Random Fitness Questions

el Fenomeno wrote: »

Is it normal not to feel much of a "burn" when/after doing chest presses?

How much weight are you pressing?

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

On the chest press, it might just be the width of your grip. The narrower it is, the more you'll feel it in your triceps.

FWIW, I don't really feel a burn in my chest on bench until I use a grip that's wider than my normal/competition grip width.

Wouldn't feel a burn on a bench press compared to say a pec fly set but that's surely down to compound vs. isolation movements I'd have thought

el Fenomeno wrote: »

Another embarrassingly stupid question for you lot

When doing hammer curls with dumbbells, I'm doing a weight that my stronger arm is comfortable with but my weaker arm really struggles with (bit just about get to the number of reps I'm targeting).

Do I just keep going until both arms are on a level playing field, so to speak? It doesn't feel like my stronger arms biceps are getting much of a workout - is it silly to use a heavier weight on that side?

You're trying to bring the weaker arm up to par. Using a heavier weight on the stronger side would reinforce the imbalance

Upforthematch wrote: »

Which is better fitness wise - a 10 minute run 5 days a week or a 50 minute run once a week?

I would choose the first option

I'd advocate for consistency - one 50 minute run will have you incredibly sore for a few days after if you're not used to it and will likely wear on your appetite to return. 5x10min runs will allow more of a build up towards improved fitness as others have mentioned.

Two 25 minute runs or three 16m40s runs would be best IMO. More work than 5x10 but you'll have a chance to give the legs at least one day of rest between runs

Happy Friday folks

Has anybody had issues maintaining progressive overload? Maybe it's just tiredness creeping into my training but got my squat up to 3x5 100kg last week, went this morning and finished with 90kg 3x6 - I'm not overly bothered by it but my goal is to get to 120kg 3x5 in the next 3 weeks so perhaps if somebody has some tips for reaching that I'd appreciate it, maybe it should be one day heavy, one day go for reps/form?

the baby bull elephant wrote: »

Unfortunately linear progression (which is what you seem to be describing rather than progressive overload) doesn't last forever. Eventually some other progression scheme has to be implemented. Depending on your size and training history upping your 3x5 by 20kg in three weeks may not be possible. It's certainly not impossible for everyone but it depends on the individual.

Are you following a set programme or doing your own stuff? Are you doing any accessory work? How's your bracing? These are all quick enough fixes depending on what you're doing that can help the weight go up. Especially the bracing. One day heavy and another light could be a good idea but it depends on a few things.

I think the one day heavy one day light will help with recovery.

Current program is just my own, 5 weeks in and I'm more than capable of hitting the 120kg squat now, I just have a complex that my form isn't right and that I should take it nice and slow. I don't think my bracing is great, I'll get a video and look for form tips - did it previously but the weight was waaaaay too low!

bluewolf wrote: »

When'd you deload

I took week 4 off squats and deadlifts if that counts?

The plan is to do 4 sessions per week, two push, two pull for 8 weeks so nearly there. Plan then is to take it handy for a week or two, then look to do one push, one pull and two days of cardio for 6-8 weeks again thereafter.

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Twenty says they're only doing one of the two options but wondering of the other would be better :pac:

50 says the people asking these questions are going to drop running for the next 8min workout device on the home shopping channel

D'Agger wrote: »

Has anybody had issues maintaining progressive overload?

By 'progressive overload', I'm assuming you actually mean linear progression? - As in increasing load every training session.

5 weeks is far too early for linear progression to end. I'd guess you're either being greedy with your weight jumps, not recovering properly (food and sleep) and/or need to get your technique looked at by a coach. Or some combination of the above.

People tend to jump to more complex programming far too early when you could just fine tune the above and milk more gains out of LP. Even when that stops working you can make more simple changes like moving from 3x5 to 5x3.

Also, a three day full body split works better for LP in my experience, as you want to keep the number of exercises low and your exposure to them frequent. Basically something like the Starting Strength programme. If you want to look at my training log on here you can see examples of how to structure the week. I'm currently using LP to build back my strength after injury.

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Twenty says they're only doing one of the two options but wondering of the other would be better :pac:

I used to do 7.5 and 10 ks but only got to the gym once or twice a week at weekends and then stopped when I had to work

I ve been doing fast workouts before work lately but not getting as much out of them, and yes its faster pace. My head says little and often, but is 10 to 20 mins good enough, that's my question. Sounds like it is...

Anybody got a good source for cheap resistance bands? I keep buying them and losing them