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Dream Theater => Dream Theater => Topic started by: Vajra on July 08, 2011, 03:32:47 PM

Title: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: Vajra on July 08, 2011, 03:32:47 PM
Has he ever stated why? I'm assuming he must have been insecure about his size, because no one works out to attain that size just for the fun of it, they obviously feel unsatisfied with their body.
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on July 08, 2011, 03:34:07 PM
To play live every night, you have to be in shape. I have also heard that weightlifting helps with guitar playing in general.

I also think that part of the reason he's so big now is because of fat more than muscle.
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: Martinman300 on July 08, 2011, 03:35:31 PM
He hurt his arm skiing and he said he wanted to be bigger and stronger so that sort of thing wouldn't happen.
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: chrisbDTM on July 08, 2011, 03:36:50 PM
He hurt his arm skiing and he said he wanted to be bigger and stronger so that sort of thing wouldn't happen.

really? i dont remember hearing that
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: Jaffa on July 08, 2011, 03:37:51 PM
because no one works out to attain that size just for the fun of it, they obviously feel unsatisfied with their body.

I don't mean to carry this off on a tangent, but actually A LOT of people work out regardless of how they feel about their body.  Sometimes it's just a way of dealing with stress.

Doubt this applies to JP, though.  Just saying as a sidenote.
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: Mebert78 on July 08, 2011, 03:39:49 PM
Interesting question.  Yea, JP is freaking huge.  It's kinda shocking how big he's become when you watch back at the Live in Tokyo video from 1993 and see what a stringbean he was.  If someone coordinated an all-out brawl of rock guitarists, I think JP could win.  
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: Vajra on July 08, 2011, 03:40:19 PM
because no one works out to attain that size just for the fun of it, they obviously feel unsatisfied with their body.

I don't mean to carry this off on a tangent, but actually A LOT of people work out regardless of how they feel about their body.  Sometimes it's just a way of dealing with stress.
Yeah I agree. But for JP to get to the size he reached after being so small, required a lot of intense dieting and working out, I mean, he really did actual body building. Working out as a stress reliever is one thing, but to go full out body building is because you want to get bigger.
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: IdoSC on July 08, 2011, 03:42:33 PM
He stated he's really into body building before. Whether he's feeling insecure, I don't know. He's a completely healthy man mentally, he's successful worldwide and he has a great family. Doesn't seem like he has many insecurities about his appearance to me, but I guess it's his personal business if he does either way.
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: Dellers on July 08, 2011, 04:13:26 PM
Most people seem to work out just for their appearance. It's not like many actually use those muscles for anything outside the gym. I guess JP just like the thought of being big, pretty much like everybody else working out.
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: Ħ on July 08, 2011, 04:18:29 PM
In some interview, he said that he broke his arm or something, and he was sick of being fragile, so that motivated him to get stronger.
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: j on July 08, 2011, 04:32:50 PM
Most people seem to work out just for their appearance. It's not like many actually use those muscles for anything outside the gym. I guess JP just like the thought of being big, pretty much like everybody else working out.

Some do, but lots of people enjoy the goal-oriented aspect of it as well, pushing oneself to continue to make progress.  Not to mention the health benefits.  For a dude with such intense self-discipline on the gee-tar, it doesn't surprise me that this type of weight training appeals to him.

-J
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: CrimsonSunrise on July 08, 2011, 06:07:13 PM
For you younger folk.... it's just a reality of life that our metabolisms start slowing down as we get older, usually between 35-45ish.   So for working out lifting my guess is twofold.  1. To help convert some of the extra lbs's to muscle.  2. For strength, stamina, and conditioning to play.
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: Global Laziness on July 08, 2011, 06:14:49 PM
I thought we had decided that it was because of The Count of Tuscany?
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: Vajra on July 08, 2011, 06:27:14 PM
I thought we had decided that it was because of The Count of Tuscany?
Original lyrics to TCOT:

"Please don't be afraid
I would never try to hurt you
Just start to body build
Strange although it seems
Please try to get jacked"

The members of DT urged JP to change them at the last minute though.
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: JasonScandopolous on July 08, 2011, 06:42:53 PM
50% chance that this or the next album contains a song about weightlifting, lyrics by Petrucci.
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: wolfking on July 08, 2011, 06:49:27 PM
because no one works out to attain that size just for the fun of it

That's a poor assumption and is untrue.  I think he just enjoys the sport of lifting weights, that's not an uncommon thing.  Plus, there's nothinig wrong with a person wanting to improve themselves and look their best. 
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: Vajra on July 08, 2011, 06:53:07 PM
because no one works out to attain that size just for the fun of it

That's a poor assumption and is untrue.  I think he just enjoys the sport of lifting weights, that's not an uncommon thing.  Plus, there's nothinig wrong with a person wanting to improve themselves and look their best. 
I agree, looking your best is an awesome goal. My point was that JP got massive, that type of dedication usually stems from something more than just a joy of the sport, usually there's a desire to accomplish something.
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: Jaffa on July 08, 2011, 06:54:21 PM
50% chance that this or the next album contains a song about weightlifting, lyrics by Petrucci.

Nah, the entire thing is about weightlifting.  A Dramatic Turn of Events - Petrucci buffs up.  On the Backs of Angels - Petrucci is now strong enough to carry the world on his back.  Build Me Up, Break Me Down - building up muscle, breaking down fat.  Lost Not Forgotten - he lost his humanity because his muscles made him more bearlike than ever, but he hasn't forgotten his human life.  This is the Life - because it feels cool to be bigger.  The Shaman's Trance - because in order to get the willpower to keep up his workouts, he was hypnotized by a shaman.  This song will be about how he was mentally conditioned to lift weights.  Outcry - everyone telling Petrucci how huge he looks.  Far From Heaven - he's continuing to work out because, even though he's a bear, he's still not perfect, which means he needs to keep working out.  Breaking All Illusions - because if anyone had the illusion that Petrucci was weak, that illusion has been broken.  And Beneath the Surface - because underneath his skin is a muscular machine.

And now back to the OP question: JP got into weight lifting so they could write an album about it.   :D
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: Vajra on July 08, 2011, 06:55:43 PM
50% chance that this or the next album contains a song about weightlifting, lyrics by Petrucci.

Nah, the entire thing is about weightlifting.  A Dramatic Turn of Events - Petrucci buffs up.  On the Backs of Angels - Petrucci is now strong enough to carry the world on his back.  Build Me Up, Break Me Down - building up muscle, breaking down fat.  Lost Not Forgotten - he lost his humanity because his muscles made him more bearlike than ever, but he hasn't forgotten his human life.  This is the Life - because it feels cool to be bigger.  The Shaman's Trance - because in order to get the willpower to keep up his workouts, he was hypnotized by a shaman.  This song will be about how he was mentally conditioned to lift weights.  Outcry - everyone telling Petrucci how huge he looks.  Far From Heaven - he's continuing to work out because, even though he's a bear, he's still not perfect, which means he needs to keep working out.  Breaking All Illusions - because if anyone had the illusion that Petrucci was weak, that illusion has been broken.  And Beneath the Surface - because underneath his skin is a muscular machine.

And now back to the OP question: JP got into weight lifting so they could write an album about it.   :D
:rollin
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: dethklok09 on July 08, 2011, 08:05:54 PM
Jp got into weightlifting for the womenz I bet.
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: Vajra on July 08, 2011, 08:58:37 PM
Jp got into weightlifting for the female bears I bet.
Fixed.
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: TheGreatPretender on July 08, 2011, 09:48:48 PM
Jp got into weightlifting for the female bears I bet.
Fixed.
Bears are actually attracted to ovulating women, so I think the original statement might still hold true.
I wonder if JP's workout buddy is Dr. Dre.
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: VioletS16 on July 12, 2011, 03:25:59 PM
Jp got into weightlifting for the sows I bet.
Fixed.
Fixed again.
("Sow" is the official word for a female bear. Just sounds better than "female bear".)
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: Aramatheis on July 12, 2011, 06:01:51 PM
("Sow" is the official word for a female bear. Just sounds better than "female bear".)

It also refers to pigs and badgers.
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: pmahoney1337 on July 12, 2011, 06:15:04 PM
50% chance that this or the next album contains a song about weightlifting, lyrics by Petrucci.

Nah, the entire thing is about weightlifting.  A Dramatic Turn of Events - Petrucci buffs up.  On the Backs of Angels - Petrucci is now strong enough to carry the world on his back.  Build Me Up, Break Me Down - building up muscle, breaking down fat.  Lost Not Forgotten - he lost his humanity because his muscles made him more bearlike than ever, but he hasn't forgotten his human life.  This is the Life - because it feels cool to be bigger.  The Shaman's Trance - because in order to get the willpower to keep up his workouts, he was hypnotized by a shaman.  This song will be about how he was mentally conditioned to lift weights.  Outcry - everyone telling Petrucci how huge he looks.  Far From Heaven - he's continuing to work out because, even though he's a bear, he's still not perfect, which means he needs to keep working out.  Breaking All Illusions - because if anyone had the illusion that Petrucci was weak, that illusion has been broken.  And Beneath the Surface - because underneath his skin is a muscular machine.

And now back to the OP question: JP got into weight lifting so they could write an album about it.   :D
:lol very nice.
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: In The Name Of Rudess on July 13, 2011, 01:40:51 AM
For you younger folk.... it's just a reality of life that our metabolisms start slowing down as we get older, usually between 35-45ish.   So for working out lifting my guess is twofold.  1. To help convert some of the extra lbs's to muscle.  2. For strength, stamina, and conditioning to play.

Your body cannot convert fat to muscle. Muscle and fat are 2 completely different types of tissues, and one doesn't just magically turn into the other. Gaining muscle has little effect on your body fat percentage. Sure, you'll burn a little more fat by having more muscle but nothing significant. The only way to lose fat is through cardio training, like running, cycling etc.

I have also heard that weightlifting helps with guitar playing in general.

I can't imagine how weightlifting would help with guitar playing. I think it's the opposite: heavy weight training increases the stiffness of muscle tendon units, so it makes your arms and hands less flexible.

I also think that part of the reason he's so big now is because of fat more than muscle.

This. I hate to say it, but he's probably way more unhealthy now than when he started weightlifting.

He's a completely healthy man mentally, he's successful worldwide and he has a great family.

You can't really say if someone else is mentally healthy. Some people can be severely depressed and still look and behave normally. I'm not saying Petrucci has severe mental issues, but you can never know.
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: elmatto on July 13, 2011, 03:55:51 AM
Been working out since  I was in 8th grade. I can tell you straight up, that the reason people generally start body building is because once they start seeing the fruits of their labor...it's really hard to turn back. People generally weight lift for more than one reason. Most of them have already been listed. And I mean, you can't deny that bodybuilding is a vain sport. People like to look good. I know I like to look at myself in the mirror sometimes and see what I've built. I'm not obsessive about it like some people get...but I'll be the first to admit that bodybuilding is what it is. It's also a sport in which you can set goals and reach them. That makes you feel accomplished. It's also, for me anyways....once you've done it long enough...you enjoy that soreness that comes after. You feel good when you're in the gym. It wakes you up. Gets you going. There is also the added health benefits. I mean...so long as you aren't destroying your joints by doing stupid shit with terrible form. That's another thing...my father is 50 something...and he squats 300 pounds easy. No knee or back problems....or joint problems in general. It all comes down to your form and how safe you are. If you're an idiot that doesn't warm up, do proper form...your bodies probably gonna fall apart on you.
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: TheGreatPretender on July 13, 2011, 04:20:46 AM
I think Petrucci works out so much because he wants to give justice to the term "Bear hug."
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: ricky on July 13, 2011, 04:45:51 AM
maybe he just likes lifting weights?
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: VioletS16 on July 13, 2011, 10:20:06 AM
("Sow" is the official word for a female bear. Just sounds better than "female bear".)

It also refers to pigs and badgers.
I know that  :lol
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: ronrule on July 13, 2011, 01:46:14 PM
Bodybuilding and strength training are kinda two different subgenres of weight lifting.  Bodybuilding is more about aesthetics (ya know those bodybuilding poses?) and strength training is about just moving sheer weight in the form of squats, deadlifts, cleans, etc.

The way JP has put on weight (both muscle and fat) and his talk about heavy squats points to strength training.  It's a very regimented, goal-orientated, exhilarating sport.  But in order to keep lifting increasingly heavier amounts, you need to eat a lot (esp protein, hence the salmon jokes).  But a tweak in the diet, that fat would be gone, his strength would likely plateau, and he would be ripped.
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: Aquila Chrysaetos on July 14, 2011, 03:04:55 AM
Maybe he found lifting shadows off a dream really hard and wanted to make it easier.
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: In The Name Of Rudess on July 14, 2011, 03:09:08 AM
Maybe he found lifting shadows off a dream really hard and wanted to make it easier.

:lol That made me chuckle.
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: champbassist on July 14, 2011, 09:22:05 AM
If someone coordinated an all-out brawl of rock guitarists, I think JP could win.  

DAYUM!!! That'd be hilarious. I'm sure he'd beat Paul Gilbert and Vai to a pulp. An Yngwie tackle might be a tougher challenge, though ;D
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: In The Name Of Rudess on July 14, 2011, 09:25:56 AM
If someone coordinated an all-out brawl of rock guitarists, I think JP could win.  

DAYUM!!! That'd be hilarious. I'm sure he'd beat Paul Gilbert and Vai to a pulp. An Yngwie tackle might be a tougher challenge, though ;D

Zakk Wylde could give him some competition. I don't think he's quite as buffed up, but he's at least 5 inches taller.
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: tumbok on July 14, 2011, 09:55:22 AM
I remember DT Norway i-tunes podcast episode 7 with JP discussed a lot about JP's body building.

You can check and download it for free via i-tunes.
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: Jaffa on July 15, 2011, 08:03:54 PM
Your body cannot convert fat to muscle. Muscle and fat are 2 completely different types of tissues, and one doesn't just magically turn into the other. Gaining muscle has little effect on your body fat percentage. Sure, you'll burn a little more fat by having more muscle but nothing significant. The only way to lose fat is through cardio training, like running, cycling etc.

'Converting fat to muscle' is kind of an expression.  Nobody says that and means 'I'm drinking a smoothie that chemically alters the body's fat and turns it into muscle.'  What they mean is, "I'm not actually losing weight; I'm losing fat, but I'm also building muscle, so even though I'm losing fat, my body weight isn't changing much.  Really, it's kind of like I'm converting my weight from fat to muscle, as I lose fat and gain muscle." 

Also, for the record, cardio routines are NOT the only way to burn fat.  They are simply the most efficient.  The body burns more calories depending on the heart rate - for this reason, cardio routines are very effective, because cardio is designed to keep the heart rate in an ideal range.  But, literally anything that increases the heart rate, also increases the rate at which the body burns calories.  So, for instance, walking.  Taking a leisurely walk isn't exactly the best way to burn fat, but you WILL burn more fat by taking a leisurely walk than by taking a nap.  And a light jog will be more effective than a leisurely walk, and a run will be more effective than a light jog, and et cetera.  Cardio is he most efficient way to burn fat, but yes, you can burn some fat by weight lifting.

EDIT: Sorry for the rant.  It's just, I've heard a lot of people complaining about not losing weight from weight training, so I've learned: they don't lose weight because they are gaining muscle, and their weight doesn't go up, either, because they're also burning fat.
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: abydos on July 15, 2011, 10:50:50 PM
Interesting question.  Yea, JP is freaking huge.  It's kinda shocking how big he's become when you watch back at the Live in Tokyo video from 1993 and see what a stringbean he was.  If someone coordinated an all-out brawl of rock guitarists, I think JP could win. 
I doubt he can take the Romeo-Malmsteen burger-annihilating duo. Just saying.
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: JediKnight1969 on July 16, 2011, 07:34:05 AM
He wants to audition for Manowar.
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: EpicCookie on July 16, 2011, 07:38:20 AM
If someone coordinated an all-out brawl of rock guitarists, I think JP could win. 

DAYUM!!! That'd be hilarious. I'm sure he'd beat Paul Gilbert and Vai to a pulp. An Yngwie tackle might be a tougher challenge, though ;D
Yngwie isn't really buffed up right? or is he? :P lol I have no idea actually xd
Title: Re: Why did John Petrucci get into weight lifting? Considering he's massive now.
Post by: King Postwhore on July 16, 2011, 07:44:27 AM
JP is big but he's not Kane Roberts Big. AmIright TAC?! :lol

(https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/kingshmegland/k_alice4.jpg)