<p>There is this class in my High School that is called: "Strength and Conditioning". It is a more of a hardcore gym class. You don't do football, soccer, disc golf, hockey, or anything else that you would do in your regular gym class; this class is strictly weight lifting and exercises. You can chose to either do lower body exercises or upper body exercises, or you can even mix it up. But you must have at least 6 exercises and finish them all by the end of the class to get a 100% (or A).</p>
<p>Now I want to take this class, but here's the problem: I am a twig (nerd lol). Physically, I am a pretty weak individual who can barely make one pull up and can barely do 5 push ups without breaking my arms. I really hate gym class because of all the humiliation and embarrassment I bring upon myself. I suck at gym, and all I do is make my team lose (I really do try my best, but no matter what, I just suck). </p>
<p>But this Strength & Conditioning class seems pretty sweet (nobody is allowed to talk; if you talk, you lose points. So if I mess up, nobody can say anything because they will lose points.) It is just 40 minutes dedicated to weight lifting and other exercises; I feel this is a great opportunity to gain some muscle mass and agility so I can feel better about myself.</p>
<p>But once you take this class, there is no going back. Do you guys think I should do it or not? I really think I can do it, but the teacher for this class is really strict (I also have asthma.)</p>
<p>Ha! I was a twig just like you in Middle School until I started lifting weights. If I were you, don’t take that class. Embrace your inner nerd and join the math team! haha why do you care what other people think of you? In the end, it’s always those with brains that get the $100k+ jobs.
If you really want to bulk up, just start with push ups and curl ups. That’s what I did. Do push ups/curl ups until you can do 3 sets of 60 reps each without stopping. By then, you should be pretty toned and no one will question your strength haha.
If you want to go to the next level, you can lift weights. I’m not going to explain this to you. There are many articles online you can read. If you can’t do five push ups, don’t start with weight lifting. You will look like a fool if you can only lift the bar. Do those pushups!
In the end, just do what you want to do. But my advice, don’t take that conditioning class. Take an AP science/math class instead. If you are true nerd, you will be glad you did. </p>
<p>Do it! Weight lifting is the best way to build strength and muscle, even if you start off with just the bar or dumbbell weights. Can you make up your own circuit, or is there one that everyone has to follow? The nice thing about weight lifting is that it is less likely to trigger asthma attacks than cardio exercises</p>
<p>Also, @lialex14 high reps is the most inefficient way to gain strength, doing 3 sets of 60 push ups is a waste of time and energy. Better to do fewer reps and higher weight</p>
<p>I understand what you’re going through. I’ve always been pretty weak. at the beginning of last summer I started doing pushups and sit ups every day. I started doing sets of 15 girly ones (on your knees) and now I can just about do 50 real push ups now. I’ve also noticed how much easier it is to start the lawn mower! I am probably going to start lifting weights too. It hasn’t really been a noticeable aesthetic difference but I feel more loose and less horribly “weak”.</p>
<p>To be honest, you don’t need to take that class if you want to improve your own health. There are lots of other ways to get fit. Do you have any work out stuff at home? If not, consider joining a gym. Most of the people that go to gyms aren’t going to care enough to judge you, let alone come insult you or something. Probably a more welcoming atmosphere. Just go in, do your thing, and leave. that’s what everyone else is doing. I’ve never gone to the gym but based off of personal observations and what my mom tells me that’s sort of what its like. </p>
<p>Also, try swimming. It’s a great all-around exercise !!!</p>
<p>Don’t mean to discourage you at all, but I highly suggest that you join a gym instead (you can also get PE credits for it) and take another class. I think you’ll just end up stressing out about the class… you can work out at the gym without feeling super self-conscious! It’s also worth getting credits on a class that colleges will actually care about, like AP Stats or something, whatever you want to take. Either way, the choice is yours. Good luck :-bd </p>
<p>Take it if you truly want to. If anyone makes fun of you, shrug it off. In the end, you’ll be the one who’s better off…most likely. Being fit makes you feel better, and it all around makes you look better. </p>
<p>@jazzcatastrophe, OP can barely do 5 push ups. That means he can barely lift his own body weight. Push ups are a great way to improve his upper body strength. Look up David Zancai. Also, why do you think Navy SEAL’s do 80-100 push ups a day?
Obviously, you won’t get jacked like Arnold Schwarzenegger by doing only push-ups. There is a point when lifting your body weight is not going to help you. That’s when lifting weights come in. But in OP’s scenario, push ups/curl ups is great place for him to start. I would even recommend him to get a pull-up bar and start pumping out chin-ups and pull-ups! OP, the best part about these exercises is that you can do them at home alone without taking that conditioning class. And you CAN gain muscle. </p>
<p>I’m one of the least athletic people you’ll ever meet and I did this class over the summer. I couldn’t walk for the first week, but other than that it was actually not bad.</p>
<p>My advice: DO IT! Biased opinion? Yep. Does that matter? Nope! (Well maybe…)</p>
<p>I’m an athlete so of course everything I say is biased towards getting out and being active, but I’m gonna go ahead and give more advice anyways XD</p>
<p>2 Years ago (my sophomore year), I had to take a similar class and there were plenty of other kids who obviously had never even approached a gym before. After 3 months of weight lifting, cardio training, stretching, and other fitness stuffs every kid in the class had a completely different look and, in an essay about what we learned from the class, many admitted feeling better, happier, and more confident. </p>
<p>I’m gonna agree with @lialex14, start doing body weight exercises at first. I’m also going to have to disagree with most of the other posters as far as jumping right into a gym membership is concerned. Unless you are beyond motivated and really think that you can wake up and hit the gym a few times a week and actually break a sweat, don’t go right for the gym - be realistic with yourself!!! (It’s hard, I know!). This class will teach you the right way to build workouts, how to build muscle, hopefully what and what not to eat, etc (aka life lessons). </p>
<p>Also, don’t do heavy weight-less reps! When/if you get used to weight lifting and all, that will cause more stress on muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The heavy weight is good at times, but not for new lifters. </p>
<p>Finally, do what you want to do!! I personally took the class because I needed something which could teach me the Ins and Outs of muscle building for ice hockey.</p>
<p>Like the Spice Girls put it, do what you want!!! </p>
<p>As an old person, I think it’s a great idea! I sure wish I had started at your age. It’s hard to start when you’re 52!!! I’m doing it, but it’s a struggle.</p>