Stronglifts newbie - questions

718mom

I went to the gym determined to start stronglifts today and got a trainer to help me with form. The problem is I am so out of shape and weak so starting with very low weight to maintain good form. Also, I can use the bar when doing bench press and have to use free weights. Is this okay?

3dogsrunning

It's fine.

The author wrote this in regards to women using the program
"Yes. My girlfriend does it. And she does the same exercises, sets and reps as I do. The only differences: The empty bar can be too heavy. I had my girlfriend do goblet Squats with a kettlebell, kb Deadlifts and db bench/presses. Now she Squats 50kg for 5×5 (her body-weight). You’ll need fractional plates. Adding 2.5kg/5lb each workout is too much on the Bench and Overhead Press. This is because women tend to have less muscle in their upper-body than men. My girlfriend used increments of 1kg/2lb from the start on Bench/Press. Besides that there’s no difference."
Read more: http://stronglifts.com/5x5/#Does_StrongLifts_52155_work_for_women

Bonny132

Another newbie here... How on earth do I get my arms to do 20kg bench press? LOL
OK I can do 30KG row, struggled with the 20kg squat, but only cause my gym does not have enough free weights, if anything I think I can squat more, but getting the weights off my shoulders afters was not a doddle.... very few free weights and lots of machines....

christch

Try doing goblet squats with either dumbbells or kettlebell. I can't front squat with bar either as weight too much thru wrists. Bench press try dumbbells or you may need to drop weight a couple of kg til you can do it. Is there a trainer who could work with you for a couple of sessions til you get going properly?

Bonny132

christch wrote: »

Try doing goblet squats with either dumbbells or kettlebell. I can't front squat with bar either as weight too much thru wrists. Bench press try dumbbells or you may need to drop weight a couple of kg til you can do it. Is there a trainer who could work with you for a couple of sessions til you get going properly?

The trainers in my gym are quite expensive, so trying to DIY by watching videos on form online and on the app and find ways to strengthen myself to work up to the exercises in the app (£55 or $85 for 60mins) but thank you for the advice, I will try the goblet squats and work my way up with the dumb bells.