Numbers..

thanks missy. i hear ya on holding the weights. my grip strength is not great either and is something i should work on.

i dont use machines for anything. free weights only. although i use the bar for squats and barbells for a few other things.
 
i dont use machines for anything. free weights only.

I take that back. I lied. I use the machine for assisted dips and pullups so that i can do more that 1 lol. I also use the cable machine for lat pull downs or seated rows occasionally
 
Missy,
Great job! We lift about the same amount with the exception of the deadlifts....I do a lil more. Lately, I've been wondering if I should do less weight more reps because I already have a big butt and thighs.... ecck lol any suggestions?
 
I have one wrist that is messed up too, the dumbell thing I haven't tried but I'm curious. After I did those push ups I suffered. I had to sleep with ice. stupid stupid stupid, and I didn't crank them out either, I was huffin' it big time at the end so maybe some didn't count. lol.
 
I have one wrist that is messed up too, the dumbell thing I haven't tried but I'm curious. After I did those push ups I suffered. I had to sleep with ice. stupid stupid stupid, and I didn't crank them out either, I was huffin' it big time at the end so maybe some didn't count. lol.

sparrow, does your wrist hurt more when you bend it flat to the ground like a push up? thats when mine hurts. if so, you should def try them with dumbells :)
 
Bench: Max is 60lbs (30 each hand)
Sqats: Max is 70lbs (35 each hand)
Lunges Max is 70lbs (35 eadch hand)
Deadlifts: Max is 40lbs (20 each hand) Little worried about injury here, I stick to a weight I can be sure form is 100%, could go higher on the weight)(
Biceb Curl: Max 20lbs each arm (pushing it)
Tricep: Max is one 35 lb dumbell overhead (not sure what to call it)
Push-ups(on toes): I can do 20 if I start cold, otherwise maybe15-16):eek:, I have been working on improving here.
You lunge as much as you squat, and you deadlift as much as you curl...you need to re-evaluate what you're doing in your workouts. That is functionally and effectively a disaster. You must have many imbalances and functional strength deficits: you need to start working on balance or risk musculoskeletal issues and injuries for years to come.

To be honest I have never worried about the weight as long as I get a good workout.
Maybe you should start worrying about that...
 
Lately, I've been wondering if I should do less weight more reps because I already have a big butt and thighs.... ecck lol any suggestions?
No: These are functions of weight loss first and foremost...low weight/high reps is relatively worthless in terms of strength training: I routinely have my weight loss clients performing 2-4 rep sets within their programs. Don't fall into the "high rep light weight" garbage
 
Good points Jonathan.

One thing, though, is I doubt those are true max weights listed. More likely, they are the most she feels she can do within a certain rep range, but probably not the most she can actually do in one rep.

Us girls are just not conditioned to constantly be testing our 1rep max for bragging purposes the way guys are (namely football players).:p

Also, she mentioned that the weight for bicep curls is pushing it, and the wt for deadlifts is light (not a max), so the ability of those muscles aren't really strangely out of whack.

However, I understand your point that the muscles need to be challenged appropriately to their strength capabilities.

(and, I totally agree that girls should not be afraid to go heavier than 12reps)
 
Jonathon,

Could you elaborate? I am open to suggestions for sure. The deadlift weight is low out of fear, I herniated a disc in my back 9 months ago. I still experience some pain and am afraid of reinjuring myself. Deschain is right about the max weights, they are what I know I can do in a rep range. Thanks in advance:)
 
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Imbalances?

I wanted to revive this thread to hopefully get an answer about imbalances that were mentioned. I was wondering what are signs of imbalances? I mean, I suppose an injury of some sort, but how does one know if the imbalances were corrected properly if the injury heals?

So, I was wondering, to keep it simple: Let's say a person can squat 100 lbs., what type of numbers should she aim for with exercises using the posterior chain? Should hamstrings/glutes be able to lift the same or a certain percentage of what the quads can do?

Thanks!
 
I've been told by respectable members that most should be able to deadlift more than they squat. I personally cannot, but I've been doing squats far longer than I ahve been doing deadlift. Also, I am doing a upper lower split that involves me doing squats first, then deads, so that may also be an issue.
 
I'm just curious as to what other women are lifting or can lift... squat, bench, deadlift, anything...

Since none of my friends lift and all of the women in my gym that lift only grab the 3 and 5lb dumbells.. i figured i'd ask here.. if anyone is willing to share.

I work out on a bowflex and curl 40 pounds on it. I know the flexrods aren't the same as free weights, but they don't hurt my hands as much. It doesn't seem as though many women here use the bowflex. I also can do 30 full body pushups in sets of ten. I'm working up to more.
 
Hey all...so sorry about not replying right away. This past month has been pretty crazy for me: finishing clinical affiliations, starting classes, and I had a bunch of new clients all at once (when it rains it pours I guess!).

As far as lifts go, the "standard" of strength is 500, 400 and 300: a 500 pound deadlift, a 400 pound squat and a 300 pound bench press. Whether or not you can actually hit numbers like that, it does give you a decent idea of around where your numbers *should* be based on muscle output and amount of muscle being used. Your most-muscularly involved lift, the deadlift, should be heavier than your squat, followed by your bench. If you're not (perhaps your bench is heavier than your squats, or your squats are heavier than your deads), there could be a number of reasons why: a "true"muscle imbalance, a flaw in your technique, or the way that your body is built in terms of genetic muscle distribution, length of levers, etc. In order to understand and know your muscle imbalances, there are a number of *tests* that you can follow (this is a nice one, with links to other tests: ) but even this may be flawed since your form could be off when you perform these lifts (yes, even in a machine based on positioning and use).

The only way to *really* know is to have someone qualified to evaluate you. The vast majority of gym trainers can't do this, unfortunately, and wouldn't even know where to begin, making this difficult. A good ortho/sports physical therapist can, as *should* athletic coaches and trainers.
 
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