# Why don’t you lift weights? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Tags:** diet-weight-loss\ **Created:** [August 15, 2020, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-don-t-you-lift-weights/918144 "2020-08-15T01:48:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-don-t-you-lift-weights/918144/41 "2020-08-15T16:24:01Z")
[Lifting beer jars](https://www.muenchen.tv/muenchen-masskrug-weltrekord-geknackt-186769/#) would probably not count, would it? To make it count the jars have to be full and must be carried over a distance of 40 meters. I’d rather do it one jar at a time and prefer the smaller jars anyway, so the beer does not get stale and warm before I drink it, but some people are really seriously into it. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-don-t-you-lift-weights/918144/42 "2020-08-15T17:06:37Z")
I used to, and would do land cardio too (elliptical and/or walking). I enjoyed it and being that I was at the Family Recreation Center and not Gold’s Gym there wasn’t any awkwardness for me, even tho I’m a flabby old lady. I had too many problems with my skin (hidradinitis superativa) and cant really work too hard out of the pool anymore. So I get my cardio and resistance in the pool. I’m a fan of weightlifting for people who don’t have a physical job. Definitely helps with joints and stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-don-t-you-lift-weights/918144/43 "2020-08-15T19:27:35Z")
> [@saje](#): > > I have a mini farm with horses, goats, cats, dogs for which I do all the care. That means 60+ lb hay bales, 50 lb bags of feed, full wheelbarrows and muck tubs, hooking up the bush hog mower, working all the machinery, sweeping, raking, etc. I also ride and that IS exercise and a helluva lot harder than it looks. > > My job also entails a lot of lugging of boxes, climbing ladders with boxes, bending, squatting, moving all day. Sounds like you get paid to lift weights - why would you want to do it for free on your down time? Naw - I’d suggest it as a possibility for desk jockeys, but for those who do that sort of thing already as part of their job or daily activities it’s not needed. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-don-t-you-lift-weights/918144/44 "2020-08-15T19:43:14Z")
I do lift weights, but when I get busy/disorganized, my weight-lifting routine is the first thing to go. At the moment, I haven’t done it in weeks, though I will get back to it. Why is it the first thing to go from my regular routine? Well, because it’s my only daily (or every other day) routine activity that doesn’t have particularly serious consequences if I skip it, and it seems like routine stuff eats up a huge portion of my day. I have three cats in a small home, which means I do a ton of cleaning and litter-box maintenance. I like to cook and I don’t have a dishwasher, so there are also tons of dishes to do. And I have to tend to garden and compost matters just about every day. Plus, I try to run 5k every day, which takes a lot of time. By the time I get done with all that, read the news, and sort through the dozens of emails I get every day, I feel like I’ve spent enough time on routine stuff and I need to get busy grant-writing or grocery shopping or board meetings or whatever activities are taking up my day. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-don-t-you-lift-weights/918144/45 "2020-08-15T19:45:02Z")
Currently, I’m not lifting weights because I can’t find them on the market. Anyone know a good source for 15lb hand weights? I’m old enough to be in the “use it or lose it” phase, and I’d like to retain some strength for a few more years. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-don-t-you-lift-weights/918144/46 "2020-08-15T20:10:34Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Currently, I’m not lifting weights because I can’t find them on the market. Anyone know a good source for 15lb hand weights? I think these are in stock: [https://www.power-systems.com/shop/product/deluxe-vinyl-dumbbell-prime](https://www.power-systems.com/shop/product/deluxe-vinyl-dumbbell-prime) When my gym closed I started doing [BodyPump](https://www.lesmills.com/us/workouts/fitness-classes/bodypump/) at home. Standard BP uses both the bar and hand weights, with the plates from the bar filling in as hand weights. When I was looking for a set of weights, I looked for ones which could be used in the same way. Here are a couple of sets like that if you want to do both bar and hand weight exercises: [https://www.power-systems.com/shop/product/studio-pump-set](https://www.power-systems.com/shop/product/studio-pump-set) [http://www.thestep.com/Step-Fitness-4-weight-set\_7?sc=8&category=788](http://www.thestep.com/Step-Fitness-4-weight-set_7?sc=8&category=788) They also have some kits to make the plates into adjustable dumbells: [http://www.thestep.com/Group-Active-Dumbbells-1-set?sc=8&category=162](http://www.thestep.com/Group-Active-Dumbbells-1-set?sc=8&category=162) If you have some basic DIY skills, you can use the plates to make adjustable dumbells with some black pipe from the hardware store. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-don-t-you-lift-weights/918144/47 "2020-08-15T21:30:04Z")
Hey, thanks! I guess the shortages are easing up. I just ordered some weights. Wish me luck in getting them. 🙂 The other reason I don’t lift is because I don’t enjoy exercising, but I’m trying to force myself to do some. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-don-t-you-lift-weights/918144/48 "2020-08-15T21:32:46Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > There are thousands of hobbies that I don’t engage in, and the same is true of you. Do you have a reason for each and every hobby why you don’t engage in it? If some starts a thread “why do you hate weightlifting”, and someone comes in to explain how they actually love weightlifting, is that threadshitting? ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-don-t-you-lift-weights/918144/49 "2020-08-15T21:41:56Z")
Not if it discusses the same topic. If someone were to name a specific activity, I could tell you why I probably don’t do it. But start your own thread. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-don-t-you-lift-weights/918144/50 "2020-08-15T21:42:17Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > So, why don’t you lift weights? They seem fine right where they are. ---
**Author:** ![ThisIsTheEnd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisistheend/32/4713_2.png) [@ThisIsTheEnd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisIsTheEnd)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-don-t-you-lift-weights/918144/51 "2020-08-15T21:52:19Z")
Because it’s boring to do and even less interesting to talk about. Same as running. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-don-t-you-lift-weights/918144/52 "2020-08-15T22:04:14Z")
Partly boring, party I have no idea how to approach it. I’ve never managed to do it more than a few times in a row. I’m not sure I’m doing it “right.” I’m not sure what progress I should expect, and when. I am certain all my questions could be answered with a few mouse clicks, but I’ve never been motivated enough to do the search. I’ll stick to Peloton bike and elliptical machine. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-don-t-you-lift-weights/918144/53 "2020-08-15T23:15:21Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > It is. There are condescending people in many hobbies and weightlifting in particular. But that wasn’t what I was trying to do. pardon a few of us for interpreting it that way. Your question was framed in a way where you came off as believing we all _should_ be doing it. And in my experience, exercise is one of those things where there are a lot of zealots who think their chosen activity is the “One True Way.” Runners are particularly bad about it. Weightlifters a close second. It’s basically religion. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-don-t-you-lift-weights/918144/54 "2020-08-15T23:24:13Z")
I do hundreds of 12oz curls every week. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-don-t-you-lift-weights/918144/55 "2020-08-15T23:38:42Z")
“Why do weightlifters carry those little books? What are they writing down? Everything was heavy. Again!” [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/tKk03342mVU/maxresdefault.jpg "The Gym") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKk03342mVU) ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-don-t-you-lift-weights/918144/56 "2020-08-15T23:44:23Z")
I think resistance training is one of many good forms of exercise. I can’t say I care deeply if you do it or don’t, but am curious as to the many good reasons one may have stopped doing it or the experiences some folks had. One of the bad things about exercise is, like diet, the tendency to become dogmatic, like you say. The Crossfitters I know are not too bad, but they have that reputation too. When I started lifting weights, and it’s been years since I had a very physical job, it was not that popular and gyms were often empty. It has become more popular, but in most gyms I’ve been to you just don’t see many senior citizens doing it. And they are actually the ones with the most to gain from it. Most who did do it seem to stop in their 20s, with many exceptions I’m sure. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2020, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-don-t-you-lift-weights/918144/57 "2020-08-16T00:11:56Z")
Since when do I have to give reasons for not doing every goddamn thing? ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2020, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-don-t-you-lift-weights/918144/58 "2020-08-16T00:23:05Z")
Since never. You absolutely have no obligation to post in this thread. I promise. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2020, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-don-t-you-lift-weights/918144/59 "2020-08-16T00:26:02Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > but in most gyms I’ve been to you just don’t see many senior citizens doing it. And they are actually the ones with the most to gain from it. “Going to a gym” is kinda a thing that people who work do. And it’s more popular with the young for cultural-drift reasons, I think. Senior citizens who lift weights mostly lift smaller weights and often do it at home. And call it “physical therapy”, not “lifting weights”. Anyway, I am not yet a senior citizen, but I am definitely concerned about maintaining some strength and flexibility. Thus, buying a few small weights to life at home. (under the supervision of a personal trainer, I admit.) ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2020, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-don-t-you-lift-weights/918144/60 "2020-08-16T00:30:52Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > “Going to a gym” is kinda a thing that people who work do. And it’s more popular with the young for cultural-drift reasons, I think. Senior citizens who lift weights mostly lift smaller weights and often do it at home. And call it “physical therapy”, not “lifting weights”. No way! Our Rec center is seniors most of the day. Our seniors do light hand weights yes but they definitely like the weight machines too. And you don’t have to go to work to go to the gym. Maybe it’s easier to stop at the gym on the way home but for me, leaving my home office to go to the gym is a daily treat! That being said, I realize I’m talking about the family recreation center not a “gym gym” and I’m sure the scenes are different there. But whatever - workouts only work if you do them and if you feel better doing it at home go for it! Glad you found some weights! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-don-t-you-lift-weights/918144.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-don-t-you-lift-weights/918144.md?page=4)