Why Do I Train?
Over the holidays, I purchased a few eBooks from a strength coach named Geoff Neupert. Each book (The Giant, Kettlebell Strong, and Kettlebell Express Ultra) had a variety of kettlebell programs with varying duration and intensity. Sometimes it’s nice to get a program and just run through it without having to plan or think about training too much. These programs got me doing kettlebell clean and presses and push presses, a combination of movements that I had never really done with any kind of direction or goal. It’s been a ton of fun and has definitely improved my conditioning and overhead strength.
Recently, Geoff sent out an e-mail newsletter that discussed his reasons for training. At the end, Geoff asked his readers the reasons for their own training. I had to stop and think about this for a second, and I was surprised that I had never really thought this through and/or written about why, exactly, I devote so much time, energy, money, and other resources to training. This list is my attempt at explaining why I train.
Because I don’t remember a time in my life where I didn’t want to be bigger and stronger.
Because I remember being a kid and watching World’s Strongest Man with my dad. I was amazed at the superhuman strength of Mariusz Pudzianowski, Derek Poundstone, Zydrunas Zavickas, and my dad’s favorite, Magnus ver Magnusson.
Because my friends and I were obsessed with professional wrestling as kids. Who needed superheroes when you could watch real ones in the WWF and WCW? People say wrestling is fake, but you can’t fake the physique of the Ultimate Warrior, the Road Warriors, Warlord, Ravishing Rick Rude, Don Muraco, Hercules, Dino Bravo, Superstar Billy Graham, Hulk Hogan, Scott Steiner, Lex Luger, Buff Bagwell, Scott Norton, and all the other big jacked up dudes who wrestled in the ‘80s and ‘90s.
Because I dreamed of playing varsity sports for my small high school and lifting weights was expected. The Seniors seemed superhuman, and I wanted to be just like them.
Because growing up, I had a great group of friends who made me better through competition. Being in the weight room together was fun and we felt we were working toward a common goal.
Because training has always calmed me down and made me less nervous about my ability to handle anything that comes my way.
Because strength and cardio are practical to everyday life.
Because one day I may not be physically able to train, and I’ll look back on my life thinking how I would give anything to go into the weight room and hammer out some heavy squats.
Because my older sister Stacy always made fun of me for being too skinny and weak.
Because being strong fixes a lot of ailments.
Because I believe quality of life as a person ages is directly proportional to physical strength.
Because I love the mental and physical euphoria that follows a tough workout.
Because I never wanted to be weak, skinny-fat, and lazy.
Because I always wanted to look better naked.
Because I watched my dad put on a lot of weight and I was scared that it would happen to me too.
Because what’s the alternative?