Bah, I don’t count the weight in cable work. I just go til my brains mush ~ Plate counting is easier imo. Quickly someone lock the thread.
I really don’t see the big deal between distinguishing plate counters and poundage counters. You can call the plate counters pretentious jerks for thinking they’re so strong they’ve surpassed moving up by any increment of weight that isn’t made in 45 pound plates.
Then you can call people who count the weight jerks for wanting to know the weight they’re lifting so they can tell everyone OR you can call them pussies for using plates that don’t all weigh 45 pounds.
But we’re all missing the point…making fun of people who don’t count the weight of the bar in their lifts because they think they’re so badass that the extra 45 pounds isn’t even, like, there.
My teacher said there was no such thing as dumb question.
Lying ass bitch!!!
I count all the weight on the bar. After each set, I vacuum the bar and sift any dust or small particles onto a balance that is calibrated to .0001g. I also make sure to account for variations in air pressure that might weigh more heavily on the bar. This way, I can keep making progress!
[quote]Professor X wrote:
Most people not trying to impress anyone simply count plates unless they are involved in a powerlifting meet, and that is simply for their own tracking of progress. [/quote]
I think most is probably overstating it. I’ve trained in a bunch of different gyms over the years and never met anyone who referred simply to plates rather than weight.
But it doesn’t matter, regardless.
To answer the other guy’s question: No, I don’t include the machine weight because, for the machines I use, I don’t know whow much weight there is unloaded.
That’s just a personality thing, though. It would bug me to have the wrong weight down if I were to simply guess. In practical terms it doesn’t make any difference.
[quote]jtrinsey wrote:
I count all the weight on the bar. After each set, I vacuum the bar and sift any dust or small particles onto a balance that is calibrated to .0001g. I also make sure to account for variations in air pressure that might weigh more heavily on the bar. This way, I can keep making progress![/quote]
me too! small world…
JWJordan,
I’ve met people who count plates as described, but only on a few exercises, like Leg Press where they pile on plates. These guys don’t increase their bench press by 90 pounds each time they bust through a plateau, and therefore need a more specific way to track what they use.
Airtruth,
Don’t slam your teacher too much. I’ve spent a lot of time in front of classrooms. My experience tells me there are no stupid questions, only stupid people.
[quote]jtrinsey wrote:
I count all the weight on the bar. After each set, I vacuum the bar and sift any dust or small particles onto a balance that is calibrated to .0001g. I also make sure to account for variations in air pressure that might weigh more heavily on the bar. This way, I can keep making progress![/quote]
Dont forget to take into account minor fluctuations in gravity and the current lunar cycle.
What about weighted dips / pullups etc?? I’m assuming most people don’t include the weight of their bodies when tracking 45lb weighted dips, for example.
and for the OP, the term “balance” doesn’t just mean that the bar is balanced, it means that it counteracts the weight you are lifting. for assisted pullups, for example, if you have weight that helps you, that weight is a counterweight … much like a big weight used to counter the weight of an elevator.
Because doing lat pulldowns, you aren’t pulling the bar down, gravity is doing it for you. The only thing you’re doing is pulling up the weight that pulldown bar is attached to, allowing the bar to come down. Curls you would count the ~2 pound handle if that’s your thing.
By the looks of this, I wouldn’t be suprised that the words “common sense” dissapear from society within twenty years.
Then you shouldnt count the weight of the plates either because they “counter” each other out too.
[quote]Professor X wrote:
Most people not trying to impress anyone simply count plates unless they are involved in a powerlifting meet, and that is simply for their own tracking of progress. I never even used the term, “405lbs” until I first explained it to someone else who wasn’t involved in my training at all. Other than that, it was simple, “4 plates a side”.[/quote]
X,
I’m surprised to hear you say this.
I know you understand the importance of counting weight for powerlifting, and maybe from a bodybuilding perspective you aren’t as worried about the actual weight as much as the feel.
However, for anyone that’s involved in any of the strength sports or athletics, I believe keeping track of progress is extremely important. In which case it is much easier to say 470lbs than it is to say 4 plates, a 25, a 5, and a 2 1/2 per side.
Just my .02
look!! its elvis
I don’t. It is easier keeping track of the plates I use for each lift. I keep a whiteboard on the wall to jot down my excercises, sets, reps etc. I really don’t care how much I lift. I lift weights that are heavy for me. Not counting the bar, both BB and DB makes it easier. I really only want to track my progession. Just my 2 cents.
I’ve been training in different gyms. 4 plates doesn’t mean the same much weight in every place since the bar varies. So using the whole plate approach is rather useless unless you are a baboon who can’t count. Of course I use the metric system which might make it easier. I wonder when England and the US will convert to logic.
I’m with X on this one. My bench is four plates. My deadlift is five plates. Of course I can calculate it to exact numbers if I need to but for the most part I’m only concerned with adding plates. The smaller numbers inbetween the plates are merely things to overcome before reaching the next plate.
That being said, yes you count the bar when you count the total weight of the lift.
[quote]Modi wrote:
Professor X wrote:
Most people not trying to impress anyone simply count plates unless they are involved in a powerlifting meet, and that is simply for their own tracking of progress. I never even used the term, “405lbs” until I first explained it to someone else who wasn’t involved in my training at all. Other than that, it was simple, “4 plates a side”.
X,
I’m surprised to hear you say this.
I know you understand the importance of counting weight for powerlifting, and maybe from a bodybuilding perspective you aren’t as worried about the actual weight as much as the feel.
However, for anyone that’s involved in any of the strength sports or athletics, I believe keeping track of progress is extremely important. In which case it is much easier to say 470lbs than it is to say 4 plates, a 25, a 5, and a 2 1/2 per side.
Just my .02
[/quote]
I’m sorry, but where the hell did I write that I don’t keep track of what I lift? Why would I need to keep track of it beyond the number of 45lbs plates on the bar? I simply HAVE to constantly state out loud exactly how much I am lifting plus the weight of the bar? I don’t have 5lbs plates on the bar and have never used a 2.5lbs plate in my life.
If you happen to be that guy who loads the bar with 10lbs plates when they could have simply grabbed a 35lbs plate, then you are the source of much frustration when I have to unload all of that crap whenever it is left on the bar.
Everyone isn’t at the same strength level and not all of us go up in such small graduations. For someone so involved in “strength sports”, you sure seem lost on that one.
[quote]ill wrote:
I’ve been training in different gyms. 4 plates doesn’t mean the same much weight in every place since the bar varies. So using the whole plate approach is rather useless unless you are a baboon who can’t count. Of course I use the metric system which might make it easier. I wonder when England and the US will convert to logic.[/quote]
This is getting retarded. Why the fuck would someone need to bench press in several different gyms so often to the point that they can’t keep track mentally of the weight they are lifting? What gyms are you going to where olympic bars weigh different weights?
[quote]Professor X wrote:
Modi wrote:
Professor X wrote:
Most people not trying to impress anyone simply count plates unless they are involved in a powerlifting meet, and that is simply for their own tracking of progress. I never even used the term, “405lbs” until I first explained it to someone else who wasn’t involved in my training at all. Other than that, it was simple, “4 plates a side”.
X,
I’m surprised to hear you say this.
I know you understand the importance of counting weight for powerlifting, and maybe from a bodybuilding perspective you aren’t as worried about the actual weight as much as the feel.
However, for anyone that’s involved in any of the strength sports or athletics, I believe keeping track of progress is extremely important. In which case it is much easier to say 470lbs than it is to say 4 plates, a 25, a 5, and a 2 1/2 per side.
Just my .02
I’m sorry, but where the hell did I write that I don’t keep track of what I lift? Why would I need to keep track of it beyond the number of 45lbs plates on the bar? I simply HAVE to constantly state out loud exactly how much I am lifting plus the weight of the bar? I don’t have 5lbs plates on the bar and have never used a 2.5lbs plate in my life.
If you happen to be that guy who loads the bar with 10lbs plates when they could have simply grabbed a 35lbs plate, then you are the source of much frustration when I have to unload all of that crap whenever it is left on the bar.
Everyone isn’t at the same strength level and not all of us go up in such small graduations. For someone so involved in “strength sports”, you sure seem lost on that one.[/quote]
Typical response. Over the top as usual, but I’ll bite.
My original intention was simply to say it is easier to write down a number than it is to write down the number of plates, if it is not an even 3,4 or 5 plates.
I didn’t say you did or did not keep track of your weights. I even acknowledged that you understood the importance of keeping track of weights as it pertains to weight lifting.
I know you are not one to go around bragging about numbers. I also know that your style of training is fairly advanced in regards to listening to your body, rest requirements, nutrition, etc.
However, if you think that hitting a PR by 5 or 10lbs is not a worthwhile goal, then we disagree here. I would venture to guess that the majority of people on this site do care about getting stronger, and they don’t just measure it by the number of 45lb plates on the bar, but measure it by how many pounds total are on the bar.
Aside from trying to get a response out of me, I don’t know why you would imply that I load the bar up with a bunch of 10lb plates. That’s a pretty silly accusation. I want to add 45’s as much as the next person, but if it takes smaller increments to get there, then that’s what it takes.
For someone who usually gives good advice, you seem to have gone a bit overboard on this one.