anyone else doing weights?

[jsgoddess]

I know a lot of people here are doing aerobic exercise. Just wondering if anyone else is doing weights, and how they are going for you.

I do weights three times a week. I've tried bumping it up to four times a week, but find myself running out of time to add aerobic exercise (and I love my stationary bike!) so it's back down to three.

I find weights to be extremely enjoyable. You really feel like you're accomplishing something every time you increase weight, or every time you can do another repetition.

I've even gotten good at upright crunches. If that isn't a miracle, I don't know what is!

Julie

[mjfrombuffalo[$]]

I love weights. Love love love LOVE weights. And I'm one of those lucky ones who gets definition almost immediately when I lift weights. (Not going for bulk, just strength and tone.) Hubby had freeweights (an old set with a dangerously rickety bench) which I finally convinced him to give away when we moved. We're joining a club near our new apt that has about a million machines (my faves!) and costs $25/month for their m-to-m membership

mj

[quasar]

I enjoy weights. I'm not currently doing them. I don't go to a gym and don't have weight equipment in my apartment. I've toyed with the idea of joining a gym for weights, but for several reasons have decided not to do so for now.

Janice

[hadassahchana[$]]

I love doing weights. I have some free weights, and we just bought a bench for the basement. I copied a great book on weight-training for women which I got from the library, and I'm having a wonderful time. Doing weights is the one thing that I can feel a sense of accomplishment at- I can almost see improvement from week to week. As far as I'm concerned, tehy are perfect: fun, cheap, and the results come quickly ( I am an instant gratification kind of gal!).




Cindy

[phoenixx]

I have some elbow and knee problems that are fine when walking, rollerblading, rowing, etc but flare up when doing any jarring motion - running, biking, weights, etc...

I have been toying with the idea of a Bowflex. They are expensive, but the people I know who have gotten them love them, and the ones that have stuck with the program have seen serious results quickly.

Any one else use Bowflex in lieu of free weights or nautilus style weights?

Leslie

[murasaki]

I like doing weights, weight machines. However, I have a difficult time finding gyms I like that don't cost a fortune.

Right now I'm doing resistance bands at home. No excuses to not work out because they're right there.

Leslie - I don't know about Bowflex, but resistance bands (for women) give you almost the same benefits as lifting weights without buying all the machinery. My set of three bands was less than $20 at Target.

Since I started using the bands, I'm seeing some improvement that I wasn't getting with doing the weight machines at the gym last semester. I think it's because with the bands I can target a larger variety of muscles than what was available with the machines.

--naomi

[cyndilouwhoo]

I love weights. Why I am not doing them right now, I don't know.

It's interesting that everyone mentions "accomplishment" when talking about weight training. I thought I was the only one who felt that way about it. Nice to see I am not alone.

I'd also add "satisfaction" to the list. There's nothing more satisfying than getting to the last station and knowing you finished. You are sore, you are sweaty...and you are better for having done the circuit. There's something about that I have always really liked--and don't really personally experience with any other form of exercise.

There's also the issue of "playing off against the machines" that I really love. You set the weights, you do your reps, you finish, you win. I have always applied a sense of competition to weight training. I have always seen it as me against the machine.

For someone who has never been especially good at organized team sports, I get the thrill of "playing" and "winning" against the machines.

Pretty weird, huh? I used to get the same feeling when I ran track in Highschool--only with weights I win the "race" every time.

So I will ask myself this question: I love weights--so why aren't I doing it?

Cyndi

[lynnzop[$]]

I love weights, weight machines, that is, I've never tried free weights but will when we put them in the garage.

I kept thinking I was going to try Naomi's resistance bands....I don't have much space in my house and they sound like a great alternative. I have to run to Shopko today (there isn't a Peep, Bunny or chocolate egg in the house!) so I will put them on the list.

I need some variety and this sounds like just the ticket.

Lynn