# Weightlifting question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 24, 2003, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weightlifting-question/157188 "2003-02-24T17:22:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![2Thick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/a88e57/32.png) [@2Thick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Thick)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weightlifting-question/157188/41 "2003-02-25T18:54:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by FranticMad \* > \*\*I don’t know if the concept of “warm up” has been discredited, but as an older guy I find that it’s important for me to take it easy on the first set. If I use maximum weights and push hard on the first set, then I tend to feel pain that can last for weeks. > > So the concept of using the first set as a warm up works for me. I get my muscles adapted to the idea that it’s time to work, or so I imagine. Then I push harder for the 2nd and 3rd sets, adding a bit more weight. If I’m really ambitious I’ll add another set with lower weights just to work the muscles in a different way. > > I have no idea if this has any scientific merit. But it’s a system that I’ve found prevents injury, and that allows me to keep working out. I may not be maximizing my muscle growth, but I have no intention of going into competition. I’m doing this for my own enjoyment (oh, and my next sexual partner’s enjoyment too I hope). \*\* You are right. A warm up set is preferred (as opposed to stretching) because warm muscles are less likey to be injured. Stretching a cold muscle could possibly cause injuries, too. ---
**Author:** ![2Thick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/a88e57/32.png) [@2Thick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Thick)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weightlifting-question/157188/42 "2003-02-25T18:56:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Omar \* > \*\*For a beginner just looking to tone up and some muscle definition, is that a bad book to begin with? \*\* It is not bad for a novice because it gives you a basic framework to begin with. You will adapt it to your own style with time, but you need to begin somewhere. I just prefer a bear-bones appraoch as opposed to a uselessly complicated ones. ---
**Author:** ![ianzin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed655f/32.png) [@ianzin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianzin)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weightlifting-question/157188/43 "2003-02-25T19:00:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by 2Thick \* > \*\*I cringe whenever I hear the name of that rag and the sell-out who wrote it. \*\* And why would that be? I’d honestly be interested to hear more. I’m not someone who ever wanted to be a bodybuilder. I’m just someone who had tried and failed for many years to get fit, lose weight and build up **some** strength. The BFL book was the first I had come across that covered all three bases (attitude, exercise, diet), brought together all the good pieces of advice and left out the dross, and was well-written and clear. I haven’t followed the book slavishly. For example, I was determined never to buy special supplement ‘bars’ and ‘shakes’. For one thing, they’re expensive. Also, I figured I wanted to achieve my goals just eating normal food. Having created my own routine, based largely on the BFL book, I achieved the results I wanted. That’s all I can say - it worked for me, and I found it pretty easy, too! You can understand that after something like 15 years of failure, I’m pleased about this, and so naturally I tend to mention the book to other people. Got a problem with that? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weightlifting-question/157188.md?page=2)