Why Do You Train?

[MC]

I train because it was and is my last great challenge to myself.

I'd done everything else in life I ever wanted and doubted that I could attain: I married the pretty girl, I had kids, owned a house, built a successful career and smashed my way through grad school to a doctorate (while going through divorce).

But, I still felt weak and small. I was bullied in school for being skinny and nerdy (comics and rock music, some pop, too!) and it haunted me (and in some ways, still does). I always wanted a body like the superheroes I read about, but I never thought I could have it.

Now, I am building it.

So, (besides the health aspects and the attention aspects), I train to prove to myself that there's nothing I can't do when I put my mind towards it.

Great thread.

[Abaddon]

^great story!

[Abaddon]

I ignored my potential and poisoned my body for a combined total of 10 ****ing years. I should have died a couple of times. A physically weaker person probably would have.

Anyone can wear a groove in the couch and engage in vice. Only a few of those many will one day get up and try what I do.

But of the even fewer who have the will to stick with it, how many have the natural potential I have?

I do it because I can.

[Carl1174]

I want to be strong and healthy.. I dont want to be an embarrasement to my kids when we are on holiday on the beach, i want to look good for my wife, i enjoy it, I like seeing progess and the feeling of cold steel in my hands etc etc...

But most of all its the one thing that i do for ME.

I work for my family so i can provide them a good life, i run around endlessly in my time off for my 4 kids, i am about as hands on with them as you can get, shower the little ones in the morning, cook for them, put them to bed, wake them up in the morning, take them to school/doctors/netball/hockey/orchestra/gymnastics/swimming, I run around constantly and live my life for the most part for others and i do it with pride.

But when i step into the gym it is just me and the iron. I zone out, focus and dedicate myself to ME just for an hour, but man its refreshing to be on someone elses agenda. i think this is one of the reasons I cant stick to a program for too long. i like the freedom of doing what I want, even if it is just for an hour

Carl.

[BendtheBar]

Originally Posted by Abaddon

I ignored my potential and poisoned my body for a combined total of 10 ****ing years.

I had a few bad years myself. I spent many years belly to the bar, chasing women, drinking heavily, and at times dabbling in things worse.

Mistakes were made. Lessons learned. Triumph experienced.

We all make mistakes but those that overcome inspire others.

[bamazav]

I like the question first off, for I train, I do not workout. The resolutioners flocking to the gyms with hopes of a quick fix are working out. I am training my body to make it bigger and better. To gain strength and power to help maintain good health, work, play and protect. I train because I care about the temple of God I call my body.

27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (1 Cor 9:27 ESV)

[dmaipa]

Its cool to see everyone's reasons..it looks like we all train for similar reasons which points out why MAB had grown to be such a solid community, thanks to all the hard work from BTB.

Glad to be apart of this brotherhood....stay strong

[mstott25]

Originally Posted by dmaipa

In Regards to the Myth of Sisyphus--

I liked your summary here, it at least lends to further conversation about why we live our lives the way we choose to. I know personally I sometimes envy people that have found their niche or calling and have managed to combine their hobby/career/relationships around that one thing. I myself have several passions and find that I tend to give attention to some above others depending on the season. I'm very committed to music and furthering my studies and over the past 8 months or so training and health has been a top priority of mine. I'm still trying to find a healthy balance between everything, my job is certainly of no interest to me whatsoever other than the paycheck and ideally I'd like to settle down in a position where I feel like I'm contributing to something I care about a little more.

I began training and taking care of my body because one day I just realized this is the only body I'll ever have, it has so much natural potential and is capable of amazing feats but it all depends on me. I wish I had this realization long ago but I just always took my health and body for granted and I won't do that anymore. I'm interested in keeping my mind and body healthy and growing, and to me training is just a physical extension of what I try to do with my mind. Avoid junk, exercise, use it, don't let it go to waste!

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

I had a few bad years myself. I spent many years belly to the bar, chasing women, drinking heavily, and at times dabbling in things worse.

Mistakes were made. Lessons learned. Triumph experienced.

We all make mistakes but those that overcome inspire others.

True dat

[5kgLifter]

I train for fitness, but mostly because I really enjoy it which is great since I need no other incentive to workout.

[MMA Max]

To improve my violence.. I don't lift to stand on stand in a thong, I lift for fighting reasons, I lift incase I have to get sent over seas again and have to kick open a door, I lift to be stronger then the folks I am training for MMA, I lift for the Poilce, Military and private folks I teach FMA to.

If I am fast and strong, I make for a good fight for these people, If I was weak, Had emo hair, Wore womens pants and cried after sex because of a small and pathetic penis, I would make terrible fighters.

I also lift because I am a MP and sometimes I have to deal with very angry pissed off Army boys who are drunk and are 6 feet plus of infantry death..

I also lift cause my woman likes my muscles =)