rickjames the n00b

rickjames

rickjames

rickjames

Soldato
Joined
27 Oct 2011
Posts
4,176
Location
London
Evening all.

So, a new job with more sociable hours (going from 7:45-6 to 9-5) is making me think I can invest a little more time in shaping up. Plus PureGym over the road has a £20pm offer on with no joining fee.

Backstory: essentially I've never been to the gym. I'd say I'm fairly active; I cycle to work most days and play either football/cricket most weeks, but feel I could do with getting my fitness up, particularly with the latter where I'm running around in the field and relying on my back, particularly when batting.

I'm 27, about 5ft9 and weigh about 10st9. Rather skinny, really. From a bit of reading here and there it sounds like doing SL 5X5 would be ideal for me, thoughts? The videos on the website make it look pretty straightforward and the app seems to be useful with regards to logging stuff and setting out the weights I need to do accordingly. I think my diet is OK sans cutting out sugar and caffeine, maybe just a few greens here and there and I'd be OK.

Any help/advice would be great. Gimme a day or two and I guess I can maybe begin!
 
Right. Gym membership sorted, begins next Monday. I'm inclined to say it's best I do it in the morning rather than evenings where it should be quieter; as a n00b I dread the thought of people looking on at whatever I'm doing and say it's wrong, will rock my confidence a little.

As for food I'll check out myfitnesspal, ta. My diet in general right now is a lot of chicken, sweet potato, pasta, fair bit of bread and odd piece of salad alongside a steak. Fruit intake isn't much, generally a glass of OJ every morning.
 
Also another question; in the early stages of SL is it a massive no-no to workout two days in a row? I can't tomorrow (Tuesday) night as I'm at a gig and work dictates I'd have to be up at 5am in order to do it tomorrow.
 
Cheers, much appreciated. Will eat in a bit and probably go later tonight then.

Logging my food already feels like and absolute zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
 
Actually having just eaten I'm gonna suck it it up and get up super early tomorrow; best get into a routine of correct days instead of fannying around...
 
Workout B 3/11/15

Squats 5x5 @ 25KG - I couldn't see any 1.25kg weights until going into another room and saw some; they were different colours/brand but I hope they fit the bar next time. Shall I stick with 25kg this Friday? Feel odd jumping a weight ahead

OHP 5x5 @ 20KG - Form didn't feel right, arms all over the shop

Barbell Row 5x5 @ 30kg - Felt weird with the size of the weights being so small
 
As a complete beginner I'd probably feel better off sticking to 2.5kgs every time; marathon, not a sprint.

Legs are really starting to feel it, can't imagine how I'll feel when bowling tomorrow evening...
 
Workout A 1/11/15

Squats 5x5 @ 27.5KG
Bench Press 5x5 @ 22.5KG
Barbell Row 5x5 @ 32.5KG

Feel OK I guess, body is still adjusting to all of it. Will try and video my form next week because I'm sure something is up with all three, just no idea where to begin.
 
Workout A 5/11/15

Squats 5x5 @ 27.5KG
Bench Press 5x5 @ 22.5KG
Barbell Row 5x5 @ 32.5KG

Feel OK I guess, body is still adjusting to all of it. Will try and video my form next week because I'm sure something is up with all three, just no idea where to begin.
 
Workout B 8/11/15

Squats 5x5 @ 30kg

OHP 5x5 @ 22.5KG -

Barbell Row 5x5 @ 45kg

I took some videos of these, if you could offer any advice or what I'm doing wrong it'd be much appreciated. Only realised after Friday and rubbing my neck I've been positioning the bar completely wrong and not been squeezing my shoulders in for squats. Felt weird but worked more. Also noticing now my chest isn't really straight and going over my feet, will try and rectify that. OHP felt like killing me.

Squat - https://youtu.be/LbEXCfMckQc

OHP- https://youtu.be/zCtO2rPEu2g

Deadlifts- https://youtu.be/wGc989StM0Y

Cheers!
 
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Oh not disheartened at all, very useful to get some help from people who've obviously done it a lot longer than my 7 days, ha.

With the squats I can see what you mean regarding bouncing so to speak, is it just a case of just going down slower? Also get what you're on about trying to be upright, watching again and I keep kind of leaning forward over my feet. How do I actually go about keeping my abs and back 'tight'? Any tips on how to improve it when I'm not supposed to be at the gym?
 
Workout A 10/11/15

Squats 5x5 @ 32.5KG
Bench Press 5x5 @ 25KG
Barbell Row 5x5 @ 35KG

I am dead. Couldn't video as I wasn't on the same rack as Sunday, but felt my glutes working a little more with the squats.

I am worn the hell out.
 
Workout B 17/11/15

Squats 5x5 @ 40KG

OHP 5/5/5/4/4 @ 27.5KG

Deadlift 1x5 @ 55KG

As expected those last two OHP sets are killing me, if I'd have tried I'd have dropped almost immediately. Mostly in the upper arms where it's got nothing left in there. Will be pretty bummed if I fail it next week already.

Recorded another squat form check, will upload later tonight...
 
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