My ability to lift the bar into squat position failed at 35-40lbs. I used dumbbells for a while (wide stance, drop them inside my knees) and goblet squats until the weights got too big/heavy for those to work. Then I switched to hack squats (bar on the floor behind you) but it doesn't activate the glutes/hams the same way as barbell squats, and seems to tire my arms for OHPs on workout B. Really, you need some way of supporting the bar at shoulder height or thereabouts. Have you got anything you could use to securely rest if there? Or could you get yourself a squat stand?

(I'm actually going to take out a second gym membership to one with a proper powerlifting area because I'm so frustrated at not being able to squat properly at my current one.)

Just please dont try this

W. T. Everloving. F.?!

A lot of the women have started off with lower weights and so started with dumbbells. Since you indicated that you're looking for something to tide you over until you can join a gym, you might be able to start off with dumbbell variations and then switch over when you have access to the gym. As someone else mentioned, dumbbells can be kind of self limiting, so if you're looking to join a gym next year, that might be a problem. But, if you're joining a gym in a month or two, it may not be much of a problem.

Also, if money is the issue, look around for some independent gyms. Some of them are a lot cheaper than the big box gyms, and the gym I'm at doesn't have a contract, so I can stop at any time. Just be sure you inspect the free weight area first. Or, set aside money every month into a "gym" account, and use the money to buy some more weights and gear for your house. A lot of the ladies workout at home.

Start browsing craigslist for a bench. It's a little harder to find a squat rack on there. The idea of someone doing barbell bench on a stability ball sounds terrifying to me. It has so much danger written all over it. At least on a flat bench the bar would just be on top of your chest if you failed on your lift. On the ball if you dropped the bar it would probably nail you in the face as the ball started rolling beneath you. I am shuddering just thinking about it! I am so sorry to be a downer. I did stronglifts at home without a squat rack. I just did a clean & jerk then lowered the bar down to my shoulders. Similar to you, once I would get to a certain weight on squats and overhead press, I never would have been able to do this anymore. I had to take a break from exercise due to illness, but will be starting again soon. It's going to be a while before I feel ready to do barbell work again, but I hope to get there. Good luck!

I got an entire olympic set plus bench and squat rack and plate stand at Play It Again Sports for less than many pay for an annual gym membership. Added some padded floor tiles, and le voila, gym in my garage.

Used equipment is always an option as long as it's in good shape. And, this is the perfect time of year to be looking for it, with people's New Year's resolutions starting to collect dust and/or going up for sale.

I do SL at home and the first items I bought were a 300lb Olympic barbell set and bench. I knew that a couple of months down the road I was going to be purchasing a power rack so I improvised. I used 3 rubbermaid storage containers stacked on each side as my "squat rack" :ohwell: So I'm not saying this is the greatest idea....but it worked for me until I got to about 100lbs for squat and that's when it got really shady :laugh: Luckily that is when I got my power rack, so all was good. When it was time to bench, I removed one container on each side and slid the bench in between.

If you can't get more equipment for home then I strongly suggest the gym oh and stability ball bench :noway: :laugh:

Joining a gym is an option, and was my plan once I got my lifts up to 45lbs. There is also a tiny, rusty gym at my workplace. However, both of these places only have standard Olympic barbells, and I genuinely CAN NOT lift them for five sets of five. I have been going to the work gym to make attempts at the bar, and I can do about 5 squats, 2 bench press, and the ohp...I can't pick up the bar off the rack.

There's never any shame in working up to 5x5 and making do with lighter weights and less reps until you get to the "correct" starting weights for all lifts and "officially" start Stronglifts. I started OHP and bench presses on dumbbells (you have to really pay attention to stability and lifting them up evenly) and dinkered around with the 45 lbs bar on other lifts for what seemed like forever (it was really only about a week or so) until I felt brave enough to put actual weights on it or do more than 1 or 2 sets of anything.

We all start where we start and progress how we progress.

Would joining the gym now, and using their dumbbells to build my weights up be a better idea? That way I'd at least have access to a bench...

Sorry if my original question sounds ridiculous! I genuinely don't know a lot about this stuff yet.

Edit: apparently I say 'genuinely' a lot, haha

This sounds like a much better idea. and a safer one.

Hack squats are working for me. I'm only up to 85 pounds but I'll be okay for a while yet I think. At some point I'll need a plan b.

Alright, I'm convinced! I will be joining the gym on Monday.

Thanks for all your advice, and for saving me from (probably) breaking my face on the ball :laugh:

Thank you!!! The mom in me was seriously freaking out! Start with their dumbbells or see if they have any lighter barbells. Good luck!