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strength
October 2006 
Beyond Dumbbells
Posted on Feb 5th, 2006
by 
Shawn
Shawn
Over the last decade the number of people "weight training" has sky-rocketed - industry friendly surveys estimate that over 50 million American's engage in weight training regularly.
Great news...right?
No, I think not.
In fact I believe it's a disaster - like dieting, "weight training" appeals superficially (to the ego) theoretically engaging the body while leaving the mind checked at the door and one's spirit tunneling for safety.
While I am encouraged by any positive fitness indicators, it's my contention that the vast majority of these well intentioned "weight trainers" are wasting precious time, doomed to drop the dumbbells, and walk away disillusioned sooner or later. When this happens, for many the door will close behind them, finally.
Why do I know that most think people will walk away from weight training eventually?
Because they are, by in large, doing precisely what they have come for - to "weight train." Sure, it's well intended but personally I've never felt the weights needed me to train them. They seemed solid enough to outlast me on this earth many times over - so call me selfish but I think the time and effort invested should benefit me.
This is why I am a devoted practitioner and proponent of strength training! It's what I write about, speak about, research, develop, enjoy and share... it's what I do. And it's not the same as weight training.
Simple semantics, you suggest?
No such thing I would argue.
Our words are very powerful - and in this case I believe they land with uncanny accuracy. Think about, or ask anyone who has practiced "weight training" and you will know that their primary focus was in fact, "to move the weight."
That's right. The fact is for most people who weight-train the focus of the effort is to move the weight from point A to point B. As a result they are missing the vast majority of benefits and most likely bored "out of their minds."
I'm very serious about this. Please, do some personal inquiry or ask around.
If you've seen my Blog on "strength is much more than muscle" you already get that "strength training" is not simply about moving heavy metal objects from A to B. For me, strength training is deeply enjoyable practice - one that engages my entire body, mind and spirit in present moment awareness. It's an integral, energetic dance which can help to build one's "true strength," from the inside-out.
It is my desire to share the enormous life-enhancing potential of strength training with the world - beginning with each and every person who has suffered through the arduous, discipline testing task of weight training.
If you've struggled to sustain a practice of weight training or have been running on reserves of discipline I invite you to explore an integral approach to strength training - check it out, it just may set you free.
Stay tuned.... I will share more about my "integral strength" practice.
In the interim check out this amazing talk between Ken Wilber and myself - as we discuss the practice I call "Focus Intensity Training." I am sure you will enjoy it.
In Strength,
Shawn
Stay tuned.... I will share more about my "integral strength" practice.
In the interim check out this amazing talk between Ken Wilber and myself - as we discuss the practice I call "Focus Intensity Training." I am sure you will enjoy it.
In Strength,
Shawn
Access: Public
Great post Shawn! I agree that many would be “weight trainers” completely miss the point when it comes to working out. Too often you see the uninspired walking gloomily around the gym from bench to bench, clumsily lifting the weights, too often dropping them soon afterwards. The expressions on their faces tell the whole story.
Working out is more than just shaping your body, it’s a very mental and spiritual activity. It involves visualization, focus, intensity, awareness, and love; ‘cuz honestly, if you didn’t love yourself and your body, you wouldn’t have the motivation to push past your barriers and finish what you came to do.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the connection between spirituality and strength training, I think I’ve experienced it slightly but would love to go deeper.
O.
Shawn…
This is timely…and it hits
Thanks to Brian’s (Johnson) prodding and Wilber’s research on resistance training’s effects on meditator’s, I’ve just begun to supplement my yoga practice with some resistence training this week (after 2 years away from weights and a decided “opinion” that it couldn’t possibly be good for a yogi/meditator…LOL).
Not yet sure where it’s going, but there’s a sense of engaging something that hasn’t been getting engaged through my other practices and the sense of a deeper type of balance in front of me as a possibility.
Looking forward to checking out your dialogue with Wilber!
Peace to you,
Scott
I just truly discovered the isometric contraction. Talk about strength training! i use this technique in conjunction with the Focus Intensity Taining method with awesome results. I can get an amazing workout with half the weight i used to use. I combine this with yoga and walking and feel great. I am also a regular meditator and i know this helps to center my strength training practice. Oddly, the strength training seems to deepen my meditation as well. Integral Practice indeed! thanks Shawn for leading the way!
Ah, Brian… such an influencer.
Good for you. Looking forward to hearing about your experience – as you go, so shall many. No pressure though. ;-)
It’s inspiring to see so many open people.
Strength to you,
Shawn
thanks man! you’re my hero. back to my absolution 2.0 :)
Hi Shawn:
You’re certainly an inspiration. Dedication to anything takes serious work and I can use all the support I can find in this category. You clearly have the inside track on commitment. I’ve been an athlete (or at least like to think so!) all of my life and truly enjoy the way my body and mind feel when I’m “in shape.” Everything is kind of in sync. I sleep better, need less rest, am energized throughout the day, and basically feel more alive. BUT, somehow, I can never maintain a pace. I’m what some would call very disciplined and even schedule my workouts with as much seriousness as a business meeting. I don’t dread going to the gym. I don’t dread running or swimming or biking. But I can’t seem to keep physical fitness and strength training prioritized.
One of the things I miss most about the military is that a big part of my “job” was to stay in shape and keep my soldiers in shape. I realize that it should still be part of my “job,” but I can’t seem to kick it up high enough in the hierarchy. During one of my earlier entrepreneurial ventures, I completely let myself go physically (and in every other way including my relationships). We’re talking bad food, no workouts, bad sleeping, the works. After about 18 months of it, I looked in the mirror and said “NEVER AGAIN.” And I haven’t gone down to 0 since, but I can’t seem to keep it an 8 level for more than a month or two before I drift back down to a 6.
Good luck with the business. I think it is great that you’ve married a passion to your calling. Chapter 2 in my book TAKE COMMAND is called PASSION and urges everyone to do just that. And chapter 3 is PERSEVERANCE, which you also happen to embody! I love buidling companies but I also love being in top form.
Another note on the ever influential BRIAN…when I fully ruptured my left achilles playing hoops a few years ago, I worked closely with him to prepare and compete in a mini-triathlon 8 months after the rupture. I loved the training and did ok in the race.
Great stuff Shawn. Looking forward to watching you help get the US in shape over the next 10-15 years!
Kelly
Kelly, this is a small world. I notice you were an Apprentice winner. I was Personal Coordinator to Mark Burnett for about 3 years. I now work for Ken Wilber and run a website that will be featuring a dialogue with Shawn Phillips beginning monday. synchronicity :)
I share your struggle in keeping it “at an 8.” It seems i only have a measured amount of intensity, and as more is directed towards my professional life, i have less available for physical training. I am working to strike a balance.
see you in the Zaadoshpere. –casey
ego or no ego, i just want to be as buffed as Ryan Reynolds :)
Hi Shawn,
When I purchased the ILP starter kit, I went right to the Body DVD to learn about your practice. I did some weight lifting with a trainer a few years ago and loved it, but lacked the deep motivation and focus that you speak of. When he moved away, my practice died off too.
I've looked around the web a bit for more information about F.I.T, particularly the “how to practice” tips and haven't found much. Could you guide me to some initial steps for starting the practice? or is that on the longer version of the kata?
Also, I am hoping that there are other women out there interested in this practice. Strength training seems to be more of a male interest. What excites me about it is living with the question of what is possible.