Banging weights; wheres all my strength!?
Discussion
How many times do I have to state that I am training for strength? Why else do you think I'm doing 5 reps then? Huh? Christ oh lore, this is not the health forum it was about 6 months ago, wheres balders118, LOST_BMW, Lordglover, Goldbum, all of the old time greats. At least they knew what they were talking about
Well, after I read the OP I was going to attempt to give you some advice (130kg 1RM for squat at 65kg bodyweight right now), but you seem to know all the answers, and aren't listening to what people are telling you.
So instead I'll just laugh at you because you're weak.
...Seriously though, you're overtraining and (probably) undereating - also probably eating the wrong food. You can't train for everything at once, and cardio/weight lifting often conflict with one another once you're past the first few months (if you're doing it right). If you want to get stronger, drop the cardio and make sure you're eating enough.
So instead I'll just laugh at you because you're weak.
...Seriously though, you're overtraining and (probably) undereating - also probably eating the wrong food. You can't train for everything at once, and cardio/weight lifting often conflict with one another once you're past the first few months (if you're doing it right). If you want to get stronger, drop the cardio and make sure you're eating enough.
Harry - like others have said, you are coming across as a bit of a troll.
I've tried explaining WHY you need to eat more, and eat an appropriate diet.
I've tried to explain that, if you are new to a serious weights programme, you need to build into it slowly, as your muscles will not 'know' how to operate at 100% load.
I'm trying to help give you a base understanding. I could write you out a f
king top-notch weight training programme, diet, and timescale, with appropriate weights. But I'm not going to, as you won't learn anything. If instead, you understand that if you commit to a training programme, you need to record your results, and STICK IT OUT. Eat right, have appropriate rest periods, and eat enough!! Enough of the right stuff anyway.
Given the basic know-how, you can modify your programme to your own needs, and work it around your work / family / social lives.
But please, don't try and flame me telling me that I've not helped you - you came on here stating that you don't know a lot, and needed advise. Just because I gave you advice that wasn't a magic training programme that would get you ripped in a week doesn't mean that I don't understand you and your requirements, or certainly that I don't understand what I'm talking about.
If you know better, fine. But essentially it's 4 things.
Edited to add - if I'm wrong on any of my points, prove me wrong. It's been the recipe for a strong, lean body since the dawn of time, and will continue to be, until the end of time. Getting strong is hard work. It takes YEARS.
I've tried explaining WHY you need to eat more, and eat an appropriate diet.
I've tried to explain that, if you are new to a serious weights programme, you need to build into it slowly, as your muscles will not 'know' how to operate at 100% load.
I'm trying to help give you a base understanding. I could write you out a f
king top-notch weight training programme, diet, and timescale, with appropriate weights. But I'm not going to, as you won't learn anything. If instead, you understand that if you commit to a training programme, you need to record your results, and STICK IT OUT. Eat right, have appropriate rest periods, and eat enough!! Enough of the right stuff anyway.Given the basic know-how, you can modify your programme to your own needs, and work it around your work / family / social lives.
But please, don't try and flame me telling me that I've not helped you - you came on here stating that you don't know a lot, and needed advise. Just because I gave you advice that wasn't a magic training programme that would get you ripped in a week doesn't mean that I don't understand you and your requirements, or certainly that I don't understand what I'm talking about.
If you know better, fine. But essentially it's 4 things.
- Eating healthily, and enough. Lots of protein in regular meals throughout the day
- A good training programme, which you RECORD and STICK to.
- Appropriate rest periods to enable suitable recovery.
- HOURS of hard work, gallons of sweat, occasional blood, and more pain than you ever thought you could experience.
Edited to add - if I'm wrong on any of my points, prove me wrong. It's been the recipe for a strong, lean body since the dawn of time, and will continue to be, until the end of time. Getting strong is hard work. It takes YEARS.
Edited by Chaz9950 on Thursday 10th May 22:51
HarrySmith said:
How many times do I have to state that I am training for strength? Why else do you think I'm doing 5 reps then? Huh? Christ oh lore, this is not the health forum it was about 6 months ago, wheres balders118, LOST_BMW, Lordglover, Goldbum, all of the old time greats. At least they knew what they were talking about
I wasn't asking what your training goal was, that's evident. I was asking what you're trying to achieve by posting here. You've been given some decent advice and help and you're apparently unhappy because you know it all already and everyone that's posted (including me) is wasting your time.Maybe the people you mentioned think trying to help would be a waste of their time?
The exercises you're doing are good choices and you seem to have the right idea, which is a great start. You appear to have followed the forums so I'm sure you've seen reference to StrongLifts 5x5.
It's an excellent program, and it seems ideally suited to your situation. Certainly worth a shot anyway.
Example: You're struggling with 60kgs squats?
Drop down to 40kgs 5x5. Next workout 42.5kgs 5x5, then 45kgs... the idea is to steadily increase the weight until you reach a point where 5x5 is no longer possible.
Maybe this is at 55kgs; 5, 5, 4, 3, 1. Next workout stay at 55kgs, you'll probably get 5,5,5,4,4, then next workout 5x5 be easy. Following workout (minimally) increase the weight again and continue this progression until you fail three workouts in succession - then deload. Reduce to c. 80-90% of your best and start increasing again.
Do this for the basic, compound exercises in the program (you're doing them anyway).
It may sound complicated and drawn out, but it's proven to be very successful for many people. Working out three times a week you'll be amazed how fast you progress if you stick to it.
It's an excellent program, and it seems ideally suited to your situation. Certainly worth a shot anyway.
Example: You're struggling with 60kgs squats?
Drop down to 40kgs 5x5. Next workout 42.5kgs 5x5, then 45kgs... the idea is to steadily increase the weight until you reach a point where 5x5 is no longer possible.
Maybe this is at 55kgs; 5, 5, 4, 3, 1. Next workout stay at 55kgs, you'll probably get 5,5,5,4,4, then next workout 5x5 be easy. Following workout (minimally) increase the weight again and continue this progression until you fail three workouts in succession - then deload. Reduce to c. 80-90% of your best and start increasing again.
Do this for the basic, compound exercises in the program (you're doing them anyway).
It may sound complicated and drawn out, but it's proven to be very successful for many people. Working out three times a week you'll be amazed how fast you progress if you stick to it.
HS....get this book.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Guide-Sports-Nutr...
great bedtime/toilet reading. Will give everything you need to know about food whilst training. Bulking up with muscle wil take a long time so be patient. Dont worry about others abilities..just focus on your own. I know plenty of guys smaller than me who are stronger/faster/etc...so what. I'm much smarter and better looking!!!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Guide-Sports-Nutr...
great bedtime/toilet reading. Will give everything you need to know about food whilst training. Bulking up with muscle wil take a long time so be patient. Dont worry about others abilities..just focus on your own. I know plenty of guys smaller than me who are stronger/faster/etc...so what. I'm much smarter and better looking!!!
Right, let me destroy your post quote by quote because that is easier than addressing it in one go:
Chaz9950 said:
Harry - like others have said, you are coming across as a bit of a troll.
I've tried explaining WHY you need to eat more, and eat an appropriate diet.
I've tried to explain that, if you are new to a serious weights programme, you need to build into it slowly, as your muscles will not 'know' how to operate at 100% load.
I have been banging weights heavily for 14 months now, I'm pretty sure that counts as "building into it". I've tried explaining WHY you need to eat more, and eat an appropriate diet.
I've tried to explain that, if you are new to a serious weights programme, you need to build into it slowly, as your muscles will not 'know' how to operate at 100% load.
Chaz9950 said:
I'm trying to help give you a base understanding. I could write you out a fking top-notch weight training programme, diet, and timescale, with appropriate weights. But I'm not going to, as you won't learn anything. If instead, you understand that if you commit to a training programme, you need to record your results, and STICK IT OUT. Eat right, have appropriate rest periods, and eat enough!! Enough of the right stuff anyway.
I already have a basic understanding, I don't need you to give me one. Train hard, eat well, rest well, it's common sense really. I have been doing the same "programme" for about a year now, so I'm pretty sure you could learn a thing or two about commitment from meking top-notch weight training programme, diet, and timescale, with appropriate weights. But I'm not going to, as you won't learn anything. If instead, you understand that if you commit to a training programme, you need to record your results, and STICK IT OUT. Eat right, have appropriate rest periods, and eat enough!! Enough of the right stuff anyway.
I am not one of these idiots that runs around the gym with a notepad either, I DO record my results-IN MY HEAD!As for eating yes, I eat fairly healthily (with a couple of snacks of crap) everyday and have a cottage cheese after each session.
Chaz9950 said:
But please, don't try and flame me tellingI me that I've not helped you - you came on here stating that you don't know a lot, and needed advise. Just because I gave you advice that wasn't a magic training programme that would get you ripped in a week doesn't mean that I don't understand you and your requirements, or certainly that I don't understand what I'm talking about.
I have not stated that I don't know a lot. I have read articles online for years and years; although I am under no illusions that that translates to years of real life experience. I thought you didn't know what you were talking about because you found the commonly accepted wisdom that focusing on compounds for strength was unusual.Chaz9950 said:
If you know better, fine. But essentially it's 4 things.
Haha, there you go again, if you haven't realised it yet you are PREACHING TO THE CHOIR!!! Have you even seen me train? No. I can assure you that I know all there is to know about hard graft. However, my training is based around a real world achievable diet, therefore I am NOT going to be eating something every 3 hours, that is against my training ethos.- Eating healthily, and enough. Lots of protein in regular meals throughout the day
- A good training programme, which you RECORD and STICK to.
- Appropriate rest periods to enable suitable recovery.
- HOURS of hard work, gallons of sweat, occasional blood, and more pain than you ever thought you could experience.
I know what pain I can experience I've been there done that, like I said, preaching to the choir. You are coming across as though you think I'm one of these kids standing in the corner doing hundreds of curls with lightweight dumbells.
Chaz9950 said:
Edited to add - if I'm wrong on any of my points, prove me wrong. It's been the recipe for a strong, lean body since the dawn of time, and will continue to be, until the end of time. Getting strong is hard work. It takes YEARS.
Why would I have to prove you wrong? Getting strong is about focusing on compounds, training hard, eating well and resting, you have just told me what I already know. Meoricin said:
Well, after I read the OP I was going to attempt to give you some advice (130kg 1RM for squat at 65kg bodyweight right now), but you seem to know all the answers, and aren't listening to what people are telling you.
So instead I'll just laugh at you because you're weak.
...Seriously though, you're overtraining and (probably) undereating - also probably eating the wrong food. You can't train for everything at once, and cardio/weight lifting often conflict with one another once you're past the first few months (if you're doing it right). If you want to get stronger, drop the cardio and make sure you're eating enough.
You are right about the over training. There are two reasons for this: If I don't over train I feel as though I am slacking. In addition to this, I've got loads of free time whilst at uni, when I'm in a job I won't be training as much (unless I go into the military). My training is based around REAL WORLD fitness, so I won't be dropping cardio or eating every three hours. I was just hoping I could get to body weight compounds on my current regime but it seems that I was wrongSo instead I'll just laugh at you because you're weak.
...Seriously though, you're overtraining and (probably) undereating - also probably eating the wrong food. You can't train for everything at once, and cardio/weight lifting often conflict with one another once you're past the first few months (if you're doing it right). If you want to get stronger, drop the cardio and make sure you're eating enough.
shouldbworking said:
Indeed... I'm 6ft and 12.5 stone and consider myself to be edging towards the powerfully built side of things, definately not lanky.
It depends how you are proportioned really! If you have equal length legs and upper body then yes, if, however, you are like me with long thin (relative to legs) arms and long bulky legs and a short body then you will be "lanky", just a bit bigger lanky
My thighs are are big, I have the thighs and knees of at least a mesomorph, if not an endomorph so they make up a fair bit of my overall weight. This is a reason I like to push strength rather than get into the bodybuilding side of things, I'm just not proportional enough for that. But I prefer function over form anyway so I guess it's worked out okay.LordGrover said:
The exercises you're doing are good choices and you seem to have the right idea, which is a great start. You appear to have followed the forums so I'm sure you've seen reference to StrongLifts 5x5.
It's an excellent program, and it seems ideally suited to your situation. Certainly worth a shot anyway.
Example: You're struggling with 60kgs squats?
Drop down to 40kgs 5x5. Next workout 42.5kgs 5x5, then 45kgs... the idea is to steadily increase the weight until you reach a point where 5x5 is no longer possible.
Maybe this is at 55kgs; 5, 5, 4, 3, 1. Next workout stay at 55kgs, you'll probably get 5,5,5,4,4, then next workout 5x5 be easy. Following workout (minimally) increase the weight again and continue this progression until you fail three workouts in succession - then deload. Reduce to c. 80-90% of your best and start increasing again.
Do this for the basic, compound exercises in the program (you're doing them anyway).
It may sound complicated and drawn out, but it's proven to be very successful for many people. Working out three times a week you'll be amazed how fast you progress if you stick to it.
Finally, one of the old timers! Yes, thank you for actually seeing that I do have at least half an idea rather than treating me like a kid. I have indeed looked at StrongLifts and Starting Strength and they seem fairly complex. Surely you would just get to a point where you would stall. The deloading part is perhaps something I can add to my normal routine and then gradually transfer over to strong lifts. The example was helpful as well, thanks. Part of why I haven't gone to that already is because I just wanted to see how much I could "pick up and lift" before I tried anything "special" so to speak. It's just my own stubborness that has stopped me from giving something like SS a chance.It's an excellent program, and it seems ideally suited to your situation. Certainly worth a shot anyway.
Example: You're struggling with 60kgs squats?
Drop down to 40kgs 5x5. Next workout 42.5kgs 5x5, then 45kgs... the idea is to steadily increase the weight until you reach a point where 5x5 is no longer possible.
Maybe this is at 55kgs; 5, 5, 4, 3, 1. Next workout stay at 55kgs, you'll probably get 5,5,5,4,4, then next workout 5x5 be easy. Following workout (minimally) increase the weight again and continue this progression until you fail three workouts in succession - then deload. Reduce to c. 80-90% of your best and start increasing again.
Do this for the basic, compound exercises in the program (you're doing them anyway).
It may sound complicated and drawn out, but it's proven to be very successful for many people. Working out three times a week you'll be amazed how fast you progress if you stick to it.
HarrySmith said:
Finally, one of the old timers! Yes, thank you for actually seeing that I do have at least half an idea rather than treating me like a kid. I have indeed looked at StrongLifts and Starting Strength and they seem fairly complex. Surely you would just get to a point where you would stall.
Yes, you will. That point is a way down the road and is no reason to not even start. At that point you will be substantially stronger than you are now. One day you will die - does that mean you give up now?HarrySmith said:
The deloading part is perhaps something I can add to my normal routine and then gradually transfer over to strong lifts. The example was helpful as well, thanks. Part of why I haven't gone to that already is because I just wanted to see how much I could "pick up and lift" before I tried anything "special" so to speak. It's just my own stubborness that has stopped me from giving something like SS a chance.
14 months is a long time to spend (waste) to find out how much or little you can lift.If you keep on doing the same thing expecting the outcome to become different you will be disappointed. Change something. You will not progress until you do so.
StrongLifts 5x5 is a beginners program for people like yourself (and me some time ago) to start. It is very effective. I am sure there are other programs which are as good or maybe even better.
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