Strength

Khannie

Is strength important to you?

Are you strong? (Note: Not muscular as they are different things)

If so, why?

If not, why not?





I'll answer first:
Yes.
"Normal" people would say yes, strong people would say no. I would say yes.
It's important in my sport and I like the benefits of it outside my sport. Specifically I like that I can lift heavy things, give a super hug and make my family feel safe (I have it stuck in my head from somebody female saying / writing that they remember their dads strength and that making them feel safe).

foxyboxer

Physically?
Who is stronger? The 300 pound strongman lifting atlas stones or the olympic gymnast who can lift 3 times his bodyweight?

I'd have the gymnast's strength anyday.

Khannie

It's subjective of course as I illustrated with my own answer to question 2.

edit: likewise btw

star-pants

Being a female, I personally like strength in a guy. Not body builder (cuz.. just no lol) but you know, can lift me up or pick up stuff.

I do get what you mean about remembering your dad being strong - I would consider my dad to be pretty strong (I worry more as he's getting older/back problems) but overall it'd be 'Daddy I can't open this' 'Daddy can you move this chest' 'Daddy can you do DIY for me'

I definitely feel safe with a guy who's strong (as you say not hello muscles) but strong.
As a girl, I don't like being sterotypically weak, I like to have strength too, I can lift some stuff, like I would have some upper body strength. But no strength in my wrists whichs means lots of 'can you open my water/bottle/jar'.
But I would want to be strong to protect someone, I like that I can do some stuff in the house. I don't have great health or great joints so I physically can't do a lot of things /do things that would build up my strength, I would like to though.

BrianD3

foxyboxer wrote: »

Physically?
Who is stronger? The 300 pound strongman lifting atlas stones or the olympic gymnast who can lift 3 times his bodyweight?

I'd have the gymnast's strength anyday.

Or how about the 9.5 stone powerlifter who deadlifted 5.2 times his bodyweight (that's 688 pounds)

Lamar Gant

g'em

Khannie wrote: »

Is strength important to you?

Yes and yes in a partner.

Khannie wrote:

Are you strong? (Note: Not muscular as they are different things)

Apparently

Khannie wrote:

If so, why?

It's an independence/ enjoying pushing physical limits/ confidence in my own abilities thing. And being completely honest I'd like the person I'm with to be as strong, if not stronger, than me. It's not a dealbreaker, but a preference. Besides, guys tend not to like girls stronger than them (really, really don't like it ime) so it would make things a lot easier if he already had a strength advantage.

tribulus

Strong? Used to be, not anymore, not too arsed, may get back into it.

Is it important? Lol, see above.

If you were to ask is keeping in shape/regular exercise/sport important to me then I would definitely say yes.

NothingMan

Use to be a string bean but done a little weight training when I was about 20 and bulked up pretty fast. So now 24 6'1" and 15 stone and not too much fat. I'm certainly not muscly (as in toned) but I can lift a chest of drawers or my gf which is good enough for me.

Zascar

Physically? God no...

Mentally? Far stronger than most people I know...

helimachoptor

Zascar wrote: »

Physically? God no...

Mentally? Far stronger than most people I know...

Hold it there.. SUPER NERD ALERT

I was spending some serious time in the gym up until September, and felt great pretty strong, but due to college + work commitments I'm lucky to go once a week now. Finished college tonight so will be hard at it til mid Jan

QOTSA90

Iv been told for my weight/height, Im pretty strong. Im 19, constantly fluctuating between 9.5 and 10 stone and 6.1, basically Im a weed, but have surprised people.

I can lift my gf, I can do the household hero stuff too.

Its not of huge importance to me, but I can see how it would be if I was to get fairly ill or lose more weight

Will

im pretty unfit but strong enough, my job demands it unfortunately (physically and mentally). it's not a huge deal for me whether a woman is stronger/better/what have you, in fact it's quite admirable.

my mate made me go to the gym during the week for the first time in months, doing "burpees" could only do 3 sets but you're meant to do 6. She kept powering on, while I did feel like a wimp i still thought to myself "wow, go grá"

L31mr0d

Mentally I'm pretty strong. I used to work out for quite a bit when I was in college but gave it up after getting a job which requires mental strength and zero physical strength.

That being said, I want to get back into feeling physically fit, i've experienced the sedentary lifestyle and I'm done with it. Just the strength to know that if I needed my body to climb a mountain or swim for miles it would be up to it. Life is about an increasing number of doors that close as you get older. While I'm still relatively young I'd like to know that my body is in a condition that regardless of activity I want to try out my body is already up for it.

@will: btw, jealous. Would love a job that taxed both my mind and body. Was actually thinking about if I was to go for a career change which type of job would tick both those boxes. Was thinking landscape gardening or something creative.

Aodan83

I like to think I'm relatively strong, but I'm not really too sure. I can surprise people, as QOTSA90 said, but I don't think it would hurt for people to think I looked strong or whatever as well. Being perceived as weak is something I dont find particularly comfortable. i'd prefer to feel like I could take care of myself, or someone else, if needs be.

Hellrazer

Are we talking physically strong or mentally strong?

Physically Im a victim of my genes.Was one of those "7 stone weaklings" ie quite tall and very thin growing up and only when I hit my mid 20`s did I start to put on weight and fill out a bit.Now(14 stone and 5ft 11") Id describe myself as as strong as I need to be.Im not going to win any competitions but the job demands a good deal of lifting and I manage it ok.

Mentally Im always told that Im probably one of the strongest mentally than most people.
Dont know where they get that idea from tbh.
I mean what is "mentally strong"???We all know what physically strong is but how do you describe mentally strong?
Is it your personality?Your intelligence?The ability to handle situations that others would cave in at?Anyone care to explain?

BrianD3

Hellrazer wrote: »

Are we talking physically strong or mentally strong?

Physical and mental strength compliment each other. I have gotten mentally stronger since I became physically strong, however I wouldn't have gotten physically strong without having a degree of mental strength

The achievement associated with gaining physical strength can have knock on effects on other aspects of your life in terms of increased confidence. Weeks, months or years of effort go into building up your strength, you end up able to lift things that seemed "impossible" when you began. This then gives you confidence to tackle completely unrelated "impossible" tasks. For me it is DIY and working on the car, two things that I was worse than useless at years ago!

Hellrazer

BrianD3 wrote: »

Physical and mental strength compliment each other. I have gotten mentally stronger since I became physically strong, however I wouldn't have gotten physically strong without having a degree of mental strength

The achievement associated with gaining physical strength can have knock on effects on other aspects of your life in terms of increased confidence. Weeks, months or years of effort go into building up your strength, you end up able to lift things that seemed "impossible" when you began. This then gives you confidence to tackle completely unrelated "impossible" tasks. For me it is DIY and working on the car, two things that I was worse than useless at years ago!

Im not 100% sure Id agree that they compliment each other.Ok maybe in your particular case they have but I know people who`d I consider physically strong but mentally very weak and vise versa.

As a matter of fact Id go so far to say that they`ve made themselves physically stronger(through training) to compensate for their lack of mental strength.

But I dont think Ive seen it the other way around ie someone making themself mentally stronger to make up for lack of physical strength if such a thing is even possible.

Aodan83

Hellrazer wrote: »

But I dont think Ive seen it the other way around ie someone making themself mentally stronger to make up for lack of physical strength if such a thing is even possible.

You could arue that people who are passionate about learning, and not more physical pursuits, are making themselves mentally stronger by informing themselves. I know a few people who are by no means very strong but like to learn.

Hellrazer

Aodan83 wrote: »

You could arue that people who are passionate about learning, and not more physical pursuits, are making themselves mentally stronger by informing themselves. I know a few people who are by no means very strong but like to learn.

Comes back to my original reply.Is being intelligent mentally "strong"?

Interesting read here from fitness side of things
http://www.mensfitness.com/pumping_iron/fitness/strength_training/188

and here from a psychological view:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2180222_define-psychological-strength.html

what is "mentally strong"???We all know what physically strong is but how do you describe mentally strong?
Is it your personality?Your intelligence?The ability to handle situations that others would cave in at?Anyone care to explain?

Will

When I said mentally strong for my job, i didn't mean that you have to be smart. Sorry about that there. Maybe emotionally strong woulda been more apt.

Deal with people on a daily basis who are either trying to cause me physical harm or themselves. So not taking it personally, having your wits about you and being able to deal with them and yourself is pretty tough.

star-pants

True 'mentally strong' could be indicative of a lot of things.
My dad would be mathematically smart, great at that and DIY and figuring things out and understanding stuff. Regarding english and writing so forth he'd be very weak.
Emotionally... I don't know, it's hard to tell really. He deals with things the way I do, get on with it until the worst happens, then you can react badly.
My mother being physically ill, would be physically weaker, but she'd be mentally strong in both academic and emotional sense. She's been through and awful lot and dealing with pain takes it's toll on your mind too.

I'm not overly physically weak as I said before - I think I have some smarts about me, and i'd like to think I have a certain level of emotional strength.
I agree that some people try to build up one as a compensation for lacking in the other. Some people who are physically very strong can be emotionally weak.

Khannie

Will wrote: »

She kept powering on, while I did feel like a wimp i still thought to myself "wow, go grá"

If it's the same one I've met, there's nothing wimpy about you. She's just very fit.

Wibbs

Emotionally etc yea I can benchpress a fair weight there. Case of having to in various respects from early on. Mentally, Meh I can be pretty slow on the uptake at times. Physically, not so much as far as lifting or moving stuff. Weak as a toddler I can keep going though and going and going. Think of my long winded posts. Little mental fitness behind the, but they go on and on and on and ......

I went hiking a few months back with some very fit and experienced hikers and though I thought myself as weak as a kitten I was surprised. We had to make tracks and I ended up just taking the lead and they stopped more then I did and I had to hang back a bit. I think that's a mental thing though as they were massively more objectively fit than me.

I need to get stronger though. Both my dad and grandfather were very strong although both were scrawny to look at. They had the chimpanzee thing going on, if you know what I mean? They look thin, at best wiry, no bulk at all but have serious strength. I recall my dad at the age of 76 helping me and a mate with an engine problem in a car. The cast iron head was stuck fast to the block. Mallets nothing seemed to shift it. We thought "feck it, lets have a cup of tea to figure this out". We went inside only to see him climb up on the inner wings of the car and pull the damn thing clean off.

Again though I think a large part is force of will. I would say the same of people like weight lifters. Obviosuly they're strong buggers anyway, but there's lots of strong buggers out there. The diff is they won't say never. They practice etc, but in the end of the day their minds as much as their muscles do the lifting. There are true non apocryphal stories of small "weak" women lifting overturned cars to reach their children and people on drugs having massive strength. The latter was one of the uses for tasers and the like as bullets wouldnt always stop them. Thats the mind IMHO. Or its a huge part of it.

Look at someone like Tom Crean or his co mad bastid Ernie Shackleton. By modern gym standards they may have not been that fit, but by god they just refused to give up. A group of incredibly fit SAS guys tried to replicate their crossing of south Georgia in the 90's and it damned near killed them. And they had the best modern gear. And they hadn't spent a year on the ice before hand.

Actually G'em who posted here, I recall looking at her youtube vids of her world record attempts. Obviously she's got a serious talent, but in her face it's written "I'm not gonna give up. This won't beat me". That's where strength, real strength comes from.

My take anyway. You see? I go on and on and on and on......

Wibbs

star-pants wrote: »

I agree that some people try to build up one as a compensation for lacking in the other. Some people who are physically very strong can be emotionally weak.

+1000. Balance is everything.

Stheno

Wibbs wrote: »

Again though I think a large part is force of will. I

I'd agree with that, sheer determination can imo change someone's physical strength.

LD 50

Hellrazer wrote: »

Is it your personality?Your intelligence?The ability to handle situations that others would cave in at?Anyone care to explain?

I think you pretty much hit it on the head there. I'd characterise someone as mentally strong if they're good speakers, debaters, they don't crack or seize up under pressure, more so than being good at maths or mechanics.

Novella

I think strength is really important.

Physically, I'm not strong at all! Emotionally, I'd say I'm pretty strong. Have been through some pretty tough sh!t for someone of my age, I'd say.

I love strength in a partner though. I was with a guy for a while and I just felt like he could protect me from anything. Best hugs ever, he just felt safe. I dunno if that sounds kinda weird but it was amazing!

The_Kew_Tour

OP that good question. I'll talk about physical strength first.

I suppose you could put this in fitness thread in way but for me I like to feel some bit strong. I do go to the gym quite a lot. I do about 70% cardio and 30% weights as I am trying loose few more pound before xmas.

Since I have become stronger I feel more confident in myself and also for me I feel that more people want talk too me be it in pub/club or just in train. Maybe I just come across more confident now but I always found when I feel strong in gym it gives me confidence. i dont want become superman with 48 inch arms but(might be just mental thing) I just find myslef more confident when I look well and for me that means my body looking well as well as anything.

So in sense being strong is important to me in ways.

Mentally I think I am pretty strong but through hard work. I used to be quite different. I used to be great at sports as kid had great talents but I was wimp for bigish boy. If somebody hurted me that was it, I was beaten boy. But over the years I became more confident in myself and stronger and dont let things get to me as much. Not sure why that is maybe its just through age but I seem to have that extra bit in me all the time now that I never did so much so that I had job that involved me being in middle east and seeing what these people had go through and also fearing for my own safety maybe after while seeing a bomb explode in front of your eyes makes you think things cant get worse but even without that I think I would have now mentally become stronger anyway.

CathyMoran

My husband would be very strong physically but it is his emotional strength that I admire the most - supporting someone through serious illness, being loving and caring and always there takes real power.

metrovelvet

CathyMoran wrote: »

My husband would be very strong physically but it is his emotional strength that I admire the most - supporting someone through serious illness, being loving and caring and always there takes real power.

Being ill demands a physical strength and mental strength I dont think anyone can fathom until you've been in the sick bed yourself.

You will also fumble upon in new motherhood a strength you didnt know you had, when your muscles are so fatigued and heavy from sleep deprivation, and your baby is crying, and you cant even lift yourself out of a chair because you are so tired, but somewhere deep down inside you you reach and reach for the little bit of strength left in you to pick up that baby, when lifting an eyelid open feels like it demands the power of the incredible hulk.

The Recliner

Physically I would probably describe myself as sturdy

In my younger days the term "Built like a Brick Sh!thouse" was used by others, came in handy in sports most of which for some unknown reason I seem to have a natural talent for
As the years have gone by I have become fatter and lazier

I have never really done much in the way of weights but I have strength by virtue of the fact of being a short arse with broad shoulders, sheer mass and bulk seems to do it

Mental strength is a hard one to judge or even define

I can be quite determined and stubborn about things but am willing to admit when I am wrong

There are lots of people way smarter than me on these boards and in the world in general

Emotionally I have been lucky not to have been tested too many times and I didn't handle things too well but I ahve become stronger because of ti and learned from it so I suppose I am better for it

CathyMoran

metrovelvet wrote: »

Being ill demands a physical strength and mental strength I dont think anyone can fathom until you've been in the sick bed yourself.

You will also fumble upon in new motherhood a strength you didnt know you had, when your muscles are so fatigued and heavy from sleep deprivation, and your baby is crying, and you cant even lift yourself out of a chair because you are so tired, but somewhere deep down inside you you reach and reach for the little bit of strength left in you to pick up that baby, when lifting an eyelid open feels like it demands the power of the incredible hulk.

True, my husband had been incredibly ill himself, that was one of the things that brought us together as we both have been very ill...have seen him exausted but still caring for me when ill...that takes something.

I know that parenthood will be an emense challenge but know that both of us are up for it...parental love is somethng else even though at the moment our son is just communicating by kicks and responding back when his dad rasberries him or taps him gently (he gently kicks back).

I also think that it shows tremendous strength to admit that you are upset and that you really care.

Noffles

Some really good responses there... personally I am strong, no debating that really, been lifting weights on and off for about 25 years and now being 40 I can still lift heavy on all exercises....
Now then comes the crux of it all... I personally don't think that I'm mentally strong and this long year has proved that... but with working out I've managed to find a balance that helps me along both mentally and physically...
I think the lifting of weights is actually part of me now and if I don't do it I feel weak in both mind and body.. it may read strange but it's true..

But anywa, really good thread and made me think a LOT!

metrovelvet

1. Forgiveness
2. Addiction recovery
3. To admit you are weak and need help
4. Patience
5. Exams
6.illness
7.knowing when to give up

6th

I'm only 5'6" and 14st 6lbs. Sure I have a belly but can I move what needs to be moved? Hell yeah!

foxyboxer

My 2c....

I am turning 30 next year and although I am in good physical condition (6' 1 and 12 stone), about 8-9% body fat, I feel that I can still improve.

I find that the irony of the modern age is that we have the capacity to live comfortably to over 100 years old but due to lifestyle many will die well before that. So taking 100 as a benchmark, we should only be hitting our peak physically at 50. The mental strength here though is accepting that as a reality and not being swayed by society's status quo. I try to live as healthily as possible most of the time. I recently became vegetarian for example.

My struggle with mental strength is trying to see the glass as half full and I am recently finding myself trying to see the positive's in every situation. They say that life is easy, it's people who make it hard :pac:
Whenever I find myself in a bad mood, I think of the less fortunate and try to be thankful for what I have.

minidazzler

Hmmm, I do think strength is important.

I would be strong all round I think.

Emotionally, I am a rock, even if I am hurting I can hide it and make people feel better.

Mentally, there is nothing that has made me break down yet. I have had a few tough times, but nothing really exhausting.

Physically, I can take care of myself in a fight and I can lift pretty heavy things. So Yeah. I have fairly good strength all round I think.

cocoa

heh, foxyboxer just reminded me of a song there...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78XrI_2bPVA

Other people seem to think I'm strong, though I'd refuse to accept it on principal as I have no right to be. I'm quite happy with my physique, I can see all of my muscles but this is just because I'm so skinny as far as I can tell. I'd love to develop to my potential physically and am hoping to establish a proper exercise routine sometime soon after sorting out my diet...

Strength is very important to me. As far as I'm concerned, the power is in my hands, and weakness is only a refusal to grasp the strength and happiness that could be mine. I'd say I have a little bit of strength, which is really only a fluke as I tend to live my life in an active way (jumping around etc), but nowhere near as much as I could have.

I would've thought of mental strength as being determination and will power, being able to give up smoking etc. But I suppose that other things would come into it too, being able to focus / concentrate and also being able to know your own thoughts / feelings. I'd say I am mentally strong and it's often been said of me that anything I set out to achieve, I'll be successful, which gives me confidence but also makes me worry about arrogance

Macha

I'm female but going to answer anyway

Khannie wrote: »

Is strength important to you?

Yes

Khannie wrote: »

Are you strong?

Definitely stronger than the average woman.

Khannie wrote: »

If so, why?

Short answer: I lift weights.
Long answer: I like being fit and healthy and I enjoy lifting weights. Also, I feel safer knowing I'm stronger than average. And I probably enjoy being strong for the same reason I like having my drivers licence - an ability to do things like lug suitcases around without having to ask someone else to do it for me.

Khannie

taconnol wrote: »

I'm female but going to answer anyway

By all means!

Herbal Deity

Intelligence would be far, far more important to me. And I'm much more interested in fitness than strength. When it comes to sport, I would be the smart, quick and very fit guy as opposed to the brutish, physical player.

Were I to take up a sport which required strength, I might start working out, but going to the gym to lift weights etc. purely for the sake of it makes no sense to me, though each to their own.

Handsome Bob

Khannie wrote: »

Is strength important to you?

Emotional strength is important to me. Mainly because I never really had it until recently. Funnily enough, the emotional strength I've found has come from physically improving myself.

Are you strong? (Note: Not muscular as they are different things)

I like to think so. My Mam usually calls on me to do things she can't like putting curtains back on the window rack (trust me, it's a struggle to hook the damn thing into the wall without dislocating your shoulder ) . My Dad usually calls on me to lift stuff that he can't.

Officially speaking though, ask me to do one push up and no dice I'm afraid. :pac:

If so, why?

If not, why not?

It's important in the sense that I like the feeling that the parents can call on me to do something which might hurt them if they tried to do it themselves.

cHaTbOx

I'm both.

Of course with strength you also have to know when to let things go and think about it more logically both in the mental and physical aspects .

I think knowing your capabilities and pushing them is great , but that like anything you learn . You learn how to be physically strong by well working at it .
Being mentally and emotionally strong is a different story. Usually things are thrown at you and the way you approach and deal with it is what makes you stronger .
Sometimes the most strength I have shown was through asking for someone for that help. From that I learn a little each time.

I am young and I know I have a lot to learn , but I have experienced more and went through more and learned more than most do in a lifetime . That is life and I think strength in all aspects is required to live it to the full.

PeakOutput

im not physically that strong at all little over bw squat and deadlift but getting better fast and working hard so i will be eventually

edit; mentally probably way stronger but this year has been tough and tested that really still need to improve as with everything

Snowie

I'm pretty skinny 10 stone something, 6.1 ....

But I think most people, who say i cant lift that because they lack the belief to lift it.
I think most people are strong. all week Ive been felling trees and moving logs. big one's. some of them i said i could lift and suprised my self bye lifting them.

Emotionaly I can handel weight, but evey few months i need a good old rant to cleer my head. or some thing very distructive to do, like taking an axe to a trailer load of fire wood. I feel very relaxed fullfilled after doing a job like that.

more or less i beleave im strong enough to hold my own for my phiscal presence and mental prenence in genral with heavy things i think its mind over matter. in some case's a lot more strength is needed and ifd thats the case oh well.

eviltwin

Never really thought much about strength as an important thing to look for in a partner

I would class my husband as strong but thats because he's stronger than me...I'm a tiny little thing, EVERYONE is strong in my opinion

He's a big guy physically but doesnt work out or do any kind of weight training.

Yeah I guess there are advantages to having that strength either yourself or in your partner but personally I'd take mental and emotional strength everytime..when the chips are down thats what really matters

winking weber

eviltwin wrote: »

Yeah I guess there are advantages to having that strength either yourself or in your partner but personally I'd take mental and emotional strength everytime..when the chips are down thats what really matters

yup.

That said, I'm seeing a chap at the moment and he's really big and strong and I have to say, I find it really hot despite it not being a thing I'd look for in a fella. He can pick me up like I'm a feather. I think anyone (eg a burglar) would think twice about going for him cos he'd be scary if he got angry.

As for me, I'm reasonably strong or at least I'm smart about it. I have to do a lot of physical jobs by myself and need to take a smart rather than brute force approach. For example I carry a bar I can use as a lever extension if I'm changing a tyre or hitching a trailer.

Mentally very little fazes me either. At least I dont let on if it does.

Dragan

I'm pretty strong. Not as strong as i once was, but definitely still strong. Haven't been able to gym it as much as i like ( working on my album sucked up time ) but I can still feel it there, lurking below and waiting to be tested in the new year.

I guess the way i view "strong" has changed as well, as it normally does and will do again. Right now, i would be strong, make me do something before it and i will be weaker, get me to do things and i will be weaker still.

As such, strength has become this complex thing, like i need all parts of me to be strong. Lungs, muscles, brain, heart. Things that i have foolishly neglected need to be attack pretty viciously and brought up to standard.

In one of the weirdest twists of faith ever i have become genuinely concerned about my health. Not my strength, not my deadlift, not my appearance (thank **** lol ) but my health. I've hit that point where the idea of another 50 years would actually be pretty sweet and there will be lots of interesting mental and emotional tests to come ( hopefully ) so i want a strong body to help get me through it.

Weird, i know. By the general interpretation of strong ( mean strength ) then yeah, i'm kind of strong, by the new one that has developed within myself, i am weak.

Professey Chin

Physically Ive really only started building strength in the last couple years.Ive always been pretty skinny and classed as one of the weaker of the group (probably since I was very quiet).But now a load of my friends train with me and I think theyre a little surprised at how much I can push them around even though theyre all a bit bigger and heavier :pac:

Mentally Ive aways been strong but being honest its been getting harder and harder.Nearly lost it a couple of times over the last year and im only gettin my head back around the last month or so

ragg

It never entered my head untill i started getting addicted to training - im currently about 67kgs deadlifting 100kgs' When i hit that particualr milestone last week, i went home and had a celebratory beer.

it means nothing to me IRL, but in the gym it made me happy as a former fatty who struggled with 50kgs :pac: