Body Building without Weights

[smallstar]

Originally Posted by Lonewolf

As for the guys in the girls aerobic's class - unless you are trying to be the perfect gay friend then I really doubt the girls are going to respect you much.

Öh. First, I prefer the "perfect happily engaged-to-be-married friend" role. Second, I don't need respect from anyone, especially not "the girls", I'd rather
do what I like.

A little OT but I have to say: your world view sounds awfully insecure and too dependent of if the girls like you or not (not to mention that it contains an awful overdose of boasting). Hopefully you are not betting much of your self-worth on that.

(That's not to say I'd have anything against weight training though, I'd start doing it myself too, if I found enough motivation from somewhere.)

[Lonewolf]

Actually, if you read back through the texts you will see that my argument is not to worry about how you look and to focus on improving yourself.
I also think that many lighter forms of exercise are inferior ways to achieve a transformation of the body if that is your end goal.
On a very primitive and instinctual level, this is why prisoners pump iron and do not practise yoga, badminton or aerobics. It is because they realise that their survival, social status and security are dependent on their strength; and these other sporting activities do not matter very much except as trivial amusements.

I would say that I do bet a fair degree of my self worth on my continued ability to control and transform my body and mind in accordance with my will, through heavy weightlifting. Each time I visit the gym I achieve something difficult and the external proof is with me all the time. My will power continually gets stronger together with my confidence in my ability to influence the world around me. There is no "cheating" in weightlifting - either you can lift the weight or you can't - it is a very clear reality check.

If you do insist on going to the girl's aerobic's class, then you will be doing what you natually like, but most people there will assume that you are either a gay man or in training to be one, the level of your gayness precisely measured by your aerobic dance skills. Afterwards you can leap on your reindeer and romp back to your igloo for a nice relaxing Finnish sauna with the other skilled dancing men that you just picked up at the class. Perkuleeee!

[qiflow]

The best thing stuff that I have seen are Ross Enamait's books - Never Gymless would be perfect:

RossTraining - Bridging The Gap Between Ordinary and Extraordinary

And Zen in the Art of Self-Resistance

You don't need weights to get strong or look good.

[dorothy hanna]

I had the greatest actual benefit when I went to the center of my room, and stood while I placed my hands together, and elbows slightly raised, after turning on Reiki, and while standing, and holding this position, I said my prayers. and visualized the Reiki energy running throughout my body.

One of the first things that occurred was I felt a ripple through my body, and my spine straightened with a snap, and a crackle sound.

I'd hold the position for about an hour, total. My feet planted about a foot apart.

After just a few weeks, my body got amazingly toned, and people began telling me how beautiful I was, and that I seemed to be glowing.

I felt great, and I looked great.

It's was some years since I did this, and I've recently been doing it again, while holding my intentions for the highest good of all, and it's amazing how fast it's working again.

Also, using Reiki also makes my hair grow as well.
These are just all some side benefits I've found when I was orininally intending spiritual growth.

[Just One More]

I'm not sure what the appropriate protocol is here but to hell with it I'm responding.

Thank you for resurrecting this 3+ year old thread. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Lonewolf's posts here and share his strong beliefs almost identically.

I can identify with some of the other posters, though. The other day I did some barbell shoulder presses and I woke up the next day with NO NECK! I look like this massive thug now. Please help.

[supertom]

I've switched to body weights as well, its much harder but i enjoy it more. I used bench about 68kg and only with 78 push ups do i feel the same tension.

[Nnouwels]

Kettlebells

[russianrocket]

Originally Posted by Nnouwels

Kettlebells

Kettle bells are fun. You can do a lot of body movements, with extra force and weight. But aren't they technically weights?

[Kaie]

Originally Posted by ahimel

Shovelglove: The Sledgehammer Workout

I just recently learned about this, I love it and it is really effective . definitely not boring.

[ZaneSkye]

Originally Posted by Lonewolf

I was making ironic remaks about the value of aerobic and flexibility type exercises that women do to "firm up their tums, bums and thighs" ;for men interested in seriously strengthening their bodies.
Also, your focus is clearly on how you look rather than how strong you are - which is clearly a feminine activity. My advice to you all is stop behaving like a bunch of airline stewards, don't worry about your butt or tummy and focus on becoming a strong man.
If you want women to be sexually attracted to you it is going to be primarily because of your physical confidence - your pride in knowing that you are strong and worthy enough. Girls hate a man that is insecure and whiney especially about his apprearance. If you are like this then CHANGE because evolution is weeding you out!

lmfao! i like ur posts lonewolf. its true and funny as hell at the same time. keep it real

[VinceG]

Originally Posted by russianrocket

Kettle bells are fun. You can do a lot of body movements, with extra force and weight. But aren't they technically weights?

Yes, technically. But the OP's complaint is that weights are boring. Kettlebells solve all the problems of boring lifting. They give your mind a nice workout along with your body. With a heavy enough kettlebell, your mind will naturally be focused on keeping that thing under control so you don't injure yourself. It's impossible to be bored doing it, assuming you're working with correct form.

[russianrocket]

Originally Posted by VinceG

Yes, technically. But the OP's complaint is that weights are boring. Kettlebells solve all the problems of boring lifting. They give your mind a nice workout along with your body. With a heavy enough kettlebell, your mind will naturally be focused on keeping that thing under control so you don't injure yourself. It's impossible to be bored doing it, assuming you're working with correct form.

When I use weights, I'm 100% concentrated on the weights, and my body position the muscles being worked. Any other way, and you're doing it wrong and will injure yourself. I guess that's why I don't get bored.

[Clint Cora]

I think weights can be boring too but that's not an excuse for not doing them. I presently use dumbbells and a bench at home (I'll use whatever is available during travel). My video on Sidedoor Motivation was about forcing myself to do weights (and swim).

If somebody gets bored, just find higher motivation (justification) and crank out the music really loud. That will help a lot of folks get through weights

[DBV]

Challenge yourself. How can it be boring if it's a competition? Your a guy, you like competition... we all do. Sometimes we wuss out on it because of fear of failure. Get a goal of big bench press or weighted pull ups with 80lbs around your back and go achieve it.

You can try kettle-bells as mentioned earlier or try lifting other heavy stuff like sandbags..read up a book Dinosaur Training by Brook Kubik and watch some footage on Youtube on lifting sandbags. Go boxing, or take up MMA if it's boring still.

[MrMikhailovich]

Originally Posted by tropicality

Just thought I'd add a quick bit here. Working out without weights (or at least without doing the normal repetetive repetitions) is a very GOOD idea!

For example: a guy who went to the gym for many years was what you would call a large muscled body builder, and he offered to help my grandpa and father put in a large/heavy window, however because of only lifting weights -- many 'useful' muscles are avoided... needless to say he was unable to lift this window up and over his head into the hole... who would have guessed it.

There are many other examples of this. Your muscles all work together, so unless you work on ALL of them, you may look strong.... but really you might not be... except in the exact movements as you lift weights.

Freeweight movements / body weight workouts are very good for all around strength building.

Perhaps the second example in this whole thread of the bad mind-set here. I'm actually incredibly hesitant to address this thread but I'll begin here...
Foremost: Working out with weights does not have to be simplistic or repetitive in any shape or form. In fact by comparison any sort of non-weights involved activity is -extremely- more repetitive to such a degree it's not worth elaborating on.
There are numerous studies abound on the health benefits of lifting weights, many of them hormonal and a plethora of recent studies and even published books now by front-lines physicians displaying and explaining the assistance of weight-work into old age. ( Think Jack Lalanne. )

I work with weights, I also do yoga, I do a lot of balance work with those weights. In fact in almost all the activities with weights that I use, the philosophy of "real world movement" or "natural movement" is behind most of them. "How is this applicable to reality?"

I don't want to ramble long, I just really want to prompt you to reevaluate your goals. As someone who has heavily been studying the fitness and health world for several years, perhaps like you yourself have in different ways, consider weights. I listen to audio-books and pod-casts while I workout. ( I know that's weird to a lot of people. ) If your goal is to be healthy, you need to work with weights some. Especially approaching the second half of your life.

You're doing better than most people, but when you have such easy access to being the best you can be, why limit yourself? Work with dumbbells for 20 minutes every other day, those results will take you far beyond. Combine those brief weight sessions with a lot of body-weight exercises, etc. Look through planes, research it, so on and so forth. Best of luck.