Lifting above body weight?!?

kapoorpk
kapoorpk Posts: 244 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Is it correct to think that lifting too much more than one's body weight can place undue stress and be potentially damaging for one's skeletal system, specifically the joints etc. So, I weigh 156 pounds, should I not try to do any lifting may be more than 20-30% above my body weight without risking my bone structure? TRUE or a myth? I can see the logic for not lifting too far above the body weight, but also know that one can build strength that has nothing to do body weight.

Any perspective from those that have been lifted for a while?

Replies

  • phjorg1
    phjorg1 Posts: 642 Member
    Depends. Sheer force on joints has more to do with lever mechanics then total weight. 50 lbs stresses muscles far more doing front raises than 200lbs will doing a back squat.

    But to answer you, doing the main compound lifts near your body weight is fine. Hell, doing twice your bodyweight on deadlift is considered a good starting goal.
  • Hauntinglyfit
    Hauntinglyfit Posts: 5,537 Member
    I lift above my body weight. I'm fine. There are people on here who lift double or more their body weight.

    I think that if you gradually increase your weight, only doing so when you are strong enough, your muscles should be able to take most of the stress off of your skeletal structure and to offer your joints enough support.


    I am sure people with more knowledge on this will chime in.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    Pro-lifter Amanda Harris has acute scoliosis since she was 8 years old and at age 15, had a 255lb squat and deadlift. She does a 420lb+ squat now, I believe and a 220lb+ Bench and she also managed a 365lb deadlift.
  • Ophidion
    Ophidion Posts: 2,065 Member
    If done correctly with good form I think it is a good thing, a lot of people on my FL go far above their body weight in their lifts.

    Just be sensible OP.
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    There's no arbitrary limit like 1x bodyweight (which, btw, isn't even that much, more of a beginner's goal). Especially when you're light like you. I bet inside of a year you could be deadlifting 2x your bodyweight or more, for example.

    The upper limits of your body basically become some sort of combination between technique, genetics, diet, training adherence, dedication, hormone levels, gear (wraps, belts, etc)...everything.
  • Squirrel1601
    Squirrel1601 Posts: 39
    Lifting heavy can increase bone density as the body adapts to the training stimulus
  • Warchortle
    Warchortle Posts: 2,197 Member
    It has to do with proportions and muscle balance. If you develop your body evenly then mechanically it's fine.
  • kapoorpk
    kapoorpk Posts: 244 Member
    All sounds logical too. Bone density and muscle strength should increase lifting capability without hurting bone structure etc,
  • Jacwhite22
    Jacwhite22 Posts: 7,010 Member
    Better not to risk it. I'd stick with the pink weights.
  • IronCakes
    IronCakes Posts: 317 Member
    stay on the safe side...
    47603-kristen-wiig-shake-weight-gif-XkcU.gif
  • redheaddee
    redheaddee Posts: 2,005 Member
    MYTH Just remember form is King.
  • TX_RattleSnake
    TX_RattleSnake Posts: 94
    Just remember form is King.
    lol
  • kapoorpk
    kapoorpk Posts: 244 Member
    Thanks all...I currently lift a lot higher for some of the muscle groups than my body weight, but since I read the risk of overloading one's skeleton system, in of these posts, i decided to follow it up to find out more.

    Well understood.

    Thanks

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