Questions tagged [strength]

Strength is the ability of the body to exert force. Questions are about training methods for improving strength.

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63 votes
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What are the trade-offs of weight versus repetition?

When working out with weights, what is the impact of the trade-off between the amount of weights used the number of times an exercise is repeated For example, I can perform an exercise 3 sets x 10 ...
behzad's user avatar
  • 885
19 votes
4 answers
8k views

How can I get more "toned"?

Some background: I'm 6'1 and weigh approximately 152 lbs. I want to be toned (muscular and cut). Not big, but I want my muscles to be showing even when I don't flex. I especially want a six pack. ...
Undefined's user avatar
  • 292
9 votes
6 answers
37k 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 ...
Marty's user avatar
  • 1,936
10 votes
2 answers
2k 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 ...
Dave's user avatar
  • 265
39 votes
3 answers
58k 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 ...
JoJo's user avatar
  • 7,257
23 votes
2 answers
66k views

How does muscle size relate to strength?

I've heard it often that the size of muscles, for example biceps, is not related to how strong someone is. Is this true? See for example this image of Gu Yanli who won the strongest man championship ...
Matt Bronson's user avatar
  • 1,127
19 votes
3 answers
3k 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?
Jack Lamar's user avatar
18 votes
9 answers
3k 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 ...
whaley's user avatar
  • 1,946
12 votes
3 answers
3k 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 ...
Lagerbaer's user avatar
  • 359
12 votes
4 answers
8k 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?
Meade Rubenstein's user avatar
9 votes
2 answers
4k 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 ...
DribblzAroundU82's user avatar
8 votes
3 answers
417 views

Where do I start when finding/creating a fitness program for myself?

I'm a senior in college studying computer engineering, so I spend a lot of time sitting in class and/or in front of a computer. I want to commit to a fitness routine before my sedentary lifestyle ...
Blake's user avatar
  • 183
7 votes
2 answers
2k 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 does ...
JoJo's user avatar
  • 7,257
7 votes
5 answers
13k 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 ...
aliensurfer's user avatar
5 votes
3 answers
7k 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 ...
Mongus Pong's user avatar
  • 1,441
27 votes
8 answers
19k views

My pushups don't increase

I don't know what to do. I'm desperate. I do pushups regularly for almost three years but not only haven't I managed to reach some decent increase pace (I hope you understand what I mean by my clumsy ...
Sergey Zolotarev's user avatar
17 votes
7 answers
35k views

Why aren't stiff legged deadlifts bad for your back?

It seems to me they go against everything safe about lifting! Lifting with your lower back and not your legs. Image source Anyone have any thoughts on the safety and science behind them?
Moz's user avatar
  • 1,160
16 votes
3 answers
9k 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 ...
user avatar
13 votes
6 answers
19k views

How to Get Bigger And Stronger with no gym or weights

How can one get bigger at home without weights such as bench press, dumbbells or anything else. I don't have any weight equiment at home but I workout everyday such as push-ups, sit-ups and dips but ...
user1820's user avatar
  • 131
10 votes
2 answers
2k views

Re: Touching your toes (not mentioned in 30)

My mother could touch the heels of both hands on the floor up to the age of 89. She had short legs and a long torso. Is it likely that someone who cannot reach his toes has a short torso and long legs,...
David Walmsley's user avatar
8 votes
3 answers
1k 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 ...
Herr's user avatar
  • 367
29 votes
2 answers
2k 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 ...
Adam Nuttall's user avatar
  • 1,982
18 votes
5 answers
4k 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 ...
going's user avatar
  • 3,326
13 votes
4 answers
10k views

Smoking and its effects on muscle building

Does smoking effect the muscle building process? I understand it can effect your endurance.
Philoxopher's user avatar
10 votes
1 answer
275 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 ...
parkker007's user avatar
9 votes
4 answers
2k views

How do I know if I'm training too hard?

I'm an averagely built guy (183cm, 85kg, 20% body fat) that's looking to build a bit of muscle, lose some fat, and generally turn some heads if I ever go running topless down a beach, but I've got a ...
Chris Kempen's user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
596 views

How can the conventional deadlift be harder at the top than the bottom?

This video is the example I'm talking about in particular. But outside this, I've heard of and seen people having trouble at the top of a deadlift while not having such trouble at the bottom. To ...
Gutblender's user avatar
6 votes
4 answers
480 views

What to do after joining the gym?

I am sorry if the question was very vague, Ill clear it out here, I am 26 soon turning 27 by August, I weigh 70 Kgs, I have thin arms but a very fat belly, all I want is a healthy body, maybe work out ...
Jatin's user avatar
  • 81
5 votes
4 answers
447 views

Can I increase flexibility by strengthening muscles?

I do not believe in static stretching. In one of Pavels books he mentions that while most people can not perform a full split, they can still bend one leg 90 degrees sideways. In another question: ...
Andy's user avatar
  • 3,717
5 votes
5 answers
1k 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 calves ...
user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
3k views

Upper and lower body proportion, gaining muscle losing fat

Let me start by saying that I am a Systems Engineer and have been working professionally for the past 10 years, in a very demanding and stress oriented environment. This has not allowed me to care ...
Philoxopher's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
167 views

Diet Plan for Building Lean Muscle

I’m new to weight training and my overall goal is to gain lean muscle mass and get rid of fat. I have incorporated cardio and strength training into my program, but need help with the diet. I’m a ...
DeadMemer's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
2k 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 ...
zero-divisor's user avatar
  • 1,174
3 votes
2 answers
1k views

possible paths to increase bench press from 140kg (308 lbs) to 160 kg (352) - for 1o reps

I really liked this question below and its answer. Improving my Bench Press - what muscles are used during what phase? I am looking for to increase my bench press from 200 kg to 220 kg. one way I ...
Marcello Miorelli's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
13k views

How much stronger can you get as you get fatter?

I've heard of people actually just getting really huge (obese) to be able to generate more force. I don't know how effective it is, but I've seen 300-400 lb. people who don't regularly lift weights/go ...
Angry Gonza's user avatar
40 votes
5 answers
25k 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 development....
Campbell's user avatar
  • 643
24 votes
4 answers
7k views

Why is "Starting Strength" the most highly regarded workout regime on the Internet?

Starting Strength is a excellent resource for overall strength training and invaluable for powerlifters. However, I feel for the majority of people who are new to fitness, Starting Strength is an ...
user avatar
18 votes
2 answers
5k views

Making a training plan for medieval swordsmen / reenactment

Some of my friends are into history reenactment and historical fencing. Doing this is quite demanding in terms of fitness, so I wanted to help them develop a training plan to follow. What would be ...
K.L.'s user avatar
  • 2,398
15 votes
2 answers
8k views

Increasing explosive power in clap push-ups?

How do you increase explosive power in your clap push-ups? The goal isn't to do more of them or to build larger chest / arm muscles, but to launch oneself higher off the ground.
Elliott's user avatar
  • 425
14 votes
3 answers
7k 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 ...
Moz's user avatar
  • 1,160
13 votes
5 answers
80k 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 ...
Thinker Le's user avatar
12 votes
2 answers
4k views

how to correct forward neck posture?

I am "software programmer". I recently noticed that i am victim of forward neck posture. I know my computer realated job is reason for this. I am trying to correct my posture. but while doing this i ...
user2788596's user avatar
12 votes
2 answers
1k views

Are there different muscular adaptations between barbell and dumbbell use?

Most exercises can be performed with similar weight and form using either a barbell or a pair of dumbells. I have heard that as people begin to lift heavier weights it becomes more difficult to ...
user avatar
11 votes
4 answers
10k 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 ...
Dave Liepmann's user avatar
11 votes
3 answers
806 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 ...
DavidR's user avatar
  • 1,791
11 votes
4 answers
543 views

The value of strength training vs. the time/effort it takes

I've been working out with a mixture of strength training and cardiovascular exercise (and some stretching), and wanted to better assess to what degree the strength training is worth the time and ...
Chelonian's user avatar
  • 880
10 votes
5 answers
3k 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 ....
Rorz's user avatar
  • 265
9 votes
1 answer
379 views

Rationale behind Rep Range recommendations - Strength vs Hypertrophy

It makes no sense to me why the rep range for “hypertrophy” and body builders is according to NSCA and many other sources is 3 sets and 10-12 reps. At the most basic level cross bridges formation ...
Mike-DHSc's user avatar
  • 2,817
9 votes
1 answer
2k views

What credibility or scientific backing does 1g protein per 1lb of body weight have for its applications?

Say you're of an average weight, not really fat, just skinny and want to put on pounds. People who want to add muscle but are not yet serious bodybuilders(if that's even their goal)are advised to ...
Christopher Bruce's user avatar
8 votes
2 answers
1k 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 ...
Øyvind 's user avatar