r/workout • u/Toussaint_3 • 18h ago
What exercise do you keep doing mostly because you just genuinely enjoy it?
I know the usual advice is to choose exercises based on stimulus, progression, fatigue, your goals, etc.
But I have a couple movements that are honestly still in my program because I just like doing them.
Cable rows are the biggest one for me. I know there are a million variations that might fit some specific goal better, but a heavy controlled row just feels satisfying every single time.
Same with farmer carries. They probably aren't the most important thing in my week, but walking around holding stupidly heavy weights makes my brain happy, so they stay.
I used to feel like every exercise needed a very serious justification. Now I think enjoying something is probably a decent reason too, especially if it keeps me wanting to train.
What exercise would you keep even if someone told you there was a slightly more “optimal” alternative?
49
u/Honorines 17h ago
Walking my dogs, especially at the beach, they love it too. We’ve all lost weight and gained muscle lol.
125
u/Giant_Albino_Raccoon 17h ago
Deadlift.
15
14
u/Maximum-Face9536 12h ago
deadlift is my absolute favorite exercise. today is my deadlift day after work i'm excited.
5
→ More replies (4)2
u/impeesa75 10h ago
Deadlifts for me. Not always the smartest choice but they just feel mad satisfying.
→ More replies (1)
50
u/HelicopterEvening110 17h ago
Team farmer carry here as well!
I initially added them to help with grip strength as it was limiting other exercises, but I love the feeling of them hitting muscles across the whole body. They are now my leg/core day finisher.
→ More replies (3)2
u/AssiduousLayabout 11h ago
My gym has two bars for farmer's carries that are basically as long as a traditional barbell, just with a handle attached the middle to grip. It's honestly kind of impractical when they could have put the weight closer to the hand but it looks really cool, like something you'd see at a strongman competition.
Much more fun than dumbbells or kettlebells even if turning is a real challenge with inertia.
2
u/HelicopterEvening110 10h ago
I do mine at home with adjustable dumbbells. I bumped up to 80 lbs in each hand today and walk for about 30 seconds per set.
19
17
u/Acrobatic_Lychee_896 17h ago
RDLs and Shoulder presses.
Edit: those might be “optimal” in the sense that you asked
78
u/midnight___special 17h ago
Bulgarian squat
144
27
22
8
u/Kgcampbell 14h ago
I like them too! Not during but after because they’re the hardest thing I do so the most rewarding
2
61
u/Used_Physics8464 18h ago
Running. I don't care how bad it supposedly is for muscle gains or my knees etc- I genuinely love it.
39
u/Sudden-Ad-307 18h ago
Its neither bad for muscle gains nor for the knees
→ More replies (13)27
u/Used_Physics8464 17h ago
People say it is. The science constantly changes. I don't care either way. I love it.
14
u/Doortofreeside 17h ago
I've gone off the deep end into running and really deprioritized lifting. One thing that's surprised me is how much if my upper body strength i've kept while my lower body strength has fallen off a cliff. I've also lost 15 pounds but my bench 1rm has only fallen by 5 pounds so really i'm stronger pound-for-pound now. While my squat and deadlift must be down by 50 pounds or so
5
12
u/danceontheborderline 16h ago
Dead hangs! It feels like it releases so much pressure on my back and shoulders, and doing them regularly seems to keep lower back pain and rotator cuff injuries at bay. But mostly I just love the kind of restful tension of just hanging there and feeling my back stretch. So good.
10
7
u/bbbbbbbbbbbab 17h ago
Bench press. Fixed my form and now I'm obsessed
3
u/unclearword 13h ago
I've stopped since my shoulder injury, but I crave that feeling of getting crushed by 130kg and having my adrenaline pump. Dumbbells just don't feel the same.
5
15
u/Teeemooooooo 17h ago
Weighted cable crunches and weighted knee raises. I love my abs and would love them to be more prominent at higher body fat %.
Weighted pull ups, its just cool to have 50lbs attached to you and you can still rep it out. I've seen people do it with 200lbs and would love to get there one day.
→ More replies (1)2
u/ferodss 17h ago
How do you do weighted knee raises?
7
u/Teeemooooooo 17h ago
Preferably your gym has a captain's chair (but hanging from a bar also works but I think it's less conducive for abs since there's no back support and grip strength can be limiting factor).
You just put a dumbell between your feet (closer to your ankles to avoid the dumbell slipping off but whatever is most comfortable) and raise your knees. Make sure your lower back lifts off the chair for spinal flexion to ensure abs are being worked and not just hip flexors.
Don't know if its standard for all captain's chair, but there's a ledge for your feet to climb up the "chair" and I just leave the dumbell on that ledge, get into position, and grab the dumbell with my feet.
11
u/Stone_taggs 17h ago
power cleans they're just so fun
5
u/yuiop300 17h ago
My man!
Power snatch and power cleans for me. I love the feeling of moving weight fast and well.
5
u/ManIsready 17h ago edited 15h ago
Cable flies for Chest. Leg press for Quads because I have long femurs and long arms, making both back and front squats difficult
4
u/BonoboBananaBonanza 16h ago
How do you get the lemurs to lift weights for you? Mine always scatter and climb up the squat rack.
→ More replies (2)
5
u/Brave_Bison_8029 17h ago
Famers carry; I genuinely really enjoy it. Gets the blood flowing so well to just hit anything after you warm up. There are days where my body just tells me to not incorporate it that day but for the most part it is a game changer. I see nobody in the gym hit them, but it has helped me lean out and build muscle burning so many calories.
4
u/chowderbomb33 16h ago
It's also a very good overall strength indicator. I started doing 12kg kettlebells pacing back and forth one end of the gym to the other and back, then moved all the way up to 28kg then tried dumbbells which were harder. Now gotten up to 27.5kg on dumbbells each hand. Your lats also get good activation.
3
u/flamingoshoess 15h ago
Farmers carry seems like it would have fantastic 1:1 improvements in functional strength like carrying groceries. I haven’t done them yet but I think I might start since I carry “heavy” stuff that way pretty frequently in day to day life
→ More replies (2)2
u/Virambulans 13h ago
I agree. I probably do farmer carry more often than I should, just because it is fun.
4
u/Hot-Profession4091 17h ago
Dumb bell curls.
I probably hit my biceps enough with the push ups, pull ups, rows, dips, etc. There’s just something satisfying about it though.
5
u/Motor-Rooster-1454 17h ago
Walking because it doesn’t wreck my body and ware me out, I feel good and can go at my own pace, beautiful scenery in the park or along the beach, or in the forest along a winding trail, always feel refreshed!
4
u/Cenu96 17h ago
Bent over barbell rows
→ More replies (2)2
u/NameTheJack 15h ago
Second this one. I used to work as a mover when I was young so I got to dumb weights fast, for my overall strength level, due to muscle memory and all that. That and RDL (for the same reason) both hold a special place in my heart.
3
u/popooool 17h ago
Abduction
2
u/Over-One-8 16h ago
I recently tried these leaning back and they are much harder. I now try to hit different angles.
7
u/Additional-Bag-1961 17h ago
I love shrugs and will continue to do them no matter what the internet workout gods tell me is better or more effective
5
u/Sudden-Ad-307 17h ago
I don't know what the people are saying but there is literally no better upper trap exercise than shrugs
2
u/Additional-Bag-1961 17h ago
Some people believe that you get enough trap work from alot of pulling / back / deadlift exercises that you dont need to singularly target the traps through shrugs. I would say i dont “plan” them into my workouts but whenever im doing heavy dumbbell RDLs or chest press I throw them in since I already have them with me.
5
3
u/Livid_Current 15h ago
i thought the same and my traps were small. now i train them diretly and they are bigger ✨✨
2
u/ToSeeAgainAgainAgain 9h ago
Have you tried behind the back barbell shrugs?? I feel like they're much more effective and fun than regular shrugs. I also like to do them on the T-Bar machine
→ More replies (1)
3
u/WeirdcoolWilson 17h ago
I too love farmer carries but I must confess that deadlifts are the lifts that feed my soul. I will always do deadlifts
3
3
u/Cum4MyGoddess 16h ago
Seated rows & Zottman curls
2
u/Throwaway1g7f3v 12h ago
Ahh I love throwing Zottmans in randomly, always a humbling exercise when done properly, and gives an Insane pump!
3
u/Sad-Umpire6000 16h ago
Squats, deadlifts, bench, pullups, pushdowns, barbell curls, pushups, neck work, grip work, hitting he heavy bag, bicycling. The only exercises that I do because I have to rather than want to is shoulder work.
→ More replies (1)
3
3
3
3
4
u/StarWolf478 17h ago edited 17h ago
Standing overhead barbell press
My front delts may possibly already get enough work from my chest pushing exercises (though I don’t 100% believe that), but regardless, standing overhead barbell press feels manly and badass and fun, so it will always stay. I think it is good for a man’s soul to lift heavy shit over his head.
4
u/Sudden-Ad-307 17h ago
I really don't get why the OHP gets so much hate, its literally the best overall shoulder building exercise and, like you said, it feels amazing to do
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
u/daniel_rebase 15h ago
Pullsups. They are indeed great but just the feeling of lifting yourself .. love it
2
2
2
u/Pure_Road7528 15h ago
I run because it gives me joy. The rest is because I want to age well and look and feel better.
2
u/warcraftWidow 14h ago
OHP - there’s something satisfying about being a petite middle-age woman who can heave a heavy carry-on into the overhead bins myself.
2
u/weepninnybong 14h ago
OHP. I personally don’t need to do them. I hit incline DBs enough but I like doing them. They make me feel strong.
2
2
2
2
2
2
u/RightYourWay 3h ago
This is a dumb answer but elliptical/ cardio at the end of a workout. I put on a 30 minute tv show and just watch while I exercise. It's far more about the "zoning out" portion of it than the exercise but I will prioritize it over almost any other gym aspect
4
u/bwb888 17h ago
Pretty much anything with a kettlebell. I don’t need to do them, but ballistic movements are fun and feels satisfying
→ More replies (1)
2
1
1
u/HorrorSpliff 17h ago
Deadlifts. RDLs are PROBABLY "better" for you, whatever that means, but there's just something about picking heavy shit off the ground that's awesome
1
1
1
1
1
u/Over-One-8 16h ago
Single leg RDL. I love the balancing aspect of this exercise.
I should incorporate more exercises that require balance, any suggestions?
1
1
1
u/KnownVariety 16h ago
Front raises/upright rows. My shoulders have never grown from just pressing/spamming lateral raises. They do grow when I do a high intensity shoulder workout hitting multiple angles on my deltoids.
1
1
1
u/Born_Zone7878 16h ago
I only do exercises I truly enjoy. The ones I don't like I tend to find alternatives for. The one that I always think twice about because it's so uncomfortable but I do it anyway is leg extensions. I could do squats but I think the leg extensions really burn my legs. While i'm there I hate my life, but when I finish i'm glad I did it
Some of my favorites are things like cable rows, leg presses and lat pull downs
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/MeatScience1 16h ago
Cable kickbacks. Probably my favorite thing to do on leg day and I never skip them.
The only problem is that people don’t pay attention and I almost kick them.
1
u/Radiant_Yam1526 16h ago
Walking outside, elliptical (total body) while listening to music imagining im in my own music video, shoulder press, leg push, les mills body pump, zumba (but not dance steps with a lot of foot work)
→ More replies (2)
1
1
1
u/Scudman_Alpha 16h ago
Bicep curls.
Especially cable bicep curls with a bar. The tension feels amazing.
1
1
1
u/AxelsMainMan 15h ago
Incline dumbbell flies. Ok cables are definitely better but they feel way too great to not do
1
1
1
1
u/mahart43 15h ago
Dumbbell hammer curls and Arnold press for me. I don't care if there's "better" free weight variations. I get great results and feel great doing them.
1
u/BumFights1997 15h ago
Kettlebell stuff for my shoulders, things like halos and around the worlds. I also love a good heavy bicep curl which as a woman is probably not where people would think I wanna spend my time but I wanna be jacked too, shit.
1
1
1
1
u/Pannman99 14h ago
Just a beginner but so far I really like the stationary bike. Always end my gym session on it
1
1
1
u/velnazzy77 14h ago
Pushups not bc enjoyable but just easy to do. If my arms feel like they a need a little workout it isnt too difficult to just drop and do 10. Same with squats. If i have been sitting too long ill do 10 to 15 squats. Cardio is walking and row machine. I enjoy going on trail walks. I really wanted to go for a walk this morning but i live in Texas and the temps this time of year is too hot. So i do my row machine. Again im not crazy about the row but it is easy and i can do 20 to 30 min no problem.
1
1
u/richie___ 14h ago
Some of the compounds are fun. Shoulder press is great. I used to really enjoy isolation exercises but honestly these days once I get to the end I’m too tired lol
1
1
1
u/SolSolarSol 14h ago
Pull ups. I can't help but do some on days even if it's not a back-focused workout
1
1
u/PeterNippelstein 13h ago
Pike pushups, they've given me huge shoulders and theyre so satisfying when you do them properly
1
1
1
1
u/WhatItIsToBurn925 13h ago
Tricep push downs with the rope, incline barbell bench press, and side lateral raises on the machine. I love the mind muscle connection with these three and they just feel great, even if some YouTube fitness channel rated them at F tier, I would still keep doing them
1
1
u/mustang-and-a-truck 13h ago
Tats easy. It's WALKING. As in "walking" back to the locker room after my last set.
1
1
1
u/Standard_Elephant415 12h ago
Turkish getups. I don’t care if it’s just showing off, it’s so satisfying to seamlessly flow from position to position. It’s like yoga but with weights.
1
u/Travel_Warm 12h ago
Barbell front squat. There’s nothing like it for me. I have them scheduled as the first exercise of my week and it just keeps me coming back to the gym every Monday.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/Minimum_One9348 11h ago
Seated row or hip thrusts.
My row is my most controlled and best form, and the hip thrust just makes me feel strong.
1
1
u/helloruko 11h ago
Single leg on the leg press machine. It’s so hard but I enjoy it so much
Also chest presses on a machine
→ More replies (1)
1
u/bloobbot 11h ago
Farmer walks are my favorite, apparently you need to hold half your bodyweight but I just hold 15's so I can actually walk a bit. I walk up and down my dirt road listening to the cicadas and my dreary thoughts.
1
u/JoeSpart 11h ago
I just love chin-ups . Something about controlling your body and moving it in harmony . Full ROM and slow cadence .
1
1
1
u/Quick-Bee6843 Beginner 11h ago
Heavy resistance band good mornings. When I plug in my program into AI to try to find things to cut for optimization that's almost always high on the suggested cut list but I JUST like them.
They give me the right muscle burn I want and I love the heavy bands I can pull with them <3
1
1
u/CharacterPayment8705 10h ago edited 10h ago
Romanian deadlifts, Russian twists, weighted sit ups.
EDIT: an honorable mention for the Arnold press.
1
u/Murky_Pin_8397 10h ago
Cable rows for me too. They just feel satisfying, even if there are “better” alternatives.
1
1
1
1
1
u/tarbender2 10h ago
I must be ancient and/or trained too much…
There are very good functional reasons for most everything listed here.
The bodybuild centric stuff, can be good for prehab/rehab (blood flow is key for recovery).
The CNS taxing stuff, is good to build work capacity.
The oddball stuff that doesn’t really fit into bodybuilding or strength can be very good for athleticism/mobility/ long term health.
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/7empestSpiralout 9h ago
Decline, weighted sit-ups. I do them 2-3x a week. It’s nice having some visible abs at around 17% bf, so I will
Always do these
1
1
u/DntBanMeIHavAnxiety 9h ago
My shoulder days are nuts compared to other gym days. I genuinely love every delt exercise, but I finish every workout, no matter the body part, with lateral raises, so I'll go with those. There are so many variations you can do too.
1
1
u/MidwestDudeHere 9h ago
My land has a lot of home made workout stuff out back
It's unconventional and everyone from soccer moms to former NFL players come over to try stuff out
( This is an open invite to anyone to come over if you make it to KC )
For me I luvvvvvv picking stuff up to my chest, then pressing it out and letting it fall
I have soooo many different types of metal bars, medicine balls, steel plates, just squat down, pick something up, press / throw it, wash, rinse and repeat. Travel up and down the back 40, back and forth
Lots of times I'll have a bonfire going too if it's later in the day or early evening
Again, open invite to anyone that makes it here to KC to come over and do some stuff
1
u/Hbaturner 9h ago
Heavy sandbag bear hug carries.
Feels great to light up your whole body and try to breathe while constantly being under tension. They make you proper strong!
1
u/Frosty_7130 9h ago
Weighted pull-ups. Looks and feels badass. Thankfully it’s also incredibly efficient for building the entire back and setup/put away doesn’t take very long
1
1
u/Curious_Lurkur 9h ago
Dumbbell pullovers. I love the stretch. I love feeling that tension through my arms and how it hits so many muscles in your upper body. I've heard them referred to as the upper body squat. I just hit them in my workout today. 120db for 10 reps, which was a PR. It felt goooood. I'll do them on cables occasionally but it's not quite the same.
1
u/felwynfelmir 9h ago
Half kneeling pallof press, I can feel my abs in all the right places, love it.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
•
u/AutoModerator 18h ago
Hey, thanks for making a new post! Please be sure to assign your post with flair for the best support! Also, check out this post to answer common questions.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.