sooo today didn't go well

kburns0709

some of the exercises call for using the weight bar, but what if my arms are still too weak to even lift it? i almost got really hurt today because i can barely pick it up, let alone do squats
is there a modification or do i just have to build up strength for a while before i can even do this program?
my arms have always been my weakest part

Yanicka1

Are you starting session 1?

kburns0709

yeah i looked up the first one online, i haven't gotten the book yet so maybe its straight up the wrong thing, but the one i saw started with barbell squats so i was like ill just use the bar with nothing on it but even thats too heavy for me

GertiLee

I've been doing goblet squats with a dumbbell instead of using the bar. I'm still working on getting my squat deep enough, once I can do it with a 40# dumbbell I'll switch over to the bar.

kburns0709

^^^ thats great advice

ruststar

I used dumbells until I could do the squats with 40 pounds (20 pounds in each hand), and then stepped up to the bar.

Janda06

Sometimes the gym has 20,30,40lb weighted bars or weighted body bars you could start with.

Libby81

Does your gym have a squat rack? that way you only need to lift the weight to load the bar. Mine doesn't so I'm clean and pressing the weight from the floor up on to my shoulders.

Will probably have to switch to dumbells once I get my weight a bit higher. I'm only on 30kgs at the minute

idauria

Use dumbbells. That's what I did until I was strong enough to use the 45 pound barbell.

tolygal

If you can't use the 45# olympic barbell, try using a smaller one. Many gyms will have a smaller bar so that you get the same "feel" to the excercise but at a lower weight - you can also add plates to those to make it heavier until you can use the olympic bar. My gym has some 15# bars - check with someone if you need to for other options. Otherwise, I think you could use dumbells until you are able to handle the heavier bar. Good luck!!