Functional Strength or Gym Strength?

[IcemanEli]

I prefer calisthenics rather than lifting weights. What do you prefer? And why?

 

 

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[Lee49]

5 hours ago, IcemanEli said:

What do you prefer? And why?

When your my age I prefer just walking ( mainly at the grocery store ) and sitting, I tried lifting weights the other day ( a big screen tv ) now my hip and shoulder is sore ! 

 

[WilliamChew]

I agree that functional strength training is better. 3 months ago I started doing functional (1hr)/HIIT(45min) type training and find it gives me more strength for activities like bending down, lifting and also made my joints less stiff.

 

These are some of the exercises the classes made me do. I can't do them at the speed of the young lady as I'm 72 but can do them at a slower pace.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5s1EL-H4jtM?feature=share

 

Its a simple exercise, raising a weighted ball over the head and slamming it to the ground but its a good functional exercise.😁

 

[Lee49]

40 minutes ago, WilliamChew said:

I can't do them at the speed of the young lady as I'm 72 but can do them at a slower pace.

Oh, to be young again ! 😏

[coony77]

On 12/21/2023 at 10:41 AM, IcemanEli said:

 

I prefer calisthenics rather than lifting weights. What do you prefer? And why?

 

 

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Calisthenics.

Because I am simply too weak to lift weights 

[IcemanEli]

 
Calisthenics.
Because I am simply too weak to lift weights 

You are not weak, my friend, because you like calisthenics. These exercises train your whole body as one, the way it’s supposed to be designed, unlike gym strength, which isolates body parts and only works on a specific area.

For example, some of the jobs I’ve worked (construction, freight handling), I can easily outperform gym rats and meat heads because they’re bodies are basically conditioned for the gym, not on the muscles real-world application for life.

So don’t sell yourself short. Remember, Rocky Balboa beat Ivan Drago’s gym strength with good functional training, along with persistence and determination, of course.

You do not need to lift weights to be strong; not to say that they don’t help; but they ain’t everything either, lol. Don’t underestimate the importance, either, of proper diet and getting enough sleep @ night!

I could go on, but those were a few of the points that I wanted to bring out.

[coony77]

On 12/27/2023 at 8:37 AM, IcemanEli said:

So don’t sell yourself short. 

 

What a challenge - I am pretty short  Just kidding - I get your point, brother, thanks.

Oh, and thanks for mentioning me and Rocky Balboa in 1 post - that´s hilarious!

 

So, what about calisthenics performed in the gym? 

I've never been to a gym in the States, but here where I live, my gym consists mainly of exercise equipment for strengthening various body parts as well as stamina (e.g. treadmill, etc.). And then there is a slightly separated area that is exclusively for weight training (The guys who walk in and out of there can often hardly walk because of their muscles...they often overdo it and look gross). Needless to say, this specific area has never welcomed me as a guest. Just imagine: I am already very short by nature. If I were to acquire muscle mass there too, what would I end up being - a cube?