Strength is the ability of the body to exert force. Questions are about training methods for improving strength.
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1answer
337 views
What changes between the 5 rep range and the 10 rep range?
Through observation and empirical evidence, a lot of strength trainers and bodybuilders have found that 5-6 reps is ideal for building strength, while 10-12 reps is ideal for building size.
I've ...
6
votes
1answer
187 views
How to improve symmetry in both strength and size
I have noticed lately that I lack symmetry in my arms (biceps and triceps, not forearms). This lack of symmetry also follows through to the strength and endurance in the weaker arm.
With my dominant ...
6
votes
1answer
108 views
Somewhat confused about the midweek spike on the anabolic diet
I have been on LeanGains for the past 3 months, on what started as a cutting diet (but somehow ended up a recomp). So, now I have the following stats:
72 kg (from 76 kg)
162 cm
88 kg deadlift
80 kg ...
6
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1answer
175 views
Is it effective to do 2 sets for size and 2 sets for strength?
I've read a lot about size gains vs strength gains, where the difference is substantial and where size is certainly not linear to strength.
Strength appears to come from low reps with very heavy ...
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votes
2answers
2k views
How to do 2 or 3 finger push-ups
Are two or three finger push-ups a matter of finger/hand or arm strength?
What techniques should I use to learn two or three finger push-ups (if it is finger strength how do I build this up etc.)
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3answers
491 views
Absolute Beginner in Weight Training
History:
I am an absolute beginner to the world of fitness and nutrition. I'm a classical geek that spends most of the time in front of the computer writing code, fixing stuff.
I've purchased a set ...
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votes
3answers
138 views
To count or not to count?
I started training some months ago (mainly strength), but when I do sit-ups/ crunches I tend to forget counting repetitions and just continue until I can't do any more.
What are the pros and cons of ...
5
votes
2answers
4k views
Should I do my deadlifts on leg day or on back day?
The way my workout is split is as follows: I do legs on Sundays which includes squats followed by deadlifts and then leg presses. On Mondays I do bi's and back. I do lat pulldowns, seated cable rows, ...
5
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1answer
665 views
I can't do more than 10 - 15 repetitions for biceps
I have been going to the gym since last seven years.
My friends at the gym do more than 15 repetitions per set.
I am not comparing with them, but I don't understand why can't I do more that 15 ...
5
votes
2answers
90 views
How to increase my speed in Olympic distance triathlon?
I am training for Olympic distance triathlons or longer. My schedule is as follows:
Mon: Rest
Tue-Fri: Swim 8km or more
Sat-Sun: Cycle 100km or Run 10km
I don't have any particularly weak ...
5
votes
2answers
315 views
Are multiple sets with decreasing weight and no rest between them a good idea?
I saw someone else doing this and I tried it and have liked the results. I start by doing a half dozen reps on the heaviest weight I can handle, then without resting more that the time it takes to ...
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votes
4answers
191 views
Which muscles would I need to train for ambulance work?
TL;DR Version:
Which muscle groups would I use when
lifting an object from the floor with a straight back
holding an object at chest height for an extended period of time whilst climbing stairs
...
5
votes
4answers
991 views
What is the best time of the day for High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)?
I have heard a lot about benefits of HIIT; however, nobody seems to address when is the best time for such activities. I got this question when watching "The secret life of your body clock" (BBC ...
5
votes
2answers
591 views
Are these Workout Routines right for Body Building
The weightlifting-101 blog post on the stackexchange blog and posts on fitness.SE has helped me learn more about strength training and body building. My goal is body building (to bulk up) in short ...
5
votes
3answers
2k views
What strength programs have been used by elite grapplers?
How do elite judo players, Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighters, and wrestlers develop their strength? I am interested in their conditioning as well--running and the like--but primarily in resistance work. I ...
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votes
2answers
250 views
Muscular Atrophy in Senior Citizens
To what extent can a good exercise programme help to recover lost muscle in people over 70 who, while very fit and active, have not exercised regularly in earlier years?
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votes
3answers
182 views
Getting stronger without gaining muscle
I want to eventually start competing in BJJ competitions in the lightweight division (<70kg) and I'm about 67kg (10%bf) at the moment. I'm going to continue weight training until I reach 70kg and ...
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votes
5answers
619 views
How do I train my calf muscles?
If the goal is functional performance in a power sport (speed, acceleration, vertical jump), how should one train calves, if at all?
Here are the alternatives that I can think of:
Don't train ...
5
votes
2answers
148 views
Increasing Carrying Capacity
I will likely be getting married in one year. I am not in shape by any means of the words, but I am not overweight (6' and 156 lbs). I want to be able to carry my (soon-to-be) wife, who is (best ...
5
votes
2answers
314 views
How do you know your overall strength/lifting level?
How do you determine when you move from beginner to intermediate to advanced levels in strength training? What are some indicators? I'm assuming it's not how much weight is lifted, since that ...
5
votes
2answers
4k views
How can I increase shoulder flexibiity for squats & snatches?
I have noticed flexbility is a big issue for me in squatting as well as snatching (I cannot snatch at all currently).
For example, if I squat with no weight, I cannot complete a squat with my arms ...
5
votes
2answers
435 views
What's the specific benefit of static holds?
What are static holds good for?
I don't doubt their usefulness. But what strength qualities are adressed by holding a position?
I'm mostly thinkig about exercises like the plank, horse stance, etc.
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votes
1answer
104 views
Method of exercising
What is the difference between the normal weight training motions (e.g. bench press lifting it up and down) and holding a weight at a certain point (e.g. holding a weight in the middle of a press for ...
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votes
2answers
197 views
Exercise for shoulders strength with no special equipment
I'm traveling to a long period and neither able to attend a gym on a regular basis, nor to have equipment like dumbbells. I'm keen to do full-body workouts, but still can't find an exercise for ...
5
votes
1answer
381 views
How can I best modify starting strength to fit with a team practice schedule and cardiovascular conditioning?
I have two goals: improve speed and vertical, and improve at my sport (ultimate).
It seems from my relatively untrained state, the biggest gains in speed and vertical will come from strength ...
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votes
3answers
336 views
Strengthening neck and shoulders to hold weight on my head
I practice lion dance as part of the tradition and culture of my martial arts system. It is a dance in which two performers mimic a lion's movements inside a costume. As part of some lion dance ...
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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 ...
5
votes
2answers
164 views
How does isometric strength relate to isotonic strength?
Background
Isometric - holding a weight in the same position. Example: holding heavy bags of groceries.
Isotonic - moving the weight through a range of motion. Example: bicep curls.
Question
How ...
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votes
4answers
492 views
Are squats necessary to reduce body weight?
My partner told me that squats are a basic exercise, that it helps to improve the lungs so you should do squats daily to lift huge weights. Is this true? Are squat exercises helpful to reduce our body ...
4
votes
4answers
3k views
Alternative push-up methods for sightly fat people
Let's say I'm a little too fat to be doing a real push up.
Do you recommend me to push up with my knees supporting my body first and then progress further?
OR
Do you think it's better if I start ...
4
votes
4answers
303 views
How to take advantage of a cable machine when you've maxed it out?
There are a number of cable machines I've maxed out at the gym, such as: leg extension, triceps cable push down, lying machine squat, etc.
Now I'm at the point where I'm doing 5 by 5 with very slow ...
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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 ...
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votes
3answers
2k views
How is it possible to use a higher percentage of our theoretical strength?
I've read somewhere ( Why is muscle size not proportional to strength?) that under normal circumstances, even when we try our hardest, we can use only 20-30% of our strength.
Under what circumstances ...
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votes
3answers
1k views
What are some good stretches to help with squatting?
It seems a lot of form problems with the squats are caused by inadequate flexibility - I think mainly in the hamstrings and also the shoulders.
What are some good stretches that can be used to ...
4
votes
3answers
584 views
Gym without barbells. How do I get close to Starting Strength?
I'm in a gym without barbells.
How can I get as close as possible to the benefits of Starting Strength without the barbell.
I'm thinking this...
Leg presses: 3x5 up to 3x8, and then increase the ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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 ...
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votes
4answers
2k views
How to do deadlifts with dumbbells?
I dont have access to a barbell, yet i still want to try and do deadlifts, so i was wondering if anybody knows how to explain to me the proper technique, or maybe even refer me to an article or video ...
4
votes
1answer
87 views
To increase strength why wouldn't anaerobic reps be done as quickly as possible to fatigue the fast twitch muscle fibers?
There are lots of recommendations to do the reps slowly - like with 2 seconds + 2 seconds, also some machines have rep timers of 2 seconds + 4 seconds. But if you are targeting fast twitch muscle for ...
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votes
3answers
300 views
Losing weight without losing muscle
What recommendations exist to lose weight without losing muscle? How much strength training is usually adequate to maintain muscle mass during a healthy weight loss diet?
I've been losing weight ...
4
votes
3answers
486 views
Which resources should I go to for programming ring training?
I just received a set of EXF gymnastics rings (thanks, Team Chaos!) and I have a smorgasbord of individual exercises that I'd like to try. However, I don't want to do just a collection of random ...
4
votes
2answers
286 views
How can I improve my vertical?
I have been playing basketball a lot lately and I'd like to improve my vertical. Currently it's not terribly bad, but I'm guessing below the average competitive basketball player (somewhere around ...
4
votes
1answer
239 views
Finger/Hand strength exercises for spin bowling in cricket?
I am in the process of transitioning from being a medium pace summer cricket bowler to being a spin bowler in indoor cricket. In particular I'm playing around with some 'caroom ball' style variations. ...
4
votes
3answers
309 views
How can I change my diet and exercise routine to look like Daniel Craig?
I started going to the gym around June/July, and so far not doing too badly.
I'm 5'7" and currently weigh 12 and a half stone (175 lbs). Not too fat or not too skinny.
Here is my current workout:
...
4
votes
2answers
208 views
What lifting is best for discus training?
After learning about the difference between bodybuilder training versus powerlifter training, I want to know about how to strength train for the discus throw.
Is high weight and low reps best for me ...
4
votes
1answer
347 views
Swimming routine for a person in very bad shape?
I've been trying to find an answer to this but I couldn't. If this is a duplicate please accept my apologies and please show me the original question.
A bit of background:
I'm a developer in quite ...
4
votes
1answer
78 views
How can I increase the weight I take when weight training?
What are you doing wrong if for months together you have been working out pretty regularly but haven't really felt an increase in strength. When I am weight training, I don't seem to be able 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
186 views
What is the simplest way to measure strength?
Background
Last August, I started a project to get back into shape after a decade of inactivity. I chose to tackle endurance and cardiovascular fitness first, and to that end followed the Couch to 5k ...
