Exercise - lifting specific

[YoungHollywood]

Anyone up for some lifting chat? I know there’s a great weight loss thread but don’t want to derail by going specific!
None of my friends or family lift so I have no one to chat to about it and I love it! Always looking for new ideas and to see other people’s progress, chat workouts, favourite exercises etc.
Hoping I’m not alone here

 

[justonemorepage]

I used to lift before I got pregnant (for about 6 years) but during my pregnancy I was unable to continue which I was gutted about. I'm now 3 months pp and I want to get back into it but I am very nervous. I've lost my muscle tone and my body shape has changed as a result. So thank you for creating this thread as a support and place for tips/advice

 

[Mamacita]

I have been lifting for over 7 years now though currently having a few weeks break as I'm travelling. Looking forward to getting back to it though. I need to push myself a bit harder, have become a bit too complacent and taking it easy on myself

 

[Londoncailín]

Great thread topic! I'm getting back into lifting after a few years away. I'm excited and nervous.

 

[YoungHollywood]

Ah fab, it’s great so many are getting back into it. I got really into it pre covid and then stopped over lockdowns etc. Have slowly been building back up and last year I hit my peak but I took a break over Christmas. So now I’m pushing myself harder and really enjoying it. I always stuck with the same weights for too long and it’s crazy how far your body can be pushed sometimes.
anyone follow any good online lifters?

 

[judgejohndeed]

Yay love this. I'd be interested to know how everyone splits their week at the moment? I was on a 4-5 day split but recently started enjoying cardio so doing that 2-3 times a week and now struggling to fit everything in

 

[Interiorarts]

Great thread. I've become much more intentional with lifting. I aim for four sessions a week, two upper body and two lower body, combined with incline walking for 50mins. I do my 10k steps the other days. It's been working well for me, but means I'm at the gym for almost 2 hours. I go twice before work in the week and both Saturday and Sunday.

I am fitting into clothes I couldn't before at this weight.

 

[chapterthree]

Does anyone have any advice for beginners? Not looking to do anything specific but generally avoid any weight machines as it’s very male heavy and feel like I get stared at all the time

 

[Grillyguy]

If anyone has any advice for weight training that would be amazing. I'm a guy but I have exactly zero definition in my arms and therefore can't lift heavy amounts atm

 

[Fifah1907]

Form over weight ALWAYS.

 

[Annyct]

Love this! Been training consistently for 5 years but only last 2 years discovered ‘proper’ lifting. I’m disabled (use mobility aids) and despite gojng to Sam gym for 6 years feel out of place and unwelcome because of this so it’s nice to have a place to chat. I tend to train 6 days a week Sunday full body circuits as I don’t have much time mon pull, Tues lower, wed push, thurs pull Fri lower Saturday off and I do cardio everyday. Sometimes it changes depending on the health conditions I have but that’s what I aim for

 

[Mamacita]

Does anyone have any advice for beginners? Not looking to do anything specific but generally avoid any weight machines as it’s very male heavy and feel like I get stared at all the time

If you can afford it, get a PT, event for an hour a week for a month or two. You'll learn some basics and it will give you confidence to go into the weighs area

 

[Aceofspades]

If you can afford it, get a PT, event for an hour a week for a month or two. You'll learn some basics and it will give you confidence to go into the weighs area

I second this. My PT sessions have been invaluable - she’s taught me so much from a practical perspective, machine usage, free weights etc, but I’ve also made an incredible friend in the process.

 

[YoungHollywood]

Yay love this. I'd be interested to know how everyone splits their week at the moment? I was on a 4-5 day split but recently started enjoying cardio so doing that 2-3 times a week and now struggling to fit everything in

I’m the same, I struggle to fit everything in. I aim for 5 days at the gym and I alternate legs and upper. I do core as and when I can. If I can hit 6 days I’m happy but that’s a lot of getting up at 5am! I dislike cardio immensely but have forced myself to start running which I do 2 or 3 times a week, not far and with my kids but still, better than nothing!
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If anyone has any advice for weight training that would be amazing. I'm a guy but I have exactly zero definition in my arms and therefore can't lift heavy amounts atm

Start light, do not be put off by the people in there lifting heavy. If you are intimidated by it, find when your gym is quiet (Sunday early morning mine is dead) or buy yourself some dumbbells but make sure they are a good range as weight can increase quickly at the start. Focus on form and take each movement slowly. So many people rush their reps and then it becomes about momentum instead of using the muscle. Focus on three or four movements and perfect those before adding more.

 

[justonemorepage]

For those starting out, I do recommend a PT if you can afford it, even if it's only for a couple of months to teach you correct form and so that you don't develop bad habits. Use mirrors or discreetly film yourself to check for form (loads of people do it these days, not just for uploading to SM) and don't worry about thinking that people are looking at you, I can assure you they won't be. Most gym goers are so focused on themselves and their own goals that they don't even notice other people. You've got this!

 

[Jam-sandwich]

I’m an early 30s female, lifting is my favourite form of exercise, feeling strong gives me the biggest buzz!

I would highly recommend a PT for anyone looking to get into it. Just tell them that your goal is to get comfortable and confident with weightlifting. For the last year I‘ve had a PT session once a week which has been purely focused on building strength and increasing the weights safely. I told her on day 1 I didn’t want any diet chat or focus on weightloss (I’m overweight but my main goal is to be strong, not to slim down) and she’s been amazing in that regard. I feel really lucky to have found a PT that suits me so well, she was the first one I tried and I only intended to do 10 weeks with her to get comfortable with weight lifting but I couldn’t bring myself to end it, it’s one of my favourite parts of the week.

So yes, would highly recommend a PT to anyone, even if it’s just for a few weeks to go over the basics!

 

[BWGossip]

Any runners who lift? What kind of weightlifting program do you follow? I know hamstring and glutes are important to work on for speed, jumps and plyometrics too but I can't find a specific 6 to 12-weeks type of weightlifting program targeting runners.

 

[Fifah1907]

Any runners who lift? What kind of weightlifting program do you follow? I know hamstring and glutes are important to work on for speed, jumps and plyometrics too but I can't find a specific 6 to 12-weeks type of weightlifting program targeting runners.

marathon training over here. I do one upper, one lower and one full body. One big move per lower/full session and then single leg accessories. I am a sheep who just trusts my coach it used to be 2 uppers and 2 lowers but the closer I get to race day my body is WRECKED. after this week im going down to an upper and a full.

 

[Monroe7658]

Does anyone have any advice for beginners? Not looking to do anything specific but generally avoid any weight machines as it’s very male heavy and feel like I get stared at all the time

Try to find a gym that offers ‘small group PT/strength training classes’. It’s more affordable than getting a 1:1 trainer but you get the benefit of having a PT show you exactly what to do. They also show you how the exercises can be adapted for different levels depending on your experience. It’s daunting at first but once you’ve done a few classes you’ll know what to expect each time and with consistency you’ll progress quickly.

 

[Marmite.Crumpets]

Any runners who lift? What kind of weightlifting program do you follow? I know hamstring and glutes are important to work on for speed, jumps and plyometrics too but I can't find a specific 6 to 12-weeks type of weightlifting program targeting runners.

I'm training for an ironman & currently doing weights to complement the swimming / running / cycling elements. I tend to do 2 gym sessions a week & both of them are full body. For running, single leg movements are good - try step ups, split squats and Romanian deadlifts.