Happy dance. Bench press. Confidence in the gym.
middlehaitch
Posts: 8,486 Member
Warning.... this is a long happy post with a pic at the end- read at your own risk.
Woohoo, I did my very first barbell bench press today. 27lbs. Yup 27lbs and I happy danced all the way home.
I have, for the past few months been doing my own version of the AllPro programme.
I work out at the local rec centre. It has a decent selection of hand weights, a few body bars, lots of machines, and 6 full size barbells, plus squat cage and bench.
I am 100-105 lbs, 5'1 and never exercised until I was 54. I'm 63 now.
With the above stats walking into the gym and starting a programme, any programme, took a large bit of ego and a lot of confidence (both dredged from the pit of my stomach). It also took a bit of bastardising of the AllPro programme.
When I started I could just lift the 45lbs bar off the ground so it wasn't going to be too useful so every move was done with a mix of Dumbbells or machines. I would do the Dumbbells for the form and small muscle activation, machines for strength. Not perfect but, though frustrating it worked well enough for me.
I did get to use the Oly bar for deadlifts.
Today there was a notice on the weight room door informing the petite older woman that there was now a 17.5 lbs and woman's 35 lbs bar in the free weight area.
I had asked for them about 2 months ago.
HAPPY DANCE HAPPY DANCE
Today was the light day of week 4 of the programme so 2 working sets at 11 reps.
I decided to do it all using the 17.5 bar. It was wonderful. I could warm up, add weight, do every move in the same little area. The only thing I missed doing with my bar was the squat- the cage was busy and I like to do that first.
Ooh, and my 1st time going over bare bar weight for my DL. 47.5.
Bliss, pure bliss.
So for everyone who is intimidated by the gym. Intimidated by people lifting much heavier than you- don't be.
No one laughed at me, no one stared, no one pointed and giggled.
I was treated with acknowledging nods and respect.
Well one guy did have a giggle. But that was with me. He was huge, moving things twice my weight, but was nice enough to take a pic of excited me doing my very first bench press.
He really didn't care that it was only 27 lbs. heck he was impressed that I was willing to do it. He asked my age, I told him. He grinned and said he hopes he is still coming to the gym at my age.
Here is my first bench. Hee hee.
Cheers, h.
Jeez it has taken me 4 hrs to pluck up the courage to post this. People on the forum scare me much more than those in the gym
Woohoo, I did my very first barbell bench press today. 27lbs. Yup 27lbs and I happy danced all the way home.
I have, for the past few months been doing my own version of the AllPro programme.
I work out at the local rec centre. It has a decent selection of hand weights, a few body bars, lots of machines, and 6 full size barbells, plus squat cage and bench.
I am 100-105 lbs, 5'1 and never exercised until I was 54. I'm 63 now.
With the above stats walking into the gym and starting a programme, any programme, took a large bit of ego and a lot of confidence (both dredged from the pit of my stomach). It also took a bit of bastardising of the AllPro programme.
When I started I could just lift the 45lbs bar off the ground so it wasn't going to be too useful so every move was done with a mix of Dumbbells or machines. I would do the Dumbbells for the form and small muscle activation, machines for strength. Not perfect but, though frustrating it worked well enough for me.
I did get to use the Oly bar for deadlifts.
Today there was a notice on the weight room door informing the petite older woman that there was now a 17.5 lbs and woman's 35 lbs bar in the free weight area.
I had asked for them about 2 months ago.
HAPPY DANCE HAPPY DANCE
Today was the light day of week 4 of the programme so 2 working sets at 11 reps.
I decided to do it all using the 17.5 bar. It was wonderful. I could warm up, add weight, do every move in the same little area. The only thing I missed doing with my bar was the squat- the cage was busy and I like to do that first.
Ooh, and my 1st time going over bare bar weight for my DL. 47.5.
Bliss, pure bliss.
So for everyone who is intimidated by the gym. Intimidated by people lifting much heavier than you- don't be.
No one laughed at me, no one stared, no one pointed and giggled.
I was treated with acknowledging nods and respect.
Well one guy did have a giggle. But that was with me. He was huge, moving things twice my weight, but was nice enough to take a pic of excited me doing my very first bench press.
He really didn't care that it was only 27 lbs. heck he was impressed that I was willing to do it. He asked my age, I told him. He grinned and said he hopes he is still coming to the gym at my age.
Here is my first bench. Hee hee.
Cheers, h.
Jeez it has taken me 4 hrs to pluck up the courage to post this. People on the forum scare me much more than those in the gym
41
Replies
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Congratulations and good job! All Pro is a solid program, looks like you're doing great with it. 1
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That is so awesome! Congratulations!! I hope others read this post and feel inspired and maybe a bit more confident to go to the gym and own it.1
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Bravo young lady!
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2
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Thanks guys.
It was an exciting day. I was glad it was a light day as the balance switching over is definitely a challenge. And, as I read so often, machine weight does not transfer well.
I could probably use the women's bar, but the lighter one is shorter, so I think I will stick with that for a while.
Got to thank a bunch of you on here too for the amount of experience and information you share. AllPro isn't the most popular programme but it is the right one for me at this point in time.
Cheers, h5 -
Awesome stuff and congrats!0
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Good for you, @middlehaitch ! Just the beginning!0
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Way to go!0
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Awesome!1
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Yay!! The empty barbells at my gym are too heavy for me too. Maybe I will press my gym for a lighter one too! You are inspirational
Thanks for sharing. 1 -
How wonderful that the gym ordered those!1
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Good work @middlehaitch Very nice!
I'm glad your gym was responsive to your request. That's fantastic.2 -
That is an amazing story, and one that brought a huge smile to my face this morning! I hope Im at the gym still when I am 63! Just proof that you are not defined by age, (race, religion, disability, etc.) YOU GO ROCK IT!!!!1
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That is so awesome!!!!!1
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I love this post. Made my day!
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i love it so much when someone achieves something. i don't care who it is or what the achievement is. when they make a personal breakthrough like this one, it's a privilege to be there and sharing it from the sidelines.I was treated with acknowledging nods and respect.
this is why i love lifting in public so much. there's a graciousness in most of the people you come across that's just good for your faith in humanity.3 -
You rock!1
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You go, girl!1
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That's fantastic!1
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AWESOME!!!!! Keep rocking it! 1
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Very excited for you!1
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This is great on so many levels! Congrats on your accomplishment and kudos to the gym for getting you the bar you requested!1
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This is a great way to start my day.....I love reading posts like this. I am thrilled that you shared your story and had a picture taken. Whoop! Whoop! I think this has motivated me to get off my tush and workout this morning.2
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I have little happy tears for you.
This makes me so insanely happy.
This is what lifting is allafuckingbout.
You my friend- rock all of my socks.1 -
As a 61 yr old--I hear ya. Go you!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
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This is super inspiring. So proud of you! Congrats!1
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