Viliam_Bur comments on Optimal Exercise - Less Wrong

50 Post author: RomeoStevens 10 March 2014 03:37AM

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Comment author: Viliam_Bur 10 March 2014 02:16:43PM *  7 points [-]

Suggestions:

Please put the actionable parts into wiki, and then add a link to this article for those who want to see the full explanation. Please add the links to the youtube videos and tutorials (for convenience, but also because an unlucky reader might google some wrong advice).

you'll see dramatic changes in your appearance in 4 months

Are there volunteers to test this program for 4 months and report the results?

Comment author: cata 11 March 2014 08:52:15AM *  11 points [-]

I'm a skinny young programmer who has been following these weight training recommendations for two and a half months and I now have Actually Visible Muscles in my upper arm that never existed before, which I find entertaining.

Comment author: kbaxter 12 March 2014 01:31:27AM *  9 points [-]

I can report back about the first ~4 months of my experience lifting weights, doing the Starting Strength program. I'm female though, so my experience was probably very different from a male's.

Basically, I saw huge strength gains but little to no change in appearance. I did have an awesome time doing it, and have kept it up long-term. After 2.5 years of training and slowly gaining 10lbs (on purpose), I now see small changes in my appearance but nothing major: If I'm in a tank top my arms and shoulders look more muscular that most women, and my hamstrings bulge out a little. In normal clothes I really don't look very different.

In short - ladies: if you're worried about accidentally getting too big by lifting weights, stop worrying. It won't happen unless you're trying to get big, and even then it'll be slow and difficult. If you think you might like lifting, go try it. I wish I'd started earlier.

Comment author: MathiasZaman 11 March 2014 12:25:34AM 3 points [-]

Are there volunteers to test this program for 4 months and report the results?

I'm willing to test out the cardio (running) parts but not the weight exercises (they'd require a gym and I can't spare money for that) and I assume the weight exercises would have the biggest impact on appearance.

I'll buy some running shoes tomorrow or the day after that and put a note to report back in my google calendar.

Comment author: MTGandP 06 July 2014 10:55:23PM 1 point [-]

Are there volunteers to test this program for 4 months and report the results?

I've been doing Starting Strength for about 3 months. My legs are noticeably larger--jeans that used to fit loosely are now tight around my thighs, and I no longer need to wear a belt. My posture has improved as well. I haven't noticed a visible change in my arms, probably because (a) arms are smaller; (b) Starting Strength emphasizes legs and back more; (c) I haven't been as consistent about increasing the weight I'm lifting with the arms exercises.