Ladies how much do you squat???

I'm stuck @125lbs at the moment..
I work out at home, so I'm hesitant to add too much more at the risk of injuring myself.

Legs are not my strong point and I prefer to lift in the hypertrophy range (8-12) over strength. I squatted 120 LB for 8 reps this week and add weight each week. I'm 5'2 115 lb. Goal is to be at 135 LB by June.

Edited to add: Don't get too caught up on what others can or cannot do. Best piece of advice I've been given is to check your ego at the door when it comes to lifting. I rather do a lighter weight with proper form and correctly than try to throw a heavier weight around that's poor form or of poor quality. I saw a guy do this the other day after I squatted and he said something rude. He then proceeds to get in after me, backwards and then has the poorest form I've ever seen. He obviously was new and didnt know, but he was one slip away from a horrible injury.

Doing stronglifts for about 6 weeks??? I weigh 170# and can 5 x 5 125# on the rack. I use the pad that wraps around the bar for any soreness.

I have temporarily stopped squatting though due to as sore lower back (not sure from what) so I moved to angled leg presses...hit 230# for 5 x 5 last night.

I got up to 135# 25x's w/ the StrongLifts program. I quit it to do something else at the moment but plan on getting back into lifting again here shortly. My goal is 200# so we shall see.

cwolfman13 I have been in shape before too. Although I was never a heavy lifter. I was out of shape about two years and decided to make a change in January and haven't looked back and don't plan to. I love lifting weights and it just keeps me coming back for more. I am hooked.

Lifting is awesome. My wife was a college rugby player; she played hooker (ok, everybody get their laughs in) so she was always in front and center in a scrum...so she's always had to have a good deal of brute strength. It was one of the things that impressed me most when I met her. One of our first dates was at the gym...when I saw her actually go to the free weights first, I pretty much fell in love right then and there.

80 lbs but am going for 90 lbs tonight.
Once the muscles at the base of my neck (whatever they're called) got bigger the bar no longer caused discomfort.
I built my own padding :-)

I feel a little strain in my lower back when I do squats as well. My trainer said my form is good so I am not sure why that is. I have never felt injured though, I just feel a little strain after I do a set, especially when I increase my weight.

That little strain, assuming its not actual pain, is probably from not having a really strong core. Squats (with or without weight) require a lot of core strength and if that has not developed yet, then your back is taking some of that stress. Its pretty normal, I had it when I first started and still do a little when I up my weight. As your core becomes stronger, that strain will fade. And I would suggest looking up a low bar squat and see if that helps the neck soreness.

Just keep lifting!

ETA: I am currently up to 120# on my back squats and 85# on my front squats :happy:

I want to start doing front squats as well. They feel much more awkward then back squats though, and I am not near as strong. I am going to start practicing them.

If they feel awkward, start with a PVC pipe or broomstick to get the proper form down. I will warn you that you will get a choking sensation from the bar resting against your neck, that can be pretty awkward, but you get used to it.

currently at 105 for a set of 10 reps. Never tried my 1 max rep. Been real tempted to try but no spotter (

I want to start doing front squats as well. They feel much more awkward then back squats though, and I am not near as strong. I am going to start practicing them.

If they feel awkward, start with a PVC pipe or broomstick to get the proper form down. I will warn you that you will get a choking sensation from the bar resting against your neck, that can be pretty awkward, but you get used to it.

Front squats will work your back a lot more, as you need to stay upright, or you'll dump the bar.

If you have big enough shoulder, and are strong enough to keep them elevated, you can keep the bar decently far away from your windpipe.

Although the concept of the PVC pipe is good, I think it's good to use some weight, because it makes a difference to the rack position, and it changes how you balance too.

Right now, only with my own bodyweight.

My 1 rep max is 265lbs. I'm 5'6" and I weigh 181lbs.

I do Strong Lifts 5x5, and my working number is 175 right now (I lift alone most of the time, so I hate to go too heavy and get stuck).

Use the catch bars! You won't have to worry about needing a spotter!

Currently, 150lbs, but going for 155 tomorrow.

Lahoechst what do you do to prevent the barbell from making your upper back sore. The site where I rest the barbell on is always really sore the next day.

Same question for LoraF83

I think it has been answered already. But you are probably holding the bar to close to your neck. Squeeze your shoulders together and make a shelf (someone else mentioned this). At first you will feel like it is too far back. They also have the foam pads and sting rays that help reduce the pressure on your shoulders.

I do front squats too and never have an issue with the bar choking my windpipe......that sounds painful!

My 1 rep max is 265lbs. I'm 5'6" and I weigh 181lbs.

I do Strong Lifts 5x5, and my working number is 175 right now (I lift alone most of the time, so I hate to go too heavy and get stuck).

Use the catch bars! You won't have to worry about needing a spotter!

I could - I just hate the idea of going to my max with literally no one else in the gym. I have the place to myself 99% of the time, so I'm better safe than sorry.
I go hard when I have a partner - which happens a couple times a month.


Ok, that sounded wrong, lol! :laugh: