Getting back to basics – Weight Lifting

I looked back in my calendar, and it’s been two months since I last lifted weights.  That is way too long.   So I am recommitting myself to lifting twice a week.  It started on Sunday.

Lisa and I were talking while we were in Hawaii, and she was looking for a way to be more consistent with her weight training.  I know how much better it is to lift with a partner, and I have struggled a bit (well, for two months) to get on the same page with my uncle, who is my usual lifting buddy.  So we agreed to lift together every Sunday.  In addition I still plan to lift with my uncle every Tuesday night.  In the winter I will probably add a third lifting session on Thursdays – but not during cycling season.

Lisa started us off with core training stuff.  I call them dead bug exercises, because you lay on the ground and move your arms and legs.  It never seems like I am doing much, but the next day I can barely move because my core is so sore.  This isn’t my favorite thing, so having Lisa to make me do it is good. 

I, on the other hand, love playing with the weights.  This is something that isn’t Lisa’s favorite thing to do.   On Sunday, we worked Lisa’s entire body, but I skipped working my legs because my calf is still bothering me.  I joined in for upper body.

The workout took about an hour.  I tried to not push it, but we ended up doing a lot.  I have been sore for two days.  Today I am lifting with my uncle, and it will be interesting.  My triceps in particular still ache every time I move them.  They always seem to get the most sore when I lift after a long period off.  But I know that in a couple more workouts the soreness will give way to a slight stiffness every time you lift.  And that feeling can be addictive.

In keeping with my “no need for speed” mantra, for lifting it will be no need for heavy weights.  It may not rhyme, but it is every bit at true.  I want to focus on lifting twice a week, not on becoming a powerlifter tomorrow.  The weight will go up when my muscles are ready.   Genetically I’m more of a natural as a weight lifter than as a cyclist anyway, so it never takes long for me to start seeing differences in my body from lifting.