ahhhh help!!!

[dancehallqueen22]

HEY EVERYONE! I BOUGHT A BARBELL SO THAT I COULD LIFT HEAVIER WEIGHT WHICH I KNOW I CAN IN MY LEGS...WELL I TRIED IT LAST NIGHT WITH S&H AND I HAD SUCH A HARD TIME GETTING THE DAMN THING ON MY NECK!!! YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN ME STRUGGLING TO GET IT UP THERE!!! FUNNY THING IS EVEN WHEN I DID IT STILL WASNT HEAVY ENOUGH FOR MY LEGS!!!! I AM NOT SORE AT ALL TODAY IN THE LEGS....MY SHOULDERS ARE ANOTHER STORY...I ALSO MUST HAVE STRAINED MY NECK TRYING TO GET THE DARN THING UP AND NOW I AM ALL STIFF AND IN PAIN!!! SO WHAT DO I DO?? I KNOW I CAN GO HEAVIER WEIGHT WISE BUT THERE IS NO WAY I CAN GET ANY HEAVIER BARBELL UP THERE...HOW DO YOU GUYS DO IT?? ALSO WHEN CATHE SAYS SHE IS LIFTING 50 POUND BARBELL DOES THAT INCLUDE THE BAR?? THANX IN ADVANCE FOR ALL YOUR GRETA ADVICE WHICH I KNOW I WILL GET CUZ YOU GUYS ARE THE BOMB!!!

 

[kristi]

I have the same problem as you. My solution has been to use dumbbells instead of the barbell. I put one dumbbell on each shoulder. It works. One day I hope my shoulders will be able to handle the weight I need for my legs. In the meantime I use 2 25# dumbbells for legs. I told my husband last week that I would one day like to get a smith machine, right now we don't have any room for any more equipment. Good luck!

 

[Barbie]

I have the same problem - I think that most women do. I use a barbell that has a rubbery coating on it - this really helps my back & shoulders. Buy a barbell pad (they sell them at Walmart) if you don't already have one. Also, try pre-exhausting your legs - rewind the tape and do more leg work with a lower weight. I have noticed, though, that as I've done more strength tapes I have gotten stronger (well that makes sense! LOL)so it has gotten easier to lift that heavy barbell. But I'm really grunting with 50 lbs on my shoulders when I do S & H! I hope this helps a little.

Also, be careful with your neck until it feels better. Don't lift your barbell for at least a few days, and stretch your neck and shoulders gently.

Editing to say: yes, the 50 lbs includes the bar!

 

[Aquajock]

In addition to the suggestions already noted, consider purchasing a weighted vest to wear as well; the weight load will increase without your having to risk shoulder / neck / trap strain while hiking the barbell up and holding it.

Also consider changing the position of the barbell, holding in across your shoulders in front of your neck (hands pretty close together and elbows raised up) rather than the back of the neck. Cathe demonstrates this hold in at least one new workout - Bootcamp - and it might be a good alternative for you.

Just a couple of suggestions -

A-jock

 

[dancehallqueen22]

A WEIGHTED VEST IS A GREAT IDEA!!! THANX AQUAJOCK I NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT THAT!! AND A LIOTTLE PREEXHAUST MIGHT HELP AS WELL...WELL YOU GUYS ARE FULL OF GREAT ADVICE!