5×5 upper body review - I’m a weakling!
Alright, well i am finding that HIIT and lifting don’t go well together. I am hitting the weights harder than I ever have, so when I am done, I am TANKED! Like I’m done for real. And the same goes for HIIT. So, I suppose that it’s lifting and cardio at seperate times of the day now.
I did my 5×5 for upper body for the first time today and I was shocked on many levels. I never work shoulders (bad girl, I know) but I found that my shoulders are stronger than I ever thought they were! My military press wasn’t too bad! I kicked ass on my back, again, but my chest…ooooooh man do I have no chest strength. Which, this is what I don’t get. Even my former trainer was shocked at how strong my back was, but that I could barely do a push-up. How in the world does a person develop their back muscles so well without knowing it? Before anyone says ‘backpack’ know that I haven’t worn one in years.
My bench press was craaaaaappy, but you know what, it’ll get better. I already knew that my left bicep was significantly weaker than my right, and it help true to form today. When they finally even out I’ll feel much better. But, once again, something that will get better in time.
The most important lesson learned today - don’t work shoulders then attempt to do dips. Key word is ‘attempt’ because you body won’t even let you get in the dip position. My shoulders were SHOT! Good feeling though.
Tomorrow is lower body, where I feel like I pretty much reign supreme. But then again, I’m female, so my lower body is pretty much designed to be stronger than my upper body. This workout should go even faster now because I know all my weights for various exercises. Woo hoo! Even though I did no cardio, I feel like I lifted so heavy today that I didn’t need to do any cardio. I was just too damn tired for it - and besides, the gym is a 10 minute walk from my apartment anyway. Isn’t that cardio? 
December 19, 2008 at 10:36 am
strength is mostly genetic. ask evander; lennox was genetically stronger and no matter how much weights evenader lifted he could get as strong as lennox. keep working girl. i like doing HIIT after weights because lifting weights depletes all of the glycogen in your liver and blood stream so when you get to cardio you are tapping into fat reserves immediately. beisdes, HIIT takes only 15-20 mintues so with weights you can be in and out in 60 minutes, weights, cardio and shower.
Rasta.
December 19, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Thank you for the wonderful comment in my blog. You seem so positive. Keep working hard and never doubt yourself. Anyone making a positive change is no weakling, well mentally any way! Good Luck!