Stupid question about heavy lifting

MorgueBabe
MorgueBabe Posts: 1,188 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Does it mean literally heavy? Cause isn't heavy different for everyone?
So for instance, anything with shoulder raises 3lb are difficult for me but I can do them, so would heavy lifting be 5lbs?
Biceps I can do 5 lbs no problem so I should be heavy lifting at say 8?

Replies

  • RunHardBeStrong
    RunHardBeStrong Posts: 33,069 Member
    Yes, you're correct, it's different for everyone. Heavy lifting as in what's heavy for you. I prefer to call it "lifting challenging weights". :wink:
  • skydiveD30571
    skydiveD30571 Posts: 281 Member
    I think "lifting heavy" is a loosely used phrase to describe lifting heavy weights (for you) instead of many many reps of the really light (think pink) dumbbells for example. If it seems heavy for you, it's heavy!
  • TomKat428
    TomKat428 Posts: 30
    You are correct. It's subjective to the lifter. I consider "heavy lifting" to be weight that I can lift no more than 8-10 reps without being completely fatigued. Whether that's 8 pounds for your biceps or more (I bet you can lift more, I'd try at least 10 and see how that works), it all depends on where you are in your fitness journey. I hope that helps!
  • MorgueBabe
    MorgueBabe Posts: 1,188 Member
    Thanks I thought I was right but just wanted to double check.
    Right now I'm doing Jillian M 30DS. Can I incorporate heavy lifting into that?
  • JNick77
    JNick77 Posts: 3,783 Member
    Does it mean literally heavy? Cause isn't heavy different for everyone?
    So for instance, anything with shoulder raises 3lb are difficult for me but I can do them, so would heavy lifting be 5lbs?
    Biceps I can do 5 lbs no problem so I should be heavy lifting at say 8?

    Heavy is relative to an individual's strength. What's heavy for one isn't necessarily heavy for another. Heavy Lifting (aka Maximal Strength Training or Absolute Strength) is best defined as 85% to 100% of one's 1RM and is usually 5reps to 1rep. Not all programs have you train with your true 5 rep max (RM) or even 1RM, it's usually a percentage of the percentage. Also, not all exercises are meant to be trained this way.
  • Gallowmere1984
    Gallowmere1984 Posts: 6,626 Member
    Agreeing with everyone else here. In strength training, just about everything is relative, from weight lifted, to form, grip type and position, etc.

    My wife and I lift together, and what is heavy as hell, grind out hard on a deadlift for her, I can pick up with one arm with ease. Also, she tried using the same form I do on deadlift, but couldn't pick up much of a damned thing. She tweaked her form a bit, widened her stance and grip, and away she went, picking up all the things. ;)

    Just as Nick said 'Heavy Lifting' can generally be described very well as 85-100% of your 1RM. Of course, in the early stages, you'll probably have no idea of what your 1RM is, and it will likely increase VERY rapidly for the first few months, even once you do know.
  • surromom2010
    surromom2010 Posts: 457 Member
    Thanks I thought I was right but just wanted to double check.
    Right now I'm doing Jillian M 30DS. Can I incorporate heavy lifting into that?

    There isn't much youll be able to do with heavy weights in 30ds. But you could use something like 5lb weights instead of the 3lbs she suggested. thats what i did. If you want to keep up with her I wouldn't suggest using more than 8lbs unless you've made a couple run throughs of the routine before.
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    You are correct. It's subjective to the lifter. I consider "heavy lifting" to be weight that I can lift no more than 8-10 reps without being completely fatigued. Whether that's 8 pounds for your biceps or more (I bet you can lift more, I'd try at least 10 and see how that works), it all depends on where you are in your fitness journey. I hope that helps!
    That pretty well sums it up. I don't think "Heavy Lifting" can sensibly be incorporated into any Jillian/Beachbody/etc. routine because most of them are more geared toward cardio and are using very high rep schemes. If you pick a weight you can squat/deadlift/curl/press/etc. 8-10 times, you're not going to be able to use it for the hundreds of reps done in most of those videos.

    As others have said, "Heavy" is a very relative term. What one person considers a max weight is what another may consider a warm-up weight, or less. Somebody who's spent a couple years training in powerlifting will be squatting well over 300-400 pounds (or more)....a beginner trying to climb under that weight would be instantly crushed.

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