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Ask HN: What keeps you from exercising?

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Re: Ask HN: What keeps you from exercising?

#81

Post by CPLX »

rcavezza wrote: post #23

Nothing stops me. I'm usually in the gym for 1-2 hours everyday after work. It's what I look forward to more than anything all day. I think when you start eating healthy and working out regularly, it gets addicting. Getting to that point is probably the secret. Get some small wins, see some results in the mirror, get a compliment or two, and then it will be a self fulfilling prophecy. /r/fitness is probably a good pl…

This is really the best answer in my opinion. You have to do it long enough and consistently enough to learn what routine is for you, and to get into that routine. Once you do it'll feel weird not to go to the gym (or do whatever) and you'll have to use very little willpower to stick with it.

But in order to get to that point you'll need self discipline and patience, it'll probably take a few months to get into the groove. No way to do it but just to decide it's time and start.

I strongly sympathize, I was allergic to organized exercise until my late 30's. But at the end of the day there's no secret, except that it does get way way easier once it's in a routine.

Re: Ask HN: What keeps you from exercising?

#82

Post by auganov »

There's no reason to feel bad about not exercising. If you don't like it, just don't do it. Sure, it might somewhat increase your life expectancy, but hey, so can other things. There's no way I'm going to do it unless I'm getting 10+ years or some very tangible benefits that are otherwise unobtainable. There's absolutely nothing enjoyable about it for me. I feel much worse about missing my daily Dual N Back session than about never exercising [0] in my life. Just let it go.

[0] Well basically, I did attend a gym regularly with my brother for a few months, which was perhaps only fun for social reasons (and the SPA part of the gym :D).

Re: Ask HN: What keeps you from exercising?

#83

Post by codegeek »

moksha256 wrote: post #9

I used to start & stop exercising regularly...meaning I'd start going to the gym for a few weeks and then stop out of laziness / lack of motivation. That changed 1 year ago, when I stopped aimlessly 'exercising' and started goal-oriented 'training'. I discovered powerlifting. Its principles and techniques really resonated with me. I was no longer exercising to be 'fit' but 'training' to beat my numbers (I don't do co…

Any suggestions on how to get started with powerlifting ? Tons of resources out there to choose from but I have no clue. Programs like P90X etc.

Re: Ask HN: What keeps you from exercising?

#84

Post by moksha256 »

codegeek wrote: post #83
moksha256 wrote: post #9

I used to start & stop exercising regularly...meaning I'd start going to the gym for a few weeks and then stop out of laziness / lack of motivation. That changed 1 year ago, when I stopped aimlessly 'exercising' and started goal-oriented 'training'. I discovered powerlifting. Its principles and techniques really resonated with me. I was no longer exercising to be 'fit' but 'training' to beat my numbers (I don't do co…

Any suggestions on how to get started with powerlifting ? Tons of resources out there to choose from but I have no clue. Programs like P90X etc.

As others have mentioned here, Mark Rippetoe is my authority. He might not be perfect, but he's thorough and I trust him.

Starting Strength is excellent, but if you'd rather wet your feet first with some video, check out the series he did with Brett McKay of Art of Manliness:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLIasrSrFGdSNbeOT8Agw...

Re: Ask HN: What keeps you from exercising?

#85

Post by k__ »

It was to hard to get started (running 1km if you never ran is a demotivating experience) and most of it was boring (running, going to the gym, etc) or filled with culture I didn't like (football and the gyms is full of "bros", climbing and running is full of "hipsters")

I wanted my own pace, without people around I didn't pick myself and something easy to get started without much effort to keep it going.

So I started lifting weights at home in februrary. Bought a barbell, two dumbbells, 100kg of weights and a squat rack (later a power cage + 40kg extra weight).

Now I can train in my bedroom 3 times a week without talking to any people and I don't even have to leave my flat, so no excuse like "I don't wanna ride to the gym" or "I don't wanna go outside". Since I'm working remote from home, I even can do it in my break in the afternoon (if it isn't too hot) and shower at home.

Also, I stopped riding the underground and get everywhere by bike now so I get cardio 3-5 times a week.

Re: Ask HN: What keeps you from exercising?

#86

Post by moksha256 »

zck wrote: post #31
moksha256 wrote: post #9

I used to start & stop exercising regularly...meaning I'd start going to the gym for a few weeks and then stop out of laziness / lack of motivation. That changed 1 year ago, when I stopped aimlessly 'exercising' and started goal-oriented 'training'. I discovered powerlifting. Its principles and techniques really resonated with me. I was no longer exercising to be 'fit' but 'training' to beat my numbers (I don't do co…

I had a lot of fun when I was lifting (I followed Starting Strength for about four months), but when my lifting partner stopped, so did I. I've been doing pushups/plank/jumping lunge squats/plank/pushups for a while now, which is nice, but I'm certainly not getting anything near the amount of exercise I'd like to. So my reasons for not exercising now are two: 1. I don't want to take the time to lift. By the time I st…

It (a) shouldn't take more than 60 minutes MAX for a workout and (b) shouldn't require a partner to check your form.

That's one of the big logistical reasons I prefer powerlifting over bodybuilding...it's simple & quick because of its high intensity. If you're doing it right, it shouldn't take you very long...unless you're waiting on equipment or something.

When you're starting out and learning the form, sure, a partner to check your form is invaluable. But after that, I never felt the need...my body knew when something wasn't quite right.

Re: Ask HN: What keeps you from exercising?

#87

Post by Broken_Hippo »

vannevar wrote: post #35
Broken_Hippo wrote: post #6

First, I don't like it. Most of the time, it is awkward stuff, and horribly boring, exercising just to exercise. I'd rather do so much other stuff. Second, I don't usually find the gains to be motivating. I have trouble sticking with it after a month or two. Third, I'm not really willing to spend money on equipment or go out of my way to a gym. I'd rather not be seen.

I think if people are honest, these are the biggest reasons (particularly 1 and 2). I exercise daily, and #1 is still true. Though not so much the boring part as the unpleasant and awkward part. If you're bored during a workout, you're not exercising hard enough. It's hard to overcome #2 because it takes about 2-3 months of regular, vigorous exercise to see results, if you're just out-of-shape. If you're very overwei…

I'd say I'm moderately out of shape. I honestly exercise more than it appears, but that is mostly because walking in a mountain city is my main mode of transportation. A 45-60 minute commute, despite the mountains, cold, or rain doesn't phase me too much (the cold, maybe.. I'm an immigrant in Norway, it's cold). The main issue right now is that I no longer have a daily destination so it becomes quite a bit more tedious.

I used a car in the states, so I get the length of time with the gains - but in a sense, it was a habit tied to other habits that are temporarily out of commission. And I didn't really realize that until your comment. I'll have to find something else to tie it to.

Re: Ask HN: What keeps you from exercising?

#88

Post by RUG3Y »

atwebb wrote: post #41
RUG3Y wrote: post #19

On Friday, wife made plans that required me to be home with the kids. I wasn't able to get to the gym. On Wednesday, wife was home sick from work. I took care of the kids and couldn't get to the gym. I try to go M/W/F, so far I've only had one week in a month where that's happened. Family keeps me from the gym. It's ok, I love them.

I know not everyone can but a home gym is very, very nice. Same with a treadmill desk (typed as I'm on one...)

I reaaallllyyy want to put a power rack somewhere in my house. I have the space for it, but I'm conflicted because I'm trying to downsize my possessions. While the convenience of a home gym is appealing, having more stuff to worry about is not.

Re: Ask HN: What keeps you from exercising?

#89

Post by Jtsummers »

I used to fail at sticking to a routine because:

1) Time. I used to work 60-80 hours/week. By the time I got home, I'd eat, it'd be late, and I just wanted to sleep or waste a couple hours on a video game.

2) Motivation. My exercise was undirected towards anything other than "being fitter" or "losing weight" (better done by diet, anyways).

3) Pain. I used to have terrible shin splints when I ran. This made it difficult to stick with.

4) Insecurity/vanity. I felt like I should have known how to exercise at the gym (say weightlifting), but knew my form was bad. Or was embarrassed by the idea of only lifting the bar. Or thought that I was too fat to get in the pool and swim a few laps each day.

I have stuck to it for the last 2 years because:

1) Time. I reclaimed my time. I work 40 hours/week almost every week. I stopped playing video games. I stopped watching cable TV. I still watch TV shows, but typically only 3-4/season. I watch movies in the theater regularly, but that's a treat on the weekend.

2) Motivation. I started playing soccer, I'd get a bit fitter, but then the season would end and I'd start over the next season. I started running for that. I took up BJJ and wrestling and dancing. I added in strength and condition exercises to improve my performance at those (dancing is surprisingly physically exhausting).

3) Reduced pain. My running form improved on the soccer field, which meant that it also improved when I ran long distances. Shin splints gone, it was easier to get into. Summary version: Start easy, work up to the hard stuff.

4) Security/vanity. I got over how I looked doing things I didn't know how to do before. I got over being fat and having man boobs. My goal was to get in shape, to look good, to feel good, and to train for the activities I enjoyied.

Re: Ask HN: What keeps you from exercising?

#90

Post by zck »

moksha256 wrote: post #86
zck wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I had a lot of fun when I was lifting (I followed Starting Strength for about four months), but when my lifting partner stopped, so did I. I've been doing pushups/plank/jumping lunge squats/plank/pushups for a while now, which is nice, but I'm certainly not getting anything near the amount of exercise I'd like to. So my reasons for not exercising now are two: 1. I don't want to take the time to lift. By the time I st…

It (a) shouldn't take more than 60 minutes MAX for a workout and (b) shouldn't require a partner to check your form. That's one of the big logistical reasons I prefer powerlifting over bodybuilding...it's simple & quick because of its high intensity. If you're doing it right, it shouldn't take you very long...unless you're waiting on equipment or something. When you're starting out and learning the form, sure, a part…

Starting strength has you do six to eight sets for each exercise^1. And it recommends "[taking] enough time between sets so that you don’t feel any fatigue from the previous set before you start the next one. For guys squatting 185 pounds in their work sets, this is five minutes between sets."^2. If you're doing six sets, and each takes you, say, a minute, and you're waiting a few minutes between sets, that easily adds up to more than 20 minutes per exercise. Also, if working with a partner (which you do dismiss), you're going to have to alternate. Alternating doesn't quite double your time, since you have your rest period while switching weights and doing the set, but it does increase it.

> When you're starting out and learning the form, sure, a partner to check your form is invaluable. But after that, I never felt the need...my body knew when something wasn't quite right.

I've heard a lot of stories about people who thought they knew they were doing the right thing, but badly injured themselves. I mean, I hope you're right, but I doubt I am. Also there's spotting for bench press (people die from benching without spotters or doing so in a cage), and if, for example, you go down for a squat and realize you've got too much weight, helping the weight go down less uncontrollably. Perhaps I could be more comfortable with benching alone if I did so in a cage, but I've never seen anyone else do that. Perhaps I could be more comfortable squatting alone if I got comfortable dropping the weight off my back. But right now I'm not -- so having a partner is helpful.

And finally, I'm also including changing before/after and showering in the two-hour time, since that's something I have to account for in my schedule. Being able to leave the gym 60 minutes after I got there would be pretty nice, actually. Even a little bit more -- 75 minutes -- would be great.

Perhaps I could try it again, having one personal training session a month to ensure my form's ok.

[1] This is from what I recall. Squats were the most -- a set with only the bar, three or four warmup sets, then three working sets. Deadlifts had only one working set, and everything but squats had only three warmup sets. I could be wrong, but not by much.

[2] http://www.muscleandfitness.com/workouts/workout-routines/4-...

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