What is Normal?
I am wonderful what is "normal". What is the expected weights I should be able to do based on my size, weight, frame, and experience.
I workout six days a week and have since November only missing three weeks to a broken rib back in April. I have no other woman to compare it to as the only others who seriously lift are guys and I don’t even come close to the weights they use.
I am five feet two and weight 106. I have a small frame (five inch wrist and wear a size 3 ring to give you an idea how small boned I am)
Here is what I can do:
Dumbbell Curl - 15lbs each hand. I can do a few reps at 20# but it hurts my wrists
I have done up to 60# on the curl machine. Started out at 5# dumbbells
Leg Press - 300 - (290-310 last week 10 reps) Started at 60#
Barbell Squat - 120. Started with 45#
Shoulder Press - 55 - definitely a weak area. Started at 15.
Bench Press - 70 (I’ve done 75) Started out around 25# on the chest machine until I could press the empty bar (45#)
Lat Pulldown - 100lbs. Started out at 50.
Seated Row - between 60-70. Started at 25.
One arm row 25lbs. Started at 8#
Tricep Overhead Ext. 35# Started at 12#
Tricep Machine Up to 60#
Push ups - Most at one time 55. Ave about 36 in a row. STarted at doing them on my knees (girly pushups) not sure how many I started with.
Pull ups - 10 in a row…none at the beginning.
I’ve obviously have made progress but I have a feeling I am being limited by my frame. My wrists are definitely my weakest point. I haven’t tried wrapping them for support yet.
September 14, 2008 at 1:58 pm
MY wife is 5′1 and after a couple years of working at it I think she can probably do 10 pullups, which seems outstanding to me! 55 "man" pushups in one set is impressive as well. Keep up the good work!
September 14, 2008 at 7:39 pm
check with Dawnmelanie, she is 3" taller and has you by 20 lbs, but has MS, so that should even you out. If you are lifting like her, you will be doing great.
September 20, 2008 at 4:11 pm
55 pushups at one time: I would presume that to be 84.1% more than the general public can do. So, at the end of the day, I must go on to say that the question regarding "normal" is moot: As you my friend, passed normal many moons ago! Congrats!!
September 21, 2008 at 6:26 pm
question is do you want to lift a ton of weight or look like you can lift a ton of weight…. from looking at your stats and your profiles pics I’d say you can lift well more than most of the women out there. and you look great.. well great might not be prorper.. i’d say you look excellent (which is better than great).. so keep that smile working and keep your progress moving that is outstanding really