Ugh today my workout wasn't so great.

It started out with a guy deciding I needed "help" putting the bar into the cage for squatting and he was very condescending. A lot of mansplaining about squats ensued.

The good: I hit 5x5 at 48 kg on the squat (about 105 lbs)

The not-so-good, downright embarrassing, is that on the bench press I failed my second set (29 kg) because I didn't rest long enough (I know this because I was fine for the other sets after that). Instead of calling for help I used the method of tipping the bar to the side so the weights would fall off. It was the easiest thing to do at the time since I didn't know any of the guys. It was pretty embarrassing.
So next time I'll try the bench press at 29 kg AGAIN (I've already tried it twice at that weight)

If you don't want to tip the bar, there's always the roll of shame:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_OdXKfSp-Y

Something I've noticed about guys in the gym:

Type 1 (most guys): ignore you, do their own thing
Type 2 (a few): friendly - say hi - help -when asked - and encourage you as you make progress.
Type 3 (a few): OMG why are YOU lifting weights? Are you sure you can handle that bar? That weight? WHYYYYYY?
Type 4 (a few): NO. It's pathetic to use just the (10kg) bar for the bench press, you're not "allowed" to. Add weights there's no way you're that weak (I was doing a WARM UP SET). Aww I'm sure you can do just one more rep, you're not going to stop at 5 are you? You're weak!
Type 5 (thankfully only one in my gym so far): creepy, follows you around and tries to follow you into the women's sauna after lifting! Reported him.

Really? You should come to my gym there are 2 types of guys.

Type 1: ignores you does their own thing
Type 2: Friendly, works in with you at the squat rack, asks you what got you into lifting, compliments your squat form.

Sorry the boys were hogging the squat rack...I have no problem walking over there, asking how many more sets, and then sitting there, starting until the meatheads move their *kitten*. :laugh:

I offer to let people work in. But otherwise if you wanna wait and stare go ahead I'm not rushing for anyone. I need my rest inbetween sets. Had people do that I don't really care that they get mad when I take my 5 mins between OHP sets. I can't get through em otherwise so meh

You mad, bro?

I was merely stating that I have no problem letting the people know that I'm waiting for the squat rack---and I might was well wait there so no one ganks it from me while I got get a drink or something. I could give two sh!ts if someone needs to take 5 minutes between sets to rest or whatever. I stretch or do pushups or something.

The thing that chaps my *kitten* is when dudes will use the power cage for something, rest for 5 minutes, do bicep curls elsewhere (but not unrack their weights) rest 5 minutes, then rinse, repeat.

Also, I was trying to encourage a fellow lifter (one who has lady parts) to empower herself and let the guys who are using the rack that she's waiting for it...because, you know, that's what we do here.

only type 1 at my gym...I'm totally ignored..which is how I want it...

But the guys at my gym like to do a little circuit between machines..and expect everyone else to stay off the equipement while they are doing it...yeah, I'm psyhic *kitten*..

well just to point out that this bro was in the squat rack for an hour...I generally think if the barbell is still loaded someone is using it...smh...but sometimes they just leave those 45lbs weights up high so I can't get them off...douches..

I'd say for the most part the guys are okay at my gym, but I've reracked my share of weights...that weren't mine! its annoying.

I don't think it's in the best interest of anyone here to continue this so just going to drop it now.

No disrespect was meant to anyone and sorry if any has been caused.

Most of the guys at my gym ignore me, but most of them also use the smith machine or dumbbells. I've seen one guy use the squat rack. He was very nice the first time we met (I had just finished and he noticed I had a beer shirt on). Then I think he realized I would actually be using his squat rack, and he hasn't spoken to me since. :laugh: But other than the one guy on Sunday mornings, not many people use the squat rack. Kinda nice. I occasionally will start with other exercises, but I hate doing squats last (and I've never actually tried cleaning the bar for OHP, and I feel kind of like I might fall on my *kitten*).

The only dillholes in the weight area that I've noticed are the "trainers". I had one give me stink eye for asking how much longer he was going to have his client doing pushups in the power rack. I admit, it was partly my fault since I had *****-face-sarcastic-voice, but still. There's a whole area that you can do pushups; why there?

Other than myself and two other dudes, everyone else uses the rack for arm/chest/shoulder stuff. They're usually nice about speeding things up if you ask how many more sets they have.

Our gym has all types. No one has said boo to me yet over in the barbell area


Wow, I just can't keep up with y'all! LOL But I'm just gonna keep posting 'cause I like feeling like I'm part of the group :bigsmile:

Monday my workout was gosh darned hard :grumble: I don't know if I posted about it afterwards, but let's just assume that I did and move on .

Today I had a fabulous workout. Sorta. I forgot that I am trying to just follow someone else's directions and I increased my weights more than I shoulda and I didn't stick to the reps/sets/warmups directions

Squat 60 X 5 oops I was only supposed to do 55, DID do warmup sets though

Bench 60 X 5 oops I forgot to do any warmup sets but at least I got the weight right

Rows 65 x 3, 70 x 4 oops only supposed to do 65 X 5 and no warmups either geez totally screwed that one up

OK, Friday I promise to focus more on following directions.

Nice workout. I can't math well and I have unintentionally added more and wonder why it felt so dang heavier.

Most everyone at my gym is really nice. I have on occasion asked someone how many sets they had left but also told them not to rush that I would wait.

There was a girl beside me today doing squats and deadlifts and some crazy stuff in-between. Her form was horrible. I'm no expert but she was really rounding her back on the deadlifts and not extending all the way up at the top. It made me a liitle nervous that she might hurt herself. I didn't say anything though.

Today:

Squats 110 lbs
Bench 85lbs 5x5x4x3 I think I could have done it all but I didn't have a spotter and didn't want to risk it
Rows 85lb

My favorite meatheads were there today...along with about a schmillion hs boys. I walked in and must have had a WTF face on (the gym is NEVER that crowded at 3:15!) and one of the MH's saw me and started laughing. Another one said, "I know, we all had the same look!" I love those guys--they work hard, notice when I'm waiting for something and let me know when they're done, and they'll come find me if I've moved to something else.

OHP 70 for 3x5--this was my "ultimate" goal, so I guess I'll have to reset it!!
Deads 160 for 1...yes, 1. :laugh: My back's been bugging, me so I need to get it sorted and try again.

Soos: I'm doing something like that with squats. I stick with one weight a little longer, to make sure my form is really good. I'm so weak on them, reason being. Every other lift I progress as recommended. Unless I get all my reps but suspect my form was slipping or something.

^This exactly. Every week for squats. Try to progress each time on all the other lifts. (Of course, that never works for OHP...)

And Vegas, you may not be finding any bfs at the gym. At least not mine. They all have bad form, and who would want to date someone with bad form?! :laugh:

Tameko you're a major badass :laugh:

Or that fact that I stroll in with a take no prisoner's attitude and am not afraid to pick my post-squat wedgie in front of a zillion mirrors.:laugh:

I wish I were brave enough to do that! Have been doing the trytowalknormal-shuffle-hop of shame to a secluded corner or bathroom. :laugh:

And, sadly, I am too old for most of the guys at my gym. :sad: Need to find a better hunting ground.

Seriously considering not adding weight every workout. Just add weight at beginning of week and use those all week. Anyone else do this?

INDTP

(That's Rippetoe speak for "I'm not doing the program")

I go up as I am comfortable, with good form. If I find myself wobble around or having a really hard time, I stay where I'm at or deload. Ain't nobody paying me to bench press my bodyweight by summertime, or for any other lifting I'm doing. I do push for progress though because my goal is to build muscle, and you can't do that unless you give your muscles something to stress over on a regular basis.

I'm kinda hoping all that muscle is going to eventually eat the extra fat ... somehow, even though I'm not lifting at a surplus but a small-ish deficit. If I had started lifting years ago when I was randomly stuffing my face and gaining weight, I'd probably be really ripped by now. Hahaha. Oopsie. :laugh:

Having said that, in 5 weeks my squats have gone from 45 to 65, OHP from 20 to 50, benches from 45 to 56, Pendlays from 50 to 61 and DLs from 90 to 115.

And that's starting from zero, technically speaking cause it's my first time lifting heavy, ever.

I'm good, in my own humble estimation, even though INDTP. :laugh:

If you start today and increase your squat by a pound every week, then a year from now you will be squatting 52 pounds more than when you started. Just to keep it in perspective. Most of us will go up by a lot more than that; just saying that even incremental progress really makes a difference over the long term, which is why I don't sweat going up 5 lbs overmuch. In Starting Strength you're supposed to go up every week I think, rather than every workout (which is why that appeals to me a lot more than SL). Every self-respecting decent lifting program I've looked at will have you go up in some way, over time, including NROLFW and others.

/end philosophizing