Lifting For Health, Nothing More

[Tom Treutlein]

I was wondering about something. The main focus I've seen on these boards has been to get bigger or stronger, or more athletic and explosive. The routines and diets layed out are ideal for those goals, but what about someone who wants to lift weights for the health and fitness benefits such as increased bone density, increased ligament and tendon strength, or whatever else comes along with it?

What type of routine or diet would someone like that follow? I'm talking the cardio too. I'm sure it would be a lot more moderate than most of the stuff on here, and I was trying to help a friend out, so I wanted to ask around. I'm sure low rep ranges and heavy strength training would be a waste, as would negatives and drop sets and all that shit.

 

[forty-six & 2]

men's health bro, that is it's primary focus (diet and fitness wise)

 

[big4life]

That is more or less what I train for. I do what I think is fun. I'm not trying to get huge or anything. You can modify most of the programs here to fit what your goals are. One of the best things that I do for cardio is sprints. I use to hate them when I played ball, but now I love the challenge of doing them. I don't do them to get ready for a race, or to try to outrun some kid half my age, it's just a fun way to get my cardio in. And that is what it is all about, having fun. No matter what your goals.

 

[anthrax]

You can lift both for strength/mass AND for health

and cardio is certainly part of the equation

 

[JT Iron]

I would advise staying away from all strength sports.

 

[he-man]

i train for both - lift weights mon, wed, fri at low reps heavy weight for size and strength. swim twice a week and run 4-6 miles 1-2 times a week. ill run through some body weight exercises after running and swimming usually to include push-ups, pull-ups, dips, rope climbs, etc. to keep up muscular endurance.

 

[casualbb]

Lift each muscle once/week, eat maintenaince. You won't grow but you'll probably get the tendon, ligament, and bone density benefits.