sophzhr Member

Thanks for your input :) I thought it would be best to move to SL just because I'm planning to reduce calories by around 500+ - I wanted to reduce volume to aid recovery and not 'waste' energy doing too many accessory exercises.

Thanks for your reply :) Do you think it's worth varying rep ranges at all then, or just stick to trying to keep my compound lifts moving up?

Hi there! I second the posts above about only monitoring the cals very closely if you feel like it doesn't effect you badly. I recovered from a BED a few months ago (which followed bouts of restriction and exercise bulimia, so I understand how you feel). I'd also suggest writing up a large list of meals which you know the…

Ah I see. I train with a PT most weeks, and we generally split the days into legs, shoulders, back/bis, chest, and then a day which will consist of either circuit training/plyometric work/olympic lifting skills. Sometimes I train legs twice a week, but it's rare. Hope this was clear :smile:

5-6 times a week, not day :smile: lol I can't imagine what routine would have me in the gym 6 times a day :D :p

Got it, thanks a lot Sidesteel :smiley: I don't have any mobility issues with lighter weights, but with the heavy days there's a bit of mental fear there that the lower I go the less likely I am to come back up :D

Thanks for the suggestions! I eat around maintenance currently (I'm trying to lose fat, but I don't really care if it's at a snails pace) so hopefully it's not due to an lacking energy. Can I ask how often you added in glute work?

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm definitely trying hard to be patient, I just don't want to spin my wheels needlessly either :D It was interesting to read your breathing pattern...I've never exhaled on the up (I hold my breath until I'm red in the face lol), so I may give that a try. I squat an average of twice a week…

Wow, thank you for taking the time to write out all that advice for me, I really appreciate it :) I'll definitely pay attention to trying to keep the bar over the centre of my foot...I'll be squatting tomorrow, so hopefully I'll be able to work out if something needs tweaking. Are you of the opinion that there's a…

Thanks a lot for the suggestion - I've been using the 5x5 sets/reps in the hope that I could keep adding weight consistently each workout, but sadly that has not gone to plan hah! I'm happy with my form, but not so much with breathing patterns. I've read so many different pieces on advice on the 'right' way to breathe, and…

Thanks for the reply :) I'm completely sure that my back never rounds when I squat, but it doesn't stay completely vertical either...would you say this is an issue? It's more like at a 45 degree angle. In terms of fatigue, it's less of a stress/burn in a certain area, and more like my entire body is struggling. My body…

I train with him frequently, yes - roughly 3 days a week (and then I train 3 other days myself). It's reassuring to know that it's not just me with a comparatively weaker lift! Thanks for the advice :smiley:

I'll keep it in mind, thanks :) I do my best to centre my workouts around explosive strength/power (hence the desire to get my compound lifts nailed at higher weights), since the size difference between me and many of my partners (male, 190lbs, twice my height) is often intimidating haha. Thanks again :blush:

Thank you for the advice...I definitely will chat to him about it on Monday (my next session). He's aware of my goals (building strength), but I haven't mentioned any programs. I have noticed that sometimes we will do a week of trianing which is following a format like SL, then a week with higher reps/lower weights etc., -…

Thanks for the helpful info! You mentioned higher reps/lower weights and switching rep cycles being a good idea - this seems to be the pattern behind my PTs training. I am happy with the results, but I've heard such great things about SL, Starting strength etc., and I do want to get my compound lifts higher...I always feel…

I will definitely bear it in mind - the reason I say that I don't believe that it's a factor is that I've been training for 2+ years, and have only had these injuries in the last 6 months. Also my PT is aware of my injuries and Krav maga training.

I train in Krav Maga, only once or twice per week (I do some solo training too), but the lessons aren't as physically intense as, say, jiu-jitsu, and I rarely feel the need to recover after. That is unless we do grappling (which is how I got injured). I am attracted though to the idea of only training 3xweek at the gym and…

Thanks for the suggestions guys! The injuries I had weren't from lifting, they're from martial arts - my trainer is pretty on point with form advice from what I know, luckily. I think I'll try SL...I'm just reticent to override my PT programme I guess :/

Wow <3 you are goals! SO inspirational!

Thanks everyone, you've made me feel a lot better about the whole thing - knowing that I won't immediately have major strength losses is really reassuring :) Thanks!

Yep, the former :) I will let him know, I just wanted to ask in the forums for opinions on whether it was common for progressions to be this slow/whether it would be advisable to just follow my PT's plan for the time being instead of asking him to change it up a bit. I'm lucky that he gives me quite a bit of variety.

Predominantly front squats, yes. I have done back squats a few times (and I find them a lot easier for obvious reasons), but usually my PT has me do front squats. That may be why he hasn't upped the weight much for me then?

This was my intention when I joined a gym, and is why I'm questioning my PT - I'd like to put more weight on the bar every session when I can, but as I am new to lifting, I didn't feel confident in overriding my PT. I have decided to bring it up with him though.

Haha I'm seeing a trend here for cookies/ice cream/chocolate/bread.... the good stuff :blush: From around a year ago, I would eat whole boxes of cereal, multiple chocolate bars, whole large loaves of bread, packs of multiple baguettes, toffee waffles by the box, pasta by the bag, uh....cookies. All of them of course (I…

Thanks, I've been thinking of mentioning Strong Lifts/Starting Strength to him; or at least bring it up, but I was unsure whether how he's training me is actually as good/normal as the programs above... I guess we're all a bit different with it - my PT seems to be similar to you in that he rarely works me to failure or…

I'm pretty sure my form is good - he's put a lot of emphasis on it, and we've worked at low weights repeatedly so it didn't take long for me to get it down. In terms of sets/reps, it's a little hard for me to track, since he doesn't seem to be following a strict program or anything - sometimes it's 5x5 (usually with…

My goal is 60g (I eat 1800 calories), but I usually ge between 20g and 30g. Thanks for the suggestions, I'll look into a multi-vitamin and an fat supplement.

That's probably true...I've been working out hard for a long time, so I guess I'm 'used' to my hunger levels being high, so I don't know the difference. :/ Don't worry, I'll take on your advice :) The last thing I want to do is get injured, so I'll try and stay sensible with regards to how much stress I put on my body.

That's probably true...I've been working out hard for a long time, so I guess I'm 'used' to my hunger levels being high, so I don't know the difference. :/ Don't worry, I'll take on your advice :) The last thing I want to do is get injured, so I'll try and stay sensible with regards to how much stress I put on my body.

Wow, thanks for the insight :smiley: Your story was what I was afraid of...I am aware that fat loss is dictated by diet, but I find that keeping my activity levels high = more calories I can eat = happier me! The busy workout schedule is just because I love all of it haha :P Thanks again!