weight lifting question

When I work out I tend to stick to the machines - Generally the Cybex select
machines, and some cable machines. But generally I am a bit nervous about
the free weights or the machines that use free weights.

I've got very strong legs and back, but I'm weak when it comes to lifting
with my arms.

Tonight DH was with me, so I tried out the free weight leg press machine. I
can press 160lbs. Which is cool. But the trouble is - I struggle lifting
the 45lb plates onto the rack in order to use the machine.

What is the best way to get over the fear of these machines - as I like the
workout on it better than the cybex select leg press. But short of loading
up the bars with every 25lb weight I can find to get my weight on there, I
don't know what to do.

"JayJay" wrote in message
...
When I work out I tend to stick to the machines - Generally the Cybex
select
machines, and some cable machines. But generally I am a bit nervous about
the free weights or the machines that use free weights.

I've got very strong legs and back, but I'm weak when it comes to lifting
with my arms.

Tonight DH was with me, so I tried out the free weight leg press machine.
I
can press 160lbs. Which is cool. But the trouble is - I struggle lifting
the 45lb plates onto the rack in order to use the machine.

What is the best way to get over the fear of these machines

Sometimes fear is a good thing. Go for a lot of reps at a lower weight and
build up from there. That way you don't have to worry about lifting those
huge plates until you are ready to handle the weight.

Maybe I'm off-track here. How long have you been lifting?

"JayJay" wrote in message
...

Tonight DH was with me, so I tried out the free weight leg press machine.
I
can press 160lbs. Which is cool. But the trouble is - I struggle lifting
the 45lb plates onto the rack in order to use the machine.

Are you talking about this kind of leg press (sled)?
http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/...5LegPress.html

My trainer said that women are notorious for underestimating how much they
can do on the leg press. If you're having trouble with the plates, I would
get someone at the gym to help you. I used to have problems with the 75 lb
plates because of the location of the machine but since the gym has been
remodeled it's a lot easier to load and unload. Before that I would get
help if I needed it.

What is the best way to get over the fear of these machines - as I like
the
workout on it better than the cybex select leg press. But short of
loading
up the bars with every 25lb weight I can find to get my weight on there, I
don't know what to do.

With my shoulder all screwed up, I'm not supposed to be lifting heavy right
now so I'm back to getting help with the 75 lb. plates. DH has been coming
to the gym a lot lately but when he's not there I can usually find someone
else to help. By my last set I'm using all 4 75 lb plates plus 6 of the 45
lb plates. Just loading and unloading it is a workout.

Jenn

On Mon, 21 Feb 2005 21:38:32 -0500, "JayJay" wrote:

I've got very strong legs and back, but I'm weak when it comes to lifting
with my arms.

Tonight DH was with me, so I tried out the free weight leg press machine. I
can press 160lbs. Which is cool. But the trouble is - I struggle lifting
the 45lb plates onto the rack in order to use the machine.

What is the best way to get over the fear of these machines - as I like the
workout on it better than the cybex select leg press. But short of loading
up the bars with every 25lb weight I can find to get my weight on there, I
don't know what to do.

I pick up the 45 lb plates with one hand on each side, almost at the
same angle I hold a steering wheel. Then I lift up to my chest and
slip the center hole into the pole. (I'm very short, lol).

There are machines on which you can do leg press that have weights on
the side, but the angles are usually different on those. If you have
strong legs, plate machines are good, and you can easily work your way
up to 300 or 400 pounds. I have changed my weight routine a lot lately
because of my back injury, and have been doing a lot more core
exercises on bosu ball and fit ball. I also do my benching on a fit
ball. But I can still do around 270 lbs on the leg press without any
trouble. I'm afraid to try more til my back is fully rehabilitated; my
all time high was 350 lbs, probably nothing in Chris' world

If your arms are that weak, you should try doing some more upper body
work. I used to have pitiful arms myself, and my rotator cuffs were
like paper a year ago from being injured so many times. I'm now able
to do regular push-ups again, bench around 60 lbs with free weights
(either a bar or two 30 lb dumbbells). I was petrified to do those
things with such unstable cuffs, but now don't even think about it.

Just because your arms are weak, doesn't mean that you can't improve
it if you want to. It's very doable, even if you started out with some
really messed up body parts, like I did.

Barbara

Barbara Hirsch, Publisher
OBESITY MEDS AND RESEARCH NEWS
The latest in obesity research and weight loss drug development
http://www.obesity-news.com/

"JayJay" wrote in message
...
When I work out I tend to stick to the machines - Generally the Cybex
select
machines, and some cable machines. But generally I am a bit nervous about
the free weights or the machines that use free weights.

I've got very strong legs and back, but I'm weak when it comes to lifting
with my arms.

Tonight DH was with me, so I tried out the free weight leg press machine.
I
can press 160lbs. Which is cool. But the trouble is - I struggle lifting
the 45lb plates onto the rack in order to use the machine.

What is the best way to get over the fear of these machines - as I like
the
workout on it better than the cybex select leg press. But short of
loading
up the bars with every 25lb weight I can find to get my weight on there, I
don't know what to do.

Is this the type of machine you are talking about:
http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/...LegPress.html?

I can think of a few options:
1. Get stronger so lifting the plates is easier. Deadlifts, upright rows,
and cleans would be especially good.
2. Use a different exercise that doesn't require as much weight. Barbell or
dumbell squats would be ideal IMHO.
3. Assuming your machine can be stopped at several differnt positions, lower
the sled before adding the weight so you don't have to lift the weight as
far.
4. Ask for help.

On Mon, 21 Feb 2005 21:11:48 -0600, JennA wrote:

"JayJay" wrote in message
...

Tonight DH was with me, so I tried out the free weight leg press machine.
I
can press 160lbs. Which is cool. But the trouble is - I struggle lifting
the 45lb plates onto the rack in order to use the machine.

Are you talking about this kind of leg press (sled)?
http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/...5LegPress.html

Yup - that's the machine. I like it alot better than the cybex selective
leg press - as this other one gives you alot more natural movement and a
larger range of motion.


My trainer said that women are notorious for underestimating how much they
can do on the leg press. If you're having trouble with the plates, I would
get someone at the gym to help you. I used to have problems with the 75 lb
plates because of the location of the machine but since the gym has been
remodeled it's a lot easier to load and unload. Before that I would get
help if I needed it.

DH was telling me last night that without weights the machine is something
like 90lbs. I dont' know - as it was so easy to do. Although on the other
machine I've been using I do 130 pretty easily.

So we tried putting just a 45 up on the top rest and even that was easy for
me, so then we removed that and put 2 @ 25 and 2 @ 10 for a total of 70 on
top of the supposed 90 of the machine. So that's 160 and that was not very
hard for me to do both leg presses and calf raises on it.



With my shoulder all screwed up, I'm not supposed to be lifting heavy right
now so I'm back to getting help with the 75 lb. plates. DH has been coming
to the gym a lot lately but when he's not there I can usually find someone
else to help. By my last set I'm using all 4 75 lb plates plus 6 of the 45
lb plates. Just loading and unloading it is a workout.


DH only goes with me 1 night a week, and for lower body I could either just
do that machine on those night, and not do it on my nights alone. I am
pretty shy so its awkward for me to ask someone for help. I supposed
the other option is to get over my fears.

On Mon, 21 Feb 2005 19:08:33 -0800, Mike Turco wrote:


Sometimes fear is a good thing. Go for a lot of reps at a lower weight and
build up from there. That way you don't have to worry about lifting those
huge plates until you are ready to handle the weight.

Maybe I'm off-track here. How long have you been lifting?

Oh, on/off for over 4yrs now. I took about 6 months off out of shear
laziness... (longer story there - but I've already posted it before).

"JayJay" wrote in message
news
DH only goes with me 1 night a week, and for lower body I could either
just
do that machine on those night, and not do it on my nights alone. I am
pretty shy so its awkward for me to ask someone for help. I supposed
the other option is to get over my fears.

I only do it with both legs (full power) once a week. Another day I do
single legs on it - you learn quickly how far you can go down without
hitting your knee plus you use much less weight. Normally I do them as a
superset alternating legs for 3 sets with no rest.

The third time in the week I do lunges (walking forward and backward) in
addition to the leg extension and seated leg curl. When my shoulder gets
better I'll go back to twice a week squats.

Jenn

"JayJay" wrote in message
news
On Mon, 21 Feb 2005 19:08:33 -0800, Mike Turco wrote:


Sometimes fear is a good thing. Go for a lot of reps at a lower weight
and
build up from there. That way you don't have to worry about lifting those
huge plates until you are ready to handle the weight.

Maybe I'm off-track here. How long have you been lifting?

Oh, on/off for over 4yrs now. I took about 6 months off out of shear
laziness... (longer story there - but I've already posted it before).

The problem is that the 45# weights are too much for you to lift. Its not
fear, its common sense. Those things hurt if you drop them on your foot. The
solution is to either get a workout partner to help you lift the weights or
just keep stacking on those 25's. Keep up the good work! -- Mike

On Mon, 21 Feb 2005 21:38:32 -0500, "JayJay" wrote:
Tonight DH was with me, so I tried out the free weight leg press machine. I
can press 160lbs. Which is cool. But the trouble is - I struggle lifting
the 45lb plates onto the rack in order to use the machine.

What is the best way to get over the fear of these machines - as I like the
workout on it better than the cybex select leg press. But short of loading
up the bars with every 25lb weight I can find to get my weight on there, I
don't know what to do.

Stop using them :-) Seriously, if you're not comfortable using
them you should know that you don't have to. Just use your body
weight and do 500 Hindu squats, and get an aerobic work out at the
same time (just one example of the many alternatives).