October check-in and chat thread
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Those of you thst are buying the 1.25 pâtés, do you workout at home? Or do you just bring them to the gym?
I got a set of 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and 1 lb plates from Amazon and I bring them to the gym with me. Had to start using them when I deloaded for rows. :grumble:
Yep. I keep my set in my gym bag.
Ah, yes I heard about 1.25 plates. =o That's a really good idea, and since they're not that heavy, it'll be pretty easy to throw them in the gym bag to take to the gym. I was thinking about it though, you should probably personalize it somehow, so the gym doesn't try to accuse you of stealing. But I guess that would be silly since they don't have that size in the first place, lol, but just in case?
Put my initials on them with a sharpie.0 -
I am defo doing some things heavier than the men, other than bench press, which is getting close to what some lift....I had to laugh out loud and even stand and point out the "quarter squat" guy (using the smith machine as well) the other day in the gym to a trainer in there...damn...he had nearly 90 kg on there, but was NOT squatting, he had the safety catch things up by his freakin' armpits...what a wally!
*kitten* to the grass dude...*kitten* to the grass and crack that walnut!!! ; )0 -
I am defo doing some things heavier than the men, other than bench press, which is getting close to what some lift....I had to laugh out loud and even stand and point out the "quarter squat" guy (using the smith machine as well) the other day in the gym to a trainer in there...damn...he had nearly 90 kg on there, but was NOT squatting, he had the safety catch things up by his freakin' armpits...what a wally!
*kitten* to the grass dude...*kitten* to the grass and crack that walnut!!! ; )
Lol, Oh my gosh! I can't even imagine. We have one of those in my gym as well, and I just shake my head in pity whenever I see someone on it. You show them who's boss!0 -
Tomorrow is my last workout for week 2! I'm super stoked to see if I can do OHP at 55 lbs for 5x5. Hell, I'm super stoked to just be working out with heavy weights again.. I was supposed to run today but I didn't because my uterus still hurt from getting an IUD yesterday. But I bet if today were a lift day I would have gone anyway. :laugh:
Just goes to show how much more fun lifting is than running.. but alas, I must do it. Thanks, military.0 -
For the third time now, someone complimented my squats in the gym.
A guy was doing rack pulls in the rack, so I started setting up on the bench. By the time I was ready to start, he was done, and I moved over there.
I set up at the power rack and did a bunch of body weight squats before starting my warm ups.
When I completed my second set of warm ups, the guy came back over, took his ear bud out as he approached me, "Excuse me."
Took my bud out. Yeah?
"I just had to tell you that your squat form is fantastic! I compete in powerlifting and it's rare to see someone doing them correctly in here. Really, absolutely perfect! Just had to tell you."
Wow.
Yeah, I really need to not take time off. I like compliments over something I can DO rather than how I happen to look sometimes.0 -
I like using this thread to track my progess and get advice:
Squats 105
OHP 55 dreadful
Deadlift 130
Bench 75
Rows 75
All 5x5 except deadlift
Anyone else's hand hurt with the dead?0 -
I found with 5 x 5 my elbow on my left arm was sore. Think this was from the rows and stuff as they were getting heavy...0
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I was nervous about today's workout because of the 55 lb OHP, but I nailed it! It was challenging, but it wasn't hard. In fact, I think I could have done 60. This excites me greatly! I can't wait to throw the 25 lb plates on my barbell for the squats..
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I started the program yesterday!! I'm not exactly a beginner - I've been using dumbbells and kettlebell workouts all year - but the barbell seemed new and scary for me. I had to make some adjustments. We have a fitness room at work, but the barbell isn't olympic, it weighs only 20 pounds, so I did have to add weight. Strange thing is, I couldn't start with the weight that the olympic bar alone would be. I could only manage the bar with 2-10 pound plates. Oh well, have to start somewhere!
It only took about 15 mins to complete, which seemed way too short, and I did hop on the elliptical after. I don't think you're supposed to do cardio and lifting on the same day?
Another problem I had was the bench press hurt my back. I think it's because I can't reach flat footed on the floor, so I arched a little. The bench isn't adjustable, so I need to find a way to fix that.
Anyway - I'm very excited to be starting, and looking forward to making quick progress. Any tips you'd like to share with a newbie will be appreciated!
Ok...week #3 completed. I ended up putting a step without risers at my feet for the bench press. Much better! I'm doing an underhand grip on the row - easier on my tennis elbow. And I'm making progress! Definitely feels much more like work, and I feel a little jelly-like at the end.
Not progressing as quickly as the program said, I'm taking it slow, concentrating on form and not getting hurt!
Squats at 60
Deads at 70
Row at 50
OHP and Bench still really struggling - 45 only, and failing after 2 5x5 on the BP, so go back down to 40 for the remaining sets. OHP finally nailed all 5x5 with the 45, but it was really rough. I may do 45 again one more time, before increasing.
Enjoying so far, and really feeling stronger! YAY!0 -
This week marks the first week that I've gone to he gym for 3days! Lol.
Squat: 85 3x5
Bench and Rows: 65 5x50 -
Hi Guys
Well it feels a bit odd to be here because up until last night I was set on doing NROL4W - however I lift at home and it just seemed like I would be making modifications all over the place - plus the workouts are kinda complicated.
So last night I did my first Stronglifts routine - huzzah. However I started out CRAZY low - I ignored his starting weights completely. I have a history of back problems and figured I'd start out with my weenie bar and gradually progress. This ISN'T a race, I'll get there in the end and I'm super concerned about form and safety as I lift at home by myself.
I have 160kg of weight in total - just ordered some 1.25kg weights so I can go up in 5lb-ish increments - but I don't have Olympic weights - so starting with my tiny bar - think it's 7kg with the collars on which is a heck of a difference. I put 10kg of weight on after my practice sets with the bar only so am just under the starting weight of an Olympic bar proper.
Form, form, form - as I was lifting that empty bar I was listening to Mehdi talk through each lift on my laptop - like I said the only person I am in competition with is myself and I'll get there eventually and hopefully injury free. I think once I get to much heaiver weights I'll want to take this into a gym but I had such an awful experience a month ago with some little twerp PT who set out to humiliate me when I asked for some coaching on my squat technique that right now lifting at home suits me better.
Anyway, hello! Pleased to meet you, hope to be seeing much, much more of you over the coming months
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I deloaded a little on bench and row yesterday at the start of week 5. Bench because I've really been struggling, row because my form was getting really sloppy, and both because I'm tired of being achy and sore. :laugh:
I also got a couple of plastic soda crates (about 3-4" high... the kind that 20 oz bottles are shipped in) to put under my feet for the bench. WHAT an improvement! I was using plates under my feet, but it just never felt right... I think my ski-slope butt made aligning my spine tricky. Having my feet an inch or so higher was just what I needed.
Also, I'm amazed that 70 pounds on the bench seemed so easy now, but 77 felt damn near impossible a few days ago. It's like the difference of adding my purse. :ohwell:0 -
Yesterday did 25kg OHP, 80kg deadlift, and varied squats from 80-92.5 kg (stopped doing a full set of 5x5 as Ive been stuck with progressing, more going for max lifts every few days with them, and strengthening lower numbers).0
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Great idea on the crates, I'm going to have to try that. At home I've been bending my knees and keeping my feet on the bench. At my gym in Chicago though my feet touch the ground with no problem. I didnt realize there were different height benches but may have to look for a lower one for home.
I did some deloading this week too on OHP and rows because my form was getting sloppy. Right now I'm at:
Squat 102.5
Bench 77.5
OHP 57.5
Deadlift 100
Row 75
I'm traveling today through Sunday and don't know what kind of equipment I'll have access to so this week I'll focus more on stretching and running - gonna run up and down the Vegas strip!! Will likely have to deload a little on everything when I get back
, oh well. 0 -
Good Morning!
Felt good today with form/progress but I can tell that the bench is going to be realllyyy tough next time!
squat 140lbs 5x5
bench 82.5 5x5
rows 75 5x5 I did the same weight as last time since I am not sure how great my form is. Actually I am going to do some research on rows to make sure my grip is where it should be. I have been keeping my hands shoulder width apart, which feels good, but not sure if they should be wider....
Everyone is doing fantastic!!!0 -
I haven't been lifting in over a week, since Oct 13! First, I had a work trip which took me out of town (miss Tue/Thu workouts). Then the day we were supposed to go to the gym (Friday), husband threw out his back at work. He's been hurting all weekend. So we're skipping again today. Here's hoping he's fine for Thursday. I suppose I'll have to deload quite a bit, as it'll be almost two weeks.0
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Hi everyone, just done my first workout B - verdict? LOVE deadlifts but sense OHP are the devil's lift - starting out with super low weights as I get my form down and even then I felt really weak and it took me a while to finish them.
But hurrah, I feel like I've properly started now, bring it on!0 -
Upped my deadlift to100...Booya!0
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Hi everyone, just done my first workout B - verdict? LOVE deadlifts but sense OHP are the devil's lift - starting out with super low weights as I get my form down and even then I felt really weak and it took me a while to finish them.
But hurrah, I feel like I've properly started now, bring it on!
Thats the best way to do it, I used sloppy form and ended up impinging my rotator cuff, so Ive started working back up from empty bar with good form.
Yesterday I did 70-80kg squats, 32.5kg bench and 40kg row.0 -
Hey all!
Even though I am doing Wendler's 5/3/1, just popped in to whoop about my 2 mile run in 20 mins (yeah not fast but have not run in AGES), and upping my bench press to 60 kg (132 lbs) after a long 57.5 kg stall....am considering doing Wendler's for 3 more cycles (12 weeks) and then doing stronglifts again. Have seen a gym I am going to join next year (after my current membership runs out) with some amazing equipment. And they have an outside area which is ace. 3 power/squat racks, so no waiting about...will be the only woman in there but hey it looks great!
Hope everyone is doing well...0 -
I am on my 2nd week of Stronglifts and loving it. I did the full NROLFW and tried to go back to P90X after, but did not enjoy it at all. I needed my heavy lifting!!!
I did make a few mistakes, with not lifting enough for row and deadlift in the beginning but I have rectified that and am enjoying this.
Right now I am at:
Squat: 65lbs
Bench Press- 65 lbs
Row- 65lbs
Deadlift-95lbs
Shoulder press- 45lbs (this will take a little bit of time to increase)
I have to pick up some 2.5 pound weights off of Amazon, so increasing in 5lb increments will be doable. Right now I just increase by 10 and stay there for two workouts.0 -
I just started yesterday and am really looking forward to this program!!
Had a trainer set up my program - I gave her a print out of the program.
A few questions on what she set me up to do though:
- Trainer had me do squats with 2x20lbs dumbells (wants to start me on those first?)
- She had me do 5x5 deadlifts instead of the one set
- The bar for the bench press is 45lbs and she added 20lbs to that; so I consider this 65lbs
She also wants me to do sprinting, skipping, etc inbetween sets - Does anyone else do this?
I know this is not the program, any suggestions?
Thanks, slightly confused newbie.0 -
I think I injured my wrist lifting...owwie...it's been hurting for two days. This sucks. :frown:
On a good note, I finally invested in a squat rack for my garage! No more saw horses, yay!!!!
Also, I did 65lbs on the overhead press and totally suprised myself! Those things are a mofo. Yay again!0 -
I just started yesterday and am really looking forward to this program!!
Had a trainer set up my program - I gave her a print out of the program.
A few questions on what she set me up to do though:
- Trainer had me do squats with 2x20lbs dumbells (wants to start me on those first?)
- She had me do 5x5 deadlifts instead of the one set
- The bar for the bench press is 45lbs and she added 20lbs to that; so I consider this 65lbs
She also wants me to do sprinting, skipping, etc inbetween sets - Does anyone else do this?
I know this is not the program, any suggestions?
Thanks, slightly confused newbie.
I would, as I did, tell the PT to get with the 5x5 program as written. Stronglifts starts with just the Olympic Bar, which is 45lbs. If that's too heavy for a newbie the standard bar or a "women's bar" is 35lbs..
My PT was initially shocked at my firm direction, but has since become a 5x5 convert.
Something to consider: if your PT is a little fluffy cardio girl- SHE maybe intimidated and know she can't spot you safely
Oh BTW: when your weights get higher- you won't have the energy for skipping etc.. I'm starting to see that now0 -
I can not imagine increasing muchmore on OHP. I struggle so much with it. TO day was better;
squats 145 5x5
OHP 60 3x5, 2x4
deads 135 1x5
I found today that when doing deadlifts I really felt the pull and strain in my lower back. I focus on using my leg muscles, but I suspect that I may have real issues increasing from here just because of the lower back discomfort. It didnt 'hurt' when lifting, but I could really feel the strain.
Does this happen with anyone else??? I have lower back issues anyways from years of nursing, so i am worried. What else could I do instead of deads if those dont workout for me??0 -
I'm starting lower back strain at 135 on deads. But my major issue is hand pain.. I feel like my fingers are being ripped off0
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Ugh... On the 1st set, 3rd rep of bench press, my sweaty palms slipped and I whacked the top of my hand against the uprights on the bench. Holy mother ouch! :sad:
But after applying some pressure for a few minutes to minimize bruising, and opening the window to get better airflow so I'm not so sweaty, I went started over and did the full 5x5.0 -
Ouch, Lorina!
Oh, I forgot to mention, on OHP on Tuesday, I *tried* to do the bounce thing from that Rip video. It kinda worked...but another thing I did was narrow my grip and widen my stance a but. HUGE DIFFERENCE. I only did 50, but I did 5x5 and didn't feel like my arms were going to fall off.0 -
Wrapping up week 3 today and I can't wait to get to the gym later!
Can't believe I actually got 60 lbs 5x5 OHP on Wednesday.. I actually had to take the three minutes in between sets instead of the normal 1:30 I do..0
