Resistance training with barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells and other weights. Questions involving how to lift and maximizing lifting performance. Includes powerlifting, bodybuilding and Olympic lifting.
3
votes
1answer
767 views
Weight gain diet for a Pescetarian?
I was weight gaining/lifting about 5 years ago on a diet consisting of a lot of chicken, beef and tuna.
However, I stopped, and have since then stopped eating factory farmed meats, and now have 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
217 views
Pain with the Overhead Press
I have recently started doing the overhead press as per Starting Strength.
I am getting a pain when I get close to the full extension of the press. It feels like a tendon pain as it is in a very ...
21
votes
3answers
3k views
What happens when you miss a workout?
Normally I get to the gym Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and try to lift a little bit more weight than I did the time before.
Today everything has gone wrong and I am not going to be able to make it ...
4
votes
2answers
420 views
What are key points to focus on when trying to increase the size and definition of the bicep?
How does one work the bicep to it's max? Admittedly, I know I'm guilty of lack of symmetry because I do a lot of exercise that build my triceps. Therefore, I think my biceps have suffered and I ...
1
vote
1answer
324 views
What exercise is this (rotating upper body holding a 20kg plate)?
One of the players in my favourite sporting team the (Go the All Blacks!) does this interesting rotating exercise. My question; I'm wondering what the exercise is called, what benefits would you gain ...
2
votes
4answers
590 views
Weight training starter,can not do chin up.
I have been going to a gym for last three weeks (3-4 times in a week).
During the first two weeks, I have done some cardio, push-ups, chest exercises, pull overs, and push-up dips.
And now my ...
8
votes
1answer
406 views
When do you recommend using a belt for deadlifts?
I've been trying to dead lift heavier (up to 380), but seem to have reached a plateau...the biggest obstacles seem to be my grip strength (thinking of using straps) and pressure on the lower back. Is ...
3
votes
1answer
165 views
Weightlifting alone
I have trained for my initial one year alone and did not see much gain.
But had the opportunity to train with a friend for few months. In these few months I learned to lift heavier weights with good ...
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 ...
4
votes
3answers
5k views
Losing weight with Stronglifts 5x5?
At 22 years old and 325 lbs (mostly fat) I rather desperately want (and need) to lose weight. However, I'm not a big fan of running. I do some biking, but I've been reading up more about weight ...
8
votes
2answers
525 views
How to get stronger (mostly upper body)?
I'm a college runner with a 14 month injury that doesn't look like it's going away anytime soon.
So I decided I may as well take up weight-training instead. I absolutely hate lifting weights, but, ...
1
vote
1answer
1k views
Running the same day as lifting weights?
I am interesed in getting prepared for a 10km race, and also increase the muscles size of my shoulders and arms.
For this, I am working at home with weights to work shoulders and triceps one day, ...
0
votes
1answer
464 views
Do muscles discriminate against the type of micro-tear?
Weightlifting creates micro-tears in the muscles. When these micro-tears repair, the muscle grows back bigger. Does this same principle apply to tears caused by other means? For example, if you create ...
8
votes
3answers
1k views
Help with deadlift technique - bruised shins and knees
I've started using deadlifts for lower body work a few months ago and, despite having read a lot of descriptions and watched all the videos I can find, I think I am doing something wrong. When I ...
2
votes
2answers
531 views
How to focus at the gym?
Lately i am having trouble focusing on my weight exercises.
I don't really know how to explain it, but i have the feeling that the exercises i do are not having their effect, because i am not ...
4
votes
1answer
134 views
Improve benching through adding speed to the lift…how?
I've been 'stuck' at 240 lbs in my bench press. My biggest issue seems to be in the lift off from the chest. From what I've been reading, this could be due to the lack of speed/initial explosive ...
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?
9
votes
3answers
600 views
Optimal exercises for an abdominal workout
In response to this answer, I was curious what exercises specifically target the abdominal muscles. Answers given so far include:
Works abs directly:
leg raises
rollout
Indirectly:
squats
My ...
3
votes
3answers
1k views
How do you break through a weightlifting plateau?
It seems like I have been stuck at a certain weight and reps for a while.
What is the best way to break through this plateau?
I have heard of supersets, negative sets and reverse pyramid. There ...
4
votes
2answers
11k views
Are there any alternatives to deadlifts?
There are so many articles about the benefits of doing deadlifts for the back.
But I am curious if there are alternatives to the deadlifts which still gives the same benefits?
4
votes
2answers
434 views
Are there any dumbbell exercises equivalent to the basic squat?
I'm considering buying a good set of dumbbell weights (pro tip: get them on craigslist) and a bench so that I can work out at home. However, I'm a big fan of the squat, but I don't want to have to ...
9
votes
2answers
3k views
How much should I spend for olympic weights?
I'm willing to start some serious training at home. I'm totally new to weight lifting, but I'd still prefer to buy quality long-lasting equipement from the start, instead of wasting money into cheap ...
4
votes
1answer
291 views
Why is it dangerous to swing a weight?
I am aware that swinging weights does not optimally activate the targeted muscle, but I do not understand why everybody says you can get hurt swinging a weight. Athletes in other sports have been ...
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?
4
votes
2answers
477 views
Bench press starting position - what should I be looking at?
In the link below, Mark Rippetoe of Starting Strength says that when positioning oneself for a bench press:
http://startingstrength.wikia.com/wiki/FAQ:The_Lifts#The_Bench_Press
Your eyes should ...
3
votes
2answers
2k views
Blurred vision during weightlifting
When I'm working out and have to lift some heavy weight, I find that I can do it much better if I close my eyes, like focusing on the movement, but I notice that no one is closing their eyes while ...
3
votes
3answers
844 views
Taking a break from weightlifting - how often?
I am doing exercises with weights 3 times per week. I started training 2 years ago and have made steady progress. I have lost weight gained strength. I had a very strict routine and I pushed myself to ...
5
votes
2answers
551 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
446 views
Sleepiness after weightlifting but only after taking a week-long break
I've been lifting weights since January 2010. I typically follow one routine for six weeks and then take a week (sometimes two) off before starting a modified routine.
What I've noticed is that ...
3
votes
4answers
1k views
Changing workout routine often vs. same workout
From your experience are there any benefits of changing your workout regimen often? As in experiences in muscle growth or weight loss?
I usually get in 3-4 times a week to weight lift.
I'm pretty ...
4
votes
3answers
524 views
Crunches before or after sit-ups?
I use a machine to do 8-12 crunches to failure. I also like to perform sit-ups to failure (and I feel it in the front of my hips, not my abs). Does it matter in which order I do these two exercises?
...
2
votes
1answer
682 views
Improving my Bench Press - what muscles are used during what phase?
I'm looking to improve my bench press and I'm having trouble about 1/4 way off my chest - can someone describe what muscles are primarily activated during each phase (break the movement down to 1/4's ...
-1
votes
1answer
215 views
What weight lifting belt would you recommend? [closed]
I'm currently using a good, but cheap, weight lifting belt - and looking to upgrade. I heard that one that is the same width all around is the best. Can you recommend a good one/brand.
2
votes
1answer
402 views
Avoiding hernia
Are there any precautions for avoiding hernia when performing weightlifting? When doing exercises at the preacher curl bench, it feels as if my organs are strained.
Can weightlifting belts aid in ...
5
votes
1answer
278 views
Sport Specific Lifts - Tennis
I joined, for the first time, a summer tennis league this year. I do a small amount of weight training still and would like to focus my lifting sessions more toward functional lifts that might ...
4
votes
2answers
547 views
Buying barbell / rack
I want to buy a barbell and a squat rack so I can lift at home but looking around there's so many to choose from its overwhelming. I just need to know:
Which brands are trusted and recommended?
...
5
votes
1answer
688 views
Effective warm-up before weight lifting circuit
What's the most effective warm-up before doing my weight lifting circuit?
Is it better to warm up by doing 10 minutes on the elliptical cross-trainer or by doing a set using a light weight before ...
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?
4
votes
2answers
2k views
I feel sleepy while doing weight training
Sometimes, I feel sleepy when I am doing my weight training. Is this natural? It doesn't happen all the time, only sometimes, I feel so tired that I feel like sleeping immediately afterwards.
8
votes
2answers
4k views
Should I Be Discouraged if my Muscles Aren't Sore After Exercise?
A day or two after exercise my muscles will sometimes be sore, "wonderfully sore" I'll say. I think this is common, and I know I've done a good workout when this happens. But sometimes, my muscles ...
4
votes
4answers
258 views
Starting to lift weights - True commitment or start as I can?
I want to start lifting weights but I haven't because I've heard that, when you do start, you need to make a very true commitment. So I need to wait a couple of months for a few things to settle ...
6
votes
3answers
429 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 ...
3
votes
2answers
290 views
does muscle build differently after 40?
I've heard than muscle builds at a different speed in people over forty and that it's necessary to use weights in a different way - specifically, with less weight and in shorter sets - for that ...
3
votes
5answers
213 views
Working out while slightly ill
I'm a novice weight lifter, currently going to the gym 3 times/week for an hour each time. I recently came down with a head cold. I know that if I go to the gym I won't be able to hit my usual max ...
1
vote
2answers
861 views
Bicep curls, forearm down
What does doing bicep curls with forearms facing down achieve?
It seems that forearms facing up (standard way most people do them) exercise the "outer" bicep, while forearms facing down exercises an ...
1
vote
2answers
193 views
Aerobic VS Aerobic + Weight lifting
I've been doing lots of aerobic exercise to lose weight: almost 2 hours of vigorous boxing three times a week. I now want to dedicate more time to my regimen: should I complement that exercise with ...
7
votes
3answers
1k views
Need to gain strength to gain muscle?
I've been strength training 4 days a week for about 8 months. My goal is to increase mass. The usual recommendation for this is to do three sets of 8-12 repetitions for most exercises, and that's what ...
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 ...
8
votes
2answers
132 views
Change grip between sets?
Is it useful to change the grip between sets? If I'm doing lat pulldown or seated rows, is it helpful to switch from narrow to wide grip between sets? Or am I diluting the value of doing multiple ...
