Being a guy who started lifting weights from the age of 16, it took me a long time to realize... That was the worst kind of sport to pick. You should also consider switching to another sport if you can.
The Begining
To this day, I remember what (consciously) triggered me to start going to the gym. With my two friends from the neighborhood, I started doing karate at the age of 13. But it lasted only a few years.
Before karate, I'd practiced soccer, basketball, and volleyball. But nothing lasted. I wasn’t the kind of boy who wanted too many obligations and a rigid schedule.
I wanted some free time from school. And my parents (unfortunately?) weren’t the pushy ones.
So at the age of 16, I quit every sport. Most of my physical activities involved playing around with other teenagers.
But one day, those two friends from karate started going to the gym as a part of karate training. I became jealous when they started to talk about the gym.
To me, it seemed like a place where a real man should go. Not to mention, I noticed my (two years older) friend’s muscles seemed to be getting bigger.
Despite my parents’ disapproval, they let me try it. And there I was, a boy ready to become a man.
A Long Ride
In my town, at that time, there were only two gyms.
The one I used to work out in was kind of an old-school gym. Dumbells, barbells, a bar for pull-ups, and a few machines.
I instantly fell in love with lifting weights. It felt so good to think you are working on some project where, almost every week, you see the results.
I was 16 years old, so I guess my hormones were fully prepared for developing muscles.
I made friends with the people working out there. They were mostly suspicious, tough guys, but at the gym, they were polite and friendly.
One of the most important benefits of working out as a teenager was that girls from high school started to notice me.
And I mean noticeably.
So I continued working out. I finished high school, graduated from university, and got a job. But one thing was always there. Weight-lifting.
A Wake-Up Call
After all these years of working out in the gym and lifting weights, my ego blinded me. I didn’t notice that weight lifting is a rabbit hole.
You always must be aware of what and how much you eat, when you eat, and how much you sleep and rest.
For a thousand times, I rejected playing soccer or basketball with my friends because “it was my leg day” or “rest leg day.” I refused to eat ice cream with my girlfriend because “I will lose six packs.” Most of the time, during studies, I skipped staying out late and hanging out because my “muscle recovery will suffer.”
Not to mention the biggest offense someone could say to you: “You seemed like you lost some muscle mass.”
And that happened a lot of times.
Because weightlifting is an unthankful sport.
Take a vacation without working out and you are done. You lose strength, some pounds, and muscle tone.
The Solution
Better late than never, but I realized these things in my late 20’s. I started doing cardio exercises and I felt different—supercharged (I remembered recovering hours after a hard time in the gym).
My lungs are light as a feather. I do boxing now.
But I didn’t quit building muscles. You can’t ignore that. Your brain wants it.
So, instead of weightlifting, I switched to bodyweight exercises.
Every day I do the same number of chin-ups, pull-ups, push-ups, dips, squats, lunges, and crunches.
Remember—every day. Or choose days off.
Don’t overtrain the muscles and avoid soreness. With time, you would be able to do more sets and reps.
And I have enough muscles to be noticed, like before.
Embracing Balance
In my opinion, despite the undeniable benefits weight lifting brings, it should be the last option when you are choosing to be active.
It brings you short-term glory. When you quit it, your body will soon look almost like the ones who didn’t move at all in their lives.
It also doesn’t teach you any skills.
You are adding more and more weights to the barbell. It’s the mindset of almost any bodybuilder. With that mindset, an injury will occur (there are big chances it will follow you till you die).
Or you will start using “juice (to build a body like a juiced-up Holywood superhero).
It doesn’t build your confidence. It builds your ego. Confidence will not come with something you have temporarily.
Take some martial arts, for example. The technique will stay with you your whole life. So will the confidence.
Take it easy on your heart. Cardio is healthier than weight lifting. Too many big muscles (weight) are almost as bad as obesity for your heart.
Bodyweight exercise will do the job. You will have a healthy weight, proper muscle mass, and vascularity.
Consistency is the key.
Disclaimer: It is better to hit the gym than to be completely passive. There should be no excuse for a healthy person to be inactive.
Most of the statements are from my personal experience. I was the guy who had been lifting weights for 12 years.
Choose what fits you. But don’t rush in.
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