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?

@Morgan12 I’m moving over to doing it at home which will prob mean getting a bit more equipment (I only have dumbbells at the moment) because I see my PT in a small gym just for PT use so I need to figure out an at home plan

I would love to get back into cycling (I used to spend weekend doing 65miles) and I miss that, and I went through yoga 3-4 times a week a few years ago so maybe I need to work out a proper plan that includes all that but as a family we also go rock climbing once or twice a week so I think 2 days of weights is probably fine

Morgan12 Have you any experience? If not, I would be cautious although it does depend what you mean by weights.

I've started on the weights machines at the gym since January and I'm loving it! Usually a runner but nursing an injury currently so decided to join a gym.

Regarding knowing what to do, my gym (council run leisure centre gym) offers a 6 weekly "workout review". So a member of staff produces a workout for me to follow while at the gym and includes suggested ways to progress over the 6 weeks. Then it's reviewed and a new workout schedule produced.

I find the gym staff and always happy to help with ad-hoc workout suggestions or guidance on form. Just ask whoever is working that day.

Back to the gym today. I feel so much better when I've been.

Same here DropOfff. I rarely look forward to going, but feel brilliant afterwards. I love it when you've worked hard and you can feel the buzz in your limbs

Agree with that. I always say to my classes: ‘You might sometimes dread coming to class, but I bet you never regret it!’

I just love the sense of achievement of lifting. When I tick off my workout plan and input what weights I did, I just want to write on it BLOODY SMASHED IT! 💪🏻 I walk out of the gym feeling brilliant!

I've got a heavy cold right now and am forcing myself to stay out of the gym and take it easy for a couple of days. Ugh. I really want to get back in there.

One side benefit of enjoying fitness is that it has made me pay much more attention to the quality of my diet. I've got a smidge of weight still to lose, but I need to reduce the body fat percentage whilst retaining/building muscle.

Will research my Insta and list my favourites for lifting for anyone who's interested

Anyone else not a fan of upper body? I don't know why I hate it so much. I've seen such a massive improvement to my legs/glutes over the last 18 months that I'm a bit addicted to leg days, which I know isn't a good thing.

This would be a great space to release our gym pet hates:

My number one: thoughtless, lazy arseholes who don't remove their weights from the barbell/equipment. I just loovvveee having to remove 300kg of plates from the leg press!!

@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.

Here are my Instagram faves - besides natacha ocean! @soheefit @katiecrewe @laurabiceps @madeleychloe @zannavandijk @aliceliveing
Alice and Chloe do really good podcasts too, proper in depth interviews with really interesting people.

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!

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

buzzing and hurting I imagine!

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

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

I tried to find the weights room before but I couldn't for the life of me find it! Will follow you there.

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.

yeah I agree, I had a look at 'the weights room' and it looks like no one really chats in there - I couldn't work out which main section the board was under. Loads of women who look for some ideas in Exercise would do well to find out about lifting weights!

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 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

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.

@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...

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.

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.

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.