How did weight training improve your life?

[1newname]

I run on and off but need a kick up the arse with weight training.

Please motivate me by sharing all the amazing ways weight training has changed your life!

Now that's encouraging!

Love this

Began with weights around 2 years ago doing a mix of classes and pt.
I cannot emphasise enough what a difference it's made for me.
My mental health and resilience has been lifted. I feel strong, confident and capable.
Everyday life is so much easier. Carrying laundry, groceries, children, no hassle!
I can run around and play with my kids without hurting myself or getting out of puff.
My kids are impressed by my strength and I want to give them a good role model.
I've met some lovely, like-minded people who have become good friends.
The time i spend training is time just for me. I'm investing in myself.
All of these things have a knock-on effect on one another so the spiral of good things just increases.
Because I train, I eat better, I hydrate better, I want to look after myself.
And that's before even mentioning how rewarding it is to see muscles popping that you didn't know were there.
And people regularly complimenting your strength or athleticism, which is a very weird thing but nice to have the work recognised!

It is, without a shadow of a doubt, the best thing I have ever done.

Inspiring 💯❤️

What kg weights would you recommend just for at home workouts? I've got 3kg Dumbells but wonder if I need 5kg

I've been going to a weights class since last August. Most seriously though (i.e. 3 times a week in the last 4 months or so.).

I started slowly, and I'm still on the 'baby' weights for some things, I try and ignore what weights other people are using.

I'm 55 and the class is usually 12-18 people at a time. It's free weights and the instructor goes round correcting posture and technique. They encourage rests in between sets. There's also some cardio and flexibility built in.

I feel much much stronger compared to last summer. I really noticed it gardening, I can lift compost bags and heavy pots easily, I can get up off the ground when I've been weeding without staggering around like a new born fawn, I'm more flexible too.

I think the trick is to find somewhere you'll get advice and support and to take it slowly (maybe not quite as slowly as I did).

And I've lost a stone and a half....and am more toned, put on muscle .... (still got a stone to lose - but that's down to diet). They've got one of those weight machines that tells you muscle mass etc.

It depends what your goal is. 3kg weights won't be enough for long if you want to build strength. I'd recommend adjustable dumbbells if you're committed to getting into weights at home - they're mildly annoying but they save you having lots of (expensive, bulky) weights about the place. Me, I do have way too many weights at home and also a backup gym membership so I can use their fuller range, but I'm a glutton for punishment.

I'm 52 and menopausal. I work out with kettlebells a few times a week. Just a short workout but it's massively beneficial. I appreciate the functional nature of kettlebell moves, it works a group of muscles together rather than isolating the way that machines do.

Loads of aches and pains have just melted away, a lot of physical activity is just easier now that I'm stronger.

I also do a couple of at home yoga workouts per week and find a combination of strength and flexibility makes a huge difference to my physical wellbeing.

I need to do this so much. Posting to save these ideas thanks.

I do resistance training rather than weight training (mainly barre and pilates) and it has completely transformed my life.

I look better.
I feel fantastic.
My posture is great.
I can eat more.
My overall body confidence has never been higher.

🙂

Do you mind me asking how often you go to the gym and what you do? I'm moving from swimming to gymming, but don't know how often to go. Well twice a week is how often I can manage. I had a PT put me together a routine but it was mainly machines with a bit of free weights. I want to be able to do pull ups, so there's a machine for that, but I'm not making fast progress!

Depends on what your aim is and what workouts you want to do

generally the rule is you should be looking to do between 8 to 10 reps of whatever exercise you’re doing and the last couple of reps should be a bit harder and you should be pushing through that, if you’re managing 10 reps with the weight you’re doing easily, then you definitely need to up the weight.

but it all depends on what body part you’re working out, for example for biceps and triceps I can do 6-7kg but for lateral raises i can barely manage 3kg 😂

don't know how often to go. Well twice a week is how often I can manage.

Then you go twice a week. The exercise you do is the best exercise.

In an ideal world I'd try for a third session, but better two that you can keep up consistently than three you don't manage, get dispirited, and give up on.