Found this weightlifting website- gives an indication of performance

ThorpyFX

As per the title i found this really useful website that calculates your strength and ranks you in terms of performance against other people. pretty useful i think for those who are into lifting.

https://strengthlevel.com

Anyway, Im just getting back into fitness having had a torrid time when i herniated two discs in my back...... blimey its hard now I'm not 18 years old.

Anyone else into lifting/fitness etc?

Modulus_Amps

What type of lifting are you doing, I loved doing weights, particularly leg workouts, squats etc, but my lower back is stuffed now so am limited to what I can do.

Hardest part is building it up slowly so you don't injure yourself

Modulus_Amps

Thats a cool site, bookmarked

ThorpyFX

Modulus_Amps said:

What type of lifting are you doing, I loved doing weights, particularly leg workouts, squats etc, but my lower back is stuffed now so am limited to what I can do.

Hardest part is building it up slowly so you don't injure yourself

I'm in the process of building up again... but im already back to lifting very heavy , which has pleased me no end. I've entered the 1000lb club with my combined deadlift, squat and bench press. However........ i have paid for a personal trainer to beast me so we mix the heavy lifts in with supersets, high reps, high intensity to burn fat as well...... so far so good, it seems to be both good for the body and is knackering.

tone1

I lift fairly light with higher reps, but recently found the TRX resistance training in the gym which is addictive..

musteatbrain

It’s probably not a bad indicator of which movements a person is strong or weak in relation to their other figures.

made me laugh that one of my friends world record lift at masters age was classed at 95% as strong as other people of his age though. Sending him the screenshot later

Gassage

I'm undergoing a passive weight training regime.

A longer cigarette and a heavier mug.

ThorpyFX

musteatbrain said:

It’s probably not a bad indicator of which movements a person is strong or weak in relation to their other figures.

made me laugh that one of my friends world record lift at masters age was classed at 95% as strong as other people of his age though. Sending him the screenshot later

Yeah I imagine some people put inflated figures in too, so maybe not a perfect tool but a good indicator. What did your friend lift?

fnpt

So I am squating (smith machine) 90kgs. I warm up with 10 reps of, 60kg, 70kgs and 80 kgs and end up with 3 sets of 5 reps of 90kgs. According to this site I am stronger than 35% of lifters my age and weight. I must say I'm disappointed.

Edit: I must ad that I'm 46, started working out 2 years ago and have a weak lower back. :-)

ThePrettyDamned

Gassage said:

I'm undergoing a passive weight training regime.

A longer cigarette and a heavier mug.

Push yourself. 

A pipe will really stretch you, and make sure that mug is stoneware. 

Mark1960

Thanks @ThorpyFX for sharing that website - it's a little gem. As a retired rugby player, I have always had an interest in fitness, and used to weight train four times a week in the off season when I was still playing. I now train once per week, and do a mixture of cardio, weights, planks, and stretches. I usually do 3 sets of 12 / 10 / 8 reps, to get a balance of strength and fat burning. Having had 3 knee operations, I need to be careful not to overdo it as I also must walk the dog for an hour each evening, and two hours at the weekend. I would like to fit another gym session in, but am struggling for time at the moment. I also used to do a lot of rowing on the concept rowing machines when I was younger. There was a similar website for that where you could compare your times for 2,000M etc. At 6'-4" I was quite good at that. Good luck with your 1,000lb challenge.

axisus

fnpt said:

So I am squating (smith machine) 90kgs. I warm up with 10 reps of, 60kg, 70kgs and 80 kgs and end up with 3 sets of 5 reps of 90kgs. According to this site I am stronger than 35% of lifters my age and weight. I must say I'm disappointed.

Edit: I must ad that I'm 46, started working out 2 years ago and have a weak lower back. :-)

In all fairness, people into lifting are probably quite intense about it so the levels will be high. You would be better comparing yourself to the general publics average level of lifting ability, where you will probably be really high up. 

Dontgiveupyourdayjob

By the looks of that website it appears the averages are based on people's self-reported PB's? Given people's propensity on the internet for willy-waving, ego-boosting exaggeration, you can probably deduct about 20% from those reported averages! 

menamestom

I'm into fitness, but not really lifting.  Seems I have reasonably strong legs but not so great upper body.  But when in the gym I dont feel like I have particularly light weights.  The figures are probably for people who class themselves as body builders rather than general fitness.

Personally for me getting into too heavy weights is counter productive though, I play football and might go back to boxing and big weights can slow you down.  Plus most people I know who love a good deadlift end up with fucked backs as well, so it's something I avoid myself.  Trap bar lifts on moderate rate and things like high rep slam ball / kettlebell exercises are great.
Boxing training was good, never heavy weights, but high fast reps, ropes, medicine ball exercises.  Some deadlifting but only 90kg, but again usually the trap bar.  After a minute on those circuits then a 5k run, then sparring, that's a great high intensity workout.

There are so many benefits to lifting weights and I can see why people get into it but heavy weights shouldn't be all you do.
I say this mainly to justify my weakness of course

gubble

I started at the gym 8 weeks ago. I'd never been to the gym before and now have two personal trainer sessions a week.

According to that website i'm a beginner - which seems fair.

I'm doing 12-15 reps of each weight exercise i do and really enjoying it. The results are also noticable. I've sorted my diet so lost weight and i look a bit more toned already.

I should have joined years ago

earwighoney

Gassage said:

I'm undergoing a passive weight training regime.

A longer cigarette and a heavier mug.

IMO, don't take on too much too soon. 

I'd recommend going for slim cigarettes and start with skimmed milk, before moving onto semi skimmed than full fat. 

sgosden

Looks like I'm better than everyone else my age and weight class. Especially at putting in imaginary figures. 

Blaendulais

Can't squat or deadlift as knee arthritis. Had to stop running this year for the same reason.  Usually get an hours cardio in on a stair/elliptical. Always done weights 3 times a weight can bench 100Kg on a bar. Can rep 42Kg dumbbells at 11 stone 12.  The last year I have really increased my dip and pull up abilities.  Can do 22 pull ups, 10 with 20kg.  45 dips, 12 with 20kg.  However its a myth that you radically alter your muscle mass (% maybe as you lose your fat!)

Be careful with back exercises they always seem to end in disc disasters!

musteatbrain

ThorpyFX said:

musteatbrain said:

It’s probably not a bad indicator of which movements a person is strong or weak in relation to their other figures.

made me laugh that one of my friends world record lift at masters age was classed at 95% as strong as other people of his age though. Sending him the screenshot later

Yeah I imagine some people put inflated figures in too, so maybe not a perfect tool but a good indicator. What did your friend lift?

160kg clean and jerk

ThorpyFX

musteatbrain said:

ThorpyFX said:

musteatbrain said:

It’s probably not a bad indicator of which movements a person is strong or weak in relation to their other figures.

made me laugh that one of my friends world record lift at masters age was classed at 95% as strong as other people of his age though. Sending him the screenshot later

Yeah I imagine some people put inflated figures in too, so maybe not a perfect tool but a good indicator. What did your friend lift?

160kg clean and jerk

That’s a tough lift! 

SNAKEBITE

axisus said:

fnpt said:

So I am squating (smith machine) 90kgs. I warm up with 10 reps of, 60kg, 70kgs and 80 kgs and end up with 3 sets of 5 reps of 90kgs. According to this site I am stronger than 35% of lifters my age and weight. I must say I'm disappointed.

Edit: I must ad that I'm 46, started working out 2 years ago and have a weak lower back. :-)

In all fairness, people into lifting are probably quite intense about it so the levels will be high. You would be better comparing yourself to the general publics average level of lifting ability, where you will probably be really high up. 

I entered some figures and was quite disappointed, but when you put it into perspective like you have it makes it a bit better.

I'm certainly not competitive, only against myself, but it is nice to think that the effort you are putting in is worth it!

the_jaffa

I do some lifting as part of Crossfit. Been doing it pretty much two years. Good fun and it’s definitely helped me get fitter and stronger. 

Starting, from nowhere really, in my early 40s though is tough and progress is slow. 

@ThorpyFX What were your numbers for your 1000lb lifts? That’s pretty impressive. 

Blaendulais

ThorpyFX said:

Modulus_Amps said:

What type of lifting are you doing, I loved doing weights, particularly leg workouts, squats etc, but my lower back is stuffed now so am limited to what I can do.

Hardest part is building it up slowly so you don't injure yourself

I'm in the process of building up again... but im already back to lifting very heavy , which has pleased me no end. I've entered the 1000lb club with my combined deadlift, squat and bench press. However........ i have paid for a personal trainer to beast me so we mix the heavy lifts in with supersets, high reps, high intensity to burn fat as well...... so far so good, it seems to be both good for the body and is knackering.

Time for a new photo in your Guitarist column then!! 

ThorpyFX

the_jaffa said:

I do some lifting as part of Crossfit. Been doing it pretty much two years. Good fun and it’s definitely helped me get fitter and stronger. 

Starting, from nowhere really, in my early 40s though is tough and progress is slow. 

@ThorpyFX What were your numbers for your 1000lb lifts? That’s pretty impressive. 

Current PBS are:

160kg Bench press
200Kg Deadlift
170Kg Squat.

as an aside my seated leg press is 450Kg which I'm over the moon with tbh, considering where i was back 12 months ago


I want to hit the following within 12months:

170kg Bench press
250Kg Deadlift
220Kg Squat.

550kg leg press.

Blaendulais said:

ThorpyFX said:

Modulus_Amps said:

What type of lifting are you doing, I loved doing weights, particularly leg workouts, squats etc, but my lower back is stuffed now so am limited to what I can do.

Hardest part is building it up slowly so you don't injure yourself

I'm in the process of building up again... but im already back to lifting very heavy , which has pleased me no end. I've entered the 1000lb club with my combined deadlift, squat and bench press. However........ i have paid for a personal trainer to beast me so we mix the heavy lifts in with supersets, high reps, high intensity to burn fat as well...... so far so good, it seems to be both good for the body and is knackering.

Time for a new photo in your Guitarist column then!! 

by the end of the year i think..... got to lose some more timber first.

Blaendulais

ThorpyFX said:

the_jaffa said:

I do some lifting as part of Crossfit. Been doing it pretty much two years. Good fun and it’s definitely helped me get fitter and stronger. 

Starting, from nowhere really, in my early 40s though is tough and progress is slow. 

@ThorpyFX What were your numbers for your 1000lb lifts? That’s pretty impressive. 

Current PBS are:

160kg Bench press
200Kg Deadlift
170Kg Squat.

as an aside my seated leg press is 450Kg which I'm over the moon with tbh, considering where i was back 12 months ago


I want to hit the following within 12months:

170kg Bench press
250Kg Deadlift
220Kg Squat.

550kg leg press.

Blaendulais said:

ThorpyFX said:

Modulus_Amps said:

What type of lifting are you doing, I loved doing weights, particularly leg workouts, squats etc, but my lower back is stuffed now so am limited to what I can do.

Hardest part is building it up slowly so you don't injure yourself

I'm in the process of building up again... but im already back to lifting very heavy , which has pleased me no end. I've entered the 1000lb club with my combined deadlift, squat and bench press. However........ i have paid for a personal trainer to beast me so we mix the heavy lifts in with supersets, high reps, high intensity to burn fat as well...... so far so good, it seems to be both good for the body and is knackering.

Time for a new photo in your Guitarist column then!! 

by the end of the year i think..... got to lose some more timber first.

Only kidding. Best wishes on the continuing fitness journey

tony99

sgosden said:

Looks like I'm better than everyone else my age and weight class. Especially at putting in imaginary figures. 

Yeah? Well to work out what I can bench press, simply add 1 pound to whatever you can bench press.

Alterlifeson

ThorpyFX said:

the_jaffa said:

I do some lifting as part of Crossfit. Been doing it pretty much two years. Good fun and it’s definitely helped me get fitter and stronger. 

Starting, from nowhere really, in my early 40s though is tough and progress is slow. 

@ThorpyFX What were your numbers for your 1000lb lifts? That’s pretty impressive. 

Current PBS are:

160kg Bench press
200Kg Deadlift
170Kg Squat.

as an aside my seated leg press is 450Kg which I'm over the moon with tbh, considering where i was back 12 months ago

That's a really impressive bench to squat/dead ratio! I'm running PPL at the gym at the moment, enjoying the higher frequency. Would love to start repping 2 plates in a few months, I can push out 3 at a struggle. 180 DL/140 squat feels fine however, so I seem to be the opposite of you!

mattdavis

Interesting stuff. I’m trying to get back into the gym - more for stress relief and general health rather than bulking hugely. Still have ridiculous ambitions of getting back into some sort of old man’s rugby aged 42... 
I do more cardio stuff so am clueless re weights and keep reading conflicting stuff. If you are looking to add some muscle mass without going crazy is it generally better to do fewer reps of heavy weights (eg to the point where you just can’t do another after 5 or so) or be able to do 10-15 where the last couple are a struggle?
any tips? Cheers!

ThorpyFX

mattdavis said:

Interesting stuff. I’m trying to get back into the gym - more for stress relief and general health rather than bulking hugely. Still have ridiculous ambitions of getting back into some sort of old man’s rugby aged 42... 
I do more cardio stuff so am clueless re weights and keep reading conflicting stuff. If you are looking to add some muscle mass without going crazy is it generally better to do fewer reps of heavy weights (eg to the point where you just can’t do another after 5 or so) or be able to do 10-15 where the last couple are a struggle?
any tips? Cheers!

Well.... I’ve trained most of my adult life due to sport, Army and for fun. Due to a catalogue of injuries I lost my edge and flubbed out.... coming back to it is harder than i imagined though. anyway my point is that initially you want to do high reps light weight to get your movements and Technique sorted. Once you are a) moving properly and b) over the horrendous Dom’s from the first few gym visits it’s time to change it up. 

The perceived wisdom is low reps and high weight will cause maximum strength gains.... but this doesn’t work for everyone. For me maximal gains come from pyramid training. I.e. start heavy and go to failure, drop a weight and go to failure.... rinse and repeat till the bars empty. For this training you need a partner, smiths machine or use a machine......

do this on unrelated muscle groups in one session.  Eg legs and back, chest and abs, arms and shoulders.. do more than one type of exercise per muscle group. And make sure the exercises do different parts of the body part being trained. 

Anyway, I’m not an expert but this lot worked for me......

mattdavis

Cheers - helpful insight to the pyramid thing. I’ve only been doing about 3 sets of 10 reps, usually the last few are barely moving. But haven’t had much in the way of pain following - which has made me think I haven’t been doing enough. 

ThorpyFX

mattdavis said:

Cheers - helpful insight to the pyramid thing. I’ve only been doing about 3 sets of 10 reps, usually the last few are barely moving. But haven’t had much in the way of pain following - which has made me think I haven’t been doing enough. 

There’s a theory that muscle strength only increases  through micro tearing and repair. So if you don’t go to failure or do a few extra reps, you don’t cause those tears and therefore don’t make any extra gains.