How long have you been weight training?

[Adam H.]

I was just wondering how much experience is on this board.

Include the years you spent cluelessly lifting weights with no real plan...

Adam

[EdChap]

Clueless lifting : 1 year
Sensible lifting : 10 months

[GG300]

I have been lifting regularly since February of 2003. I lifted one other time for 8 months but fell to the temptations of the Dark Side.

[I. Kay]

I started working out when I moved to Mass. That was almost EXACTLY 6 years ago. (I messed around at my dad's gym in the years before, but that was all machines and it was at best 2 times per week). I didn't start with a proper plan, or with good form. However, other than a couple of injuries that cost me up to two weeks, I haven't taken more than a 7-10 day break since I began.

[milkman21]

"I know everything" lifting - 3 years
"I know nothing" lifting - 10 months

What a difference it's made since I realized how little I know...

[Steve-O-68]

I've been lifting for a loooong time. My main problem was consistency. I'ld lift for a while, not see results, get discouraged, and stop. Did that for a few years. Then, I got into a regular routine, but wasn't eating right... didn't see results, so I stopped. About 2 years ago, I found the balance between diet and proper technique, and haven't stopped since... never will either!

[Jimbo]

Originally Posted by Steve-O-68

About 2 years ago, I found the balance between diet and proper technique, and haven't stopped since... never will either!

Been lifting for 3 years and I am right there as you describe above. Working on getting my diet in line! It's kind of exciting too when you realize what you have been doing wrong and you feel like maybe...just maybe...new results are around the corner! Now if I can just get my wifey to buy the right foods for me. (a little loving arm twisting going on at my house) You have to be VERY gentle twisting the cooks arm! She's a GREAT cook and I wouldn't want to discourage her!

[twinsavsvikingsfan]

I'd been lifting on and off since my early days in the Army- about '92-'93. Got much more serious and have stuck regularly with it for about 4 years now, even though I don't have much to show for it.

[John Izzo]

1990-1991 DP Cement filled weight set (Sears $69 for 100 lbs)
Wallingford Boys Club 1991-1992
BodyForce Gym - 1993-1997
YMCA - 1997-1999
World Gym - 1999-2001
Gold's Gym -2001-2002
WOW! Fitness 2003-present

[Frank.S]

June 05 "Im gonna get in shape.. Lots of running should do the trick!!"

January 06 "All this running made me skinny. Im going to do HIIT and do 20 rep sets on every machine in the gym"

Febuary 06 "Hmmmm this thing called a deadlift looks interesting"

Been lifting really since febuary 06. so about 6-7 months.

[AmyPie38]

I started lifting in an all-women's gym, hence why the first 3 years of training were clueless training (ie, trying not to "get bulky"). After switching to a co-ed gym, my training improved slightly in that at least I started to lift heavier, but I was still using less effective exercises such as leg extensions and dumbell flys. About a year and a half ago I took a chance on letting go of the "bulking" myth and used lower reps with heavy weight. At the same time I said goodbye to the machines and incorporated squats, deads, bench, etc. into my routine. Like Milkman said, it's amazing how I realized how little I know and how much less I knew back then once I started joining the fitness forums. If it wasn't for that, I'd still be doing 10lb. tricep kickbacks! :p

[jruck37]

I've taken large chunks off in the past, but I basically lifted dilligently (and uneducated) for 2 years during college. I took a year off after that, and resumed for the last 3 years. I've only begun to feel competently educated over the last 1.5-2 years.

[jruck37]

Originally Posted by Steve-O-68

I've been lifting for a loooong time. My main problem was consistency. I'ld lift for a while, not see results, get discouraged, and stop. Did that for a few years. Then, I got into a regular routine, but wasn't eating right... didn't see results, so I stopped. About 2 years ago, I found the balance between diet and proper technique, and haven't stopped since... never will either!

Sounds VERY familiar. It took me a while to figure that out. Much thanks to JP Fitness!

[galya]

2000-2002 lifted with BB split routines, underate and took tons of stupid supplements; had no idea what I was doing but it made my shoulders hurt less; I started figuring out it was doing something good;
2002-2003 had a very physical job; started doing higher intesity training for the first time; still did stupid stuff and lots of cardio but I got stronger
2003-2005 met Milko and started doing functional stuff; laid off cardio big time
August 2005 - present: lifted only using predetermined set and rep schemes; started planning where I was going instead of figuring things out as I go; lost my fear of big loads; I am more comfortable with my body, more patient and know where I am going in terms of workout design; I also have a lot more respect for other trainer's experience and know I am at the beginning of a great journey

[RobLL]

For years my exercise was swimming laps and biking. Then in about 2001 or 2 I added machine weight lifting. I had read several articles, NYT, that lifting was important as we get older. So I did a 14 machine routine for 2 or 3 years. I realize that I should have shifted to free weights after about 6 months. But still appreciate that it was a step forward. About this time I switched into a diet similar to Adams. Good bye obesity.

Then a trainer talked me into joining Rep Reboks. After about 8 months I was astounded at how much muscle and density I was adding. I still do one of two of these a week. I would appreciate some feed back as to whether this is useful or a waste of time. For those of you who aren't familiar the program emphasizes the big muscle movements (which I learned later from NROL) along with some of the minor things (like bicep curls!) and all, and it changes the routine once a month. Class is an hour, and usually I do intervals before or after. Sometimes I am too beat to do intervals afterwards.

Then a few months ago I read a review of NROL (I think in the NYT), got the book from the library, decided it was a great book, and bought my own copies for me and kids. I have now done 'break in' and am in the middle of 'fatloss II'. My weights have gone up, but are not very high, my goals are to challenge my body, but just as important not to get any injuries. Goal: for body to last longer than my mind!

My intervals include swimming (a fast lap, then one as slow as I need to catch up on breathing; upright bicycle; walking on the treadmill, fast being 15 degree incline and 4.2 mph; and running on the indoor track. I have always before had to quit running because of injuries. Thanks to intervals I can get the benefits of running fast (for me), while not running so much as to injure. Rob

[Inspired]

Originally Posted by GG300

I have been lifting regularly since February of 2003. I lifted one other time for 8 months but fell to the temptations of the Dark Side.

I would assume you are referring to marijuana..

[ParanoidAndroid]

Bench press/ bicep curls-18 months on and off

real lifting-3 months

[Jean-Paul]

Why would you assume that? It could mean many things, like bad nutrition, or laziness.