starting strength gym
Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: Convincing Spouses to Strength Train

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2024
    Posts
    17

    Default Convincing Spouses to Strength Train

    • starting strength seminar december 2024
    • starting strength seminar february 2025
    • starting strength seminar april 2025
    I’ve tried for years to get my wife to consistently lift weights, only for her to commit for a while and then quit over some small excuse. I’ve repeatedly told her the benefits of consistent strength training versus being weak and unhealthy, with what seems to be unsuccessful results. Has anyone experienced this? And have you had any approaches that actually worked?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    North Texas
    Posts
    54,950

    Default

    We have talked about this for years. Look it up. If you insist on trying to do this, save the time and just file for divorce now.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2020
    Posts
    466

    Default

    I hate swimming. I'm terrible at it, it sucks and I have no desire to get better at it. No amount of reasoning will ever convince me that I should start swimming for exercise. It won't happen.

    Not everyone wants to lift weights either. Leave her alone.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2020
    Posts
    12

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Rippetoe View Post
    We have talked about this for years. Look it up. If you insist on trying to do this, save the time and just file for divorce now.
    The best long term way to train your spouse:

    1. Get a divorce.
    2. Train your "spouse" up to intermediate/post-novice.
    3. Remarry your spouse or a woman who is already intermediate/post-novice.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2024
    Posts
    17

    Default

    I needed to hear that, good reality check. Thank you all. It just eats me up so much, it’s hard to block it out.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2023
    Posts
    38

    Default

    we workout together and it works great.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2022
    Posts
    69

    Default

    Prospectively, maybe apply Rod Stewart’s advice to the female barbell situation - “Instead of getting married again, I’m going to find a woman I don’t like and buy her a house.”

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2020
    Location
    Flying Horse, CO
    Posts
    10

    Default

    starting strength coach development program
    I'm 65 and have been lifting for about 10 years after being a serious runner for 40+ years. It was only in the last year that my 68 year old wife finally decided she wanted to begin weight training. I had encouraged her for years, but it seemed to have no effect. I'm not sure why she suddenly decided to train. Perhaps it was my telling her that you don't want to be 95 and need assistance to get off the toilet. Or maybe it was telling her how important grip strength is in preventing a fall down the stairs. In other words, I have no freaking idea why she suddenly decided to weight train. She asked me to coach her and we recently had our 105th training session since Thanksgiving 2024. (a broken rib, bad cold, piriformis strain were the reason for a couple breaks in training during the year.). She has gone from a 45 pound deadlift to a 150 pound deadlift. She benches 60x5. Presses 45x 5 and does goblet squats with a 35 pound weight. She is so proud of muscles (particularly her quads) that she never had before. She still hates going to the gym but she does it. I tell her that in order to be a serious trainee, you need to workout when you don't want to. In other words, I repeat every mantra, every bit of common sense, every bit of information that I've learned from Starting Strength and reading all of Rip's books and listening to over 100 podcasts. Don't give up on your spouse. Continue setting an example and maybe, just maybe, he or she will be inspired.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •