Why do you strength train Poll?

[jr84]

Its a combination of the top two. Squatting more allows me to run harder and jump higher. Also, I get compliments for looking bigger. Nothing not to like.

[mpetry]

I picked other because for me, it's not just about one thing. I like setting and achieving challenging things, I like becoming stronger and I think it will be useful later on in my life. It's also a hedge against aging later on.

[wrenchhands]

Other: For control.

I wanna have the most control over my situation as possible. More strength gives me more options than if I was weak. It means people and situations have less leverage over me.

Ideally at least, I have along ways to go.

[Sam277]

Feel a bit narcissistic voting for physique, but i think that's my primary reason for doing it. Not too bothered by abs at the moment, but the overall shape and compliments from friends is great for confidence and ego. Even my dad, who doesn't like weightlifters (as a stereotype) is now tempted to start. As wrench said, control is important, and a bigger physique can give you control in certain situations.

However, at the same time i love lifting heavier weights each time, i love the progression, and since i train with another 3 guys, i love the competition we have between us. A lot of my other friends lift too, some more than others, and again, it's all about competition.

Finally, and probably the best thing that i've got out of lifting is discipline. There's been a few things that i've fucked up in the past few years out of lazyness, and looking back it almost makes me sick how irresponsible and wasteful i was with my time. It's been tough breaking some habits, and tougher making new ones, but it's going well, and i love the new me. Forcing yourself to go and lift 4 times a week is discipline, and pushing through a difficult set is character building, it teaches you to not quit.

Weightlifting has revolutionized my life. I love this shit! I think i'm going to cry now.

[RobCosimo]

I picked other because for me, it's not just about one thing. I like setting and achieving challenging things, I like becoming stronger and I think it will be useful later on in my life. It's also a hedge against aging later on.

Same for me, especially the aging part.

[Faraz]

Tough to pick just one. I started for general health reasons now it's morphed into a mixture of all of those reasons. It's really morphed into a lifestyle.

+1

[Soofy]

functional strength. I want strength that lasts - that will carry me well into old age. I'm completely obsessed with physical strength.

[kidsoftheblackhole]

the ''general fitness'' quote is a good discription of my attitude:

You believe strength training is a natural thing to do and you train for health and general fitness.

and then functional strength/sport and physique.

[Hasasanator]

I picked Functional strength as it is my main goal to improve my strength for Grappling, Muay thai and MMA but its more of a mixture of things
1. Functional strength
2. Health
3. I love the challenge and achievement
4. I would like to build a better body

[maroon]

General fitness.

Functional strength too. I have no prospects to do powerlifting competitions; but I believe strength training will give me a good foundation for power and toughness as I progress in Muay Thai. The stronger the better in my opinion, I'll be happy when I squat over 140kg for reps and deadlift over 180kg for reps I don't care so much about the appearance as when I started off; as I no longer look skinny. I'll always be lifting I think, so I don't care so much if the strength comes a bit slow. Slow and steady wins the race

[Aras89]

This is a really interesting topic. I started the 5x5 Program because after I stopped rowing, I needed something else to make up for the enormous hole in my life. No longer having practice for 2-3 hours a day, 6 days a week gives a person tons of free time, which is not always a good thing. Strength training has been a way for me to continue my mental discipline.

Another reason is that I go to a college that has 50% varsity athletes. As such, it seems like everyone around me is in shape. It's actually really humbling. The other day I squatted 100kg for the first time and broke through 80 kg on the Bench. I thought, "wow, this is so cool." As I looked around though, I saw a hammer thrower on the field team squating about 160kg and a wrestler repping about 100 kg on the bench next to him. Working in a gym with athletes has strengthened my resolve to continue lifting.

I also have realized from reading people's posts on here, that Stronglifts will be advantageous for me as I get older, which is always a plus. It's pretty cool to see you older guys on here excited about training. I always am inclined to think lifting is a young person's vanity.

[thefinalsql]

You should add health, that was the first I was thinking of.

I went with rehab as health is what I am lifting for.

[pagangoddess]

I picked other as it's become more of a love affair than anything else. Once I got my hands on a barbell I was hooked. As James pointed out it's a lifestyle. It's become part of who I am.

[samyG]

I mainly ST for physique. Doing compound exercises has really packed on muscle on me and has gotten my shoulders well rounded and my legs thick. I LOVE IT!

[ProteinShake]

Another reason is that I go to a college that has 50% varsity athletes. As such, it seems like everyone around me is in shape. It's actually really humbling. The other day I squatted 100kg for the first time and broke through 80 kg on the Bench. I thought, "wow, this is so cool." As I looked around though, I saw a hammer thrower on the field team squating about 160kg and a wrestler repping about 100 kg on the bench next to him. Working in a gym with athletes has strengthened my resolve to continue lifting.

I also have realized from reading people's posts on here, that Stronglifts will be advantageous for me as I get older, which is always a plus. It's pretty cool to see you older guys on here excited about training. I always am inclined to think lifting is a young person's vanity.

I wish there were more athletes at my gym. i know I train early in the mornings, but everyone else in the gym is just doing BB routines, going out of their way to bench on a smith machine instead of using free weights! It'd be cool to see people full (ass to grass) squating serious weights, not to mention motivating.

I ticked physique - as that's the primary reason I picked up a barbell. There are other reasons now of course, health, strength etc but I'd be lying if I said I'd started for any other reason!