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Original poster

Weightlifting people, here! Ongoing chat thread...

936 replies

MaidOfStars · 22/08/2017 15:15

We are a bit cut off in the designated forum so here's a shiny new thread to populate.

Hello to anyone that hasn't ventured over to The Weights Room but is lifting/resistance training.

OP posts:
Tomorrowisanewday · 09/10/2017 17:14

Not at all, I'm still new to all this, and it helps my confidence if someone else thinks what I'm doing is correct Smile

JustGettingStarted · 09/10/2017 17:43

pinkhorse it was fully pumped gym.

Last time I was in Norwich I went to Phoenix, which was pretty good but a bit disorganised.

MrJohnsonAteMyCustard · 09/10/2017 20:11

Tomorrow - I've been wanting to do that for ages, but had read that it was bad form (or something) but perhaps I should give it a go. At least some of the time - might give me more confidence.

Findo - ooh, that's interesting. So, where should my weight be distributed? I do try to push through my heels to hit the glutes whenever I remember.

I'm squatting mainly for my backside as it needs building up (it's a poor excuse for an arse). Not even squatting with weight yet as strength so poor.

Tomorrowisanewday · 09/10/2017 21:33

MrJohnson it was my PT who told me to do it. Then a few months ago, we managed to do away with them

FindoGask · 09/10/2017 21:46

MrJohnson - weight should be over your midfoot really so you're balanced. But like you, I try to think about pushing through my heels too - the main thing is, you're avoiding the weight being over the ball/front of your foot.

MrJohnsonAteMyCustard · 09/10/2017 22:37

Findo - Thanks - I'm going to keep at it. The fact that they are so difficult means I have to do them even more, I suspect Grin I just did a couple and weight is definitely not on the front of the foot, so there's a positive.

pinkhorse · 09/10/2017 22:59

Just it is the one I go to! Small world!

JustGettingStarted · 09/10/2017 23:13

It's a lovely gym!

JustGettingStarted · 12/10/2017 08:31

I started taking creatine and couple of weeks ago. I have a suspicion that it's already kicking in... Both of my lower body workouts this week were surprisingly "easy" and energetic. It's hard to say though because I am using a different gym (Peterborough this week) and everything is different, including the safety squat bar, so I don't know exactly how much anything weighs.

My upper body workout, which is often entirely dumbbells, feels no different.

MargoLovebutter · 12/10/2017 10:31

Hello weightlifters. I am a relative newbie. Started this time last year, as I needed to get fit & improve my strength for an expedition I was sponsored to do and agreed to in a moment of complete madness. Took a break over the summer, as I like swimming & being outdoors but I'm back in the gym again now. I go on my way to work every morning, so 5 days a week.

I am closer to 50 than 40 and am riddled with injuries, so I approach everything with a lot of caution. I'm hourglass shaped with slightly more fat on my bum/thighs than boobs. I'm carrying too much fat too. I don't weigh, as I hate the tyranny of the scales, but I'm 5ft 7 and a size 16 and I'd really like to be a size 14/12. I mostly use machines & cables as I'm nervous of free weights.

So glad I found this thread as I don't have any friends in RL who lift. I've just read all the way through it and it is great and will keep me inspired. I'm mostly on the hunt for tips and understanding what more experienced lifters do.

JustGettingStarted · 12/10/2017 11:27

Welcome!

Original poster
MaidOfStars · 12/10/2017 13:12

Hello Margo
I have managed to rid myself of my pear shape through weights (although it's obviously still where my fat is buffered, should I put on a few pounds).

So, I finished my marathon. I use the word "finish" deliberately, because I could not reasonably argue that I "ran" a marathon Grin. It was horrible, so different my first race. I managed, by the clever move of running on the edge of an uneven road with my left leg therefore striking lower than my right, to fuck my IT band. Thankfully, it is nearly back to normal now, so no damage, just stiffness that rendered me incapable of running after the 16 mile mark (apart from across the finish line after I'd dosed myself up on painkillers). Ah well, after saying that this would be my last marathon, I am now eyeing up Edinburgh next May....

Back to weights tomorrow. No unilateral work, to protect my knee. I can squat OK though, and I see some light deadlifts in my future...

OP posts:
MargoLovebutter · 12/10/2017 14:02

Thank you Just & Maid.

Maid, what in particular helped with your thighs & bum / pear shape? And congrats on the marathon - that's incredible.

Original poster
MaidOfStars · 12/10/2017 20:50

Maid, what in particular helped with your thighs & bum / pear shape?
Deadlifts. I understand hip thrusts are better for just aesthetic purposes, but you don't build the same strength.

OP posts:
MargoLovebutter · 13/10/2017 09:22

Thanks Maid. Shit scared of deadlifting! I will have to book a personal trainer to do this with. I can start with some back elevated hip thrusts though.

JustGettingStarted · 13/10/2017 12:01

margo check out Romanian deadlifts. Much easier than regular ones and they target the glutes and hamstrings, not so much the back.

The creatine is definitely kicking in! My dumbbell chest press working weight has jumped up from 15kg to 17.5. I'm feeling fresh and strong for longer.

MargoLovebutter · 13/10/2017 13:12

Thank you Just, think I could give those a go on my own, starting very light & checking form in the mirror.

JustGettingStarted · 13/10/2017 13:30

I found RDL's so easy that I wondered if I was doing them wrong. Your grip strength will probably limit you so you're unlikely to go heavy enough to worry about.... Once I tried hook straps I went heavy and tweaked my back slightly. But I backed off and have since built up again with no issues. I just learned to be careful and pay attention to my core.

NC4now · 14/10/2017 12:44

Margo you are a very similar size and shape to me and have been lifting approx the same time.
I started RDLs recently with my trainer and they've become my favourite. For form you need to think of your bum travelling backwards and forwards, rather than up and down.
I started really light with dumbbells in each hand, and worked up.

NC4now · 14/10/2017 12:45

I use hook straps. I feel like a proper weightlifter! 🏋

pinkhorse · 14/10/2017 13:22

I use straps too!
Just got in the bath and felt that lovely sting of the skin of my hand that you get after a weights session Grin

isthistoonosy · 14/10/2017 18:21

Can I join you all? I've just started the 5 x 5 stronger lifts program, I'm using free weights (barbell) at home (in the garage).

So yesterday was;
Squat 5 x 5 - 27.5kg
Over head press 5 x 5 - 22.5kg
Dead lift 1 x 5 - 45kg

I feel like I'm already almost at my limit for overhead press though and its only the second session with those!

Can anyone suggest some good gloves - its minus degrees here already and the garage isn't heated so I need something on my hands. I'm just wearing some woollen gloves at the minute but assume there is something more suitable.

isthistoonosy · 14/10/2017 18:22

Should say I've not lifted before but can do about 20 full press ups so think I'm reasonably strong and I'm short and fat stocky so a 'good' build I suppose for this.

Original poster
MaidOfStars · 14/10/2017 19:08

That's an amazing start for overheads! But yes, you'll reach your limit pretty quickly :)

Can you do 'proper' press ups? Wink I can do 20 What I Thought Were Proper Press Ups but are only 3 Personal Trainer Press Ups Grin

I don't wear gloves but yes, you'll need something stickier than wool!

And welcome!

OP posts:
isthistoonosy · 14/10/2017 19:30

I was in the TA for a few yrs (15 yrs ago) and my OH is ex 'real' army so yes I think they are real press ups but of course OH could just be humouring me by agreeing with me that they are OK!

Good to know that about the overheads I was thinking I was much weaker than I'd thought.