Would you consider this progress?

marathonic

It's about 2 months since I switched from isolation machines to dumbbell/bodyweight excercises. I'm trying to figure out whether I'm progressing well but am finding it difficult. I feel like I've progressed but, in certain cases, the numbers suggest I'm not progressing enough. What do you think? (I don't do all excercises in every session).


These are the excercises that I used to do which were all isolation machines - all 3 * 8:

Leg Extension: 70KG
Leg Curl: 65KG
Leg Press: 140KG
Chest Press: 50KG
Machine Fly: 45KG
Shoulder Press: 30KG
Back Extension: 75KG
Seated Row: 45KG
Biceps Curl: 21KG
Abs Machine: 55KG
Triceps Push Down: 65KG
Lat Pulldown: 60KG

This is what I now do in the gym (mostly 3 * 10):

Dumbbell Squat: 40KG
Dumbbell Deadlift: 56KG
Dumbbell Bench Press: 26KG * 2 = 48KG
Dumbbell Shoulder Press: 14KG * 2 = 28KG
Overhead Dumbbell Swing: 32KG
One Arm Row: 26KG
Dumbbell Renegade Row: 26KG
Dumbbell Shrugs: 72KG
Hanging Shrug: 3 * 12
Hanging Leg Raise: 3 * 12
Dips 6 sets of 7 at 76KG bodyweight
Chins 6 sets of 4 at 76KG bodyweight

Duck's hoop

marathonic wrote: »

It's about 2 months since I switched from isolation machines to dumbbell/bodyweight excercises.

This is what I now do in the gym (mostly 3 * 10):

Dumbbell Squat: 40KG
Dumbbell Deadlift: 56KG
Dumbbell Bench Press: 26KG * 2 = 48KG
Dumbbell Shoulder Press: 14KG * 2 = 28KG
Overhead Dumbbell Swing: 32KG
One Arm Row: 26KG
Dumbbell Renegade Row: 26KG
Dumbbell Shrugs: 72KG
Hanging Shrug: 3 * 12
Hanging Leg Raise: 3 * 12
Dips 6 sets of 7 at 76KG bodyweight
Chins 6 sets of 4 at 76KG bodyweight

Hey, I know SFA, and I'm not being clever but...if you started the free weights 2 months ago at the same numbers as posted above then you've not progressed.

If you started at lower numbers and upped the weight progressively and have arrived at those above then... you've progressed!

Personally I'd forget about your 'machine' period and just concentrate on your 'now and onwards' period.

Edit; If you've those machines handy in the same gym why not rip around them at those weights, see how they feel? I reckon you could be surprised. In a good way.

TimeToShine

Your numbers have progressed as they're almost similar to the machine lifts but free weighted.

why don't you use a barbell for deadlifts and squats if you have access to a gym?

marathonic

TimeToShine wrote: »

Your numbers have progressed as they're almost similar to the machine lifts but free weighted.

why don't you use a barbell for deadlifts and squats if you have access to a gym?

Thanks TimeToShine.

I don't use a barbell as my gym only has smith machines or dumbbells.

Scuba Ste

Absolutely no way to compare the two. Machine weights will vary from machine to machine, never mind machine to free weights.

If you've increased to what your at now then you've made progress. What does your log tell you? Seems like you've progressed to me.

A bit strange that your one arm row and renegade rows are the same though. Is that right?

marathonic

Scuba Ste wrote: »

Absolutely no way to compare the two. Machine weights will vary from machine to machine, never mind machine to free weights.

If you've increased to what your at now then you've made progress. What does your log tell you? Seems like you've progressed to me.

A bit strange that your one arm row and renegade rows are the same though. Is that right?

At the moment, yeah. But I think the one arm row will progress quicker from here than the renegade row. The renegade row completely wrecks me at the moment.

Edit: I've looked at form guides and I'm doing the renegade row wrong. Time to drop back 25% and do them right :-(

Reggy

I don't use a barbell as my gym only has smith machines or dumbbells.

@marathonic, thats like the 3rd post ive seen you say that this week, it must seriously get on your t1ts?! Do you think it seriously limits the types of training you can do? I'd be lost without barbells! I think you need to consider finding a new gym!?

marathonic

Reggy wrote: »

@marathonic, thats like the 3rd post ive seen you say that this week, it must seriously get on your t1ts?! Do you think it seriously limits the types of training you can do? I'd be lost without barbells! I think you need to consider finding a new gym!?

Totally 100% agree with everything you're saying. At the moment, I'm using the largest dumbbell for my squat and am close to using them for my shrugs. Where to go from there, I do not know.

My gym membership expires in September so it'll be hunting time then - or perhaps time to buy a Power Rack, Bench and Olympic Weights set

Westcoast Thugs

marathonic wrote: »

Totally 100% agree with everything you're saying. At the moment, I'm using the largest dumbbell for my squat and am close to using them for my shrugs. Where to go from there, I do not know.

My gym membership expires in September so it'll be hunting time then - or perhaps time to buy a Power Rack, Bench and Olympic Weights set

you cant go wrong with that i would recommend irish lifting thats where i got my rack and 2 bars got a dope deal too, you should price around now and buy so you be ready when your membership expires check out Donedeal too its great site for second hand stuff