Okiludy Member

Going to disagree. If you are looking for endurance or general fitness yes completely agree. But with a structured lifting program, your specificity will be toward strength gains and not split with other goals. Time in the gym is centered on a more narrow pursuit and recovery is spent on that also. Not a knock against…

I can’t speak on MMA vs Crossfit but I can give an opinion on Crossfit vs a structured compound lift program. I find lifting barbells has made me stronger in a shorter time than Crossfit would have. Crossfit would have increased my endurance more. Thing is I can run a structured training program and push a sled or do…

Awesome!

Starting Strength is also my recommendation. Age or sex should not matter much if reasonably healthy. I was 45 and 300lbs at 5'9" when I started it. The book is one of the best resources for the compound lifts. The program has worked for thousands from teenagers to people in their 80's. I would also recommend you listen to…

I have torn off a couple of these "trophies" and it sucks. It also can mess up your grip strength for a couple of weeks as they heal. I now use a pumice stone or a nail file and keep them tamed. I still have leathery hands but they are smooth and don't get as messed up.

Mike Mathews "Bigger, Leaner, Stronger" is a decent book and program that is in the "powerbuilding" theme. It uses compound lifts as the main driver for size and is in the 4-6 rep range. This is to provide stimulus for both strength and hypertrophy. The book is decent and he is one very well built man. He tries to use…

Here is another good form tutorial. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGZrATR1O4E

Was eating deficit and went from 300 to 245. Now eating maintenance but not adding in calories from lifting. Do add from cardio but only about 50%. Goal of losing from .5 to 1 lbs a week but not too worried. If I keep making progress toward next pants size down don’t mind if stay same weight.

I have lost weight and fat from 300lbs to 245lbs. I have gained strength going from not lifting to 956lbs combined on powerlifting lifts. I think I have gained size on chest, arms, traps, and legs. If not size I am lifting a lot more with same muscles I had covered in fat. I did all this with a minimum of cardio, heavy…

I’d rather never lift with straps but it doesn’t work that way. I have pulled calluses and grip gets weak. So I have to work in straps to pull enough without tearing hands open. You can work in other items for grip strength. I am getting some Fat Gripps to work in. I may also get some finger bands to do something while at…

I use wrist wraps and chalk is all over so can’t use. Still the strong app has some features for the Apple Watch. I do use the Strong app every session but it’s just for logging and easy to plug in all the info.

Just read your age and it’s not a factor IMHO. I’m 45 and was in horrible shape 6 months ago. Impingement in both shoulders, 300lbs, and had surgery on leg that really limited my walking. Lifting, Starting Strength was my program, pretty much turned me around. Another book from Rippetoe’s compnay is “The Barbell…

Going to agree with Starting Strength. Best new lift book I have read. It is more an in depth book at the compound lifts that should be at the heart of any new lifter program. His program is also solid for male or female lifters.

Oh forgot, buy the book if you haven’t yet. The first, beyond, and powerlifting are all on Kindle. Forever the new book is only on his site.

I am running 5/3/1 BBB and blackironbeast.com has a good calculator. It will calculate your tm and give you a 1 month cycle. The one for BBB has one accessory exercise for each day. I normally add face pulls to every day and I do them as a warmup. Lower weight and 5x12-15. Gets my *kitten* shoulders ready for the session.…

Strong is a really nice lifting log. Unlike the one built around a program you can create your own. I used it for when I did Starting Strength and now for 5/3/1. It even has graphs to track your estimated 1rm from your lifts. Nice for quick over views.

The first time I deadlifted 405.

Bench in the power rack. If you set the safety bars right you’ll be totally safe. Otherwise dumbbells are good. I get more worried with them as it seems to stress my shoulder more. Still if your are afraid of the bar you might be good with them. Good luck!

Doesn’t happen at mine either. Folks cleanup after themselves like adults. My gym is also 90% active duty USMC and get called sir more then I can count. So likely not a normal atmosphere.

I’ve lost 54lbs since early Apri. I am still fat but much less now. My lifts have all gone up. Hell I squat 315 and deadlift 415 now. I started with bar only on squats and 65 on deadlift to learn the lifts. I ran out of standard linear progression after about 3 months. I switched to weekly progression as I needed more…

To lose fat: Calorie deficit To give definition and shape: Make sure enough protein in diet even if in deficit. Follow a lifting program that concentrates on compound lifts.

I was 300lbs when I started. I also only did the bar on bench. This is at an old school barbell gym not a fitness club. I honestly believe that strength training builds mental as well as physical strengths. It matters because I also was self conscious. Now I just want to lift my *kitten* off and hit a new PR. On the whole…

Agree on full rack. I also think having plenty of holes for safety bars are important. I had to really ask myself would it be worth it to drop $1000+. Remember to add bar and plates along with shipping to cost estimate. Can you overcome your dislike for the gym? It is a much cheaper way to get stronger and not have an…

Another fan of Champion. Can find their Vapor shirts for less than $10 sometimes.

Why is it used more for bench? Likely Ego. Bench is inordinately used as a judge of strength, and to some people a stick to judge others. It wouldn’t surprise me if it came from bodybuilding.com their forums aren’t the worst on lifting but a lot of Bro’s hang out there. I hear people ask how much you bench but never how…

Because some find it fun to flag or “woo” other for next to no reason.

Right ankle 15 years ago. It was *kitten* horrible. I was in rehab for a good 8 months. I cannot run without pain still and the longest I can walk is around 5 km without pain. Did 7 km on Sunday and had to R.I.C.E. after. Now the positive side I had to have it done. I was spraining my ankle ever month or 2 for a couple of…

Deadlifts

This right here. No split needed just the Starting Strength program for some nice strength gains. Run it for a couple of months and decided what you want to do. This would give you a sound foundation to build on and is based on years of experience.

@singletrackmtbr I used the roller at gym before and after workout today. Wasn't too bad but it's something I am going to have to learn for sure. Balance becomes an issue for some of the exercises with it. Mainly the leg and side stuff. @Cherimoose Did that stretch also before and after workout I could definitely feel it…