Anyone else lift weights?

I miss lifting but trying to fit it into my schedule is a pain though. I will be paying more attention to the chin-up bar since hopefully Wolf Run is back this year!

@Angliski

Sorry for the late response, my MN notifications seem to be a bit hit and miss at the moment!

I started competing fairly early on in my journey. For local competitions you don't need a qualifying total or any sort of experience, as long as you can lift at least the empty bar + the collars (so 25kg) and you're able to follow the referees' commands, then anyone can join in!

I am not competitive by nature and I wasn't sure whether I would enjoy it at first, but I absolutely love competitions! Mostly because although there is a winner, it really is more about improving on your own PBs and lifters are really supportive of each other. I always make new friends on comp day! It's also really cool that you lift alongside women of all levels, from total beginners to international athletes, and I usually pick up a few handy tips from the more accomplished ladies.

My Dsis is into marathon running and it seems to be a similar ethos as that, unless you're elite level you don't really enter to win, and everyone is friendly and helpful.

I would recommend joining the British Powerlifting FB group, people there will be able to direct you to your local federation and affiliated clubs (although you don't have to join a club, but may want to if there is one near you), then COVID permitting you may be able to go watch the next local competition and get a feel for it

@rifling - if it is a calisthenics park and you are interested, I'd try hanging around and seeing if you spot someone getting PT there - and then get some yourself if you can afford it (usually much cheaper than in a gym as no overheads/rent). I have never been laughed at and I train in places populated by people who compete, some internationally. It is a small sport and people usually very welcoming. You won't get far without someone showing you some basics though, I would say. Month at a time at the gym also sounds good!

Thanks @chely- as another twin mum with painful joints that is so encouraging!!

@rifling I'm only in the gym lifting twice a week atm and yes it's worth it if you push yourself. My husband competes in powerlifting and only does 3 days a week.

I started out with just 1 days a week and built up to 3 over a few years, cut it down due to pregnancy and now working on getting back to my best 15wk post c-section. Currently do squats, rows and bench 1 day and deadlifts, military press and shoulder isolation the other day. My 3rd day was all exercises lighter weight and paused reps. I was in bad shape after my twin pregnancy and lifting fixed all that. I was also diagnosed with osteoarthritis, it helps with day to day joint pain and mobility. We have our own rack and weights, couldn't have been as dedicated if I had to go to a public gym due to kids.

Any good lifter will not laugh at your efforts, we all have a starting point. Best advice is to write down all your workouts so you can look back and see how far you have come from the start. What were impossible weights for me to lift early on became warm up sets, such a good feeling.

Thanks @MsMartini Yes, there is an outside gym thing in one of the parks I run in. I could try that although I feel a bit intimidated as it is used by fit young men who would probably laugh at my efforts! Ive just realised I can sign up for the gym a month at a time so I might give it a go anyway. How long do you all work out for and how often?

@rifling, people often say you need more like three sessions to see progress....you could start with bodyweight strength training (calisthenics), can do it in parks, perhaps at the end of a run. Lots of parks now have the bars you need for pull ups and dips, but you can make a start with park benches, resistance bands, walls. You'd need someone to show you what to do but that might be cheaper than a gym membership you don't use much. Some PTs have weights etc too. I;'ve seen lots of strength training like that in local parks.

Hello. I have no experience of weights but I am thinking of joining a gym to do some weights now the weather is getting cold. (I normally run twice a week and will continue doing so but don't want to run when it's icy). I don't think I could manage to go more than once or twice a week though - is it still worth it? Will I see results?

@cocomelon23 @AntennaReborn can you tell us a bit about your journey to competition
Level?

I would like to get a bit more focussed and need real world inspo!

I do kettlebells in the form of kettlercise. My god, does it make you sweat. Have been doing it regularly for about 5 weeks now. Also have started a low carb diet. Got my husband to take photos of me before I started, then again at the weekend am beginning to see results. I love kettlebells

resistance band and the end of the mop so I can do a version of Romanian deadlift now!
Very creative!
We’re lucky to have some weights at home, but motivating myself is another issue.
I’d set a target of a minimum of x4 sets of x4 exercises a day, followed by a body weight blast like burpees or bear crawls. However, struggling to get past this minimum knowing that the sofa is in the next room
Running motivation is easier, because once I’m out, I’m out.

@MrsGarethSouthgate, I've got an over-the-door pull up bar which I also use on the floor for push ups with different grips. I've got resistance bands and just acquired some low parallette bars which I use on tables for dips and knee raises and L-sits and on the floor for other stuff. I've found some good strength classes at eg Barry's UK on insta and also trying out routines from Paul Sklar and others. And some dumbells.

@nonsensicalmess what sort of weights are you looking for?

I'm using dumbbells for online workouts, but can't get heavier ones online anywhere . I'm also using resistance bands in workouts.

Have enjoyed a few YouTube bodyfit with amy workouts for strength, using dumbbells or kettlebells.

What is everyone doing now that we are all confined to barracks? I want to take this opportunity to strengthen my arms, shoulders and back muscles, but don't know what is best to do?

I have an Amazon basket ready to pop stuff into if any suggestions are forthcoming

Yep, I've got cooked spaghetti for arms today after a good session in the weights room. I love the cable machine for really isolating different muscles. Just back to it after injuring my knee so leg days are a bit limited for now. Before I did it I was doing 2 × 15 sets on the inverted leg press of 175kgs, it feels like such an achievement every time I load it.
Weight just isn't shifting and I am being so focused which is annoying me hugely!

I've been lifting on and off for 20 years. I love it. Lifting's the source dude! Change your life, swear to god.

Another Myzone devotee here!

@alittleprivacy - fitness trackers get their estimated calorie burn from your heart rate. I also get low readings from weights sessions as my heart rate does not go very high unless I'm doing heavy compound lifts.

@PhoneLock I'm on Platinum with 4 months to go to get to HoF!! My friend who got her belt at the same time as me has been HoF for 4 months already. But yes it encourages both of us to do enough to get the minimum 1300 MEP's a month to keep our status

Looks good but as skating is my primary 'exercise,' I can't really wear anything on my torso

How about this?

www.myzone.org/media/blog/press/the-new-smart-sports-bra

I wear a myZone belt. It works with a phone app and also automatically adds your results to the leader board in the gym, plus anyone else with the app that you choose to share it with. It can get quite competitive towards the end of the month.

Looks good but as skating is my primary 'exercise,' I can't really wear anything on my torso. If I fall during a spin or jump, or come off a ramp, something on my body would increase my injury risk quite a bit. As it is, I have to keep my watch loose and high above my handguards, so it doesn't break my wrist if I go down badly.

Godwin I managed to pop a rib out attempting assisted pull ups! Was horrible, I had to have it manipulated back but it's still protruding a little. I will never attempt a pull up again

We have one chap at our gym who is consistently top of the leader board

Yes, we have one of those too. I've managed to get in the top ten a few times.

Agree about the motivation. I couldn't get to the gym at Christmas because we were away in Australia. I ended up going out running and cycling in 30 degree plus temperatures just to keep my Gold status. My husband thought I was mad.