise I had fun doing.

IgNIght

Lol, I can picture you with 5lbs weights - "Golly gee, this is fun!"

I'm not saying your weak, it's just the way you said it was "fun". It can be fun, but it's usually considered a strenuous activity (obviously). I lifted today and I had the most fun with the only non dumbell part of my routine: dips. You can really feel it in your triceps. Be sure to listen to lots of hard rock music. It helps.

it was 40 pounds, do you expect me to break my back on the first day lifting 100 pounds

[QUOTE="IgNIght"][QUOTE="Merc009"]

I was doing weight training in my PE class for the first time with a whole bunch of different machines and It wasnt bad at all, I thought it would be like doing push ups but It was the only exersise I had fun doing.

Merc009

Lol, I can picture you with 5lbs weights - "Golly gee, this is fun!"

I'm not saying your weak, it's just the way you said it was "fun". It can be fun, but it's usually considered a strenuous activity (obviously). I lifted today and I had the most fun with the only non dumbell part of my routine: dips. You can really feel it in your triceps. Be sure to listen to lots of hard rock music. It helps.

it was 40 pounds, do you expect me to break my back on the first day lifting 100 pounds

Meh, the first time I lifted weights I started at 75.

It can be. It depends what you do. If you do the same ol' routine over and over again, it won't be very much fun. But if you like to switch things up, research, and experiment, then it definitly is. I love working out. The feeling you get afterwards is pretty awesome.