Showing posts with label olympic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label olympic. Show all posts

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Deadlifts and I

*Note: This is a personal post, and not related to my usual posts on tips. Achievement is the key word here. 

A lot of men and women assume that I am physically big because I lift heavy weights, but they don't realize that lifting heavy for women would probably will never yield to bulging muscles as for those that bodybuilders have ( that require specified training, diet, dedication, genetics and in extreme cases steroids.)

I probably have achieved my personal best today, which was completely unexpected, while performing my favorite exercise, the deadlift. I have written on why I love the Deadlift, where I go into detail about its benefits and what muscle group it works.

However, today, with a push of a friend, also my soon-to-be personal trainer, I lifted 72.5kgs ~ 159lbs. This would be 10kgs more than the weight I lifted last week! I honestly thought I'd be lifting this amount by June, and would probably reach about 100kgs by December, 2011. My goals have changed and I want to double today's lift by December. I already lift more than my bodyweight as is. Soon it will be 2x my body weight.

I was really proven wrong with my previous misconception on how much I can lift, and I am glad to have been so. Why? Because it amazes me how strong our bodies are, while we hardly ever give it credit for. Our bodies are like a tool, that we either use it for us or against us. It's your body - and you should know what works for you and what doesn't. Know how to push it to the limits - but not to the point of breaking down.

Deadlifts give me this sense of confidence, more than any exercise I have ever done. A lot of people think lifting weights of the floor is easy, it really isn't. It will have you winded in no time & gasping for air like anything, but again it's one exercise that will tell you how strong your whole body is, from legs, to core, to back and arms.

I ain't quitting this baby, here! Imma master the mother of all lifts!

FYI: According to strength standards by exrx, I am currently between an intermediate-advanced level with the deadlifts and it's all done in less than 2 years! Only if I could say the same about, ehm, my squats and presses. *covers face*

After seeing such progress in the past year and four months, I am really considering Olympic/powerlifting more seriously in the sense of including other exercises such as clean & jerk, Snatch...etc. It gives my life...focus. Hell, maybe one day join the olympics, for fun, and break stereotypes! But it has to be female-only event, ha!

I am interested in hearing about other females in the Middle East who are interested in heavy weight lifting, bodybuilding or power/Olympic lifting. Share your stories! Lets fight this misconception of lifting heavy weights = big muscles already! Not that I'd mind a bit of big muscles ;). 

Yours truly,
GymFreak @ 999Fitness.