Strength / Weight Training

CrossFit gets a bad press in the weight lifting forums. I think they do things quickly without much thought about form.

My friend goes to Gladiator training and says it is good fun - although hard. The groups may be 8 at most and I presume they vary as there are different times and types of classes. I want to try it but I would have probs fitting it in in my schedule.

Look out for Bikram Yoga. 90 mins in 40 degree C heat. It really is great. It is harder than 3 hours of squash. I’ve tested that. Same poses every time you go and you push yourself - the instructor tells you what you should be doing - you do your best each time. The oddest thing I have found (and another guy said the same) is that if you feel fit and ready for it - it kills you. If you feel tired and drained - you feel superb afterwards. Odd really.

^ :)

It took me years to go from stickarms to actual arms... "women grow big muscles" ballix. Most men don't either, judging by the amount of roids use I see.

It depends a lot of bodytype, but if you grow muscles fast you quite often are already somewhat chubby so trying to be the bikini girl is a failed conquest anyway. Go play rugby/gaelic/take up track cycling and destroy the competion.

Cos kebabs are nice?

I want one now. With lots of garlic mayo...
[instead I am eating a protein bar, saddo that I am] :p

I've had similar things with the gym. Felt shithouse when I left the house and got to the gym and then just smashed it. Dunno why. Feel good afterwards though. :)
I like the relatively more controlled gym environment - I can see myself pulling a back muscle or tweaking something in the crossfit/gladiator world. If I wasn't doing other training as well I'd probably give it a crack.

WFH today due to hosp appt and it's raining hard so I'm not going back out so I had shit food instead of my usual healthy brekkie and healthy lunch. I'm pretty sure a chelsea bun, beef jerkey and choc milk aren't in that many weight loss books...

I'd smash a kebab now too.

5473,5474,5475...

and that's just breakfast. :)

My goals this year are:

BP: 100kg 5x5
DL - 180kg 5x5
Squat - 120kg 5x5

Where I'm at:

BP - 85kg 5x5
DL - 140kg 5x5
Squat - 80kg 5x5

I've always avoided squats but trying again after easing in with goblet squats and also having a training partner. Goals might seem quite small increases but I'll be really happy if I can get to those.

I set my goal this year to squat BW (85kg) but I’m there already so I’m going to aim for 100kg and if I get there then I’ll reasses.
The rest of my lifts I started pretty low on StrongLifts, currently (all 5x5).

Bench: 50kg
Rows: 50kg
OHP: 40kg
DL: 80kg

The only one I’ve failed on is OHP (last rep on the 5th set at 40kg but made it on the second attempt).
Bench doesn’t seem too heavy at the moment but I don’t have anyone to spot me (foreveralone.jpg).
I know I can go a lot bigger on deadlifts but the rest I’m not sure what to aim for. I guess I should look for a more structured program once the newbie gains of StrongLifts have ended.

I’ve been doing 5x5 for a few years now and have really seen the strength increase, I did have a 6 month gap that I regret last year though. I’ve set some pretty mean goals for this year too all 5x5

DL: 210kg
Squat: 200kg
Leg press: 400kg

At the moment I’m at

DL: 167.5kg
Squat: 145kg
Leg press: 280kg

It’s a bit of a step up!

210kg DL... Fuckin’ ‘ell. Can’t even imagine picking something up that heavy.

I think stronglifts is pretty structured?

You can do the bench in the rack? So you've got something to catch it from falling in your face.

Yes. Though that’s a total dick move if the gym is busy.

Go when it's quiet?

👍

Also. If you're getting to be one of the big boys in the gym surely people will respect you and let you do what you want.

I've seen it happen, but not to me. People steal weights off the rack I'm on without asking.

The bros in Camberwell are fucking massive. That is not me.

There's some huge muscles in Sydenham. There's also some strange dude I saw.todaydoing some sort of ohp that required him to grunt and do little heel lifts. Then when he finished a set he'd go straight to the static houlder press and do one arm things.

I stuck to.my 30kg bench and laughed.

There is a lot to be said for having a power cage at home.

I do it every morning getting out of bed...

#hippyisfat
#inb4hippyisfat
#hippyisfast

It would be awesome. But then I thought the same about a rowing machine and that novelty wore off after doing about 2k.

They are not expensive. The bar and weights are various prices and second hand plates are as good as new generally. Space may be an issue though.

Started lifting a couple of months ago, twice a week at first three times a week for the last two months. No break at Christmas; was nice havin the gym for ourselves. Current bw is 75kg.
Goals are:
DL:100kgx5 (done, so I guess 150 to aim for next)
BP: bodyweightx5 (at 62,5)
Squat: bodyweightx5(at 65)

Really like doing chin- and pull-ups. Worked up from 3x3 chin-ups to 3x10 on both of them and started doing weighted chin-ups last week. 3x6 with a 10kg plate dangling between my legs (ooh, aah) tonight was fun and awkward; strapping on a chain with a plate around your waist wilst standing on your tippy toes reaching for the bar is someting else...

Best part of working out? Eating all the food. Collegues where amused when I raided everyones table at new years drinks last week, all the fried snacks were mine, all of them!
@ all the long(er) time lifters: any good extra excersises for getting better at the standing overhead press?

I would just ask someone to spot you - honestly you will struggle to push yourself to the limit on BP without a spot. Deadlifts getting someone to record me and then watch whenever I go up to a new weight to check form really has helped me.

Those figures look impressive. BW x 5 in the squat is phenomenal. A new career perhaps? Or are you Eddie Hall. Lol

Search on line for assistance exercise for OHP and you will get some ideas. I struggle with the OHP - as with everything- make sure your form is correct.