Why do people bother "working out"?

Lucero said:
I see where you're coming from and often wondered this myslef. What makes me laugh, especially on these forums, is the 'bodybuilders' who, when put to the test couldn't run after wheelchair bound cripple whose wheels had fallen off, yet they think they are somehow 'fit'.

If I want someone to left a heavy sofa, I'll call them.

I remember a Johnny Ball "Know How" where they put a bodybuilder up against a cyclist. They had to blow up as many balloons in a minute as possible. The body builder managed 3. The cyclist was on his 20th when the clock stopped. They then went through a series of tasks and with obvious exception to the heavy lifting, the cyclist won them all, including the one where you have to walk in a straight line without looking like you've just got off a motorbike.

In actual fact, body building to an extreme is more likely to cause you more issues later on in life.

I enjoy cycling and rowing and play an hours football once a week (5 a side). These by their very nature mean I'm fit and healthy and could out perform a bodybuilder in almost all normal day to day sports.
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Talk about sweeping statements and ignorant generalisation! The majority of weightlifters here anyway, are healthy from a cardiovascular point of view. I can assure you running around a rugby pitch at club level for 80 mins isn't for the faint hearted. I know I'm healthy in all aspects, ok not as elite as a cyclist or marathon runner, not by any means, but I could easily keep up with the average.

However I do agree that the professional bodybuilders can and do put extra strain on their bodies - though Arnie's still doing well as is Franco Columbo :)

Whilst comparing a professional cyclist and professional bodybuilder in such examples you have given will be clearly the cyclist that has the advantage, for the likes of the populace on this board I think you'd find it's much closer/fairer. In fact I'd even hazard a guess that over half of this board couldn't run up the stairs without needing to catch their breath either.

Hatter The Mad said:
Why do people bother getting fat?
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Indeed - it's disgusting.
 
I wish I had the motivation some gym goers had. I like the idea of going to the gym and working my arse off, and sometimes I can get myself in the mood to keep it up for a few months. But it always ends the same way, just one or two skipped sessions because I'm feeling lazy and then it can be weeks if not months before I start again.

Like I said I wish I were more motivated
 
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Lucero said:
I see where you're coming from and often wondered this myslef. What makes me laugh, especially on these forums, is the 'bodybuilders' who, when put to the test couldn't run after wheelchair bound cripple whose wheels had fallen off, yet they think they are somehow 'fit'.

If I want someone to left a heavy sofa, I'll call them.

I remember a Johnny Ball "Know How" where they put a bodybuilder up against a cyclist. They had to blow up as many balloons in a minute as possible. The body builder managed 3. The cyclist was on his 20th when the clock stopped. They then went through a series of tasks and with obvious exception to the heavy lifting, the cyclist won them all, including the one where you have to walk in a straight line without looking like you've just got off a motorbike.

In actual fact, body building to an extreme is more likely to cause you more issues later on in life.

I enjoy cycling and rowing and play an hours football once a week (5 a side). These by their very nature mean I'm fit and healthy and could out perform a bodybuilder in almost all normal day to day sports.
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with the exception of heavy weight boxers, rugby players and lots of strongmen who have to run with heavy weights i agree.

Someone who can't run 3 miles (at a reasonable pace for their age) can't call themselves fit ever imo. Fit is being able to sustain cardio, being strong is different, and having both is essential in contact sports where you are a top weight category or there is none.

Lot of gym goers probably choose weight lifting which is a little sad but is always going 2 be the case, because it gets more recognition from people.
 
Lucero said:
I enjoy cycling and rowing and play an hours football once a week (5 a side). These by their very nature mean I'm fit and healthy and could out perform a bodybuilder in almost all normal day to day sports.
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and yet even the most amateur of lifters could probably outlift you on any given day..which is rather the point..

people train for specific sports at those high levels.

and theres a lot more to being 'fit' than simple cardio vascular endurance.
 
etom said:
Someone who can't run 3 miles (at a reasonable pace for their age) can't call themselves fit ever imo. Fit is being able to sustain cardio, being strong is different, and having both is essential in contact sports where you are a top weight category or there is none.
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and if you cant bench at least your bodyweight or do a decent heavy squat/DL you cant call yourself fit either..

and no, being strong is part of being fit.
 
I work out 5 days a week. 3 times being gym sessions and 2x circuit training. I do it to get fitter for when I play football, feel better about myself and also it helps me destress. I'd hate the feeling of getting 'knackered' from walking up a big flight of stairs or spend every night sitting infront the tv, its not how I would live my life.
 
Balddog said:
and if you cant bench at least your bodyweight or do a decent heavy squat/DL you cant call yourself fit either..

and no, being strong is part of being fit.
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rubbish. Even tho i can bench / dl / squat my own bodyweight and realise the importance of strength, fit is just different imo. Mike Tyson was strong and very fit, certain body builders are just strong and certain runners are just fit.
 
etom said:
rubbish. Even tho i can bench / dl / squat my own bodyweight.
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Can you go into any more detail? Or are you happy to just leave it with 'rubbish'?

Take a look at the table on this page...It gives a good idea of what REAL fitness is about..its not just about being able to run for a long time...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_fitness

How can you possibly call yourself fit if you can run 50 miles but you cant do a pullup? Its ridiculous to suggest that fitness is solely about cardio.
 
etom said:
rubbish. Even tho i can bench / dl / squat my own bodyweight and realise the importance of strength, fit is just different imo. Mike Tyson was strong and very fit, certain body builders are just strong and certain runners are just fit.
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ah you edited :cool:

your opinion is wrong. what you are referring to is cardiovascular fitness...not physical fitness in general.
 
I go because I enjoy going and it really sets me up for the day.
On the days I am not in the gym then I feel lethargic since my body is used to working out.

Nothing quite like waking up early and going to the gym before work!

I get rid of all my tension and aggression and so overall I am a much happier and more relaxed person at work which obviously is good for everyone else in the office ;-)
 
Balddog said:
Can you go into any more detail? Or are you happy to just leave it with 'rubbish'?

Take a look at the table on this page...It gives a good idea of what REAL fitness is about..its not just about being able to run for a long time...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_fitness

How can you possibly call yourself fit if you can run 50 miles but you cant do a pullup? Its ridiculous to suggest that fitness is solely about cardio.
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Did i say it was just about running?

Find someone who can run 50 miles who isnt fit be impossible.

Find plenty of people in the gym who can bench 120kg+ and who are unfit.

Occasionally find super men who can do both.
 
I doubt Paula Radcliffe can't deadlift her own body weight but I think any personal trainer or sports scientist would describe her as physically fit.
 
There is a synergy between cardio fitness and strength fitness - they should tie hand in hand but some prefer one to the other. I happily admit that I prefer lifting weights and developing strength and power, however I can still plod along for several miles running, not very quickly (owing mainly to my knees) but I can just keep going. Cycling (better on the knees) I can and have cycled for several hours non-stop in the mountains in France - sure, not as good as the tour de france guys, but at a happy pace and without feeling like I'm going to die either. Like swimming, probably one of the most intense bits of exercises as you're constantly having to tread water to keep afloat, 30-40 lengths isn't too challenging but am I quick? No, can I keep going? yes. My heart rate doesnt' go up to ridiculous levels and my heart rate/recovery time is reasonably quick.

More people are unfit and slim, than well built and fit.
 
etom said:
Did i say it was just about running?

Find someone who can run 50 miles who isnt fit be impossible.

Find plenty of people in the gym who can bench 120kg+ and who are unfit.

Occasionally find super men who can do both.
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You are using your own personal definition of fit...its an inaccurate definition.

Cardio vascular fitness is just one part of physical fitness.

Strength is just as important as cardio..Fitness is about being physically fit and able to carry out all manner of physical tasks. Its not just about being able to run for a long time..Its also about being able to lift heavy stuff, to have the strength to fight etc.

You need to realise the difference between cardio fitness and physical fitness. They are not the same thing. Cardio is just a part of overall fitness.
 
Balddog said:
You are using your own personal definition of fit...its an inaccurate definition.

Cardio vascular fitness is just one part of physical fitness.

Strength is just as important as cardio..Fitness is about being physically fit and able to carry out all manner of physical tasks. Its not just about being able to run for a long time..Its also about being able to lift heavy stuff, to have the strength to fight etc.

You need to realise the difference between cardio fitness and physical fitness. They are not the same thing. Cardio is just a part of overall fitness.
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Pff i know you need both for a lot of sports, and i train for both, and what FF said is true the majority of well built people are fitter than random people on the street. But if you had to do only one exclusively it would be possible to be fit just doing running/ cycling,

i don't think it would be possible just weight lifting and sat a desk for the other 23h.

says on wiki since we seem to use this as a source; Physical fitness is an attribute required for service in virtually all military forces.

whats the majority of fitness in military...running, and running with weight. very little "heavy" exersises involved as they aren't directly related to "essential" fitness.
 
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Jez said:
Lol, really? So going and lifting some weights up and down means that i am a better person? Will my friends and family all love me more because i am such a big strong man?
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Yes of course they would :D:p

Why do it?

A hobby, want to be healthy, I enjoy it, helps me relax, look better, and there is no negatives to do it.

I eat healthy, and work out with the limited gear I have at home, go running and stuff. I will probably take it up more seriously next year though because I really am enjoying it.
 
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