Live data from Hacker News

Why strength training? A programmer's perspective

fhur.me

1–10 of 162 posts

Re: Why strength training? A programmer's perspective

#2
Why do we need a "programmer's perspective"? Exercise has nothing to do with programming or engineering specifically. Exercise (ideally, some form of exercise that strengthens muscles that atrophy while sitting) should be a thing for everyone who sits behind for 40+ hours a week.

Re: Why strength training? A programmer's perspective

#3

Why do we need a "programmer's perspective"? Exercise has nothing to do with programming or engineering specifically. Exercise (ideally, some form of exercise that strengthens muscles that atrophy while sitting) should be a thing for everyone who sits behind for 40+ hours a week.

you’re more likely to click through if it applies to you “I usually don’t care about strength training but I am a programmer so this interests me! Let’s click through”

Re: Why strength training? A programmer's perspective

#5

Why do we need a "programmer's perspective"? Exercise has nothing to do with programming or engineering specifically. Exercise (ideally, some form of exercise that strengthens muscles that atrophy while sitting) should be a thing for everyone who sits behind for 40+ hours a week.

Because programmer's are special.

Re: Why strength training? A programmer's perspective

#6

Why do we need a "programmer's perspective"? Exercise has nothing to do with programming or engineering specifically. Exercise (ideally, some form of exercise that strengthens muscles that atrophy while sitting) should be a thing for everyone who sits behind for 40+ hours a week.

A cleaner walking 5 hours a day, and a programmer sitting 8 hours a day: that's 2 different perspectives to exercising.

Actually all forms of sports are always a personal perspective. Why ? Because we are all unique biologically and psychologically.

Your own perspective to sports changes over age and other factors (sickness, weight, private life ...etc). That's why you won't run 15 km tomorrow the way you did today.

Re: Why strength training? A programmer's perspective

#7
post #4

While I've had many physical hobbies, weight lifting has been the one that has been most beneficial to my health and my overall level of fitness. That said, don't skimp on cardio. If any bro tries to tell you that it'll impact your gains, ignore them.

The fitness fashion of the 90's was reasonably pro cardio, while the 2010's went the opposite direction. As I hit middle age, I am starting to notice the consequences and think it is time to hit something as simple as a bike / cross trainer to get some high heart rate work in regularly.

Re: Why strength training? A programmer's perspective

#8

Why do we need a "programmer's perspective"? Exercise has nothing to do with programming or engineering specifically. Exercise (ideally, some form of exercise that strengthens muscles that atrophy while sitting) should be a thing for everyone who sits behind for 40+ hours a week.

A cleaner walking 5 hours a day, and a programmer sitting 8 hours a day: that's 2 different perspectives to exercising. Actually all forms of sports are always a personal perspective. Why ? Because we are all unique biologically and psychologically. Your own perspective to sports changes over age and other factors (sickness, weight, private life ...etc). That's why you won't run 15 km tomorrow the way you did today.

99% of workers who sit at a desk for 8 (or more) hours a day are not programmers.

Re: Why strength training? A programmer's perspective

#9
I started strength training a few months back (using The Pump app [1]), still a relative noob, but it's the first time I've been able to stick to any exercise programme (usually my ADHD brain loses interest and goes off to something else, like sitting on the sofa).

Even though in the early days you don't notice much physical difference (other than the steady increase in weight you're able to lift), I've just watched all my stats in my fitness tracker going in a positive direction constantly (including sleep). Which is great early feedback.

It's had a real positive mental impact too. I'm a pretty optimistic person in general, but now my 'inner voice' has additionally been saying "I feel great" to myself all the time. Just like a permanent high.

Obviously, you'd probably get this from any exercise, but I never felt I was moving the needle with other regimes and would tend to early out, so it's been quite an eye opener.

[1] https://arnoldspumpclub.com/pages/the-pump

Re: Why strength training? A programmer's perspective

#10
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A cleaner walking 5 hours a day, and a programmer sitting 8 hours a day: that's 2 different perspectives to exercising. Actually all forms of sports are always a personal perspective. Why ? Because we are all unique biologically and psychologically. Your own perspective to sports changes over age and other factors (sickness, weight, private life ...etc). That's why you won't run 15 km tomorrow the way you did today.

99% of workers who sit at a desk for 8 (or more) hours a day are not programmers.

most people who sit at the desk don't have hours at a time sitting all tensed up and in a bad position because stuff is not going well and they get hyperfocused on running the code again and again, not that that happens often - but sometimes.
Post reply on HN