Anyone else lift weights?

[MrsJamin]

It just seems to be about running on here, which is not my bag. Anyone else want to talk about lifting weights? Share tips, frustrations, ideas?

Ooh me I do!! Love a chat about it

I am sure there are a few of us!

Me! Love talking about it.

There is a topic - The weights room - but it isn't very busy and people sometimes think it is about weight loss.

I only started about two years ago, am 53 now, mostly doing calisthenics (my own body counts as weights, right? ) at the moment, with a bit of deadlifting and machines thrown in sometimes. What do you guys do?

I want to start - I have free access to a gym! I know my form is good (from previous work with a PT), but I have NO idea how to design a workout. If I can get past that barrier then I’m in!

Me. Not very heavy but I'm working on it. I love that feeling of lifting a weight I couldn't manage the week before.

I do! I teach Body Pump which means I don’t make as much time as I used to for doing my own lifting in the gym, but I get in there when I can. My favourite day is leg day ❤️

Heya, I’ve been lifting for about 10 years.

Had to stop while recovering from EMCS, but will resume very soon. I’ve built a home gym and can’t wait to use it.

My current challenge is chin-ups. I can do three and a half 😆

feesh Share more about your current status, goals and how often you can lift and I’m sure we can suggest a starting routine for you

I have now started to lift weights at the gym - trying to burn fat, build muscle, get fitter & stronger.
I also do cardio but mainly weights.
I'm 43, nearly 3 stone overweight so counting calories as well, reducing saturated fat & sugar intake.

A cousin is a PT & she's all about lifting for all ages, she's in her 40s & she was a bikini model in competitions until recently too.
Unfortunately she lives too far away to train me!

Fab, hello everyone! I've been lifting free weights for around 18 months and before that I was at a gym with a machine-based circuit (you know, the one for only women) for a year before I got really bored. I have recently seen a PT for the first time and he wrote me a 6 week workout plan - it's been fab following a plan so I knew what I was going to do. He also watched my lifting form which was a big boost that he didn't keep correcting me. I just want to learn really good form so that I never injure myself again. I lifted badly once and my back hurt for a good 4 weeks and it was so frustrating not to go to the gym that whole time. I'm 41 and love what weight-lifting does for my body and self-esteem. I'm not useless anymore e.g. picking up a 25kg sack of tablet salt from Wickes! What's everyone else's history of lifting?

Hello. I am getting back into lifting, I just started back last week. I used to do a lot a couple of years ago but for I stopped. I downloaded the 5x5 programme app last week and finished my first week yesterday.

I'm a powerlifter that competes!

Ooh thanks @7Worfs!

I just downloaded that 5x5 app, but I don’t think all that deadlifting and squatting is for me - for one I don’t have the mobility in my hips to get down like that. I think I’d prefer working with free weights.

I want to lose about 10kg and also get fitter and stronger, and because I’m 42 fight the inevitable loss of bone density and muscle

I used to run but have two very unhappy knees so had to stop. I started lifting instead and I really enjoy it. I mostly use 4kg hand weights or a 5kg plate, as well as some equipment free stuff like planks and lunges. I love how all my limbs are feeling a bit harder and tighter. My left arm is so much weaker than my right arm but I'm working on it. It's fun, a great stress reliever and makes me feel brilliant

I love weights! Started with a PT in 2016 with a view to staving off osteoporosis, as I was hurtling towards 50 back then. Expected to hate it. He introduced me to kettlebells, which I adore, and then boxing which I just love off the scale. I now love all things weights - hex bar deadlifts are a great favourite of mine as are power cleans. I can't go all that heavy yet, but I keep making progress.

@MrsJamin - form is everything! And yeah, the good feeling when a delivery man hands over a heavy box, visibly struggling, while saying "are you sure you can manage, love?". And I then handle the box with the greatest of ease.

I am a competitive powerlifter (waves to @cocomelon23) , 40 years old and started about 3 years ago after a lifetime of doing sweet fa !

I had never enjoyed myself in a gym until I started lifting, and now it has become a huge part of me and my social life

I am just starting out with 6kg kettlebell, never used weights before as I always worried they would make me look bulkier and as I'm quite stocky anyway I wanted to avoid it.

Now i'm not bothered, i just want to feel stronger and fitter and if I combine with yoga hope i will get lengthening as well as strength

I love my kettlebells! Started with 8kg, now work out with a mix of 12kg, 16kg and 20kg weights. I wanted to build some muscle and get as strong as possible as I approach the end of my 40s.

What exercises do you do kalinka?

I do kettlebell swing (tho still never sure if i'm doing it right even after watching a load of videos about it) also rows, 'windmill', sit-ups with the bells and arm excercises. I'm trying to build up a workout. Do you think 6kg is too light or is it totally personal?

I really like the feel of the kettlebell, it feels controlled.

A 6kg kettle bell isn't going to make you look 'bulky', @arseaboutdarkly
You'll lose more fat lifting weights than you will doing cardio.

In fact, unless you're eating for a bodybuilding comp and training like a beast daily with super heavy weighs, 'bulky' isn't ever going to happen.

Can I join in?! I've recently started strength training after realising I'm so weak in this area. I've been doing small group personal training sessions but it's so expensive- I'm thinking of just joining a regular gym but am very nervous at the thought!

Oh hello!

I took up powerlifting while on a running hiatus (plantar fucking fasciitis) . I go to a barbell club in the private gym of a personal trainer, one of best friends coaches me and although I’m only able to go once a week I’m deffo getting stronger.

I love it!

I do a version of 5x5, I posted my programme in another thread the other day.
It's a 5 day routine (muscle groups/body parts) - 4 exercises, 6 reps. So good!!

but I don’t think all that deadlifting and squatting is for me
have you considered Sumo squats and deadlifts, it's a wider gait so allows for more movement in a bigger stance iyswim? Or putting a small disk under your heels (my centre of gravity is about 17feet behind me) but having that inch lift helps me to get down easier.

I’ve started lifting recently and I LOVE it! Leg day is the best!

Me! 2yrs now. Have been dogged by injury over the last 12 months so my progress dropped dramatically but I’m back in the game now and enjoying it (even if I’m still battling a shoulder injury. Going to bite the bullet and finally get it looked at next week)