An exercise/program designed to increase your muscle mass/lifting capacity.
3
votes
2answers
1k views
Should I lift weights fast or slow?
When lifting weights (squat, bench press, deadlift, whatever) is it better to do the motions as slowly as possible or fast and explosive? I've heard both opinions.
Please support your answer.
Note: ...
5
votes
1answer
848 views
Effects of aerobic exercise after weight lifting
What are the effects, positive and negative of:
Swimming for 30-60 min immed. after weight training
and/or
Walking briskly a few miles the day after weight training
I'm following Starting ...
3
votes
1answer
161 views
Is there an alternative way to warm up for lifts that is less tedious than gradually increasing the set weight?
I'm following a 3x5 weight lifting program based off of the Stronglifts and Starting Strength programs. I've been starting with warm-up sets of gradually increasing weight, as suggested by Stronglifts ...
1
vote
3answers
217 views
Is bouncing when lifting dangerous?
Some books recommend a gentle bounce when bench pressing or squatting. This feels wrong to me. It feels safer and more controlled to come to a complete stop, then start up again. What should I do?
6
votes
3answers
994 views
How should I breathe when lifting?
I've heard many different things about how to breathe when lifting? What are some clear, simple, common sense, generally accepted ways to breathe when lifting? (Squatting or pressing.)
I'm following ...
4
votes
3answers
508 views
Should I really lock my elbows and knees when lifting?
When bench pressing, at max extension, should I lock my elbows or keep them loose?
What about my knees when squatting?
UPDATE: Here are some links from the Mayo Clinic warning against locking joints ...
8
votes
3answers
394 views
Doing Starting Strength once a week
I'm new to strength training, and, for the time being, can do it only 1 once a week (or maybe every other week). I do aerobic several times a week, and, currently, can't give it up.
Should I follow ...
5
votes
4answers
330 views
Should I follow the gym's program or just stick to Starting Strength?
I'm trying to follow the Starting Strength program, and need some help with the exercises. The trainers at the gym want you to do a fancy circuit, using some freeweights but mainly machines.
Should ...
2
votes
2answers
424 views
Best stretches before weight training
I have a set of stretches I generally do; not sure where I got them from, but they seem to work for me. (I use them for general stretching, not strength training).
Now that I'm starting weight ...
3
votes
2answers
192 views
Learning form without weights
One thing I like a lot about the Starting Strength program is its focus on squats. Why? Because I could practice and practice them, getting my form right, without weights.
Now that I can squat well, ...
2
votes
3answers
208 views
Revised strength building workout - Is this decent? Can it be improved?
Based on my answers to this question, I have made modifications to my workout and would like input if it is now good or if it can still be improved.
My revised routine is as follows:
10 pushups.
10 ...
4
votes
1answer
178 views
Strength Training for Running Books - Strength without Mass
I'm a middle-distance endurance runner (58kg BM) and I'm a fan of physiology books such as Lore Of Running by Tim Noakes and De Castella on Running. Can anybody suggest books related to building lean ...
3
votes
4answers
398 views
Books for learning about strength training and nutrition?
The topic of strength training and nutrition (with respect to fitness) is undeniably complex. As a result of the topic's complexity, there have been many bad books and resources produced over the ...
6
votes
3answers
2k views
Should I “feel the burn” during a workout?
I am aware of the other question on feeling the burn, but that question seems to be about feeling the burn after a workout.
My question is, should I feel the burn during the workout.
At the moment ...
1
vote
3answers
249 views
Is my current strength building workout good to start off with?
So I'm about 6 feet tall (183 cm) and weigh about 180lbs (75kgs). I'm looking to get a more toned stomach and gain more strength in my arms.
I don't want huge muscles, I just want to get to a more ...
1
vote
1answer
147 views
Side effects of doing half of a “doubled” workout
The P90X chest and back workout consists of a set of exercises which are done in two sets... do each exercise (pushups, pullups, rows, etc) for X seconds (varies for each exercise), and then repeat ...
11
votes
2answers
909 views
Leg exercises that complement squats?
I believe in balancing the amount of exercise that I give to each muscle group, but recently it occurred to me that my leg muscles might be imbalanced. More than anything, squats are the number one ...
12
votes
2answers
33k views
Stronglifts 5x5: an effective program?
I was recently looking through the Stronglifts 5x5 workout, and I was wondering about its effectiveness. The program has some lofty claims (most do), has a ton of anecdotal evidence supporting it, and ...
0
votes
2answers
234 views
Leg-press for women
Is it true that taking too much of weight on the leg-press machine can affect a woman's body.If so what could be an alternative to the same ?
1
vote
1answer
69 views
Does fat negate protein?
I'm mainly concerned about my diet as it relates to strength building.
I'm not concerned about other factors because I have a fast metabolism and don't seem to gain weight and am active enough that ...
1
vote
4answers
326 views
Strength training weightlifting workout routine
I'm looking for a workout routine between 4-6 days per week to get generally stronger. I've seen a bunch of questions here and webpages with routines, but the schedules seem all contrived. Is there ...
6
votes
1answer
939 views
Is it possible to gain muscle with cardio/aerobics?
I believe the best way to gain muscle is heavy weightlifting. I've done that before using a routine based mainly off of the Stronglifts program and I saw good results. However, until recently I was ...
7
votes
2answers
847 views
How can you tell that you are eating enough to build your muscles?
So I'm doing a strength training program (Starting Strength) wherein each time I exercise, I increase the weight lifted by a small increment.
The other day, I was working out and I 'hit a wall', ...
9
votes
2answers
1k views
How can I train for a 5K while strength training with StrongLifts 5x5 and minimizing detrimental effects on either?
I followed the Couch-to-5K training program several months ago in preparation for a 5K race but have not run at all since then. I'd like to get back into it by doing Couch-to-5K again. I'm doing ...
8
votes
2answers
778 views
Starting Strength: a practical program?
Based on this site's recommendation, I got a hold of Starting Strength. It's clearly a spectacular book. But, as a beginner, I find it hard to make practical. It has lots of deep knowledge about ...
5
votes
2answers
44k views
Sore after work out - can't straighten arm
I'm in good aerobic shape but never did strength training. Yesterday, I did some basic strength work, using both dumbbells and machines. Nothing too crazy - I started light and built my way up. I ...
2
votes
1answer
98 views
What are the outcomes of training unevenly on various body muscles?
While most of the trainers train all of their body muscles, it is possible to skip a few muscles and focus on the rest. The best example is all of the guys who don't care about the legs and can end ...
4
votes
2answers
906 views
Do ring dips and ring push-ups overlap?
I'm getting a set of gymnastics rings soon, and will be modifying my current strength workouts to use them. I'm not at the stage where I should be doing ring dips yet, but from looking at ring ...
6
votes
2answers
2k views
Push-ups - small range of motion vs full range of motion?
I'm curious about the affects of "range of motion" when doing push-ups.
What are the pros/cons to doing push-ups using high reps, small range of motion vs low reps, full range of motion?
Here is how ...
6
votes
2answers
1k views
What's the minimum amount of strength training that will yield a measurable benefit?
I'm not an athlete – I just want to be healthy and fit with decent muscular strength.
What's the minimum amount of strength training that will yield a measurable benefit?
For instance, sitting ...
3
votes
2answers
282 views
What are some exercises for glutes and iliopsas that don't require equipment?
As mentioned in a previous question I am a 100/200m sprinter. I have, what I consider to be, a strong body for my sport (stats at the bottom of the post).
Two muscle groups that I am looking to ...
4
votes
2answers
2k views
Strength training after back injury
I recently injured my back and am anxious to get back to the gym, but I'm used to free-weight exercises and not exactly excited about having to use machines. Are there good options for lower body, ...
