November check in and chat thread
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I don't feel any pain while lifting, but holy frickin' crap... my knees, and sometimes my shoulders, snap, crackle and pop like a bowl of Rice Krispies!
If my joints hurt at all, I'd have them checked, but I've always been crackly. I think I'll treat it like I do when my car makes funny noises, and just turn up the music (or tv).0 -
Lol. You have done amazing job.0
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I can't wait to get to the gym in a couple of hours (even though I will have been awake for 24 hrs...stupid shift change :grumble: ).
I am just so excited though, because today is the day I have been dreaming about since I started lifting. I get to use the 25 lb plates on squats. I refer to them as the "big girl plates" and I couldn't be more excited! (I should get out more often)
I plan to squat 95lb, bench 65lb (probably will fail - need to find a spotter), and row 70lb.
@Kuritaki - Those are some great results in just two weeks!0 -
Is 25lb the biggest plate in the US? Just asking because our biggest plate (at my gym) is 20kg, which is about 45 lb, I think. The only problem with that is that it's only when you get on to the big plates that the bar seems to be at the right height for deadlifts. So when I do below 135 lb on the warmup sets I'm pulling from too low down. I know I could balance the bar on plates, but I ... well, it all just seems so much faff loading the damn thing anyway that I don't want to fiddle about any more. I wish we full-size 20 lb plates. There is another gym nearby which is getting plates which all have the same circumference but different colours (like the Olympic ones). I'm tempted to go and try them out.0
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No, we go to 45lb plates here, which I will be finally using on dead lifts (yay!).
However, the 25's are a big deal for my squats, since I don't feel like I am putting dinky 10's, 5's, and 2.5's on the bar.
Speaking of deads; I didn't put plates under to raise it at 125, and I think I was pulling from too low and kind of kinked my back. It doesn't hurt per se, just feels "off" when I twist a certain way. I will wait to see how I feel on Wed. to see if I want to stay at 125 or move to 135.0 -
Is 25lb the biggest plate in the US? Just asking because our biggest plate (at my gym) is 20kg, which is about 45 lb, I think. The only problem with that is that it's only when you get on to the big plates that the bar seems to be at the right height for deadlifts. So when I do below 135 lb on the warmup sets I'm pulling from too low down. I know I could balance the bar on plates, but I ... well, it all just seems so much faff loading the damn thing anyway that I don't want to fiddle about any more. I wish we full-size 20 lb plates. There is another gym nearby which is getting plates which all have the same circumference but different colours (like the Olympic ones). I'm tempted to go and try them out.
use the extra plates to rise the bar
stronglifts is a short workout I'm sure you can add 3 minutes for proper set up.
I don't need it for deads, but need it for rows, and the difference in performance is amazing.0 -
I can't wait to get to the gym in a couple of hours (even though I will have been awake for 24 hrs...stupid shift change :grumble: ).
I am just so excited though, because today is the day I have been dreaming about since I started lifting. I get to use the 25 lb plates on squats. I refer to them as the "big girl plates" and I couldn't be more excited! (I should get out more often)
I plan to squat 95lb, bench 65lb (probably will fail - need to find a spotter), and row 70lb.
@Kuritaki - Those are some great results in just two weeks!
for me it's the same. I wish I could use the big girl plates for bench. the 5kg ones are so tiny, you can barely see that there are plates on the bar...0 -
Today is in the books. Failed at 65lb bench press.0
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Is 25lb the biggest plate in the US? Just asking because our biggest plate (at my gym) is 20kg, which is about 45 lb, I think. The only problem with that is that it's only when you get on to the big plates that the bar seems to be at the right height for deadlifts. So when I do below 135 lb on the warmup sets I'm pulling from too low down. I know I could balance the bar on plates, but I ... well, it all just seems so much faff loading the damn thing anyway that I don't want to fiddle about any more. I wish we full-size 20 lb plates. There is another gym nearby which is getting plates which all have the same circumference but different colours (like the Olympic ones). I'm tempted to go and try them out.
use the extra plates to rise the bar
stronglifts is a short workout I'm sure you can add 3 minutes for proper set up.
I don't need it for deads, but need it for rows, and the difference in performance is amazing.
Somebody on here suggested using plates ages ago and I think it's a great suggestion. I'm doing SS rather than SL, but either way it seems to be a long workout for me - about an hour! But it's not the time - to be honest, it's partly that I can't be bothered, partly because I worry that I'm going to twang something when I'm shifting the weights on the floor (I hate loading the bar) and also because I suspect I might actually be getting something out of pulling from a bit lower, because it takes that bit more effort.
Edit: and I missed out worrying about clanging the thing down too noisily, or not lining it up properly when I put it down! But I may give it a go sometime.0 -
No, we go to 45lb plates here, which I will be finally using on dead lifts (yay!).
However, the 25's are a big deal for my squats, since I don't feel like I am putting dinky 10's, 5's, and 2.5's on the bar.
Speaking of deads; I didn't put plates under to raise it at 125, and I think I was pulling from too low and kind of kinked my back. It doesn't hurt per se, just feels "off" when I twist a certain way. I will wait to see how I feel on Wed. to see if I want to stay at 125 or move to 135.
Thanks, I was curious! And I agree that the 25s are a big deal for squats!
I found that the deadlifts got easier when I could use the biggest plates, so you might find it doesn't feel like a big jump up to 135.0 -
Lorina -my body does that same "snap, crackle, pop" but nothing hurts, ever. Just part of getting old that sucks!
Taking an unwanted break this week. Leaving tomorrow for my mom's for Thanksgiving and no way to get strength workouts in while I'm there. I can do some walking in her neighborhood (which I usually do), but that's pretty much it for the week.
Everyone have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!!0 -
Hey guys I'm new to the group and to stronglifts. I did attempt NROLFW a while back but my gym just wasn't compatable. Tomorrow I restart week 1 of 5x5 at a new MALE gym (eeeek mine was female only hence lack of weights). I'll admit I'm so nervous of actually getting in and doing a workout but when I went for a wander around on sunday it seemed fine, although empty. I'm sure it will be chocka block on a week night. I can't wait to get in to lifting seriously and finally shed that extra bf%0
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Is 25lb the biggest plate in the US? Just asking because our biggest plate (at my gym) is 20kg, which is about 45 lb, I think. The only problem with that is that it's only when you get on to the big plates that the bar seems to be at the right height for deadlifts. So when I do below 135 lb on the warmup sets I'm pulling from too low down. I know I could balance the bar on plates, but I ... well, it all just seems so much faff loading the damn thing anyway that I don't want to fiddle about any more. I wish we full-size 20 lb plates. There is another gym nearby which is getting plates which all have the same circumference but different colours (like the Olympic ones). I'm tempted to go and try them out.
use the extra plates to rise the bar
stronglifts is a short workout I'm sure you can add 3 minutes for proper set up.
I don't need it for deads, but need it for rows, and the difference in performance is amazing.
^^Totally agree with this--There are little bar risers at my gym--they are like two little tripods to set the bar on, and are just the right height to start from for rows. It made a HUGE difference in how I felt I was doing last time.0 -
It is my off day; wish it wasn't.
Just wanted to pop in and add that I did use plates to raise the bar up for rows yesterday and it felt less awkward. Still felt awkward as they are hard to get used to, but felt much better than without the extra lift. Thanks for the advice!
Libby - Welcome and good luck/have fun with your new workout. I much prefer SL over NROL4W...sweet and simple.0 -
Hey guys I'm new to the group and to stronglifts. I did attempt NROLFW a while back but my gym just wasn't compatable. Tomorrow I restart week 1 of 5x5 at a new MALE gym (eeeek mine was female only hence lack of weights). I'll admit I'm so nervous of actually getting in and doing a workout but when I went for a wander around on sunday it seemed fine, although empty. I'm sure it will be chocka block on a week night. I can't wait to get in to lifting seriously and finally shed that extra bf%
welcome
my gym is male and female, but I'm the only women who ever touched a barbell
you will be fine, everybody is focused on their workout, so don't worry too much.0 -
I use the same soda crates I use under my feet for the bench press to raise the bar when doing deadlifts. Works perfect!0
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Hello All,
I'm new to Strong Lifts, I've only done 4 workouts so far but I'm loving it! Unfortunately I failed the overhead press yesterday at 50lbs. 50LBS! Ug. Any one else bottom out so quickly?0 -
On the overhead press, yes, definitely! I had to build up to lifting the bar by using dumbbells. And then progress was extremely slow. In fact I've gone back to using just the bar, to get my technique right and it STILL feels very hard. I'm very impressed that you are on 50lb after 4 workouts!0
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You can buy bumper plates (rubber plates that are the same diameter as 45# iron) at Rogue Fitness starting as small as 10#. The Hi-Temp brand are pretty reasonable in price. This way you can get the bar to the proper distance off the ground for DL. Another idea if you are handy or have someone around who is, get plywood and cut a circle the same diameter as a 45# iron plate.
I have a set of 10# and 15# bumpers. I love it when the neighbors see me doing OHP with them because it looks like I'm doing 135# when I'm only doing 65#.0 -
On the overhead press, yes, definitely! I had to build up to lifting the bar by using dumbbells. And then progress was extremely slow. In fact I've gone back to using just the bar, to get my technique right and it STILL feels very hard. I'm very impressed that you are on 50lb after 4 workouts!
Thanks! Well, it helped that the bar is 45! Lol. So yesterday I tried adding two 2.5lbs and ended up doing 5,5,3,3,3. Sigh. Or am I missing how people are counting the weight? Should I be saying that I progressed to 5lbs? Does one count the bar?0 -
Last week I squatted and deadlifted my bodyweight - major NSVs for me, 2 days later I was in the hospital with pneumonia and just getting home. Looks like I'll take a couple of weeks off from lifting and then maybe just start back at the beginning and focus on form.
Anyone else experience a major pneumonia set back? How did you handle your return to lifting?0 -
Thanks! Well, it helped that the bar is 45! Lol. So yesterday I tried adding two 2.5lbs and ended up doing 5,5,3,3,3. Sigh. Or am I missing how people are counting the weight? Should I be saying that I progressed to 5lbs? Does one count the bar?
No, I don't think you're missing anything. I would count the bar and call it 50lb. I'm serious about 50 lb being impressive! I'd been using fractional plates, and only doing 3 x 5 and was struggling to do that much over weeks.
@Vicmonster I don't have any advice to offer, but a friend of mine had pneumonia recently and it took her weeks to get back to normal. She is feeling great now and active again, but it was a slowish recovery. I hope you're feeling better soon.0 -
I use the same soda crates I use under my feet for the bench press to raise the bar when doing deadlifts. Works perfect!
I use soda crates, too!0 -
Last week I squatted and deadlifted my bodyweight - major NSVs for me, 2 days later I was in the hospital with pneumonia and just getting home. Looks like I'll take a couple of weeks off from lifting and then maybe just start back at the beginning and focus on form.
Anyone else experience a major pneumonia set back? How did you handle your return to lifting?
Oh, my. Well congrats on the squats and deads. That's awesome.
I think we all have (or will) experience a setback from time to time, whether it's a radical change in our lives, or health issues.
I think the key is not to get too discouraged, and remember that whatever strength you may lose while recovering, you can get that back. Taking care of your overall health should always be the priority over lifting.
That said, I hope you have a speedy recovery!0 -
Hello All,
I'm new to Strong Lifts, I've only done 4 workouts so far but I'm loving it! Unfortunately I failed the overhead press yesterday at 50lbs. 50LBS! Ug. Any one else bottom out so quickly?
Sounds about right for OHP. I'm still at 55 (and often failing) 14 weeks into it. But I've tripled the weight I started with for deads and squats. OHP is hard!0 -
Thanks! Well, it helped that the bar is 45! Lol. So yesterday I tried adding two 2.5lbs and ended up doing 5,5,3,3,3. Sigh. Or am I missing how people are counting the weight? Should I be saying that I progressed to 5lbs? Does one count the bar?
No, I don't think you're missing anything. I would count the bar and call it 50lb. I'm serious about 50 lb being impressive! I'd been using fractional plates, and only doing 3 x 5 and was struggling to do that much over weeks.
Thanks! I feel better now, and I've read on here that overhead press is the hardest.
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I tried to go up 10 for deads...from 125 to 135 and it was an utter failure. I could only get 2 reps and I felt like my form was sh!te. I'm going to go back to 125 and start moving up slowly from there.
OHP was 53 again. I'm just going to keep with that until it doesn't suck, then go up in small increments from there.
One thing that I didn't think would really impact my lifting, but has, is the fact that my left arm doesn't straighten out all the way--remenents from a gymnastics accident when I was 12. It's really starting to make a difference on how I lower the bar for rows and deads...the right side hits first. It's a bit embarassing because it's kinda noisy...*shrug* but there's nothing I can do about it.0 -
Hey guys I'm new to the group and to stronglifts. I did attempt NROLFW a while back but my gym just wasn't compatable. Tomorrow I restart week 1 of 5x5 at a new MALE gym (eeeek mine was female only hence lack of weights). I'll admit I'm so nervous of actually getting in and doing a workout but when I went for a wander around on sunday it seemed fine, although empty. I'm sure it will be chocka block on a week night. I can't wait to get in to lifting seriously and finally shed that extra bf%
welcome
my gym is male and female, but I'm the only women who ever touched a barbell
you will be fine, everybody is focused on their workout, so don't worry too much.
thanks hun I can't wait to lift properly and get some strength back. Who knows maybe the big guys will mother me lol0 -
Hello, awesome ladies. I've only posted in here a couple of times, but I wanted to pop in and just say thanks for letting me bounce ideas off of you. I've decided to start NROL4W instead of SL, mainly because I really want to start on a progressive routine, and my shoulder injury won't let me get started on doing OHPs for quite some time; those are 1/5 of the whole burrito with SL. Even though I just decided not to do SL, I want to share how my "personal fitness assessment" (PFA) with a personal trainer went down at my new gym last night (I started a new job at a company that has a great fitness center). The PFA last night + one more next week are free. I told the guy my goals are to get comfortable with the free weight area of the gym, citing specifically the cages/equipmt for squats, chest press, Pendlay rows/deadlift. In my mind, I was willing to even pay him for a couple extra sessions to give me pointers on my form and give me a rundown on the etiquette around that part of the gym. Long story short, the guy turned it into a sales pitch for a 90 day, 2x/wk program with him that - get this - starts with 4 weeks of *machines*(!). His rationale was that he wanted to build a "base of strength" for me. He watched me incline leg press 300 lbs, but he doesn't think I'm ready to squat a 45lb Olympic bar? So I'm a little frustrated (up in the middle of the night, actually) that now he's made me feel even uncomfortable walking up to that (rarely used, I might add) equipmt since his "professional opinion" was that I'm not ready for it. I should add that he gave that opinion even before he started measuring any of my strength. Ugh. I'm going to have a talk with him at my next PFA and tell him I will pay him if he gets me started on the free weights right away, and if not him, then I'll find another trainer. If I find that not one trainer there will start me off on free weights, then screw them, I'm forging ahead anyway. I just refuse to accept that I'm supposed to start on machines.
What do you guys think? Is there any solid reason I have to start on machines?
Have a happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
ETA: @vicmonster, feel better!0 -
I think a bunch of us started on the weights...not machines. Tell the trainer to eff off....he sounds like an idiot.0
