INTPs...do you lift weights?

[computerhxr]

I'm wondering how many responses are from non-INTPs? Or is it safe to say everyone here (with the exception of ENTP Lurker) are all INTPs?

I lift weights occasionally. When I get sucked into something interesting, I lose interest in working out.

 

[Sixup]

Obviously everyone who says they lift can't possibly be an INTP.

I think depending on how you approach it, it can be INTP-compatible or not.

So an INTP probably wouldn't non-ironically say..."Shit brah I just wanna get huge and jacked. Lets go pump some iron"

An INTP would probably approach it from a self experimentation, inner exploration angle. "Let's see how my body reacts to this." Also logically as in: "I want to be able to lift myself up from the toilet when I'm 80. Based on my understanding of how strength works, I need to force my body to adapt to some stress, lifting weights is an efficient way to apply the stress...etc."

But yeah there's plenty of other ways to do it. Whatever floats your boat, brah.

 

[Hadoblado]

In my experience, I have never seen an INTP with what could be called a "large build." A) INTPs have one of the fastest metabolisms of all the types, B) they are thin-boned and, C) they tend to dislike physical exercise, although as Yellow said, they are not necessarily averse to all forms of physical activity as long as there's a cerebral component to it. If you violate any of those three characteristics, and you otherwise don't have a preexisting condition, be it genetic or disease, then 99% probability you are not INTP. It's just not possible. [Human constitutions, like psychological types, tend to occur in discrete clusters. An INTP will never be endomorphic, because then they wouldn't be INTP. The psychological type/body constitution develop together, never separately. If INTPs do gain weight, it will be around the midsection, but even then, it's not going to change the overall thin look.

Sensors are always bound to be more more well-enveloped, whether in muscle or fat. I can tell who is an ISTP in my CS class now simply by looking at which dudes check sports stats on their laptops. Inevitably, all of them have an overall more developed musculature. They actually enjoy sports/exercise, and they're able to actually put on a decent amount of muscle mass if desired. It's tremendously difficult for an INTP to do the same.

A) Maybe, how do you know this?

B) Maybe, how do you know this?

C) Probably, but how do you know this?

You draw so much from your experience of the world that when you state your views, it's very difficult for anyone to follow where you go because they haven't had the same experience

then 99% probability you are not INTP. It's just not possible.

Right?

 

[Double_V]

I'd like to see a bodybuilder hold a book upright as long as I can. Yes, I expect they will "tire" and tap out.

+1

 

[computerhxr]

In my experience, I have never seen an INTP with what could be called a "large build." A) INTPs have one of the fastest metabolisms of all the types, B) they are thin-boned and, C) they tend to dislike physical exercise, although as Yellow said, they are not necessarily averse to all forms of physical activity as long as there's a cerebral component to it. If you violate any of those three characteristics, and you otherwise don't have a preexisting condition, be it genetic or disease, then 99% probability you are not INTP. It's just not possible. Human constitutions, like psychological types, tend to occur in discrete clusters. An INTP will never be endomorphic, because then they wouldn't be INTP. The psychological type/body constitution develop together, never separately. If INTPs do gain weight, it will be around the midsection, but even then, it's not going to change the overall thin look.

Sensors are always bound to be more more well-enveloped, whether in muscle or fat. I can tell who is an ISTP in my CS class now simply by looking at which dudes check sports stats on their laptops. Inevitably, all of them have an overall more developed musculature. They actually enjoy sports/exercise, and they're able to actually put on a decent amount of muscle mass if desired. It's tremendously difficult for an INTP to do the same.

I generally agree with your assertions. It's mechanics and your body is a function. Plus it's an escape and I pretty much zone out at the gym; listening to music or audio books.

I was benching 275lbs at 114lbs. I could squat more than 4 times my body weight. Thinking burns too many calories to really get "jacked". The only time I ever really gained any weight was when I was consuming 8,000+ calories per day. Got up to around 185lbs but looked about the same.

I consider my body as one half of my brain. So exercise and bodybuilding is the same and working out the brain. Again, it's all part of a function that I'm trying to optimize for the conditions.

I was just currious because many people were answering so one would assume they were INTP. I've come to realize that this forum has a small percentage of INTPs so I can't really assume that the responses are INTP even though the question assumes INTP only answers.

 

[The Gopher]

I'd like to see a bodybuilder hold a book upright as long as I can. Yes, I expect they will "tire" and tap out.

I would like to see an elephant climb a tree.


I do agree with the idea though, I would prefer to be physically well rounded compared to a "specialist".

 

[Inquisitor]

A) Maybe, how do you know this?

B) Maybe, how do you know this?

C) Probably, but how do you know this?

You draw so much from your experience of the world that when you state your views, it's very difficult for anyone to follow where you go because they haven't had the same experience



Right?

It's primarily based on Ayurveda. I think, but cannot prove, that INTP is extremely likely to have a vata type constitution. The physical characteristics I mentioned above all fall under that umbrella. I did an informal poll among the users here. Most people got vata-pitta on an Ayurvedic questionnaire. Hardly conclusive, but that's my instinct. I don't think anyone has made any formal studies on this. MBTI certainly should.

 

[cheese]

I've spent a long time lurking many different fitness/lifting forums and blogs etc. I find health interesting (primarily academically....dammit). There are a lot of smart people in fitness. This idea that weightlifters are meatheads needs to die imo. They're intellectually dialled-in, they know a shitload about the body and how it responds to various training and dietary protocols at a biochemical level, and they can easily cite multiple studies supporting their arguments. And most of them treat lifting like martial arts - as a discipline which is as mental as it is physical and which provides deep insight into life, like any other discipline. They take their theory seriously, they're invested in research and science, they're incredibly precise with their eating and exercise plans, and they approach their bodies like a scientist in a lab - tweaking one variable at a time and observing the results. I personally know one guy who wants to become a trainer when he finishes up his (unrelated) PhD in a few months.

Of course there are going to be idiots and BS in the field as there is anywhere, but the vast majority of people I come across IRL and online who are into health/fitness are very switched on - at the very least, they have a good grasp on basic motivational patterns and are able to transfer those from the gym to life. And often enough the understanding is much broader and deeper than that, covering learning how to think effectively, learning how to conduct research, separating preconception from fact, distilling universal principles from their experience, etc... learning the secrets behind understanding and mastery, basically.

I, however, *don't* lift. Cos I'm stoopid.

[Also, I've almost certainly overtalked them now. But the prevalence of the meathead myth was disappointing and needed a good counter.]

 

[heartyv]

Hey guys, first post here. I was lurking on and off over the years and this thread drew my attention. I used to lift weights on and off but the repetitiveness of the exercises and making out of the house and my hobbies always ended up side tracking me. But a few years ago that changed.

I discovered Kettlebells, Clubbels, Indian Clubs, Persian Meels and yoga. I was never a fan of looking bulky or ripped, I wanted to become functionally strong. Learning the movements of the exercises and how my own body worked kept me engaged in a way regular lifting never has. With a pair of indian clubs you can spend years learning the intricacies of how each joint and small muscle can engage to add complexity to the motions. Its exploratory fitness, its all consuming, you can do it from home next to your desk, it makes other physical tasks easy and best of all <ITS SO FUN!>.


It will challenge you in ways you didn't know existed through balance and coordination. I highly recommend it to the other INTPs out there. And if you are a dork like me, you can picture them as medieval weapons and work on slaying some imaginary orcs. One good kettlebell for under 50 bucks and you have a compact full gym that will drain you in one 20 minute work out.

Cool forum btw