Anyone else lift weights?

I find it really hard to exercise at home too. Just about manage my physio (shoulder). What were you doing with the bar @Photosymphysis?

Hello, can I join you?

I started lifting weights just before Xmas - had a few sessions with a PT child. Last week he introduced me to the bar, but I haven't been brave enough to use it by myself yet.

I do a bit of slow running and yoga too, but only get to the gym for weights once a week. I could and should do more at home, but never find the time/motivation.

I use a mix of free weights, kettle bells and some of the machines to train
I do a bit of cardio to warm up but then it's mainly weights and resistance for the rest of the session

@Spodge I did a bit of whooping on Sunday!

Yes, am sure you are right about the position on the machine. I did lots of negatives too - that really helps I think. With the bands, I have found it depends on the set up - I can get them to come lower on bars with a bit sticking out on its own so they don't need to be looped round themselves and then can get my foot in on my own (sorry, that makes no sense written down). I can definitely feel my lats helping more after all the practice with wide grip pull-downs.

@MsMartini - I do use the assisted pull up machine, but pay strict attention to keeping my body in the right position, tensing glutes etc. It is very easy to ignore all of that when kneeling on the pad, which I suspect is why you were warned off. I have tried the resistance band pull-ups and like them but can't seem to manage them by myself. It was OK with a PT to help.

Otherwise, my pull up training involves dead hangs (both at top and at bottom position) and lowering myself fully and slowly without assistance. I do lat pull downs with various grips and face pulls on the cable machine.

Of course core work also helps and I am also trying to achieve my first proper press up (with elbows not flared) which will help with the pull up, I am told. Nearly there on the press up. I may really embarrass myself in the gym with my shrieks of joy when I finally do the press up and the pull up.

I've got a good selection of handweights and kettle bells at home, but they've been very neglected for the best part of a couple of years when I hurt my shoulder in a couple of closely timed incidents (one involving gravity and rescuing a stuck 5yo from a height...) that one took over 3 months to get through the main part of the injury... I go to an osteopath and that's become part of my monthly MOT, but it's still annoyingly sensitive to being upset again. It's frustrating as I want to build it back up as I don't want it permanently weakened. At least now the DC's are getting older, I rarely have to carry them and they pull around less, but I still have to snarl about my shoulder's welfare quite a lot! I suspect another aggravating habit is that it's my "holding" arm, so things like coats get held under it which is a tense postion (probably holding a phone while MNing too... )

I've been doing a lot of yoga since the autumn so that's weight bearing. I am wondering if following a good yoga warm up, it could be getting ready to add some weights in again. I am usually a runner, but like some cross training. Sometimes it can ache after a long run when it's been swung umpteen thousand times!

I used to go to a circuits class run by an instructor who specialised in kettlebells and was a competition weight lifter so knew her stuff, so have had a reasonable foundation.

I'm thinking maybe dig out some dusty DVDs and very light weights and build up from there. Any tips or suggestions?

*@CantstandmLMs.....there are lots of different ways. eg you could do chest and triceps one day, back and biceps another, legs another and do a bit of core every workout, and erm shoulders...... If you've not got much time for working out with weights, you can do one exercise per body part per workout and make sure you rotate the exercises (pecs one day, chest press etc, for chest). I mainly do bodyweight now so often whole body workouts, topping with with leg machines sometimes or deadlifts or whatever I feel like. I'm not an expert, those are just the sort of routines I've used in the couple of years I've been lifting. I've heard people recommend eg Strong Lifts 55 but I am not sure how well they work if you are combining with classes - which I do as well (HIIT, boxing, calisthenics, core). So I tend to get plenty of shoulder and abs exercises in classes.

I lift weights twice a week. Years ago I embarked on beginner powerlifting and absolutely loved it. I could pretty much eat anything I wanted.

May I ask where do you train? My only pita is that I train at home and only can manage so much without a squat rack. Deadlifts aren't a problem. Although I do struggle with bench presses- I persevere because it will help with lifting the bar for my squats 😉

Ooh I'm so happy to stumble across this thread!!

I've been lifting for about 5 years and it's improved my body, my posture, my mental health and my attitude towards food.

I go to the gym 2-3 times a week and that's my headspace from work/kids/husband/life. I always come out feeling strong and powerful 💪

Hey guys, could anyone here give me an idea of how they train e.g. what muscle groups and exercises you work on what days?

I exercise 5 times a week now, a mix of classes such as Pump, Combat and HIIT workouts at my gym (that include weights in the intervals), and running outside and some weights when I'm at the gym.

I'm really starting to notice changes from weights but I am a bit clueless as to what I'm doing and when. I love the leg press and use most of the machines there. I'm a little intimidated by the free weights area but I'm getting there! Just need a basic routine so I can know what I'm doing with confidence.

Thank you both - it's lovely to tell people who get it.

I was warned off the assist machine (not sure what it is called) - can't remember why! I've been doing eg 5 by 5 sets with bands, reducing band thickness gradually. And wide grips on the lat pull down machine (still can't to a wide grip pull up) - high volume (yesterday did 5-45, 5-50, 3-55, 5-45, 5-50, 3-55 etc to 40) - this has been mind-bogglingly boring but I think has really helped me.

How are you both training for them?

I'm trying to lose a bit of weight too - without losing muscle.

Wow! Fantastic, @MsMartini

I've been working on pullups for about 2 years and just can't get them. I still need about 25kg assistance.

@MsMartini - wooohoooo! Well done, you. Being able to do an unassisted pull up was my goal for 2018. Then my goal for 2019. Now my goal for 2020. I am making progress but not there yet. My upper body strength is low and proving very tough to build. Now trying to lose a bit more weight to see if that helps...

After months of lat pull downs and using bands, I tested myself out today....3 (narrow grip) pull-ups, 3 palms-facing, 3 chin-ups, 2 PUs. Brief rests between sets. Stagger off and lie down! Very chuffed and encouraged.

I used to lift about 6 years ago religiously, but somehow activity and general fitness fell to the wayside so I'm attempting to go back to the gym with a physical rehab pt specilist (big problems with my back and ankles) and hopefully will be able to get back into powerlifting properly again. Need to lose about 40kg first though! 16st at 5ft5

Exactly. Hiving it off to a specialist area makes it look like it is only for specialists. I do strength training, HIIT, running, boxing....

I think it would be great if weights threads were in the main exercise section. I think it gives the impression that women don't lift. And lots of women cross-train.

Please come on over to The Weights Room. There are some daft posters who don't read the sub-title and think it's about losing weight, but in between those desperates, there's some good discussions of lifting, and loads of tips.

As well as a thread where we can record our 1RM PBs.

Post your RM max here

buzzing and hurting I imagine!

I’m going to look up some of those insta handles now while I feel like a proper lifter.

Sounds brilliant Thursday! You will be buzzing head to toe tomorrow!

I just had a GREAT barbell club - focussed on deadlifts again and got a new PB woohoo! Then I tried for another with an extra 5kg on and I swear that bar was stuck to the floor

And then I did a bit of upper body stuff on the cable machine - I would buy one of those if I had the money.

I feel knackered but practically invincible right now!

@lucydavisfit
@natacha.oceane
@jvfitness93
@fitnessfi
@brooklynhillfit (excellent for upper)
@kimfrench87
@alenefit
@whitneyysimmons
@collegecleaneating
@bodyfitbalance

Some of my current favourites. They consistently post workouts with videos and actual reps/sets.

Unfortunately many others I’ve lost interest in as they start out helpful then seem to spend most of their time posting bikini selfies with no actual workouts or helpful posts, you know, the things that made them popular in the first place? 😄 Does my head in.