this post was submitted on 16 Oct 2023
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Do you really need to do dedicated 'leg' or 'arm' days? (lemmy.ca)
submitted 1 year ago by NENathaniel@lemmy.ca to c/fitness@lemmy.world
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I've been going to the gym for a few months, still feel like a noob tho.

I track what exercises I do, weight & reps, etc, and try to rotate between the different exercises I enjoy.

However I don't do leg-centric days or anything like that, I just try and do a variety each week and not go too long without exercising specific areas. Is that bad?

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[–] howrar@lemmy.ca 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It's fairly complete as far as exercises go, but as you say, it's just a list of exercises. You can build a good program with these exercises, but you can also build an awful one. What are the rep ranges, exercise frequencies, and what's your progression scheme, both short term and long term?

I see that you have access to a barbell. Are you able to do the main compound movements like barbell squats, bench, and deadlift?

[–] NENathaniel@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I typically target a 12-rep to failure for my first set, then go close-to failure for 4 total sets (usually means declining to 5-8 reps by set 4). Usually hit the gym every 2-3 days.

I don’t have any specific progression scheme aside from trying to progressively overload, increasing total volume over time.

What’s the advantage of a barbell squat over a Goblet squat?

Deadlifts I’ve been too scared to try haha, kinda hoping I’ll eventually meet someone irl who can show me so I don’t injure/embarrass myself.

[–] zcd@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 year ago

With that big list of exercises it seems like you are majoring in the minors. Honestly most of your efforts should be going to the big four compound movements.

The advantage of the barbell over goblets squats is that it can be loaded essentially infinitely to continue progression. I started from scratch this year and already squat well over 3 plates, they don’t make kettle bells that big.

I would suggest you download boostcamp on your phone, start GZCLP, Phraks Greyskull or 531 for beginners, and stick with it for 3 months. You’ll make far more progress, guaranteed. It has links to videos for each exercise including deadlifts.

[–] howrar@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

My Lemmy app decided to crash on me right as I pressed the post button and didn't save any of what I wrote :/

You're going to be better off taking a premade program that is known to work and adjusting it to your needs rather than trying to fix all the problems with what you're currently doing. Check out some of the programs suggested to you and start from there.

As for deadlifts, they're intimidating for sure. Some options for you:

  • Look for someone deadlifting at your gym and ask for a form check. The bigger they are, the friendlier they'll usually be.
  • Post a form check video here and we'll gladly give you some feedback. Film it from the side.
  • If you want to do some reading, there's some very detailed technique guides I can share with you.
  • Trap bar deadlifts tend to be easier for most people to naturally perform correctly. If you have the equipment for that, it's a viable alternative for straight bar deadlifts in the mean time.