April Check in & Chat - Spring into the Squat Rack
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First failure today since I started! 75lbs OHP - 5-5-5-4-5.
5x5 at 75 on OHP is no joke. Good job.0 -
I do aikido too!
Very cool!0 -
Cleo - wow. 75 lbs? That's great.
Welcome to new folks and recently emerged lurkers!
Gwyn, you may be my new role model. Seriously, all the stuff you do is amazing!
Today was a good day for finding my limits. Obviously my squat form has some issues, so going to back off from 100 to 85 and get that stuff fixed.
Failed on my 15th and 25th reps for OHP at 65, so holding there another week.
Did well on my deadlift, 145. Needed a 15-20 second rest between lifts though, so I may stay there another week too.
Small NSV, though: None, and I mean none, of my summer clothes fit - they are all too big, even the shorts I never wore because they were too small when I bought them! Looks like some thrift storing/Old Navy shopping is in order - don't want to spend a lot of money, because hopefully I'll keep shrinking!
Sounds like the small person is having a hard time getting ready for bed, so I better go help Bobby. Have a great night, all.0 -
Hello all my strong friends-
A day late posting. Last night was workout A
Squats- 75lbs
Bench 57.5 Lbs
Rows- 80 lbs
Threw in some side bends with the kettlebell and some overhead triceps thingies with the bell(Rough day at work and my mind isn't processing anything). Side bends always make my sides so sore, but for some sadistic reason I love the way it feels lol.
I never thought I would be excited about losing knee fat. Yes knee fat! I noticed last night I don't have such a bulge over my knee cap now. And in my new profile pic, my double chin is disappearing! Now if my thighs and butt would follow suit, all would be right in my world.
Welcome to all the new folks!0 -
Gwyn - your numbers are awesome!!
Rachietuk - Welcome!
Cleo - Awesome OHP!
kirabob - Congrats on the NSV!!! Invest in a belt! I felt like I was buying new pants every month for a little bit and a belt let me skip sizes.
Well, had another bad squat day yesterday. Didn't even get past warm-up so I am going to work on figuring this hip flexor thing out with body weight. I think I am leaning towards it being a compression/nerve issue. I have strength and it hurts at the bottom of the squat when my hip is pressing close to my quads. Also, pigeon pose is GREAT when I have the left leg back, but it causes the same problem when I have the right leg back and the left leg forward. I played around with some body weight squats today and was able to find a sweet spot where there was no pain. So I'm going to work on hitting that spot every time and once muscle memory takes over go back and start at the bar again. I may need to look at doing a high bar squat to keep my hip to quad angle up. But finding the sweet spot is progress!
I did get to hit 105 on bench press for 3 sets, but then backed down to 100 for the last two sets when I started to lose form and figured if I didn't I would be doing a roll of shame at some point :laugh: I also hit 105 on the rows. I'm going to sit there for a few more times to keep form under control. Tomorrow is workout B so I'll be staying at 70 for OHP since my form was crap last time and then I will be at 155 for deadlifts for 2 or 3 sets to make up for the lack of heavy squats.
Happy lifting everyone!0 -
Kira, Awesome NSV!!! Clothes that are too big!! very cool!!
Nice to see you Rach
Soos you look beautiful!
Jstout, Your lifts are awesome!! I am so sorry you are having squat pain. I still have the butt pain when I squat and it is seriously depressing. You sound like you have it all under control though! I should follow your lead.
I used my 45 lb plates for the first time today on deadlifts!! It is so exciting! I stayed the same on all the lifts but it was very exciting to use big plates!! The hardest part was getting them on and off!
Squats: 135 lb
OHP: 70
DL: 1550 -
I used my 45 lb plates for the first time today on deadlifts!! It is so exciting! I stayed the same on all the lifts but it was very exciting to use big plates!! The hardest part was getting them on and off!
^^so true. The worst part of dead lifts is loading the big plates on. No, I take that back. The worst part is unloading them when you're done.0 -
I used my 45 lb plates for the first time today on deadlifts!! It is so exciting! I stayed the same on all the lifts but it was very exciting to use big plates!! The hardest part was getting them on and off!
^^so true. The worst part of dead lifts is loading the big plates on. No, I take that back. The worst part is unloading them when you're done.
Definitely. I leave mine on the bar in the hopes that hubby wil unload and rack, no such luck so far.
@Lassie-WTG on the "big girl" plates. Very exciting! And very BAMF!0 -
I used my 45 lb plates for the first time today on deadlifts!! It is so exciting! I stayed the same on all the lifts but it was very exciting to use big plates!! The hardest part was getting them on and off!
^^so true. The worst part of dead lifts is loading the big plates on. No, I take that back. The worst part is unloading them when you're done.
Definitely. I leave mine on the bar in the hopes that hubby wil unload and rack, no such luck so far.
@Lassie-WTG on the "big girl" plates. Very exciting! And very BAMF!
LOL I had to take like a 5 minute break after my deadlifts were done before I unloaded the bar. Some guy came up and asked how much longer I would be using the rack, so then I finally dragged myself over to unload them. Shoulda conned him in to doing it for me, but I figure all that weight moving is part of the burn.0 -
SL session 17 yesterday and after the day I had I sure was ready to get to the gym and let off some steam.
Workout Weights were
Squats 125 - I think my form is starting to get a little wonky at this weight but oh it felt good to do it.
Bench 75 - no assistance needed but it was a bit difficult
Barbell Row - 85 - these were a bit heavy as well.
I am not sure if everything wss so heavy because I had a difficult day or if I am just getting to the point where it is just effin heavy for me!0 -
So I had to use dumbbells this morning for a modified version of workout b because I'm still out of town for work....so only have the hotel gym to work with. UGH!
I haven't trained with dumbbells in at least 5 months and it did not go as expected! I am still feeling like I worked out, so I suppose that's a good thing. Oh well, at least this will give me a better idea of what I should do for lifting next time I'm out of town!0 -
Last night seemed to be a successful workout B.
Squat: 100lbs
OHP: 60lbs
Deadlift: 100lbs
MH has started going to the gym with me this week. He's not really sure what he wants to do... so, his "routine" is a little random... But, hey, at least he's there. I suggested SLs, but he has no interest in it.
He took a video for me to check my squat form last night.... Then his phone crashed... and lost the video. Ugh. I was too tired to do it again just for video...lol.. so, guess we'll do it Friday.
I find myself getting excited and mentally counting how long it will be until I get to use the next big plate (25, 35, 45) - instead of adding up the smaller plates (2.5, 5, 10) to equal what I need. I was excited to use the 25lb plates Monday... Now I'm eyeing the 35lb plates in eager anticipation... :-)0 -
Does anyone else struggle with just one particular lift? Squats are my nemesis.
I finished the first 12 weeks with a squat of 125, 3 x 5, and was feeling good about that. Took a week off from lifting, and this week I nearly died at 110 3 x 5 and then FAILED last night at 115 (554). Wtf? I've been very careful with diet and rest, so I feel like it must be my form. I'm now back to watching tons of videos and reading Starting Strength, but I can't figure it out. Guess I'll have to bite the bullet and have hubby video me.:explode:
My upper body lifts are actually increasing, though. Benched 88 last night, and rowed 80, both PRs (and I could have done more) And I deadlifted 170 on Sunday. (which I'm totally proud of as I weigh 140). But why oh why won't my squats get better? :sad:0 -
Lifting day today is canceled. I slipped going down the stairs to get the dog food and landed on my left arm. I can barely type (or feed myself, which may be a good thing!). It's murder when I move my hand or fingers. Ugh....not happy:( Might still try to get some squats in, but maybe should do some cardio instead.0
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Oh no! I hope you heal quickly! Ice, ice, ice!0
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Does anyone else struggle with just one particular lift? Squats are my nemesis.
I finished the first 12 weeks with a squat of 125, 3 x 5, and was feeling good about that. Took a week off from lifting, and this week I nearly died at 110 3 x 5 and then FAILED last night at 115 (554). Wtf? I've been very careful with diet and rest, so I feel like it must be my form. I'm now back to watching tons of videos and reading Starting Strength, but I can't figure it out. Guess I'll have to bite the bullet and have hubby video me.:explode:
My upper body lifts are actually increasing, though. Benched 88 last night, and rowed 80, both PRs (and I could have done more) And I deadlifted 170 on Sunday. (which I'm totally proud of as I weigh 140). But why oh why won't my squats get better? :sad:
Taking a week off makes squats hell for msot people. I think its that you get a lot of otherwise unused bits like your hipflexors tighten up again. Don't worry - you'll be fine in another day or two. Next time you want a week break I'd recommend doing some light weight squats during it, like 50-60% your work weight, just to keep things lubricated and warm.0 -
Oh yeah and its pretty normal to have a 'problem' lift -- in the beginning it will rotate. you'll fight with your squats for a while, figure out some super minor form adjustment and then it'll be great for a while, then during that time you'll start to struggle with something else.
Long term though, everyone has one lift that's a little stronger than the others and one that's a little weaker.0 -
Taking a week off makes squats hell for msot people. I think its that you get a lot of otherwise unused bits like your hipflexors tighten up again. Don't worry - you'll be fine in another day or two. Next time you want a week break I'd recommend doing some light weight squats during it, like 50-60% your work weight, just to keep things lubricated and warm.
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Actually, this explains a lot . . . . including why my hipflexors are on fire. Thank you so much!!0 -
I'm a newbie also. Started Monday and Friday will be my 2nd A. I also was doing a NROL but the original (I have done NROL4W also) and I agree they are too long and some of the moves a little too fancy. I like SL's becuse it keeps it simple. Welcome and friend me if you'd like since we're close to the same starting time.Hi
I'm a newbie to SL. I started yesterday. I had been following NROL4W, but decided to stop for a few reasons. My husband is doing SL and loves it, he has great results. I didn't feel I was getting that much stronger with NROL4W, plus the workouts were too long to fit into my life.
So, even though I have only done this once, I loved it. I know I am going to become stronger and hopefully lose some of the fat thats hiding my growing muscles.
I'm looking forward to my next workout tomorrow, although I know I am going to hurt after the squats!!!!!0
