I started lifting when I was in high school because I knew I wanted to join the military. I was also a skinny XC runner/swimmer and I didn’t like that other guys were bigger and could push me around.
I also lifted for the girls…oddly enough, lately, girls have been telling me to not get any bigger (whatever).
And like everyone else has been saying, who wants to be average? I love being “that guy who works out”.
Oh, and great hobby.
DD
I workout because I am all about personal victories. Props to the guys who said they do it to improve themselves, not only physically, but mentally. Lifting trains not only my body, but my willpower, and to me that’s important. Every time I up my weights, fight through the burn, or crank out one more rep (especially if it’s about to crush me) it’s a personal victory, and that makes me feel great.
ps. 1st post, hi all.
Vanity.
[quote]Hriliu999 wrote:
Vanity.[/quote]
Same here. I want to look good. Also for health reason’s, more energy. But mostly vanity.
it all started out for sports
now its an obsession theres nothing better about it i do it because it makes me feel better its like a drug im gonna need rehab too stop
1.natural cure for depression (as someone said)
2. can help with insomnia. although if you’re not careful, over training can make it worse. I learned that the hard way.
3. overall health. my mom is in her mid fifties and has osteoporosis (she lifts weights now). I’ve also been extremely unhealthy and refuse to ever be that way again.
4. self-respect. I love being strong. I love shocking people, especially men, by my strength. Although I’m not delusional about the difference between a man’s strength and a woman’s strength, I believe there is no job a man can do, that a woman can’t.
5. I’m a little macho. I have a male ego, and after going through what I went through in high school, I’ll even admit, I like to think I can be a little intimidating when need be (despite my sweet smile and usually soft-spoken voice).
“If I’m masculine, I’ll be taken more seriously.” -line from one of Alanis Morissette’s songs (only girly music I listen to, give me a break) 
6. I’m always trying to prove myself, possibly because my dad would never let me do anything because I’m a “girl”, which thankfully only made me stronger.
7. I tend to go against society’s norms.
8. I believe that a person’s physique is often (not always) a reflection of their intelligence.
9. I like to make my bads better, and my betters best in EVERYTHING I do. Which isn’t always a good thing, see reasons 1 & 2.
10. mosh pits.
Great thread! Thanks. 
-A way to get my bipolar anger out. Talk about attacking the weights, thank god I work out at home.
-To get hyooooge.
-So my horses have a harder time pushing me around.
-So I can wear those cool bodybuilder pants.
-So small children will ask me why I have no neck.
I workout because I was a skinny kid and hated it. I also want in the future to be one of the old guys who can still actually move around.
I am a bare-knuckles fighter, so I do it in order to make a living. I also hunt for all of my meat. As I do my hunting without weapons, I need to be strong to fell a cow or deer using only twine and a Leatherman tool.
I’ve also found that it makes my ass look nice in hip waiters.
DB
I want to look the best I possibly can for the opposite sex.
It’s good way to release anxiety/anger.
Lookin good nekkid of course.
Those are in no particular order.
I do it for self respect.
I also do it for my wife.
I train to compensate for a lack of maturity.
I’ve never been a very secure individual, and I must say that I’ve met more than my fair share of people who lack some of the more virtuous qualities in life. They get under my skin, and I let their shit bother me. Coworkers don’t take you seriously, other males walk all over you, females rant on and on about how they want a guy with a great mind, but then fuck the tree-stump with a pot habit whose only testament to accomplishment is the single clip of .22 hollow points he made himself.
Also, I try to live a virtuous and contemplative life. But most of the people I know don’t care a lick about those things, and when they see some pudgy weakling ‘getting philosophical’ or ‘doing the right thing’ they most often deride you – tell you shit like, ‘don’t rock the boat’ or ‘stop whining’ or ‘why are you wasting your life learning’.
Strength is power. People fear it, love it, respect it, bow down to it, lust after it. Strength is coveted by the masses who are lured into the illusion that what looks strong must be right. My personal belief is that this is a phallacy, but I still have to deal with the other 99.9% of the population that believe this.
So there it is. I can’t handle that shit, because I’m not mature enough to just ‘let it slide’. Maybe I’m high strung. Maybe I’m too idealistic. Maybe my parents actually managed to teach me some of the finer things in life. But until I mature or until people lose the urge to be discourteous and deceitful to one another and stop fucking each other over, I train.
I train because to the best extent that I can, I will ensure that I will not be walked upon, my opinions will be heard, and I will not end up lonely in life – even if training means that I have to settle for some superficial bitch as the mother of my children. I have goals and aspirations, and I’ve decided that no one will stand in their way any longer.
Sorry if this sounds over the top. It isn’t meant to make anyone feel defensive, though. I’m just being frank. This is why I train.
To beat heredity of heart disease
Keep up with my kids (2 and 4 year old and I do foster care, so to keep up with any other kids that we have come in our home).
To look good for my wife, as I have been slacking on that for the past couple of years…(aka Look good Nekkid!)
To feel better, not tired all the time
Set a good example for my kids, eating healthy and exercising (you may not believe it but it does work, the kids want to eat what dad is eating and they like to workout with me in the garage sometimes.)
That’s all
I’d say about 30% health reasons – I’m 23 and was borderline hypertensive, at about 5’10" 225lbs (185 now). Also, diabetes scares the bajeezus out of me, and I don’t want to go down that road.
20% self confidence – I was always “The Fat Kid”, now I get compliments on how I look.
50% chicks – I’m not afraid to admit it, but if I want to attract the type of girl I want to be with, I need to be fit and studly as well.
Increased athletic ability, and it’s so much fun to be stronger than almost everyone around you… Assuming you are not at Test Fest…
KCB.
I train to be the most functional person I can. I like to be able to say “I can pick that up” if I want to. The feeling of being strong is the best. Looking good in the mirror is mostly just a side effect for me.
Although I do like when the ladies take a peek now and then. I find it funny when I am at work and there are some people moving heavy boxes or something of the like. Watching them struggle with it is the funniest. Then when they ask me to do it, I find it easy.
To look better naked. Don’t really care about my lifting numbers.
Also, if I didn’t exercise I’d have a body like Homer Simpson. So, I guess fear of being a fat-ass is another.
It’s a hobby. If I didn’t lift, I’d probably collect stamps or something boring.
I started for the chicks. Now the weights are my natural Prozac.
[quote]Schwarzfahrer wrote:
Mad Titan wrote:
To get stonger…faster…more powerful
Exactly!
Me, I don’t want to attract the opposite or intimidate my own gender through muscles. Though if it does the job, it’s cool for me.
Improving your mind isn’t easy. The smarter/more experienced/educated etc. you get, the dumber you sometimes feel nontheless.
Whereas improving physically is fairly easy. You just gotta get your ass up.
Sometimes it can even be fun.
[/quote]
Yes, BUT, the stronger you generally get, the weaker you generally realize you are. It’s the same thing. You may be really proud with your 300 bench but then realize that you wouldn’t even place in a powerlifting competition.
-MAtt