My gym has two lat pulldown machines that I use. The bar-attached-to-a-cable version is much harder than the two-handles-that-meet-in-the-middle version-- the difference in what I can lift is about 30 pounds, with the cable version being much more difficult. My trainer tells me they are equivalent, and has checked my form and says it's correct. What's the deal?
posted by blnkfrnk
on May 23, 2013 -
8 answers
I've been working out, lifting weights, on and off for five years, but I've never paid any attention to mobility/stretching. This is dumb. Please help me come up with a defensible plan.
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posted by downing street memo
on Mar 26, 2013 -
6 answers
Stuck at a fitness plateau. Not weight loss - fat loss. I'm about 5-8% (not exactly sure; I only have inexact measurement options) below where I want to be, which is the 10% mark. Help me get to my goal or as close as possible by the summer (and stay there)!
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posted by Urban Winter
on Mar 20, 2013 -
12 answers
Now that I'm lifting heavier weights, how should I tailor my strength training regimen given that I have a four year-old shoulder dislocation?
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posted by MaddyRex
on Feb 22, 2013 -
7 answers
Looking for recommendations for men's underwear - comfortable, supportive, but keeps your package tucked back so you don't bash 'the boys' on the bar when doing deadlifts.
posted by lizbunny
on Feb 11, 2013 -
8 answers
Visiting Los Angeles at month's end, seeking a pro to troubleshoot knee problems.
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posted by 4midori
on Jan 9, 2013 -
6 answers
Weight Loss and Benchpress Plateaus: Help me burst through my stagnation! Details inside...
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posted by MMALR
on Dec 26, 2012 -
11 answers
Why strength training, and what to do? I've been taking advantage of my free gym membership a lot more lately and I see people lifting weights a lot. I do the elliptical and the "Nautilus"-type machines, but I've gotten the impression that the barbell-style stuff is better for me. Is this true, and if so, how do I go about this?
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posted by supercoollady
on Nov 22, 2012 -
15 answers
What kind of doc or therapist should I seek about my weightlifting lower back injury?
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posted by mnemonic
on Nov 15, 2012 -
12 answers
Strength trainers/weight-lifters of Metafilter. Could you take a look at my workout and let me know your thoughts? Anything glaringly missing or redundant?
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posted by dontjumplarry
on Nov 9, 2012 -
6 answers
I'm making good weight-loss progress with
The Hacker's Diet. Now, I'd like to add in exercise to build and tone muscle. I'm active and decent shape already, but don't do any weights. Is there anything as down-to-earth and straightforward as The Hacker's Diet for this?
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posted by SampleSize
on Sep 22, 2012 -
12 answers
I just finished the weight training program from the New Rules of Lifting for Women, what should I do next?
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posted by kyrademon
on Sep 7, 2012 -
7 answers
How can I regain my motivation for weightlifting, when it feels like I am going in circles?
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posted by lollusc
on Aug 11, 2012 -
13 answers
I'm working out, particularly around the torso, and I'm much stronger. My waistline hasn't budged. My weight has barely changed since I started going to the Y and doing 20 minutes of cardio a day plus lifting weights. Loving wife says that's because I'm building muscle, and "muscle weighs twice as much as fat." What's truly going on?
posted by musofire
on Jul 6, 2012 -
34 answers
Is it messing up my results to spread a weight lifting session over the course of an evening?
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posted by whoaali
on May 28, 2012 -
10 answers
If I know how much I can dead lift, is there a formula (or something similar) to predict healthy weights for other lifts?
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posted by Vault13
on May 13, 2012 -
7 answers
What lifts should I do to increase the width (from front and rear) or general diameter of my biceps/arms?
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posted by Senor Cardgage
on Mar 24, 2012 -
7 answers
WorkoutFilter: More Bruce Lee, less Schwarzenegger. More Pacquiao, less Tyson. How can I get strong without getting big?
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posted by damo
on Feb 26, 2012 -
17 answers
I'm taking 150 mg of Seroquel which has seemed to be helping. But i need to lose preexisting weight..about 40-50 lbs. All i read on the web are horror stories about people gaining 50-100 lbs even when they are doing cardio and weights. My question...anybody here either themselves or know people who have actually been able to lose weight while on seroquel if they followed the usual healthy eating and exercise 3-5 times a week?
posted by snap_dragon
on Feb 19, 2012 -
11 answers
My familiarity with exercise footwear is limited to my running shoes. What should I be looking for in a gym shoe?
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posted by sillymama
on Feb 18, 2012 -
11 answers
Which is the least bad for muscle growth: to drink alcohol before or after exercise?
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posted by neilb449
on Jan 19, 2012 -
8 answers
Looking for affordable, long-term outdoor group fitness classes in New York City. Or reasonably priced gyms with plenty of rowing machines and free weights.
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posted by undercoverhuwaaah
on Jan 3, 2012 -
3 answers
How do I get enough protein on a moderate weight-lifting regimen without spending lots of money on food?
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posted by clockzero
on Nov 14, 2011 -
28 answers
Seeking alternatives to weightlifting to stay fit and nurture a newly temperamental back...
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posted by artemisia
on Nov 2, 2011 -
19 answers
This $20/month gym looks awesome... but it doesn't have barbells, so I can't do StrongLifts 5x5. Should I go back to my old gym, or do you guys have an alternative structured dumbbell/machine-based/bodyweight strength training program? Or a better gym suggestion in downtown Manhattan?
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posted by Jacen Solo
on Sep 25, 2011 -
9 answers
6 months of starting strength. I am following the the program religiously. If it says squat, I squat. If it says eat more protein, I do. My gains have been ok but I have been stagnating a bit lately. I have been at 225 squat for a few weeks now. I am unhappy with the results. I feel like I am much stronger but that I don't appear to be much stronger. It might be that I am getting muscle but it's still under a layer of fat. The composition of my body is changing but not my outward appearance.
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posted by rdurbin
on Aug 22, 2011 -
11 answers
For what level of strength training does my running the Army 10 Mile now qualify me?
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posted by metajc
on Aug 21, 2011 -
3 answers
I'm starting a barbell program but deadlifts scare the crap out of me. What can I substitute that's safer (or are they absolutely essential)?
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posted by dontjumplarry
on Aug 16, 2011 -
12 answers
How can I increase the intensity of my workout without making it longer? Complications: I can't run, lift, or swim.
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posted by KathrynT
on Jul 7, 2011 -
23 answers
Love weight lifting, hate the drive to the local Megagym (or any gym). Reasonably cheap weight lifting equipment abounds, but space is a problem. I have a couple of options available, and I could use some help.
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posted by Punkey
on Jun 17, 2011 -
8 answers
What is the general public perception of weightlifting and/or bodybuilding in the USA? Do men and women view it differently?
posted by unixrat
on Jun 10, 2011 -
23 answers
Whats the best thing (supplement or otherwise) to give me more power and energy when weightlifting WITHOUT makin me tweak?
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posted by Senor Cardgage
on Jun 9, 2011 -
18 answers
I've been working out and seeing progress but everything seems to be like taking 2 steps forward and then 1 step back, making it hard for me right now to keep up the motivation. Just trying to figure out if I am doing anything wrong or if something could help.
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posted by loser8008
on May 18, 2011 -
8 answers
My weightlifting gym is too expensive for me. Are there any relatively cheap ($100/month) gyms in NYC, Brooklyn/downtown Manhattan preferred, that have squat racks and won't freak if I deadlift? Or do I need to readjust my expectations for what a weightlifting gym membership should cost?
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posted by Hwaet
on Jan 4, 2011 -
14 answers
Should I see a chiropractor for my shoulder impingement syndrome? Anyone have any experience with “Active Release Techniques”?
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posted by sureshot
on Dec 30, 2010 -
8 answers
Where can I find a good guide to target body types for a male seeking direction in his workout?
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posted by NBJack
on Sep 17, 2010 -
14 answers
I can't use free weights effectively due to a previous arm injury. Unfortunately, just about every good weightlifting resource I'm finding seems to
loathe machines. Help me tweak my workout and find better resources, please.
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posted by bitter-girl.com
on Sep 14, 2010 -
19 answers
I'm a (female, if it matters) beginning weightlifter trying to build lean muscle mass through exercise and a structured nutrition program. However, my progress has been stymied by my lack of flexibility and range of motion in my shoulders, hips, and legs, making proper form for squats and deadlifts very difficult. What are some exercises that I can do to correct this, and is there any hope that I'll ever be able to touch my toes?
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posted by Lieber Frau
on Aug 19, 2010 -
20 answers
Do my upper arms look flabby because I need to lose fat or because I need to build muscle or both?
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posted by whoaali
on Apr 25, 2010 -
21 answers
Help me come up with a QUICK strength-training routine that I can do 2-3 times a week, that won't interfere with my training for distance running and triathlon events.
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posted by kataclysm
on Mar 1, 2010 -
26 answers
