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Why strength training? A programmer's perspective

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Re: Why strength training? A programmer's perspective

#101

Post by SketchySeaBeast »

voisin wrote: post #83
nottorp wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> People who do weight training always leave out the fact that you feel sore after a lift. Even the next day. It's absolutely normal to feel sore after any kind of exercise? If you don't you're in top shape for it, congratulations. But it ain't going to happen when progressing.

Some might argue that if you don’t feel sore at all you haven’t pushed yourself enough, and if you feel so sore it takes days and days to recover then you pushed yourself too hard. Finding the sweet spot is important. And I think this applies to strength as well as running and other exercise.

In my experience it's an indicator if I'm doing something enough or not. If I regularly perform an exercise it won't cause soreness. Squat 3x a week, one of those sessions being heavy? No soreness. Squat once a week? Definitely getting DOMS afterwards. Same with running. If get sore after a run I probably took time off before it.

Re: Why strength training? A programmer's perspective

#102

Post by jmyeet »

I have one thought on this that isn't mentioned in the article: autism.

So I've come to learn about hypotonia. Basically a lot of children with autism has lower percentile muscle mass [1]. I'm not sure anyone really knows why.

I would posit that the percentage of engineers or programmers with autism is higher than the general population. That shouldn't be a controversial statement.

So I wonder if one of the benefits here of strength training or just building muscle mass in general is that it counters hypotonia. Also, I suspect that the rules, rigidity and structure around workouts and diet probably appeals to a lot of neurodivergent people.

[1]: https://pxdocs.com/autism/low-muscle-tone-autism/

Re: Why strength training? A programmer's perspective

#103

Post by carabiner »

canyon289 wrote: post #99

Ive had the same experience as this author, and as a desk nerd. I highly encourage people to find what works for them https://ravinkumar.com/WhyFitness.html#WhyFitness

I think all of us have. In Seattle, tech bros who lift and boulder is a massive cliche.

Re: Why strength training? A programmer's perspective

#104

Post by rybosworld »

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…

I pair it with something else I enjoy doing. Like listening to an audio book or watching tv show. Then I make a point of not watching that tv show out of the gym. If I want to see the next episode, I have to hit the gym.

Re: Why strength training? A programmer's perspective

#105

Post by aidenn0 »

nonninz wrote: post #67

One of my hangups to start strength training at the ripe age of 41, is that I'm terrified of hurting myself. Apparently to do "proper" strength training you need to focus on the free weights, or compound lifts, rather than gym machines that guide your movements. I.E. squats, deadlifts, bench presses, etc. The problem is that these are EXACTLY the type of exercises that an untrained, anterior pelvic tilted computer lo…

I started at 43.

Start light, take a class (or get a trainer if you're rich) to correct your form issues. I went to a class, and the coach literally had me doing dead-lifts on a broom-handle while others were stacking the 100# plates on the sides of their bars. Everybody was super encouraging too.

Re: Why strength training? A programmer's perspective

#106

Post by tomp »

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 only feel sore if I haven’t been working out regularly. After a week or two, the soreness is gone, for as long as I keep regular trainings.

(I do strength training in the gym.)

Re: Why strength training? A programmer's perspective

#107

Post by amonon »

aynyc wrote: post #73
amonon wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> For most people, hypertrophy specific protocol is better than strength protocol. Zone 2 cardio is better than HIT. Source on this?

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10121111/

Thanks! Taking a look now. I am early in my lifting journey and doing 3x compound lifts every other day (squat/row/bench, dead/ohp/chin up) at relatively low volume. I am primarily doing this for every day strength purposes (lift a child, carry a suitcase, etc) and I don't know how much strength I'm would be giving up by pursuing hypertrophy over strength.

Re: Why strength training? A programmer's perspective

#108

Post by joncrocks »

nottorp wrote: post #27
uhngureff wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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…

> People who do weight training always leave out the fact that you feel sore after a lift. Even the next day. It's absolutely normal to feel sore after any kind of exercise? If you don't you're in top shape for it, congratulations. But it ain't going to happen when progressing.

It's worth noting that some soreness may not be immediate, but delayed. People call this Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS), and can come on ~24-48h after a given exercise.

It's not sudden, but can feel that way sometimes when you wake up!

Re: Why strength training? A programmer's perspective

#109

Post by cthalupa »

nonninz wrote: post #67

One of my hangups to start strength training at the ripe age of 41, is that I'm terrified of hurting myself. Apparently to do "proper" strength training you need to focus on the free weights, or compound lifts, rather than gym machines that guide your movements. I.E. squats, deadlifts, bench presses, etc. The problem is that these are EXACTLY the type of exercises that an untrained, anterior pelvic tilted computer lo…

There are plenty of ways to injure yourself on machines.

There are some specific dangers to free weights that aren't there with machines, e.g. if you are bench pressing outside a rack and you drop the weight on your throat, that's not the sort of thing that can happen with a machine, but... just bench press inside a rack if you don't have a spotter.

Either way, I'd recommend you get a trainer. Find a gym focusing on free weights. There's Starting Strength and affiliated gyms all over the country, there's barbell focused gyms everywhere, etc. At the very least when starting out, having someone that can help you get into proper form is really beneficial. You don't need to keep them long term, but they can be invaluable starting out.

There's also lots of places where you can record yourself working out and post a video and get feedback. You're not going to sever your spinal column squatting the bar or deadlifting with a pair of 10lb plates even if your form is garbage, so you can start light and have people help you get your form fixed.

Re: Why strength training? A programmer's perspective

#110

Post by aynyc »

amonon wrote: post #107
aynyc wrote: post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10121111/

Thanks! Taking a look now. I am early in my lifting journey and doing 3x compound lifts every other day (squat/row/bench, dead/ohp/chin up) at relatively low volume. I am primarily doing this for every day strength purposes (lift a child, carry a suitcase, etc) and I don't know how much strength I'm would be giving up by pursuing hypertrophy over strength.

There is no reason to change your current program. The best program for you is the one that you can stick to consistently. However, with consistent lifting, proper recovery and proper form, you'll find your max in every lift in about 5-6 months. As a beginner, you'll get strong, and build muscle in that program. Once you hit that plateau, it'll be mentally very tough to stay that way without changing your body weight. After all, more muscle means more strength when training properly.
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