Am i doing enough at the gym?

DannehBoyy

Does anyone ever get the feeling that they aren't doing as much as they should be when going to the gym? I have been recently...and it's really getting to me. I do as many as i can during sets, until i physically can't do another rep. But don't really get that tired after leaving the gym. I want to leave the gym feeling "destroyed" haha.

skinnyinnotime

Well if you can't manage any more reps then you are doing enough!

Hey, we can't feel destroyed with each workout lol : )

kellenas

I have the same problem. I don't sweat a whole lot, but my legs and arms are pretty shakey after my workouts. I do feel like I should be doing more, though.

Capt_Apollo

i was reading jim wendlers training manual today for the umpteenth time. he rarely leaves it all out on the table. his goal is to have a really great main lift, and good assistance work.

if it's good enough for him, it's good enough for me.

Warchortle

You might have adapted to your training program. You should either add in new exercises or change your split, reps, and perhaps weights.

mcouey84

OP--> How long have you been doing your current routine? What does it look like?

stumblinthrulife

I don't understand wanting to leave the gym 'destroyed'. I want to get a workout sufficient to meet my goals, while leaving me able to live my life.

DannehBoyy

OP--> How long have you been doing your current routine? What does it look like?

I have been going to my current gym for about a year now. I don't have a strict routine but i guess i could change it up a bit. I always make sure i'm not doing the same thing every time i go though

ninerbuff

Brah, you gotta add in Zumba.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

mamacoates

Does anyone ever get the feeling that they aren't doing as much as they should be when going to the gym? I have been recently...and it's really getting to me. I do as many as i can during sets, until i physically can't do another rep. But don't really get that tired after leaving the gym. I want to leave the gym feeling "destroyed" haha.

Sounds like you need to A) change up your routine, and redefine your definition of a successful workout session. Exercise should leave you feeling energized and rejuvenated - not "destroyed".

DannehBoyy

Brah, you gotta add in Zumba.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I'd love to try a fitness class, they cost a lot round by me though dude!!

DannehBoyy

I don't understand wanting to leave the gym 'destroyed'. I want to get a workout sufficient to meet my goals, while leaving me able to live my life.

I respect that dude, but my experiences have shown me that the harder i work the better the results, maybe the word destroyed was a bit over the top though lol :P

DannehBoyy

Does anyone ever get the feeling that they aren't doing as much as they should be when going to the gym? I have been recently...and it's really getting to me. I do as many as i can during sets, until i physically can't do another rep. But don't really get that tired after leaving the gym. I want to leave the gym feeling "destroyed" haha.

Sounds like you need to A) change up your routine, and redefine your definition of a successful workout session. Exercise should leave you feeling energized and rejuvenated - not "destroyed".

Thanks for the advice i will deffinatly try some new exercises.

jessee315

I feel the same way..I wanted to start cutting up and getting shred instead of bulk so i started doing more sets and reps like 5 sets 12-15 reps for couple weeks and then I recently swtiched back to 3 sets of 10 reps and now i feel like I am cutting a bunch out and not pushing as hard yet I am going heavyier. I went back to doing 3 sets of 10 cause everyone kept telling me diet is the key.

catfive1

Are you progressively upping your weights.

Warchortle

If you don't have a specific program you're probably not giving yourself consistent overload or time under tension. Are you doing compound lifts at the gym? I added pendlay rows and now my back is getting all KIIINDS of doms.

meshashesha2012

as far as weight go, i agree with progressively increasing the weights as long as you can keep good form. this is also why using free weighs are easier than machines since it can sometimes be difficult to increase 10 pounds on a machine and keep good form, but with a free weight you can increase by 2.5 pounds.

i like wearing an HRM because it keeps me honest about my workouts. i try to have at least 3 workouts a week where i KILL it and with those I make sure my heart rate is continually at 150s or above. the other 2 workouts can be average in the 120's

DannehBoyy

If you don't have a specific program you're probably not giving yourself consistent overload or time under tension. Are you doing compound lifts at the gym? I added pendlay rows and now my back is getting all KIIINDS of doms.

Yeah i do a lot of compound exercises, they recently got a pull up bar so that should help a lot. i do a lot of dumbbell rows and push ups too

DannehBoyy

Are you progressively upping your weights.

Yeah i am. I do mainly body weight exercises though, but if i feel i can go heavier...i will up the weight

DannehBoyy

I feel the same way..I wanted to start cutting up and getting shred instead of bulk so i started doing more sets and reps like 5 sets 12-15 reps for couple weeks and then I recently swtiched back to 3 sets of 10 reps and now i feel like I am cutting a bunch out and not pushing as hard yet I am going heavyier. I went back to doing 3 sets of 10 cause everyone kept telling me diet is the key.

That's what i am currently trying to do dude. I just wanna lower my body fat % and get shredded. I've heard the best way to do so is to lift as heavy as possible and stick to around 5 reps and 5 sets. Correct me if I'm wrong but this is what I've been going doing, and it doesn't seem to leave my muscles feeling drained as much as when i did more reps with less weight.

longtimeterp

to actually build muscle you need to add more reps, as a previous poster said time under tension is key. try lengthening the time you spend on the eccentric portions of the lift, like a 1 up 4 down count.

DannehBoyy

to actually build muscle you need to add more reps, as a previous poster said time under tension is key. try lengthening the time you spend on the eccentric portions of the lift, like a 1 up 4 down count.

ahh ok, i understand that. Thanks dude

mcouey84

DannehBoyy - try reversing your workout. It's the simplest thing you can do since you already have an established routine (I know you said not strict, but you have an idea of what you're gonna do each time you go to the gym). This way, you have more energy for the exercises you might typically leave til last! If you can get more reps/weight out of those, you might find a renewed interest!
Another option would be to ditch your first exercise and replace it with something new. Most folks (myself included) will start their workouts with something they're comfortable with - scrap it for an exercise you've never tried before! I used to pick up ideas from Men's Muscle & Fitness...any issue, you can find something in there that's featured with a detailed how-to and whatnot. I found that breaking out of my comfort zone helped me to have a more open mind in the gym.

Hope it helps!

mamacoates

Are you progressively upping your weights.

Yeah i am. I do mainly body weight exercises though, but if i feel i can go heavier...i will up the weight

So are you doing body weight exercises or lifting heavy?? If you are only doing body weight, sounds like you have outgrown your routine which is why you are looking for something more intense ... There are a lot of people on this site who can give you great advise on putting together a kick-your-arsh weight program that will get results without feeling "destroyed" every day. Also try doing some research of your own on the Bodybuilding.com website.

mamacoates

I feel the same way..I wanted to start cutting up and getting shred instead of bulk so i started doing more sets and reps like 5 sets 12-15 reps for couple weeks and then I recently swtiched back to 3 sets of 10 reps and now i feel like I am cutting a bunch out and not pushing as hard yet I am going heavyier. I went back to doing 3 sets of 10 cause everyone kept telling me diet is the key.

That's what i am currently trying to do dude. I just wanna lower my body fat % and get shredded. I've heard the best way to do so is to lift as heavy as possible and stick to around 5 reps and 5 sets. Correct me if I'm wrong but this is what I've been going doing, and it doesn't seem to leave my muscles feeling drained as much as when i did more reps with less weight.

Your post is getting very confusing. You state elsewhere that you are progressively upping your weights, but that you mainly do body weight exercises, but if you feel you can go heavier...you will up the weight. Your original post says you are doing reps until you can't do anymore. Now above you are saying you are doing 5 sets of 5 reps ... Sounds like you need to figure out what you are doing first ... then sit down with someone who knows what THEY are doing and write up a plan to consistently push yourself with heavier weight and a more effective combination of exercises. Did I suggest doing some of your own research on Bodybuilding.com?

Swehl

Have you tried throwing in 30-60mins of cardio on days that you don't feel "destroyed?"

MyChocolateDiet

Brah, you gotta add in Zumba.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

^this