# General Gym Goals **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 17, 2010, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-gym-goals/554068 "2010-09-17T12:37:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Kayeby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de0a6/32.png) [@Kayeby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kayeby)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2010, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-gym-goals/554068/21 "2010-09-20T23:11:01Z")
**Meatros** when you start cutting do you plan on adding weights to compensate for your lost bodyweight when you do pull-ups? My friend has been doing pull-ups and bulking simultaneously, and he’s hoping that the reason he hasn’t been able to add weight is because his increasing bodyweight is enough to make it more difficult for him. So his tentative plan is to keep pulling up 95kg while cutting, and to make up the difference with weights. > [@Meatros](#): > > I like front squats, but I’ve found that my knees are really sore (not really a ‘muscle soreness’) for a few days afterwards. So I’ve cut back on doing them. Do you think this is an indicator that I’m doing them wrong? Hmm, I’m not a squat expert, but I can tell you that my knees are fine doing front squats, though I can definitely feel it more in my quads. Are your knees tracking forward? The only other thing I can think of is that the front squat is more upright than the back squat, and your torso might be leaning forward. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Love](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Dr.Love](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Love)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2010, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-gym-goals/554068/22 "2010-09-24T19:54:30Z")
> [@Meatros](#): > > > [@Dr.Love](#): > > > > My goal is to do the Starting Strength weightlifting program all the way through to the end of the novice stage. I tried this in January, but couldn’t get the form right for the squat or deadlift (I was always putting my lower back into flexion). Went in for the first time today, and I hope to keep doing better this time. > > I tried that program - it’s pretty good. Also, squat and deadlift are _hard_ to perfect, so I feel your pain. If you are interested, Eric Cressey has some stuff out on how to perfect the squat. I’d imagine that he also has some videos on deadlifting as well. Now I’m a week’s worth of lifting in. I’m curious about your impressions of the program, do you have anything specific to say about it? ---
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2010, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-gym-goals/554068/23 "2010-09-24T20:29:14Z")
> [@Dr.Love](#): > > > [@Meatros](#): > > > > I tried that program - it’s pretty good. Also, squat and deadlift are _hard_ to perfect, so I feel your pain. If you are interested, Eric Cressey has some stuff out on how to perfect the squat. I’d imagine that he also has some videos on deadlifting as well. > > Now I’m a week’s worth of lifting in. I’m curious about your impressions of the program, do you have anything specific to say about it? Actually I was mistaken - I’ve tried Strong Lifts 5X5, which is similar to Rippletoe’s starting strength. There are no cleans with SL’s program. So, my mistake. The fundamental similarity, IIRC, is basically you are squatting, benching, and deadlifting/rowing/cleaning 3X’s a week. I had a lot of success with SL 5X5 and would give SS a shot. ---
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2010, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-gym-goals/554068/24 "2010-10-14T20:03:48Z")
> [@Meatros](#): > > My Goals: > By 10-18-2010 > Weight: 240 > B: 275 x 1 > S: 275 x 1 > D: 315 x 1 Update: I’ve gotten all the strength goals for 10-18 and my weight is 243.8. I’m not sure if I’ll make the 240 goal by next week…We will see… ---
**Author:** ![Coil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Coil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coil)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2010, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-gym-goals/554068/25 "2010-10-14T20:43:18Z")
I do not have any goals as such for my gym training. I have been going to the gym quite a lot this year. I think I am up to 90 times at the gym this year add to that fencing, some running and skiing and I’m averaging 3-4 times per week of some physical activity (not counting the bike ride to work since it’s just 15 minutes). I do keep track of what weight I am lifting in my program for each excercise so I can certainly see a lot of progress in terms of how much heavier weights I am using now compared to the first time. It feels really good though and I can certainly see more muscles. I have also received a lot of positive comments from friends who have noticed it. My goal is to keep up the training and perhaps add some running or maybe go to spinning classes to get some cardio in there as well. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-gym-goals/554068.md?page=1)