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Lifting heavy..???

tashatashae
tashatashae Posts: 311 Member
edited January 7 in Health and Weight Loss
What is lifting heavy do I need to go to the gym for this.

Replies

  • jsuaccounting
    jsuaccounting Posts: 189 Member
    Push-ups and squats can be pretty heavy if you don't usually do them. However, having gym access is helpful once you start getting stronger.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    lifting heavy is relative but generally speaking it's a certain percentage of the weight you can move for 1 rep with the best form. lifting heavy is generally considered anywhere from 75-95% of your 1 rep max, so it's going to be different for every person.

    because of the weights involved, the term is usually used for compound movements where you use multiple muscles like deadlifts, squats, bench press, rows, overhead press rather than for isolation movements like bicep curls.

    since you're lifting heavier, you're also doing less reps but maybe more sets for instance 5 sets of 5 or 3 sets of 5.

    i personally think a gym is necessary because you need an olympic barbell, a power rack, weight plates and a bench. if you have space for that stuff at home and the cash to pay for it, then you won't need a gym.

    if you're interested look into programs like strong lifts and starting strength. new rules of lifting for women is also OK, but IMO once it gets to stage 3 the focus changes from lifting heavy and strength building to more exercises involving coordination and balance
  • tashatashae
    tashatashae Posts: 311 Member
    Thank you im so lost though.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    Thank you im so lost though.
    do you belong to a gym?

    if not then scratch what i said for now and look into getting some kettle bells (at least 15 pounds) as well as a book called you are your gym which i hear has good body weight exercises.''

    if you do belong to a gym then schedule an appointment with a trainer one who knows about weight lifting. not all of them know. for instance at my gym one of the trainers was trying to tell me that lifting heavy would make me get bigger even though he had just congratulated me on my weight loss and i had told him that my main workout was weight lifting :laugh:

    another has been asking me to show him how to olympic lifts and how to deadlift properly :laugh:

    so yeah if you're at a gym, ask for a trainer with a weight lifting or powerlifting background and get him or her to show you the proper form to use before you add any weight
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