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?

Anyone else just do the machines?

I think it's a personality thing (I do much better on the treadmill than running down the beautiful footpath twenty yards from my door).

My new goal is to get to zero weight assistance on the pull-ups (currently on 21kg, have moved a 7kg step about each 6 months).

I do the leg press in reverse: pushing up is quite straightforward, but keeping my knees bent is Hard Work. (This is an attempt to get better at horse stance in karate, something I can't really do...)

I tend to do more free weights but I absolutely love the leg press. It’s a dream

I love the leg press too! I’ve got up to 10 reps at 175kg. Theoretically this means my 1 Rep Max should be about 230kg, but I’m too scared to try it 😆 I just don’t think I can get that initial push on that weight. One of these days I’ll brave it!

I'm a huge fan of the incline leg press, I seen to be able to press heavier then on the horizontal (?) press, currently pressing 8x200kg working back to my pb of 250kg.

Me! Started with a PT last summer when I started feeling creaky and realised my mums knee problems started at my age and I want to be strong to last a long healthy life. Slowly ditching PT because £££ and because even though I’m seeing results I don’t feel I have an understanding of what I’m meant to be doing and what weights I’m capable of, just very reliant on her saying “ok let’s do this” but therefore I need to do my own routine at least twice a week. Any thoughts on how to start? I have a set of 10-30lb dumbbells but that’s it - LOVE swinging a kettle bell but don’t know what else to use them for?

@Arseaboutdarkly I do swings, squats, lunges, presses, high pulls, deadlifts, bicep curls with the kb strung on a towel. Quickly found 8kg was too light for much of what I wanted to do. There are loads of videos on YouTube! You won’t get bulky, women seldom do, even with higher weights. I recommend using the largest weight you can handle. You want to reach fatigue on each round to get the most benefit.

Almost 2 years here. So happy I found a way to lose and maintain weight without having to do cardio so I'm in love!

This is genuinely the first time I've ever successfully lost weight.

Anyone looking for inspiration for workouts, I follow a lot of (mostly women) lifters on Instagram. They usually post workouts focussed on a certain area. I prefer the accounts who don't have a book/app to sell!

Not sure if we can mention names but would love to compare if anyone else has favourites!

@HelloGabriel yes please do share. I follow a few female Instagram lifters, I find it really good to witness great form so I know what to look for in the mirror if I am doing a lift.
@IJumpedAboardAPirateShip I'm really similar, my mum has had two knee replacements and have had weak knees in the past and I know the more I lift, the stronger they are and the less likely I
my knees go hyper flexible. It's really straightening them out! It feels great to do something tangible to improve my health.
Loving the range of people who've joined the thread from newbies to powerlifters! Wish we could get more women into lifting, hardly any of my friends do. They just prefer to do a bit of running, which is good for heart health and all but the latest guidance from the NHS had such a new focus on strength training as a preventative measure for poor health in old age. Lots more people would benefit from it, and starting as early as possible before muscles start to deteriorate.

Hi Gabriel, I follow Laura Hoggins on Instagram. Shes just started posting some short 5 min videos with good ideas for exercises with kettlebells and dumbbells

I agree about women and lifting. Lots say I'm not strong, I couldn't do it and I think well if you trained, you'd get stronger. I've found it amazing for stress-busting, feel marvellous afterwards. And I love the camaraderie between women who lift.

@merryhouse, I had a period rehabbing a shoulder injury when I just did machines. I enjoyed that too. I'm mainly doing whole-body calisthenics workouts now, but using the lat pull-down machine a lot to build strength for pull-ups.

Ooh me!

I have a pt twice a week and should really go in by myself once a week too but I just find it so bloody hard to motivate myself to go to the gym by myself.

I started when it was too icy to run and just kept it up.
My body shape has changed so much, I'm the same weight but much curvier than when I was running.

I started not even being able to lift anything and now can deadlift 1 and a half times my body weight and can do a pull up!
It's an amazing feeling.

Do you all do only weights/ strength, or do you do cardio as well? I find myself doing less and less cardio at the gym. Sadly I have to drive for work but I walk a lot at weekends, and do an occasional cross trainer session at the gym

We only have a horizontal leg press at my gym. I'm stuck at 110kg. I just can't seem to find the extra strength to push 120kg.

I'm still doing hip thrusts on the smith machine as it's easier to load the weights. I've got my back squat back up to 40kg (knee went on me last year so couldn't squat for ages), single leg extension to 20kg, deadlift at 60kg (but rarely deadlift as I hate it!). I much prefer an upper body workout to be honest

I didn't go this morning (so haven't been since Saturday and now can't go until Saturday), I'm gutted but I know I need to rest my shoulder. On top of that, my entire body feels tired and my bones feel heavy. I'm convinced this isn't normal but it's not a question I've ever felt I can ask anyone! I've felt like this for a while now but don't know what to do about it. Maybe I should take up yoga or pilates?

I love it! I've been going to lots of small group PT sessions and I honestly never thought I would love the gym so much as women were "supposed" to do small dumbbells and running which I found so boring.

I love deadlifting, bench pressing and squatting. I love the feeling of strength and go to the gym every day if I can.

Hi chilly, I know that heavy bones feeling. It usually means that I'm coming down with a cold or something. Definitely a good idea to rest, hydrate, eat well etc

I don't do machines, lifting or kettlebells, but I work out with dumb bells, 2.5kg and 5kg.

There are several YouTube workouts with weights that I do, and I normally do 2 a day, plus additional cardio, abs and legwork.

Dumb bell workouts that I like include Fitness Blender, Popsugar's Sadie Lincoln (legs and arms) and Andrea Orbeck (sculpted arm workout), as well as Rebecca Louise.

I find that a few days before other symptoms of a cold I can only lift about half my usual weights. Listen to your body.

Do you all do only weights/ strength, or do you do cardio as well?

I just do weights twice a week and yoga every day.

Used to do cardio loads but can't fit it in now.

can I ask, did anyone else have the problem of weights making them hungry?

I have stopped at a certain level because I just want to eat everything - and it becomes inconvenient as well as boring.

I love the idea of powerlifting but just imagine being really hungry and having to pack in lots more protein.

@lottapianos yes that's what it feels like but I seem to have it every day and have done for a while. I feel so guilty resting as I love going to the gym! The only time I have energy is in the gym but I can't do cardio because my bones feel tired really quickly. It impacts how much I play with DC because I'm just so tired and feel like I have no flexibility. My skin is appalling too. It's like everything has changed in the last six months. I've gone from being energetic and feeling great to being crazy tired. I know I suffer from low iron so ensure I eat plenty of meat and iron rich veg. I take a multi-vitamin with cod liver oil to try to help my joints feel stronger.
I feel like I need to see someone, but I don't know who! I don't want to waste a GP appointment over it.

I definitely do feel better when I stay off the booze and my diet went a bit wonky over Dec/Jan but I'm back on it with meal plans, increased protein, etc.
Do you all keep an eye on your macros?
Today I've had overnight oats with added protein powder and banana for breakfast (not a massive fan to be honest, but then I've never liked porridge!, I've got a tuna salad for lunch, babybel light for a snack, chicken marinaded in chinese spices with rice, veg and a few prawn crackers for dinner.
I normally calculate the protein in the morning but was in a rush today so I'll do it when I'm home. If I'm under then I'll have a protein shake. The clear whey protein from Myprotein is fab - 10g protein for 90kcal. I love it!

Chilly, I think seeing the GP would be a good plan. Please dont feel guilty- you need to listen to your body. You may need some blood tests to find out if you're deficient in something. Remember that going to the gym should be to benefit you, not anyone else, and if you're feeling so exhausted its probably not a good idea. Good luck!

Hello! I just started weights with a pt at the end of last year. I was struggling to see a difference with my regular regime as I approached fifty and had heard of all the benefits.

I love feeling strong! My aches and pains have disappeared even after a run or class. I never thought I could lift big weights, but am getting there. Love it. My next goal is to brave it myself at the gym.

chillychicken, I would see the GP for some blood tests probably. How old are you if you don’t mind me asking? Could it be perimenopause? I’m 43 and get all sorts of random aches and pains, am often lethargic and feel ‘under the weather’ for no good reason. I’ve got to the stage where I’m just blaming everything on my age 😬

My current 'regime' is barbell club and Pilates once a week (on the same day!)
Run x 3 but only C25K as part of rehabbing my foot.
And if I can summon the energy I do a resistance work out at home, with smaller dumbbells or resistance bands.

I have a whole heap of physio exercises for my running that basically count as a work out (when I do them at least )

I would ideally choose to do another heavy session but the barbell club is only one a week and I can’t afford a gym membership currently.

Last week I focussed on my deadlifts and did what was my PB (70kg) for a double , twice. So this week I’m going to see what my new PB is

I'm following a 1200 kcal diet and would like to lose 10kg. I've lost 16kg so far but lately seem to have plateaued. I am working out with some HIIT and some weights, do you think I need to increase my protein?