If you’re preparing to start a serious weight lifting regimen for the first time, one common dilemma is whether or not to use weight lifting gloves. The answer depends on who you are and what your intentions are.
Any time you’re beginning lifting iron or even coated weights, your skin is going to have to get adjusted because it will get roughed up. Weights are going to shift and move in your hand and if you have soft skin, prepare for a transitional period where you experience some pain/irritation/swelling with your hands.
For women, I recommend wearing weight lifting gloves …read more

Your weight lifting workout will ideally last somewhere around 50 70 minutes. How long you go really depends on you and how you feel, but from my experience and what I read on the web prior to writing this post, the general opinion is about an hour.
I thought DannySWO said something very insightful on the bodybuilding forums .  “Short work outs will keep you more focused.”
That is so true.  When I am up against the wall with a finite set of time, my workouts are usually very to the point and I move progressively faster.  However, when I go …read more

Do you remember the Seinfeld episode where Kenny Bana told Jerry Seinfeld he was pumping iron and Jerry asked why?  Bana had no good response.  Well besides looks, health, and being physically strong for practical purposes Jerry has a point in that training to lift just to go back and lift more (without a formal competition) is somewhat empty.  However, if you train for sport you know have a direct application for pumping iron besides looks, health, and physical strength (as if you needed justification beyond these).
Here are three exercises and how they can help you in athletic competition.
For better …read more

Weight resistance is a huge part of fitness. It’s not all body weight and aerobic workouts. Weight resistance not only helps burn up the calories, but you gain muscle strength as well. You see the teams on “Biggest Loser” using weights during their training as well as resistance type
machines. Weight training was a vital part of my own fitness. My motivation wasn’t just to get fit, but to get bigger. I was already pretty fit but I wanted to add inches all around. I would get up religiously every morning at 4:30 or 5:00 am and get at least 45 …read more

Driving home last night I heard a report on the radio that weight training actually helps reduce the risk of cancer. The study found that those who train at least 3 times a week for 30-45 minutes reduce the risk of cancer. Don’t ask me to reveal any more details on top of this, it’s just a report I overheard. I just checked Google newswire and Google search but didn’t see anything new on this study. If you’ve heard anything else, please email or write a comment to keep us posted.
This is good news for weight …read more

Today I gave myself the day off from weight training. I did take care of my cardio and coordination on the basketball court though. Playing basketball is a different type of conditioning that is unique and helpful in its own way.
With my arms having a full day off, I will hit attack shoulders, triceps, and chest thoroughly tomorrow. I will also add 20-30 minutes of regular treadmill cardio. A challenging session in the gym is usually a great idea coming off an off day. You’ll be fresh and have the energy necessary to build upon …read more

I always laugh to myself when I ask this question at a hotel. It just sounds funny. As this is my first post on the weight lifting blog at EveryJoe, let me start by telling you a little about my experience and knowledge and what direction this blog is going to take.
I have lifted weights consistently for 13 years now. I started when I was 15 and I am now 28. My peak performance came at the age of 24. If you want an indicator, my bench press (the standard almost everybody goes by) was …read more