Resistance training with barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells and other weights. Questions involving how to lift and maximizing lifting performance. Includes powerlifting, bodybuilding and Olympic lifting.
4
votes
1answer
224 views
Proper way to find out your one rep max?
As part of an online competition I want to perfom 1RM on all of my lifts (squat, bench press, over head press, bent over rows, dead lift). I do not know what my current 1RM is and would like to find ...
2
votes
1answer
115 views
Completing all sets in a weightlifting routine
I am 22 years old, and it has been 4 days since I started to train in a gym. My weight is 60-61 kg.
Currently, I am training on different gym equipment, but most important for me is weightlifting. ...
5
votes
2answers
75 views
Is it good to box 6 rounds before heavy squats?
My physical therapist wants me to box six 3-minute rounds before I do weight training. After boxing I feel pretty tired and of course not 100% energized, and I can't perform 100% in weight training ...
6
votes
3answers
802 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
216 views
Should my wrists have the pressure on them when I benchpress?
Whenever I bench press I notice that the weight is transferring back onto my wrists. I feel I could go to a higher weight but slight pain when doing this is holding me back. Is this because of bad ...
2
votes
1answer
262 views
Is physical exercise bad for myopic patients?
I have myopia and my glasses are -6.50(spherical),-0.75 (Cyl) [Right eye] and -6.00(sph), -1.50(cyl) [left eye].
I am a 23 years old man. I do physical exercises like push ups, sit ups, crunching, ...
6
votes
2answers
1k 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 ...
3
votes
4answers
417 views
How many sets per muscle?
My current program consists of a 5 day workout. Each muscle group (say chest for example) has 3 different exercises divided in 4 sets of 12 repetitions. Tempo is 2 seconds down and 1 up.
...
0
votes
0answers
75 views
Where do you find new workout routines/exercises/programs? [closed]
It would be nice to have a thread for everyone to share their links where to find new routines/exercises/programs?
I usually tend to go to:
http://www.exrx.net/Exercise.html
...
4
votes
1answer
207 views
Rounding of the lower back while doing squats
I've been working with Starting Strength for a while now and although I've been taking lots of notes on form and watching videos wherever I can I can't stop rounding my back. I find that when I'm ...
3
votes
1answer
146 views
Is it okay to continue workouts while fasting?
I'm fasting (water only) for an undetermined amount of time (7-14 days) for personal reasons, but I want to continue my workouts so I don't fall out of the habit. I'm afraid if I let myself skip them ...
3
votes
3answers
218 views
Where can I find instructions for doing back squats correctly?
I've looked around but there seems to be a lot of variety out there. Is there a widely accepted "best" set of instructions or video for doing squats correctly?
4
votes
1answer
109 views
Is there a relation between muscle soreness and muscle progress?
If I understand muscle training theory correctly, you put stress on your muscles, often times going as far as microscopically tearing the muscles up, and then expect the recovery process to make you ...
1
vote
3answers
285 views
Mild Pain in Right Elbow When Flexing Starting After Increase Weight During Workout
I started working out with free weights a couple months ago and have been making good muscle and strength gains. In the past week and a half I increased a lot of the weight so I could stay within my ...
8
votes
6answers
488 views
What's the ideal way to maintain my deadlift with minimal recovery demands?
Briefly
My deadlift is great and my squat sucks. I want to continue squatting 3x5 more and more weight while I keep my deadlift where it is. What's the best way to maintain my deadlift strength with ...
3
votes
1answer
419 views
What should i do if I miss a 5x5 session?
I just started doing the 5x5 Stronglifts workout. I ended up missing my third workout because of some personally reasons. What should I do? Should I go ahead and work out the day after I missed, or ...
2
votes
1answer
81 views
How best to apply TUT theory?
I've read a few articles that the best way to gain muscle is Time under Tension (TUT) - none of the articles recommended whether it was TUT with heavy weights low reps or light weights and high ...
1
vote
3answers
120 views
What exercises can I do on my next workout to supplement the ones I've done?
I recently joined a gym, and I've done two workouts so far. The trainer at the gym told me which exercises to do, and I simply performed them. I doubt he'll be present for my third workout, however, ...
4
votes
2answers
564 views
Why do experienced lifters work up to a heavy set, then do a final, lighter set?
I have noticed in the gym that more experienced guys lift weights in a double-pyramidal order. For example, they do 5 sets using 15 kg in the first set, 20 kg in the second set, 30 kg in the third ...
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 ...
4
votes
2answers
1k views
Supplemental exercises for breaking an overhead press plateau
Background:
I've just recently completed the first 12 week period of StrongLifts. My finishing stats are below:
Age: 24
Gender: male
Height: 170cm (67in)
Body weight: 68kg (150#) (I've been eating ...
12
votes
6answers
2k views
How do I bench press safely without a spotter?
What do smart lifters do when they're working out alone and want to do benchpresses?
I have a busy schedule, and it isn't practical for me to have a regular weightlifting partner. I've usually ...
7
votes
1answer
370 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
3answers
598 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 ...
5
votes
3answers
1k views
How should you warm up for stronglifts sessions?
From the StrongLifts book:
Never jump straight into your work weight, warm-up first. As an example, let's say your
work weight for the Squat is 135lbs. Then here's how your training would look ...
7
votes
2answers
1k views
Need help with lower back pain while on stronglifts 5x5
I just started doing strong lifts 5x5 program and am paranoid about hurting myself. I am almost 300 lbs, and haven't done much exercise other than walking for the past long as I can remember. I was ...
6
votes
3answers
743 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
2answers
125 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
349 views
Can I lose fat but stay the same weight?
Recently I've been doing kickboxing workouts which involve high-intensity cardio with some free weights and body weight movements. This has been awesome at helping me trim down and tone up, I've gone ...
8
votes
2answers
749 views
What muscles are deadlifts meant to target?
If I am using the correct form while doing a standard deadlift what primary and secondary muscles are being targeted?
3
votes
3answers
627 views
Dead lift, best way to gain strength and power
I'm able to dead lift 5 sets x 5 reps @ 250 lbs OR 5 sets x 3 reps @ 300 lbs OR 5 sets of 1 rep at 400 lbs....the total weight differences are:
5 sets x 5 reps @ 250 lbs = 6,250 lbs
5 sets x 3 reps ...
1
vote
3answers
112 views
9 Weeks off Weights
I am a 24 year old female. Ive been weight training for 2 years, clean diet, the works. I have to go to bootcamp for the Navy in December. We are not allowed to lift weights while in basic training. ...
4
votes
2answers
162 views
Slight panic when weightlifting?
I'm new - more specifically I'm about three months into starting strength. Tonight for the first time I felt a slight panic on my squat and my deadlift. Nothing too serious - just thoughts that I ...
1
vote
1answer
151 views
Is it good to continuously do the same workouts for maintaining our musles?
We have changed our workout plan from the past month onward. Our daily workouts are
back
squat
chest
shoulder
biceps
abdomen
in heavy weights. We are doing it for obtaining muscular strength. I ...
2
votes
1answer
179 views
Is it true that the body gets used to diet and exercise after a while and stops responding?
I am currently reading a book called "The Body Sculpting Bible for Men" by James Villepigue and Hugo Rivera. In it the author claims that when you start dieting your body receives a shock from the ...
1
vote
3answers
218 views
Aerobic on days before weight lifting
I know the key behind weight lifting and strength training is giving your body time to rest, recover, and build muscle. So you can't go back to gym or even biking the day after.
What about the day ...
2
votes
2answers
374 views
I hurt my back from a deadlift attempt. When can I go back to weight lifting?
I hurt my lower back doing a failed deadlift attempt. Nothing terrible, but I feel a mild pain there.
When can I go back to weight lifting?
Similarly, my hand is sore (from a poorly done impact...) ...
3
votes
3answers
235 views
What is the “kernel” for a 4 decade training program for physical fitness?
Almost all training programs or workout routines are focused on the very short term, e.g. 90 days, 12 weeks and similar.
My questions is about the "kernel" (key elements in a wide sense) for a ...
2
votes
3answers
196 views
What are the pros and cons of board bench pressing?
What are the pros/cons of board bench pressing? I know it helps reduce shoulder strain, but what benefits are there based on being able to lift more weight and what cons since you don't have full ...
6
votes
4answers
824 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
701 views
Legs sore 1st day of rest after workout, even more sore the second day
I did a pretty intensive leg workout and decided to take the next day off for rest. I definitely had some lactic build-up the next day and my legs were slightly sore. However, when I woke up on the ...
3
votes
3answers
237 views
Should i do cardio or weights first?
If in one gym session, I want to run (30-40 mins) and lift weights, is it better to run first or do the weights first. I have done a bunch of googling and keep reading conflicting answers so wanted ...
5
votes
3answers
376 views
How much weight would I need to gain if I increased my deadlift by 50 pounds?
I want to train my deadlift, and I'm curious to know how much weight I might gain if I increased my deadlift by, say, 50lbs. Is there any literature out there that quantifies the relationship between ...
4
votes
4answers
672 views
What risks from fitness are there to people with myopia?
I have a myopia and my eye glasses are usually from -3 to -4 diopters. I jog every morning on an asphalt covering (see my question) and do kickboxing, and in the next year i plan to start lifting ...
2
votes
2answers
761 views
Why do my forearms and the tops of my hands hurt?
It feels as if the tendons on the top of my hand and in my forearm (just near the wrist) are very tight and it is painful. I started noticing it in wrestling two years ago and it was very painful but ...
3
votes
2answers
195 views
Are there any harmful side effects to working out just your arms?
I'm 15 years old and during the summer I've been working out with some dumbbells, and I've only been working out my arms for right now. Lately I have been feeling pain in my lower back and neck (which ...
3
votes
4answers
346 views
Any suggestions on how I could improve my workout routine?
Me: 6'5", 195 lbs, eat fairly healthy, drink on weekends, always been tall and skinny
Desired results: increase upper body mass and definition
My Current workout routine (each day is usually 45 mins ...
2
votes
7answers
655 views
What can cause an unexpected weight gain with constant workouts and calorie control?
I am trying to shift a lot of fat, and I have started to up my game. I am working out 4 times a week on weights (1 hour sessions), and trying to go for 2 30-40 minute runs on top of that.
On top of ...
4
votes
4answers
510 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 ...
1
vote
3answers
475 views
Are bumper plates “lighter”?
OK, I know that a 45 pound bumper plates weighs the same as a 45 pound iron plate. My experience, however, is that bumpers seem to go up easier. True or myth?
If true, wondering if people have ...
