Nat has been writing about her strength training recently and I’m impressed by her enthusiasm. Because to my mind, if there’s one activity for which the word, “meh,” applies, it’s strength training. I don’t hate it, but I’d rather do just about anything else: swimming, running, biking, dancing, singing… But I am at that age when strength training becomes essential to the life I want to live in my third act. At the very least, I want to be able to swing a toddler to the rhythm of Beyoncé. But I also hope that retirement will afford me the chance to take up hiking, kayaking, and whatever ever else looks fun.
So, strength training. I have spent the last five years taking various stabs at it, after a bad knee injury took me out of running for a year during Covid times. I did the exercises my physio told me to do, most of the time. I tried various You Tube videos. When I started running again, I told myself I only needed to do 10-15 minutes after my runs, three times a week. I ended up doing ten minutes, sometimes, when I remembered.
In desperation, I joined the gym, hoping that the guilt of paying a monthly membership would prove an incentive. That worked, sort of, but I was still attaching the strength training to a run, so I would invariably cut short the weights workout so I could get to my run. Finally, I lowered the boom. I am not allowed to do ANYTHING other than strength training, twice a week, at the gym—and I must stay in the weight room for ONE HOUR. It doesn’t matter how light the weights are or how little effort I expend. I’m in that place for the hour and there’s no run or swim or bike added on as the real workout. The weights are the workout. The only workout.
Lately I’ve been reading More than Pretty Boxes, Carrie M. Lane’s fascinating glimpse into the world of professional organizers, and I’m reflecting on the wisdom of organizers, who, like coaches, recognize that the only systems that people will adopt, when they need to make changes in their lives, are the ones that work for them. What each of us needs to do, or think, in order to change our behaviors, varies wildly. My goal, as I list the changes that I hope to make in the years ahead (hello, green vegetables!), is to aim for consistency, rather than perfection. My friend Stephanie (who also happens to be a health coach) wisely noted, “60% consistency over a year is better than 100% consistency over a month.”
Who knows, maybe the new year will see me measuring my progress with the weights or trying a dead lift. For now, I’m keeping it simple, in the hopes that habit will fill in the blank space where enthusiasm usually lives.
YMMV, but I find what motivates me is how quick strength gains come in the early days. It’s kind of wild. I also find I need to work either with a personal trainer or in small groups, like at CrossFit. I’m not much good at going it alone. It’s also a bit vain but I also prefer the way I look when I’m more muscular. Oh, and also weight training is super efficient. You don’t need a full hour. And I love feeling powerful, and the way that strength translates to real life. Let me move that heavy appliance for you! One more thing: strength sticks around longer than running fitness. You can actually take time off without big losses. So, you didn’t ask for advice for here I am making suggestions anyway. Sorry! I just love strength training and want to share the love. Hope you find enthusiasm for it.
I totally relate to your meh-ness around strength training. I started doing a cross-fit-like class almost two years ago now and it was only 6 months ago that I suddenly started enjoying it for its own offering and not just as a way to support my running, cycling, xc skiing, hiking etc…And, like Sam, I need the class, otherwise, no strength training happens. Plus, it’s a 30 minute, ferocious and super efficient class, which often leaves me sore (in a good way) and my body feeling activity-sated. I think that part of the switch-flip in attitude was starting to feel like I was part of the community and noticing how much it helped foster the other sports.
A class or trainer time keeps me at it consistently. A schedule that involves someone else really helps. But I like having muscles,too, and since I am a small, white haired old woman, I do admit to liking a chance to offer to help with heavy stuff. Or to be the one who gets the heavy stuff off the carousel when we travel (suitcases and bicycles) while he goes off for the rental car – he has a bad back, I like the looks I get when I don’t need help. Hang in there. It’s worth it in all sorts of ways.