Lifting Apps for Women?

kenzienal

I just started the 3rd month of my Jillian Michael's Body Revolution, and so far hate the new workouts. Phase 1 and Phase 2 I could barely lift my arms up after the workout, and was often sore. I could tell that I was gaining strength and stamina, and it felt good. The workouts were fun, and hard to do, yet I could do them with good form.

Phase 3 workouts? I don't feel anything. They are so dance-y, and complicated to get good form with, that even though I am sweating buckets, I don't feel that good soreness creeping over me after I am finished. While these workouts are still challenging, I don't feel as if they are physically challenging. More mentally challenging with figuring out how to even get my body in that position. Weighted windmills? I feel stupid while doing them.

I'm just not having fun for the first time since starting this program. Instead I am staring at the TV going "What the ?" while they twist and turn in all weird ways and leave the dumbells sitting on the floor. I'm sure these moves have a good purpose, and I may still try to finish out the month, but its hard to do when you just aren't having fun. This routine has become such a chore, and now taking the fun, feel the burn aspect away has just really bummed me.

So I plan on getting my gym membership again after these last 4 weeks are done. (Maybe before if I feel like accepting the Quitter title).

What apps are there for women who lift? I would like to do the Wendler's 5/3/1 style of lifting since I am totally new to this. I really enjoy the feeling after doing chest presses or rows with my dumbells, and think it opened the door to doing more like that. My boyfriend also lifts, and uses the 5/3/1 method also, and has offered to help me with my workouts.

I will however have to keep it light with squats. After an MRI, we found I have little to no cartilage under my right knee, so I just need to keep that in mind. Thankfully I was able to build and strengthen the muscle around my knee to help rid myself of the daily pain, but I just don't want to have any injuries or set backs.

not_a_runner

I would recommend you start with a beginner lifting program before you try 5/3/1. You will only be adding weight once every cycle on 5/3/1 (so every 4 weeks). Beginners can progress much faster than this.
Looking into Starting Strength or Strong Lifts where you add weight every week/session.
(Strong Lifts has a mobile app.)

kenzienal

TresaAswegan wrote: »

I would recommend you start with a beginner lifting program before you try 5/3/1. You will only be adding weight once every cycle on 5/3/1 (so every 4 weeks). Beginners can progress much faster than this.
Looking into Starting Strength or Strong Lifts where you add weight every week/session.
(Strong Lifts has a mobile app.)

Ah, perfect! Thank you! I did not know that about 5/3/1

spingirl605

I did both Wendler 5/3/1 and Stronglifts. I saw much better overall progress with Wendler (and I mean in body composition). I had given up lifting for a little bit, and am back doing Wendler. I had a lot more fun with that one, and so far am liking it as much as I did the first time (I was a true beginner to lifting the first time). I downloaded the app, and it's awesome!! Just my two cents from experience. Everyone will be different.

maranarasauce93

TresaAswegan wrote: »

I would recommend you start with a beginner lifting program before you try 5/3/1. You will only be adding weight once every cycle on 5/3/1 (so every 4 weeks). Beginners can progress much faster than this.
Looking into Starting Strength or Strong Lifts where you add weight every week/session.
(Strong Lifts has a mobile app.)

I would also second this. Wendler is good if you are an intermediate lifter and if you have established 1rep maxes on all main lifts. Stronglifts is definitely a good app to start out with. Although I've never read any of these before I hear new rules of lifting for women, strongcurves, and starting strength are all good. Not aware of apps for these, but nothing wrong at all with reading to help with understanding form and methodology behind each program.

sammyliftsandeats

I second Stronglifts.

I started with it and ran it for about 7 mos before switching to 5/3/1.

You should take advantage of the newbie gains period.

And the app makes it so easy!

kenzienal

Guess I am going to be checking out this Stronglifts app!

Thinking I will also be doing couch to 5k since that is only 3 days a week.

sammyliftsandeats

kenzienal wrote: »

Guess I am going to be checking out this Stronglifts app!

Thinking I will also be doing couch to 5k since that is only 3 days a week.

Couch to 5K is a great program...just be careful with recovery as you will need the days between sessions to recover when it gets heavy with Stronglifts.

At first, it may seem easy but when you get more weight on the bar, a day between sessions is a very good thing.

ritzvin

TresaAswegan wrote: »

I would recommend you start with a beginner lifting program before you try 5/3/1. You will only be adding weight once every cycle on 5/3/1 (so every 4 weeks). Beginners can progress much faster than this.
Looking into Starting Strength or Strong Lifts where you add weight every week/session.
(Strong Lifts has a mobile app.)

ditto. 5/3/1 sounds like it would be a good option once you stall on something with faster progression like Stronglifts, but starting out you can start light and progress pretty quickly in the beginning.

JaxxieKat

I had amazing results with the Labrada Lean Body app.