Question about weights -particularly for women....

ldematto · Post by **ldematto** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 7:37 pm

Being new to weight training I'm feeling pretty good with progress as to increasing weights. I know I'm a long way from where I could be.... question, what is realistic? I read Cassie or Clare lifted 105lb dead lifts, someone else lifted 155lbs....others probably lift much more (Boopster for ex.)

I've been going slowly, lifted 40 lbs now for dead lifts, can probably do more but working of form first. Single arm dumbbells I think I did up to 25lbs...but most others 15 lbs DB is tops. Lat pull downs and rope pull downs is a different story...50 lbs, but not the same as DB's or BB's

Would love to know the progression other females have gone though...I know each person is different, but it will give me some milestones. observations are also welcome of course!

You guys are great - definitely an inspiration!!

swanso5 · Post by **swanso5** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 8:29 pm

fiance can deadlift 75kgs from th floor and it's only her carpal tunnel syndrome that stops her doing more...i have female clients who do deadlifts from mid shin area with over 60kgs for sets of 4 - 6 (i deadlift 99% of clients from mid shin )...just add wt each session and you'll be there in no time

ldematto · Post by **ldematto** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 9:01 am

Wow - your fiance can lift 165 - 170 lbs? Is that the right conversion? I don't think I'll ever get there, but who knows!

Interesting that you mention mid-shin - floor start is difficult for me and I was thinking about setting some weights on the floor to boost the bar up....sounds like that's ok!

Thanks!

Packard · Post by **Packard** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 9:45 am

I had a petite friend who could dead lift twice her body weight (210 lbs. lift).

Dead lift is an exercise that can be built up rather quickly. It involves the largest and most powerful muscles in your body.

cassiegose · Post by **cassiegose** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 11:13 am

Hi there,

Just make sure to use proper form when deadlifting. That is one exercise that can be very hard on your lower back if you're not doing it properly. Also, remember its quality not quantity. I see alot of people at the gym who seem more concerned with increasing their weights than they are with using proper form. Make sure you get the proper form down perfectly before you get crazy about upping that weight. :)

As for progressing to higher weights, don't be afraid to experiment with the higher weights. Some people get so accustomed to coming in and grabbing the same weights every time that they don't even think to try using an increased weight. The next time you hit the gym maybe go for weights higher than what you've been lifting and see how many you can do on each set. You might be surprised!

Packard · Post by **Packard** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:15 pm

There is something very gratifying about doing heavy deadlifts. To think you are able to lift something off the ground that you have no business lifting at all is very satisfying.

When I was younger a friend of mine and I lifted the rear of a Mercedes sports car that was parked diagonally across the only two handicapped parking spaces in the lot. We were able to lift it and move it from diagonal to horizontal so he could not get out of the spot. The cops came and gave him two tickets; one for each space he took up.

Heavy deadlifts are cool.

ldematto · Post by **ldematto** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:42 pm

Yes - form is first and foremost for sure. On Friday they felt really good and the weights seemed pretty light (40lbs), so I think I'll move up and see what happens.

How many reps should you be able to do?

Thank you!

swanso5 · Post by **swanso5** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 5:13 pm

a 1.5 x bw is a good aim

ldematto · Post by **ldematto** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 5:31 pm

OMG - I better lose more weight quick - no way I could lift 1.5 x BW!

laurenwilcox · Post by **laurenwilcox** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 6:30 pm

hey, well i'm 14, dont know if you want to know about me

, lol, but i have been working out for about 8months and ive improved alot... especially with legs! im a small girl 112lbs, 5'6'', and when i started i could leg press about 100lbs, and now i am doing 3 sets of 10 at 235lbs! i was so proud when i could do more then one of guy friends who i work out with

ldematto · Post by **ldematto** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 7:01 pm

You shoud be proud! Thanks for sharing!

Don't tell him, but I'm hoping to one day be able to lift more than husband

laurenwilcox · Post by **laurenwilcox** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 7:02 pm

haha, k, i promis

swanso5 · Post by **swanso5** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 3:41 am

we'll get him easily

RK19 · Post by **RK19** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 12:36 pm

laurenwilcox wrote:i am doing 3 sets of 10 at 235lbs!

huh??? are you sure youre counting that out properly? your doing 3 sets of 10 at 235lbs?

cassiegose · Post by **cassiegose** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 1:53 pm

Yeah I was wondering about the 3 sets of 10 at 235... seemed like a lot to me too but figured maybe she was freakishly strong?