Going to the gym is like a korean MMORPG

Quote from dux

Use wrist straps.

I've had really mixed feelings about straps. I don't want to be able to lift more than I can physically hold without aid, but at the same time I don't want my grip to slow me down...

What I discussed with my PT was to use the straps only my final set, so now I need to buy them... Any suggestions?

I don't use them personally but I imagine they are all pretty much one and the same. It is essentially what they are for, though: When your grip is letting you down. You could also try chalk that can help a lot.

Just got back from my PT session and I have to share this after having a measure and weigh in:

Weight is up, measurements are down apart from my thighs, which in the last month alone grew 10cm each!

And that is why people don't do leg day

Hitting 30 and "strangely" i'm thinking about working out. I've been doing excercices at home like pushups, tractions and the like for several months now. So far it worked well, especially when i step up gradually the charge with more difficult positions or a heavy backpack. But i was thinking to use some equipement to be able to do more isolation work since i'm tall, thin with long arms. The thing is, I'm not too fond of the idea to go to the gym, it's expensive and a bit far from where i live, plus i like the idea to chill, put my own music and take my time at home.

Is there any of you guys doing this at home ? What would you advise me to invest in for the basics of something more serious than just exercices with bodyweight ?

I workout at home.

Get you some of these second hand off ebay or somewhere.

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And one of these and you're set.

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@KoKo5oVaR If you have space at home I would really recommend investing in equipment that would allow you to do Benchpress, Squat & Deadlift at minimum, since these are the three that matter the most. Along with that get a couple of dumbbells and some bodyweight equipment if that's what you call it (like a pull-up bar or for dips) and you should be set for life :).

With this you can pretty much do any exercise imaginable, I don't know how costly it can get though, that's all up to your intuition.

I'm on Freeletics since two or three months now since we stopped doing collective sport with some colleagues during lunch time because of work. Now some of them are not motivated anymore so it's quite impossible to continue that... But some other were already doing Freeletics and I tried...and I continue. It's quite hard, really, and sometimes you just want to stop but since I started, I feel better and better

Quote from Vorontsov

On 7/19/2016 at 10:14 AM, Vorontsov said: @KoKo5oVaR If you have space at home I would really recommend investing in equipment that would allow you to do Benchpress, Squat & Deadlift at minimum, since these are the three that matter the most. Along with that get a couple of dumbbells and some bodyweight equipment if that's what you call it (like a pull-up bar or for dips) and you should be set for life :).

With this you can pretty much do any exercise imaginable, I don't know how costly it can get though, that's all up to your intuition.

This so much. These three lifts are essentially the key to all other lifts as they are all compound movements and build core strength.

Alright, thanks a lot guys ! I definetely need to get me a bench with a long bar, that should be around 250 euros for everything though :s

Got myself 2 dumbbells so far, with 4*5kgs so that make two 12 kg dumbbells. But i will need to get lighter weights. So far before going too serious and buying a bench, i think that would be cool if I stay with the 2 dumbbells and a traction bar, at least to get me in shape. So i made myself a simple newb program for the week :

day 1 : tractions with a heavy backpack 4*5r (biceps and back) 1min rep

curl with the two 12 kgs dumbbells 4*8r (biceps) 1min rep

squat with the two 12kgs dumbbells 4*15r (quadriceps) 1min rep

crunches legs on a chair with 5kg on the chest 4*20 (abdos) 30s rep

cruches touching the opposite knee with the elbow 3*20 ( obliques) 30s rep

day 2 : lateral elevation with 5kg in each arm 4*8 (shoulders) 1min rep

benchpress with the two 12kgs dumbbells 4*12 (pectorals) 1min rep

Lifting a 12kgs dumbbell behind the back with two arms 4*8 (triceps) 1min rep

Dips between two chairs 4*12 (triceps) 1 min rep

Pushups feet on a chair 3*15 (pectorals and triceps) 1min rep

And then repeat that and leaving the weekend to rest.

What do you guys think ? Does that sounds balanced enough for a start ?

Sounds like a good plan to activate all the sleeping muscles, after the first week I went to the gym I had pain everywhere and my back couldn't even bend over without me thinking it would snap, and mind you I was pretty athletic to begin with (mostly on the cardio side, parkour etc), so definitely take it easy to get into it

And just after two months of lifting and lifting right, I've bulked up from 55kg to 67kg on my way to 70. My bench went from 50kg, 60kg and now 70kg, Squat 80, Deadlift 100. I'm happy so far, going to keep doing this for a long time if destiny allows it because I know these baby results are just the beginning.

You've just started lifting. You don't need a bench. The floor will suffice until you get into it more.

Good luck with proper range of motion on the floor with a barbell. It's doable when you're doing exercises like dumbbell flies.

He only has dumbells which is plenty enough, it's all he needs for now. And the floor is good when you start out to guard against range of motion so he won't injure himself.

I have a small table to lay on to do the benchpress with the dumbbells for example. But... that's not exactly comfy to be honest ;p. Appart from comfort, the bench could be really useful because you can modify the angle of the back to work all the parts of the pectorals in case of bench press for example. So i dunno, maybe if i find a cheap one i can fold easily... And thanks for the advices guys !

I started hitting the gym about 3 months ago and it probably was the best decision of my life. After a lifetime of doing nothing and sitting on my ass. I had the most weirdest pains in my neck area and back and feeling of dizzyness/light-headedness for the whole last year every few weeks, mostly because of my neglect of being at least fit enough to support my own body.

Well all of that is gone now and hopefully for good!

From just barely able to lift the olympic bar, I've been steadily going up to bench pressing 60kg, deadlifting 60, squatting 55.. I was eating pain meds for the first month of my workout because my lower back was so weak it just gave up, but taking it steady and slow it got stronger and I could start add more weight without getting hurt anymore. I probably couldn't have done it without the help of my friends who have been doing this stuff for years and gave proper help with the techniques and routines.

Do you stretch WD?

@dux before going to the gym I stretched regularly but I haven't done much stretching now.

Also, best thing you can do for your back when you are unfit is swimming. I think it's not very healthy starting to gym without a bit of a foundation

You have to get a foundation somewhere and that's what a gym is great for. You don't go in there the first day and deadlift 300kg for 6 sets. Lightweight and compound movements to minimise injury and build that base.

If no one believes my advice or what I'm talking about I'm quite happy to post before and after pics of my lifting journey.