weight lifting plateau

rhileyschubbygranny

I just starting using the Nautilus equipment with some free weights thrown in at Planet Fitness five weeks ago. I have now hit a plateau on my legs and chest. It is very frustrating and I feel stupid when I am visibly struggling in front of everyone. Any suggestions on what I can do to get out of this rut?

jjpptt2

You shouldn't be plateauing after just 5 weeks.

A few obvious thoughts...

1 - are you getting enough rest between workouts?
2 - are you eating enough for your activity level?
3 - what makes you think you're at a plateau?

rhileyschubbygranny

I do strength training usually on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and two other days of the week I do 30 min of a cardio dance DVD at home. I eat about 1300 calories 5 days a week then a whole lot more at one weekend day. I have an extremely non active desk job. I have been trying to lift the same weight for the past two weeks and cannot make it past the 8th rep in 2 out of 3 sets.

jemhh

Getting stuck on a weight is a normal part of lifting. There's nothing to feel stupid about.

Without more detail, I would suggest either reducing the weight and adding more reps to the lower weight before raising the weight again OR do more 8 rep sets or you could do 8 reps at one weight and more reps at the lower set.

I do lat pulls. Right now I am doing 3 sets at one weight and then 2 at a lower weight to work through a similar sticking point.

Cherimoose

You might not be eating enough. Try reducing your average calorie deficit for a few weeks while eating back half your exercise calories.

Also i would follow a proven strength program, like New Rules of Lifting for Life.

By the way, you are supposed to struggle at the gym. That's how progress is made. Just don't set off the lunk alarm and you'll be fine.

rhileyschubbygranny

Thank you for the replies!