Does your lifting suffer during the summer?

[Forge]

I feel guilty, but yet I feel great. It's not even summer yet and already my lifting schedule is shot all to hell. And to be honest, I'm not missing it all that much.

I have a lot of active hobbies: kayaking, running, rock climbing, etc. When I was married my wife always got home around 7-7:30 at night, so I always worked out before she came home and we had supper. But now that I'm single I don't have to wait around for supper with her. I'm eating early (or late) and going out to do my own thing.

Last week I lifted once, I did deads and shoulders. The week before that I didn't lift at all, but I've been climbing twice a week and kayaking as well as running. I've resorted to doing pushups and chins real quick before I shower at night. And you know what? I feel great.

I'm beginning to think I might start taking lifting less seriously, treat it as just a form of exercise I fit in when I get the chance or when the weather is bad. I've never wanted to be huge, just athletic and built. And to be honest I'm just too busy with other athletic stuff to keep lifting daily like I do during the winter. It's hard to have a true back day after a day of hard paddling on the water. When I was married lifting was convenient, something I could fit in while I waited for the wife to come home. But now, I'm free to do whatever the hell I want. Maybe I'm more suited for an active healthy lifestyle than the bodybuilding lifestyle...

 

[alien amp pharm]

I stay pretty busy during the summer with chicks and all, so yes my lifting suffers.



ok ok, you caught me. It's actually sports that keep me busy.

 

[KillahBee]

Maybe I'm more suited for an active healthy lifestyle than the bodybuilding lifestyle...

sounds like it bro. unless you plan on competing, I see no reason to do something that feels more like a job than fun. sounds like you have a bunch of fun activities going on that make you happy and help keep you active and healthy.

 

[WODIN]

I think as long as you are doing something healthy you enjoy then rock on!

 

[wnt2bBeast]

my lifting doesnt know what season it is

 

[Illuminati]

there's no excuse for someone to let their lifting suffer

 

[KillahBee]

there's no excuse for someone to let their lifting suffer

what if it becomes less important in their life? I appreciate your passion, but to some people, it's just a way of keeping active or feeling healthy.

 

[Illuminati]

what if it becomes less important in their life? I appreciate your passion, but to some people, it's just a way of keeping active or feeling healthy.

i hear ya. but lifting is the one thing that is allowing me to keep my sanity. it has always been my vice/outlet. dont know where i would be without it

 

[KillahBee]

i hear ya. but lifting is the one thing that is allowing me to keep my sanity. it has always been my vice/outlet. dont know where i would be without it

I understand and am in the same boat. But there are people that don't look at it as a way of life, but as a "hobby". It's all good either way. I couldn't imagine my life without it.

 

[Illuminati]

I understand and am in the same boat. But there are people that don't look at it as a way of life, but as a "hobby". It's all good either way. I couldn't imagine my life without it.

can't wait to get off this island that i am on, so i can get back to the states and start competing.

as for the hobbiest...at least they make the effort at some point in time to stay fit, and not let themself rot away. i respect everyone that makes some sort of effort to stay in shape.

 

[Steve The Bluesman]

In the summer, my lifting becomes secondary to my baseball season. Playing ball is one of the biggest reasons why I lift - not many 37 years olds in my league - I am a relic to these 18-22 year old kids, but I still hold my own year after year.

I know every new year could be my last, either from diminishing skills or injury, so I work out hard int he off-season to get the biggest edge I can.

In the summer - I go into a maintance type workout schedule. Full body workouts at moderate intensity, maybe 2x a week.

In September, I take a vacation with my wife, then come home and get back on the iron seriously again. It has been working for me this way for years.


Bluesman

 

[GoldenDelicious]

i think that what youre doing is great, at the end of the day, weight training is a tool, not an end in itself. when i switch over to physical daytime jobs (ie building/renovating) my weight training schedule is cut from 5-6 days a week to 3ish days a week. at the end of the day, its the outcome that counts

that being said, winter is bad for my training. i grew up in the tropics, so i come alive in the summer, when everyone else wants to sit under a tree and fall asleep...though all the parties molest my cardio

 

[Forge]

In the summer, my lifting becomes secondary to my baseball season. Playing ball is one of the biggest reasons why I lift - not many 37 years olds in my league - I am a relic to these 18-22 year old kids, but I still hold my own year after year.

I know every new year could be my last, either from diminishing skills or injury, so I work out hard int he off-season to get the biggest edge I can.

In the summer - I go into a maintance type workout schedule. Full body workouts at moderate intensity, maybe 2x a week.

In September, I take a vacation with my wife, then come home and get back on the iron seriously again. It has been working for me this way for years.


Bluesman

Yeah, that's kind of what I see myself doing this summer too. Though instead of doing full body's twice a week, I'll just follow my schedule a little more sporadic than normal. I'm more interested in paddling new lakes right now than getting a new PR on the bench.

I can see how someone who wants to compete in BB would never let their training slack, but I don't ever have any plans of being anywhere near that kind of physique. I lift to stay in shape, not to be the next Arnold.

Different goals for different people I guess.

 

[UA_Iron]

my lifting doesnt know what season it is

true that!

I'm already up 4lbs from a couple days ago - I need 200lbs. Everything is going to be stepped up a notch.

 

[wutangnomo]

I'm the opposite. I find that my lifting gets better, most likely because there are less people in the gym during the summer. Nobody wants to be in a gym while it's nice and sunny outside, so I take advantage of that.

 

[theoak01]

I tend to more outside as opposed to spending time in the gym,however this year I have to do both as opposed to just kayaking,horseback riding and rugby(Ill miss it this year)

 

[SC4EVA]

I try not to - its hard with the good weather and always wanting to be outside - Although sometimes I work harder b/c the need for less clothes is more prevalent. I see bunch of people who get in greatshape for like memorial day weekend and then give up the rest of the summer - By August they are big slobs.

 

[wnt2bBeast]

I understand and am in the same boat. But there are people that don't look at it as a way of life, but as a "hobby". It's all good either way. I couldn't imagine my life without it.

lifting is a hobby for me as well..but like my other hobby i become obsessed with it..

 

[tahoe2003]

I cut back from 5 days a week to 4 days just because Im not around on weekends Im taking my boat out.

 

[ebear]

I'm the opposite.

So am I! Not really sure why - maybe because warmer weather means showing more flesh

 

[Mithrandir]

I have to remain active everyday..if I am not lifting, I am playing bball or swimming or working. Lifting is becoming more and more important as I am not where I want to be yet, but when I get there, I think I just want to maintain..

As for what i have learned about dieting, that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

 

[JohnRobHolmes]

im like you forge, i dont lift as much when i can bike and tumble more. the most important thing for me is keeping my body in balance (and maintaining my strength). if i spend some time riding my bike hard, then i know that chest and abs will need to get equally worked.

if i were you i would hit the gym when you feel like it, and keep in mind that climbing and kayaking focus on the back and bis- then adjust your gym time accordingly.

 

[b fold the truth]

The HEAT will get me a lot. 120 degree days hurt me...badly. The Sun here ain't no joke either. I will enjoy wind surfing more again though..

B True

 

[WalkingBeast]

No. Day or night, time of year, day of the week, none of these things effect my training. The only thing that can have an affect is if the gym closes on holidays, or I dont get in on time.

 

[Illuminati]

lifting is a hobby for me as well..but like my other hobby i become obsessed with it..

obsessed is a word that the lazy use to define the dedicated...

 

[Gymgurl]

I find that my weight amounts decrease when it gets really humid...

 

[blut wump]

Ditto, it's like the Earth has more gravity during the summer and all of the weights are heavier. We should have summer PRs and winter PRs. There were still fresh records made in Greece, though, so it can't be too bad.

 

[Carl Carlson]

I love lifting during the summer... The place is usually empty.