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How Weight Training Might Change the Brain

nytimes.com

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Re: How Weight Training Might Change the Brain

#71

Post by 0815test »

triceratops wrote: post #42
m463 wrote: post #11

We've already figured out that aerobic exercise increases our cognitive abilities https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerobic_exercise#Neurobiologic... Even though weight training isn't aerobic, couldn't it still increase our state of fitness?

> Even though weight training isn't aerobic It's never been clear to me what "aerobic" really means. Heavy or many-repped squat or deadlift sets will raise your heart rate plenty, and get you out of breath.

The difference shows up as you lengthen the session. Aerobic exercise is efficient for long exercise sessions where the goal is to build up general endurance, because it's not inherently time-constrained like anaerobic exercise is.

Re: How Weight Training Might Change the Brain

#72

Post by nextlevelwizard »

BeatLeJuce wrote: post #41
01100011 wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thank you for saying this, as I was about to post something similar. I came to the valley about 8 months ago, and switched from hiking to lifting because of time constraints. Since getting big, I've felt more and more out of place. I even caught one of my bosses referring to me as a 'bro' when he didn't realize I had dialed in to a meeting. Now, granted, the current crop of engineers I work with are some of the most…

Maybe you feel out of place because you're thinking in terms of "alphas" etc., which to me sounds like a totally douche/"bro" thing to do. Most people I know that don't lift don't care about body shapes etc., otherwise they would lift.

> Most people I know that don't lift don't care about body shapes

This is a lie and you know it. Everyone and I mean literally everyone cares about appearances. No matter how you slice it everyone has a style they are trying to project. This same goes for body shape.

If we had a pill that instantly -- without effort -- gave everyone a six pack and lean muscular body, everyone of your friends would be on it, because deep down they care.

Problem is one of discipline. It is not easy to wake up early and hit the gym or after hard day of working to do the same. It is not easy to not eat that doughnut (it is Sally's birthday after all and it would be rude not to take a free doughnut).

I am far from perfect, but I try my damnedest each and every day and I'm making progress and I've already noticed it affecting people around me, but I'm also fortunate that the team I work with is full of sport-y people, so at least I get to hang out with "my people", but I feel the difference when I interface with other teams.

Re: How Weight Training Might Change the Brain

#73

Post by bigmit37 »

leet_thow wrote: post #40
01100011 wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thank you for saying this, as I was about to post something similar. I came to the valley about 8 months ago, and switched from hiking to lifting because of time constraints. Since getting big, I've felt more and more out of place. I even caught one of my bosses referring to me as a 'bro' when he didn't realize I had dialed in to a meeting. Now, granted, the current crop of engineers I work with are some of the most…

I think you are likely on to something with this and your comment below. Testosterone has been decreasing steadily in men over the years and sitting in front of a machine all day probably doesn't help. And yes, the "jocks vs nerds" meme likely contributes to the mentality we are sensing.

Is there a reason why there is a decline in testosterone? Is it connected to the sperm count steadily decreasing mystery?

Re: How Weight Training Might Change the Brain

#74

Post by test1235 »

seanmcdirmid wrote: post #10
Kpourdeilami wrote: post #3

for me personally the biggest benefit of weight training has been the discipline it gives me. Once I stick to my gym plan, everything else in my day falls to its place. Knowing I have to be in the gym every other night from 10 to 11:30, gets me to get my chores done quickly before 10 and not waste time on Reddit/Netflix all night. I also listen to audio books between sets to make a better use of my down time For anyo…

In that context, it makes sense that the greatest danger to a workout plan is having kids.

Since my kid was born, maintaining a regular gym workout has been a lifesaver for me.

I find it's so easy to lose sense of time and what is important when you deal with the constant demands of a little baby - having an exercise routine keeps me grounded - it's away from home, something I do on my own, on my own terms and leaves me feeling good about myself.

Finding time to regularly workout is something I'd recommend to all new parents.

Re: How Weight Training Might Change the Brain

#75

Post by dirtyid »

raverbashing wrote: post #70
dirtyid wrote: post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Jessica Buettner pulled 227.5kg (502lbs) at 72kg last year at 23years old, Amanda Lawrence pulled 252.5kg (557lbs) at 84kg this year at 22years old, both in Junior women classic powerlifting. It's OK to be to pull whatever weight, lifting should be about realistic self improvement and self empowerment. My point is because records are getting chipped so fast, and for the first time, extremely strong women are entering…

Junior is usually defined as "inexperienced" (as in "junior developer") They might be at a competition "junior" level but I'm willing to bet they have at least 5y.r. of experience lifting weights She was competing already in 2014 (source https://www.openpowerlifting.org/u/jessicabuettner ) and she's also Type 1 diabetic Also this is a competition/record level of weight for their bodyweight, men might be lifting 220kg…

My bad for using lifting classification nomenclature. Record breakers get social media attention and lifters like to compare/peg their progress to how fast the top 1% progresses. Conventional wisdom suggests diminishing returns at extreme end of competitiveness, but since there are so many new entrants into the sport, outlier "juniors" are progressing extremely fast and shattering records on time scale that normally take years in a mature sport. 5 years is really a short career in lifting terms - many people who lift similar amount of time with less progress are getting... overwhelmed by the progress. This progress is happening in male weight classes as well, but I think women deadlifting or squatting 500lbs makes some men question their masculinity in unhealthy ways. There was always 20 year old women who could deadlift 500lbs, but they didn't train, now they do and they're very visible. Now they are and as expected, some people can't cope and even form toxic communities around their inability to cope. Buettner in particular gets shit on because she gets insulin TUE, and insulin is performance enhancing in muscle building... and keeping her alive. It's all very dumb.

Re: How Weight Training Might Change the Brain

#76

Post by leet_thow »

bigmit37 wrote: post #73
leet_thow wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think you are likely on to something with this and your comment below. Testosterone has been decreasing steadily in men over the years and sitting in front of a machine all day probably doesn't help. And yes, the "jocks vs nerds" meme likely contributes to the mentality we are sensing.

Is there a reason why there is a decline in testosterone? Is it connected to the sperm count steadily decreasing mystery?

Last I checked no one has put forth a plausible theory.

Re: How Weight Training Might Change the Brain

#78

Post by sbmthakur »

m463 wrote: post #11

We've already figured out that aerobic exercise increases our cognitive abilities https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerobic_exercise#Neurobiologic... Even though weight training isn't aerobic, couldn't it still increase our state of fitness?

Weight training does use the aerobic system when you're not lifting heavy weights. As for the state of fitness, there have been studies about weight loss due to lifting heavy weights.

Re: How Weight Training Might Change the Brain

#79

Post by solotronics »

bigmit37 wrote: post #73
leet_thow wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think you are likely on to something with this and your comment below. Testosterone has been decreasing steadily in men over the years and sitting in front of a machine all day probably doesn't help. And yes, the "jocks vs nerds" meme likely contributes to the mentality we are sensing.

Is there a reason why there is a decline in testosterone? Is it connected to the sperm count steadily decreasing mystery?

There have been some research studies focused on exogenous estrogen mimicking chemicals (Xenoestrogen). Some plastics exhibit these affects. "BPA (Bisphenol A) is the monomer used to manufacture polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins used as a lining in most food and beverage cans. BPA global capacity is in excess of 6.4 billion pounds (2.9×109 kg) per year and thus is one of the highest-volume chemicals produced worldwide." -https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenoestrogen

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1469672/

Re: How Weight Training Might Change the Brain

#80

Post by nextlevelwizard »

starpilot wrote: post #21
leet_thow wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

On the social comparison note, I don't regret 8 years of constant training in the least, however I do suspect that if you do add a lot of musculature to a tall frame it can be a bit intimidating in engineering cultures where most men are out of shape and view the activity as "meatheadish."

I don't know, in west coast tech centers, it's pretty much a meme that all tech bros rock climb/boulder.

Only reason people hate on others improving themselves is because it brings forth their own inadequacies and chips at their ego.

Rock/wall climbing is fun and you can really see yourself improve fast if you just have the discipline to get to the climbing gym three-ish times per week. Plus it will make you look good and feel better about yourself which will just make you all around better person.

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