Newbie Needing Lifting Advice

ndj1979

OP, the guy at the gym doesn't know what the f he is talking about and clearly has no idea about the human adaptation process. Tell him to stick a dumbbell up his as....

20-25 reps of anything is over kill and just a waste of your time IMO...

Broad statements like this are not helpful to anyone, and it's things like this that cause confused in the fitness industry. There are times when 25+ reps will be very beneficial http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZJni-45r8E @ 5:00

care to explain these benefits?

I watched the video and the dude specially says that training with more than 25 reps should only be used for advanced trainers who want to break a plateau...he also does not really list specific benefits of 20-25 reps..he actually says that this may be bad because your form starts to breakdown...

So, I will take with my original assessment that 25+ reps is a waste of time ...IMHO

Are you sure you listened to what he said?
5:50 "Methods like this can be used to induce a huge amount of workloads and metabolic fatigue"
6:40 "Doing this (the specific way that he mentioned) allows you to re-focus, re concentrate and hold good form...you end up doing a lot of reps with really good form"

Yes, but I am pretty sure he said that method should be used for advanced trainers and OP is definitely not an advanced trainer...

haroon_awan

Eat, squat spotting randomly at the gym?
Can't say I've ever seen anybody spotting squats outside of powerlifting meets.

If you have a power cage to work in, you don't need a spotter. All of my workouts have been 100% by myself for the past.... I don't even know how long.

You can do you benches in there alone too (I'm at home so don't have to worry about people). Good bench form has your chest UP, so put the bars (on the rack) just a little bit below the bottom of your sternum. If you fail, you just relax and let the bar rest on the bars from the rack.

I've asked trainers to spot me on a squat because I don't want to fail on it. If I am on my rep of my last set of 5x5 there is a chance I might fail on it so rather than fail, I would prefer to get the weight up, even if someone has to push me up a little bit and take some of the weight off. Plus it's much safer than going half way up and then failing because you have to come back down. That process of coming back down with a weight you cannot handle may put too much strain on your lower back if you are not focused and use improper form.

Yes, but I am pretty sure he said that method should be used for advanced trainers and OP is definitely not an advanced trainer...

I agree. That's why I said "broad statements like this are not helpful to anyone. I did not say the OP should do 25+ reps.

lurcstet

Hi All,

New to the comunity element of this site, but really interested in reading this post.

As a daily regular at my Gym, I see way to many people particularly woman sticking to the machines. Mostly because, I agree that the testosterone fueled free weights section can often feel intimidated.

I think there has been some excellent advise to your original response and I agree whoever advised you at the gym needs to rethink his own understanding of training before he offers any further advise.

Strength training is just as important to Woman as it is Men. There is an excellent website which I often refer to for my own training and demovstrates some excellent strength and fitness techniques for woman. the web site is www. myomytv.com

Take a look and hope you training improves

jlapey

Link to Strong Lifts 5x5 program:

http://s3.stronglifts.com/stronglifts-5x5-report.pdf

Link to for video for the entire workout:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP2g3Sj3qSw&feature=youtu.be

MFP group for women doing SL5x5:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/4601-stronglifts-5x5-for-women

mcdebbie

bump

phjorg1

Eat, squat spotting randomly at the gym?
Can't say I've ever seen anybody spotting squats outside of powerlifting meets.

If you have a power cage to work in, you don't need a spotter. All of my workouts have been 100% by myself for the past.... I don't even know how long.

You can do you benches in there alone too (I'm at home so don't have to worry about people). Good bench form has your chest UP, so put the bars (on the rack) just a little bit below the bottom of your sternum. If you fail, you just relax and let the bar rest on the bars from the rack.

I've asked trainers to spot me on a squat because I don't want to fail on it. If I am on my rep of my last set of 5x5 there is a chance I might fail on it so rather than fail, I would prefer to get the weight up, even if someone has to push me up a little bit and take some of the weight off. Plus it's much safer than going half way up and then failing because you have to come back down. That process of coming back down with a weight you cannot handle may put too much strain on your lower back if you are not focused and use improper form.

Yes, but I am pretty sure he said that method should be used for advanced trainers and OP is definitely not an advanced trainer...

I agree. That's why I said "broad statements like this are not helpful to anyone. I did not say the OP should do 25+ reps.

You must be a blast at parties.