I'm into free weights now!

Fausto

Elite Member
Nov 29, 2000
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Free weights are soooooooo much better than machines. Glad you're enjoying them. :)
 

Saulbadguy

Diamond Member
Jan 27, 2003
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The only reason I stay away from free-weights are the jocks who like to spend all their time there and occupy all the space. Its annoying, and discouraging. Heh. :D
 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
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Yep, free weights do a lot more because you're forced to train the stabilizer muscles too.

Focus HARD on form. Good form is very important.
 

Geekbabe

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Oct 16, 1999
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Originally posted by: Fausto
Free weights are soooooooo much better than machines. Glad you're enjoying them. :)

yeah it is really a different feeling! As far as form goes I think I'm already ahead of the game because even on the machines I try to pay careful attention to making sure I wasn't locking elbows or knees and to making sure I got that moment's pause in to hold the muscle contraction.
 

Psorak

Banned
Feb 4, 2004
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Did you get any proper personal training? You shouldn't just pick up on free weights unless you're taught proper form.
 

Ranger X

Lifer
Mar 18, 2000
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Originally posted by: Saulbadguy
The only reason I stay away from free-weights are the jocks who like to spend all their time there and occupy all the space. Its annoying, and discouraging. Heh. :D
It's called waiting. Try that sometime instead of making excuses.
 

Geekbabe

Moderator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Oct 16, 1999
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Originally posted by: Psorak
Did you get any proper personal training? You shouldn't just pick up on free weights unless you're taught proper form.

The manager of the gym is training me:) My new rountine breaks the body parts down into 4 separate days.I need to go lighter on the cardio and/or do it on my off days,lol and I gotta eat more.
 

minendo

Elite Member
Aug 31, 2001
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Originally posted by: Psorak
Did you get any proper personal training? You shouldn't just pick up on free weights unless you're taught proper form.
Why not?

It does not take a genius to figure out how to properly lift weights.

 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
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Originally posted by: Ranger X
Originally posted by: Saulbadguy
The only reason I stay away from free-weights are the jocks who like to spend all their time there and occupy all the space. Its annoying, and discouraging. Heh. :D
It's called waiting. Try that sometime instead of making excuses.

Screw waiting. Grow a pair and politely ask if you can work-in. Hell, when I first started, I got some great form and routine tips when working in with the more advanced guys.
 

Psorak

Banned
Feb 4, 2004
137
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Originally posted by: minendo
Originally posted by: Psorak
Did you get any proper personal training? You shouldn't just pick up on free weights unless you're taught proper form.
Why not?

It does not take a genius to figure out how to properly lift weights.

Um. Ok.
 

Fausto

Elite Member
Nov 29, 2000
26,521
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Originally posted by: Geekbabe
Originally posted by: Fausto
Free weights are soooooooo much better than machines. Glad you're enjoying them. :)

yeah it is really a different feeling! As far as form goes I think I'm already ahead of the game because even on the machines I try to pay careful attention to making sure I wasn't locking elbows or knees and to making sure I got that moment's pause in to hold the muscle contraction.
Tried squats yet? It takes careful attention to form, but there's nothing better for your lower body.

 

Saulbadguy

Diamond Member
Jan 27, 2003
5,573
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Originally posted by: Ranger X
Originally posted by: Saulbadguy
The only reason I stay away from free-weights are the jocks who like to spend all their time there and occupy all the space. Its annoying, and discouraging. Heh. :D
It's called waiting. Try that sometime instead of making excuses.

Like im going to wait half an hour just to do some bicep curls. I instead do the cable machines, which are less crowded..and seem to do a better job than the regular machines.
 

minendo

Elite Member
Aug 31, 2001
35,560
22
81
Originally posted by: Fausto
Originally posted by: Geekbabe
Originally posted by: Fausto
Free weights are soooooooo much better than machines. Glad you're enjoying them. :)

yeah it is really a different feeling! As far as form goes I think I'm already ahead of the game because even on the machines I try to pay careful attention to making sure I wasn't locking elbows or knees and to making sure I got that moment's pause in to hold the muscle contraction.
Tried squats yet? It takes careful attention to form, but there's nothing better for your lower body.
Squats are where I struggle. Damn these bad knees.

 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
57,118
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Originally posted by: minendo
Originally posted by: Psorak
Did you get any proper personal training? You shouldn't just pick up on free weights unless you're taught proper form.
Why not?

It does not take a genius to figure out how to properly lift weights.

I've seen some very intelligent people with terrible, injury begging form at the gym.

You don't need a trainer, but you should at least ask the gym folks for a demo and quick instruction on proper form.
 

ComputerMonkey

Senior member
Sep 25, 2002
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Originally posted by: Amused
Yep, free weights do a lot more because you're forced to train the stabilizer muscles too.

Focus HARD on form. Good form is very important.

Yes very important. Don't worry about the weight and if you are doing less than you were on the machines, focus on proper form.
 

Fausto

Elite Member
Nov 29, 2000
26,521
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Originally posted by: minendo
Originally posted by: Fausto
Originally posted by: Geekbabe
Originally posted by: Fausto
Free weights are soooooooo much better than machines. Glad you're enjoying them. :)

yeah it is really a different feeling! As far as form goes I think I'm already ahead of the game because even on the machines I try to pay careful attention to making sure I wasn't locking elbows or knees and to making sure I got that moment's pause in to hold the muscle contraction.
Tried squats yet? It takes careful attention to form, but there's nothing better for your lower body.
Squats are where I struggle. Damn these bad knees.
That sucks. I assume that's from all the soccer?

 

Geekbabe

Moderator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Oct 16, 1999
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Originally posted by: Amused
Originally posted by: Ranger X
Originally posted by: Saulbadguy
The only reason I stay away from free-weights are the jocks who like to spend all their time there and occupy all the space. Its annoying, and discouraging. Heh. :D
It's called waiting. Try that sometime instead of making excuses.

Screw waiting. Grow a pair and politely ask if you can work-in. Hell, when I first started, I got some great form and routine tips when working in with the more advanced guys.

Everybody over in the free weight area was really nice and very encouraging,of course I think I'm just a tad more attractive than the 300 pound bald kid who seemed to spend most of his lift time screaming:Q
 

Fausto

Elite Member
Nov 29, 2000
26,521
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Originally posted by: Geekbabe
Originally posted by: Amused
Originally posted by: Ranger X
Originally posted by: Saulbadguy
The only reason I stay away from free-weights are the jocks who like to spend all their time there and occupy all the space. Its annoying, and discouraging. Heh. :D
It's called waiting. Try that sometime instead of making excuses.

Screw waiting. Grow a pair and politely ask if you can work-in. Hell, when I first started, I got some great form and routine tips when working in with the more advanced guys.

Everybody over in the free weight area was really nice and very encouraging,of course I think I'm just a tad more attractive than the 300 pound bald kid who seemed to spend most of his lift time screaming:Q
Just wait, you'll be yelling soon too. It's just part of the lifting thing (although some people are waaaaay to loud).

 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
57,118
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146
Originally posted by: Geekbabe
Originally posted by: Amused
Originally posted by: Ranger X
Originally posted by: Saulbadguy
The only reason I stay away from free-weights are the jocks who like to spend all their time there and occupy all the space. Its annoying, and discouraging. Heh. :D
It's called waiting. Try that sometime instead of making excuses.

Screw waiting. Grow a pair and politely ask if you can work-in. Hell, when I first started, I got some great form and routine tips when working in with the more advanced guys.

Everybody over in the free weight area was really nice and very encouraging,of course I think I'm just a tad more attractive than the 300 pound bald kid who seemed to spend most of his lift time screaming:Q

At the Gold's Gym here in Champaign, IL, I have NEVER seen the regulars be anything but nice to folks who aren't as advanced as they are.

Hell, we have a lot of respect for really out of shape folks who come regularly and are actually trying to do something about their condition.
 

Geekbabe

Moderator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Oct 16, 1999
32,229
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www.theshoppinqueen.com
Originally posted by: Amused
Originally posted by: Geekbabe
Originally posted by: Amused
Originally posted by: Ranger X
Originally posted by: Saulbadguy
The only reason I stay away from free-weights are the jocks who like to spend all their time there and occupy all the space. Its annoying, and discouraging. Heh. :D
It's called waiting. Try that sometime instead of making excuses.

Screw waiting. Grow a pair and politely ask if you can work-in. Hell, when I first started, I got some great form and routine tips when working in with the more advanced guys.

Everybody over in the free weight area was really nice and very encouraging,of course I think I'm just a tad more attractive than the 300 pound bald kid who seemed to spend most of his lift time screaming:Q

At the Gold's Gym here in Champaign, IL, I have NEVER seen the regulars be anything but nice to folks who aren't as advanced as they are.

Hell, we have a lot of respect for really out of shape folks who come regularly and are actually trying to do something about their condition.

The manager says he's spending time working with me because I actually come in regularly and attempt to follow the advice he gives me.Some regulars are already greeting me and I get the occasional convo in the locker room.

At any rate of all the things I've imagined doing over my lifetime lifting weights was not among them.I feel a bit odd sometimes because thus far I'm the tallest woman I've seen at my gym and it's hard to not have other people with similar body types around to compare/aspire to.I do think I'm going to really like this lifting stuff though,I felt strangly juiced leaving the gym today. :)




 

Ranger X

Lifer
Mar 18, 2000
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Originally posted by: Saulbadguy
Originally posted by: Ranger X
Originally posted by: Saulbadguy
The only reason I stay away from free-weights are the jocks who like to spend all their time there and occupy all the space. Its annoying, and discouraging. Heh. :D
It's called waiting. Try that sometime instead of making excuses.

Like im going to wait half an hour just to do some bicep curls. I instead do the cable machines, which are less crowded..and seem to do a better job than the regular machines.
Those "jocks" aren't on those benches forever you know. The gym I go to is one of the most crowded gym in the area and I always get an opportunity to snag a bench. You're just a wuss who can't approach someone and ask how many more sets he has left in his workout. I use the machines and I come back often to check if the benches are free.