Why strength training? A programmer's perspective
About four years ago I started strength training. A strict diet of barbells and kettlebells, averaging between 2-3 times per week. It was one of those decisions that changed my life for the better.
Four years ago my lower back bothered me constantly and my wrists would occasionally hurt. I assumed it had to do with me aging and spending 8-10 hours per day coding.
I've always had an active sport life. Long distance running, football, bouldering, and gym. I enjoyed it, and that's why I did it.
When COVID hit, my main sport was bouldering. I practiced every week and really enjoyed it, although my back, shoulders and other muscles would often hurt after long bouldering sessions.
COVID meant all the bouldering gyms were closed. At first I was cursing at the heavens but then realised it was a blessing in disguise. I had a chance to start over. Pick a new sport. Try something different. Maybe bouldering wasn't that good for my wrists? Maybe my back would stop hurting?
In some sense, bouldering was like "new tech". Fresh, cool, interesting, but with an unknown failure mode. Was I practicing bouldering the wrong way? What are common bouldering injuries? What's the proper way to practice bouldering? I didn't know. The way me and my bouldering buddies approached it was simple: do what you like, have fun.
