Any one strength training/weightlifting?

[beckslovestimmy]

Hi there, I have a personal trainer at the gym and were doing strength training. Lots of squats, deadlifts ect. Anyone else doing the same? How's it going? What sort of weights are you hitting?

Hi - came across this thread and read with great interest as still overweight after having 10mo DD and feel like I want to do something different to the endless dieting/excercise. Been thinking about weightlifting for a while as like the idea of being really strong, but have no idea where to start!

My BMI is currently around 30, I'm at home during the day with DD and don't currently do any exercise classes (but do the occasional 30 day shred workout and lots of walking). What can I realistically hope to achieve do you think? Should I try and find a personal trainer? Is this something I could do at home, or would I need to join a gym? I will probably be back at work in Jan so will have less time to spend on exercise then. Gosh so many limitations but find all your stories very inspiring so would really like to give this a try!

Hi Eagleray, you sound very similar to me!!! Bmi around 30, DD is 10.5 months old and I'm back to work in January :)

There are things you an do at home using your body weight such as squats, lunges, press ups ect, there are loads of videos on the web that will show you how to do these.

I joined the gym (fitness first) and as part of that you had to have 1-2 sessions with a PT, like an induction. I then carried those sessions on. The PTs at my gym are self employed. You would need to find one who will do strength training with you, in my gym there aren't many girls doing the same training as me.

My PT is also an instructor at crossfit gyms (you could look in to these, they do small group sessions/classes of strength training where you would get taught the proper form but wouldn't need at PT). I need a strong trainer as he will lift the weights on to my back and spot me when I'm lifting.

If you have any questions I'm happy to try and answer them. The other ladies who don't have a PT may be able to give you more tips

I think if its something new that you will be doing then get a personal trainer or an induction/programme made up for you in your local gym if they do them.
Form is really important as if you get it wrong it will bloody hurt, it will hurt anyway when you first start but there is a massive difference between injury and DOMS, and having someone to show you right from wrong is invaluable.
I started out doing Body Pump, high reps lower weight, and Box Fit where we would do weighted circuits, it was my Box Fit instructor who made my plan up for me.
I hope everyone is getting on ok with their plans. Eating is the one thing that spoils my hard work sometimes so I have decided that from sunday I am back on my eating plan. I hope that I can get the full effect of my hard work from then until xmas if I really focus on the food side too. I will relax it between xmas and new year and then I will start back healthy eating again. By then all the dark chocolate (I can't have much dairy without pain and feeling breathless so cheap dark choc is a godsend) and gluten free mince pies are all gone .
It was leg day on monday and I got my squats up to 37 1/2kg , well pleased as I can now squat over half my body weight. In Body Balance this morning I had some of the women admiring the muscles on my arms which was nice even though I am still finding the compliment side rather strange.
Tomorrow I plan on trying to get on the squat rack again to start the process all over again now that my backside doesn't hurt quite as much as it did after mondays squats, pushing a heavy trolly round tesco on tuesday night was murder, Doms at their best .

Can I just say.... I love squats! Upped my weight again this week. Now squatting more than I deadlift!

Getting a programme made up is a good idea and cheaper than a PT. you could try that and if you like it, you could look at getting a PT at a later date.

Wow Becks we are very similar! Thanks for all the info - just after posting before, I had a bit of a brainwave (albeit a very obvious one) - I take DD swimming at the sports village at my local university, and I've just checked their website and discovered they offer strength training sessions. I don't think it occurred to me before as assumed it was just for professional athletes! I'm going to give them a call tomorrow. There's also crossfit classes near me too - will call them too, although not sure how much I can commit to as am on my own most of the week (DP works away). What sort of changes have you noticed in your body since you've been doing the training?

McPie I have just looked up DOMS! It's a little while since I've felt the effects of exercise, and can just see DP smirking now if I managed to exercise enough for it to hurt. In my defence, I've been very run-down the last few weeks and had non-stop illness (hence my slight lack of get up and go regarding exercise!)

I think I would be quite happy to spend the money on a PT - I've not been out for ages, nor do I ever treat myself to much in the way of nice things. Also I'm 42 and feel like I'm running out of time to be the best that I can be.

I could also do a fair bit at home - if I can clear DD's toys out the way, there's a nice big area of floor in the basement

Eagle, you sound really motivated so definitely make those calls today. I tend to see my PT on a tues or wed then train on my own sat and Sunday, sometimes if it fits in with hubby's shifts I'll do another day in the week.

I've noticed definition in my arms, I'm much more trim around my middle, with a flatter tummy (I can see my ribs now) and my legs are more toned.

I also do a bit of interval training at the end of a session. Usually xtrainer or rower for 10-20 mins. This has definitely made me fitter. I did a 10k race in October with no real running training.

update!

Rang the sports village today and got passed around/transferred quite a bit but eventually a personal trainer rung me back and I've got my first appointment tomorrow morning! Am v excited although don't think there's going to be too much activity as focus will be more on finding out where I am and what I want to achieve. Just as well really as still feeling a bit wobbly after recent illness.

Told DP and he was and . Think he may also be a bit

That's a great achievement re the 10k Becks - 1k is currently my limit...

Well done eagle! Definitely let us know how you get on.

I bet your husband is a bit jealous, just tell him he'll love the change to your figure. My husband says he can definitely see a difference in me and he says I'm happier since I started at the gym. He must be pleased as he gave me half the money for my next 10 sessions!

Woohoo eagle at least you have made the first step, I hope everything went ok today and you get the type of plan you are after. If not then I'm sure there are plenty of us who can share what we do to give you an idea of what you may want. If I'm not sure if I am doing something correct (I normally am) I check out the videos on here

Hard session today. Did 40kg front squats (lot of pain in my left wrist which is apparently all to do with my very inflexible left shoulder) Split squats with a PB of 2x24kg kettle bells, dumbbell bench press with 2x14kg and overhead press with 25kg. All 4sets of 8 reps plus 2warm up sets. Feeling good!

Just marking place so I can find you again. Fellow weight lifter here but have not been able to train for a month because I overdid it and sprained my pelvic floor region . Need to start over soon but with light weights then work up again but very slowly. Any room here for someone who won't yet be able to use heavy weights?

Hi Bsssh, welcome I started with very light weights as I started training a few months after DD was born. Still on light weights for my arms because they are weak and I have very poor flexibility in my shoulders. Be great to hear what your doing.

Feeling rather proud of myself today as I managed 4 full sets of squats at 40kg .
I have also upped my sumo squats, lunges, dead lifts, bent over rows, calf raises by 2.5kg and skull crushers up to 12kg this week but as my squats are my biggest weight I am over the moon. Onwards and upwards!
I need to work hard on my shoulders and chest by the time I do Tough Mudder in June (paid for it on Tuesday ) as I hope to be able to giveFunky Monkey a try this time round and not walk round the side of it!