August is for lifters - Check in and Chat Thread
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Squats 120lbs - could have hit 125lbs
Bench 85lbs and 5,4,3,3,1 - I was pretty sure I wouldn't get this one
Row 55lbs
I love this program.0 -
Squats - 90lbs
OHP - 0 (stupid shoulder)
DL - 115 lbs0 -
Ok so I lifted today. I went back to just the bar on the squats because I did so poorly last time I did them. I know my form must be off because I have some actual pain in my groin. I don't know what I'm doing wrong but it is seriously begining to irritate me. I need to find someone who can watch me and tell me what I need to change.
I'm only guessing because I did this the other day on my squats: your toes may be turned out too far. I had a twinge in my groin on Tuesday when doing squats. I turned my toes in and took a slightly narrower stance and that seemed to help. Definitely ask someone that knows what they're doing to check your form, though.0 -
Todays workout was:
Squats: 70 pounds (5x5)
Bench press: 85 pounds (5, 5, 5, 2, 4) After I did my first 3 sets successfully I was very surprised that I failed my last two, lol. Roll of shame, anyone?
Barbell Rows: 85 pounds (5x5)
Whew that kicked my butt.0 -
Ok so I lifted today. I went back to just the bar on the squats because I did so poorly last time I did them. I know my form must be off because I have some actual pain in my groin. I don't know what I'm doing wrong but it is seriously begining to irritate me. I need to find someone who can watch me and tell me what I need to change.
I'm only guessing because I did this the other day on my squats: your toes may be turned out too far. I had a twinge in my groin on Tuesday when doing squats. I turned my toes in and took a slightly narrower stance and that seemed to help. Definitely ask someone that knows what they're doing to check your form, though.
One thing I've noticed with squats is that everyone's body is just DIFFERENT enough that the width of feet, amount toes are pointed in, etc just varies by person. Tweak things til it feels good.
That said, my husband had that a lot and he mostly just had tight hip flexors and had to stretch them a lot. They don't hurt him now.
Form check is a good idea too0 -
Ok so I lifted today. I went back to just the bar on the squats because I did so poorly last time I did them. I know my form must be off because I have some actual pain in my groin. I don't know what I'm doing wrong but it is seriously begining to irritate me. I need to find someone who can watch me and tell me what I need to change.
I'm only guessing because I did this the other day on my squats: your toes may be turned out too far. I had a twinge in my groin on Tuesday when doing squats. I turned my toes in and took a slightly narrower stance and that seemed to help. Definitely ask someone that knows what they're doing to check your form, though.
One thing I've noticed with squats is that everyone's body is just DIFFERENT enough that the width of feet, amount toes are pointed in, etc just varies by person. Tweak things til it feels good.
That said, my husband had that a lot and he mostly just had tight hip flexors and had to stretch them a lot. They don't hurt him now.
Form check is a good idea too
Thank you. I will try adjusting my feet width and watch my turn out, as soon as I am able to get back in the gym. I am so annoyed right now, I broke my toe yesterday. I was walking to the kitchen and ran my foot into my husband's boot and I knew immediately that I broke the toe.My toe is so painful and I can't get a shoe on. I will be back in the gym as soon as the swelling goes down and I can get this foot in a shoe. Great job everyone, keep it up!0 -
Squat 175 (5 5 5 5 4)
OHP 135 (5 5 5 4 3)
DL 185
Apparently I went swimming after last nights workout, now my MCL is acting up again and I have trouble walking, my whole knee is in pain. I should know better!! Ohwell no lifting for me at the moment. :frown:0 -
Ive impinged my rotator cuff so got to take (at least) a week off aaaaaaaagh!! Am devastated
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@amy: sorry!!
i have not lifted in a week, and I leave today for vacation, so no lifting for at least another 10 days, which means when I get back I will seriously need to deload. Thats ok. I will focus really on form and I also should be able to start lifting 3 days per week again!!!
Keep up the good work ladies!!0 -
Hey ladies,
Reading all of your stats is awesome! I have completed only three sessions of SL so far, but I was lifting doing a split routine for about a month or so before starting SL. I have been able to complete the full 5x5 with all of these current weights:
Squat - 105
BP - 55
Barbell Row - 65
Deadlift - 155
However, after doing some more learning, I realized that I haven't been going to parallel on my squats, so I may have to deload tomorrow and make sure that I get to parallel on those babies!
Also, I'm going to 165 on my deadlifts tomorrow, which super excites me. However, I am noticing that my hands HURT after doing my warm-up sets, and in order to keep my grip on the DLs, I have to use an alternate grip. So sad
Should I get some gloves, or just practice holding my warm-up weight at the top of the lift to strengthen my hands? I have heard people recommend both sides, so I am interesting in getting some more input.
Oh and I could use some more friends that lift, anyone interested? :flowerforyou: Bonus points for anyone who isn't afraid to give me grief for a bad diary bad. :happy:0 -
So I will not be in town this weekend for lifting. I lifted last night (Thu) and won't lift again until Tue. Nearly a week. My husband says he's going to keep all his weight amounts the same for the next two workouts (cycling through A &
. I failed bench and OHP this week so staying the same is a given, but I don't want to stay the same on squats. I want to keep going.
But should I stay the same? Maybe at least for Tuesday? I was at 110 lbs last night. What do you ladies think?
See...here's video! *shameless plug*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWJLQ9hR2M8 0 -
I use gloves. I don't know if that's considered the "sissy" way out though, I've noticed I'm the only one who uses them in the gym. If I don't wear them I get really bad callouses and my rings pinch my ring finger.0
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Squat: 125lbs
OHP: 45lbs
DL: 155lbs
I still haven't jumped the mental hurdle of the 45lb plates yet. I stack 4 25s. Oh the mental games we play.
I'm getting into the thick of marathon training right now so I'm looking at maintaining weights as opposed to increasing soon.0 -
Hey ladies,
Reading all of your stats is awesome! I have completed only three sessions of SL so far, but I was lifting doing a split routine for about a month or so before starting SL. I have been able to complete the full 5x5 with all of these current weights:
Squat - 105
BP - 55
Barbell Row - 65
Deadlift - 155
However, after doing some more learning, I realized that I haven't been going to parallel on my squats, so I may have to deload tomorrow and make sure that I get to parallel on those babies!
Also, I'm going to 165 on my deadlifts tomorrow, which super excites me. However, I am noticing that my hands HURT after doing my warm-up sets, and in order to keep my grip on the DLs, I have to use an alternate grip. So sad Should I get some gloves, or just practice holding my warm-up weight at the top of the lift to strengthen my hands? I have heard people recommend both sides, so I am interesting in getting some more input.
Oh and I could use some more friends that lift, anyone interested? :flowerforyou: Bonus points for anyone who isn't afraid to give me grief for a bad diary bad. :happy:
There's nothing wrong with doing a mixed grip. If that is what helps you get the weight up then use it. Everyone is different. Some people swear by mixed. Some use gloves, some will use straps or grips. I say as long as your form isn't being jeopardized then you are fine. Keep doing whatever you are doing.
Added you as well!
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I would stay with whatever my last workout was, unless you KNOW you can go up. I was off for 2 weeks and used numbers from the last workout I had done for that day (which was A I believe). Just to make sure that I didn't overdue it.So I will not be in town this weekend for lifting. I lifted last night (Thu) and won't lift again until Tue. Nearly a week. My husband says he's going to keep all his weight amounts the same for the next two workouts (cycling through A &. I failed bench and OHP this week so staying the same is a given, but I don't want to stay the same on squats. I want to keep going.
But should I stay the same? Maybe at least for Tuesday? I was at 110 lbs last night. What do you ladies think?
See...here's video! *shameless plug*http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWJLQ9hR2M8 Then just move on from there. 0 -
I would stay with whatever my last workout was, unless you KNOW you can go up. I was off for 2 weeks and used numbers from the last workout I had done for that day (which was A I believe). Just to make sure that I didn't overdue it.So I will not be in town this weekend for lifting. I lifted last night (Thu) and won't lift again until Tue. Nearly a week. My husband says he's going to keep all his weight amounts the same for the next two workouts (cycling through A &. I failed bench and OHP this week so staying the same is a given, but I don't want to stay the same on squats. I want to keep going.
But should I stay the same? Maybe at least for Tuesday? I was at 110 lbs last night. What do you ladies think?
See...here's video! *shameless plug*http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWJLQ9hR2M8 Then just move on from there.
You shouldn't lose strength in a week, in fact, a week off now and then gives your muscles a chance to recover fully. You may be able to lift more. I'm going to test this out on Monday. I took a deliberate week and a half off because I'm sick of feeling soreness in my quads every time I stand up at work.0 -
I'm completely stoked to find this group. I found out about Stronglifts 5x5 about a week ago and I'm excited to find other women who lift since no one I know personally is even remotely interested in anything other than lifting with barbie weights and machines. Today was my second time lifting, squats 50lbs, overhead press 35lbs, and dead lifts 45lbs. After the first lifting session my legs were so sore!0
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I finally managed to hit 80lbs on my bench press. I've been struggling with it the last few weeks. I ended up having to build up to it, one rep at a time. I got 5 reps yesterday. I was stoked. 0
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I finally managed to hit 80lbs on my bench press. I've been struggling with it the last few weeks. I ended up having to build up to it, one rep at a time. I got 5 reps yesterday. I was stoked.
Yay! I know I've been really creeping up sometimes just 1/2 lb. at a time. But progress is progress. It kills me when I see women putting up bench numbers well over 100 lbs. I can't believe I'll ever be that strong.0 -
So far so good.....
Squat- 95
OHP- 65
Bench- 70
Deadlift- 145
Row- 85
I'm still upping at 5 LBS per session so I am sure I will need to drop down to 1LB increments sooner or later. I have only been lifting twice per week on back to back days lately due to baby swim lessons in the evenings....I'll be back on track this week with 3 days of lifting all split apart hoping to see better results.0 -
Squats: 130lbs (can we say moving up to 45s on Friday?)
Bench: 80lbs
Rows: 55lbs
Rocked the squats.
Struggled through bench, but made it.
And I finally figure out rows. I finally identified the muscle group that's working across my back. It clicked on the 3rd set and I almost dropped the bar in joy. I'm going to give it one more session at 55lbs to really identify what the motion and then start increasing weights.0 -
God I am missing lifting! Shoulder seems to be coming along nicely though so rest is worth it 0
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Boo. Faced facts and de-loaded my squats today. Back down to 95. All part of the process, though, right?
I'm also going to have to annoy my husband and not let him spot me anymore. He's big on finishing your planned sets, using just as much help from a spotter as you need. He can really only spot me on the presses, and i think with the bench press it's okay, I know when he's lightening the load a bit, and keep that weight for the next workout. But there's so much of the balancing and fine muscle control that i could tell i was missing out on when he assisted with my overhead presses today.0 -
Boo. Faced facts and de-loaded my squats today. Back down to 95. All part of the process, though, right?
I'm also going to have to annoy my husband and not let him spot me anymore. He's big on finishing your planned sets, using just as much help from a spotter as you need. He can really only spot me on the presses, and i think with the bench press it's okay, I know when he's lightening the load a bit, and keep that weight for the next workout. But there's so much of the balancing and fine muscle control that i could tell i was missing out on when he assisted with my overhead presses today.
Can't you tell your husband he is not allowed to touch the bar until the moment the bar stops making upward progress? You should not even be aware of his presence until that moment. I'm so hesitant to ask someone to spot me because the guys always think the need to be cradling the bar. I've not used a spotter thus far because I want all my sets to count.0 -
Kazzari - oh, i will. I just haven't made that call before this point. Today was the first day with a new weight on the overhead presses, which i struggle with, so it was just very apparent how much he was helping.
With the bench presses, i can see that he just has his fingers under the bar as a fail safe.0 -
Wish me luck tonight! I was out of town this past weekend (missed lifting on Saturday) and then caught a cold, so I was too sick to lift on Tuesday. It's been a week.
I was at 110 lbs on squats. I think there's no harm in staying at 110 again. I failed OHP at 65 (barely...I was SO close!) so I'll stay at 65 again. And DL at 130 were no problem last time, but I'm thinking also no harm in staying there one more time, given I haven't lifted in a week and was a bit sick earlier this week.
But I cannot WAIT to get my *kitten* back in the gym!0 -
Good luck Qarol!
New PR 2days ago, did 190x3. Close enough.
Havent upped my weights on squats though, my knee still feels a bit weird at times. And I wore my friends squat suit today for fun (she's a powerlifter), yea you won't catch me dead wearing something like that ever. :laugh: 0 -
Boo. Faced facts and de-loaded my squats today. Back down to 95. All part of the process, though, right?
I'm also going to have to annoy my husband and not let him spot me anymore. He's big on finishing your planned sets, using just as much help from a spotter as you need. He can really only spot me on the presses, and i think with the bench press it's okay, I know when he's lightening the load a bit, and keep that weight for the next workout. But there's so much of the balancing and fine muscle control that i could tell i was missing out on when he assisted with my overhead presses today.
Can't you tell your husband he is not allowed to touch the bar until the moment the bar stops making upward progress? You should not even be aware of his presence until that moment. I'm so hesitant to ask someone to spot me because the guys always think the need to be cradling the bar. I've not used a spotter thus far because I want all my sets to count.
I tell mine not to touch it until I tell him - the bar isn't so heavy that its going to CRUSH me or that I'm going to lose control of it (when you see accidents like that its because people are loading the weight up over the edge of their 1rm, going for a personal record, whereas with the weight you are doing 5x5 with you might be getting tired and failing but you're not just going to lose control of the bar). Sometimes Ican tell that failure is likely os I'll tell him to watch but he knows not to touch it until I say help.
And you shouldn't need a spotter for OHP at all - if you need to drop the bar just drop it away from you and move your body out of the way. Generally your arms will just fall into the racked position and then you can shuffle over and re-rack it or drop it on the floor.
But yeah I mean - you're not going ot hurt yourself if he doesnt' spot you - a spotter just means you don't have to roll of shame (or dump the weights - which is dangerous or impossible in a small space) when you fail on the bench. His hands shouldn't be anywhere near the bar until you are actually stuck.0 -
Had my first failure yesterday, on 55lb OHP. I got 5-5-4, rested the full 5 minutes then got 5-3. I know I should probably rest more between sets but I get a little bored pacing back and forth. Hoping for all 5's next week.0
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Failed again on my bench at 80lbs. I almost made it but was a little too scared to try the last rep.0
