Lifting weights - Worth the trouble?

The other day I was sitting with a tennis coach who was saying the gym is boring and that sports is a much better option.

I didn't agree with him on that point. I have heard a lot of people say this. From those who
are good at sports they say the gym is a waste of time and a place for injury. Then there was
another good martial arts expert. He had a superb fitness level all from bodyweight exercises
and movements. He also was of the opinion that the gym was not helpful in the sense of it
doesn't 'train the mind'. Then of course there are the lazy ones who don't like going to a gym
because the little effort that it takes to walk on the treadmill for 5 minutes challenges their
couch potatoes. Some doctors swear that lifting weights gives you a slip disk - never mind that
their body fat content is 38% plus and the risk of heart and lifestyle related diseases are higher -
in short a ticking time bomb. Now I'm not knocking out sports. I use sports to get me conditioned at times. I also believe it is part of the training regime especially when you enter strength and conditioning for the particular sport. However, for people to say that lifting weights and a gym is a waste of time and recipe for disaster is absolutely not true.

So why all this fuss about the gym?

Well firstly I don't think these people have seen proper gyms. They have seen pansy clubs that
offer dances and romances, boring machines and a load of out of shape, impersonal trainers
who have no clue what they are doing.

In my mind the gym is a place where you go to train your body and get stronger and for that a
strong mental connection is needed. In the old days there were no fancy cardio machines and dance sessions. It was just plain old 'lift heavy, lift smart and go home.' Im not against cardio machines or dance sessions but there is something about weights that challenges you mentally and physically. Don't believe me - try cranking out 50 squats, 20 push ups and 20 pullups. Majority of people will not be able to do it even though they bench press about 100kgs.

Lift weights to get stronger. There is a structure to building strength and it doesn't happen in 1
month. You could lose good amount of fat in a month but to have substantial strength takes a
while. We are talking real life strength. Not movie style stunts and good looking bodies. Work
on the strength and the rest will follow.

If you don't know how to train right, hire a good personal trainer or take a session with a fitness consultant. Training sessions should be safe, knowledgeable and fun!

Powerblocks

One of the best equipments that I have come across in the fitness world are Powerblocks. Powerblocks are especially ideal for working out at home. Commercially it is really economical and easy to maintain as well.

Power Blocks have been designed in such a way that one pair of Power Block replaces racks of dumbbells. Adding dumbbells in your weight training can ensure losing weight, gaining strength and building up stamina with an increased fitness level. Power Blocks in my opinion are the best upgrade of Dumbbells.

Features and Benefits:

• Saves space
• Cuts messiness
• Innovative
• Easy to use
• Perfect for in-house training
• Easy for advanced techniques of exercises such as drop sets/super setting

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Power Block Sport 2.4 (3-24LBS Per Hand): Dimensions 10.5"L x5.25" W x 5" H

  

Power Block Sport 5.0 (5-50LBS Per Hand): Dimensions 12.75"L x6.25" W x 6.5" H
 

Power Block Sport(9.0) (Expandable weights)

 

One of the biggest problems to your fitness goals

Time and again I have seen this happen......

Someone walks in to a fitness center and says, 'I want to ________________', whatever it is the person wants. That could be losing weight, adding muscle, just getting fit whatever it might be.

So here they are all revved up and prepped up. The coolest fitness center in town, which has charged them a bomb, the personal trainers with the tight body huggers and absolutely no form of communication or understanding and lets not forget the hep crowd. They have stickers and memberships of the place they go to and show it off proudly. One and half months later they either are not there anymore or they are the same way they started. For those who stay they will keep going in the hope that in the not so far away future.....say 45 years from now they will achieve their goal. I wish them all the best. That amazing center has become a timepass clubhouse. Thankfully not all gyms and fitness centers are this way but most of them are.

What went wrong?

You knew what you wanted. But it did not have a clear cut definition. Once you get that in order you have a specific plan to work with. How do you correct it?

Write a clear cut definition. In case you don't know how to set your goals read this article. Locate yourself and then form a plan with a good fitness trainer or consultant to reach there. Chances are you will start enjoying your training much more and it will give you focus. Also your personal trainer or consultant will keep you motivated and on track. That way your fitness goals are on track and you can reach the goal you have been looking for.

Train Hard, Train Smart