Question about starting weight

jojo1371

Hello!
I'll be starting SL on Monday, and went to the gym with a friend today for some advice on form and technique.

I went through all of the exercises with the starting weights as indicated, however I found that the Barbell Rows (65 lbs) and the Deadlift (95) were just too heavy.

Is there anything wrong with me lowering these weights to a weight I'm comfortable with and then increasing from there?

TIA!

DawnEmbers

It is definitely okay to use a lower weight than the recommended start on any lift. I even did less than the bar (fixed weight bar instead) with ohp to get from better. It took me a little bit to get deadlifts down and longer on rows. So, yes you can.

barneychavez

always go for better form instead of more weight! don't worry--in a few weeks you will be able to graduate to big girl 45 lb plates! we all have to start somewhere.

awkwardsoul

I've heard women go as low as starting around 20-30lbs for OHP and the 45lb bar for the rest.

That's my one complaint with SL is that the starting numbers are totally for men.

giusa

I agree, the starting weights are geared towards men. Go thru each exercise and determine your own starting weight. Keep in mind that you will increase rapidly so use this time to work on form. Form over weight.

LaarainNYC

Yeah form over weight absolutely. The SL starting weights for the upper body lifts proved to be unrealistic for me as well. I should have started the overhead lift at less than 45 lbs. I actually wrote to Mehdi about adapting SL for women.

canadianlbs

LaarainNYC wrote: »

I actually wrote to Mehdi about adapting SL for women.

i bet that totally got through to him *snort*

@jojo_1980, what everyone else said. form wins every time. your call is the right one imo.

LaarainNYC

canadianlbs wrote: »

LaarainNYC wrote: »

I actually wrote to Mehdi about adapting SL for women.

i bet that totally got through to him *snort*

Heh. Well, I'm not unduly optimistic. I did point out to him that women represent an under - tapped market for strength training with free weights.

canadianlbs

LaarainNYC wrote: »

I did point out to him that women represent an under - tapped market for strength training with free weights.

i'd be surprised if he believed we all have our own incomes or bank accounts. but i'm a mehdi-scorner.

Graceious1

I agree with all that's been said. Start with a weight that suits you then work your way up. The good thing about this programme is progression. There are a ton of videos about good form so it is very important to get that right. All the best with it.

MissHolidayGolightly

Go as low as is comfortable for you to learn form and do the workouts well. Weight will add up and you'll be up in no time.

canadianlbs wrote: »

LaarainNYC wrote: »

I did point out to him that women represent an under - tapped market for strength training with free weights.

i'd be surprised if he believed we all have our own incomes or bank accounts. but i'm a mehdi-scorner.

What? Next you'll be telling me women can own property!

jojo1371

Thanks for all your replies! I appreciate all the feedback.

TravelsWithHuckleberry

Also, be sure to stack plates under your barbell in order to get it to the correct height! Otherwise you will be bending too far over / down, which will not only make your form incorrect but could cause injury.

I usually use two or three plates in order to mimic the height the bar would have if it had 45 lbs. on it. Here's an example: