What Is The Biggest Benefit of Posting on Forums?

[Mehdi]

I'm reading Robert Caldiani's book "psychology of influence & persuasion". One "weapon of influence" is commitment & consistency. Once you make a public written commitment, you have a much bigger chance to stick with it. One example in the book is a smoker who quit smoking by giving a writen card "I'm quitting smoking" to all of her friends. The fact she went public her commitment kept her from smoking again.
I can see the same thing with keeping a training log on forums. You're holding a log, it's viewable by others, it's a public commitment and forces consistency. Although it's not 100% fail proof (some still quit) you have a higher success rate.
There's more in the book that explains why forums can help you achieving your goals (social proof for example), but I'd like to hear it from you.

• What goals do forums help you achieve?


• With challenges does it help you face?


• How do forums do that?

This forum or other forums, doesn't matter.

[Edziu]

How do forums do that?
Involvement in an extended peer group?
Adoption of a new 'personality' who doesn't share your everyday problems?
Anonymity?

[jdurando]

I think that the biggest part of anyone posting on a forum such as this one is the fact that you are communicating with, for the most part, like minded individuals who are at some point in thier personal quest facing the same issues. while there is the anonimity for the individual there is also the intimacy of the group dynamic of like minded individuals - helps to make you feel good about being you.

[Rob]

• Consistency that comes from committing to something in public.


• Support from like minded people.


• A way to get feedback on different ideas and problems.

[Russell]

I find that I'm a self--motivating person, so not keeping a log on here wouldn't discourage me from working hard in the gym to achieve my goals. But I think the fact that so many people keep logs enables other members to see the progress other people are making, and that in itself motivates them to redouble their efforts. I'd echo the sentiments of everyone else though - the main reason I joined the forum was because I enjoy being part of a community of like-minded individuals who understand that weight training isn't some necessary evil that we do to stay in shape; it's a lifestyle choice that we enjoy.

[Noexit]

As a post-newbie I've found that this forum and another one are "safe" places to ask questions. I can expect to get straight answers, a variety of answers and the abilty to refer back to those later. Posting a training log does give me a level of accountabilty to a community (note to self to update the thing).
This particular forum has given me a public place to post a goal and an amount of encouragement to reach that goal. That same motivation is helpful both when things are going great and when they're not.

[elisa]

I have never posted to a public log like this before. I think it helps me "pretend" that somebody really cares if I add that next 5 pounds to the bar.
I am self motivated so I will lift anyways but in my situation I don't know anybody else who shares my interest in what I do. Being in my 40's and female limits the pool of like minded people further. I know there are female lifters out there but working out at home I don't see them. Most of the females I know can't or won't even do a pushup.
I enjoy the encouragement and also seeing others achieve their goals. And it is so cool that the people are from all walks of life and in so many interesting places.

[ukdudeinuk]

I enjoy the idea that I can get help here from like minded individuals. I also like the idea that if I get lazy, you guys will basically tell me to shut the fuck up and go lift.

[phillipsjosh2415]

Like elisa, I had never posted to a public forum like this before joining stronglifts.  I find it very helpful now because I feel like I am accountable to the other members of the forum.  I know I will probably never meet most or any of the other members in person, but it's still like I know them just from reading the posts each day.  I especially like to read the logs of those that are similiar to me in age, size, and strength.  It's not a competition, but just a little extra encouragement to see what they lift each workout and how they are progressing. I hope that my log and posts can be an encouragement to others as many of the others have been to me.

[Young Athlete]

This forum motivates me by keeping me interested in working out and learning more about it
None of my friends really workout the same way I do they will curl bench you know what ever makes them feel stronger?
Being on the skinnier side most kids tell me I'm weak no one judges here by what I weigh only what I throw up in the power rack
I like this forum because it has given me knowledge that has given me results like a six pack hard as rock muscles and a deadly sprint for my age
I also like  coming back here  because it is social when I'm bored why not talk to someone about one of my favorite subjects not like I can with family or friends

[tele2tip]

1) Public commitment
2) Positive support
3) People will tell me when I'm cheating myself.

[oi_joe]

the giggles.
the feedback.
information on tap
its better than flicking through the web and finding nothing

[Young Athlete]

For sure the giggles I have learned alot talking here also lots of goodies here not about lifting
 
 

[felonyr301]

I agree about posting something up in the forums and pushing the person to stick by what they said when they post up the goal(s). It could be with anything that a forum is a good idea.
 
When I got my first car - 1995 Toyota Camry - I was disappointed to not find not much aftermarket support for the car and would of gotten rid of the car quick. Found a forum dedicated to toyotas (Toyotanation) and found lots of info on my car and what to do and not do. Many custom stuff being done with helpful guides on doing it yourself. I stuck with the car and enjoyed it more ever since.
Finding this place made me not miss out on workouts at all unless it was out of my reach and thanks to this will notice an improvement .

[Quash]

I go into greater detail here on the forum than in my log. I keep a small notebook with me in the gym, and record only my lifting goals for the day, and then what I actually put up. Coming to StrongLifts forums, I can reflect upon my workout, what felt good or bad, and anything else I feel like adding. This helps put my workouts in a better context than simply flipping through my log.
 
And I'll admit, I get a little giddy when someone else posts in my training log. It's nice to be noticed! If I stopped posting my workouts, no one would add their comments.