18 Comments
User's avatar
Frank Wright's avatar

Yes I do even lift. One of the best habits I ever acquired.

If you don’t, do. It’s never too late.

Bob The Beautiful's avatar

Broscience and Rippetoe? Did you write this 10 years ago? Don't get me wrong, still stands up.

Alan Schmidt's avatar

What can I say, I'm an oldhead now.

Sridhar Prasad's avatar

I love this article. I’m a committed leftist of the woke variety, and every word rings true. I am of the age when I can compliment people for “killing it” by virtue of the fact that they are just there, trying.

I’d add one more element- it’s one of the places where race matters a lot less. All men, of all colors, and orientations, can get stronger, and feel better, by hitting the iron.

Alan Schmidt's avatar

It really is. Contrary to popular opinion, the gym is one of the most polite public spaces around. No racial or class tension. Just wipe the sweat off when you're done and everyone is golden.

Sridhar Prasad's avatar

That’s exactly right. I remember encouraging a non-binary person who was working hard on the weights. There is a sense of community. we are all suffering and pushing our bodies, all of which are imperfect vehicles. Our struggles are with our own bodies- we don’t need to hate on anyone else’s.

KingNullpointer's avatar

The bar doesn't lie. To love the bar is to love some small piece of truth.

Aladdin Sane's avatar

This is a different approach to the social landscape we see today. Well written and very accurate IMO.

Desert Surfer's avatar

Love the Starting Strength photo and Rippetoe and the gang. It's the only program that makes sense.

Pete McCutchen's avatar

I don’t really have the frame to be super-big -- I was a distance runner in high school and have that physique naturally. But I’ve always loved weights, and I really like leg day. Maybe because I don’t look particularly strong, but my legs really are pretty strong.

Jane's avatar

It’s never too late. You won’t be THE best, but you can use the gym to work toward the best version of yourself at any age. Three sets of five will take you on a deeper journey of self-discovery than will ost major religions.

Like the Good Lord Himself, the Blue Book helps those who help themselves.

John Powell's avatar

Free weights rock. Arthur Jones my

Muse

John Powell's avatar

I should say that I started free weights in 1996. Back then I studied as much as I could. Spent three years learning from four different trainers. One still trains folks at his ( my) gym. He built it ! Post Covid. So many gyms went out of business. My studies owe a lot to Bill Piche’s CYBERPUMP web site. A wealth of information from various lifters. And sources. Really good. Sadly Bill retired in2023 and CYBERPUMP is no more.

Restore: Dixie's avatar

I feel this sooo hard.

Lysander Spooner's avatar

I am ok with rules against dropping barbells.

User's avatar
Comment removed
Apr 14, 2025
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Alan Schmidt's avatar

Impressive. They seem to put a lot of effort into being a parasite.

Xcalibur's avatar

Keep in mind, it was managerial technocracy that turned these humans into monsters. They can be transformed back, but not without drastic change that tackles the root of the problem.