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Why strength training? A programmer's perspective

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Re: Why strength training? A programmer's perspective

#31

Post by adammarples »

uhngureff wrote: post #25
louthy wrote: post #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…

> Even though in the early days you don't notice much physical difference People who do weight training always leave out the fact that you feel sore after a lift. Even the next day. This can feel like pain to the unaware and can be scary or off putting enough to become a deterrent to keep at it. It can leave you feeling weak, but often the soreness is surface level and in fact you are still stronger even with the sor…

It's pretty linear at first, especially like this person who has been doing it a few months. You should be able to add 2.5kg to your major lifts every week if you're recovering well, and that's recommended by the starting strength program. It definitely starts to become logarithmic after while though.

Re: Why strength training? A programmer's perspective

#32

Post by yapyap »

graup wrote: post #30

I also think about this regularly. I'm with the author regarding the metrics (time efficient, healthy, skill component). But still, I find strength training extremely boring and going to the gym annoying. I tried a few times but it never clicked for me – what am I missing? Does anyone have other ideas for incorporating exercise into my daily routine? I enjoy a bit of walking, cycling, and doing 5-10 minute mobility e…

> what am I missing

going with a friend maybe?

Re: Why strength training? A programmer's perspective

#33

Post by huijzer »

graup wrote: post #30

I also think about this regularly. I'm with the author regarding the metrics (time efficient, healthy, skill component). But still, I find strength training extremely boring and going to the gym annoying. I tried a few times but it never clicked for me – what am I missing? Does anyone have other ideas for incorporating exercise into my daily routine? I enjoy a bit of walking, cycling, and doing 5-10 minute mobility e…

Can you go heavier? Heavy lifting is a lot of things but I wouldn’t call it boring.

Re: Why strength training? A programmer's perspective

#34

Post by 7222aafdcf68cfe »

orbisvicis wrote: post #16

Anyone have any opinions on strength vs cardio + resistance (i.e. bands)?

My view is that there are three types of training one should do. Cardio, strength, and mobility.

They all have different effects, neither should be forgotten.

Re: Why strength training? A programmer's perspective

#36

Post by FourierEnvy »

huijzer wrote: post #33
graup wrote: post #30

I also think about this regularly. I'm with the author regarding the metrics (time efficient, healthy, skill component). But still, I find strength training extremely boring and going to the gym annoying. I tried a few times but it never clicked for me – what am I missing? Does anyone have other ideas for incorporating exercise into my daily routine? I enjoy a bit of walking, cycling, and doing 5-10 minute mobility e…

Can you go heavier? Heavy lifting is a lot of things but I wouldn’t call it boring.

Yeah I find that when people say they are strength training and find it boring, it's usually because they aren't challenging themselves with heavy weight.

Re: Why strength training? A programmer's perspective

#37

Post by skwee357 »

I had an on off relationship with lifting for the last 12 years.

But as I got more busy I became less active. And especially after the first lockdowns, I remember that walking was somewhat hard.

And so, after burning out and quitting my job last year [0], I went to travel and focus on myself. I started to lift regularly. After eventually settling down, I now lift 4 times a week and box one time a week.

I feel way better. I look great and even my wife gives me compliments. And more important, no matter how bad I feel, going to the gym and lifting always seems to improve the mood and generate new ideas.

[0] https://yieldcode.blog/post/an-essay-on-burnout/

Re: Why strength training? A programmer's perspective

#38

Post by busterarm »

For various reasons, at 40 and years of being sedentary and my health failing, I settled on a combination of DDPY(oga) and consistent strength training with the assistance of a personal trainer.

I had previously trained in powerlifting a decade or so earlier, so I was a _little_ prepared, but honestly the combination of the two was absolutely lifechanging.

I cannot recommend it enough.

Re: Why strength training? A programmer's perspective

#39

Post by NalNezumi »

>When COVID hit, my main sport was bouldering. I practiced every week and really enjoyed it, although my back, shoulders and other muscles would often hurt after long bouldering sessions.

>Finally: it should have not just a physical component, but also a skill component. Like many software engineers out there, I fell in love with the practice of software engineering. Bouldering had this too. It wasn't just about brute strength. There was a lot of skill in being a good climber and that keep it interesting.

I chuckled a little bit, because this stereotype, depicted wonderfully in this skit [1], is the single most reliable stereotype I've been able to rely on internationally when bonding with new researcher/programmers.

And I think if there's any value in "programmers perspective" it's just that. You have a certain "type" of passion you're drawn to. Some sports and exercises have that, and just as "waiting for motivation to do something boring" is harder than "doing things that motivates you / you think is cool." is often a better way to get things going [2], you should start with exercise with the perspective of following the trail that motivates you the most. You can optimize for efficiency later.

[1] If American Psycho were about programmers https://youtu.be/uHt01D6rOLI?feature=shared

[2] https://youtu.be/7tETYAK94GQ?feature=shared

Re: Why strength training? A programmer's perspective

#40

Post by namaria »

uhngureff wrote: post #25
louthy wrote: post #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…

> Even though in the early days you don't notice much physical difference People who do weight training always leave out the fact that you feel sore after a lift. Even the next day. This can feel like pain to the unaware and can be scary or off putting enough to become a deterrent to keep at it. It can leave you feeling weak, but often the soreness is surface level and in fact you are still stronger even with the sor…

I've found that small increases in weight and protein excess in diet help mitigate soreness a lot.
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