I'm sure you ladies have sat through some version of this question (if not this very one) dozens of times, so please forgive this potential rerun.
I'm two A and two B workouts away from completing Stage 1 from NRoLfW, and I couldn't be more pleased with the results so far. I have however apparently hit a few plateaus, and was just wondering if this was a common occurrence considering that this program is designed so that you end up stronger, which I interpret as being able to lift more, at each new session.
Here are my details:
Steady progress
Squats
Currently: 145 (Aiming for 170 at end of stage)
Seated Row
Currently: 144
Prone Jack Knife (I hate this worse than poison)
Currently: Able to complete listed reps and sets
Swill Ball Crunch
Currently: Same as PJK
Push Ups
Currently: Able to do listed sets and reps of standard kind with correct form
Plateaus
Dead Lift
Currently: 125 and second consecutive workout where I couldn't advance. However, I did notice this time that 125 seems to be where my grip, as opposed to my strength, is the problem. My grip was absolutely not a problem before this
Well, to be fair, I've always been naturally stronger than most of the women my age (41) I know; same thing when I was younger. Just like some people naturally have great endurance, I just grow'd that way.
I just wanted a bit of confirmation that the types of plateaus I'm experiencing are more or less a/the norm.
The book explains that the idea is to lift heavier each time, or try to, but that's not an absolute rule. Sometimes it's impractical, sometimes it's impossible, and sometimes it would be just stupid. We feel different at each workout, some days you're a little off and can't do as much, other days you make greater gains. It also depends a lot on the quality of your rest in between workouts. Don't worry, you're not meant to get stronger each and every workout.
I am curious about the difference in your lat pulldown vs. cable row. Is that right??? Just seems like a huge difference...I'm usually no more than 10 lbs. heavier in one than the other. Also seems like DL should be higher than squats, but I get the grip issue. Are you using a mixed grip? I guess it is what it is but I'm just surprised to see the differences.
I also wouldn't worry about going up in weight every single time. I think in many cases I used that same weight for the same reps, then increased as reps dropped. Depended on the exercise, but I didn't stress over not increasing every single workout. You are getting stronger, keep going and you will keep getting stronger. Great squat weight. Wow...I seem to not be able to make progress in that area.
You are just a couple workouts ahead of me. FWIW, I am not concerned at all with adding more weight unless the reps are also dropped. If something seems too easy I just make a note on my log to increase weight next time. I dunno... I think it would be really hard to add more weight each an every workout.
You are just a couple workouts ahead of me. FWIW, I am not concerned at all with adding more weight unless the reps are also dropped. If something seems too easy I just make a note on my log to increase weight next time. I dunno... I think it would be really hard to add more weight each an every workout.
Of course, you are right! Think about it.....we can't increase our weights every workout. If that were the case, we'd be lifting 500 pounds eventually! There are lots of ways to measure improvement:
1. Higher reps with same weight
2. Lower reps with an increased weight
3. Shorter rest periods needed
4. More sets completed with the same weight
Of course, you are right! Think about it.....we can't increase our weights every workout. If that were the case, we'd be lifting 500 pounds eventually! There are lots of ways to measure improvement:
Well... obviously. I'm not really that stupid. Honestly. It always was a matter of common sense that there would come an eventual point where I couldn't left any more, just like in the case of any other human being.
It's only been very recently that I've not been able to advance in weight for two sessions in a row with a few specific moves. I wanted to know if this was a common occurrence for others at this stage.
Full stop.
Quote:
Originally Posted by missjane
1. Higher reps with same weight
2. Lower reps with an increased weight
3. Shorter rest periods needed
4. More sets completed with the same weight
Indeed. Clearly the above are signs of advancement, but I was overburdened by the millstone of ignorance that I've been condemned to wear anytime I step into the gym, so I must thank you for the elucidation.
I am curious about the difference in your lat pulldown vs. cable row. Is that right??? Just seems like a huge difference...I'm usually no more than 10 lbs. heavier in one than the other. Also seems like DL should be higher than squats, but I get the grip issue. Are you using a mixed grip? I guess it is what it is but I'm just surprised to see the differences.
I also wouldn't worry about going up in weight every single time. I think in many cases I used that same weight for the same reps, then increased as reps dropped. Depended on the exercise, but I didn't stress over not increasing every single workout. You are getting stronger, keep going and you will keep getting stronger. Great squat weight. Wow...I seem to not be able to make progress in that area.
Not using mixed grip, but having serious imbalances is nothing new to me. Before I decided to get my act together by starting this program, I was more or less "winging it" at the gym; particularly when it came to weights, so some things that should have set off alarms didn't.
Things like being about to do a 300 pound leg press, but only being able to do a 90 pound hamstring curl.
As a general rule, my shoulders and midsection tend to be much weaker than the rest of my body, but would still be considered fairly strong by most standards; just not comparatively.
Well... obviously. I'm not really that stupid. Honestly. It always was a matter of common sense that there would come an eventual point where I couldn't left any more, just like in the case of any other human being.
It's only been very recently that I've not been able to advance in weight for two sessions in a row with a few specific moves. I wanted to know if this was a common occurrence for others at this stage.
Full stop.
Indeed. Clearly the above are signs of advancement, but I was overburdened by the millstone of ignorance that I've been condemned to wear anytime I step into the gym, so I must thank you for the elucidation.
I'm curious--did you mean to sound like a total mean-spirited snark here or not, tee?
I'm curious--did you mean to sound like a total mean-spirited snark here or not, tee?
Brimming with sarcasm myself, I read her post both ways and could easily see misinterpretations, but it seemed to me to still be more a tongue-in-cheek post. Maybe not, but when it comes to someone being on the fence when I say something, I've always said "when in doubt, assume sarcasm"
I am also of a fairly sarcastic mien myself, but if you read her responses to everyone else in this thread, she only comes off like that to Jane, who is, of all the nerve, trying to help.
***"Typical" Plateaus?***
Linear Mode
