hi cathe.....can you answer these weightlifting questions?

[trevor]

Of course, I KNOW you can!
First, what is the difference, if any, between lying leg curls and standing leg curls?
Secondly, I have been doing tricep cable pressdowns for awhile now and just started doing reverse grip tricep cable pushdowns. How does that reverse grip hit the tri differently? Or does it?
Thirdly, in general, how does using a false grip during press-type moves compare with using the regular, thumb around the bar or handle, grip that most people use?
Lastly, I've read recently that adductor/abductor machines are more calorie burners than they are useful for building leg muscles. What's your take on that statement?
Thanks Cathe and I hope you and your family are doing super!
Trevor :-jumpy

 

[jgoycoolea]

Obviously I am not Cathe, but I will try and answer your questions since noone else has. I don't guarantee any of this is truly accurate. At any rate, this will give you a little "bump" for when Cathe has time to check in!

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Q: First, what is the difference, if any, between lying leg curls and standing leg curls?

A: I am thinking not much difference for the hamstrings. But it would seem that standing curls would involve more stabilizing muscles and require more focus on proper form causing you to use less weight.

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Q: Secondly, I have been doing tricep cable pressdowns for awhile now and just started doing reverse grip tricep cable pushdowns. How does that reverse grip hit the tri differently? Or does it?

A: I would think the different grip would hit a different head of the tricep. Sort of like lying tricep extensions vs french press.

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Q: Thirdly, in general, how does using a false grip during press-type moves compare with using the regular, thumb around the bar or handle, grip that most people use?

A: Again, I don't think this would directly affect the muscle group you are trying to target. I think that the forearms get more in the "false grip" and that other muscles also contract to help you control the bar.

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Q: Lastly, I've read recently that adductor/abductor machines are more calorie burners than they are useful for building leg muscles. What's your take on that statement?

A: It may depend on how advanced an exerciser is. Beginners may reap more muscle building from these exercisers than advanced people. Advanced people need a lot of stimulus to the muscle to tear the fibers (torn muscle fibers followed by repair = muscle growth). Can one lift heavy enough on these machines for this? Maybe these machines are good for shpaing.

I hardly ever do these sorts of exercises,but legs aren't my problem. (I only try to incorporate leg lifts into my stepping). Yet, lots of women swear by exercises like these.

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I may not have answered these with any more knowledge than you already have Trevor. But, like I said, you've just been bumped! Jeanne

 

[trevor]

Hi Jeanne,
You did more than bump me girl! Thanks a bunch for answering my questions.
Standing leg curls embarrass me! I cannot do nearly as much weight as on lying leg curls. I have to be careful on that one also because I sometimes jerk the weight and use my back for that. OUCH!
I use a false grip quite a bit. It's become more comfortable than the regular grip for me.
That reverse grip tri cable pressdown is awesome! I started using it the other day and am pretty sore! My tris are a definite strong point for me and I am always looking for ways to hit them differently.
I am probably one of the few guys who actually likes the adductor/abductor machines. My legs feel tight as a drum when I get off of those machines and the burn is great if you go extremely slow.
Thanks again Jeanne!
Trevor

 

[jgoycoolea]

Glad you found my answers helpful or at least interesting! It sounds like you are doing a good job of incorporating exercises that Cathe can't include in her videos into your program.

I hardly ever do leg curls with weights because, not belonging to a gym, I have to strap on ankle weights. And, like I said, I am just not much into these kinds of leg exercises. But I should -- I think leg curls hit the hamstrings differently than deadlifts.

Earlier in the year I was using a false grip more to work my forearms which I thought wer too skinny. Then, one day while brushing my teeth, I caught site of them in the mirror and realized that they are in fact really developped. Its just that my bones(including wrist bones!) are so small.

My triceps are a strong point too. Very developed. I go light on them now adays. I wonder if in the past I used them to compensate for too heavy of chest work because I don't realy recall really focusing on them specificaly.

I could go on and one. Off to new messages. Jeanne

 

[honeybunch]

Re: the abductor and adductor machines: Trevor, I'm surprised you can even get on them! At every gym I've ever gone to, women hog those machines. They sit on them through their rest periods and refuse to budge ever if you ask them nicely. At my Bally's they have multiples of every other leg machine except for those two, and it's darned near impossible to get on them! Of course, you're a cute guy and not some middle aged broad, so they may budge for you. ;-)

This is just an editorial comment thrown in! I can't resist commenting on my main gym pet peeve.

 

[trevor]

The people at the club where I go are pretty good about getting off the equipment between sets. The ladies seem to like the ab equipment and the glute blaster the best. I helped a gal the other day who was doing the torso twist "backwards", which made me cringe! I later tried to do it that way and almost put myself in traction.
A few pet peeves of mine are-- grunting in the gym, not wiping equipment down, the "I dress half-naked so you'll look at me, but you better not look" attitude(I've railed about the thongs before!! lol! ) I see from alot of younger women, people trying to lift too much who swing from the equipment, and people not lifting enough who are just wasting their time....and mine!!
Anyway, sorry to rant Honey!!
Trevor

 

[kristina]

RE: Gym etiquette

Hey Trevor,
Boy would you hate the gyms in Las Vegas! (he he). I crack UP on a regular basis at the outfits...the latest trend is those "super super low" workout pants...that barely cover the equator, ya know? THese ultra gorgeous women with plastic fantastics come in, get on the machines, on the cell phone, and spend the whole time balancing the phone and yanking up there drawers and down their tops. It is HYSTERICAL to watch them in aerobics or spin...between the north and south parts trying to pop out, these girls CANNOT even get a sweat going.
I go in with long yoga pants, a tank top, and my hair in a "pineapple" with no makeup. And sweat copiously.
At our gym there are fortunately about 7 employees who do nothing but go around spraying and wiping down the equipment and most people are good about wiping down the equipment. Lots of power lifters, so lots of grunting. You know, we have signs all over the gym with the 10 golden rules, and one of them is "no loud or strange noises, including profanity." I have to laugh every time I see it.

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

Hi Trevor, Sorry I took so long to get here but oh how funny this thread was to read about some of the gym etiquette and social behaviors. I see it is no different anywhere you go ;-)!

Regarding your questions:

1) What is the difference, if any, between lying leg curls and standing leg curls?

Assuming we are talking about Nautilus equipment, standing up may give a better peak contraction for the hamstrings and glutes but I would suggest that you switch back and forth to cross train your muscles more effectively. If your back is sensitive to the lying down version, then lighten your weight for these.

2) How does that reverse grip hit the tri differently? Or does it?

Yes it does but there are some variables that can effect how (ie: where you grip the handle, the type of handle and your motion). But generally speaking, the reverse grip probably works the medial head more (lower portion of tricep) whereas palm down probably works the lateral and long head more(top portions that create the horseshoe effect). Other exercises to work the medial
head are exercises where your elbows are close to the body and your palm faces the body (ie: kickbacks).

3) In general, how does using a false grip during press-type moves compare with using the regular, thumb around the bar or handle, grip that most people use?

This depends on how wide you grip and how wide you are. The wider you grip (based on your own shoulder width) the greater
the wrist angle inward and emphasis on the outer pecs. Unwrapping your thumb allows you to change the hand angle on the bar and may ease that angle - but also may change the muscle emphasis. I once asked a friend about this and he had a very interesting perpective on this. He said that wrapping
your thumbs allows you to have a very consistent hand to bar angle regardless of grip width which is good. On the other hand it can also encourage a breakdown in technique because the lifter is able to speed up each rep due to their comfort in their grip. He goes on to say that unwrapping thumbs may take a small amount of forearm flex out of the motion (thus saving energy) and may slow down the rep speed but probably doesn't provide any real advantage beyond that. Some food for thought!

4) I've read recently that adductor/abductor machines are more calorie burners than they are useful for building leg muscles. What's your take on that statement?

I'm sure this statement is based upon the fact that these machines are mainly used with light weight and to round out your routine rather than develop any serious strength, but in any case, if you have access to them they are yet another way to provide variation to help cross train your muscles.

Hope this helps! Hugs to the family!

 

[boxermk]

Wow Cathe! Thanks for answering these questions, and thanks Trevor for asking them. I learn so much here!