What would you do..Gym/trainer/lifting

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Replies

  • JCLondonUK
    JCLondonUK Posts: 159
    When I started with my trainer a few months ago, I specifically said I wanted to do compound lifting with free weights, and he was (still is) really keen. But we started with TRX bodyweight exercises, squats and lunges, and a baby kettlebell, because I was an absolute beginner. Even then I was so sore I could barely move the first week!

    Now I have developed some strength, we are using the bar and weights, and doing compound lifts, and it's great. But I see why he started me off as he did - I simply wasn't strong enough at the beginning to even lift the bar, let alone learn to use it with good form. (I'm still not really good enough to do squats, although I can do everything else now.)

    I have improved rapidly, and we are both really enjoying the sessions. I'd suggest you stick with the trainer for a while, and build up the basics. It's really important to get the fundamentals right, and develop enough strength to use the free weights properly.
  • wendyg311
    wendyg311 Posts: 239 Member
    So many helpful, constructive responses. Thank you.......MFP'ers are so helpful :flowerforyou:
  • 212019156
    212019156 Posts: 341 Member
    Its more than that. What I am referring to is not physically being able to do a movement. For example a lot of people don't have initial mobility to squat properly. If I train someone and they can't get into an Asian squat position (squat all the way down with feet flat on ground and torso upright), I don't even bother having them squat with a bar on their back.

    Jeff
    I agree with Lofteren. You should really have some baseline flexibility/mobility before beginning training with weights. A lot of people can't put themselves into the proper body positions in the beginning due to these factors.

    But isn't that what the trainer is for? To show people the correct way to lift, form, etc? Baseline flexibility/mobility doesn't teach you how to lift. Doing a push up isn't going to show me the correct form for a bicep curl.
  • No_Finish_Line
    No_Finish_Line Posts: 3,661 Member
    What does your workout look like? Are you struggling to do it?

    He is having you do push ups... are you doing them on your toes, on your knees, or on an incline (as in hands higher than your feet)? Are you doing 3 sets of 10 reps, or struggling to do 3 reps the first set?

    Doing a pushup while on your toes means you are lifting about 65% of your body weight.
    On your knees that is about 49%.
    If your feet are 2' lower than your hands it is about 35%, 4' is 10%.
    And if your feet are 2' higher than your hands it is about 72%, while 4' is 87%.
    http://www.allthingsgym.com/push-up-weight-distribution-percentages/

    well if thats true then bench pressing the bar is less wieght then push ups on her knees (assuming she wieghts more then 100 lbs) so in that respect it would be 'safer'. plus she's actually learing how do do the lift

    Push ups and bench presses are not interchangable movements. They are different lifts that facilitate different physical adaptations.

    thats why i'm saying if you want to learn a lift, then do that lift, with a reasonable amount of wieght, such as the bar, or a broom stick if necessary

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