Let's try that again

[Outdoorfreak]

OK - so let me ask my question in a different way.

All I want to know is how you set goals for how much weight to lift.

Any calculations/formula's you guys use?

I'm a fit and healthy early 40's woman in good shape who probably has different motivation to most - happy with my weight, shape and overall appearance.

My motivation is to simply get stronger and keep progressing (physical benefits aside, the mental challenge is awesome!).

[Monarchking]

All I want to know is how you set goals for how much weight to lift.

A lot of people will set goals for squats, bench and deadlift. It will vary from person to person.

What can you lift now? And make a goal to beat that. Depending on your lv and experience your lifting goals will take shorter or a longer time to complete.

If you can squat 60x5 now, make a goal to squat 70x5 etc etc and adjust your training program to help you get to those goals.

Set small goals that can be beaten within a months cycle and also retarded goals. Example. You can squat 60x5 now. in 3 weeks you could squat 62.5x5. Short goal. But a larger scale long term goal would be 110x5. Dream big but also be realistic and always keep the goal in mind.

im not going to set a goal to Deadlift 300kg if I can only deadlift 190. 200 is a more realistic goal.

does that make sense? lol

[Outdoorfreak]

Yep; it makes sense thanks...that's how I've been making my modest progress to date...

I guess I was just wondering if it's possible to set myself a big long term goal...

Maybe not...hmmm.

I've just started doing lower reps with bigger weights this week to see how it goes...I don't think my chest press 40kg x 10-12 reps x 3 sets is enough to get stronger...what do you think...ha ha.

It's hard as a women to get decent advice on this sort of thing...most chicks at the gym are either terrified of weights or are training for some kind of comp...both groups can lead someone like me astray down dark deadends.

On the upside, two different instructors at the gym have told me the past month my form is excellent, so at least there is something I'm doing ok....ha ha.

Thanks for your help!

[Monarchking]

I guess I was just wondering if it's possible to set myself a big long term goal...

of coarse! Defiantly set a big goal. Something that is going to take a lot of hard work and time to get, dream a little and make it happen!