March Check-in&Chat - Green beer to fuel your lifts!
Replies
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The chart for OHP isn't shown here, but it's just slightly better than the bench press, relatively speaking.
This is from strstd.com
The strange thing is I keep failing at bench and OHP at these sub-novice lift levels, but I'm still making progress each & every time on squats & deadlifts.
Do you think my upper-body strength really is lagging way behind or do you think the strength standards website could use some tweaking? Do you ladies have the same "issue"?0 -
I don't think it's just you at all. My bench and OHP are lagging way behind even though I have a much harder time with them than the Deadlift and Squat.
I did play around with the numbers a bit and it seems like pound for pound the more you add to OHP and Bench will increase your percentage towards the next level faster than the Deadlift or Squat. At what point that actually changes to that I don't know. My math skills are seriously lacking since highschool.
Maybe a few of the ladies can give you a more concrete answer on the math portion than I can.
All I can really say is that it's nice to have a yardstick to measure ourselves against sometimes, but in the end its all about what we do compared to ourselves and not anyone else.
ETA: I agree with Tree you ladies are lifting a ton awesome job!
And Tree you are too! But yea I think we're both starting to realize that when we feel like we're being run over by a semi it's time to slow down for a while.
Also talked to my brother who is a physical therapist today and he suggested I try out glucosamine. Which admittedly I had been thinking about trying anyways. I have used it the past but honestly I probably wasnt working out hard enough for it really to make any difference. So going to try that again I think and see if it helps. Hoping so.0 -
@Tameko - you are a goddess. That squat is amazing.
@Tree - so jealous of your OHP!!!
Dude, this mornings workout was pretty awesome. Squats are still a little difficult @80. I don't think there's anything wrong, I'm just getting (finally) to more challenging weights. OHP 5x5 @55. BOOM. No problem. They weren't quite easy, but I didn't really struggle on any of them. It's so strange because I was stuck at 52.5 FOREVER. Now, I get to move up next time! Deads, I still don't think I did a "clean set" since it was more 1x3 and 1x2 @165. But that's better than before, and I felt it was my grip causing problems, not that I couldn't lift the weight. I'm going to need to ask at the front desk if they have rules against chalk.0 -
Hey, y'all...Happy Friday Eve!
Dani, I'm with you on the increasing as you feel comfortable. I think my ability to breeze through the first couple of weeks with a five lb. increase per lift was as easy as it was, because, having NEVER picked up any piece of fitness equipment heavier than that hideous 6.6 lb dumbbell at the house, I was scared and felt like starting uber small was probably the smart thing.
The hubs was kind enough to move some stuff around in the former studio and now there is a full length mirror in plain view when I do my squats and OHP's. And yes, I am seeing that I am starting to wobble at the top of my OHP's, so it's time to NOT move on and work on form until I get it right, without the increase.
I love the me vs. me concept, altho, I do hang my head just a little bit when I see BAMF numbers from everyone. And then I kick myself in the @$$ and tell myself that I'm not you guys, I'm me, and what I'm doing now is WAY better than what I was doing in December, which was plate to mouth curls. Just sayin'.
Dooz and Lex - OHP and Bench are the two I struggle the most with, as well. The lower body stuff is my b!tch, but those two? *sigh* I came into this knowing that I had zero upper body strength (read: girly pushups were a problem), so any increase in weight is good in my own eyes...
Ok, time to get to work. I act like they pay me to MFP for 8 hours, LOL...0 -
@tameko: Damn. Just Damn. 175 is amazing.
@Dani: I love your posts. You help me screen out all the negative stuff and keep focused. Thank you. (And all you ladies, I love this group!)
NSV for me today: I'm naked getting dressed this morning. Hubby walks by and says "Wow, hon, changes are starting to happen in your body." I'm on a cloud today becaue frankly I'm just not seeing it--but he is! (And since aside from me he spends the most time with this body, I value his opinon, you know?)
Also: Hit all PRS last night. Squat 117, OHP 63, Dead 165. RAWR!!!!0 -
You guys are really killing the weights, nice job all!I love the me vs. me concept, altho, I do hang my head just a little bit when I see BAMF numbers from everyone. And then I kick myself in the @$$ and tell myself that I'm not you guys, I'm me, and what I'm doing now is WAY better than what I was doing in December, which was plate to mouth curls. Just sayin'.
Julie, I had to come to terms with this part a while ago, when I got fibromyalgia. Before that I had been so strong and active, and then suddenly I couldn't do diddly in the gym anymore. It's good to thoroughly realize that you're only competing against yourself, or else the Universe will throw you a curve ball that will REALLY show you that you are only competing against yourself :devil:
I am doing great this week but I don't know what next week will bring. If I do try too hard today, though, I could be unable to work next week -- and that would suck.
That's my philosophy now at least!
Elaine0 -
BAMF!!! you guys got it!
I was oggling my guns in the mirror at work this morning...sheet! I've got a tank on under my sweater and it was just all hanging out...
@the wedgie pickers...ladies...this is why I don't WEAR panties to the gym...or frankly anywhere except work. Its is liberating...I can squat til sasquatch comes home and there would be no picking...
Second session tonight at the gym...I'm really hoping I can have the squat rack back....puhlease boys? or I'm going to start Joey-ing them..."hey, how YOU doing?" can I have the rack man?0 -
BAMF!!! you guys got it!
I was oggling my guns in the mirror at work this morning...sheet! I've got a tank on under my sweater and it was just all hanging out...
@the wedgie pickers...ladies...this is why I don't WEAR panties to the gym...or frankly anywhere except work. Its is liberating...I can squat til sasquatch comes home and there would be no picking...
Second session tonight at the gym...I'm really hoping I can have the squat rack back....puhlease boys? or I'm going to start Joey-ing them..."hey, how YOU doing?" can I have the rack man?
Yes. To all of this.0 -
Did not feel like a BAMF today.
Went early (well, 7am ish) for me and skipped breakfast for time before class. No energy! Went to squat 130 lbs, got through 3 sets like pro, 4th set collapsed like a wet noodle and couldn't do any more. :sad: Good thing I was in that squat rack!
Did get through all OHP at 50 lbs! :drinker:
Stayed at 135 for DL to work on form, going to be sore bottomed/backed tonight.0 -
@ vashnic...oh NO!!!! I hope you didn't seriously hurt yourself...that sounds horrible.0
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Maybe I should stop wearing underwear to the gym too. Better yet, why not just replace my whole outfit with one of these!
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This is what I'm feeling like today lol.
Really feeling my workout from last night in my abs today. This is a good thing, no?
@vash. Hope you didn't hurt yourself. I know that I have to have something in the tank when I lift and strangely enough the only exercise I can actually do with food in the tank. Cardio, forget it, I'll spew everywhere.
I love the me vs me concept. While I stand in awe of all you heavy lifting chicks, I know I can't do it right now, but someday!
I'm a wedgie picker but at least I have the privacy of my home and only the hubby and dogs have to watch.
Hope everyone is having a great day.0 -
Maybe I should stop wearing underwear to the gym too. Better yet, why not just replace my whole outfit with one of these!
Pretty sure that would clear the power rack area!0 -
Woah nelly warn a girl before you post a bright green zentai suit. :noway: :laugh:
It was more of an O****INTROUBLE feeling right after I started trying to push up out of the squat. But then I remembered the safety bar and just crawled out from under. Oops. :blushing:
@Soos--The best measuring stick is against yourself, yeah. We are not being payed enough to lift to have any other standards. :bigsmile: :drinker:
Sore abs are always a good feeling!0 -
Hmmm I was actually going for humor with that. Perhaps the green ranger would be less intimidating?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrkE1fVEv6s 0 -
Maybe I should stop wearing underwear to the gym too. Better yet, why not just replace my whole outfit with one of these!
vote yes!!1 full of awesomeness...bet you wouldn't have to wait for the squat rack..they'd see all that green and run..
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Hmmm I was actually going for humor with that. Perhaps the green ranger would be less intimidating?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrkE1fVEv6s
fixed it for ya!! and yes, the green ranger is ALWAYS the cute one!
edit: well crap, it didn't fix...oh well! :ohwell:
HEY!!! that doesn't count!!! he just dropped it after he picked it up....doesn't it count as a fail if you don't set it back down???? WTF?0 -
I know that I have to have something in the tank when I lift
Amen sista! I tried lifting today with just my iced coffee in my system (I even added protein powder to it!) and it wasn't happening. I had to actually eat real food, and then I could lift.
I'm dinking around with a new program I found on bodybuilding.com. Basically you do all 5 moves (plus curls and calf raises) each session for 2 work reps of 8 to start with, start heavy at the beginning of a week and deload 10% with each consecutive session. The next week you increase your rep (not weight) for each set by 1. You do that for 5 weeks, then increase the weight by 10% for all lifts across the board and rinse, repeat for 5 more weeks. Etc.
I did a mish mash of that and my 3x5 sets and it was very interesting. Took about an hour, so not too bad, and actually got through all the lifts. Until I hit the biceps curls that I thought I could do with my oly bar, and got put in my place real quick, so had to grab dumbbells and curl with those. :laugh:
I took a vid of my DL that I'ma have to post for y'all to have a look-see. I tried sumo style and couldn't even get my head around it so just went back to the regular way.
No PRs today of course cause I did 7 different lifts rather than 3 so ... yea. Mazeltov. :drinker:@Dani: I love your posts. You help me screen out all the negative stuff and keep focused. Thank you. (And all you ladies, I love this group!)
Thanks, that means a lot. I love this group too. It's fun to hang out and talk shop with other gals who understand and who are supportive. Much hearts.
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so... I was just horsing around with my girls, both on my back while on all fours and then carried them up the stairs (one piggy back one on my front), with a combined total of about 38kg.. that's gotta be worth something right?! 0
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so... I was just horsing around with my girls, both on my back while on all fours and then carried them up the stairs (one piggy back one on my front), with a combined total of about 38kg.. that's gotta be worth something right?!
Who needs barbells just start squatting kids, 0 -
I know that I have to have something in the tank when I lift
Amen sista! I tried lifting today with just my iced coffee in my system (I even added protein powder to it!) and it wasn't happening. I had to actually eat real food, and then I could lift.
I'm dinking around with a new program I found on bodybuilding.com. Basically you do all 5 moves (plus curls and calf raises) each session for 2 work reps of 8 to start with, start heavy at the beginning of a week and deload 10% with each consecutive session. The next week you increase your rep (not weight) for each set by 1. You do that for 5 weeks, then increase the weight by 10% for all lifts across the board and rinse, repeat for 5 more weeks. Etc.
I did a mish mash of that and my 3x5 sets and it was very interesting. Took about an hour, so not too bad, and actually got through all the lifts. Until I hit the biceps curls that I thought I could do with my oly bar, and got put in my place real quick, so had to grab dumbbells and curl with those. :laugh:
I took a vid of my DL that I'ma have to post for y'all to have a look-see. I tried sumo style and couldn't even get my head around it so just went back to the regular way.
No PRs today of course cause I did 7 different lifts rather than 3 so ... yea. Mazeltov. :drinker:@Dani: I love your posts. You help me screen out all the negative stuff and keep focused. Thank you. (And all you ladies, I love this group!)
Thanks, that means a lot. I love this group too. It's fun to hang out and talk shop with other gals who understand and who are supportive. Much hearts.
Is that All-Pro's beginner routine? I'll be really curious to see how you like it because I've definitely looked at it a few times!0 -
Hmmm I was actually going for humor with that. Perhaps the green ranger would be less intimidating?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrkE1fVEv6s
fixed it for ya!! and yes, the green ranger is ALWAYS the cute one!
edit: well crap, it didn't fix...oh well! :ohwell:
HEY!!! that doesn't count!!! he just dropped it after he picked it up....doesn't it count as a fail if you don't set it back down???? WTF?
Good question, but I think that would be similar to bringing the bar back down to your chest after your last rep of a set of bench pressing.0 -
Is that All-Pro's beginner routine? I'll be really curious to see how you like it because I've definitely looked at it a few times!
Yes ma'am. It really appealed to me so I think I'ma give it a whirl for at least 1 cycle and see what happens. I love the simplicity of it. Do the math beforehand and then it all becomes about reps, not weight. Making the switch from 3x5 to 2x8 is 1 rep difference (woo?) and I won't have to worry about figuring out deloading because it's built in already. I've got my fractionals so doing 10% and 20% deloads should be no problem at all, ever.
That means I can take a couple hours and put one spreadsheet together, put that sucker on a clipboard and start picking up heavy things and putting them down again without having to rack my brain during a workout about how much I need to load/deload this time and what the heck did I bench press last time anyway, and am I even progressing OMGWTFBBQ!!!!!ELEVENTYONE!!! :explode:
:huh:
SS and SL look simple in theory but once you get into it and you start to stall and then you have to figure out how to deal with that, it really does become quite technical, and I always feel like I'm not doing it properly and that I'm just muddling around. :blushing:
I'll keep you posted. I'm seriously considering it though. I really enjoyed doing all of the lifts today at lighter weights while still getting a very solid workout in, so it's probably much better suited for me than the other programs, truth be told. It's a proven program that delivers solid results, and at this point I'm really just looking for something simple that I can stick with for the long term. 0 -
You ladies (and guys) keep me entertained.
Vash: sorry about the squats. String cheese is my go-to when I need a little something before a workout. I've been compiling a list of foods that are no good because burping them up later is yucky.
I wear underwear to the gym. Pants or underwear will end up in my crack, regardless so... I do the leg kick butt wiggle thing to get them out.
Dani: I agree with whoever said they like your posts. You're always so calm and informative. I love it.
5th grade me always thought the Red Power Ranger was a hottie.
Annnnnnnnnnd the workout: I did A today
125 on squats (repeat of last time)
90 on bench (PR!) but only managed 4 reps of sets 4&5. I probably could have cranked them out, but rep 4 was a mother and I didn't have a spot to try the last one. The gym was surprisingly empty when I was there
95 on rows (another PR!) I actually felt these in my back/shoulders so I must have been doing something right.0 -
Hmmm I was actually going for humor with that. Perhaps the green ranger would be less intimidating?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrkE1fVEv6s
fixed it for ya!! and yes, the green ranger is ALWAYS the cute one!
edit: well crap, it didn't fix...oh well! :ohwell:
HEY!!! that doesn't count!!! he just dropped it after he picked it up....doesn't it count as a fail if you don't set it back down???? WTF?
Good question, but I think that would be similar to bringing the bar back down to your chest after your last rep of a set of bench pressing.
Nope Julie, a "complete" rep is to pull it up. Setting it down is optional - but unless you've got a gym with bumper plates and special floors or a deadlifting platform, SET IT DOWN or they will not be happy with you!
Also setting it down is good for building your strength so I would recommend you do it anyway, but a powerlifter doing a max rep will usually drop it - he's got the right equipment and by the time he gets it up there, he's wiped. During training they will sometimes do it as well, because setting it back down IS strenuous and its like doing double the work per rep.0 -
Maybe I should stop wearing underwear to the gym too. Better yet, why not just replace my whole outfit with one of these!
Ok…I had to this picture…come here, wearing that, I’ll put you on the green screen and make you freaking invisible.
I’m sorry…that was the first thing I thought of when I saw that, LMAO!0 -
Maybe I should stop wearing underwear to the gym too. Better yet, why not just replace my whole outfit with one of these!
So, when we went to see Animals as Leaders and Messhuga two weeks ago, there were 3 guys wearing these - a pink one, a white one, and a green one (pretty sure it was for animals as leaders) and we were like ".............did we ....is this a new thing people do? Are we old? ARE WE OUT OF TOUCH?!"
Um, are we though? Because that was a new one for us.0 -
So, when we went to see Animals as Leaders and Messhuga two weeks ago, there were 3 guys wearing these - a pink one, a white one, and a green one (pretty sure it was for animals as leaders) and we were like ".............did we ....is this a new thing people do? Are we old? ARE WE OUT OF TOUCH?!"
Um, are we though? Because that was a new one for us.
I know people wear them to sporting events so I guess it's not a big stretch to say they wear them to concerts. It seems like more hassle than it's worth. I mean, trying to pee? Forget it.0 -
Is that All-Pro's beginner routine? I'll be really curious to see how you like it because I've definitely looked at it a few times!
Yes ma'am. It really appealed to me so I think I'ma give it a whirl for at least 1 cycle and see what happens. I love the simplicity of it. Do the math beforehand and then it all becomes about reps, not weight. Making the switch from 3x5 to 2x8 is 1 rep difference (woo?) and I won't have to worry about figuring out deloading because it's built in already. I've got my fractionals so doing 10% and 20% deloads should be no problem at all, ever.
That means I can take a couple hours and put one spreadsheet together, put that sucker on a clipboard and start picking up heavy things and putting them down again without having to rack my brain during a workout about how much I need to load/deload this time and what the heck did I bench press last time anyway, and am I even progressing OMGWTFBBQ!!!!!ELEVENTYONE!!! :explode:
:huh:
SS and SL look simple in theory but once you get into it and you start to stall and then you have to figure out how to deal with that, it really does become quite technical, and I always feel like I'm not doing it properly and that I'm just muddling around. :blushing:
I'll keep you posted. I'm seriously considering it though. I really enjoyed doing all of the lifts today at lighter weights while still getting a very solid workout in, so it's probably much better suited for me than the other programs, truth be told. It's a proven program that delivers solid results, and at this point I'm really just looking for something simple that I can stick with for the long term.
I use the SL app so I've never had an issue with keeping track, but I do like the style of All-Pro's routine....the fact that the deloads are built in is nice and yeah, it absolutely delivers solid results....i've heard great things! I'll totally be waiting to hear your feedback and progress :happy:0 -
175 squat today. Ohhhhhh yeeeeeaaah.
Holy crap! Way to go!!0
