The Lifters Thread

[hooskins]

Just got into lifting due to an upcoming beach trip.

[saden1]

Originally Posted by GMScud

Nice. I'm in the gym minimum of 5 days a week. I love cardio, but weights are my real love. Free weights, machines, all of it.

I haven't maxed on bench in probably 3 years, but last time it was 345lbs. Keep in mind I'm 6'3 and about 215lbs, so it's not all that. I lifted really heavy when I was in my early/mid 20's. I'm 32 now (not like that's old, but still), and I don't really go very heavy all that often, with the exception of leg press. I'm not trying to win any bodybuilding competitions, and I'm not training for a pro sport, so I don't want to risk injury by trying to throw around 150lb dumbbells every day. I go for a balance of size and cut.

I'm in the same exact position...my best max in bench was 385 lbs about 5 years ago and now I can barely do 225 lbs, My left shoulder is completely fcked up due to a recurring basketball injury and hurts like a bitch every time I wake up in the morning. My right arm can still get the job done but the left is as limp as a wet noodle. I'm hope to rehab it this summer. My legs can still go into beast mode but it's just a matter of time before they crap out with all the hooping. I routinely pile on and rep 400-500 lbs 20 times on the leg press and toe raises.


Heavy lifting is not worth it and my joints can do without them. I lift weights to feel good energy wise and burn whatever I ate during the week burn faster.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by saden1

I'm in the same exact position...my best max in bench was 385 lbs about 5 years ago and now I can barely do 225 lbs, My left shoulder is completely fcked up due to a recurring basketball injury and hurts like a bitch every time I wake up in the morning. My right arm can still get the job done but the left is as limp as a wet noodle. I'm hope to rehab it this summer. My legs can still go into beast mode but it's just a matter of time before they crap out with all the hooping. I routinely pile on and rep 400-500 lbs 20 times on the leg press and toe raises.


Heavy lifting is not worth it and my joints can do without them. I lift weights to feel good energy wise and burn whatever I ate during the week burn faster.

I think I might have messed up my right shoulder playing football. Nothing to bad it does tend to be the more likely candidate to get sharp nagging nerve pain when I lift, particularly on the bench, though I doubt it's anywhere near as bad as what you're dealing with seeing as how it's only really something I make a note of, like "oh that's interesting."

Also I'm probably not going to be able to go back to heavy weights when I recover from hernia surgery, at least for a while. I've heard to many stories about guys reinjuring hernias and needing second and third surgeries, even though lifting wasn't the direct cause for me. Either way I have no desire to repeat this process.

I mean it's not like I need to prepare for a sport or anything like that. Probably should be fine with the kettlebell.

Also that reminds me, anyone that tells you to do more reps for tone is messing with you. More reps builds endurance, if you really want tone lift heavy and slow.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by tryfuhl

Werd, didn't do proper post cycle therapy, no aromatase inhibitor had that isht turning to estrogen hence the gynecomastia.

Uhhhh, ok.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by saden1

I'm in the same exact position...my best max in bench was 385 lbs about 5 years ago and now I can barely do 225 lbs, My left shoulder is completely fcked up due to a recurring basketball injury and hurts like a bitch every time I wake up in the morning. My right arm can still get the job done but the left is as limp as a wet noodle. I'm hope to rehab it this summer. My legs can still go into beast mode but it's just a matter of time before they crap out with all the hooping. I routinely pile on and rep 400-500 lbs 20 times on the leg press and toe raises.


Heavy lifting is not worth it and my joints can do without them. I lift weights to feel good energy wise and burn whatever I ate during the week burn faster.

That sucks about your shoulder. I'm pretty surprised after all the years of football/basketball/baseball that I don't have any nagging injuries. I have plenty of friends that do. One of my closest friend's knees are completely shot and he's only 30, another friend of mine needs his hip replaced and he's only 36. That could easily be me after all the years of physical activity. Just got lucky I guess.

That's the biggest reason I'm not lifting heavy anymore- sort of a preemptive measure. I just want to look good and feel good. I'm past the days where I have any desire to try to throw up 400lbs on the bench. Serves no purpose anymore.

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by hooskins

Just got into lifting due to an upcoming beach trip.

Funny. Good luck though!

Keep it up after the vacation, you won't regret it...and won't have to work like mad next spring too.

I find the women who "bulk" during the winter than starve themselves while running a treadmill in the spring to get a "beach body" quite annoying. Just maintain a reasonable diet/fitness plan year-round and you won't have to torture your body AND mind/self-esteem every year.

[hooskins]

Originally Posted by Monkeydad

Funny. Good luck though!

Keep it up after the vacation, you won't regret it...and won't have to work like mad next spring too.

I find the women who "bulk" during the winter than starve themselves while running a treadmill in the spring to get a "beach body" quite annoying. Just maintain a reasonable diet/fitness plan year-round and you won't have to torture your body AND mind/self-esteem every year.

Yeah. For me I've always been a more slim kind of guy, but have been pudgier after college.

My goals are to increase muscle mass and a bit of toning. Not trying to be the Hulk here. Either way I wasn't in the best shape a few weeks ago.