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Original poster

Anyone else lift weights?

159 replies

MrsJamin · 10/02/2020 10:35

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?

OP posts:
EmbarrassedAndEnraged · 16/02/2020 21:49

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 💪

seasonalsparkler · 16/02/2020 22:14

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 😉

MsMartini · 16/02/2020 22:36

*@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.

ShinyGiratina · 16/02/2020 22:45

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... Blush )

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?

Spodge · 17/02/2020 15:50

@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.

MsMartini · 18/02/2020 09:44

@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.

hobnobsaremyfavourite · 19/02/2020 14:04

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

Photosymphysis · 19/02/2020 16:00

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.

MsMartini · 20/02/2020 11:04

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

Photosymphysis · 20/02/2020 16:19

@MsMartini, er, lifting it up and putting it back down again /facetious

I think he said Romanian dead lifts? I've only done it the once and can't really remember. I need to see him again I think. Oh, and barbell row. And one shoulder press type thing: lifting it above my head then down onto my shoulders, then up and over and back down in front.

I am new to this!

Photosymphysis · 20/02/2020 16:44

No, that's not right. I didn't bring it back down behind my head. Just concentrating on moving my head out of the way etc. Hmm

MsMartini · 20/02/2020 19:03

@Photosymphysis, yep. Don't worry, it takes a few (many for me!) goes to learn a new lift and it is great you are getting PT so he can make sure your form is safe and you can progress.

Fedupandpoor · 20/02/2020 19:09

I really want to get into this! I do yoga and run a few times a week (because they're free!) what's the cheapest way I could start lifting weights at home? I had a look at free weights online and they cost a fortune!

PhoneLock · 20/02/2020 21:00

We have a home gym. A big multi-gym machine, an air rower, squat rack and loads of free weights. All bought for peanuts secondhand on eBay.

The irony is that I never use them. I prefer training with other people at a commercial gym

MsMartini · 20/02/2020 21:51

@Fedupandpoor, mmmm. Have you lifted weights before? If not, I'd be a bit wary of starting on your own at home.
Have a look at something like this?www.nerdfitness.com/blog/beginner-body-weight-workout-burn-fat-build-muscle/

seasonalsparkler · 20/02/2020 22:16

As said previously, I do resistance training twice a week. However, I saw real results when I undertook beginning powerlifting. I came about it while on Tinder- the best thing that has come out of it thus far! That's another story lol...
Can I suggest Sydney Cummings on YouTube for fantastic Strength Training videos. She is literally a godsend for me.

drivingtofrance · 20/02/2020 22:35

So jealous Phonelock
I'd love a home gym. I baggsied the spare room for that purpose but DH is being stubborn and not shifting his stuff..

I do like going to the gym for classes etc but I'd happily do my weights alone.

PhoneLock · 20/02/2020 23:25

I found that I lacked motivation to exercise at home on my own. I exercise a lot but I can easily find an excuse not to. I like to be pushed right to the limit by a trainer.

That, plus the social aspect of the gym keeps me going. I also like the good natured competition with other members.

MotherForkinShirtBalls · 20/02/2020 23:49

I was looking at the assisted pull up machine today. How do you work out what weight to use as counter balance? (I'm not really a machine user so I'm clueless)

PhoneLock · 20/02/2020 23:59

I don't use a machine for pull ups but a quick google brings up some how-to videos.

GodwinsRulebook · 21/02/2020 08:18

Mother try using an assist of about half your weight and see how you go.

MotherForkinShirtBalls · 21/02/2020 17:59

Thanks Godwin

JohnMcCainsDeathStare · 24/02/2020 21:04

I have a chin up bar - if you have that then TRX, gym rings and creative use of rubber resistance bands are possible.
I also have kettlebells but they live outside.

Currently starting with gym rings - the false grip sucks but it is amazing how much energy you burn just holding dips and hangs!

MsMartini · 24/02/2020 22:21

Big breakthrough today - I managed 20 pull-ups in one session, albeit i sets of 3 then 2 then 1 as I fatigued and with quite long rests. I seemed to have been stuck for months and then sudden leap forward - so take heart everyone else working on these!

GodwinsRulebook · 25/02/2020 10:35

Wow! - I've been working on pull ups for 2 years - haven't got them yet. I don't think I train consistently enough on the prep exercises, and then just as I was getting strong, I pulled a muscle in my underarm. Who ever thought you could pull a muscle there?! And I suspect my age is against me (60). While I've been moderately physically active my whole life (mostly dance & gym aerobics & step) it's only in the last 2 years, working weekly with a trainer, that I've focused on this sort of stuff.