Quit Weights. Movement Culture

When you work in fitness and announce you quit lifting weights, people are curious, to say the least. While I am not saying it is forever, it is definitely something I have thought about doing for a while. I feel my ‘programming’ has given me a very typical, mainstream male approach to fitness. Lift weights, be mighty, look good, etc., but how sustainable is that model, really? In my personal experiences, the healthiest and best aging people have been yogis and gymnasts (or people who spend their time moving).

While I internally questioned why my focus was increasing arbitrary numbers in the gym, to what end it served me; I always considered my way good – but not great. To me, great is something I aspire to. Previously, I was not exactly clear what great would look like for me. Now, I feel I am aware of what it looks like. I have a long way to go, but I enjoy the challenge.

From good to great

If the barbells and 45 lbs. plates in a gym could no longer satisfy me, then what?

Movement

I feel that my goal now is total body control. I feel that my focus is in my ability to move effectively. I hypothesize that after a certain percentage (to be able to accumulate enough power), squatting, deadlifting, pressing, snatching and all other movements may lose their relevance to actual life. Does someone who works at a desk all day need to deadlift 600 lbs. Maybe not.

I contemplate that it really does not matter if I squat 115, 225, or 315, anymore. The days of comparing weights are over for me. However, it does matter if I can control my body. If I can run, jump, move, swim, balance, etc., I feel I would be a more complete athlete for life. I feel strong is not determined by a weight set anymore, but by the ability to adapt to live. I want to focus on a way to live life in a sustainable model of mobility and movement.

A personal trainer friend said something a few years ago to me that stuck. It resonated not because it made sense at the time, but it was a new concept for me.

If you cannot move your own body, what right do you have moving weighted objects?

It was interesting because a lot of people who are moving weight, in fact, cannot effectively move themselves.

So, what now then?

I want to focus on different disciplines, to better understand and implement what I feel and learn to be effective for maximizing life. The areas I want to and have started slowly delving into are:

• Gymnastics
• Calisthenics
• MMA
• Swimming
• Dance

…Not quite Olympic lifting or bodybuilding, I know.

Don't only evaluate the potential downside of action. It is equally important to measure the atrocious cost of inaction. If you don't pursue those things that excite you, where will you be in one year, five years, and ten years? How will you feel having allowed circumstance to impose itself upon you and having allowed ten more years of your finite life to pass doing what you know will not fulfill you? If you telescope out 10 years and know with 100% certainty that it is a path of disappointment and regret, and if we define risk as the "likelihood of an irreversible negative outcome," inaction is the greatest risk of all.Author: Tim Ferriss, Source: The Four Hour Work Week, p. 47

I doubt when I am 40 I will care how much I can deadlift. I will be more concerned on living life enjoyable, pain free, and able to move how I would like to.

I look forward to the ups and downs of this decision, and as always, will keep my updates here.

I will now strive to become a mover.

I think that if and when I reconcile my relationship with weights, it will be in a more functional way. I feel that, as an athlete, while we always want to grow, whether it be bigger bi-ceps, more pull-ups or heavier deadlifts, by taking a break from the iron, I will be able to grow in completely new ways.

In closing, here is a video from Ido Portal. He is a very impressive mover, enjoy. #Movementculture