What Are Your Gym/Fitness/Routine Moans?

[ORD]

Squats in a commercial gym? Unlikely.

[stargazer30]

For OHP I tend to jump between standing/free bar and seated/smith machine.

I prefer the free bar but when using heavy weights and 5x5 that last rep can turn into a grinder and expose my lower back to too much stress. In my case my lower back is always a mess so not good. The seated press lets me get my strength up safely then I can switch back to standing and just drop a little weight.

I never use leg drive though, that be cheating

[lemmingjames]

So a few to 'cover'
1. Not quite a moan but Gym xmas drinks on Saturday, what percentage are we going with on guys squeezing themselves into their tightest T to impress the girls?

2. Gym 'bro's' getting ecstatic that they can max out the thigh machine (dont know its correct name, its a torture instrument to me as it attempts to separate my thigh from my knee) yet arent able to squat/leg press/dead lift anything of note

3. Watched a girl sit in a squat rack spending more time on her phone than she did stretching and performing an exercise (sumo dead lifts, 1 rep stuff, yes theres some recovery time required but theres recovery time and theres taking the piss, for me i prefer minimal amount of time as i tend to come out of the 'zone' if i get distracted)

4. Said girl don's a belt, gets into sumo stance and then arches her back

5. When one of the gym hotties works out in the free weights area, all of the guys have to crowd into that area so you cant get on with what you wanted to do

6. When the gym hottie is working out on the bit of equipment where you want to workout or are working out but keeps bending over at the waist for her exercise so you have to restrain yourself from looking otherwise its kinda pervy

7. When a member on here who will remain nameless (jon-), claims to be leaving the gym but the hottie walks in so he continues to work out within peripheral of her (ok they are mates and denies it, but we all know what hes trying to do) for a further 30 minutes.

8. Some teenager put some DB's on the floor infront of where he was working out (between the bench seat and the DB bench thing is about 600mm) then covered the DB's with his jumper, creating a nice trip hazard if you wasnt paying attention and given some peoples lack of perception could have been interesting

9. Watching someone (think hes a PT) on instagram claim he needs knee wraps as his knees hurt after squatting 1.2x body weight

10. None of my jeans fit anymore as ive restarted doing legs and its not due to the festive season....

[ORD]

1.2 x bodyweight is a respectable weight for the typical gym PT, assuming he made depth!

[ashleyman]

I hate squatting. Period.

On a good day I can leg press 160kg which I think is pretty respectable. When it comes to squats I'm stuck at 50kg including the bar. I weigh 85kg so I should be able to do more I just can't seem to do it. Same with deadlifts, but I struggle with the actual movement of deadlifts not the weight.

Need to find a PT who can critique my form and get me doing it properly so I can improve just HATE squats.

[joshcowin]

ashleyman said:

I hate squatting. Period.

On a good day I can leg press 160kg which I think is pretty respectable. When it comes to squats I'm stuck at 50kg including the bar. I weigh 85kg so I should be able to do more I just can't seem to do it. Same with deadlifts, but I struggle with the actual movement of deadlifts not the weight.

Need to find a PT who can critique my form and get me doing it properly so I can improve just HATE squats.

I have stopped squatting altogether, far better ways of hitting legs without risking the potential for long lasting damage! If you are training for a Powerlifting comp then you obviously need to do them but apart from that I cannot see the point.

If you hate them don't do them. I like them and don't do them!

[Hoofy]

ashleyman said:

I hate squatting. Period.

On a good day I can leg press 160kg which I think is pretty respectable. When it comes to squats I'm stuck at 50kg including the bar. I weigh 85kg so I should be able to do more I just can't seem to do it. Same with deadlifts, but I struggle with the actual movement of deadlifts not the weight.

Need to find a PT who can critique my form and get me doing it properly so I can improve just HATE squats.

I'd just get a session booked already with someone who is a PTer and has S&C training. It must be frustrating if it's affecting two major lifts.

[lemmingjames]

ashleyman said:

I hate squatting. Period.

On a good day I can leg press 160kg which I think is pretty respectable. When it comes to squats I'm stuck at 50kg including the bar. I weigh 85kg so I should be able to do more I just can't seem to do it. Same with deadlifts, but I struggle with the actual movement of deadlifts not the weight.

Need to find a PT who can critique my form and get me doing it properly so I can improve just HATE squats.

Have you seen the chart on time training vs ideal strength ratio?

How often do you squat? You might just be in a rut and need to stop for a bit? Or breakdown the squat into each section and work on it via the machines and what not for a bit then come back in a few weeks and try again. Could be a mental block (had that when chest pressing a X weight and would need a spotter but id be fine after and wouldnt need help).
Try and find a proper Strength and Conditioning/Strongman gym and train there for a few months and have them sort you out

[ashleyman]

joshcowin said:

I have stopped squatting altogether, far better ways of hitting legs without risking the potential for long lasting damage! If you are training for a Powerlifting comp then you obviously need to do them but apart from that I cannot see the point.

If you hate them don't do them. I like them and don't do them!

Hoofy said:

I'd just get a session booked already with someone who is a PTer and has S&C training. It must be frustrating if it's affecting two major lifts.

lemmingjames said:

Have you seen the chart on time training vs ideal strength ratio?

How often do you squat? You might just be in a rut and need to stop for a bit? Or breakdown the squat into each section and work on it via the machines and what not for a bit then come back in a few weeks and try again. Could be a mental block (had that when chest pressing a X weight and would need a spotter but id be fine after and wouldnt need help).
Try and find a proper Strength and Conditioning/Strongman gym and train there for a few months and have them sort you out

Once a week, twice tops.

I'm fine with the machines such as leg press, extension, prone curl. I'll even do the abducter, adductor with the wife sometimes for fun. I'm also fine with straight leg deadlifts, just can't deal with squats.

The plan is to find a PT who can help me work through it and improve. Have got someone in mind who can see me in January and then once a month going forward.

I think it might be a mental block more than anything as in every other scenario I have great legs, I think it might be because I struggle / worry about the movement and form side of things but we'll see.

[ORD]

Most PTs wouldnt know a squat from a squit. Get a proper lifting coach for a few sessions.

[lemmingjames]

joshcowin said:

I have stopped squatting altogether, far better ways of hitting legs without risking the potential for long lasting damage! If you are training for a Powerlifting comp then you obviously need to do them but apart from that I cannot see the point.

If you hate them don't do them. I like them and don't do them!

Long lasting damage, such as?

[joshcowin]

lemmingjames said:

joshcowin said:

I have stopped squatting altogether, far better ways of hitting legs without risking the potential for long lasting damage! If you are training for a Powerlifting comp then you obviously need to do them but apart from that I cannot see the point.

If you hate them don't do them. I like them and don't do them!

Long lasting damage, such as?

"POTENTIAL for long lasting damage" - If your attempting to squat with bad form, really you want me to list what could go wrong? or are you just picking an internet argument!?

[lemmingjames]

joshcowin said:

lemmingjames said:

joshcowin said:

I have stopped squatting altogether, far better ways of hitting legs without risking the potential for long lasting damage! If you are training for a Powerlifting comp then you obviously need to do them but apart from that I cannot see the point.

If you hate them don't do them. I like them and don't do them!

Long lasting damage, such as?

"POTENTIAL for long lasting damage" - If your attempting to squat with bad form, really you want me to list what could go wrong? or are you just picking an internet argument!?

Not picking an argument, you never said about bad form though, in which bad form in any activity can lead to potentially long last damage

[joshcowin]

lemmingjames said:

joshcowin said:

lemmingjames said:

joshcowin said:

I have stopped squatting altogether, far better ways of hitting legs without risking the potential for long lasting damage! If you are training for a Powerlifting comp then you obviously need to do them but apart from that I cannot see the point.

If you hate them don't do them. I like them and don't do them!

Long lasting damage, such as?

"POTENTIAL for long lasting damage" - If your attempting to squat with bad form, really you want me to list what could go wrong? or are you just picking an internet argument!?

Not picking an argument, you never said about bad form though, in which bad form in any activity can lead to potentially long last damage

[Halb]

lemmingjames said:

So a few to 'cover'
1. Not quite a moan but Gym xmas drinks on Saturday, what percentage are we going with on guys squeezing themselves into their tightest T to impress the girls?

Anything really bad on that?

ashleyman said:

I hate squatting. Full stop.
On a good day I can leg press 160kg which I think is pretty respectable. When it comes to squats I'm stuck at 50kg including the bar. I weigh 85kg so I should be able to do more I just can't seem to do it. Same with deadlifts, but I struggle with the actual movement of deadlifts not the weight.
Need to find a PT who can critique my form and get me doing it properly so I can improve just HATE squats.

'Airsquatting' you'd be squatting 85 kg, plus the weights, that's 135kg!

[j_4m]

joshcowin said:

I have stopped squatting altogether, far better ways of hitting legs without risking the potential for long lasting damage! If you are training for a Powerlifting comp then you obviously need to do them but apart from that I cannot see the point.

If you hate them don't do them. I like them and don't do them!

I'd disagree, there is no better lower body exercise than the back squat. It's also one of the best exercises available for all around strength. I've never been injured squatting, even when getting pinned by a 1RM attempt and having to dump the bar from my back.

However you feel about Rippetoe's programming, he's written probably one of the best books going for squat form (https://www.scribd.com/doc/10456641/Starting-Strength) and the Catalyst Athletics website has some good resources for troubleshooting bad squats. Normally it's down to hip and ankle mobility preventing people from hitting the right positions.

[didelydoo]

j_4m said:

there is no better lower body exercise than the back squat.

That depends on what your aims are though. I've a big 'ole squat, but there are better things, for me, if I want to grow my legs for instance. It varies from person to person, depending on their body mechanics.

I would say squats are awesome though, and if you don't do them, then there should be a very good reason. I don't think risk of potential injury in case you don't do them properly is one, that's just a reason to avoid anything- just do them properly.

Ripptoes squat style sucks too IMO. Possibly the most unnatural way to teach someone to squat!

[ashleyman]

Halb said:

'Airsquatting' you'd be squatting 85 kg, plus the weights, that's 135kg!

I don't follow.

BTW, my goal for squat and deadlift is to mainly improve core strength and overall body strength rather than to focus on say legs or booty.

[ORD]

didelydoo said:

That depends on what your aims are though. I've a big 'ole squat, but there are better things, for me, if I want to grow my legs for instance. It varies from person to person, depending on their body mechanics.

I would say squats are awesome though, and if you don't do them, then there should be a very good reason. I don't think risk of potential injury in case you don't do them properly is one, that's just a reason to avoid anything- just do them properly.

Ripptoes squat style sucks too IMO. Possibly the most unnatural way to teach someone to squat!

Agreed on the last point. My guess is that most people squat fairly upright and high bar if left to find what is comfortable for them (which is different from moving the most weight).

[ORD]

Halb said:

'Airsquatting' you'd be squatting 85 kg, plus the weights, that's 135kg!

Not quite - you are not lifting your whole body when you squat

https://www.exrx.net/WeightTraining/Bodyweight#%25...


That's why even very weak people can do an air squat.