Anyone else NOT athlete BEFORE they started lifting?

[makedah]

It seems that lots of the folks at Elite, and most of the female lifters I read about have been lifelong athletes. I suck at sports - I spent my youth inside reading or playing the piano. Before I started lifting heavy last year, I did 3 years of high school cheerleading, and some aerobics. So did anyone else go from zero to 60?

 

[takniteasy]

I was not a competitive athlete, however, I was considered athletic. I was an aerobics queen and ran local marathons for a few years before experiencing the joy of lifting.

 

[JJFigure]

I didn't consider myself athletic. I did track in high school, but only high jumped; most of my time and energy was spent on the drill team (dance team). In college I did a year of drill team, then nothing else. I didn't start consistently working out until after college when I went to work part time at a health club to get the free membership. I've never looked back.

 

[lucidblue]

I haven't competed in a sport since high school. I still play tennis, but not as frequently and I ski.

 

[gingersnap]

I was not athletic. I was artsy/business woman.

 

[bigguns15]

I played softball and basketball in high school. I didn't do anything my first year of college in athletic terms. Then I picked up powerlifting in my sophomore year and the rest is history!

 

[slinky]

Soccer for 8 1/2 years (began playing when I was 10), some volleyball in HS. Some indoor soccer after HS, began bodybuilding during HS....and have tried just about anything I could: running a 200-mile relay, 200-mile bike ride and now strongwoman.

I have a inability to stay still for long.

 

[Nessa Bug]

I only cheered in HS, although I now wish I had been involved in more sports. But, by the time I became remotely interested I was almost finished with high school. As a child, I was more of a reader and always loved painting and drawing.

 

[FitFossil]

From childhood until my early 30's, I was a competitive rider (equestrian). When I wasn't actually riding a horse, I'd be pretending I was a horse - running around and jumping everything in sight.

When I was very young though, I was a sickly child. I remember back in grade school when we had those "Presidential" fitness tests, I could barely do any sit-ups. I was so embarrassed, I had my mother write a note to the teacher saying I'd practice them at home and not to make me do them in class. I did practice and got a lot better.

 

[jenscats5]

I was a reader as a kid. Plus, I wasn't allowed to do any group sports. I bruise easily (no reason really) which freaked my mom out so I wasn't allowed to do a whole lot. I was on a swim team for a while, but it wasn't for real, really. I've gotten into the exercise/fitness thing slowly by starting out walking, kickboxing classes, YMCA stuff (spinning, kickboxing, cardio) & now weights. I really love the weights!! Still am not crazy about cardio......I like it some times...

 

[Bikini Mod]

I was and still am the clumsiest, non-athletic individual I know....

hehehehehehe

Thank GOD FOR WEIGHTS! No grace or athletisicm required, just a bit of discipline and knowledge.

 

[Deleted member 33117]

I was a martial artist since I was 12, other than that no. I was fat when I started lifting. Around 35% bf.

 

[jenscats5]

BBF -- If you were fat & that is you now in your avatar all I can say is WoW!! cuz you've done a great job.

 

[Deleted member 33117]

BBF -- If you were fat & that is you now in your avatar all I can say is WoW!! cuz you've done a great job.

Yes, that is me in my avatar. I've added a little size since I took that picture though. This was my millenium resolution. On January 1st 2000 I was over 30% bf with a 44" waist, and completely out of shape. Around a year later I had ripped down to 4% bf (obviously I don't try to stay that lean, and am higher than that in my avatar).

 

[MissChris]

Gymnastics throughout elementary and middle school, and one year on the high school team. Most of high school was spent running cross country and the 1 & 2 mile in track.

 

[jenscats5]

BBF -- Well done! You are proof that it can be done. Very inspirational. Lookin' good!

 

[superwife]

I did gymnastics when I was little and then I canoed and kayaked on and off through high school and college. Other than that I much prefer sitting at home reading. I used to work out only when my husband dragged me to the gym with him...

 

[Deleted member 33117]

Thanks Jenscat. Yes I believe in part I did this because I was ment to help other people lose weight, and with their diets. This is why I'm a nutritional science major now (was psychology previously). These days I spend alot of time giving people advice on their diets, routines etc. Not just bodybuilders, but people at the gym, overweight people I meet who are struggling with thier weight loss, etc. Yes, it can be done.

 

[RottenWillow]

I was always a tomboy. Tree climbing, biking, building treeshouses, and some organized sports too. Most of my friends were boys when I was little since I guess I just we just naturally gravitate towards those with similar interests to our own. That stopped around age 11 with the onset of boobies. My althetic endevors declined, but I did get into more individual sports like mountain biking. I tried track in 10th grade but just didnt have the explosiveness or the endurance to be as competitive as I wanted to be.

Also around that same time, between about 12 to 15, I developed an interest in bodybuilding, which is still my favorite individual sport. My stepdad has several hundred BB mags dating from about '78 to '93 and dozens of older books on the subject. When I started reading them I was captivated. Until jan of this year though I just played with the weights. I'm not going to call what I did bodybuilding. Nine months ago though I got serious.

 

[boscoe wilson]

I was in the army for 5 years, but after that, nothing for at least 2 years.

 

[wend]

Too funny, Anya! (the tomboy-til-the-boobies thing). The same with me.

I ran the two-mile in track in HS, and later I started biking...not competitively, just for fitness and transportation.

I started lifting weights in junior high...not with a lot of regularity, but often enough. I went to the Y with my dad.

I didn't get to do it for years at a time, when I didn't have access to a gym (like in college...the gym was tiny and poorly equipped and populated by jocks). When I got married and moved to DC (over a decade ago), the first six months or so I was sedentary, completely. I took the bus to work because my husband was afraid I'd be assaulted walking. But that was horrible! I got fat and depressed. So I started walking....three miles to and from work every day (which actually turned out to be faster than the bus!). Now down south, post childbearing (with kids old enough to spend time in the nursery), I'm finally back in a good gym, and I'm loving it! I also now have a car (thanks, Santa!), so I don't have to ride my bike for transportation anymore! I've been lifting seriously since the summer, and I'm loving it.

I can't imagine how people can stand to be sedentary. I think it's horrible.

 

[LaDyBuG]

i played lots of sports growing up....my big ones were basketball, softball and cross-country...i played softball my freshman year in college and then picked up on intramural sports at my university....right now i'm in the process of taking up golf...my boyfriend is teaching me....i've been familiar with weights since i was about 15...we would lift (mostly circuit training) for athletics and such...i wasn't taught very good form though...started getting fairly serious when i got in college though..and joined this site!!! keep up the good work ladies!

 

[Shak]

i attempted to join track in high school, but i got bad tendonitis and spent most of my time soaking in an ice bath. after that joyous experience, i focused on homework and playing the violin.

 

[TigerLynn]

I have an athletic body but I never participated in any sports before I began lifting. Once my body got the taste of activity, it hungers for more. I now participate in any and all sports possible. Not only because I love the game, but because it keeps me active. The body can be moulded and created. An athletic past doesn't necessarily guarantee a successful career in bodybuilding. Keep strong, keep going.

 

[spiderwoman]

I have been a mediocre long jumper, runner, swimmer, basketball player, aerobics instructor, and many other things. However, I think I have been the best at managing my diet [including dealing with the consequences of bad behaviour] and hitting the weight room. I have learned alot from this board, and I am still learning.

 

[Sassy69]

I ran track & played basketball in school & on an afterschool league in middle school. I ran track in high school. At 16 I started playing a lot of racquetball with my dad & in a league at the YMCA.

While waiting for the racquetball courts to open up for my matches, I would spend time messing around on the 3 million year old Universal machine in the little weight room outside the courts. And the weight lifting just stuck from there. Other stuff over the years has been volleyball, biking, 1/2 court basketball, and more running.

 

[ScottsBlonde]

Being athletic was the furthest thing from my mind growing up. Rock and Roll and bands seemed alot more fun. And a career I would have for many years. I picked up "Arnold's Bodyshaping for Women" in 1979 and Lisa Lyon's book in 1981 and started working out with weights by myself. I was a weakling back then and loved the look of women with muscles.

In the early '80's when Better Bodies gym - geared towards women opened in New York I joined. Many of the pioneers of women's bodybuilding trained there especially when Ms. Olympia and Night of Champions was held in NY. It was owned by Gladys Portugues's boyfriend Brian Moss (pre being Mrs. Jean Claude Van Damme.) I also belonged to Natural Physique then owned by Nicole Bass and her husband.

I trained with Gladys from the beginning way before there was such a thing as personal training. You joined a gym, worked out together and advice was free in those days. Never did I dream then I would become certified as a personal trainer years later.

Actually I still don't consider myself athletic.

 

[Puddles]

I took a few years of dance, swimming and ice-skating lessons when I was young, I tried softball but was afraid of the ball, then did some repelling and skiing in high school, but after that I was always busy working, then I was a stay at home mom, then busy working again. Lifting is the only thing I've done as an adult but it's been the most fun and rewarding sport I've ever tried. I like sports you can do by yourself as opposted to team sports.

 

[Tri Girl]

I was a lifeguard in highschool, and ice skated competively. Discovered crew (rowing) in college which led to the weights, triathlons, and other endurance sports I'm into now.

I love the lifting, but it's easier for me to make time to run or bike, vs hitting the gym. Though, I always feel and look better when I'm weight training.

 

[plowboy]

played ball in high school done martial arts swimming skiing have lifted weights off and on my whole life. but only been steady at it for the last 5 years or so.

 

[The Shadow]

I know this is a chick thread but I was the "SO not an athlete" when I started.

I was 155 as a senior in HS at 6'2".

Weights opened an entire new set of doors for me.

 

[gingernuts]

I have been a swimmer,distance runner and cyclist (only competed as a runner and once in a mountain bike race).I have also managed to intersperse one eating disorder, and currently one alcohol dependency which I am currently in treatment for.My goal is to compete again - I have done one show naturally 4 years ago.The bbing lifestyle is very helpful as part of my recovery dispite most off my friends telling me it 'isn't right' for a woman to be big and muscular.It 'is'nt right' to be drinking 100 units of alcohol a week I say.

Got it down to around 40 units at the mo.Thats about 20 pints of cider or beer.not sure what measures they deal with in the U.S?.

 

[FigureSkater]

wow this is an old poll, not sure how it ended up on top, but anyway...

My parents put me on skates when I took my first steps (dad played hockey, mom skated but just for fun, they met at the rink), and I've been skating ever since. Competed on a national scale (synchro team and ice dance) from the time I was 10-20, competed internationally in high school in synchro. Took two years off jr/sr year of college due to lack of time but started competing again last year.

Also did color guard in high school, drum corps, and college marching band (spun rifle), which I have to thank for my killer shoulders and arms. Not dorky band...we were hard core.

Ran cross country/track in jr high/9-10 grade, trained with team but didn't do meets jr/sr year becaue it conflicted with skating.

Also swam my whole life and was on my college's synchronized swimming team.

Also played softball in summers since I was 8.

Honestly, 99% of the muscles on my body are from sports. I build muscle easily and can get away with not lifting for a while and still maintain it. Problem is I have a hard time losing fat.

 

[joe_garibaldi]

It seems that lots of the folks at Elite, and most of the female lifters I read about have been lifelong athletes. I suck at sports - I spent my youth inside reading or playing the piano. Before I started lifting heavy last year, I did 3 years of high school cheerleading, and some aerobics. So did anyone else go from zero to 60?

When I was 35 I could run 5 miles but I was never athletic. At the age of 47 my wife got me a membership in a gym. At the time I could bench 80 lbs. Now, I've kept with it, never lost the weight I wanted to but 4 years later at the age of 51......

I've put 2-3 inches on my arms and I bench 205 for 3 sets of 10. I do 5 sets of 110 on the biceps machine, 4 sets of 10 at 150 on the triceps machine, I leg press 4 set of 10 at 370 and do leg extensions for sets with 190-200. Etc. Not bad for an old geyser.....

 

[SteelChic]

I ran track and XC, and played softball in high school. Before that I was into Swiming and gymastics. I never played football on a team except for powerpuff... which was alot of practice and one game. Other than that gae I pretty much played football with the people I grew up with everyday, and today I still get comments by guys, that I throw better than half the guys out there....

But with all that... I still act and dress like a girlie I just like to be active.

 

[suk1978]

i did tae-kwo-do when i was 8-14. that where i discoverd i loved the weights as we had to hold these little dumbells (side raises) for as long as we could. and i foound it really easy. was a fat child though. at 15 i bought my set of dumbells to my mother's disgust and worked out in my bedroom follwing the weider principles that came with em. went to a really shoddy gym for a year when i was 16 to do legs and back stuff. i;ve been training for 11 years this september gone. decided to juice 10 months ago.
the other day a guy in the gym came up to me and went..."you really look like you work out!" which i laughed at, cos its taken 11 years for someone to say that without me flexing or volunteering the info beforehand!