Anyone who knows about weights please read...

poledanceromance started this discussion · 10/23/2009

I have 3lb and 5lb free weights I use to strengthen my joints and my traps. I also have a bar with weights to take it up to 50lb. Lately as I've been really focusing on strengthening my joints I've been keeping the bar at 20lb, but I'm finally in a place where I'm right on the verge of being really solid on all the pre-invert exercises. I've inverted a few times when good and warmed up and it's felt surprisingly comfortable but also not super solid either. That satisfied my curiosity enough to let me know I AM in fact, making progress, though it doesn't always feel that way 😂 Should I take the bar up any further? Does it compliment pole better to stick with slow and controlled lighter weights or should I let myself push my body with the weight? (Nothing crazy, of course, I know my limits on weight for sure.) But for the first time in my life I'm actually trying to come up with a real workout plan and I want to learn how to get the most out of it. 🤸

4 replies

SissyBuns · 10/23/2009
I'm no personal trainer, but I have been lifting weights for awhile now and I would say I don't see the harm in going up. The more you lift, the stronger you get (that's the point right? 🙂 ) so you'll need to increase the weight to continue to get stronger. If not you'll never progress. You've already stated that you know your limits so I won't give you the "Don't go crazy and hurt yourself" speech. Take it easy. Increase a little bit at a time and when it's no longer challenging, increase a little more 😀
xoxoHeatherxoxo · 10/23/2009
Sissy's right, if don't increase your body will become acclimated and you will no long be giveing your mucsles a challenge. You should feel by your last couple of reps that you are giveing your all. but as imporant as what your doing in the gym is you have to remember to give the muscle you've worked a 48 hour rest period before you work it again, and always take in protien within 30 to 60 mins of your workout or you just won't see the progress. Muscle is sexy!!! Good luck with your program!!!
Sanchara · 10/24/2009
What Heather said is about rest and protein is super important. Following those rules also keep the number of reps to ten and under. If you can do eleven reps of a particular exercise it's time to increase the weight or difficulty. And always stretch every muscle you use to avoid loosing flexibility. :]
Polaris · 11/3/2009
Hello! Yay weights is where I can help! I'm a figure competitor so I know a fair bit about diet and wight training and things, but what these guys have already said is pretty spot on! Are you trying to gain muscle size as well or just strength (or a bit of both)? 🙂 Yep the main thing is that you always have to be challenging yourself to make progress, your body adapts to try and become more efficient at what you're constantly forcing it to do, so keeping on pushing it makes it keep on adapting. I hope that makes sense 🙂 xxx