not_a_runner Member

Yes, you need to give your muscles a rest between workouts. But it's not necessary to rest every other day if you are working different muscles. (Example - Upper body one day, lower body the next day.) When/how much cardio is personal preference and not necessarily related to lifting schedule. Check out out the link above…

Best: Quads, maybe biceps (I had pretty decent biceps before lifting) Worst: I’m trying to focus on delts and back more. Triceps. Mainly my issue is too much fluff to see any of it.... heh I was decent at squats until I injured my SI joint and gave up for a few months. Meh.

Ok, calm down folks. I was just trying to be cheeky with the whole "blowing a bicep" thing. Like I said I pull mixed grip myself. (I have met a girl who tore hers pulling high 300's though.) Next time I will be sure to insert sarcasm font.. I was just poking fun at a poster who likes to speak in absolutes and point fingers…

Grunt, and sweat profusely no matter what you're doing. The only time this hasn't worked is when a handful of people have asked if I'm a powerlifter - LOL.

Also agree. Not to mention injuries can happen to anyone.. Not just enhanced athletes.

I’ve seen some top level Powerlifters who pull with straps during certain training periods and have a specific grip regimen separately. (Pete Rubish for one. And he pulls 900+ lbs) I deadlift to improve my deadlift, or the muscles it works. If I want to train my grip I will do grip work.

I've also found them helpful for forearm/elbow tendinitis.

If people are just lifting recreationally, I don't see why that really matters though. I can deadlift the same with mixed grip and chalk as I can with straps (but I would consider it safer to use the straps, for the reasons I mentioned upthread). Mixed grip alone adds hundreds of pounds to my pull, and I can't think of a…

I'm curious why so many people are for gloves, but completely against straps?

I mean there is the potential for blowing a bicep...... Or developing your back unevenly. (This coming from someone who used mixed grip religiously.)

^ Liquid chalk and mixed grip always worked for me. If you have no desire to compete in powerlifting, I don't see any problem with using straps or versa grips though. I use versa grips for majority of my pull movements now that I don't plan to compete again. They help me avoid fatiguing my grip/forearms before my back.…

LOL This has been my experience as well. I've recently tried a capsule version (5g/day) and haven't noticed any issues with that, yet. Strength is increasing pretty well, but I'm coming off a few months off, so I can't say for sure the creatine has done much. (I'm starting to wonder if it's an issue of not dissolving well,…

Fitbits/heart rate monitors are generally not going to be very accurate for lifting cals either, unfortunately. (Or TDEE in general, mine has never been anywhere near accurate)

I don't consider that ^ to be a "routine", per say. Leg / chest and shoulders / back and arms - is just a split. The way a person chooses to set up workouts and progression within that will make all the difference. If you could only run it for 2 months, perhaps you were overly aggressive and trying to do too much. I agree…

People able to maintain at 2000+ is going to depend on a lot of things, not just lifting weights. (Not to sound rude - but seeing as you think 2000 maintenance is high, I assume you're a smaller female? You can't compare your maintenance needs to someone who may be much taller/heavier/male/have a more active job/etc etc)…

Another thought for OP on these exercises - Things like curls and flies aren't going to increase like bigger compound lifts can. I've been lifting progressively for several years, my curls and flys have increased by maybe 10-15 pounds on these lifts, while I've added hundreds of pounds to my squats/deadlifts.

This I've done warm ups where the weight feels 'heavy', but that doesn't mean I can't/shouldn't increase the weight for my working sets (while maintaining good form of course). If I trained according to what feels "heavy" I know I wouldn't progress.. Also, you're squatting the same weight you're bicep curling? I would…

I agree with the bold. At my heaviest, I preferred weightlifting over any form of cardio. (Still do) Some people may not desire or be able to do devote 2 (or more) hours per day to LISS, even if it is 'passive'. (Do I even have to mention that being over weight doesn't mean you're sitting on the couch doing nothing for…

OP I don't think you have a metabolic disorder.... but I do think your post was a bit confusing. You've been averaging a pound per week on 2100, which I think is reasonable. It's normal to have weeks where the scale doesn't change. It's unlikely that you'll 'screw up' your metabolism, however if that's too large of a…

The way I interpreted his post was that he has been eating 2100 calories and averaging 1 pound per week (10 lbs since Jan 10th) some weeks 'not losing' - that's normal, but he's wondering if it's ok to lower to 1600 to lose 2 lbs per week. This would put his maintenance around 2600 calories, which I don't feel is totally…

I would struggle if I waited until 8pm too lol Can you go pack gym clothes and go straight there after work? I have a snack a few hours before I get off work, stop home quick to change (I live 2 miles from work) and get out the door as quick as I can.

This is going to be highly individual. Pick whatever is sustainable/attainable for you right now. I started out lifting 3 days per week, MWF. After a few years, I've worked up to 4-6 days per week and found that I really enjoy going to the gym on the weekends. It's not hard for me to stick to this most days, because I…

^ This And there are a lot of questionable entries, such as '1/2 a cracker barrel pancake', '1 berry', 'medium apple', '1 bowl', etc. Using incorrect entries and serving sizes is going to make a big difference. ETA and it looks like you started logging March 7th, so not even 2 weeks into logging.

For most people, 50% would be way more than they need... I prefer to use the .8-1g/pound. (Even in a deep cut my protein is less than 40%) Quicksylver and I also powerlift, I think she would agree, 50% protein is probably over kill.

Waiting a week or two until you see your doctor is not that long though. You're not going to lose a significant amount of muscle or strength in that time.

Compound movements are typically better than isolation work. I'm no expert of course, and as mentioned haven't worked with anyone but my chiro.. but in general you're losing a lot of stabilization work, core and lower back work by only doing iso's like leg curl/leg exten. For me, we think my issue may have stemmed from my…

I injured my SI about 6 months ago, I was lifting heavy at the time, but never experienced anything which seemed to be the cause of the injury, I just went in one day to lift and it started feeling unstable and painful, especially when sitting. Seeing a chiropractor seemed to help when it flares up, however after many…

I've not yet been in maintenance long term, (I'm 24 and been on meds for about 10 years, not always kept close track of bloodwork, etc though), but when I took a diet break for a few months last year I did notice that my dosage could have been lowered- via bloodwork and also coming to know the 'feeling' of when I'm likely…

I think it's just something you have to try for yourself. I tried it for a few months and found it wasn't for me, but all the other members at the box loved it. The community aspect is really great. I was coming from a powerlifting/bodybuilding background, so I already have some strong workout preferences and found it just…

You didn't mention any stats, but there's no reason for you to be consuming 250+ grams of protein daily.... 1 gram per pound of lean body mass is plenty.