Deadlift ... hands can't handle the weight.

[Zivic]

I know that. I just think that there's less of a benefit than one might think to jump straight into a routine where one is immediately worked to failure.

who said anything about failure?

If you want to bring up failure, the OP should be working to positive failure on every set -

 

[Howard]

who said anything about failure?

If you want to bring up failure, the OP should be working to positive failure on every set -

I can't really complete the exercise with that amount of weight.

two character limit

 

[Zivic]

two character limit

why be a smart@ss?

we had a big discussion on this.... I think he has a mental block. Think he is making an excuse for not doing the weight. Nothing can be confirmed over the net... except that you are just trying to be an @ss.....

Regardless of what the OP can or cannot do, he is better off using the most weight he can handle -> that is the damn point....

clear as mud?

PS: at 160 pounds I do have proper form but I dare not go higher.

I can grip the 165 pounds and do the exercise. I just don't like how much my hands strain.

two character limit

 

[rasczak]

OP, if you can't handle 160, can you handle 150? maybe you should continue to work on the heaviest you could go, adding a couple pounds a week until your confident in doing 160.

 

[Howard]

why be a smart@ss?

The minimum character rule here doesn't include quotes so I had to include something in the post. Would you prefer if I edit my post to discuss some of your mother's habits?

BTW

I jsut realized that my form is not so hot with 160 pounds.

That plus the fact that he very clearly stated he could not complete the exercise means what exactly?

 

[Howard]

You just trying to be argumentative???

all else equal in terms of form, adaptation, and beneficial habits what's more effective?
doing 120 lbs or 160 lbs?

Yes, I'm trying to be argumentative, and you're just trying to be offensively close-minded. See how that works?

 

[Zivic]

The minimum character rule here doesn't include quotes so I had to include something in the post. Would you prefer if I edit my post to discuss some of your mother's habits?

BTW

That plus the fact that he very clearly stated he could not complete the exercise means what exactly?

and he clearly quotes, twice, that he can do 160+ with proper form, but doesn't like the strain on his hands... we can argue till the keyboards wear out about the OP's capabilities. In the end, I encourage him to use the most weight he can...

and for the record, my mother's dead, so let her rest in peace... hmmm, K??? thanks

 

[Howard]

and he clearly quotes, twice, that he can do 160+ with proper form, but doesn't like the strain on his hands... we can argue till the keyboards wear out about the OP's capabilities. In the end, I encourage him to use the most weight he can...

and for the record, my mother's dead, so let her rest in peace... hmmm, K??? thanks

There shouldn't be a point of contention at all. Bottom line is, in his last update he clearly states that his form is not good with 160 pounds. Stop arguing with me.

 

[Deeko]

Would you prefer if I edit my post to discuss some of your mother's habits?

Uncalled for. Just because you disagree with his opinion here doesn't mean you need to be a dick about it.

 

[rcpratt]

Meh, he was a dick first with the "why be a smartass" and "two character limit" retort. But I think we've beaten this topic to death.

 

[Zivic]

There shouldn't be a point of contention at all. Bottom line is, in his last update he clearly states that his form is not good with 160 pounds. Stop arguing with me.

believe what you want.... You came in here with no critique, suggestions or worthwhile advise. You simply came in here to be an @ss and be argumentative based on contradicting comments by the OP.

Curious to see what your workouts entail and what kind of weight you can handle

 

[Howard]

Uncalled for. Just because you disagree with his opinion here doesn't mean you need to be a dick about it.

I was quite civil at the beginning. Zivic has been consistently aggressive. I don't see what the issue is with my reaction.

Anyway, I'm done here. If Zivic thinks the best thing to do is recommend that someone fail immediately, then by all means he should preach it.

 

[Zivic]

I was quite civil at the beginning. Zivic has been consistently aggressive. I don't see what the issue is with my reaction.

Anyway, I'm done here. If Zivic thinks the best thing to do is recommend that someone fail immediately, then by all means he should preach it.

You just continue to blow smoke... when did I say "someone fail immediately"

it's obvious what you don't know could fill a warehouse.. rather than so wittily critiquing my posts and suggestions why don't you offer up some worthwhile suggestions to the OP. Better yet, head off the gym and perfect your dead lift form with an empty bar

edit:
after a quick search, it's pretty clear why Howard is... well the way he is. At 130 lbs I bet he's pretty jealous of anyone that can pull a 160 lb dead. Don't worry friend, it'll come for you.... someday

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

THE OP IS BACK!

To answer some questions.

My background:
I currently weigh 230 pounds at age 35. My goal is to weigh 200 pounds and be mostly muscle by mid-April. This is 100% attainable so long as I don't cheat on my diet to much. I've done it before many times granted I am a bit older now.

Time constraints:
I am married with two kids. Trust me if you don't have kids, they take time out of your day. I simply can not go to the gym every day. We are members at the YMCA though so I could justify going there 2 days a week to do legs (squats, etc).

Home:
I have weights and a bench at home. About 200-250 pounds in free weights. I can do everything upper body at home

Past weight regime:
In the past, I used to do full body lifting with more targeted exercises on day one. I would literally do my whole body with about 15 exercises. On day two, I'd run a for 15-30 minutes. And repeat.

Current plan:
Goal build muscle.
3 day rotation. Day one, upper body w/ 4 exercises that are macro instead of micro. Day two, lower body ... again macro with slight variations. Day 3, cardio. Repeat.

All exercises are targeting 3 iterations of 6-7 reps. Each iteration to failure (can barely do the last one). The idea is to get this done in 30-40 minutes.

More specifically:
DAY 1 (UPPER BODY):
1) bench press or 5-10 degree incline press (rotate every other upper body day just to get slight variation in targeted muscles)
2) military press
3) concentration curls. (targeted, I know but I need ot target the bicep)
4) lat pull downs (granted I might have to do this at a gym). My setup is capped at like 100 pounds for safety which is not enough.

DAY 2 (LOWER BODY)
1) Standing Toe Raises
2) Dead Lift
3) leg curls (dead lift can get this done but not till I can go higher with the weights)
4) sit-ups.

DAY 3:
Cardio

HELP!
So, having said all this .... What would you do if you can only go to the gym 2 days a week and regardless of location you want to spend 30 minutes working out? If I have to mix upper body and lower body that is fine but not preferable.

As time passes, I would be willing to add a few more exercises to each day but for now I want to start here. After 20 days, I have dropped a few pounds and have noticed my strength improving. Even though I only lost a few pounds, I have noticed that my clothes (thighs area especially) are a bit thinner.

HAND STRENGTH:
Yes, I have always had some issue with hand strength. I know that my hands will get stronger. The fact that I could probably pick up 250 pounds means little if my hands only let me do one rep. My hand strength does not improve much over time. It's just how my body works.

WISDOM:
The idiot that wins an argument on the internet is still an idiot.

 

[Howard]

You just continue to blow smoke... when did I say "someone fail immediately"

it's obvious what you don't know could fill a warehouse.. rather than so wittily critiquing my posts and suggestions why don't you offer up some worthwhile suggestions to the OP. Better yet, head off the gym and perfect your dead lift form with an empty bar

edit:
after a quick search, it's pretty clear why Howard is... well the way he is. At 130 lbs I bet he's pretty jealous of anyone that can pull a 160 lb dead. Don't worry friend, it'll come for you.... someday

You check the date on those posts, Sherlock?

 

[Zivic]

You check the date on those posts, Sherlock?

hey watson, I did, but likely you don't weigh much more now. I will still bet you are skinny weakling

 

[Zivic]

THE OP IS BACK!

To answer some questions.

My background:
I currently weigh 230 pounds at age 35. My goal is to weigh 200 pounds and be mostly muscle by mid-April. This is 100% attainable so long as I don't cheat on my diet to much. I've done it before many times granted I am a bit older now.

Time constraints:
I am married with two kids. Trust me if you don't have kids, they take time out of your day. I simply can not go to the gym every day. We are members at the YMCA though so I could justify going there 2 days a week to do legs (squats, etc).

Home:
I have weights and a bench at home. About 200-250 pounds in free weights. I can do everything upper body at home

Past weight regime:
In the past, I used to do full body lifting with more targeted exercises on day one. I would literally do my whole body with about 15 exercises. On day two, I'd run a for 15-30 minutes. And repeat.

Current plan:
Goal build muscle.
3 day rotation. Day one, upper body w/ 4 exercises that are macro instead of micro. Day two, lower body ... again macro with slight variations. Day 3, cardio. Repeat.

All exercises are targeting 3 iterations of 6-7 reps. Each iteration to failure (can barely do the last one). The idea is to get this done in 30-40 minutes.

More specifically:
DAY 1 (UPPER BODY):
1) bench press or 5-10 degree incline press (rotate every other upper body day just to get slight variation in targeted muscles)
2) military press
3) concentration curls. (targeted, I know but I need ot target the bicep)
4) lat pull downs (granted I might have to do this at a gym). My setup is capped at like 100 pounds for safety which is not enough.

DAY 2 (LOWER BODY)
1) Standing Toe Raises
2) Dead Lift
3) leg curls (dead lift can get this done but not till I can go higher with the weights)
4) sit-ups.

DAY 3:
Cardio

HELP!
So, having said all this .... What would you do if you can only go to the gym 2 days a week and regardless of location you want to spend 30 minutes working out? If I have to mix upper body and lower body that is fine but not preferable.

As time passes, I would be willing to add a few more exercises to each day but for now I want to start here. After 20 days, I have dropped a few pounds and have noticed my strength improving. Even though I only lost a few pounds, I have noticed that my clothes (thighs area especially) are a bit thinner.

HAND STRENGTH:
Yes, I have always had some issue with hand strength. I know that my hands will get stronger. The fact that I could probably pick up 250 pounds means little if my hands only let me do one rep. My hand strength does not improve much over time. It's just how my body works.

WISDOM:
The idiot that wins an argument on the internet is still an idiot.

If you are stuck to two days a week, there are few things I would change.

upper body ->
3 sets flat bench
2 sets incline - skip military if you are stuck to these two days. Not really benefitiing you much. If you do incline, you are hitting the majority of what the military would do
2 sets weighted dips

^ that is likely all I would do for this day. Especially if you are limited to 30 minutes

Lower body ->
3 sets squats -> I think these are going to benefit you more than deads.
2 sets sled
2 sets stiff leg dead lifts
2 sets standing curls with straight bar or EZ curl bar. forget "concentration" curls

My suggestion with deads would be this. add a day in to your workout split every 10 days or so and do them then.

back:
3 sets deads
2 sets bent over rows
2 sets seated Rows
2 sets lat pulls

Work your abs on the days you do cardio - this isn't ideal because you will likely do them at the same time you do your cardio, but IMO better than working them on a day you do heavy core lifts (squats or deads).

Don't be afraid to use straps. Just do what you can with a raw grip and use the straps to help you increase your overall strength. I don't suggest doing 250 for singles, but could you do more using straps? if the answer is yes, 120, or even 160 is WAY too light. Don't hold back the rest of your progress due to grip strength. that is something that will come with time and if you aren't competing, means very little

 

[Howard]

hey watson, I did, but likely you don't weigh much more now. I will still bet you are skinny weakling

u mad

 

[Zivic]

u mad

u weak?

 

[Howard]

u weak?

I'm getting stronger. But you're still an angry fool.

 

[Zivic]

I'm getting stronger. But you're still an angry fool.

must be the roids

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Zivic,

No, not two days a week.

I do something everyday or atelast try to. I might miss a day on occasion. Usually the cardo day. Just saying that I use a 3 day rotation and repeat.

I can do more than 30 minutes. I'm just realizing this now.

As for deads, I did try almost all of my weights. 290 pounds or so. Couldn't get it off the ground. Or atelast did not want to try so hard as to hurt myself. I did do 100 jsut to see that i could do it. Listed 200 pounds twice and quit because of bad form.

I should start a new thread for all of this though. Maybe keep track of what I am doing in it.

 

[DeckardBlade]

What do you mean exactly by hand fatigue OP? Does the weight just start slipping out of your hands? Does it start slipping from your non dominant hand first? Also how tall are you?

When I started deadlifting my left hand was my limiting factor, being right handed the left one was just weaker in general. I didn't have a problem locking out the weight I was lifting or even pulling it from the floor; just slowly my left hand would get tired first and the bar would start slipping from my fingers.

What I did (not specifically to address this but I think it improved my grip strength immensely) was pretty much just copy Matt Kroczaleski's "Kroc Rows":

e.g.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7jAIdoORxI

I bought some olympic dumbbell handles off of CL with a bunch of 10lb plates for cheap and just loaded it up as heavy as I could go on my weaker hand and just cranked out as many bent over rows as I could with my left hand and then repeated that amount on the right. 6-8months of that has really evened out my grip strength and I have tiny hands so it's just harder in general

 

[Howard]

What do you mean exactly by hand fatigue OP? Does the weight just start slipping out of your hands? Does it start slipping from your non dominant hand first? Also how tall are you?

When I started deadlifting my left hand was my limiting factor, being right handed the left one was just weaker in general. I didn't have a problem locking out the weight I was lifting or even pulling it from the floor; just slowly my left hand would get tired first and the bar would start slipping from my fingers.

What I did (not specifically to address this but I think it improved my grip strength immensely) was pretty much just copy Matt Kroczaleski's "Kroc Rows":

e.g.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7jAIdoORxI

I bought some olympic dumbbell handles off of CL with a bunch of 10lb plates for cheap and just loaded it up as heavy as I could go on my weaker hand and just cranked out as many bent over rows as I could with my left hand and then repeated that amount on the right. 6-8months of that has really evened out my grip strength and I have tiny hands so it's just harder in general

Vice grips... interesting.