Who is doing strength training in our group?

nannabannana

I just started 4 weeks ago. I can already see some differences in my quads, glutes, hamstrings, biceps, and am just now feeling abdominal muscles through my touch.
I am not in a hurry.no thats a lie..I really want it now...but I know in time my bat wings will catch up. I love doing anything for my biceps and abdomen.
Share what you are doing.

Di

issyfit

I have been doing resistance training since high school in the 1960's but sometimes get a little lax about it. I have a list that I try to get through about twice a week doing one or two exercises at a time spread throughout the day. For me it is easier to get it done that way than all at once. There's little cardio benefit my way but at least I do it.

We have a bench and free weights, and I also use an elastic band for some leg exercises. (I can't reach to put on ankle weights due to bad hips and knees.) What surprises me is that I am using the same weights that I did 40 years ago except for quads and hamstrings (heavier ones are too hard on my knees).

I no longer lift over my head because it is too hard on older shoulders.

For about the last year I have slowed way down on most exercises after learning that you maximize the benefit by going very slowly. For most exercises I do 2 sets of 12 reps.

Is that what you were looking for Di?

californiagirl1950

I have been doing resistance training since high school in the 1960's but sometimes get a little lax about it. I have a list that I try to get through about twice a week doing one or two exercises at a time spread throughout the day. For me it is easier to get it done that way than all at once. There's little cardio benefit my way but at least I do it.

We have a bench and free weights, and I also use an elastic band for some leg exercises. (I can't reach to put on ankle weights due to bad hips and knees.) What surprises me is that I am using the same weights that I did 40 years ago except for quads and hamstrings (heavier ones are too hard on my knees).

I no longer lift over my head because it is too hard on older shoulders.



Wow, issyfit. That is awesome that you have done these all through the years. You were one smart cookie to continue with them. I sometimes think to myself, why the heck didn't I do this back in my 40's. I exercised every day in high school and for some years beyond, then just got lazy. I am so proud of you for continuing on. Hat's off to you!
For about the last year I have slowed way down on most exercises after learning that you maximize the benefit by going very slowly. For most exercises I do 2 sets of 12 reps.

Is that what you were looking for Di?

issyfit

Wow, issyfit. That is awesome that you have done these all through the years. You were one smart cookie to continue with them. I sometimes think to myself, why the heck didn't I do this back in my 40's. I exercised every day in high school and for some years beyond, then just got lazy. I am so proud of you for continuing on. Hat's off to you!

Thanks Cali. I played competitive tennis from age 10 until my knee surgery at age 52, including on a national level for several years, so used to be in pretty good shape. I also have a masters in Physical Education and taught PE and had my own tennis program, so exercise has always been very important to me. It's been very frustrating not to be able to do much these last 15 years.

californiagirl1950

Wow, issyfit. That is awesome that you have done these all through the years. You were one smart cookie to continue with them. I sometimes think to myself, why the heck didn't I do this back in my 40's. I exercised every day in high school and for some years beyond, then just got lazy. I am so proud of you for continuing on. Hat's off to you!

Thanks Cali. I played competitive tennis from age 10 until my knee surgery at age 52, including on a national level for several years, so used to be in pretty good shape. I also have a masters in Physical Education and taught PE and had my own tennis program, so exercise has always been very important to me. It's been very frustrating not to be able to do much these last 15 years.

Oh issy, I bet it has been very frustrating to you. I am so sorry for that. And oh my gosh, I was unaware that we had a celebrity amongst us. That is very impressive. I have a feeling you were a great P.E teacher too. But, at least you do something every day and golf once a week. I have tried to tell my sister she needs to keep moving no matter what, but she doesn't listen. Keep up the good job. Could you possibly teach tennis some how? Without having to play it? You could volunteer maybe at a teen center? Just a thought. A shame for your talent not to be used.

issyfit

Oh issy, I bet it has been very frustrating to you. I am so sorry for that. And oh my gosh, I was unaware that we had a celebrity amongst us. That is very impressive. I have a feeling you were a great P.E teacher too. But, at least you do something every day and golf once a week. I have tried to tell my sister she needs to keep moving no matter what, but she doesn't listen. Keep up the good job. Could you possibly teach tennis some how? Without having to play it? You could volunteer maybe at a teen center? Just a thought. A shame for your talent not to be used.

Thanks for the compliments. There's no way I could teach now, wouldn't be able to stand long enough or lean over to pick up balls. But I am enjoying my new career designing websites, just wish it weren't so sedentary.

nannabannana

Liz you are just phenomenal at everything you do!
Cali you rock at what you do:)


Just curious how many lbs are being lifted in a Seniors group!. Not to compare with anyone , just see if anyone has tips in doing heavier weights. How long it takes to move up more lbs.
My trainer is keeping me at 5 weeks starter intro....but then she told me fri. to go ahead to 45 lbs on any machine that I felt like I could, and to let her know by writing it down on my chart.
She started me out at 20 lbs on most all of the machines.
Then after 2nd week upped it to 30 lbs.
Now I am at 45 lbs on most of them, except the Rear Deltoids. That one is still at 30. I just can't seem to go higher on it.
So I am just rolling along with that for another week to see what happens.
I am definitely not in a hurry . I DO NOT want to injure my replacement knee.
Weights seem to make me feel on top of the world!
You both are doing so good. Keep up the good work and Liz when I need a recipe, tech problem, or complaint I will come to you...lol

issyfit

Liz you are just phenomenal at everything you do!
Cali you rock at what you do:)


Just curious how many lbs are being lifted in a Seniors group!. Not to compare with anyone , just see if anyone has tips in doing heavier weights. How long it takes to move up more lbs.
My trainer is keeping me at 5 weeks starter intro....but then she told me fri. to go ahead to 45 lbs on any machine that I felt like I could, and to let her know by writing it down on my chart.
She started me out at 20 lbs on most all of the machines.
Then after 2nd week upped it to 30 lbs.
Now I am at 45 lbs on most of them, except the Rear Deltoids. That one is still at 30. I just can't seem to go higher on it.
So I am just rolling along with that for another week to see what happens.
I am definitely not in a hurry . I DO NOT want to injure my replacement knee.
Weights seem to make me feel on top of the world!
You both are doing so good. Keep up the good work and Liz when I need a recipe, tech problem, or complaint I will come to you...lol

Thanks Di! You always amaze me with all of you activities. You are doing awesome with the weights.

I think free weights are calibrated differently than the machines. The machines have levers and fulcrums to help you so you can't really compare the two. Here's what I use for free weights: various shoulder and tricep exercises-12 lbs in each hand; biceps 15 lbs each hand, Quads: 35; hamstrings: 18. I use a barbell for chest presses and that is 30 lbs. Hope that helps.

nannabannana

Liz you are just phenomenal at everything you do!
Cali you rock at what you do:)


Just curious how many lbs are being lifted in a Seniors group!. Not to compare with anyone , just see if anyone has tips in doing heavier weights. How long it takes to move up more lbs.
My trainer is keeping me at 5 weeks starter intro....but then she told me fri. to go ahead to 45 lbs on any machine that I felt like I could, and to let her know by writing it down on my chart.
She started me out at 20 lbs on most all of the machines.
Then after 2nd week upped it to 30 lbs.
Now I am at 45 lbs on most of them, except the Rear Deltoids. That one is still at 30. I just can't seem to go higher on it.
So I am just rolling along with that for another week to see what happens.
I am definitely not in a hurry . I DO NOT want to injure my replacement knee.
Weights seem to make me feel on top of the world!
You both are doing so good. Keep up the good work and Liz when I need a recipe, tech problem, or complaint I will come to you...lol

Thanks Di! You always amaze me with all of you activities. You are doing awesome with the weights.

I think free weights are calibrated differently than the machines. The machines have levers and fulcrums to help you so you can't really compare the two. Here's what I use for free weights: various shoulder and tricep exercises-12 lbs in each hand; biceps 15 lbs each hand, Quads: 35; hamstrings: 18. I use a barbell for chest presses and that is 30 lbs. Hope that helps.

Thanks Liz! That is exactly what was on my mind. You are lifting a LOT of weight. I told my trainer this Fri am...that the free weights seemed much heavier than the machines to me...WOW...guess I am definitely a BEGINNER...HEHE...you are doing great with that. Doing boot camp (she called it) was definitely felt by me with the lesser weights..Thank you for explaining this . I am a dummy when it comes to strength language... am soooo new to this. One good thing she noticed was that me and another lady named Margaget had so called better veins in our arms due to the sports we participated in when young. I gggled and told her ARE YOU KIDDING ? That was so long ago...Her response was thats a fact. hehe me hehe

issyfit

Di--here's a thread you might be interested in on free weights vs. machines.: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/742444-weight-machines-or-free-weights