Weightlifting Pros/Cons

[Ahazmaksya]

Ok, I have a few questions about lifting weights.

 

I have always thought of it to be a necessity to one who wants to be fit, as it makes you stronger, strengthens your bones, makes you look better, etc etc.

 

However lately I've been thinking of some of the bad side effects such as problems with wrists and other such body parts from lifting, and it doesn't really seem to promote a healthy lifestyle (gain, cut, gain, cut).

 

So what I was wondering is what do you people feel is the optimum way to train with weights for one who is purely concerned with strength and endurance, and overall fitness, not so much to get massive and look ripped. I want to be as fit and healthy as possible and lifting heavy weights doesn't seem to promote this. But I could be very wrong. Thoughts?

[White Warlock]

As long as you don't drop it on your foot, you should be fine.

 

Seriously, I recommend weight lifting, along with cardiovascular workouts. Building muscles, while staying fit and lean is a very good thing, but building muscle mass... that can seriously get in your way.

 

My only real concern comes on the issue of people that emphasize muscle strength finding the study of soft studies to be exceedingly difficult. Therefore, if you wish to study things like tai chi, pakua, or aikido, I would recommend first tapping into the qualities of leverage and motion over power and strength before getting into a muscle building program.

[WolverineGuy]

Moderate weight lifting isn't too bad at all on the joints. Powerlifting is where you get into trouble, but if you're just going for fitness, you wouldn't worry about getting the biggest one rep max. Stick with a moderate weight, three sets of ten to twelve reps. And don't worry about cutting either...that's bodybuilding, which is a completely different beast.

[SevenStar]

punching a makiwara can be bad for the joints.

 

striking in air and overextending the joint is bad for the joints.

 

any MA techniques that you do with bad form can be bad for you - the same can be said with weights. lift properly, with proper form.

 

nothing is inherently wrong with gain, cut gain, however, you are looking at the wrong side of the spectrum. That applies to body builders. a bodybuilding program is NOT the type of program you want as a martial artist. If you compete in judo, mt, etc. then you may have to deal with gain, cut gain (I do) but that is not a component of weightlifting, unless you are a bodybuilder.

[Rich67]

I have been lifting for about 17 years. I have had shoulder, wrist, and lower back problems due to constant heavy lifts. In my "uneducated days", every day would be a ONE REP MAX day, and I would do nothing but flat bench presses, squats, and shoulder presses. As a result, I had pains in my rotator cuff, wrists and threw out my lower back using improper squat form. What was said before is correct, powerlifters are more prone to those nagging injuries. Casual weightlifters are not, unless they use poor form. I took a layoff of about 1 year from all weight training to help give my joints time to heal. I am now pain free, and train with light to moderate weights. The funny thing is, I think I look bigger and better than when I was lifting like a powerlifter. Weightlifting is great exercise, don't think otherwise. The main thing is, don't go too heavy and always use proper form and breathing techniques. Stretch and warm up well, and don't let your ego dictate your workout program. So what if you only load 135 on the bar and bench 15-20 reps. Let the musclehead who sits there next do his one-rep max every day as he smirks at you. He'll evntually burn out and get injured, then he'll sit at home and get fat. Meanwhile, you'll be lean and mean.