Iron: A Weapon Against Impurity

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Bellator

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To My Fellow Catholics:

It may seem at first that the title of my essay may seem satirical. Indeed, the weight room is rarely a place considered holy, and the common stereotype toward weight lifters is rarely angelic. However, I wish to elaborate upon the potential benefits towards spirituality that only a slab of iron can give.

I need not elaborate upon the effectiveness of the Enemy’s tactics against natural instinct of propagation. Just as any physical creature, mankind seeks to further the life of its species through future generations. Unfortunately, due to the fall this beautiful cooperation in God’s creative act has been weakened by an increase in the brutish the desire towards sexual pleasure. The damaging effect this has had upon society can easily be seen today. Moreover, particular souls have a weakness towards such desires; as a result, they must be in a constant struggle to subjugate their passion under strict temperance. In many cases, more often found in men, the subjugation is a difficult process. I have often heard that suppression of these tendencies can often be resolved through physical activity; however, in some cases a daily run or bi-weekly participation in a sport is insufficient for a proper counterattack. Therefore, I recommend that Catholics men under such attacks take up the habit of daily weightlifting.

For some, the idea of a gym membership may be daunting. This I understand; unlike a treadmill-infested Gold Gym, I have a membership at a privately run weight room. The atmosphere is not welcoming for newcomers with its ear-blasting rock music and muscular bodybuilders. For me, however, the atmosphere is excellent for my spiritual training. I myself can be found listed among those who must fight daily against impurity; it is a difficult enemy, and my experiences against Asmodeus have resulted in my opinions towards spiritual combat. When I enter the weight room, the iron takes a physical manifestation of my weaknesses, and each time, I push myself to the limit to defeat my oppressive opponent. In any event, if the idea of gym membership remains difficult, purchase your own equipment and create your own gymnasium.

With such said, I await your comments.

Sincerely,
Bellator
 
Bravo! Very well written! Your style of writing reminds me very much of G.K. Chesterton!
Very refreshing to read.
I agree with you with my whole heart.
Don’t forget to bring your Saint Benedict medal with you and always ask Our Lady to keep you under Her protective mantel.
Again, very well written!
 
Oh, and by the way: I used to hang out at a MMA gym for hour on end watching my boyfriend train. There were a few good Catholic men there and a crucifix in the gym. Body Builders can be pious too, lol. Nobody would know the difference if you listen to gregorian chant with your headphones either! And the devil HATES gregorian chant.
 
Does lifting weight curb sexual impulses? I would think it’d be the opposite. The more you lift, the more testosterone in your body, and testosterone is the male sex hormone of course.

I wonder if the best way to curb sexual impulses would be through diet. A man could focus on foods that lower testosterone: soy, licorice tea, etc.
 
For me it was not so much for impurity. I used to pray all the time when I trained and offer my sets to God. . Drop a few Hail Marys btwn sets…It changes your mentality in the gym or at least it did for me. I started doing it after reading St Jose maria Escriva and reading about St Teresa of the little flowers and how they would offer little daily things up to God as a way sanctify them, make them holy.
 
Perpetuasaint, JaredR, and AtomicB:

Perpetuasaint, thank you for reminding me about the Saint Benedict’s medal, I have been meaning to find one to hang on my scapular. Regarding the MMA gym you mentioned, I am pleased to hear that the owner placed a crucifix on the wall. In my own opinion, Catholic symbology acts as a far better motivator than the brutish and lewd posters commonly found in such places. Moreover, I believe your suggestion regarding Gregorian chant may prove quite beneficial in my own training; you may have given me a substantial aid in my own spiritual war.

JaredR, you are correct; testosterone does increase when a person undergoes strenuous physical activity. However, the objective of weightlifting is not the minimalization of testosterone, but to allow pent-up energy a form of release other than sexual gratification. Moreover, under a strict regimen the body can be brought under control, thus allowing the conscience to take a dominance over the passions and able to assist the individual in future temptations. However, this cannot be fully achieved without further effort outside the gymnasium in the form of sacrifices.

I do not believe that the minimalization of testosterone is the best approach. Firstly, God gave man the dual role of protector and provider. In order to perform these two objectives, God gave man particular physical attributes to assist him. Testosterone acts not only as a sexual hormone, but also is partially responsible for the increase of muscle and bone mass found in males. Therefore, it is an essential element to the masculine body structure, and should not be oppressed. Secondly, I believe it would be difficult to completely suppress the passions through dietary practice. Men are naturally active beings; this can be seen even at an early age when young boys are compared to their female counterparts. Any physical activity will generate testosterone, so at first glance it would appear that a dietary practice would have to be supplemented by a lifestyle of little physical activity. Thirdly, I do not think that such a practice would appeal to the common man, although it may work for certain individuals.

AtomicB, your viewpoint towards training is quite refreshing. The potential for sacrifice in the weight room is enormous; imagine if one offered his sets towards the conversion of sinners, or the release of souls from purgatory! Moreover, I found your reference towards Hail Mary’s between sets amusing, for I do the same thing. I shall look into the works of the Little Flower and Saint Escriva.

Sincerely,
Bellator
 
Does lifting weight curb sexual impulses? I would think it’d be the opposite. The more you lift, the more testosterone in your body, and testosterone is the male sex hormone of course.

I wonder if the best way to curb sexual impulses would be through diet. A man could focus on foods that lower testosterone: soy, licorice tea, etc.
as an avid weight lifter in a gym im not thinking about sex, im thinking about weight and achieving my goals
 
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