Advice for a woman lifting weights.

EmmaReed84

Ok, so like I have said before I have recently started lifting weights. I did Monday, where I joined a little group and they spotted me and were lovely, Wednesday, one the of the PT's spotted me. On Friday I saw one of the guys from Monday and asked him to spot me again and he said I should only do BB squats ONCE a week?

I told him my program has BB squats, dead lifts, stiff leg dead lifts and the TRX for 3 days a week with a day off in between. He said it was totally wrong and I should only do legs one day and arms another and leave it at that.

Now I always appreciate advice, but seeing as it was a PT and the manager of the gym who gave me this program and just a regular gym goer telling me to change it, I feel like the PT would know more about what he was talking about.

So what do you guys think?

DanielleJoy129

I just bought "New Rules for Weight Lifting for Women" and it really cleared up a lot of confusion for me. Even if you don't do the program outline in the book, it does shed light on a lot of misinformation... some of it is a little "preachy" but you can decide for yourself what to pick up and what to leave behind.

As for your question, I would listen to your PT. I'm guessing the guy that told you "your program was all wrong" is trying to grow muscle, while your PT designed a program to help you lose fat.

I would trust the PT, but also do your own research.

I'm going to start the "New Rules" plan myself and I'll let you know how it goes

crobl

And this guys credentials are??

I have been lifting for years and have a background in Kinesiology and Strength Training and I have never heard that you should only squat once a week?!?

I currently do SL5*5 and squat 3x a week. Not only do I not have problems, but I am able to increase my weight every session.

There are many different philosophies as far as lifting goes - some people like an upper/lower body split. Others use a push/pull. Still others do full body everyday. No one thing is necessarily right or wrong. It's all about determining what is effective to reach your personal goals.

JenMc14

There's lots of schools of thought. My husband does a 5 day body part split, hitting each group only once, but he lifts HEAVY, and is going for something totally different than me. I've done an upper lower split where I still squatted twice a week. Right now I'm following a 5x5 style program, and I squat 3 days a week. There's a day off in between. I think it's perfectly fine so long as you're not over-exerting yourself and giving your muscles some time off.

lesspaul

The guru of women and weight lifting is Krista at stumptuous.com

She is a great motivator, and will take the time to answer your questions if you email her.

juliekins64

Good for you!
I do squats 3 times per week and everything is going great, Mon Wed and Sat.
My routine is full body three times per week, if I am pushing myself such as last week I added 10 additional pound to my squat on Monday so I skipped squats on Wed and returned Sat. I did this to allow time for recovery, my bum muscles were still sore.
I think your body will tell you if you are doing too much. Some people break up their exercises more so they can focus hard, other people like me like combine so we can get it all done and outta there ASAP. Like DanielleJoy suggested, the guy might have different goals than you.

EmmaReed84

Thank you guys. My gut instincts say to listen to the PT, now to kindly tell the other guys thanks for his advice, but no thanks... without offending him.

jackaroo21

I squat 3 days a week, a ton of people on here do. Keep doing what your doing

Leadfoot_Lewis

As long as you aren't working the same muscle groups everyday and eat and sleep enough, you'll be fine.

juliekins64

As long as you aren't working the same muscle groups everyday and eat and sleep enough, you'll be fine.

THIS