Lifting less than usual...what gives?

Missmass4

I’ve been lifting weights for a few Weeks now and I usually lift 3 times a week. I am generally able to increase (to some degree) weight/reps every few days. Tonight I struggled to get through my workout. I could not finish my normal reps, even when I decreased the weight. I just felt....weak. I’m not feeling sick at all and my last workout was 2 days ago. Any thoughts? Does this happen to anyone else?

SuzySunshine99

It’s pretty common, actually. On some days, for some reason, your body’s just not having it. Unless it keeps happening, I wouldn’t worry about it.

cgvet37

We all good days and bad. Some days I go into the gym feeling phenomenal, orher times not so much. Just push through and get it done.

Lietchi

Sometimes the body just doesn't feel like it. It's also possible that where you are in your monthly cycle influences your training. Since you mention lifting 'for a few weeks' time will perhaps tell if it's a random thing or linked to your cycle.

cupcakesandproteinshakes

Are you on a lifting programme? The established ones account for fatigue accumulating and have planned weekend where you de load.

cupcakesandproteinshakes

Planned weeks I meant.

Tania_181

It’s normal to have off days whatever the reason.

Chieflrg

Not enough info on your training history or programming.

Keep in mind one cannot keep adding weight or sets at the same rate. As we progress we have to build up more and more useful stress over a longer time period to achieve an adaptation.

MT1134

Knowing your overall training history would be very helpful in providing guidance.

You mentioned starting just a few weeks ago, prior to that start, how long were you not lifting?

Are you following a program from a coach/trainer or are you writing your own workouts?

Generally speaking as a new lifter (whether it be your first time starting with weightlifting or just coming back from a long layoff) you will see progress pretty quickly and you'll be able to keep progressing in whichever fashion you're going after BUT...

That doesn't last forever, at that point it's important to have a good program to follow that's intelligently written that will provide the necessary overload but also the proper amount of recovery whether that's through reduced loading and volume or even just taking days off.

However, as previously mentioned, it's possible that you just had a day of not being able to progress for other factors such as lacking sleep or just overall general fatigue from your day.