Lifting support thread!

[Work2live]

Thought I’d start this thread as a few people thought it’d be a good idea.

It might be a nice place to support each other and talk about lifting in general, ask for tips and advice on workouts, how to get enough protein etc.

All levels very much welcome, from complete newbies to those who’ve been weightlifting for years! 💪🏼

Yes, I worry about stuff like that too. I hate losing a training slot to a poor workout especially if I've held back the day before, say.

I’ve missed this thread for a few weeks. I’m now doing PT once a week (£30 a session) at least 1 CrossFit class a week, and then go by myself once a week. I’ve just got a new back squat PB, and learnt a few new compounds. My knees are squeaking a bit at the moment and I’m wondering if I need to take a vitamin supplement either for joints or peri menopause.

Well done on the PB @DCIJackieDeering. Have you checked your vit d? Mine was low and fixing that made a massive difference. My PT also recommended fish oil.

Has anyone else read Stronger by Poorna Bell? I'm really enjoying it. Really interesting how the shift in thinking, increase in confidence etc I've experience is a shared one.

@RayKray haven’t checked my vitamin D, but I did used to take a supplement so might do that again.

I’ll look up Stronger, I’m reading a lot at the moment

Hey everyone! I took a self imposed Mumsnet break for a week or so, after reading far too much of AIBU when I was ill.

Did two weights workouts plus a short bodyweight workout this week. Managed to balance a handstand (starting with feet on the wall then coming off) for about 7 seconds today, or at least definitely longer than I've managed before. I've also got myself a mace and attempted some basic exercises which is a fun new challenge (and HARD)

Focus next week is going to be on pull up negatives and chin ups. I really need to work on getting my chest above the bar.

Hope everyone else's fitness journey is going well!

Good to see you @Proteinpudding. I do wonder how people are doing, especially @Work2live who started the thread.

Handstands sound very tricky! Well done! Some something to try one day... what do you do with the mace??

I did my first bench press yesterday. Was delighted as it was the compound lift I'd not done yet. I'm also doing more core work which is making me ache but I love a bit of an ache after a session.

Yay, @Proteinpudding , good to see you back and glad you are getting stuck back in. Wow to handstand progress - do you wall walk or kick up?

My PT was cancelled today cos weather (it is oudoors) so I went to the gym - got 9 pull ups (or whatever you call neutral grip pulls, cos that was the available kit). So 10 (my target for Christmas) finally feels possible.....it is hard to programme - I have to be well rested but also make sure I hit them hard at least twice a week, and am doing two classes that also work lats.....

@RayKray well done on the bench press, it’s one of my fave’s! I’ve got a bit of a shoulder niggle at the mo (one side only) which really limits what I can do in the gym.

Thanks so much for the inverted row tips! I made careful notes and then forgot to reply, how rude of me😳😳 But thank you very much!!!

Not doing too much gym stuff at the moment because of my shoulder but I had a cracking long run this morning. I swear my running is so much stronger since I started lifting weights!😁

For niggles I really rate the osteopath. I took a decision not to deadlift for months due to a niggle. Osteopath sorted it in 4 sessions. Not even a tiny niggle now which I'm delighted about.

I don't run but I can feel extra strength when walking, can just match up hills

@RayKray ooh well done on trying bench press! For me it became one of my favourite exercises, because it's given me a type of strength that I was naturally very limited in & tends to be low in women anyway. Eg it was doing bench press that gave me the ability to do press ups.
The mace I've got to develop shoulder strength in different ranges of motion. There's an exercise called the 360 where you start holding the mace upright in front of you then over one shoulder, round your back and bring it back over the other shoulder to the start position. It's only a light weight (4kg) but because the weight is at one end, it's hard! I can only do that exercise holding it halfway up the handle, look forward to progressing it though. I've also got it to use for various wrist strengthening exercises as that is important in the sports I do (and just feels kind of cool, eg being able to open jars!)

@MsMartini that's amazing on the pull ups! Right now I can do 2 on the bar on my rack, or 3 on my doorframe bar which has a smaller diameter. But not with good form, I'm not getting high enough. I'm doing a v slight cut at the moment and that usually helps me a little with these too, but I need to increase the volume to see progress. Re the handstands, I do a mixture of exercises facing the wall or kicking up to the wall. Today I was kicking up with hands about 2ft away so that I could practice using my hands/finger strength to correct the overbalance. And managed to find and keep a balance point which was a pleasant surprise given the forced break I had!
I try and do at least some kick ups against the wall every day, to keep the strength/conditioning to work on the balance.

@GoTheFcukToSleep hope your shoulder niggle improves soon. Have you seen anyone about it?

@Proteinpudding , the mace stuff sounds so cool. I've got a friend who loves it - she's very into stuff that translates into everyday life, so satisfying isn' t it? That's so good about the handstands - I still can't kick up unaided, which really limits my practice.

Explosive banded pulls and lats work has helped me with height on the bar.

I've only ever bench pressed twice, @RayKray! Once years ago with my gym partner and once at an all-women strength class I was trying out.

@GoTheFcukToSleep , I really like running as a contrast to the strength work. I don't push myself with running, and do find it helps loosen me up. I hope your shoulder is OK

@MsMartini have you tried training kick ups specifically? You obviously have the strength for them, but it is a skill/learned movement in itself. Appreciate it might not be one of your priorities given everything else you are training though!

@Proteinpudding , yes to some extent - with my PT and sometimes in classes (done a couple blocks of handstand classes, in my cali class skills rotations). I have The Fear, so have to do a few to ease in ad convince myself the wall is solid and there, and also do some specific warm up and drills first. I can do wall walks fine, and play around with taking legs off, but need a spotter for kick ups. So I tend not to train HS when on my own, as there just isn't time to do it properly. And I've got a spot of tendonitis right now.

Totally agree - it is a specific skill. My class will come back round to it, so I'll have another go then.

@MsMartini can you do air walks? I love watching them

@RayKray , No - and so do I 😁

@MsMartini shall we put it out our list of 2023 goals?!

Although I would never have thought I'd be doing anything I do now a year ago, so never say never.

😂totally agree

Hi everyone, sorry for being so late to the party. I have read through the entire thread (twice!) and taking note of all the amazing tips! I have been doing Peloton classes for quite some time, got the bike nearly 2 years ago and started their strength classes earlier this year. Was using 8kg, 10kg and occasionally 15kg dumbells. Now want to move on to proper heavy lifting. Only started last week, am following the Stronglifts 5x5 programme. Doing it from home as really cannot afford a gym and PT right now, but might do a few sessions in the future if necessary. I have an amazing friend who is giving me advice online and is happy to zoom to watch me if I need it.

My hands are already an issue, the bloody sore callouses! My hands were SOOOO sore on deadlifts today. Would rather avoid gloves, but lets see,

You guys are so inspirational, looking forward to chatting with you all!

Just googled that - how cool!!!!!

Welcome @NewLifter and they are so cool! Goal for 2023 too??

And enjoy your lifting heavier journey. Lifting is hands down the best thing ever.

I was a bit proud when I first spotted my calluses, which is totally normal right?

I did a lot without a PT and I didn't go too far wrong. I did stop if things felt wrong too though - the issue on my deadlift was fairly small yet significant for my body. But now fixed and the form tweaks mean I'm deadlifting just fine.

Hey @NewLifter , welcome, welcome!

Keep us posted with how you are getting on!

The callouses will get better. I use liquid chalk now.

I haven't got round to starting the Megsquats programme, maybe later today.
I did some deadlifts recently, just to 50% of my max, felt good to be back in the zone, sciatica no worse afterwards. up to 60kg this week hopefully.
hello @NewLifter i have some straps I use for deadlifts, they're useful for other stuff where grip is an issue eg farmer's carry etc

Thank you for the welcomes and also for the grip tips!

Hi all! I am still around, haven’t been on MN much recently as I had a particularly stressful September and then went on holiday during October. I’ve just got out of the habit!

Great to see all the progress being made! Love seeing so many strong women on one thread 👏🏼

I’m back to my training and feeling pretty good. I’ve noticed a lot more muscle tone recently, I have a lot more definition around my upper arms, back, and legs. I’ve also hit a PR of 85kg for hip thrusts last week which I’m proud of as my glutes have never been that strong until now.

Hoping to give this thread a bit more attention again over the coming weeks. I’m very excited to go into December feeling fit and strong and able to indulge a bit without too much guilt.

@NewLifter you may like to try opposing hands grip if you havent tried it already on deadlift. I find i overgrip sometimes when both my hands are the same way. When i have one facing and the other out (If you get what i mean) the bar is much more stable and i dont overgrip which takes some of the strain off my hands.

That and chalk (Liquid or normal)