Weightlifting for Kiwis - Discussion and support regarding the art of swole

[CharcoalChkn]

I'm not sure how to put this but my current fitness goal is to do a push up, just one. At this moment with my weight (getting lower but far from where it needs to be) and my current mussels, I can't do it. At the moment I can do 4 knee push ups. Not alot but better than the zero I started with.

I do a daily work out about 10 to 20 minutes depending how I'm feeling that day plus I go swimming twice a week. The work out involves series body weight, hand weight and flexibility moves with 3-10 repetitions depending on the move. This includes my few knee push ups. I know it's not alot reps but nothing drives crazier than having to repeat the same move over and over again. So I chose to less so that the work out stays annoying rather become repulsive.

So any tips how to get the actual push up?

Try some inclined push ups!

I really found a lot of helpful beginner variations for exercises when I was starting from this channel.

He gives you plenty of options for your level of comfort with working out.

Good luck!

https://youtu.be/0GsVJsS6474

 

[Torque Wheeler]

Sounds like you're doing great! What's 1/2/3/4 pl8? And the 95/165/215/265?

I wish I could enjoy doing pull/chin-ups. Something about bodyweight exercises in general, I just can't push myself like when I have a dangerous amount of plates over my head/chest/spine/etc.

1 pl8 means 1 plates on each end of the bar. Roughly 60kg or 135 lbs. 1/2/3/4 means 1 pl8 overhead press, 2 pl8 bench press, 3 pl8 squat, and 4 pl8 deadlift.

I like doing bodyweight exercises when I walk past my pull-up bar, or when I wake up and go to bed.

Normally I sleep on my bench so if I wake up at night I can get a pump in

 

[ExsanguinateHorizon]

Anyone have experience working around carpal tunnel, maybe wrist splints or something? It's a little tight when making a fist and the discomfort goes down the entire arm on bad days, but I don't want to make it worse by forcing certain routines. Lifting lighter for now while it gets looked at.

 

[pen burger]

Anyone have experience working around carpal tunnel, maybe wrist splints or something? It's a little tight when making a fist and the discomfort goes down the entire arm on bad days, but I don't want to make it worse by forcing certain routines. Lifting lighter for now while it gets looked at.

I'm no doctor but I think you should try working through it. Carpal tunnel is a repetitive stress injury likely from doing something very lightweight over and over. Progressive overload weight training should stimulate your muscles in a totally different way and could actually help you work through it.

 

[SouthernBitchBob]

I'm on my first uninterrupted roll in a long time. Been working out for two months now without ditching for a week or so. I've noticed over the years I get a horrible flu almost exactly two weeks after I start working out, and by now I figure it's my body trying to assert its allergy to work and tricking me out of exercising. I didn't let it this time, now doing and feeling great.

 

[Harambe]

Just got back from a killer chest and arm day, feeling fuckin nice. Hit 50kg on the bench without trouble, on the push to hit 60, did some cable flyes for the first time, awesome exercise. Just got over a stomach flu and missed two days in the gym, felt awful. But life goes on. Hoping to make a one month streak with no illness or injury.

 

[Bassomatic]

Rings are badass and so much can be done with them.

Just got back from a killer chest and arm day, feeling fuckin nice. Hit 50kg on the bench without trouble, on the push to hit 60, did some cable flyes for the first time, awesome exercise. Just got over a stomach flu and missed two days in the gym, felt awful. But life goes on. Hoping to make a one month streak with no illness or injury.

It doesn't matter if you get hurt or get sick, it matters if you still go to the work out.

Adapt, lift, enjoy.

 

[Helvítis Túristi]

Would anyone recommend farm fresh eggs for protein shakes? I've been wanting to add them in, but I can't find pasteurized eggs anywhere. Also, the egg whites in the cartons make the shake slimy and gross.

 

[Flavius Claudius Julianus]

Anyone have experience with shoulder impingement? I reckon that's what I have. Did it from flaring my arms quite heavily in comp bench PR like 7 weeks ago.

I benched heavy since the incident yesterday, working up to a comfortable 130 pause. However, the injury flared up again. It's not painful per se, just annoying.

Is the kinda thing I'm basically stuck with forever, or can one make a full recovery from this? I don't appear to have lost any flat pressing strength, but I kinda miss hitting volume on flat.

My strategy so far has been to avoid fllat bench almost entirely, do a hell of a lot of rear delt/upper back work, and be extra thorough with shoulder warm-ups in general. Doing that for 7 weeks doesn't seem to have made any difference whatsoever.

It should be noted that I feel no discomfort whatsoever when pressing incline or any kind of standing press (behind the neck, strict, snatch balance, thrusters, etc) - this is ONLY when I'm flat on my back hitting barbell bench. Dumbbells don't seem to aggravate it either, even when pressing flat. I'm honestly stumped what it is I've done.

 

[Ahriman]

Anyone have experience with shoulder impingement? I reckon that's what I have. Did it from flaring my arms quite heavily in comp bench PR like 7 weeks ago.

I benched heavy since the incident yesterday, working up to a comfortable 130 pause. However, the injury flared up again. It's not painful per se, just annoying.

Is the kinda thing I'm basically stuck with forever, or can one make a full recovery from this? I don't appear to have lost any flat pressing strength, but I kinda miss hitting volume on flat.

My strategy so far has been to avoid fllat bench almost entirely, do a hell of a lot of rear delt/upper back work, and be extra thorough with shoulder warm-ups in general. Doing that for 7 weeks doesn't seem to have made any difference whatsoever.

It should be noted that I feel no discomfort whatsoever when pressing incline or any kind of standing press (behind the neck, strict, snatch balance, thrusters, etc) - this is ONLY when I'm flat on my back hitting barbell bench. Dumbbells don't seem to aggravate it either, even when pressing flat. I'm honestly stumped what it is I've done.

Rip talked about this on his "how to bench press" vid, just make sure to correct your posture, check this out:

And always remember: sets of faaahve

 

[Rickenbacker]

Anyone have experience with shoulder impingement? I reckon that's what I have. Did it from flaring my arms quite heavily in comp bench PR like 7 weeks ago.

I benched heavy since the incident yesterday, working up to a comfortable 130 pause. However, the injury flared up again. It's not painful per se, just annoying.

Is the kinda thing I'm basically stuck with forever, or can one make a full recovery from this? I don't appear to have lost any flat pressing strength, but I kinda miss hitting volume on flat.

My strategy so far has been to avoid fllat bench almost entirely, do a hell of a lot of rear delt/upper back work, and be extra thorough with shoulder warm-ups in general. Doing that for 7 weeks doesn't seem to have made any difference whatsoever.

It should be noted that I feel no discomfort whatsoever when pressing incline or any kind of standing press (behind the neck, strict, snatch balance, thrusters, etc) - this is ONLY when I'm flat on my back hitting barbell bench. Dumbbells don't seem to aggravate it either, even when pressing flat. I'm honestly stumped what it is I've done.

My brother had a similar problem. There’s a chance your rotator cuff just isn’t strong enough to support the weight, I recommend looking into exercises that help train then.

 

[Gender: Xenomorph]

Do I need to "feel the burn" to make any progress, or is just doing reps till feeling tired after gym enough?

And do you need an medical examination before you can start properly training?

 

[CharcoalChkn]

Do I need to "feel the burn" to make any progress, or is just doing reps till feeling tired after gym enough?

And do you need an medical examination before you can start properly training?

I'm sure there are other more experienced posters who can answer these questions for you - and there is so many ways to work out properly so YMMV.

Generally to make the best progress you do your reps until you no longer can (at a weight where failure is between 8-15 mark depending on your goals).

As for the medical examination, most people should be fine to start training off the bat. However I would recommend getting a check if you have a past medical history or injury.

 

[Rickenbacker]

Do I need to "feel the burn" to make any progress, or is just doing reps till feeling tired after gym enough?

And do you need an medical examination before you can start properly training?

Feel the burn is kind of a meme, I don’t really feel much soreness after my workouts anymore. You’ll know if you’re doing it right have a good pump going (the muscles you’re working are feeling bigger because of the extra blood flowing to them).

In terms of a medicinal examination I’d say that’s only really needed if you have some kind of prior medical problem or injury.

Something I do heavily suggest to any new to lifting and training is to give time for your muscles to recover or they won’t have time to develop. When I first started I was training arms everyday but wasn’t really seeing results until I started focusing on certain groups of muscles (ei. Leg day, chest day, arm day, etc)

 

[Hot Dog]

Do I need to "feel the burn" to make any progress, or is just doing reps till feeling tired after gym enough?

Short answer: No.

Long answer: It depends on what your goals are and what you define as progress. If you want to get stronger all you need is 5 (fahive) to 10 reps for around 3 sets with progressive overload. The burn comes from high reps and training to failure which can actually be detrimental to recovery in certain cases.

Also if you have medical conditions or dietary restrictions it probably isn't a bad idea to check with your doc before you go on a diet or something. Most people can handle a lean, high protein diet.

My only personal update for now is that I'm focusing on strict form and building back up with limited volume and progressive overload. I am filming myself and am getting good feedback that way.

 

[grasshoppermustard]

Anyone ever pick up at the gym? About a month ago, one of the female PTs said hello (yeah yeah, keep reading) randomly with a big smile as I was leaving. I didn't think much of it but we had never talked previously, and since then we've been saying hello, what's up but leaving it at that, she's usually busy with a client so hard to chat further. Whatever right, just another gym pal.

Anyway, the past week I could've sworn she was making eye contact from across the gym a couple times but I wasn't sure, until today. I go in this morning, she's with a client on the other side of the gym, and we make eye contact. I look away first, then look back seemingly at the same time she looks back. I break eye contact again, keep walking and then look a third time and she steps from behind a machine to make eye contact which lingered for a moment and then I first looked away a third time. OK, so at that point I realise I'm not fucking imagining shit and something is up. I say hello to the other morning crew and start working out. Then her and the client come by me, and instead of saying hello, I panic and just give her this smile because now I'm feeling really fucking anxious and don't know what to say. She gives me a disappointed smile back, but didn't say anything either but it was really weird because it was the first time we've seen each other but not said anything.

Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but then again, I'm sure you guys know women don't make eye contact like this for no reason.

 

[CharcoalChkn]

Anyone ever pick up at the gym? About a month ago, one of the female PTs said hello (yeah yeah, keep reading) randomly with a big smile as I was leaving. I didn't think much of it but we had never talked previously, and since then we've been saying hello, what's up but leaving it at that, she's usually busy with a client so hard to chat further. Whatever right, just another gym pal.

Anyway, the past week I could've sworn she was making eye contact from across the gym a couple times but I wasn't sure, until today. I go in this morning, she's with a client on the other side of the gym, and we make eye contact. I look away first, then look back seemingly at the same time she looks back. I break eye contact again, keep walking and then look a third time and she steps from behind a machine to make eye contact which lingered for a moment and then I first looked away a third time. OK, so at that point I realise I'm not fucking imagining shit and something is up. I say hello to the other morning crew and start working out. Then her and the client come by me, and instead of saying hello, I panic and just give her this smile because now I'm feeling really fucking anxious and don't know what to say. She gives me a disappointed smile back, but didn't say anything either but it was really weird because it was the first time we've seen each other but not said anything.

Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but then again, I'm sure you guys know women don't make eye contact like this for no reason.

Hello, it's really hard to tell based off of this story.

As a woman myself I will say that I do tend to look at people I want the attention of, but at the same time, I do often end up accidentally doing this kind of thing while training because I want to check other people's form so I can make sure I am doing things properly. (I know, she's a trainer).

My experiences with women of course will be different BUT I will say I have had this kind of contact with trainers before in the gym, they were just looking for a client.

If you're feeling brave, when she isn't with a client just try and strike up a conversation a bit deeper than hello with her I guess with some open ended questions and gauge how responsive she is?

I know plenty of people who have picked up at the gym but it comes down to the whole do you want to shit where you eat thing.

 

[grasshoppermustard]

Hello, it's really hard to tell based off of this story.

As a woman myself I will say that I do tend to look at people I want the attention of, but at the same time, I do often end up accidentally doing this kind of thing while training because I want to check other people's form so I can make sure I am doing things properly. (I know, she's a trainer).

My experiences with women of course will be different BUT I will say I have had this kind of contact with trainers before in the gym, they were just looking for a client.

If you're feeling brave, when she isn't with a client just try and strike up a conversation a bit deeper than hello with her I guess with some open ended questions and gauge how responsive she is?

I know plenty of people who have picked up at the gym but it comes down to the whole do you want to shit where you eat thing.

Yeah, I thought it was just random eye contact during the week but making eye contact 3 times yesterday within a minute with the 3rd time being pretty intense wasn't an accident on her part. What sort of questions do you think I should ask her to probe her interest? I really don't want to embarass myself as I really don't know much about her, and I don't want to be 'that guy' in the gym who creeps on women as I tend to go in, do what I need to do and leave, and I know lots of women just want to do the same.

 

[CivilianOfTheFandomWars]

Anyone ever pick up at the gym? About a month ago, one of the female PTs said hello (yeah yeah, keep reading) randomly with a big smile as I was leaving. I didn't think much of it but we had never talked previously, and since then we've been saying hello, what's up but leaving it at that, she's usually busy with a client so hard to chat further. Whatever right, just another gym pal.

Anyway, the past week I could've sworn she was making eye contact from across the gym a couple times but I wasn't sure, until today. I go in this morning, she's with a client on the other side of the gym, and we make eye contact. I look away first, then look back seemingly at the same time she looks back. I break eye contact again, keep walking and then look a third time and she steps from behind a machine to make eye contact which lingered for a moment and then I first looked away a third time. OK, so at that point I realise I'm not fucking imagining shit and something is up. I say hello to the other morning crew and start working out. Then her and the client come by me, and instead of saying hello, I panic and just give her this smile because now I'm feeling really fucking anxious and don't know what to say. She gives me a disappointed smile back, but didn't say anything either but it was really weird because it was the first time we've seen each other but not said anything.

Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but then again, I'm sure you guys know women don't make eye contact like this for no reason.

I just saunter up to some hot piece of ass and ask if they come here often.
Sure, it's my boyfriend, but it's the thought that counts.

 

[CharcoalChkn]

Yeah, I thought it was just random eye contact during the week but making eye contact 3 times yesterday within a minute with the 3rd time being pretty intense wasn't an accident on her part. What sort of questions do you think I should ask her to probe her interest? I really don't want to embarass myself as I really don't know much about her, and I don't want to be 'that guy' in the gym who creeps on women as I tend to go in, do what I need to do and leave, and I know lots of women just want to do the same.

I am presuming you have already introduced yourself? If not, I would start there. I guess it's hard to bring up a common interest you guys might have outside of training considering the nature of where you met, not much to go off of there.

I might be a bit more cut and dry than others but I would honestly just introduce myself and ask her when she's free and if she would be interested in grabbing a coffee/whatever, you've seen her around and want to get to know her more. It's only considered creepy (imo) if the guy handles the rejection poorly or continues asking after they have been told there isn't an interest. It stings if you get the no, but it cuts out a lot of bullshit and days/weeks wondering, and as long as you act like a normal human being afterwards it should be fine.

What I meant when I said ask some open ended questions, literally anything, most ladies I am familiar with will be like getting blood from a stone answering anything if they want to be left alone.

MOST women are pretty chill when a random guy comes up to them and just starts a light conversation even though everyone knows what the fuck is up. But that's also usually a pretty good indicator of if you even want to pursue things further, no one wants an unfriendly bitch.