An exercise/program designed to increase your muscle mass/lifting capacity.
7
votes
4answers
165 views
Are there disadvantages to long rests between sets when strength training?
This is assuming I am training purely for strength (it seems there are already topics about this subject from a bodybuilding perspective).
Lets say I only barely make it through my first set of ...
8
votes
1answer
181 views
What is the optimum training intensity to prevent atrophy when on a caloric deficite?
I know that when I'm on a caloric surplus, I stimulate hypertrophy best if my training intensity lies somewhere between 6-12RM.
Now let's say I'm on a caloric deficite. What intensity is optimal for ...
1
vote
1answer
41 views
Training load on a diet (am I doing too much?)
I'm 6"1 (187cm) at 194 pounds (88kg) targeting 187 pounds (85kg) and currently eating between 1800 kcal and 2200 kcal daily, with 50 % protein and fat & carbs more or less balanced. I've been ...
1
vote
1answer
65 views
It is Possible To Be A Long Distance Runner and have a Six Pack? How?
General Background
I've been long distance running for one+ year and have a marathon under my belt (in addition to dragon boating for three years) and being a college student, my meals usually ...
3
votes
4answers
785 views
Pain in left palm while doing push-ups
I am a very skinny guy, 180cm tall, weigh 63kg. Even being as thin as I am, I had started to develop a potbelly. So I decided to do small rounds of working out about 10 days ago whenever I can, which ...
2
votes
1answer
85 views
Adding Strength Training to Yoga
I'm 40, Male and have been doing hot yoga (Bikram) for a few months - go 4 times a week.
I guess my metabolism is slowing down and am having trouble keeping weight off and seem to be loosing muscle ...
6
votes
2answers
286 views
What is the best iOS App for tracking Starting Strength progress?
What is the best iOS application for recording and tracking progress in Starting Strength?
I need an app that tells me which lifts I am supposed to do on which day. It must also allow me to input my ...
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 ...
3
votes
2answers
111 views
Should I lock out my shoulders at the bottom of a pull up?
When I'm doing pull ups, I try to go all the way down until the arms are straight, but I do not lock out my shoulders. Recently, I thought in order to get a greater ROM, it might be a good idea to ...
2
votes
2answers
64 views
Why is the single leg deadlift stiff-legged?
I'm wondering why is the single leg version of the deadlift is usually performed with stiff legs. For instance, exrx.net and most of the youtube videos that teach the single leg deadlift show it with ...
1
vote
1answer
120 views
Bodyweight strength training
Normally I'd be following a typical freeweight strength training program, like Stronglifts 5x5, but lately I have found the necessity to go to a gym is a bit of a problem. Also, I will be leaving for ...
7
votes
5answers
229 views
Stronglifts 5v5 : Where do I go from here?
So let me start by saying, This is the best program I have ever followed in my life. I am in the best and strongest shape I have ever been in my entire life, and I can attribute most of it to ...
20
votes
2answers
217 views
Should cyclists use weight training to strengthen underutilized muscles?
I've read (and it seems intuitive) that cycling exercises some muscles more than others. Other than the obvious lack of an upper-body workout from cycling, are there specific muscles that tend to be ...
6
votes
1answer
223 views
What's the relationship between gaining muscle mass and strength? How do I increase in strength without increasing in mass?
This question is a follow on from http://fitness.stackexchange.com/a/11884/5376.
I assumed that as I get stronger, my muscles will get bigger, but it seems that this is not a strictly linear ...
9
votes
3answers
241 views
What's the best way for me to start weightlifting?
I've always wanted to lift weights and honestly have no idea where to begin.
How do I get started? Do I need to join a gym? find a personal trainer? buy a book and weights? find a friend who ...
2
votes
0answers
61 views
Alternating exercises from workout to workout?
For my strength/hypertrophy based training program, I've chosen following exercises:
Deadlifts (2 work sets of 4 reps)
Press (3 work sets of 5)
Ring Dips (3 work sets of 9)
1-Legged Squats (3 work ...
11
votes
1answer
145 views
What exercises produce longer, higher running jumps?
I want a higher and longer jump. What exercises should I use to jump further and higher? I'm specifically talking about jumping from a running start.
I am only interested in bodyweight exercises for ...
2
votes
4answers
516 views
Help to add muscle for a skinny guy with fast metabolism
I'm 20 year old, 5ft8 (1.72m) and weight about 120lbs (54kg).
I've recently joined the gym and plan to add muscle (like most people). I'm completely new to this and I have been browsing for research ...
7
votes
1answer
494 views
Why are pyramid sets often advised for bodyweight exercises?
A pyramid set is one following a scheme like 1 rep, 2 reps, 3 reps, 2 reps. I've seen this advised to train pull ups if you manage only very few.
I looked at the hundred push ups program, here and in ...
6
votes
3answers
993 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
0answers
67 views
Atlas stone experience? [closed]
My current strength routine consists of olympic-style squats, clean & jerks, snatches, clean pulls, that sort of thing.
I'm making steady progress, but considering adding some variation. Does ...
1
vote
1answer
163 views
What is the optimal time to train in order to see gains in size and strength?
I am a 21 year old male, currently on my own program that can be found here. It is quite intense and I was wondering what the optimal time to train for strength would be?
Please Note: I lift ...
2
votes
2answers
217 views
How can I improve my training program to become leaner and increase strength?
I am 21 year old male and my overall aim is to lean up and build some more muscle/ increase strength, there fore I have adopted a higher protein intake and lowered my calorific intake, could I get ...
-5
votes
2answers
139 views
To what extent is strength training about optimal breakdown of muscles [closed]
In beginner strength training the way it is usually recommended, how much is soreness, DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness), and inflammation associated with the productive muscle breakdown that ...
1
vote
1answer
156 views
What is a good and tested body building programs for a beginner?
What would be a good body building program for a beginner? I have been searching the Internet and find a lot of programs but am not sure about the credibility of the people who have published these ...
4
votes
2answers
1k views
Wide grip pull-ups vs “normal” pull-ups
What is the purpose why people do wide grip pull ups? I know that these pull-ups are harder, but I would like to know why. Are there different muscle groups being stressed? Or is a wide grip pull-up ...
3
votes
1answer
170 views
Why are strength programs made the way they are - much of the same, regular intervals, same program for a long time
The strength training programs I have seen typically have:
Few exercises
Many sets of each
Do the same program for a few months then change - Usually for example on kind of pull-down replaced with a ...
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
1answer
144 views
Strength training for health tips for an endomorph?
I am about to embark on a strength training program, most likely Starting Strength possibly blended with aspects of Strong Lifts. I am a 32yr old male who is out of shape (weak and terrible cardio) ...
3
votes
1answer
234 views
Arching the back during bench press
How dangerous is arching your back while doing a bench press? I've seen tons of guys in the gym who greatly arch their back off the bench, assumedly to assist with the lift. Is this bad, or just an ...
3
votes
1answer
204 views
Upper back exercises to balance out chest workout
I do a lot of chest exercises, and I am worried I am not doing enough upper back exercises to balance this out. Predominantly I am doing chair dips, bench press, dumbbell flys, and push ups to target ...
5
votes
2answers
279 views
What can improve external shoulder rotation while squatting?
External shoulder rotation (or lack thereof) is becoming a problem for me as I squat a little heavier.
It's preventing me from having a nice low bar and also forcing me to take quite a wide grip.
...
5
votes
1answer
349 views
In a bench press, are there any tricks for determining which muscles are the weakest?
Is there some trick to determine which of the three basic muscles is the weakest in a bench press? I'm referring to the pectorals, shoulders and triceps.
I have been working my chest with dumbbell ...
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 ...
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 ...
6
votes
2answers
129 views
How to manage inflammation in a resistance training program?
How does inflammation present itself in a resistance training program (I'm currently using Starting Strength)?
If it is catabolic (I am asking because I suspect it is), how can one lessen its effects ...
6
votes
2answers
536 views
Does exercise REALLY increase the basal metabolism rate for any significant length of time after the exercise is over?
I am new to this site, but have read several questions and answers here that are related to this question and have found different contradictory answers. Some say that the only effect is that a ...
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 ...
3
votes
1answer
189 views
best way to cheat - cheat day? cheat meal?
I'm on a strict diet which consists of 3000 calories 50/30/20 (pcf) consisting of chicken or beef, green vegetables, eggs, bread, and rice.
I'm 5'7" and currently about 8% body fat. I have ...
4
votes
5answers
1k views
Resuming workouts after 2 months. Any beginner workout suggestions?
I had to take a break from working out for 2 months.
When resuming after a long break, are there any good alternative workout plans that you follow to gain back some of the lost strength and stamina ...
4
votes
3answers
1k views
Bench pressing and deadlift on even days, squat and pull up on odd days. Is this all I need?
I recently read an article in Men's Journal:
[A] guy who hasn’t trained in a long time, if ever, will get stronger faster on the simplest program of squats, dead lifts, and presses, three times a ...
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 ...
3
votes
1answer
177 views
What should I look for in a Starting Strength coach?
What should I look for in a coach? How do I find a good one?
My goal is an occasional check up to help me with my form - price prevents regular sessions.
I'm considering finding one of the Starting ...
2
votes
3answers
210 views
Is this program good to achieve functional strength and fitness?
That's my plan - every week, at least two of the following:
gym, one round of upper body pushing and pulling, leg workout in the 6 reps/3 sets range (edited to add: all isolation movements) + core
...
3
votes
2answers
364 views
What's the exact effect of this training regime? (12-15 reps, 30s - 1min break, 3 sets)
That's the regime I was advised at my gym:
12-15 reps per set - maybe less on the last set
30s - 1min break between sets,
3 sets
weights are adjusted so that this is doable, but not by much
What ...
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
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 ...
2
votes
2answers
3k views
Pain just above knees after squats
Few days ago i watched a youtube video about how to do squats properly. I followed those steps and did squats but later on i felt pain just above my knees. I was not even able to stand up properly for ...
2
votes
1answer
185 views
What can I do to maintain equal size and strength in both hands?
I m 25 years old and I m going to gym for 3 days in a week. When I workout for biceps in heavy weight, my partner realized that my left hand is exerting more strength than my right hand. When I look ...
3
votes
2answers
476 views
What type of pants are good for weight lifting?
I'm more comfortable weight lifting in pants than in shorts, but find they inhibit proper knee position when squatting. Are there any types of pants or material that will stretch well enough to be ...
