Newbie question about muscle burn.

[Wandaful]

I have only just started weights about two months ago as part of a weight loss program. I am over 50% fat and weigh about 321lbs (already down from 370lb). I am a 29yo female.

I started benching 33lb moved up to 44lb and am now doing 55lb. I might do 1 or 2 set of 12 on a lower weight, before doing 3 x 12 on my current working weight.

When I do my benches, I never get any muscle burn. What happens is my arms seem to run out of power or become incredibly fatigued. For my muscles to grow, do I need them to feel burn or do I just keep going as is? I also never seem to get DOMS with my arms.

I have also started doing squats, but I just use my body weight for this. I do about 3 x 25 squats, and holy hell do I feel those thighs burn. And I definitely get DOMS from these.. my thighs can be sore for a few days afterwards.

I have tried squats with weights, using a barbell across my shoulders, however I think I must be doing something wrong as I seem to put a lot of pressure on the back of my neck and sometimes end up with a stiff neck/headache. When I try to hold the barbell off my shoulder, my arms get quite tired. I only have 5.5lb on the bar when I do this.

I have grown to absolutely love weights, and wish I had taken my brothers advice earlier.

Any help on arm burn or lack of, and how to hold the barbell in squats would be great.

Cheers.

 

[Cobin]

I don't really get a burn in my muscles much more when I work out, I do get sore though.

Also try a pad for that barbell, just wrap a towel around and see if that helps.

By the way, congratulations on the weight loss, keep up the goodwork, I am sure you will reach your goals.

 

[thx9000]

I have only just started weights about two months ago as part of a weight loss program. I am over 50% fat and weigh about 321lbs (already down from 370lb). I am a 29yo female.
Cheers.

Awesome, good job! You WILL get to your goal, just don't let up and don't let any setbacks discourage you.

The lack of a burn certainly isn't a big deal. My arms, chest and back almost NEVER get sore anymore. SOMETIMES I'll have a little muscle tightness the day after lifting, but not really enough to call sore. Now my legs are another story I will tend to range between mildly sore and crippled the next day.

One thing I have noticed is even though I won't be sore, my arms or whatever will be awefully weak/fatigued for a day or so after training them...

 

[Wandaful]

Hahahaha... feeling crippled the next day.. reminds me of the first time I ever did squats.

I was doing reps of 25, but after each rep I was just sitting stright down on the bench for a little while until my next set. After I'd finished, I just sat on the bench waiting for my brother to finish his workout..

Then we heard fireworks going off outside, and both got up to race outside.. he was fine, but somehow, my legs had decided to go extremely stiff and stop working... I made it outside finally, absolutely half laughing, half crying, because my legs were just not behaving in any humanlike way. I told my brother what happened, and he said he was wondering what all the grunting and swearing behind him was all about....

Needless to say I now stretch between sets....hahaha...

 

[Cobin]

Stretching is good, I do it before I workout, inbetween sets, and after.

 

[wiseachoo]

LOLLLLL....I just started squatting 2 weeks ago give or take. OMFG...after my first squat session....I had to go to a class that was up 2 flights of stairs all the way across campus. My training partner and I both walked like we were about 90 years old with those metal walkers you use...very pathetic and humorous all at once. I wasn't even over-training or lifting too much at all, just out of shape legs. All I can say is, this week I left only half-crippled instead of fully crippled using heavier weights so I must say, these squats are definitely making a big difference strength-wise. Hopefully the weight will start piling on more from them too

 

[beastboy]

Watch your form and squeeze at the top.....

BTW....Great Progress....Keep it up!

 

[Shankerr]

I'm a bit of a stretching junkie, I do alot of stretching during, before and after workouts, and my muscles don't seem to burn too much anymore when I am actually working. The next day they feel delightfully tight and full though Don't worry about no burn, as long as you're doing the reps with good form and getting in a good squeeze, you're building tissue and rippin' muscle, wheather you get a burn going or not

Congrats on the progress too! its not easy, but stick with it and you'll meet, and most likely exceed your goals in no time!!! Just stick with it, and don't let anything tempt you to procrastinate or get distracted!

 

[Shankerr]

I'm a bit of a stretching junkie, I do alot of stretching during, before and after workouts, and my muscles don't seem to burn too much anymore when I am actually working. The next day they feel delightfully tight and full though Don't worry about no burn, as long as you're doing the reps with good form and getting in a good squeeze, you're building tissue and rippin' muscle, wheather you get a burn going or not

Congrats on the progress too! its not easy, but stick with it and you'll meet, and most likely exceed your goals in no time!!! Just stick with it, and don't let anything tempt you to procrastinate or get distracted! This whole game is 90% mental, no matter what anyone tells you!

 

[skaman607]

yeah congratulations,you'll break 300 pretty soon, but as everyone else said just keep working hard

 

[bishonen]

I have tried squats with weights, using a barbell across my shoulders, however I think I must be doing something wrong as I seem to put a lot of pressure on the back of my neck and sometimes end up with a stiff neck/headache.

It sounds to me like you're balancing the bar on your neck rather than your back and shoulders. I did the same thing when I was just starting to squat, and the headaches and neck pain - which would continue for days - just about made me quit. Since I corrected my form, I haven't had a problem. No need for a pad.

Try just standing with a bare bar and practice finding the right spot. The bar should be balanced across the back of your delts and your upper back (traps) rather than your neck.

Also try looking up, rather than forward while you squat. It helps keep your back arched and it's harder to keep the bar on your neck when it's not flat.