OHP

ninakale
ninakale Posts: 49 Member
Good morning, I am new to the group and just did my first OHPs this morning. I couldn't get the bar over my head, so had to use a 25 pound bar (one of the slim ones from the "girl's weight section" for lack of a better term) as that was my only other option, but this was not heavy enough. Any suggestions on how to add weight so that I am able to get up to the barbell weight?

Thanks!

Replies

  • leahartmann
    leahartmann Posts: 415
    I don´t know about your gym, but at mine there is special plates for the smaller bar. Just add plates. :smile:

    And I have been lifting for a month and a half and still can´t use the oly bar (are getting closer though.) Don´t worry about it, it will come.
  • ninakale
    ninakale Posts: 49 Member
    So I guess they call this a body bar weight? I don't believe that there are plates to add- does anyone know if that is true?
    Thanks,
    Kara
  • tameko2
    tameko2 Posts: 31,634 Member
    You have a few options. You can find something to put on the bar - some people take magnetic weights or wrap 1lb (ish) wrist/ankle weights around them to add weight.

    You can also do increased reps or increased sets or some combination of the 2.

    So you can do for example -

    5x5
    5x6
    5x7

    Then try moving up to the next weight with 5x5 or even 3x5, see if you can do that. If you can do 3x5, then you cna do 4x5 the next time, 5x5 the time after, 5x6, 5x7, rinse repeat.
  • ninakale
    ninakale Posts: 49 Member
    Thank you, helpful advice, and I will try. I would love to get up to the barbell weight ASAP so that I don't have to risk losing my position in the weight room!
  • Those fixed barbells should come in different weights. It's perfectly fine to start off lighter than the 45 pound bar.
  • ninakale
    ninakale Posts: 49 Member
    Yes, they do come in different weights, but it appeared that the heaviest one in the group was 25 (or 24?) pounds, but the ink was rubbed off a fair number of them. Will have to actually ask a trainer at the gym what they have!