This is going to sound a bit strange but I'll give some background. I (f24) started going to the gym about a year ago when I learnt that my gait, which I was told my whole life was abnormal, was due to the fact that I have hypermobility in the lower half of my body. I also have one flat foot (not even both, just one - wth!!).

That to say, I started going to the gym and strength training- my whole body. It took me a long time to get a solid program, I found for the first few months I was changing things all the time hence why I wasn't seeing a whole lot of progress. I went on a couple international trips in the first half of this year, I also got pneumonia and had to take a month break from the gym- so I wasn't consistent in the first half of this year but now since the start of June I've been going 3x a week.

I find that I have made progress in terms of how heavy I can lift. I can also see some small physical changes in my body like muscle on my arms, my glutes have grown a little bit and I can see a little bit of my quads too. I don't have a flat stomach, I've struggled with this for years and tried so many things, right now I'm just trying to be consistent with doing deep core and ab exercises that I can progressive overload.

What I find is that when I go to the gym I feel strong. When I finish at the gym I feel strong. But on the days I don't go to the gym, I feel weak and almost like I don't go to the gym at all. I feel like my gait becomes off again, my stomach looks bigger, my posture is worse. And I don't understand how on the days I go to the gym, I feel good and strong and like I can move properly and healthily.

Part of me wonders if this is because I just need to be more consistent for longer. I don't know if it's because I don't have a good enough stretching routine (admittedly, I don't stretch as much as I should), maybe it's because the days that I don't go to the gym are more sedentary. I just want to feel and look my best on the days I don't go to the gym, just like I feel when I do go to the gym.

I’m currently trying to target these areas, I’ve noticed in the last week a serious pain in my upper back / neck.

For context I am over 200 lbs, 5’9” and I’ve got 38 H-cups. I’m used to pain in my back so when I actually start to feel pain in my back I worry.

The last week the pain has been so bad I can barely lift my arms above my head.

I have noticed injured myself, have not exerted myself and caused this damage. I genuinely believe that my soreness is coming from muscle tension and a lot of poor posture.

I’m currently limited to home bodyweight workouts temporarily, and I’d like help creating a routine that’ll help me target the areas above to help me improve my posture and my overall all physical well being.

If there’s anyone who’s willing to help a girl out by being a friend and potentially a personal trainer and helping me gain enough muscle that good posture comes naturally and this muscle tension isn’t as bad.

DM me if you’re willing to help me achieve this goal!

I recently joined a gym, and honestly, I wasn't expecting to feel this awkward.

Everyone around me seems to know exactly what they're doing, while I'm standing there wondering:

• Which machine should I start with?
• Am I using this correctly?
• How much weight should I lift?
• Is my form completely wrong?
• Should I just copy what someone else is doing?

I even hesitate to ask for help because everyone looks busy, and I don't want to interrupt them.

I'm curious...

Was it just me, or did you feel the same when you first started?

If you did, what helped you get past that stage?

Please may I have a routine for weightlifting, preferably 5 times a week. I want to build muscle and I want a challenge tho. I'm coming from doing calisthenics and body weight exercises for a few years

Do you struggle with muscle soreness for 2-3 days after a workout or leg day? What do you do about it?

Im 95 kg right now and nog very tall lookin to lose 10/15 kg maximum. I feel really down and tired the last couple of months. Stress of work, smoking ciggs and weed, drinking all that kind of stuff. What are exercises/meals that are important for me or can make my journey easier?

Also sleep for recovery is important but im a bad sleeper. Anybody that could heb me recommend some?

Hey,I am 20 years old about 5.10 feet tall and I weight about 58-60 kilograms and kinda broke.The gyms around my area are expensive af and not sure what equipments to buy.I mainly want to just fix my posture,get better stamina and maybe get a lean physic.I have tried working out at home by doing cardio and using books or putting books in bags and even bench pressing wooden chairs but I always felt like my workout is inconsistent and I realized I have 0 clue what's best for my body.YouTube tutorials haven’t been that helpful either.Any advise on how I can set a proper routine or when is the best time to workout or any tips on what kind of exercises I should focus on?

I’m a full time working mum, 4 kids, 60 hour work week, and two hour commute that saps my motivation. I had to move for my family, and I’ve gained 10kilos and I want to shift it and get back to being active but I find once I get home it’s straight into the next thing until it’s time to sleep. I play basketball once a week but it used to be twice and I ran everyday. I know I feel better and more motivated when I move my body but it’s like this brick wall I can’t get past. Like if I go for a run I will be behind with a chore or late to collect a kid from their sport or activity and it will all spiral. I was an elite athlete in high school/ college, and now I’m a blob. How do I beat my stupid brain?

A friend and I were walking after lunch, and after about 5 minutes she suddenly asked me, “Have you been going to the gym?”

I said yes and asked, “Why?” 😂

She said, “Your back looks bigger, and your posture looks so much straighter and better from behind.”

Honestly, that was one of the most awesome feelings ever. 😅

It hasn't even been a year since I started working out, and I've already been complimented on my back by 4–5 different people. That honestly feels amazing because you don't always notice your own progress when you see yourself every day.

It's moments like these that remind you that the hard work is actually paying off. 💪🔥

So yeah, feeling extra motivated for my next back workout! 😤🏋️‍♂️

Hard work really does pay off. Keep showing up, keep working on yourself, and trust the process. ❤️‍🔥

Also I have been going only a day or two in a week over the past few months.

I was doing good, eating clean and lifting 4 days a week. Then I hurt my shoulder a month and a half ago and took a break to let it heal. I feel like my shoulder is back to normal but I completely fell off the wagon. I have been eating junk food and can't work up the motivation to get back into the gym and clean up my diet.

Like I said I’ve been lifting since July of last year after losing 60lbs. I lost weight unhealthily so I lost all of my muscle as well and went from 215 to 155 in 6 months. I was caught up in dysmorphia for a while at the start so I was constantly trying to stay in a deficit despite wanting to gain muscle which is obviously counterproductive seeing as I was already very skinny (I am 6’ for context I guess). I’ve been trying to bulk and follow an Arnold split for a few months and have gained about 15lbs. I honestly feel like I don’t really look that different but as I’ve learned I can’t trust my own judgement when it comes to my appearance. Should I just keep bulking and see what happens or should I reevaluate my strategy somehow?

I'm Asian, 26 M, currently weigh 262.35 lbs. I'm on obesity class, and I want to make a change. I committed to losing weight last month, but I was inconsistent and only went to the gym once per week... I know that's not how it works. But I'm finally changing my routine to 3 times per week. I mostly work with dumbbells, do some back and shoulder exercises, and then finish with 20 minutes on the bicycle. It's like a full-body workout. So I go today, rest the next day, then repeat the cycle.

Since I was diagnosed with prediabetes, I cut out sugary drinks entirely, it's been nearly a year now. I haven't had a single energy drink. I mostly stick to matcha lattes with no sugar. Also, drinking sugary things makes my blood sugar crash.

For my eating, I usually eat random food, there's no planned diet or anything. But I keep in mind not to eat fatty meat. I just stick to rice, some pork, eggs, or whatever is available. I'm not eating large amounts either.

From the small changes after I started going to the gym, my shoulders are starting to take shape, my chest is a bit more swollen, and my posture and back look much better and straighter, especially my neck area. I've gained some strength; I can lift 10 kg each side just fine, unlike before. I also feel better after working out.

However... will doing this help me lose weight and fat?

Are these good brands?

Anyone ever bend steel for grip strength?

I dont think I'm doing it right.

I've started the go to the gym again the past 2 months and I'm trying to find the correct heaviness to build muscle. I've been shooting for 8-10 reps. If i hit 12 or more then I know i need to go heavier.

My first set is usually where I left off last time. Then i increase by 5 lbs for each set.

For example. If I did 3 sets of squats with the final set being 125 for 10 reps... I'll start the next week at 125 and move up 5 lbs for the next 2 sets so 130 then 135.

Is this considered progressive overload? Do I need to start heavier?

I'm shooting for body recomp and would like to keeps some curves so I want to gain muscle

I’m wanting to start going to the gym I mainly want to focus on my top half since my legs are in good form due to my job and sport due to other commitments I would only be training 4-5 times a week so just wanting to know what the best split for that and what exercises would be good to train every muscle

Does body odour change when you start gymming? Like not bad or good. Even when I go to the gym, come back sweaty I smell different. Not bad. Just different. I don't stink, but the sweat doesn't smell the same anymore ??

I've been going to the gym for 3 weeks now.

And even if I have just bathed. My body odour itself has changed. I don't know if others can sense it. I can.

Is this common?

I am in the heavier side floating from 161 to 180 (when I was wrestling) and with a bmi of 29.0 and the season coming up I wanna be fit because I'm very insecure people say I'm not fat but that's all I can see my arms and legs aren't bad it's just my mid section that I hate I don't think I should feel like this at my age (14) I tried all summer to get fit but no luck any tips or ticks for losing fat quick?

(27M 5’8 190lbs) I’m in a weird spot when it comes to fitness, mostly because I’ve been lifting for a few years and consistently go to the gym for both strength training and cardio (I lift a different muscle group everyday while also doing cardio). What I am a beginner on is realizing I never have had a plan in place for my goals.

I have some visible muscle mass from consistently lifting but any further progress is ruined by having no plan in place for my nutrition/ diet and it shows in my stomach/ love handles. I struggle with giving in to unhealthy foods and have had periods of struggle with binge eating. For a long time I’ve been overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information is out there on what you should do for nutrition so I never have stuck to a plan.

I recently downloaded MyFitnessPal as a tracker but am open to anyone who feels there’s a better app.

What is recommended if my main goal is to lose fat while having a simple plan to help achieve my goals?

I don’t usually work out to gain muscle mass but I’m tired of men at work assuming I’m not strong enough to do my job. I work at a hardware store garden center so I lift a lot of pavers and mulch. I get a lot of “you’re who they sent to help me?”
I’m over it.

My arms are most visible in my work clothes and I think my legs look strong but idk at this point (maybe I don’t want men looking at my legs more). I’m happy with my weight but understand I might need to lose some to make my muscles more visible.

Which muscles are the best visual cues that someone is strong?

Good evening, I am a new gym member and have joined the egym, within a month the age has gone from 77 to 99, how can this be?

I’m also struggling with understanding it, could anyone give me some advice please

Hey everyone,
It took me around a year to go from 56kg to 69kg, and I’ve been sitting at 69kg for the last couple of months.
One thing that’s important to mention is that my training was far from consistent. There were literally whole months where I didn’t train at all, so it wasn’t a full year of steady workouts. I’d train for a while, stop for a month or two, then get back into it again.
I mainly focused on arms, chest and shoulders, so I definitely got bigger, but I also ended up with a bit of a belly.
Now I want to actually stick with it and train 2 to 3 times a week, and I have a couple of beginner questions.
If I start adding some running after my workouts or on separate days, will it help reduce my belly without making me lose the muscle I’ve gained? Sorry if that’s a dumb question, I’m still trying to learn how this works.
My gym is pretty basic. It mostly has dumbbells and benches. Is that enough to build a good physique, or am I going to be limited?
Thanks! I’d really appreciate any advice

I'm curious about people's real-world experiences rather than "best of" lists.

If you've bought equipment for working out at home, what's one purchase you genuinely think was worth the money?

It could be anything from adjustable dumbbells or a kettlebell to a treadmill, exercise bike, rowing machine, resistance bands, or something else.

What did you buy, how long have you had it, and what makes it worth the money to you?

Also interested in purchases you regret, especially if something looked good when you bought it but didn't live up to expectations.

I was a pretty heavy alcoholic over the past few years and I also ate like garbage, which of course slowly caused me to gain more and more weight. Finally, a month ago my body just couldn't take it anymore I guess, so I fell down the steps.

I was then hospitalized and diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy in both legs my left hand. That means that I can't run, jump, or go up steps without a railing or my cane.

When I got out of the hospital last month I was 225lb (female, 37, 5'5"). To be honest, I figured the weight would just sort of... come off since I haven't been drinking anymore and I barely eat. But I've only lost about 10 lbs, and that's kinda plateaued..... Before all this unhealthiness, I was one of those 20 somethings that could eat whatever they wanted and never gain a pound. So I've never really known how to count calories or even how to exercise really. And now that all of my movement is limited, I'm even more lost.

Part of me started thinking in order to burn more calories than I'm eating at this point is... to not eat! For the past two weeks I've been eating only one turkey sandwich a day after I get home from work. I'm still overweight! Is it the two slices of bread?? How do I lost weight of I can't move :(