Resistance training with barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells and other weights. Questions involving how to lift and maximizing lifting performance. Includes powerlifting, bodybuilding and Olympic lifting.
7
votes
3answers
387 views
Good form with little weight or bad form with a lot of weight?
I always hear people say to use an amount of weight so you can meet your goal amount of reps in good form. On the other hand however, all the videos that I've been watching on YouTube show people ...
7
votes
2answers
290 views
Are small workouts worth the time?
I have a set of adjustable dumbbells in the basement that I haven't used in awhile and every time I start an exercise regiment, it never lasts. I would like to start using them again, minimally. But, ...
7
votes
3answers
433 views
How much glycogen is burned in weightlifting?
I'm trying to roughly match my carbohydrate intake to my rate of glycogen depletion with the goal of replenishing without overdoing. Is there an established way to estimate how much glycogen an ...
7
votes
3answers
570 views
Am I gaining anything more by doing accessory work with Starting Strength or is it potentially not contributing anything?
I'm a new lifter about two months into Starting Strength. Recently I bought myself a dip tower so I could add some chin-up/pull-up accessory work. My gym buddy mentioned that potentially I may be ...
7
votes
3answers
599 views
Alternatives when not flexible enough for regular deadlift?
A friend is starting to work out with me. Normally we would deadlift, squat, and do upper-body pushes and pulls. However, my friend seems to lack the requisite flexibility for a full range of motion ...
7
votes
1answer
140 views
General advice for continuing my weight training effectively
I've been going to the gym 5 days per week rarely missing a day for the last 4 months now, with the aim to put on as much muscle mass as possible. Until about 3 weeks ago I have been able to increase ...
7
votes
1answer
1k views
Do I need to gain weight if I'm overweight? (Starting StrongLifts program)
I'm 5'6 and 176 lbs with a high body fat %. I am overweight (with man boobs and big belly with love handles) and just started the StrongLifts 5x5 program.
While reading the starter pdf included, ...
7
votes
1answer
350 views
Starting Strength: How do I know when I should cut?
I've been bulking since I started lifting (Starting Strength path, two months in) but have started wondering this week - when do I cut? Is this purely when I can no longer stand the fat that ...
7
votes
1answer
171 views
Does stretching interfere at all with strength gain or injury susceptibility in resistance training?
I searched through the site and couldn't find a good answer to this. Does stretching (to improve flexibility) interact or slow the muscle building and strength increasing benefits of weight training?
...
7
votes
2answers
164 views
Strength Training Suggestions for Long Distance Running
I'm a long distance runner (marathons and longer) and I'm beginning to incorporate strength training into my routine now that I'm in a bit of an off season for my races. My time for training is ...
7
votes
2answers
722 views
Feeling squats in my right leg more
A recent development has occurred in my squats. I seem to be feeling the squats work out my right leg significantly more than my left leg. As far as I can tell my stance is square and I should be ...
7
votes
2answers
210 views
What is proper form for kneeling cable crunches?
What is the proper form for doing kneeling cable crunches? Specifically, I am curious about the following:
Should you face the machine, face away from the machine, or are both okay?
How should you ...
6
votes
6answers
2k views
Exercises that can replace squats?
I've got a friend that's somewhat interested in doing Stronglifts, but for personal reasons she's utterly terrified of tearing up her knees from doing squats. I've tried to convince her otherwise but ...
6
votes
4answers
724 views
What is the optimal height of the bar off the ground for dead lifts?
I'm still using universal weights (one day I'll move onto Olympic) and at most 25lb plates. This results in the bar being lower to the ground when performing dead lifts. I know dead lifters change ...
6
votes
2answers
252 views
Will weight training stagnate growth in a teenager?
Will weight training stagnate growth in a teenager?
Is this a myth or fact? If it does, how does it stagnate a youth's growth?
6
votes
2answers
210 views
Low weight exercises in between sets
I have had few back and shoulder injuries over the years which left me terrified of those happening again. The recovery was slow and I lost much of the ground I've gained since I had to go with lower ...
6
votes
1answer
2k views
Will running affect my weight training and burn muscle instead of fat?
How much gap should there be between weight training and cardio?
Usually I work out 5 days a week in the morning and sometimes do cardio and some days do weights, but I have been thinking about going ...
6
votes
4answers
2k views
How to replace the post-workout protein shake?
I always heard that the post-workout protein shake is the most crucial time to take fast-absorbing whey protein. I can't take a post-workout shake for these reasons:
I live 30 minutes away from the ...
6
votes
1answer
204 views
Recommended workout duration vs working out with a partner
I've read about / been told / agree with the fact that my workout should not be exceeding around 1 hour, however most of my workouts approach the 90 mins - 2 hour mark because I work out with a ...
6
votes
2answers
1k views
Weight vs resistance
I've always heard hardcore lifters saying that resistance is not the same as weight. Bascially that 100lb of resistance is not equal to 100lbs of weight. Imagine a bowflex vs a cable machine.
I'd ...
6
votes
3answers
713 views
What is the advantage of using Olympic plates over standard ones?
I'm lucky enough to have been gifted a half squat rack and 160kg of "standard" weights. I'm happy with this and not looking to upgrade in the near future but I was wondering what the advantages are of ...
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 ...
6
votes
3answers
763 views
Are there any compelling reasons to not engage in bare-foot weight lifting
As I understand it there is a general recommendation towards wearing weight lifting shoes when lifting heavy weights for three main reasons:
Less compression in a weight lifting shoe's than in a ...
6
votes
3answers
329 views
What's good technique to load plates when deadlifting?
I find it hard to load and unload plates when the bar is on the ground for deadlift.
When the bar is on the rack, it's easy to put the 45 lbs on and off. But, when the bar is on the ground, it's ...
6
votes
3answers
430 views
barbell squat wrist problems
One of the aspects that the Starting Strength book emphasizes a good deal is that the wrists should be straight when doing the squat (see point 3, as well as the wrists of the guy in all the cartoons ...
6
votes
2answers
116 views
Is taking a set to failure recommended for any type of lift or goal?
I recently posted a question about light-headedness after squats, and it was mentioned that squat sets should not be taken to failure.
I can appreciate squats could be dangerous if one collapsed or ...
6
votes
2answers
435 views
How to establish a beginning weight program?
Background
After a long time being sedentary and amassing about 299 lbs peak, I decided to get serious about getting healthy. I first attacked my weight by diet and got down to about 210 lbs. Next ...
6
votes
2answers
121 views
Does warmup volume have a detrimental effect on working set?
I use a Starting Strength type warmup for squats, deadlifts and presses:
2 x 5 x bar weight
1 x 5 x 40% working weight
1 x 3 x 60% working weight
1 x 2 x 80% working weight
(Apologies to other ...
6
votes
2answers
341 views
Exercises/training techniques to improve back posture during deadlifts, cleans, etc
I have recently gotten into olympic lifting and am really enjoying it. Unfortunately, I am repeatedly told by the coaches that my shoulders are rounding forward and my back is not straight when I ...
6
votes
1answer
3k views
Importance of short rest times between sets
What are the benefits of taking shorter rest times in between sets? If I am capable of doing an extra rep or two if I rest for 1 minutes instead of resting for 30 seconds, which is more beneficial?
6
votes
1answer
3k views
Bench Pressing vs. Push-ups
Does bench pressing work out the same muscles as push-ups?
If not, What's the difference?
6
votes
2answers
123 views
Are Box Squats more like dead lifts or standard squats?
I've read on a few websites (BodyBuilding and t-nation) that Box Squats are good exercises to help with dead lifts. You don't get the full range of motion and through doing them I seem to feel more ...
6
votes
2answers
938 views
Chest exercises make my triceps burn
I know that with most chest exercises, the triceps are greatly involved. My concern is that by the time my triceps burns, I barely feel anything in my chest. My coach has suggested I put more ...
6
votes
3answers
676 views
Need help with squatting on stronglift 5x5
I am a total beginner to weightlifting, and I am trying to do the stronglifts 5x5 program. I am extremely overweight, and the biggest challenge for me is that I don't seem to be capable of doing a ...
6
votes
5answers
713 views
My legs still ache 3-4 days after legs day
I have been working out for ~6 months and have worked my legs once per week throughout this time, on their own day.
My legs, especially my quads, ache to the point of finding it hard to walk, ...
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 ...
6
votes
3answers
304 views
Can glycogen only be used by the muscle in which it is stored in?
Carbohydrates are stored in the muscles as glycogen. It is a major energy source for weight lifting. I want to know if a muscle can only use the glycogen stored in itself or can it borrow glycogen ...
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 ...
6
votes
1answer
78 views
Straight arm tricep kickbacks. How straight should my arm be?
I just can't seem to get my arm dead straight with any weight. I can get it 95% straight with about 15lbs, but there comes a point where my shoulder starts lifting instead and my tricep is just not ...
6
votes
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 ...
5
votes
3answers
3k views
Started lifting again and am gaining weight but my clothes seem to fit better. What is the cause?
I've been lifting consistently for over a month and have noticed that i'm gaining weight (unfortunately) but you wouldn't know by the way my clothes are fitting. I would think that the extra weight ...
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 ...
5
votes
2answers
552 views
What is the correct form for a deadlift?
I asked my gym instructor to check my deadlift form last night and he said I was doing it wrong. According to him:
My hips were too low at the starting position - he says the hips should be as high ...
5
votes
5answers
897 views
Overhead press alternative to bench press?
I do my lifting at home and don't have a suitable bench. I'm currently using two ordinary monoblock chairs as my "bench" and I don't think I'm doing my bench presses right because my arms are ...
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 ...
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
2answers
6k views
How do I remove and prevent calluses from weightlifting?
When I am lifting weights, I noticed that there are calluses that form at the base of the fingers. I am fine with them but sometimes the start to dry up and peel.
Is there a way to remove them?
...
5
votes
4answers
2k views
What are some good alternative shoes for strength training?
According to this article, the principles for a good weight lifting shoe has the following properties:
Not slippery
Incompressible soles
Excellent support
Snug fit
Among the cheapest alternatives ...
5
votes
4answers
588 views
strengthing and improving flexibility in heels
I've got one of those lazy "Ididntexerciseinalongtime" heels which is causing improper form on my squats. I've spoken to some knowledgeable fellas at my gym and they pinpointed my weakness in my ...
5
votes
2answers
111 views
Strength Training and a Bad Back
I've always been leery of weights - it takes me months of very steady progress before I feel at home with them. By comparison: Yoga and Cardio come naturally to me. The only time I did weights ...
