When to stop increasing weights
- Thread starter jillybean
- Start date
Sonnenschein
Cathlete
Actually right now I seem to be in decreasing the weight used mode. I'm 45 and joints all over my body are complaining. I wanted to be Amazon Woman but my body disagrees (and I'm pretty aggravated with it for doing so too!). Anyway, I get away with the weights Cathe uses for LL EXCEPT that I can't use any weights for lunge type moves. This morning for PS CST and BBA this is what I used: chest press 30#bb, db press 15#, db fly 13#, Arnold press 11# on the first two sets, dropped to 8 on the third in response to a shoulder ache, clean+press 8# then 5#, reverse fly and seated side lat. 5#, db triceps press 13#, French press and crossbody kickbacks 8#, t-bar and bent-over rows 42#, lat rows 20#, shrugs 11#, bb curls 30# then switched to 26#, seated and concentration curls 11#. It remains to be seen if I will be able to kick the aches with these weights, hope so. --Karen
FoolofaTook
Cathlete
Hi jillybean. I stop increasing my weight when my elbow, wrist or shoulder joints have a harder time than my muscles do. There's a big difference between muscular challenge and ligament pain! This also depends on the day, how I feel (rest and diet) and how warmed up I am. I always take best to grueling weight work after a thorough cardio workout and just a little bit of mild stretching.
You don't have to up the weight to maintain, you just have to be consistent. Also, shaking up the routine really helps your muscles "stay on their toes" so try to mix up the regiment as you go. Don't be afraid to do a low weight/high rep workout now and then because it's just another way of teaching your muscles to be flexible and efficient.
You don't have to up the weight to maintain, you just have to be consistent. Also, shaking up the routine really helps your muscles "stay on their toes" so try to mix up the regiment as you go. Don't be afraid to do a low weight/high rep workout now and then because it's just another way of teaching your muscles to be flexible and efficient.
Hey there Jillybean,
I haven't increased my weights in quite awhile - I think I'm maxed out for what I'm able to do at home. For example, the most I think I'll ever be able to lift with a barbell for biceps is 30lbs. Most days I do 25lbs so I can keep my form. I can lift heavier with dumbbells. Some days it aggravates me but I keep changing around my workout rotations from strength to endurance, more yoga, less yoga etc. and so I notice changes in the cut of my muscles. I have had no trouble maintaining my muscle size and strength. Sometimes I will try to go heavier and do less reps but I still feel my form isn't always good when I do that.
I do plan on trying Annette's weight vest suggestion to try to increase on my legs. I just can't lift more than 50lbs safely over my head and I'm afraid for my knees.
Lorrie
I haven't increased my weights in quite awhile - I think I'm maxed out for what I'm able to do at home. For example, the most I think I'll ever be able to lift with a barbell for biceps is 30lbs. Most days I do 25lbs so I can keep my form. I can lift heavier with dumbbells. Some days it aggravates me but I keep changing around my workout rotations from strength to endurance, more yoga, less yoga etc. and so I notice changes in the cut of my muscles. I have had no trouble maintaining my muscle size and strength. Sometimes I will try to go heavier and do less reps but I still feel my form isn't always good when I do that.
I do plan on trying Annette's weight vest suggestion to try to increase on my legs. I just can't lift more than 50lbs safely over my head and I'm afraid for my knees.
Lorrie
That was interesting. I'm in your ballpark age wise. Are those weights down from what you were using?
For PS CST I do
Bench - 40 lb.
DB Press - 15s
DB Fly - 15
Arnold Press - 15, 20, 20 (and that BURNS)
C&P - 10 (can't get past that no matter how I try)
RF & SSL - 10 (can't get any higher than that - pisses me off)
15 for all the tricep presses
and I don't do the dips. I do the seated FP with a 20 & 10 (30)
I know these are fairly heavy but I've been stuck at these weights for months and I can't get any higher. I wonder what you have to do to get heavier.
For PS CST I do
Bench - 40 lb.
DB Press - 15s
DB Fly - 15
Arnold Press - 15, 20, 20 (and that BURNS)
C&P - 10 (can't get past that no matter how I try)
RF & SSL - 10 (can't get any higher than that - pisses me off)
15 for all the tricep presses
and I don't do the dips. I do the seated FP with a 20 & 10 (30)
I know these are fairly heavy but I've been stuck at these weights for months and I can't get any higher. I wonder what you have to do to get heavier.
Sonnenschein
Cathlete
The weights are mostly just a little down from previous, by 2 to 4 pounds. I figure I'll go down real slow so I can keep the highest my joints will be happy with. --Karen