Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Lifting Weights

I like to lift weights. I didn't really do much lifting last marathon cycle but I've been getting more into it this year. I don't read fitness or weight lifting magazines or books so I never really know what to do in the weight room. An important part of weight lifting is your form and I never know if I'm doing it right. I'm overly flexible in my joints so things never go they way they "should." Once I know the right way, I can control the movements to make sure I'm getting the most out of my workout. Thankfully my friend Kate S. knows what's up. She has been lifting weights for a few years now and knows her way around. She has helped push me beyond the realm of baby colored weights, into believing in myself and what I can lift. Whenever I workout with her, she helps push me outside my normal range, and it is never the same routine. I always learn something new which I then try to incorporate on my own. We lifted on Sunday afternoon and I'm still not fully recovered. My arms are mega sore, but in a good "they are getting stronger" kind of way. I know if I lifted weights more often, they wouldn't be this sore. However, with all the time I need to spend studying and everything else, I'm lucky if I get a chance to go to lift weights once a month!

I have some questions for all of you!

How often do you lift weights (if at all)? 

How do you look up a weight lifting routine? What resources do you use (working with a trainer, fitness magazine, YouTube videos)?

Would you be interested in finding out more about a suggested weight lifting routine?

And because every post needs a photo, here are a few quick shots of me trying to flex in the mirror of my office building locker room.
The last one is my favorite, but someone was coming in so I had to pretend like I was being a creep. Therefore, it ended up being blurry. Oh well. And I apologize for the late post. My building doesn't get good cell reception so the photos wouldn't send from my phone to my email. Technology fail.

20 comments:

  1. Your arms look pretty ripped in those photos!

    I've put together strength workouts for myself and some friends just by taking what I've learned from the various PTs I've seen, what I've read in the New Rules of Lifting for Women, and interspersing workouts from magazines and fitness classes I've taken.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love your pics! And am so happy that you have a friend who you can lift with.

    I take a strength class once a week (1 hour long) and work out with my trainer once a week (30 mins). Everything we do is dynamic, and it's something different every time! I LOVE HIM! Like his Facebook page... he posts some ideas for workouts on there :) I tried to post the link to it but Disqus wouldn't let me ;)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks! I contribute the toning to the spray tan. I always feel I look way more toned when I'm bronzed up.

    Is the "New Rules of Lifting for Women" a book or magazine? I'm interested in finding out more! Thanks for these tips!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Haha, Thanks! Do you think I need to start pointing people which way to head to the "gun show"????????? Hahaha

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks Kim! Your muscular arms put mine to shame! I saw that pic on FB! :) This strength class sounds like fun. I've looked into a weight lifting class at my local community center and they are all during the day. BUMMERRRR!! Can you email me his link? I'm interested in finding out more! Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm in the process of putting together a new lifting plan! I used to do set lift plans for skating and Body Pump classes, but haven't had a set plan in awhile. Now that the wedding is over, I've decided it's time!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Right now my usual strength routine is a mix of pilates-style core work, resistance bands, and some free weights. I don't really know how to "lift," so I stick to what I've learned in group exercise classes - pilates and "body sculpt."

    ReplyDelete
  8. also my gym recently started offering TRX, which I would LOVE to try, but unfortunately it is super expensive, even for the group class. and we already spend over $100/month for the gym membership for the two of us, I'm not spending any more money on top of that.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow. Your biceps are quite ripped. Despite the blur in the last photo, I can see your calves are quite muscular as well. If you don't mind my asking, could you perhaps post some shots of you flexing your calves in your next post if possible.

    I used to lift weights 4 times a week to bulk up, but since I started running I only go to the gym twice a week for speed training on a treadmill and light strength training. The rest of the week I just run.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh by the way, I forgot to tell you. My sister in law reads Women's Health magazine regularly. I've paged through some editions and seen a lot of tips on weight lifting for women, even busy ones like you. Check them out and see what you can find. I'm sure there might be some that could be useful.

    And also the reason I asked if you could post shots of you flexing your calves is sort of for personal inspiration. I've almost given up on my skinny calves which I've been working on for quite a long time with almost no result. I'm hoping that seeing yours might give me the push to keep working on them. Please respond.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh by the way, I forgot to tell you. My sister in law reads a lot of health and fitness like Women's Health which I've seen have a lot of tips on weight lifting for women.

    And the reason I asked if you could post some shots of you flexing your calves is sort of for personal inspiration. I've been trying and trying to work on my skinny calves for quite a while now with almost no results and to be honest I've almost given up. I'm kinda hoping that seeing yours might give me the push to keep working on them.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Kelly. Are you still going to post some shots of you flexing your calves? I'd also like to know what calf workouts do you do? Perhaps you might have some tips I could use.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hello! I don't have any shots flexing my calves. I don't do any works specifically for my calves, other than running! I also use the rowing machine to cross train and I do a lot of walking. I know some of my friends that are training for a marathon have ridiculous calf muscles. I guess by default, running will do that for you! :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hello Kelly. Thanks for the response. I hope my persistence didn't annoy you. I guess running does work. And I suppose that means your calves are a result of good genes. Lucky you. I envy people like you who don't have to do much work on their calves since they're already inherited. The rest of us unfortunately have to spend hours in the gym doing all kinds of crazy calf exercises to get our calves to look like yours. Keep up the good work with the running.

    By the way, I ran a 10k race yesterday in a time of 47.30.

    ReplyDelete
  15. You're not annoying me! I appreciate your responses. Congrats on the 10k race! That is a great time!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. That's great, I'm glad to hear (or rather read that). I didn't know the rowing machine works for the legs as well. I thought it worked mostly the upper body. I'm still quite amazed that you don't do any hardcore workouts for your calves. I don't know if it's the angle of the photo but they certainly do look quite muscular. I suppose it must be the running and walking.

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is a topic that's near to my heart... Many thanks! Exactly where are your contact details though?

    Feel free to visit my web-site: garden

    ReplyDelete
  18. I have to thank уou fоr the effοrtѕ you've put in penning this website. I'm hopіng to ѵiew the ѕame hіgh-grade contеnt from you latеr οn as well.
    In truth, уouг сreative writіng аbilіtіes
    hаs inspireԁ me tо get mу own, pеrsοnal blog now ;)

    Alsο visit my ωeb sіte - Garden

    ReplyDelete