A Newbie Question

[bookstar]

hi guys,

Ive been lifting for about 5 weeks, and I never experienced a "set back" yet until now. I am wondering if what I just experienced is common or normal at times.

When I was benching this morning, I normally lift 100 lbs 12 times, and then I do 10 reps, and then 8, and 6...etc...

Well, this morning I could not even do 6 reps at 100 lbs. I felt sooo week. I don't get it. So I had to take 20 lbs off just so I can do my bench routine.

Why did this happen to me? Am I getting weaker? Or is it because I need more protein inmy diet? or is this normal to feel weak at times like this?

What must I do to prevent this kind of weakness in the future?

Thank you for your help!!!

 

[rockhardly]

Gotta post alot more info than this. Diet, program, etc. One thing I can say, if you have been doing the same routine (intensity, volume, etc.) for the last five weeks, you have not gotten any stronger.

 

[T_man]

how often are you training? what's your routine and how long do you rest before benching again?

 

[bookstar]

I usually bench every other day and sometimes every two days. I usually work my upper body one day and the next day I will work the lower or do cardio. I always rest 1-2 days between workouts of the same muscle groups.

 

[JayCutler]

you bench every other day? is there a reason why you do this?

 

[bbud]

I'm no great lifter or bank of knowledge here, but what I do know is that you've got to give your muscles time to heal from the tearing down you've done. You DO realize what happens to muscles when you work them hard, right? You basically tear apart the muscles bundles and fibers within. When they heal, given plenty of protein and nutrients, they grow back larger. BUT THEY HAVE TO HEAL FIRST!

Well, if you don't give the muscle fibers time to repair themselves, you're simply tearing into fresh wounds, and they never will heal. You'll just stay sore, and not gain ground.

I'm sure there are tomes of information written that you could google, or visit a bookstore and look up yourself.

good luck,

 

[Gazhole]

You had a bad day. Shit happens.

If it happens too frequently take some time off and re-asses your program.

 

[JayCutler]

sleep, diet, hydration, depression, could be tons of things

 

[thesaurus123]

just keep going

 

[thesaurus123]

and dont change ur routine abruptly

 

[thesaurus123]

where u from btw? and where u train?

 

[FMJ]

You had a bad day. Shit happens.

If it happens too frequently take some time off and re-asses your program.

Agreed. Sometimes your just have less energy. Can be related to diet, particularly low carb. Nothing to worry about. Get more rest, then try it again.

 

[1_v8_Merc]

99% of the time, if I suddenly change my diet, or do something out of the ordinary, this happens to me too.
(like if I go on a trip somewhere)

But even with proper diet, shit happens, sometimes you just have bad lifting days.
You might not have healed completely or something.
You need to make sure you're getting enough sleep, and keep your diet steady.
Make sure you aren't pushing yourself too hard too often....this was one of the reasons I hit a plateau a long time ago, I was lifting too much, and NOT getting enough sleep and not taking enough resting days.

Never underestimate the power of some good Off-days and good rest.

All things in moderation and balance.

 

[Porsche]

hi guys,

Ive been lifting for about 5 weeks, and I never experienced a "set back" yet until now. I am wondering if what I just experienced is common or normal at times.

When I was benching this morning, I normally lift 100 lbs 12 times, and then I do 10 reps, and then 8, and 6...etc...

Well, this morning I could not even do 6 reps at 100 lbs. I felt sooo week. I don't get it. So I had to take 20 lbs off just so I can do my bench routine.

Why did this happen to me? Am I getting weaker? Or is it because I need more protein inmy diet? or is this normal to feel weak at times like this?

What must I do to prevent this kind of weakness in the future?

Thank you for your help!!!

The body isn't as predictable as you'd like it to be. You will always have good and bad days and that's just the way it is. There is nothing wrong with you or your program.