Welcome to a space dedicated to the art of strength training. You invest time and effort in the act of “lifting weights,” but have you ever questioned the underlying motivation? Conventional wisdom often dictates adherence to the monthly workout routines featured in fitness magazines. As a result, you find yourself in the gym or basement, diligently executing curls, flies, and lunges in pursuit of your fitness goals. But why? Why lift weights? Whether your aim is to build muscle, burn fat, boost metabolism, or achieve other fitness objectives, the routine remains a constant. However, have you pondered the true essence behind lifting weights, engaging in curls, or adhering to the touted “routine of the month”?
Imagine if you were to discover that lifting weights serves a purpose beyond the conventional reasons typically attributed to it. Would this revelation alter your perspective? Notably, few clients express an innate love for lifting weights, yet they persist. Why?
Let’s delve into the origins of weightlifting. Can you pinpoint why people initially embraced the practice? Traditionally, lifting weights was a means of gauging one’s strength within the context of a competition. Consider the gyria or Russian Kettlebell, a tool initially employed to measure crop weights at markets. Over time, it evolved into a competition, where farmers and others showcased strength and endurance through various gyria lifting maneuvers. This was a far cry from contemporary bodybuilding-focused practices.
Examining historical strongmen like Arthur Saxon and Eugene Sandow reveals that, despite possessing enviable physiques, they engaged in weightlifting primarily to demonstrate strength. Their workouts emphasized overhead presses, distinguishing them from today’s prevalent emphasis on bench presses.
Do you recognize true strength training when you encounter it? The chances are slim if you’ve been led down the path of today’s image-driven “weight lifting.” How often have you heard or uttered the phrase, “I don’t want to look like a bodybuilder”? If this sentiment resonates with you, why adopt a training approach aligned with bodybuilding? It’s essential to acknowledge that modern fitness protocols often derive from bodybuilding principles.
Tyler Hass recently shared an eye-opening experience when visiting the gym with his gymnastics group. Instead of encountering a tailored strength and conditioning protocol to enhance their specific activity, they found themselves immersed in a typical bodybuilding workout.
While the activities may seem similar, the key distinction lies in intent. The purpose behind your training regimen can make all the difference in achieving your goals. Muscles are inherently designed to facilitate movement through space and assist in moving objects or loads. Strength training serves as a means to enhance these functions. By aligning your intent with the fundamental purpose of your training—improving strength—you not only achieve your goals but also cultivate a physique reminiscent of the revered strongmen of yesteryear.
So, are you simply “lifting weights,” or are you truly engaged in strength training? What motivates your choice to “lift weights”?