How do you see yourself?

[Gaz6682]

I'm starting a new routine next week having just come off a period of trying to increase CV fitness as well as cutting some fat and maintining muscle and strength. I'm now going to be looking to add some size.

It's got me wondering where I fit in? How do I see myself? I do a bit of everything, strength training/power-lifting, body-building, high intensity cardio, low intensity cardio, circuit training, conditioning work and a lot of sport. So I guess to label myself, as I did when I joined this forum, as an "All-Rounder" is pretty much on the mark. I'm kind of good at all of these disciplines but particularly fantastic at any.

For some of you this is a fairly straight-forward and simple question, but I'm wondering how the rest of you see yourselves? I just see myself as someone who wants to improve, look better, feel fitter, healthier, sharper, faster and stronger all round.

Any thoughts?

[Carl1174]

I see myself as not really being a body builder or a powerlifter, kind of in the middle somewhere.

I dont feel I am particularly strong or well build, just average at both. I blame this on me not really concentrating on one or the other. I do have a bit of a case of 'bigorexia' though i think, as Im probably a bit bigger and/or stronger than i see myself.

I would love to be great at either, I wouldnt mind which, but if i had to chose I would rather lift like I do now but look like a bb'er than look like I do now but lift like a PL'er

Carl.

[Rich Knapp]

I started out to fight my M.S. so I seen myself as feel fitter and healthier. Now that I also do bodybuilding I see myself small but wanting improvements. Searching all the info out there and using modern science and technology for the knowing the why and how. Then trial and error to see if my body likes it or it works for me.

After all our body is a machine. If Ford or all the auto makers didn't do trial and error or advance we all would be driving Model "T"s.

I refuse to let my body pull me down or be a Model "T".

So now I see myself as constantly looking for ways to improve.

[MC]

I consider myself a bodybuilder, but most days when I look in the mirror, I still don't feel big. A few buds have suggested that I cut, but at my weight, I don't feel I have enough mass to cut and not end up feeling and looking small.

Recently, when I've come across a candid photo that someone has taken (at the bud's rehearsal dinner, for example) when I was unaware of the pic, I am noticing that I do have decent size.

I don't beat myself up about it. I consider it good for "staying hungry" in the gym.

In the end, I know that I just want to be BIG.

[Abaddon]

LAST YEAR


CURRENTLY


SOON

I don't think I need a specific purpose. Other than moving heavy things.

[LtL]

I am a powerlifter. Easy for me

LtL

[Gaz6682]

Poundstone is a beast, don't think I'd make 9.10 on the bleep test if I was ever that size, smfh. I need a new job lol.

[glwanabe]

I's say this makes you fairly typical in regards to most people. I'm no different, I have a very hard time putting any specific label on my training. I guess more than anything, I'm a student of weightlifting. I'm constantly trying to learn more about this sport. I don't know nearly as much as I would like to know, and I would like to become a better educator to others.

Powerbuilder comes the closest to where I am at in my lifre right now.

For some of you this is a fairly straight-forward and simple question, but I'm wondering how the rest of you see yourselves? I just see myself as someone who wants to improve, look better, feel fitter, healthier, sharper, faster and stronger all round.

Not a simple question at all, and your goals are what most typical people are looking to achieve.

The thing your talking about is a conversation Steve and I have spent many, many hours discussing. It is one of the main reasons that we came up with the Real Results set of programs.

We wanted to offer several programs for people just as your talking about. Programs that are designed for the average person to see great results without having to venture off into any one area of lifting to specifically.

Just look at most forums and look at how many people are asking questions about what they should be doing. What a lot of them end up doing is a program that is not really optimal for there end goals.

Most end up on some elaborate split type of training that has them spinning their wheels more than making any gains. This makes no sense. All they really want to do is make some gains on a good simple plan to put on some muscle, get strong, and live a healthier life.

If after a few years of good basic hard work they see that they want to specialize, they will have built up the proper amount of base muscle and strength to step towards a more specific goal, but more importantly they are ready to do so.

[BendtheBar]

I am a physical fitness junkie turned powerbuilder who will accidentally compete in 10 days.

My first love was fitness - jumping rope, step ups, bodyweight, basketball, baseball, tennis, roller blading and a lot of running.

I spent a lot of years as a bodybuilder, transitioning over into a powerbuilder with a love of strength around 1997.

Post 2007 I began to learn more about the history of lifting, and it has drawn me away from bodybuilding mags and training I was enamored early on.

Right now I just want to get back to being nothing. Keep my love for strength, but I also need fitness. I miss it. One good thing about powerlifters is that they tend to focus on GPP.

I am a recreational lifter at heart. I always do things for fun.

[Gaz6682]

Great answers gents, keep 'em coming