WHY I DO NOT LIFT WEIGHTS.

Summary

In this video, the speaker explains why they no longer lift weights, despite having a background in powerlifting. They emphasize their preference for bodyweight training, which they believe promotes agility, explosiveness, and overall athleticism. Drawing from their own experiences in martial arts, boxing, and strength training, they stress the importance of mindset, consistency, and enjoying the process over purely focusing on muscle size. The speaker acknowledges the benefits of weightlifting but advocates for finding a routine that fits personal goals and keeps training enjoyable, rather than adhering to a one-size-fits-all approach.

Takeaways

• 😀 Lifting weights can make you slow and less agile, which is why some prefer bodyweight training.
• 😀 There's no issue with lifting weights if done with a focused program, but bodyweight training offers functional benefits.
• 😀 The speaker initially pursued powerlifting with the goal of becoming Hawaii’s strongest man, but found bodyweight training to be more beneficial for overall fitness.
• 😀 Bodyweight training builds strength, endurance, and agility, making it more versatile and applicable for real-life athleticism.
• 😀 High-rep bodyweight exercises, like push-ups and pull-ups, helped the speaker maintain fitness and mental resilience.
• 😀 The speaker's personal journey includes a pivotal moment in high school where they outperformed their peers in a strict Marine pull-up contest.
• 😀 Strength and conditioning through bodyweight training improved the speaker's athleticism, not just muscle mass.
• 😀 Bodyweight exercises are easier on the joints compared to lifting heavy weights, allowing for greater intensity and consistency in training.
• 😀 At 35 years old, the speaker values agility, movement, and mental sharpness over building large muscles.
• 😀 A strong mindset and enjoying the process are crucial to achieving long-term fitness results, regardless of the training method.
• 😀 There is no one-size-fits-all approach to fitness—individuals can combine various training methods, but consistency and mindset are the keys to success.

Q & A

Why does the speaker prefer bodyweight training over lifting weights?

The speaker values bodyweight training for its focus on athleticism, agility, and overall movement. They believe lifting weights can slow you down and make you less mobile, whereas bodyweight exercises help maintain flexibility and explosiveness.

What is the speaker's history with weightlifting?

The speaker has a background in powerlifting, having trained to become Hawaii's strongest man. They lifted heavy weights, such as bench pressing 315 lbs and deadlifting 405 lbs for multiple sets, but eventually found that this type of training hindered their mobility and athleticism.

What experience led the speaker to transition from lifting weights to bodyweight training?

After their experience with powerlifting and realizing it made them less agile, the speaker discovered bodyweight training, particularly calisthenics, around 2005. They appreciated its focus on endurance, body control, and the ability to train anywhere without equipment.

How did the speaker's mindset influence their approach to fitness?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of mindset in achieving fitness goals. They believe that having the right mental attitude—being consistent, intense, and enjoying the process—matters more than following specific programs or lifting heavy weights.

What is the significance of the speaker's experience with calisthenics and bodyweight exercises?

Calisthenics provided the speaker with a sense of freedom and functional strength that lifting weights could not. They enjoyed the challenge of high-rep bodyweight exercises like push-ups and pull-ups, which helped build endurance and overall fitness.

How did bodyweight training help the speaker in their personal life?

During a period of emotional distress, the speaker used bodyweight training as a form of therapy. By doing high-rep exercises like push-ups and squats, they were able to redirect their energy, get stronger, and improve their mental focus.

Why does the speaker value athleticism more than just being strong or big?

The speaker believes athleticism is essential because it involves movement, coordination, and agility. While lifting weights can increase muscle mass, it doesn't necessarily improve the ability to move efficiently or stay agile, which the speaker considers crucial for overall health and fitness.

What role does consistency play in achieving fitness results, according to the speaker?

Consistency is key in achieving fitness goals. The speaker stresses that it's not about following the latest trend or trying to lift the heaviest weights, but rather sticking to a workout routine you enjoy and executing it with intensity over time.

Does the speaker believe lifting weights is inherently bad?

No, the speaker does not believe lifting weights is inherently bad. They acknowledge that it can be effective for building strength and explosiveness, especially when combined with a well-structured program. However, for the speaker, bodyweight training has been a better fit for their goals.

What personal experience does the speaker share to highlight the effectiveness of bodyweight training?

The speaker shares a story from high school when they impressed a group of Marines by doing 22 pull-ups with strict form, which exceeded the previous record of 18. This demonstrated the effectiveness of bodyweight training in building strength and endurance.