After cardio every morning, I either work my upper or lower body on the weight machines. However, today I noticed I don't feel anything from the workout, no muscle tightness, or strain. The weight I put on for each exercise is easy in the first few reps, but as I get to about 10 or so its kind of difficult. Am I putting on too little weight?
How do you know you're working with enough weight?
- Thread starter Kea
- Start date
I commented on this in your diary but I'll say it again here.
Kinda difficult or as much as you can handle? You want to use a weight that you can only lift 8-12 reps. If you can lift more than that then you need to increase the weight. Don't just stop lifting because you got to 10 reps...if 10 is getting tough but you can still do more--do more! If you can do more than 12 then increase the weight on the next set.
That being said though, I don't think soreness is always an indication of a good workout.
Kinda difficult or as much as you can handle? You want to use a weight that you can only lift 8-12 reps. If you can lift more than that then you need to increase the weight. Don't just stop lifting because you got to 10 reps...if 10 is getting tough but you can still do more--do more! If you can do more than 12 then increase the weight on the next set.
That being said though, I don't think soreness is always an indication of a good workout.
teresand77 said:
Well said by Teresa! Also what I do is on the last rep I hold for as long as I can and really feel the burn. As much as you can always try to push one more rep!
Just want to add that you should never feel strain or muscle tightness. Do you mean the "omg- this is getting harder and my muscles are getting tired" feeling? 
If so, you want your muscles to be fatigued on the last few reps of each set. But you should always maintain proper form. Form always comes first. If you can lift 12 reps with perfect form and can keep going with perect form, I recommend up'ping the weight.
You may then only be able to do 8 reps or so, but that's okay. Just stay with your new weight until you can do more then 12 with perfect form. Then up the weight again.
If so, you want your muscles to be fatigued on the last few reps of each set. But you should always maintain proper form. Form always comes first. If you can lift 12 reps with perfect form and can keep going with perect form, I recommend up'ping the weight.
You may then only be able to do 8 reps or so, but that's okay. Just stay with your new weight until you can do more then 12 with perfect form. Then up the weight again.