Post by Troyster on Sept 22, 2004 16:34:04 GMT -5
I have some general advice and that is simply to know your limits with weights.
When you start off in the gym (newbie, or if you've taken a break of more than a couple weeks), start off slow as you don't know your limits.
What's a limit? ... it's not a number that you've written down. It's not a weight that you've achieved or accomplished...
It's the amount of weight you can move in a certain number of reps without injuring yourself. This amount CANNOT be known until the particular muscles involved develop a "feel" for the weight. It you're new, or your just back from a month out of the gym... your muscles do not HAVE this "feel". It'll come back, probably after only one workout, if you're a veteran who's taken a break... but it you're new, it will take SEVERAL workouts to develop.
Another term for this is "trained muscle". A trained muscle is ready to put out its maximum force, whereas an untrained muscle isn't. What feels heavy may be light... but conversely, what feels light CAN EASILY actually be HEAVY and even dangerous.
Understand that:
- not all injuries happen instantly; many don't reveal pain or injury until LATER
- not all injuries give a warning (MOST, in fact -- at least in the gym). Many times, the injury occurs WITHOUT warning.
- focus on your movement/excercise is CRUCIAL. Under heavy weight, just the slightest twist or turn or angle out of the ordinary can cause serious problems.
So... know your limit. Learn it by working up to it. Learn that weight and that specific "groove" that you have to move within and know that maximum depth or squat or length... learn by working up to your limit.
Remember, results are obtained in the gym over long-term. That means:
- don't try to go fast
- don't expect results overnight
- don't expect to reach/learn your max or your limit immeidatly
It means, GIVE IT TIME and patience. Then, and only then, will you obtain your goals and achieve the results you're seeking.
Play the game like you want to be there long-term and guess what? You will...
Troy
When you start off in the gym (newbie, or if you've taken a break of more than a couple weeks), start off slow as you don't know your limits.
What's a limit? ... it's not a number that you've written down. It's not a weight that you've achieved or accomplished...
It's the amount of weight you can move in a certain number of reps without injuring yourself. This amount CANNOT be known until the particular muscles involved develop a "feel" for the weight. It you're new, or your just back from a month out of the gym... your muscles do not HAVE this "feel". It'll come back, probably after only one workout, if you're a veteran who's taken a break... but it you're new, it will take SEVERAL workouts to develop.
Another term for this is "trained muscle". A trained muscle is ready to put out its maximum force, whereas an untrained muscle isn't. What feels heavy may be light... but conversely, what feels light CAN EASILY actually be HEAVY and even dangerous.
Understand that:
- not all injuries happen instantly; many don't reveal pain or injury until LATER
- not all injuries give a warning (MOST, in fact -- at least in the gym). Many times, the injury occurs WITHOUT warning.
- focus on your movement/excercise is CRUCIAL. Under heavy weight, just the slightest twist or turn or angle out of the ordinary can cause serious problems.
So... know your limit. Learn it by working up to it. Learn that weight and that specific "groove" that you have to move within and know that maximum depth or squat or length... learn by working up to your limit.
Remember, results are obtained in the gym over long-term. That means:
- don't try to go fast
- don't expect results overnight
- don't expect to reach/learn your max or your limit immeidatly
It means, GIVE IT TIME and patience. Then, and only then, will you obtain your goals and achieve the results you're seeking.
Play the game like you want to be there long-term and guess what? You will...
Troy