Strength is the ability of the body to exert force. Questions are about training methods for improving strength.
17
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5answers
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What exercises are good to build up to performing chin-ups?
I can't do a single decent chin-up, are there any easy alternatives that I could build up in quantity as a forerunner to being able to do chin-ups?
Alternatively are there are any weights exercises ...
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 ...
19
votes
3answers
12k views
Why is muscle size not proportional to strength?
This guy claims that Olympic powerlifters working in the 1-6 rep range can increase strength without increasing muscle size.
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/topicoftheweek8.htm
Trained Olympic ...
10
votes
1answer
487 views
Should one generally avoid machines in favor of free weights?
From what I have been told, machines are not recommended for strength training, because they isolate muscles and thereby exclude the smaller stabilizing muscles from developing together with the major ...
12
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9answers
2k views
What are some short 30-minute body-weight lift routines for travel.
I travel a good bit for my job. As a result, the weeks that I travel often involve a lack of physical activity since I am primarily a weight lifter when it comes to exercise and most hotel gyms have ...
4
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 ...
15
votes
3answers
1k views
Do you need to “feel the burn” to become stronger?
If your goal is increasing strength, must you always train to the point where you feel the burn later?
6
votes
4answers
1k views
Is it normal when starting squats to not have flexible enough ankles?
I've read a lot lately that if I want to build a lot of strength and start thinking seriously about putting on some size that I should use squats as a core workout. I'm only 65kg (143 pounds) and have ...
9
votes
3answers
1k views
Are multiple lighter deadlifts better than single heavier maxes?
My max deadlift is 350 (still gaining), but I can deadlift 300 twice. Is it better to focus on my 2 lift max or my single lift max to build overall strength?
4
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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 ...
32
votes
5answers
15k views
How do I naturally boost my Testosterone levels?
Its a well documented fact that testosterone in essential for muscle development. So much so that some will want to go to the lengths of taking synthetic testosterone in order to aid their ...
7
votes
2answers
3k views
How does muscle size relate to strength?
I've heard it often that the size of muscles, for example biceps, is not realted to how strong someone is. Is this true?
See for example this image of Gu Yanli who won the strongest man championship ...
23
votes
2answers
758 views
How to get enough Protein as a vegetarian? [closed]
Is is possible to take on enough protein to build muscle whilst eating a vegetarian diet?
Many sources of proteins such as meat, poultry and fish are obviously ruled out.
Do you have experience of ...
5
votes
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 ...
6
votes
1answer
188 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
247 views
bodyweight leg exercises for strength/hypertrophy
I'm doing upper body bodyweight strength training (gymnastics stuff) for a while now, and would like to incorporate some leg exercises into my training.
I'm looking for 1-2 good compound exercises ...
13
votes
3answers
317 views
Recomposition vs weight loss
I understand recomposition to be about trading away fat for new muscle.
How is it different than weight loss as a goal?
Would it ever be recommended to focus on purely weight loss first, and then ...
13
votes
4answers
2k views
How can I increase the number of push-ups I can do?
The number of push-ups I can do is dismal.
I have tried over the years to increase the number and have received to pieces of advice.
Start easy and try something like a raised bar or railing and ...
9
votes
1answer
127 views
What's the time threshold for a drop in performance when taking a break from training?
Whenever I go on vacation, the dilemma in my head is, should I try to work out there? Or just take a break from everything and resume when I get back.
The worry is that a break would cause some ...
3
votes
2answers
348 views
Dancing and the core
I do a lot of salsa dancing and like many other dances you need to have certain muscles subconsciously and almost perpetually tense so that the dancer isn't having to remember to 'flex' all the time ...
13
votes
3answers
2k views
I missed a Starting Strength workout and squats are getting intense - should I change my schedule?
As recommended by SS (Starting Strength) I am running workouts A and B, alternating every other day. However, with only a two day break in between squats I feel like I haven't fully recovered most of ...
8
votes
1answer
595 views
Best strength exercises for arm wrestling
Arm Wrestling consists of both technique and strength. An arm wrestler must of course master all of the techniques, and be strong in all the muscles involved in all of the techniques. I want to ...
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 ...
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 ...
1
vote
1answer
290 views
Neural Adaptation Training vs. Hypertrophy Training?
I see training broken up as neural adaptation and hypertrophy. One type of training allows your nervous system to fire at a maximum level while the latter allows you to build size and muscle.
The ...
5
votes
2answers
316 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 ...
5
votes
4answers
192 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
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 ...
1
vote
1answer
187 views
Will calcium supplements affect my strength gain?
I've just started taking calcium supplements, 1 tablet each day with each tablet containing 650mg of calcium.
This is to try and negate the effects soda can have on on making it hard for bones to ...
