THis question is for everyone. Why did you decide to get strong?
For me it was because I needed to lose some weight and I really liked going to the gym and lifting. I decided to start training as a PL’er after reading the 8 keys and wanting to participate in an individual sport after doing team sports all my life.
For football.
I was always one of the bigger guys playing in grid kids, and I pancaked a lotta people (coach said i have a ‘gift’ for it :D). But once i got into high school ball it was a whole different story. There was no longer a weight limit, and as a DE i had to be able to fight w/the 250 fatties.
I could do it, but I couldn’t really pancake 'em, which was my favorite part. I dont like being a ‘finesse player’, but it looks like i’m going to have to twinkle foot around a little more this year (even though i’ve gained about 10 pounds muscle this offseason, with about 3 months left).
By senior year i hope to be a BEAST.
Ah… this website truly kicks ass. It’s really helped me not waste time. Compared most people at my school, i’ve grown a LOT as far as strength and muscle size goes.
I started as a Body for Lifer, then found T-mag. Initially, it was all about weight loss for me, but then I started reading T-mag and training seriously and sort of stumbled upon the fact that I was strong. It was a revelation, really.
Where I had always just hated my body because it was short and stocky, T-mag made me understand it and lifting heavy made me love it. The positive attention and encouragement I have gotten from powerlifters and body builders in my gym has also been really awesome.
Now my desire for a Kate Moss physique has been replaced by a burning desire to squatt 315 by the end of the summer. I am hoping to be able to compete in PL within the next year.
Pure vanity!
I’m a 35 yr old ex college athlete and lifting is the one thing that I’ve found since graduating where I truly enjoy both the activity and the results.
I’ve always wanted to be strong and big since I was a skinny kid. Didn’t get anywhere bodybuilding but noticed strength gains, so i decided to concentrate on getting stronger. I like the tangible results for your efforts and being able to adjust things and see a change. Plus it helps my Vale Tudo and Boxing.
Umm, I’m getting old… I’m single… and I want to hook up with a hot chick and settle down? 
I just started training WS style to see if I can finally achieve my long time goal of benching 405 as a natural lifter. I also want to have tree trunk legs and a thick upper body and eat everything in sight:)
pete
Hey guys and girl great replies. What is your favorite exercise to get strong. I really like to deadlift and bench.
An old friend of mine used to say, “I just want to go around knocking mother fuckers out.”
Why am I getting strong…
-So my body can take whatever I throw at it; to build a suit of armour for my soul.
-so that while I may not have the best body, I am getting to know my body’s limits and potentials.
-so my character and perseverance have tangible visible rewards for my toils (Wide shoulders ? Check. Strong pipes and wide tapered lats ? Check. Powerful wheels and lower back ? Check. You get the idea…
-so that I know it is not vanity that drives me but functionality and respect for my sole housing unit.
-so that I never get arrogant and conceited with what I have become since there is always someone bigger & stronger in the world besides you… but that does not mean you stop trying.
-so that I can lift with my grandkids and have them know their grandpa was/is no slouch
-so my girlfriend/future wife will know what being held in a strong, safe embrace feels like for a lifetime.
-to be my kids carnival toy / beast of burden / free ride / amusement park til they grow up
-to take my son to the rack at will in hoops and spike on my daughter in volleyball til they give up 
-so my loved ones kow they can count on me in the daily rituals of life without being a fatsack loser who shuns the gift of health and vitality.
-to know and endure the staisfying ache of a good workout the next day after lifting.
-so that punks leave me & my loved ones alone or at least think twice about starting shit with me.
-to command respect from my peers, since looks, despite all that “you can’t judge a book by it’s cover BS”, still has its place in opinions and first impressions.
-so that I never lose sight of the fact that strength comes from within and is always a matter of focus and will on goals and objectives.
-so I can acheive that state of peace within myself when it’s just me and the steel, sweat and effort.
-so that in the end when I pass I will know exactly that I have been weighed, measured and not found wanting.
Hope this gives you some ideas on why I lift. I’m sure many other T-folk out there share my ideals.
As I get older, (I’m 29 now) I find that my reasons for training have shifted.
Used to be strictly for sports.
Nowadays I train to keep my brain and my soul healthy and happy. Speaking as someone who has been through a serious injury, a bout of deep depression and long steps toward eventual recovery, training is the one thing that keeps me on track.
There are a lot of self image/confidence issues that occur when you’re dinged up and you don’t feel like you’re part of the squad, whatever squad that might be. Once I was able to train hard again, I made the promise to know without a doubt that I’m going to be the strongest, best built person in any room I cruise into.
When you carry a large, well built physique, people automatically look to you for input, if not the answer. Your opinion is heard, considered, and valued over those who don’t take care of themselves and are shoving bagels with an inch of cream cheese on 'em into their pie holes.
It’s not a bully thing either, it’s a confidence thing.
I’m getting stronger because I need new goals, I need those minute daily challenges to keep me moving forward. Is there fear involved? Hell yeah there is, fear of reverting back to the way things were when I was at my lowest…
It won’t happen again
Because I’m getting stronger.
B.
nhbelly-
Absolute favorite is squat. Second is probably stiff-legged deads, or maybe step-ups.
whas coach x has said “what the hell else would i do garden?”…bm
I used to be fat, and I wanted to be better looking. This is my way of doing that. Its all about the ladies, and seld-satisfaction.
Also, I love breaking personal records, its a hellova feeling!
For kicking ass, or at least not getting mine kicked.
once i saw a guy wrestle a bear on tv and i decided thats what i want to do with the rest of my life
“When you carry a large, well built physique, people automatically look to you for input, if not the answer.”
Really? Maybe at a construction site. I don’t know of too many office jobs where people look to your physique.
Because I want to be fit and healthy well into my old age and training for strength is the best way to go about it.
Best exercies are deadlift(all variations) and overhead pressing(all variations).Those two pretty much do it all.
Because I was always the least athletic, scawniest kid at school. I always hated being a wuss, and after reading some of Henry Rollins’ stuff I thought, yeah, give it a try. That was 2 years ago, and I haven’t regretted it ever.
Being physically strong improves your character tenfold.
my fave exercises are squats and pullups…
why? gotta keep up with the guys…being a firefighter and one of very few women…
and you men might be able to ‘protect’ the family, but that’s probably my job in this household. so, i’m going to be strong and kick ass if needed. plus, i just feel better about myself. i know i could save my own life or a fellow firefighter or whatever.
i also like to do some ‘sports’ so i’m keeping in shape for that… races, competitions, rock climbing, etc.
and of course just looking good nekkid!!!