5 Ways You Can Learn to Love Lifting Weights

Weight Loss Programs | | Jul 11, 2021 | Ally's Angels

Hey Angels and Alphas,

It’s a fact – some people just hate weightlifting. And that’s unfortunate, especially considering that enjoyment is one of the biggest keys for sticking with a fitness routine long enough to see the strength and aesthetic benefits.

Chances are, if you’re forcing yourself to train every day and you’re not having a good time when you’re in the gym, you’re just not going to give it everything you have.

The CDC recommends that the average person should partake in at least two days of strength training every week, all while making sure all their major muscle groups (shoulders, chest, biceps, triceps, back, abs, glutes, hamstrings, calves) get worked.

And that’s just for staying healthy and seeing physical progress.

But if you’re one of those people who just can’t bear to spend a couple of hours a week in the gym lifting weights, here are my recommendations for what you can do about it…

Here are 5 ways to make lifting weights more bearable, and who knows, you might even fall in love with it after a few tries:

#1. FIND A WHY. (And not just any why.)

When you attach a positive outcome to the end of it, you’re literally hardwiring your brain to bring you enjoyment through the process.

So answer this question for yourself: what are you hoping to achieve when you are lifting weights?

Your mind will probably instinctively turn to aesthetic goals such as losing fat, building muscle, or achieving endurance/performance goals such as bench pressing your bodyweight.

And while those goals are all great, it’s pretty easy to lose your initial mojo if you’re not seeing major changes in a short amount of time. People are, in their nature, impatient. When they start working out, they want to see results as soon as possible. Same with every other endeavor.

So, by all means, keep those aesthetic goals there, in the back of your mind. But dig a little deeper if you want to find true reasons for lifting. You need something that will get you going when your six-pack doesn’t just magically pop up in a couple of weeks.

If you start thinking about all the things lifting weights can do for you, from improved overall health, to more energy throughout the day, to lower risk of certain diseases, and so on, you will have a much easier time sticking to it… and falling in love with it!

#2. EXPERIMENT WITH DIFFERENT LIFTING STYLES.

I hate it when people say “I hate weightlifting” as if there’s only one way to do it. There are countless ways to train your muscles with weights!

That’s why if you haven’t yet had a good experience with lifting weights in the past, it could be that you just haven’t found the right one for you.

You can mix and match, play around with the different forms of strength training out there until you find something you enjoy.

Here are some of the best options out there:

  • Circuit training
  • Bodybuilding (training for bigger muscles)
  • Bootcamp-style training
  • Powerlifting (training for brute strength)
  • Powerbuilding (combo of powerlifting and bodybuilding)
  • Calisthenics (bodyweight training)
  • Olympic lifting

#3. TURN UP SOME MUSIC!

Let’s face it – sometimes, your weight training session can feel like a drag if you’re listening to nothing but your own heavy breathing. Music has been scientifically proven to get you more excited, improve your performance, and make training a LOT more fun. Put on your favorite playlist of bangers, crank it up, and get the job done.

#4. JOIN A CLASS!

The majority of people dislike weightlifting in groups. And that’s understandable.

But for the few people that enjoy an extra social activity now and then, joining a class can be a ton of fun.

For added expert guidance and encouragement, you can take either an in-person class or a virtual class.

Classes are also an amazing opportunity to switch up your training and learn new things. You’ll often find that combining strength training with other forms of exercise such as cardio, martial arts, or even yoga, can completely transform the experience for you.

#5. HAVE FUN WITH ALL THE EQUIPMENT AT YOUR GYM!

There are so many activities you can perform and enjoy when you consider all the possible tools at your disposal at the gym.

Sometimes, the best way to add a fun boost into your routine is to swap out one tool for another. If you usually prefer to lift dumbbells, why not switch it up one day and try kettlebells or vice versa?

Here’s a list of just a few of the tools at your disposal… there’s definitely a lot of fun to be had with them – be it barbells, prowler sleds, medicine balls, kettlebells, cable machines, resistance bands, battle ropes, wall balls, suspension trainers, weight machines, sliders, chains, sandbags, tires, ankle weights, stability balls, balance trainers, etc.