Weight Training in a Group

Worksforyou

I want to start doing weights and improving my strenght and power but I don't work well on my own. I've attempted before but I lack self motivation and discipline. I've played team sports all my life and it suits me much better. Can anyone recommend any training groups or classes that would suit my needs? I've looked at crossfit, would that work? I have to say that my budget isn't big and the crossfits I've looked up are expensive. If I was to join a regular gym, do many have strenght and conditioning classes and are they any good? I'm in the Dublin area and any suggestions are welcome.

Stench Blossoms

Where are you based in Dublin?

Worksforyou

South Dublin.

Stench Blossoms

http://www.southdublinsc.ie/

Nervous Wreck

Worksforyou wrote: »

South Dublin.

So we've narrowed it down to half the county. Well, it's a start....

arse..biscuits

http://www.ffs.ie/

Worksforyou

Nervous Wreck wrote: »

So we've narrowed it down to half the county. Well, it's a start....

Actually we haven't, I'm willing to travel. I'm just looking for good value. It doesn't have to be on my doorstep.

Worksforyou

Stench Blossoms wrote: »

http://www.southdublinsc.ie/

Thanks but as I said in my op, I have a limited budget and their prices are far too high for me.

Worksforyou

arse..biscuits wrote: »

http://www.ffs.ie/

Same as above.

2Mad2BeMad

what is your budget
then maybe we could help ? no sense in listing places if your only reply is too say not within my budget and "same as above" smart arse replies

arse..biscuits

Worksforyou wrote: »

Same as above.

What is your budget? S&C training is going to be more expensive than joining Ben Dunne

Hanley

arse..biscuits wrote: »

What is your budget? S&C training is going to be more expensive than joining Ben Dunne

This. Sounds like the OP wants a premium service at bargain basement prices.

Panda_Turtle

Southside Strength and Fitness in Sandyford may be a good comprise. €60 per month I think and there are some classes, and the trainers are probably floating around the place.

Its pretty much a free weights gym i.e. lots of squat racks etc and not loads of machines that you would see in a commercial gym.

You can get a ten visit pass for €15 to try it out:

https://www.livingsocial.com/ie/cities/68-south-dublin/deals/1059337-ten-gym-passes

http://www.southsidestrengthandfitness.ie/

Worksforyou

Sorry, maybe I didn't explain myself too well.

I'm looking to train in a group, that doesn't have to be a state of the art gym. Do some regular gyms do classes like the spin classes etc but it's a strenght and conditioning class?
My budget would be below 100 a month anyway, maybe below 80, the further below it the better and it certainly would be near the 150 a month or so some of the linked gyms were looking for.
I'm just looking for suggestions, no smart arse answers please. Something that Panda turtle has done. Thanks very much, it looks good but they haven't finalised their classes yet it says, are they new?

Panda_Turtle

Worksforyou wrote: »

Thanks very much, it looks good but they haven't finalised their classes yet it says, are they new?

I think they are open about a month and are implementing classes on a phased basis by the looks of it. They speak a bit about their classes on their facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/SouthsideStrength

arse..biscuits

The one I linked is €83/month if you pay up front for a year. That's for 3 classes per week plus an extra class (test) once a month.

Worksforyou

Panda_Turtle wrote: »

I think they are open about a month and are implementing classes on a phased basis by the looks of it. They speak a bit about their classes on their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SouthsideStrength

It looks very good but do you know if it's 60 a month and then you have to pay for classes on top of that? Thanks for the help.

Panda_Turtle

Worksforyou wrote: »

It looks very good but do you know if it's 60 a month and then you have to pay for classes on top of that? Thanks for the help.

I don`t know, Ill leave the further investigation to yourself! Whatever Worksforyou!

Worksforyou

Right then, time for me to do some work. Thanks for the help though, some others in this thread should take note on how it's done!

arse..biscuits

Worksforyou wrote: »

Right then, time for me to do some work. Thanks for the help though, some others in this thread should take note on how it's done!

You should take note of how to ask a question and not be a dick when people ask for details so they can help you.

By the way, I want to buy a house, what house would you recommend?

micko4

He has a point though 150 is a ridiculous amount to be paying per month for a gym..

Also op try joining a gym with a friend or even on your own and look up reg Parkers strong lift 5x5 programme its great for beginners and has structure to it to help keep your motivation.most of the strength and conditioning classes are based on your own body weight which is ok for toning up but if you want to gain real size and strength I'd recommend compound exercises with a barbell.
And more importantly eating like a horse and getting at least a gram of protein for every pound you weigh.

micko4

Or if your happy enough with getting toned and looking for classes finglas leisure center does classes its 40 for a month and you can use the gym pool and all the classes you want some of them include kettlebells and trx plus one day of the month they do A special when its only 27.
Also mma clubs do strength and conditioning I know one that charges 50 a month.

Worksforyou

arse..biscuits wrote: »

You should take note of how to ask a question and not be a dick when people ask for details so they can help you. By the way, I want to buy a house, what house would you recommend?

If you have nothing valid to post then it's okay to post nothing. Thank you.

Worksforyou

micko4 wrote: »

He has a point though 150 is a ridiculous amount to be paying per month for a gym.. Also op try joining a gym with a friend or even on your own and look up reg Parkers strong lift 5x5 programme its great for beginners and has structure to it to help keep your motivation.most of the strength and conditioning classes are based on your own body weight which is ok for toning up but if you want to gain real size and strength I'd recommend compound exercises with a barbell. And more importantly eating like a horse and getting at least a gram of protein for every pound you weigh.

Thanks for the advice. I think I'd be better off toning up first but I'd hope to get to gaining size at a later date. Finglas leisure center looks good, I might pay a visit. Do you have to fight when doing MMA? I mean spar or anything? I wouldn't be much of a fighter.

micko4

Worksforyou wrote: »

Thanks for the advice. I think I'd be better off toning up first but I'd hope to get to gaining size at a later date. Finglas leisure center looks good, I might pay a visit. Do you have to fight when doing MMA? I mean spar or anything? I wouldn't be much of a fighter.

Yea you would spar but they know your a beginner and teach you the ropes,nobody would hit you hard everyone takes it really easy on the beginners.

Worksforyou

This MMA seems like a good option. Thanks.

micko4

Worksforyou wrote: »

This MMA seems like a good option. Thanks.

Cmac mma in blanchardstown be your best option look them up,they welcome newcomers.best of luck.

Mellor

Worksforyou wrote: »

This MMA seems like a good option. Thanks.

MMA is a good option is you want to learn a martial art, self-defense, or MMA specifically. But its not a great option if you just want to do weight training/strength & conditioning - as you outlined in the OP. I'm a massively MMA, and would recomend it to anyone who

The S&C work will only a tiny part of the programmed classes. The bulk of classes will be a sparring, technique, striking, grappling. (Check out the timetable of the club posted above)
Even when a conditioning class is offered, MMA conditioning can be sports specific and very different from "doing weights".

micko4

Mellor is completely right in everything he says there..
I do know the strength and conditioning part in that club is fairly decent though and some of the students have got into decent shape from that alone.but its not going to even near compare to lifting weights,but I don't think any classes you do will to be honest.
Start the mma if you have an interest and want to learn it,its really tough training,but if your looking to build muscle look up that 5x5 programme I was talking about and keep eating.its 80% diet

Worksforyou

I don't really want to get big but i want to get stronger and faster. Maybe a few classes mixed with me doing some gym work on my own. I just find it so boring on my own but maybe it has to be done.
Thanks for all the help anyway!

Naos

That 50e a month up in CMAC is for 6 days, about 12-13 hours a week, most sessions start at 7pm.

If you want any more info hit myself or this Micko character via up via PM for info.

Worksforyou

Naos wrote: »

That 50e a month up in CMAC is for 6 days, about 12-13 hours a week, most sessions start at 7pm.

If you want any more info hit myself or this Micko character via up via PM for info.

Thanks, I would be interested but I've just signed up to a gym for 3 months. I think I'll get into some sort of decent shape first then I might make the jump to this sort of training. I've heard it's meant to be very tough.

Worksforyou

micko4 wrote: »

He has a point though 150 is a ridiculous amount to be paying per month for a gym..

Also op try joining a gym with a friend or even on your own and look up reg Parkers strong lift 5x5 programme its great for beginners and has structure to it to help keep your motivation.most of the strength and conditioning classes are based on your own body weight which is ok for toning up but if you want to gain real size and strength I'd recommend compound exercises with a barbell.
And more importantly eating like a horse and getting at least a gram of protein for every pound you weigh.

I've signed up to a gym and I've decided to try this Reg Park (Parker?) 5x5 program. The thing is it says you have to work up to your max working weight, so first set is 60% of it, second set is 80% of it etc but how do you work out what your max working weight is?
Do you make an estimate and if you find it too hard or too easy you reduce or increase the weight or do you do the one rep max thing? I don't want to look like an idiot trying to lift things too heavy for me at first or the opposite. Thanks.

Blacktie.

Worksforyou wrote: »

I've signed up to a gym and I've decided to try this Reg Park (Parker?) 5x5 program. The thing is it says you have to work up to your max working weight, so first set is 60% of it, second set is 80% of it etc but how do you work out what your max working weight is?
Do you make an estimate and if you find it too hard or too easy you reduce or increase the weight or do you do the one rep max thing? I don't want to look like an idiot trying to lift things too heavy for me at first or the opposite. Thanks.

Haven't looked into this program in particular but I'm assuming it's the same as most 5x5s. Just pick a weight that you reckon will be difficult but possible to get 5 reps on. Aim low though. You'll quickly progress if you're a beginner and you're better of starting low anyway. I assume the 60% and 80% etc. is warm up? If not just pick a weight as I said above and work out what the 60% and 80% is.

Mellor

Pick a weight you think you just about get 5 sets of 5 with.
Subtract about 10-20kg. That's your starting weight.

Worksforyou

I think I can only lift 10 to 20 kg so if I subtract that?

I think I'll go at a quiet time and aim low as Blacktie said, try to get used to it. The 60% and 80% are warm ups, then you do the 100%. My upper body strenght is embarrassing, I've tried to do bench press before but could only do it with 5kg weights either side, so if the bar was 20kg then I could only do 30kg. Will I have to do the 60% warm up with the bar alone? I'll be the laughing stock of the gym.

Blacktie.

Worksforyou wrote: »

I think I can only lift 10 to 20 kg so if I subtract that?

I think I'll go at a quiet time and aim low as Blacktie said, try to get used to it. The 60% and 80% are warm ups, then you do the 100%. My upper body strenght is embarrassing, I've tried to do bench press before but could only do it with 5kg weights either side, so if the bar was 20kg then I could only do 30kg. Will I have to do the 60% warm up with the bar alone? I'll be the laughing stock of the gym.

Everyone starts somewhere. My bench is somewhere around the 90-100kg mark and I still have my first warm up set as just the bar. Same with my squat and deadlift. I always start with just the bar to get the motion going.

Worksforyou

Blacktie. wrote: »

Everyone starts somewhere. My bench is somewhere around the 90-100kg mark and I still have my first warm up set as just the bar. Same with my squat and deadlift. I always start with just the bar to get the motion going.

Yeah but you then go up to 100 kg on the bar while I'll put 5 kg on it! The problem with gyms in Dublin aswell is that there's always someone there, anyway I may just get over the embarrassment and put the effort in so soon I can put something respectable on the bar!

Blacktie.

Worksforyou wrote: »

Yeah but you then go up to 100 kg on the bar while I'll put 5 kg on it! The problem with gyms in Dublin aswell is that there's always someone there, anyway I may just get over the embarrassment and put the effort in so soon I can put something respectable on the bar!

You'll get over it fairly quick. It's just like starting anything new. You'll suck at first. But everyday you suck a little bit less.

Alf Veedersane

Worksforyou wrote: »

I think I can only lift 10 to 20 kg so if I subtract that?

I think I'll go at a quiet time and aim low as Blacktie said, try to get used to it. The 60% and 80% are warm ups, then you do the 100%. My upper body strenght is embarrassing, I've tried to do bench press before but could only do it with 5kg weights either side, so if the bar was 20kg then I could only do 30kg. Will I have to do the 60% warm up with the bar alone? I'll be the laughing stock of the gym.

No one else will be looking at what you're doing and those that are will usually think 'fair play'.

runawaybishop

Worksforyou wrote: »

Yeah but you then go up to 100 kg on the bar while I'll put 5 kg on it! The problem with gyms in Dublin aswell is that there's always someone there, anyway I may just get over the embarrassment and put the effort in so soon I can put something respectable on the bar!

No one will look down on you for lifting the bar or even a broom handle. They will all remember what they were like when they started. If you picked too heavy a weight they would probably come over to you and tell you to go lighter Don't worry about them and just mind yourself.

LuckyLloyd

Worksforyou wrote: »

Yeah but you then go up to 100 kg on the bar while I'll put 5 kg on it! The problem with gyms in Dublin aswell is that there's always someone there, anyway I may just get over the embarrassment and put the effort in so soon I can put something respectable on the bar!

Where I train, there are a couple of things I'm relatively good at but I suck at most things. It doesn't bother anyone either way and nor should it. I can honestly say that in all the years I've trained in one form or another the only times I've ever had a slightly negative thought about what people are doing around me is down Ben Dunne when I noticed a couple of lads who would spend their whole time doing multiple variations of chest and biceps exercises. But believe me when I say the thoughts were 'slightly' negative.

The truth of it is most people are focussed on themselves in the gym above all else, and people who are there regularly respect anyone else who's there and trying. And if they don't? They are the dicks. Not you.

micko4

Worksforyou wrote: »

I've signed up to a gym and I've decided to try this Reg Park (Parker?) 5x5 program. The thing is it says you have to work up to your max working weight, so first set is 60% of it, second set is 80% of it etc but how do you work out what your max working weight is?
Do you make an estimate and if you find it too hard or too easy you reduce or increase the weight or do you do the one rep max thing? I don't want to look like an idiot trying to lift things too heavy for me at first or the opposite. Thanks.

Sorry only seen this now..doesn't really matter what weight you start with I actually think recommend complete beginners to start off with just the bar and increase a half kilo every week..(you can start off a little heavier if you feel up to it but the bar is fine) it doesn't matter what you start with the important part is to try improve on it each week..noone in the gym will care what your lifting..when I started in the gym I couldn't lift ten either side and now I'm up to 120 bench and good squats and deadlifts too.. anyone in the gym will just think fair play to you comin up to build up..
But MOST IMPORTANTLY eat right or you won't get anywhere..loads of protein loads of carbs,if your looking to bulk up don't worry about extra carbs and calories just get it all into you and if you put any fat on its easy to lose later on.
Best of luck with it let us know how you get on here.

LuckyLloyd

micko4 wrote: »

Sorry only seen this now..doesn't really matter what weight you start with I actually think recommend complete beginners to start off with just the bar and increase a half kilo every week..

Absolutely start with the bar but beginners get stronger just looking at the bar and can be far more aggressive in terms of weekly increases than a half kilo.

Doug Cartel

Worksforyou wrote: »

Yeah but you then go up to 100 kg on the bar while I'll put 5 kg on it! The problem with gyms in Dublin aswell is that there's always someone there, anyway I may just get over the embarrassment and put the effort in so soon I can put something respectable on the bar!

Think of it this way. If you ever see someone working away under a bar with a really low weight, you have no way of knowing if they are a beginner, if they are coming back from an injury, or if they are just practising their form.

Worksforyou

Thanks for all the help, went to the gym today and another issue came up. Pushing too hard and feeling dizzy and had to sit down. Pushing too hard is all releative too. Can only get better though.