Why do people lift weights... without weights?

[Lizard]

I've seen it many times. Women on the weight machines and looking like it's very easy then you realise that there isn't a weight. They are lifting almost nothing.

Why? Will they get any benefit at all?

Is it because they are afraid of becoming too muscular? Do they think it will help them lose weight?

[Tom Yum]

Some women go to the gym to tone and for a woman's workload, it doesn't require heavy weights. For example, I've seen women do a set of 20 reps on the bench press with just the bar. When you work above 15 reps, you are working on slow-twitch muscle fibers responsible for stamina. The accompanying change in body composition is sleek, well defined muscles opposed to thick harder muscle tissue (low rep, high weight) or bulky, rounded, body builder muscles (med rep, med weight).

[Biker]

Thinking that they will get bulky is a common misperception that a lot of people have when it comes to weight-lifting. They don't want to look like some freak of nature so they either shy away from weights altogether or they only use as little resistence as they can get away with.

To look like a champion bodybuilder you need to eat, sleep and train like a bodybuilder. Basically a 24 hour job. Watch what you eat, make sure you are getting proper nutrition to support muscle growth, eat several small meals each day, get plenty of rest and train like you're posessed.

When, say women for instance, train like you often see it's to tone up, like Tom said. It may also be to just get out of the house, have some time alone or just to get some exercise to feel good. It may also be to lose weight. Cardio and dieting aren't the only ways to lose weight. If you build up your muscles you will burn more calories at rest further increasing any weight-loss you may be working toward.

[Lizard]

So as long as they do at least 15 reps it will improve their muscles and make them look better. Well that's my question answered.

[Disciple]

I think a lot of women also either don't know how to lift weights properly or don't really have a clearly defined goal of what they are trying to accomplish. Worrying about getting too muscular is an irrational fear for a woman lifting weights. They have estrogen, and very low testosterone. They will only get big if they abuse steroids.

[RobertG]

I was at the gym this afternoon and this girl is on the leg press station. She's got 5 lb. plates on each side! And then she does about 6-8 reps each set! Not to mention she practically had her feet side by side while doing the exercise. I understand the motivation for doing low weight/high rep. And if you're new to an exercise and want to do a warm up, sure no weight is totally acceptable. But doing a bunch of sets of leg press with 10 lbs on there is a little silly. Why not just do some body weight squats or something?

[Disciple]

Right,

another person in the gym who has no clue what they're doing.

[Tom Yum]

I think its a lack of information or motivation in her case. When you sign up for a gym, you get a tour and basic demo, but many opt to avoid the demo and start training.

Sometimes you see guys throw their backs doing curls - that's not good for your back.

[mr. bond]

some people just go to the gym to pick up chicks/guys, or just ogle them. understandable i guess, but i wish they'd clean up the drool at their station when they're done.

[Turing]

Throwing your back when curling is bad. But a somewhat controlled cheat, where you utilize the back a little, allows a lot more weight which will help overload the muscles more, and in turn stimulate growth. The key is moderation.

[terry]

Originally posted by Turing
Throwing your back when curling is bad.

It is if you are a bodybuilder. (But then if you're a bodybuilder strength is a side effect that occurs while training for size.) If you're a powerlifter you're doing it right: Compound muscle motions and lots of weight. I'm trying to work up to hammer curls with 150 lb dumbells in each hand.

[Tom Yum]

Terry, you're a monster. Most normal human beings curl 40 - 60 lb dumbells in each hand.

[Bau13]

some gyms dont even have 150lb dumbells....

FREAK!

[Biker]

Most of the gyms I've been to haven't had many dumbells past 100lbs. If they did, the heavier the dumbells went the dustier they became.

A lot of people go for the pose factor and to be able to go to work and say "Yeah, I go to the gym."

[Lizard]

I've had a theory recently. Four reasons for lifting weights:

lift light weights because you don't want to be muscled

lift light weights because it makes you feel strong

lift heavy weights because you know it will make you strong

lift heavy weights because you enjoy it

I lift for the two last reasons. I used to lift a light weight every so often (for instance a weight which I used to find difficult when I first started) to give me confidence and reassure me that I was getting stronger.