Gym rats: choose one:

[TheJimi]

On the back of a couple of discussions on bodybuilding on here, this is a poll aimed at those of us who train with weights.

You have a hypothetical choice to achieve a single outcome, of those choices you can either choose to train for strength or aesthetics.

Which do you choose?

P.s incase it wasn't obvious, this is just a bit of fun, so don't be getting all technical

[J4CKO]

Is not looking like Mighty Jabba and not dropping dead quite yet an option ?

[TheJimi]

No, RTFP

[mcelliott]

Will always train for strength, but, if as a by product it makes me look fab, then that's a brucie bonus.

[Pvapour]

Neither, train for health and it will last much longer and take you further, it should be as much a part of your life as brushing your teeth

strength & aesthetics are just a by product of training for health.

[TheJimi]

Jeez, which part of "just a bit of fun" did you not get?

Like desert island books or something.

[Halb]

Pourvavour is a neuro-net processor, he is out there! He can't be bargained with. He can't be reasoned with. He doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop... ever, until you are dead!



maybe not the last bit

[didelydoo]

mcelliott said:

Will always train for strength, but, if as a by product it makes me look fab, then that's a brucie bonus.

this.

edit to add- if most people trained for strength, they'd look a lot more aesthetic

[otolith]

Neither - I train for food. The point of increasing my lean mass was to enable me to eat more without getting fat.

Of the two, it's not strength more than it's not aesthetics, though. I appreciate looking better, but I am strong enough to do everything I need to do in my daily life. I always was.

[joshleb]

I'd go for strength as I only really train for rugby at the moment.

Not that I've been to the gym in ages.

[AJB88]

Having been "Obese" (107kg, 5ft8 tall) from the age of about 20-26, I am now about 71kg, I have been as low as 65kg but just looked very skinny. I have "bulked up" quite a bit but am also trying to get lean.

I chose for aesthetics simply because I was obese for so long that I just want to look good now!

[RTB]

I tell myself I train for strength.....

[Pvapour]

Halb said:

maybe not the last bit

Dissapointed

Must admit tho, when i started it was aesthetics (vanity) but once youve reached your optimum you need to look elswhere or itll become quite a vacuous experience.

health for longevity was the big learn for me as it takes you to the end, all the people ive ever met that have done it for vanity alone (strength is no different) dont last till old age which is when training really pays dividends.

Polls like this arent for fun, your trying to get insight into why people do things, if this is what you do for fun then you need to look at ur life matey!

Edited by Pvapour on Monday 16th October 11:49

[dirty boy]

Aesthetics.

When a hole punch is the most strenuous thing you use all day, being able to bench 150 ain't much use.

[didelydoo]

dirty boy said:

Aesthetics.

When a hole punch is the most strenuous thing you use all day, being able to bench 150 ain't much use.

I think you underestimate the use of being able to bench heavy for aesthetics. The muscle size and density to do so, is what causes you to look good.

Heavy lifting is the #1 way to grow dense, thick muscle.

[LordGrover]

Training for strength leads to aesthetic gains.
Training for aesthetics/looks leads to imbalances and injuries.

[TheJimi]

Pvapour said:

Polls like this arent for fun, your trying to get insight into why people do things, if this is what you do for fun then you need to look at ur life matey!

Edited by Pvapour on Monday 16th October 11:49

Eh?

Firstly, if I wanted to gain insight as to why people train, I'd post a question asking exactly that.

Secondly, the poll is meant to be a bit lighthearted, in the same way as most silly hypotheticals are. I can see you you're struggling to wrap your head around the idea though, maybe I wasn't clear enough for you. Sorry about that.

Thirdly, re your last comment; now you're just being a dick, matey.

[LordGrover]

TBF, he's a big fecker who clearly knows what he's doing. mcelliott and didelydoo too.

[TheJimi]

LordGrover said:

TBF, he's a big fecker who clearly knows what he's doing. Mcelliott and didely too.

What's that got to do with *anything* in respect of this thread? Which, as it happens, I'm regretting starting.

[otolith]

I think "why are you doing it" might be getting conflated with "how are you doing it".