Hi everyone! I will complete Stage 1 Week 2 tomorrow.. I guess next week is less reps but 1 more set. Does anyone know how much the bar weighs on the Smith machine. I go to planet fitness and a regular bar is not available for doing the squats. I am finding I am going to have to modify some other exercises there due to lack of specific equipment.
I was really sore but I have been doing pre and post run yoga sequences so that is really helping... sorry I am still a "cardio" girl at heart and trying to get back into running after a knee issue.
Keep up the good work everyone!

Thanks for the info on the Smith machine... Now I have to figure out if you can do dead lifts with it. It seems like you need more bar movement for the deadlifts but will give it a shot. I am afraid that holding 2 dumbells will be hard for my hands. I got very tiny hands and not sure how much each one can hold.

Does anyone feel they are going to be stuck at certain weights (not body weight, lifting weights) for certain exercises?? Right now I do not think I can possibly do more than 15 pounds for the shoulder presses and not too much more for the lat pulldowns. I am week 3, w/o 2.

Also finding it hard to eat 2000 calories on my lifting days... but I guess I come within 100-200 most times.

Does your gym have any oly bars at all? At benches? I grab any available bar at my gym for deadlifts, not just the one from the squat rack.

Have you tried chalk? I was struggling to grip the bar and hold the weight, so I picked up a block of chalk for $2. I don't know if it's "allowed" at my gym, so I keep it in my bag and rub my hands on it discreetly. I know guys use it, but I've never seen it out in the open. It has made a HUGE difference in my grip for deadlift. I even used it for my step ups last time (22.5# dumbbells) and it made holding the dumbbells much easier too. I'm still new to lifting and learning as I go, but I don't think the size of your hands should affect how much weight you can hold. Your grip strength should increase, allowing you to hold more weight. My grip was suffering, and the chalk has been great. I also "white knuckle" on all of my reps for every move I use the bar or dumbbells on, meaning I grip as hard as I can until my knuckles turn white. This is supposed to help. Also holding the bar in your hands at the top of your deadlift on the last few reps. Just don't do it early or your hands will tire out.

For eating calories, I have NO problems there! I really like to eat. Do you like oatmeal? You can easily get up to 500 calories with a serving of oatmeal if you use milk, add some fruit or raisins and nuts.

I was STUCK on lat pulldowns for a few sessions. I had to really learn how to engage my back and pull properly. After that, I've been able to increase, even if only by 2.5# per time. I'm at 20# on shoulder presses and struggled last time. I'm going up to 22.5# tomorrow, but I don't know that I"ll be able to complete all of the reps. Do your dumbbells go up by 5# only? That's tough!! Maybe increase weight, and expect fewer reps?

I'm doing NORLFW, but reading alot of the SL5x5 info since Mehdi seems to go into more details. I'm following his guidelines on upping weight and not deloading immediately if I can't finish a set.
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they have some bars, the curl bars with the wavy bar and the straight one but they only go up to 60 pounds and I am at that weight already for deadlifts. The only other bars are the ones attached to the Smith Machine
I am not that big a fan of oatmeal... I don't have a problem finding things to eat... I just don't want to eat if not hungry...
What is the SL5x5??

Hi there...just finished my second workout. I'm doing this program at home with DB up to 60# total, Swiss ball, bar and a few plates that go up to 35#. I'm not sure this is going to be enough but should be to get started right?

I was wondering how long it takes for you to get through the workout? Both workout 1 & 2 took me approx 22 min with rest with out WU or CD. Does this seem reasonable or to fast? Some exercises I need to up my weight but othersi don't and now I've done 1 of each, I now know for next time.

Also, I'm running a few days a week and will continue to because I'm training for a half soon. Anyone else doing cardio as well?

Thanks and happy lifting!!