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! 💪🏼

@Proteinpudding are you able to go in the middle at 67.5kg? I sometimes find that as I increase weights, even the smallest increments can make a big difference to my form.

I’m starting to really enjoy my training again recently. I’ve been focusing on pushing movements recently, so I’m now implementing more pulling. Huge pull session yesterday, rest day today, upper body session tomorrow 💪🏼

Hard relate @Work2live 😆 I had to take 5kg off a bar that simply wouldn't move the other day. How can a tiny 5kg take it from won't move to fine?!

Great to hear everyone's progress. I've still been making progress, lots of sensible working on form which is extra important as I get heavier. Squat feeling great, bench getting there, deadlift my nemesis at the moment.

Still loving every session and enjoying being strong though.

Thanks all, and yes I can go to much smaller increments if I need to, I was just surprised as 65 felt so so easy recently! And I was at 70 in the summer. I plan to drop down to 55 or 60 for a week or two to find my groove and when I go back up I'll do it more gradually.

@MsMartini well done for getting to the wall! I think we have to spend cumulative hours upside down before it will ever start to feel comfortable...

I think you are right @Proteinpudding . Unfortunately, I've yet to stay on the wall, but making contact is a start!

30kg barbell shoulder press! 5 reps. Feels like a nice milestone!

Wow that's really impressive @Proteinpudding !
Was at the gym earlier, did some conservative deadlifts at 75kg and some dumbbell bench press. A woman was doing pull ups with a weighted belt, I thought of those of you who are working on these!
Am still suffering from DOMS after squats on the Smith machine, my shoulders are so tight, my legs so weedy, lots to work on.

@Acerpalmatum your deadlifts are still my goals, so make sure you celebrate your successes!

@Proteinpudding overhead press has always been my nemesis. Huge well done, 30kg is heavy.

@Acerpalmatum 75kg doesn’t sound like a conservative deadlift to me 😆 well done!

Leg day for me today, deficit lunges and some heavy hip thrusts, followed by some nice accessory work. I’m really enjoying feeling fully fit again after my horrible Christmas and new year!

Really is @Proteinpudding , that's brilliant! I've never done much shoulder pressing (the bodyweight equivalent is pike presses I suppose).

@Acerpalmatum , well done on your deadlifting, that's so good. What sort of gym do you train at? I've not often seen women doing weighted pulls.

I'm off for a run soon, not done one since Monday as don't like cold and worry about slipping on ice but it looks lie this cold snap is here for a few more days so I'm buckling up.....

Joining in as I am getting back into a routine with lifting. Have been 4 times this week which is the most I've done in over a year.

@Proteinpudding 30kg overhead press is impressive! Well done!

And am at anyone who can do weighted pull-ups! I do assisted pull ups with the machine set to 65kg!

Welcome @Hopeislost!

The weighted pull ups amaze me too. I can currently do one unassisted pull up with strict form. I can’t seem to get past that! And that took a long time to achieve. The idea of doing them weighted just seems completely impossible to me 😅

I can only do two at the moment, and I notice the difference when my own bodyweight fluctuates, let alone thinking of adding any weight!
@MsMartini how did your run go - I drove past someone running in the dark & ice yesterday at 6am, that's discipline I just can't imagine...

@Hopeislost well done on getting back into a routine! Do you have any particular plans/goals?

I'm happy that I'm still consistently at X2 weights sessions a week, I had been worried that it isn't enough but it feels right with the jiu jitsu and capoeira. It will take me longer to progress im sure but it'll get there eventually. Now I just need my legs to catch up with the rest of me! I think the sports have given me some upper body strength without me really noticing, that's the only way I can see how I'm making progress there and less so with squats and deadlifts. In the past it was always the other way round, could get progress in lower body and upper would lag.

Btw does anyone here take creatine? I'm not usually interested in supplements but the more I hear about creatine the more I'm interested in it. Reading a lot about overall benefits (eg mental clarity) not just re adding muscle.

Yes I take creatine. Seemed to be one with lots of potential benefits and minimal risk. Impossible to know if it's made a difference as I don't have a control version of myself. But I continue to get stronger and stronger so can't be doing any harm.

Thanks @Work2live !

@Proteinpudding Just to build up my strength again really, am way off my previous PBs!

I'd also like some muscle definition but that's going to come from what I do in the kitchen not what I do in the gym!

Hello @Hopeislost !

@Proteinpudding I nearly fell over at the end of the road in my warm up walk 😂. So I went home, replaced my thermals with normal kit, and did a Les Mills workout on the telly (I have a subscription as got into it in the lockdowns)! Really do not want an injury, especially when running isn't my main thing.

Never tried a weighted pull-up, but am going to try a sloooow one, see how slow I can go.....

Training frequency - what works seems to vary for different people and obviously depends on your goals - but I know I also choose to train more frequently than some because I enjoy it and like the structure - but some sessions I go lighter....

@MsMartini i go to a local no frills gym, part of a chain. I used to go in the mornings but now I'm partially retired I go at other times.
there's quite a different clientele in the evenings, lots of strong women. Perhaps that why I'm a bit meh about my lifts, the competition!
My Smith machine squat DOMS has finally faded, time for another dose tomorrow

@MsMartini that sounds very sensible! I'm hoping to at least get out for some walks if we get any more sun, the last few weeks have been so wet (and any walking routes really muddy)

I've set myself a challenge of doing pull ups 4 times a week, even if it's just one (I've got a doorframe pull up bar in my house, and a more sturdy one with assistance bands in the garage) I'm hoping that will help. I used to really enjoy them and I'd love to get that strength back.

In terms of the training frequency I'm doing jiu jitsu 4-5 times a week at the moment, and 2-3 capoeira classes. They vary in intensity, both are quite technical and slow a lot of the time, but still taxing on the body, especially the sparring in jiu jitsu. So twice a week is my limit for weights, unless of course I have a week where I drop the volume elsewhere.

@Proteinpudding I’ve been taking creatine for a few months now. It works best when taken consistently for full saturation.

It’s one of the most researched supplements out there, and it has cognitive benefits as well as physical ones. I genuinely noticed a difference in my strength and power when I stopped taking it for a few weeks because I ran out (even if it was some sort of placebo effect)!

I started out on the tablets (from Bulk), but I use the powder now (currently taking one from MyProtein) because I have a protein shake every morning so it’s easy to just mix in.

Thanks @Work2live I might look into tablets, I do have protein shakes but not daily, and I suppose consistency is key for creatine (just like everything else in exercise!)

Today 67.5kg deadlifts went up easy. Was tempted to try 70 again but will wait until the next DL day. Think I might know the mistake though, leaning forward too much so my shoulders are slightly forward instead of directly over the bar. Remembering to check that before moving today and didn't have any issues. I don't know why my body seems to forget the coordination for these when everything else feels natural now, but there we are!

I'm going to get an extra bit of money (one off) in a few months due to having a trainee at work, I've decided I'm going to use it to buy some adjustable dumbbells for my set up. Lots of them are terrible and the ones I want that I think will be worth it are £££!

@Proteinpudding definitely sounds like you’ll smash 70kg next time!

We invested in some adjustable dumbbells a few weeks ago and they’ve already got so much use. Ours go from 4kg all the way up to 22kg, would highly recommend.

Will have to read up on creatine. I’m struggling a bit at the moment, started a new job and can’t get the timings right to get to the gym enough. Will need to start doing more at home again. Also need to start focussing on nutrition

@Work2live which adjustable dumbbells did you get?

But I did get a hip thruster PB of 115kg!

@DCIJackieDeering we have these ones.

Well done on the hip thrust pb, that’s amazing! I think it can be so difficult when your routine changes - for me my training has become very routine and when something happens to throw it off it can be tough to get back on track, but you’ll do it! Doing things at home definitely helps.

Interesting about the training at home. I've got a outside pull up bar but hardly ever use it (my newish gym is only minutes away).

Apart from the odd cardio-based Les Mills class or bit of Pilates, I almost never train at home now, even tho I have some other kit (equalisers, some weights, step...). I think I had too much of it during the lockdowns (even though I used parks a lot) and just love being back in the gym again. And I haven't got a dedicated space, so maybe that makes a difference?

@MsMartini personally I can only work out at home because I've got a dedicated space in the garage. Too many distractions otherwise. Nothing like doing yoga with Adrienne in the living room to realise how much I need to hoover, or how many breakables I have within arm's reach.

I also like the social aspect but I get that enough with the martial arts, gym just supports those really.

@DCIJackieDeering very impressive with the hip thrusts! I can't comprehend the weights people get to with these.

Same @Proteinpudding I love having a dedicated space at home (ours is also in a converted garage 😆) and it means I can’t make the excuse that I can’t be bothered to go to the gym!

I’ve been thinking recently about joining a class or two at a local gym purely for the social aspect, but sadly I’ve had experiences of cliquey-ness with these types of classes before which is a shame. But maybe I’ll get over my apprehensiveness and give it a go soon. But for now my little home gym is a haven for me.