I’ve noticed this in myself and usually my most unproductive periods in the gym can be traced to this sort of behavior i just wanted to get some feedback on something i considered on my walk back from the gym.
I usually plan my workouts, just a rough upper/lower type thing, nothing fancy at all. Sometimes I just know i’m going to squat and thats it…
whatever else i feel like doing i do.
But there are times when I get a little more detailed. I noticed that if I get over-eager with poundages or sets/reps.
and I have to my adjust these things during my workout, or even worse, I attempt them but I can’t finish or I fail to lift this certain weight or I’m too sore a day after…
I’ve noticed that my next time in the gym, I don’t look forward to it. And often times thats when I want to change things up instead of staying consistent for damn period of time.
for example someone might try to do 20rep squats and start out with a weight they can really only get 5 with and they’re done. It’s hard to add 15 extra reps and be motivated for your training sessions when you know you can’t get your prescribed goal.
But if you go with more manageable weight and work into your intensity you can get away with a lot more.
It seems to me like it’s better to err on the side of undertraining rather than overtraining.
It’s not even really overtraining, its more like, your goals dont meet with your current ability, and trying to take too big of steps limits your progress.
I’m just thinking…
If someone is shooting for 20 but can only get 5 than they haven’t lifted weights long enough to know their abilities and there’s no reason to get frustrated because there’s a learning curve at the beginning regarding one’s abilities.
As far as being sore, that’s part of the game…get use to it.
If something is tough you don’t want to do it again? Well, no shit. Why have deep thoughts about it. If I hit myself with a hammer, it hurts and I don’t want to do it again. However, with lifting, there’s benefits to gain from the pain (not trying to rhyme here) so quit trying to be Socrates and just lift.
[quote]travis7 wrote:
If someone is shooting for 20 but can only get 5 than they haven’t lifted weights long enough to know their abilities and there’s no reason to get frustrated because there’s a learning curve at the beginning regarding one’s abilities.
As far as being sore, that’s part of the game…get use to it.
If something is tough you don’t want to do it again? Well, no shit. Why have deep thoughts about it. If I hit myself with a hammer, it hurts and I don’t want to do it again. However, with lifting, there’s benefits to gain from the pain (not trying to rhyme here) so quit trying to be Socrates and just lift.[/quote]
Best. Post.
It’s good to have a general plan before you walk through the gym doors (muscle group, exercises, rep range) But forget all the little details and just get it done.
also, leave your ego at the door.
Going for 20 reps with a 5RM weight is stupid.
If you try out a new exercise, or one that you haven’t done for several months, you should go leight. See that you perform the exercise with good form. Than, gradually increase the weight.
It took me a couple of months to learn the Rom DL properly and then gradually increase the weight. But now I’m doing them with good form (I hope) and with decent weight. If I had pushed myself to early, I might never have learned proper execution. I could have injured myself or I could have grown to hate the exercise.
Therefore I started low, gradually increased. Every workout a new PR ! ! ! How’s that for motivation. 
I came from a period of frequent injuries but I hope I left that behind me (fingers crossed).