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What am I doing wrong?

mark_varte Posts: 22 Joined: 2005/08/25	2005/10/10, 05:57 AM Hi, I have been following the programs on ft and its been a big help to me. But I have a problem. Whenever I try to work my chest, shoulders and back, its always my arms that gets tired first. Recently I discovered that my forearms were doing most of the work thus the target areas did not get any workout. As instructed, I tried to imagine that the weights are suspended from my elbows. It hepled somewhat but now I find that my upper arms get tired whereas the target areas doesn't feel worked out much. I follow the instructions carefully, I print them out and carry them to the gym everytime. Can someone help me please?
mikencharleston Posts: 1,585 Joined: 2002/01/09	2005/10/10, 08:10 AM Try dropping the weight to make sure you're hitting the target area and don't work arms before the major body parts. Even with a small weight, you can get the "feel" for isolating whatever you're working, then go up in weight. -------------- Mike in Pensacola Now.
Carivan Posts: 8,542 Joined: 2002/01/20	2005/10/10, 07:39 PM Exactly what Mike said, lower the weight, it is obviously too heavy. -------------- Scales are for dead weight: We are not dead yet! Still trying to find out how to do the Hollywood Free Press. Ivan Montreal Canada
michelle9510 Posts: 172 Joined: 2005/07/14	2005/10/10, 07:52 PM would pre-exhausting the above muscle groups be helpful?
mikencharleston Posts: 1,585 Joined: 2002/01/09	2005/10/10, 08:54 PM Sure Michelle, but he's having problems getting the feel for the movement. When starting out some people have a tendency to work the arms instead of chest. -------------- Mike in Pensacola Now.
mark_varte Posts: 22 Joined: 2005/08/25	2005/10/11, 04:57 AM Guys, Thanks so much. I lowered the weights to 5 kgs yesterday and i really felt it. I could feel the chest muscles tightening up and this morning there was a little bit of soreness in the area. But that just means the area is getting properly worked out. 5 kgs felt really light but I did more reps, 20+. And it really did the trick. I just can't wait to workout my back now. Any more tips you could share? Man, this community is by far the best I've ever belonged to.
kieas Posts: 41 Joined: 2005/05/19	2005/10/13, 11:30 AM I had the exact same problem when I started this summer. Its all about developing technique, even if your using a machine. Your body is likely also developing more nerve connections so you can control these muscles better than you could before. At the beginning it might be your instinct to do everything with your arms instead of using those pecs. Do arm work outs, even though theyre tired from your chest work out. Theyll get stronger, and youll spend time focusing on what it feels like to use that muscle. Then when you do your chest work out, visualize your chest muscles. Make sure you looked at diagrams so you know excatly how wide they are. Concentrate on that muscle while you work out and gradually youll notice the load being carried by your pecs and not your arms. Weight lifting seems to require a little skill too. :surprised::big_smile:
Carivan Posts: 8,542 Joined: 2002/01/20	2005/10/13, 11:34 AM Form and technique is more important than quantity. You can get hurt with quantity. -------------- Scales are for dead weight: We are not dead yet! Still trying to find out how to do the Hollywood Free Press. Ivan Montreal Canada