I'm New Here... Got A Question

[PeteyPablo7]

Just like many here, I've been working out for a descent amount of time busting my ass off. And I'm not here to cry or complain, just ask for your expert opinions. Recently I kind of have reached a platuoe. Everything has been going up in time but I've been kind of stuck around the same weights for my bicep curls. And I was thinking maybe I'm not giving myself enough rest.

See I have been doing 3 sets of 8 reps in about 4:40 - 5:00 minutes in time. That's counting lifting and resting time; I'm not exactly sure how long I execute one set but I'm guessing around 40 - 55 seconds (I use a stop-watch and I'm not exactly sure how long it takes). All I know precisely is that I start lifting at 4:55 and stop, then start up again at 3:30. Stop, and lift again at 1:30. So the question is... is 45 seconds enough or the "Normal" rest for 8 reps and 3 sets? Sorry this post was repetitive, I just wanted to make sure because I always hear 8 reps should have about a minute 30 rest. I'm thinking if I give myself more rest I can raise the weights, and still give my body the same shock effect while getting stronger.

 

[Double D]

Are you using proper loading patterns?

Like are you switching variables each week or every other week, etc....?

 

[PeteyPablo7]

Sorry, I'm a little bit of a newb with the technical terms. I've had a set routine of about 18 sets for quite some time. I know it's good to change so your body doesn't get "used" to the routine, but I've been raising weights, eating good, and working out extremely hard and I've found pretty good results. Recently I've been a tad disappointed in not being able to increase weight in my bicep curls; I'm thinking I don't get enough rest and my muscle is too exhausted and not strong enough. Oh yeah I'm talking about upper body right now; I work out about every other day, sometimes two days rest.

 

[kinkery]

Post your routine

 

[Double D]

Thats your first mistake. Take a look at the stickies at the top of the trainig section.

Notice the term periodzation! That will make your program that you choose actually work. best of luck.

 

[kinkery]

Sorry, I'm a little bit of a newb with the technical terms. I've had a set routine of about 18 sets for quite some time. I know it's good to change so your body doesn't get "used" to the routine, but I've been raising weights, eating good, and working out extremely hard and I've found pretty good results. Recently I've been a tad disappointed in not being able to increase weight in my bicep curls; I'm thinking I don't get enough rest and my muscle is too exhausted and not strong enough. Oh yeah I'm talking about upper body right now; I work out about every other day, sometimes two days rest.

that right there prolly means your doing too many sets and you need to stop focusing on biceps curls ( all isolation) ..

 

[PeteyPablo7]

Okay thanks a lot. I'll check out the stickies; for now I'll post my routine. I'm probably overdoing biceps, because everything else is really working well (Bench, triceps, etc). I used to go to the gym, but I'm fortunate to have had a dad who cares about exercise to invest in one. My routine is like this.


Chest Press (Bodyflex or some various machine I can't remember name... seated position): 130 Pounds - 10 reps, 3 sets. All sets and rest execueted in 4:30 seconds.

Bicep Curls: 35 Pounds (Individual ones; rotate on reps.) 8 reps, 3 sets; all done with rest in 4:45 seconds.

Chest Press: 50 pounds or 100 total(Individual Weights, The Bo-flex switch thingy) 10 reps, 3 sets. I take more rest; at least 1 minute and 15 seconds rest between sets.

-------------Shoulder Press: " " 10 reps, 3 sets. ---------------

Dip Machine: (Gravitron, 70 weight) 10 reps, 3 sets; 30 to 50 seconds rest between sets.

Bicep Curls: 30 pounds (Individual, rotate) 10 reps, 4 sets: Completed with sets and rest in about 7 and 30 seconds.

Sometimes I'll leave shoulders to do with legs for some odd reason so you can minus that if the too much sets is a concern.

 

[motiv8ed]

Just like many here, I've been working out for a descent amount of time busting my ass off. And I'm not here to cry or complain, just ask for your expert opinions. Recently I kind of have reached a platuoe. Everything has been going up in time but I've been kind of stuck around the same weights for my bicep curls. And I was thinking maybe I'm not giving myself enough rest.
:

Right on man! welcome

Keep in mind, thats a great problem to have! Check out the stickies on designing routines by cowpimp, you'll eat it up!

 

[Phred]

Is this your total program? If it is, you will soon learn it is lacking in basic movements (no back, shoulder, or leg work). So you have access to wieghts? or just machines?

Okay thanks a lot. I'll check out the stickies; for now I'll post my routine. I'm probably overdoing biceps, because everything else is really working well (Bench, triceps, etc). I used to go to the gym, but I'm fortunate to have had a dad who cares about exercise to invest in one. My routine is like this.


Chest Press (Bodyflex or some various machine I can't remember name... seated position): 130 Pounds - 10 reps, 3 sets. All sets and rest execueted in 4:30 seconds.

Bicep Curls: 35 Pounds (Individual ones; rotate on reps.) 8 reps, 3 sets; all done with rest in 4:45 seconds.

Chest Press: 50 pounds or 100 total(Individual Weights, The Bo-flex switch thingy) 10 reps, 3 sets. I take more rest; at least 1 minute and 15 seconds rest between sets.

-------------Shoulder Press: " " 10 reps, 3 sets. ---------------

Dip Machine: (Gravitron, 70 weight) 10 reps, 3 sets; 30 to 50 seconds rest between sets.

Bicep Curls: 30 pounds (Individual, rotate) 10 reps, 4 sets: Completed with sets and rest in about 7 and 30 seconds.

Sometimes I'll leave shoulders to do with legs for some odd reason so you can minus that if the too much sets is a concern.

 

[PeteyPablo7]

No, I do legs every other day. I mix back/shoulders (shoulders sometimes) with my leg/core work. I don't do too much for cardio lately. Basketball is over and I'm slacking in that area. I've been slacking on my core a little too :-(