I find trying to map out what exercises I'm going to do each day is too complicated, so I simply go by how I feel and do those that particular session. Anyone else take this non-planned approach? It seems to be working for me just fine, my body tells me what I can or can't do.
Manco, As long as the exercises that you do that aren't mapped out included deadlifts, squats, bench and/or incline presses, and pulldowns/pullups then you should do fine. I am sort of kidding with you but seriously these are the major compound exercises that I feel work the best for gaining overall strength and if you "randomly" threw them in your routine you shouldn't be far off track. I don't have an absolutely set in stone routine except a leg/back and chest/tricep split. Each of these days I feel like I am cheating myself if I don't do mostly major compound exercises. If you started to "feel" like you wanted to do a whole lot of workouts consisting of curls and bench press only then I would say that you are getting off track. I enjoy benching and chest days are fun (and feel like a vacation comparatively) but I feel like the leg/back days have given me the most overall strength gains. Luckily I don't listen to my "feelings" when it is time to do a leg/back day; if I did I would do more fun bench days and my strength would suffer.
Manco, As long as the exercises that you do that aren't mapped out included deadlifts, squats, bench and/or incline presses, and pulldowns/pullups then you should do fine. I am sort of kidding with you but seriously these are the major compound exercises that I feel work the best for gaining overall strength and if you "randomly" threw them in your routine you shouldn't be far off track. I don't have an absolutely set in stone routine except a leg/back and chest/tricep split. Each of these days I feel like I am cheating myself if I don't do mostly major compound exercises. If you started to "feel" like you wanted to do a whole lot of workouts consisting of curls and bench press only then I would say that you are getting off track. I enjoy benching and chest days are fun (and feel like a vacation comparatively) but I feel like the leg/back days have given me the most overall strength gains. Luckily I don't listen to my "feelings" when it is time to do a leg/back day; if I did I would do more fun bench days and my strength would suffer.
Good luck, James
Actually I do everything using cable/pulley machines and some free weights.
"Manco" <[email hidden]> wrote in news:IW4hg.11818$523.10143@trnddc07:
Quoted message said:
JamesG said:
Manco, As long as the exercises that you do that aren't mapped out included deadlifts, squats, bench and/or incline presses, and pulldowns/pullups then you should do fine. I am sort of kidding with you but seriously these are the major compound exercises that I feel work the best for gaining overall strength and if you "randomly" threw them in your routine you shouldn't be far off track. I don't have an absolutely set in stone routine except a leg/back and chest/tricep split. Each of these days I feel like I am cheating myself if I don't do mostly major compound exercises. If you started to "feel" like you wanted to do a whole lot of workouts consisting of curls and bench press only then I would say that you are getting off track. I enjoy benching and chest days are fun (and feel like a vacation comparatively) but I feel like the leg/back days have given me the most overall strength gains. Luckily I don't listen to my "feelings" when it is time to do a leg/back day; if I did I would do more fun bench days and my strength would suffer.
Good luck, James
Actually I do everything using cable/pulley machines and some free weights.
Cables, meh. Nothing wrong with them for rehab.
The other point is you want to be increasing your poundages over time. If you do that (and if you know you're doing that) you should be okay.
Hugh
-- Exercise is a dirty word. Whenever I hear it, I wash my mouth out with chocolate. ("Ladi"😉
Just your opinon. I'd like to do bench presses, but putting the plates on/off is such a hassle. Also you need a spotter.
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The other point is you want to be increasing your poundages over time. If you do that (and if you know you're doing that) you should be okay.
Yeah I'm doing that very gradually to avoid injuries.
Manco, Since there is time in between sets I have never thought of putting plates on as a hassle. It is called WORKING out, just think of the plates as another exercise. I would agree with you that a spotter can be a hassle sometimes, it kind of depends on the gym. There are some gyms where it is pretty easy to ask people for a hand and they are glad to help, but there are some where everyone seems so self absorbed that it is more difficult. I prefer to use a spotter anytime I lift somewhat heavy, if possible I like to have one on all sets since I can work harder with one. I notice a substantial difference in my lifting ability if I have my regular workout partner spot me than someone I don't know; it can be distracting thinking about if someone new will spot you right (not jump in too soon, etc). I use cables for triceps. I prefer free weights for most other things since I feel like I get a better workout from them. I have also noticed that some machines tweak my joints in weird ways, this is counter to some conventional "wisdom" that some people say about machines being safer. For me I don't feel like this is the case. I agree that to the best way to get stronger is to gradually increase poundages. This might seem obvious but keeping track of progress is a good motivator. I have a table that I use that you would probably like since you mentioned unstructured workouts. The first column is reps, the second is weight, and the third is date. I repeat the wieght and date column on the printout. I use this table to keep track of where I am at in max weights for reps from 1 to 20. It keeps me motivated and working hard and also keeps me from 1-rep maxing as much since I also work on my various rep-maxes. Each day I don't know what rep scheme I will be doing, I just try to fill in new rep-maxes on the sheet.
Just your opinon. I'd like to do bench presses, but putting the plates on/off is such a hassle. Also you need a spotter.
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The other point is you want to be increasing your poundages over time. If you do that (and if you know you're doing that) you should be okay.
Yeah I'm doing that very gradually to avoid injuries.
Your results will be consistent with your efforts.
I guess I used the word gradually in my reply post as well. Increasing poundages steadily is more what I meant. I like move the weights up as often as I can but generally do it 5 or 10 pounds at a time even if I pretty much know I could do more. It is more fun to break new ground twice than one time anyway for me. I still like that story about the ancient Greek wrestler Milo who got stronger and unbeatable by carrying a calf around on his back. As the calf grew he got stronger; eventually he was carrying a bull around.
<snip> generally do it 5 or 10 pounds at a time even if I pretty much know I could do more. It is more fun to break new ground twice than one time anyway for me.
Go to a hardware store and purchase washers in various sizes. Progressive resistance is key, but it will eventually be impossible to jump even that 2 1/2 lbs., but may be possible to complete your set with another 1/2 pound. Iirc, this strategy has been recommended in Stuart MacRobert's hardgainer articles.
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I still like that story about the ancient Greek wrestler Milo who got stronger and unbeatable by carrying a calf around on his back. As the calf grew he got stronger; eventually he was carrying a bull around.
Better check that one against snopes.com, James. ;o) (Good story, though.)
I still like that story about the ancient Greek wrestler Milo who got stronger and unbeatable by carrying a calf around on his back. As the calf grew he got stronger; eventually he was carrying a bull around.
Better check that one against snopes.com, James. ;o) (Good story, though.)
I think I first was told that story but I think I did read it somewhere too. I did not put too much faith that it was totally true and figured it was mainly a legend. In fact I first heard a version of it from my dad when I was a kid. He said that this was what Hercules did when he was young. I like the story whether it was has any truth or not and think it is useful to push yourself a little further most of the time.
I think I first was told that story but I think I did read it somewhere too. I did not put too much faith that it was totally true and figured it was mainly a legend. In fact I first heard a version of it from my dad when I was a kid. He said that this was what Hercules did when he was young. I like the story whether it was has any truth or not and think it is useful to push yourself a little further most of the time.
Thanks, James
I didn't know Schwarzenegger carried around animals to get stronger! Sorry, but he was Hercules...In New York(1970)
