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Frequently Asked Questions for WeightsNet:
Q: What is WeightsNet?
A: WeightsNet is the WWW extension of the weights
mailing list.
Q: Okay, so what is weights ?
A:Weights is the first Internet mailing list devoted
to the use of weights in exercise. Whether it is bodybuilding,
toning, powerlifting, or conditioning for sports, it is fair game
in weights. Also covered are topics such as nutrition,
weights for children, supplementation, the pros and cons of steroid
use, and many more. The idea behind weights is that it
is a place where people, from all over the world, using weights
in an exercise program can get together and discuss (practically)
whatever is on their mind in a flame-free environment where you
don't have to worry about a contribution being an ad in disguise.
The content of weights comes from the readership, which
is what makes it so useful.
Q: If there is already a mailing list, why WeightsNet?
A: Issues of weights, which can be found here on
WeightsNet, are perfect for exchanging questions, answers, and
ideas on a daily basis. However, there is information that does
not need to be updated on a daily basis but is, nevertheless,
valuable to the weights community. This information includes
book reviews, contest schedules, as well as FAQ's and noteworthy
articles. That is where WeightsNet steps in to provide things
that weights is not able to.
Q: Do I have to subscribe to weights to get issues?
A: Only if you want to get them via email. After an issue
goes out, WeightsNet is updated with it (there is currently a
delay of a few hours for the update). An advantage of seeing issues
on WeightsNet is that the issues are tagged so that you can quickly
jump to articles with subjects that interest you instead of scrolling
through the whole issue.
Q: How do I contribute to issues?
A: Send whatever is on your mind to WeightsNet.
Note that in each issue, selecting a contributor's email address
will bring up a window to send mail to that person. Selecting
an article's subject will bring up a window to send an article
for the next issue.
Q: How much does WeightsNet cost?
A: WeightsNet is totally free of charge. When you subscribe
to weights, the only cost is your email address. However,
if you would like to make a voluntary contribution to help me
defray some of the cost of providing weights and WeightsNet,
send me mail and I'll give you further details.
Q: How often do issues come out?
A: Issues come out in the evenings, Monday through Friday.
Q: What is a good book on training with weights?
A: I recommend Getting
Stronger by Bill Pearl. It is an excellent, well-rounded
book and it's not just for bodybuilders. It has routines for a
variety of sports designed by representatives of that sport. I
like its common sense approach to things. Joyce Vedral's book,
Now
or Never has also been recommended on the list as the
best book for beginning weight-lifters--especially females. For
the younger set, Strength
Training for Young Athletes by William J. Kraemer, PhD,
and Steven J. Fleck, PhD, has been recommended.
Check out the WeightsNet
Bookstore for a wide selection of books of interest to the
WeightsNet community.
Q: I want to work with weights but don't want to look like
Mr./Ms. Olympia.
A: Don't worry. Top level bodybuilders didn't get to look
that way by just lifting weights. They train with the goal of
looking like that. They train a lot. They also diet a lot before
a show so that their muscles can be seen better. They may be big
the whole year around but their fat content isn't that low the
whole year around. Train all you want and don't worry about getting
"too big"--you won't unless you want to (and even then
you probably won't).
Q: I like to lift weights but I'm not a bodybuilder...
A: If you lift weights to "keep toned", you're
bodybuilding. If you lift weights to "build up my (insert
bodypart here)", you're bodybuilding. If you lift weights
to help your football career, you're a football player. The point
is, "bodybuilding" shouldn't be a dirty word so don't
think it doesn't apply to you. If you're lifting weights to change
your body shape somehow, you're bodybuilding. Even "toning"
involves building some muscle. You may not consider yourself a
bodybuilder but if you are out to build or "tone" muscle,
you are bodybuilding.
Q: I'm a beginner. Can anyone recommend a workout for me?
A: Just to keep the traffic down a bit, be a bit more specific
with beginner questions. Also, try and get informed before asking
a question like the above. There are book recommendations above
and reading issues for a while will help with this question. Not
that questions from beginners are discouraged--(let's face it,
we're not all pros on the list)--but questions like the one above
should be answered through reading on your own.
Q: Can I sell things through WeightsNet?
A: There are a few ways to do that. If you have a personal,
non-commercial item you would like to sell (e.g. some dumbells
you aren't using anymore), you can post a message for the next
issue.
If the item is commercial, the WeightsNet Links
Directory can provide a link to your site.
Q: How do I go about getting back issues?
A: Go to the weights page.
Q: Can I discuss steroids (or any other illegal drugs)
on WeightsNet?
A: Yes. There are two limitations, though. You must sign
each contribution related to illegal drugs with your name, email
address and your affiliation (company, university, etc.). If I
am going to be uncomfortable sending this stuff out, so are contributors.
Second, under no circumstances will any discussion of how to obtain
or how to use illegal drugs be allowed on the list. I am not in
any way endorsing the use of steroids or any other illegal drugs.
I'm not fence sitting either: I'm very much opposed to their use.
However, being a "free speech" kinda guy and after doing
some thinking I have decided to allow discussion of them within
the parameters laid out above. A free exchange of ideas doesn't
hurt anyone.
Q: What's with all this talk of steroids/supplements/women's
bodybuilding/etc.? It's drowning out everything else and I'm thinking
of not reading anymore issues.
A: Don't worry, these things come and go in phases. Especially
don't worry if you've just reading issues and there's a heated
discussion about something and it seems we're discussing nothing
but that and you aren't interested in that. Give it a few days
and things will die down. Your patience will be rewarded, according
to the mail I get, and you'll get something useful out of the
list.
Q: What are some related mailing lists?
A: Look here.
