If you aren’t using the forums, here’s another example of the kind of dialog and advice people like Greg are getting for free:
This is an excerpt from the thread http://worldfitnessnetwork.com/forum/the-big-7/s-leg-deadlift-as-a-variant/
Greg:
Darrin, Cameron, or others, I have a question.
How do you feel about straight-leg deadlift as a (more…)
Continue reading about Straight Leg Deadlifts, Romanian Deadlifts (RDLs)
- Stop Counting Reps (for a week)
I bet you count your reps.
I do.
And all my programs that I design for clients or sell do.
But why?
Why Counting Reps Makes Sense
Counting reps can
- help you measure progress (ability to do more reps today than a few weeks ago means progress, right?),
- keeps you focused (if you are supposed to do 8 reps, and you are on #7, you are more likely to go to 8),
- ensure you follow a proven program, one written by someone who presumably knows more than you about how most bodies work and what will get results.
But counting reps can also deter progress because (more…)
Join the forum discussion on this article, or comment below.
If you aren’t using the forums, here’s an example of the kind of dialog and advice people like Greg are getting for free. There are over 500 posts already – you need to join in.
This is an excerpt from the thread http://worldfitnessnetwork.com/forum/specific-routines/leg-presses-for-a-while/.
gregsfc:
I know free weights almost always trumps machines, but I’ve decided to do leg presses for a while, after many months of squats and an abductor pull. Today, I was able to press 300. I know that’s not impressive, but it sure beats my squats after four months of staying under 200.
I’m also doing lunges (which I suck at), front squats (only a set or two), straight-leg deadlift, and on another workout, I do regular deadlifts.
This is all I’m doing for lower body other than a few sets of calf raises every time I go in the gym.
Any comments, questions, or critiques?
9:30 pm
July 17, 2010
Darrin
Well, I’m not physical therapist, but I don’t think that just because your squat has problems that you should be doing leg presses. Somewhere, you’ve got either form issues, or imbalances, or some other issue that is causing problems from the squat. Moving to leg presses may (more…)
Continue reading about Leg Presses, Assessment, and Overhead Squats
In our continuing series on weightlifting for women, let’s today talk about
Fears Women Have About Lifting Free-Weights
This is Part 4 of 4 in the series.
Fears women have of getting bulky from lifting weights are unfounded
Click here for part 1, part 2, or part 3.
“I Don’t Want To Get Bulky!”
Way too many women are worried about “getting bulky”.
Holy Cow, you’d think that merely looking at free-weights would turn a woman into a she-man! The biggest myth aside from the “muscle tone” myth is that women will get bulky from lifting weights.
Let me say this to those of you women thinking this: unless you are a genetic oddity, meaning like 1 in 1000 or rarer, you are not going to get bulky from lifting free weights.
Last time we talked about ideal workouts for women. Will they make women bulky?
Many men – who have far more natural growth (anabolic) hormones like testosterone – do everything they can to TRY to get bulky, and they can’t even do it! Do you really think that with your higher levels of catabolic hormones and lower levels of anabolic hormones you are going to become muscle-bound? No way.
And what is “bulky” anyway? I guess some women (more…)
Join the forum discussion on this article, or comment below.Continue reading about Should Women Train Like Men – Fears, Complaints and Excuses
If you want to build a strong body with a toned figure, it is first essential that you know how your muscles grow. Without a proper knowledge of what your body will respond to, you have little chance of making any long-term gains.
I’m going to use a short story to help you visualize how you will stimulate your muscles to grow. As you read this story, think about your own body and how the principles apply. Envision your own muscles reacting in the same way. We will then decode the message and explain the full metaphor and how it applies to you in Part 2.
Building a Foundation
Imagine that you are a god sitting up in the clouds. Let’s say you are Zeus, the great Greek god of the sky. You look down from your cloud each day and see a small tribe of people living out in the wilderness. You’ve been watching them for a while now and decide that these poor little people need some challenges to grow. Hurting them is not your goal; you really like these people and want to help them become stronger.
The little tribe lives in a thatched house with a straw roof. It looks flimsy, as if it could fall over at any moment. Nobody in the tribe has ever bothered to make it stronger because there has never been a need. It stands there just fine… as long as the wind doesn’t blow.
Well, the people simply are not progressing much by living in an old straw house forever. So you lean over the edge of your cloud and blow a little bit. The straw flies right off the roof and a few holes are even blown right through the walls. (more…)
Continue reading about Muscle Growth: Playing God With Your Body, Part 1
Part 3 of 4
- Lifting routines for women are often the same as for men
The past 2 articles (part 1 and part 2) in this series were lead ups to this part 3, which is probably what most of you have been waiting for! Here is how (more…)
Join the forum discussion on this article, or comment below.Continue reading about Should Women Train Like Men – Modifying Lifting Routines For Women
