Friends don't lift.

[Mehdi]

One of my best friends surprised me when I got back from holiday: he bought a Power Rack, barbell, the whole thing. He gained about 6kg the first 4 weeks (without milk), probably needs another 10kg. I haven't helped him yet, he knows about the site, downloaded the ebook and is following it. He knows I'll help if he wants to, but if he doesn't ask I'm not interfering.

Of course, great friend as I am, I'm giving him shit all the time: making fun of him when he says he'll be later because he has to lift first, or when I see protein bars in his car, or because his chest muscles start to stick out, etc.

[dylanamus]

I really tried hard to get my brother to lift. I created a program revolving around only the big three lifts and simplified things to the point where all he had to do was follow my instruction - without any need to count reps or keep track of weights. He had full access to all my equipment at his own house. And even all this was not enough. I guess at the end of the day, if the benefits of lifting do not appeal to someone, there is nothing that will influence them to do so.

One of my brother's reasons was that he was already strong enough - in terms of how practical strength is when applied in day to day life. He is at least twice as strong as me, despite being completely untrained, so I guess he is right, but what of all that potential!? He is carrying a legacy with elite potential and doing nothing with it. I suppose I shouldn't try and live through him, but I can't help but feel a little disappointed anyway. Thoughts?

[holvoetn]

You can never do anything about having some talents or not but not using the talents you have is a real shame.
Now, if this really should be seen as being required to lift weights, that's another story. He may think it is not needed.

@Mehdi:
twisting the knife a bit on him, eh ?
Nice ...

[lovestolift]

As an update of sorts my friend has become a real convert to training. He points out when others in the gym are doing stupid/unsafe/silly shit and thanks me for introducing him to a good program. I've worked hard coaching him as best as I can, and he's coming along quite well. He corrects himself now. I suspect he will soon begin correcting me too. Precocious little shit that he is. It's good to have someone there to check your form and give you feedback. I'll be honest, I was unsure about whether I'd like training with someone else. I trained alone for so long that I was just used to it. I think the benefits outweigh the downsides.

[22Alpha]

I trained alone for so long that I was just used to it. I think the benefits outweigh the downsides.

I like to train alone as well. This may sound a little mental, but I like to pretend that I'm gearing up for war and build a siege mentality. Acknowledge the staff, do my SL 5x5, acknowledge the staff and get out of the gym. Nothing more, nothing less.

[kidsoftheblackhole]

I trained alone for so long that I was just used to it. I think the benefits outweigh the downsides.

You mean the benefits of training with a partner;
i wish i had a training partner. too hard for me to find.

[Munnings]

I plan on donating my home gym set-up to my other friend so he doesn't have to leave the kids when he works out. Thanks for the advice guys.

that, to me, is the NICEST thing someone could do for someone else...
when i get my home gym, no one will be able to even pry it out of my dead hands.

[Gringo]

Exactly Munnings, exactly.

[DeadStrength]

when i get my home gym, no one will be able to even pry it out of my dead hands.

That's why I work on my grip strength.

[Munnings]

That's why I work on my grip strength.

hahaha

[wade]

I have a friend who has been lifting for years now, we regularly go to the gym together - however, last month my flatmate saw a picture of himself 2 years ago wearing the same t-shirt as he was wearing that day, and it was a lot tighter around the belly. He then told me that he needs to sort it out, and since then I've been taking him to the gym, sorting his diet out and he's seen great results already!

I think the bottom line is that your friends will only start lifting if it's a decision they make

[lovestolift]

Aaron has made some real progress. He hasn't been weighing himself, so I'm not sure what he's gained but I can tell he's filling out. I finally convinced him to eat like an adult male should. He's also considering GOMAD. He needs to work on his deadlift and power clean form, but everything else is pretty solid. It's true though, if he didn't want to, nothing I say could convince him.

[Tintin]

I think the bottom line is that your friends will only start lifting if it's a decision they make

True, from in their decision lies their motivation.