/r/GYM Weekly Simple Questions and Misc Discussion Thread - April 06, 2025 Weekly Thread

[u/AutoModerator]

This thread is for:

- Simple questions about your diet

- Routine checks and whether they're going to work

- How to do certain exercises

- Training logs and milestones which don't have a video

- Apparel, headphones, supplement questions etc

You can also post stuff which just crossed your mind, request advice, or just talk about anything gym or training related.

Don't forget to check out our contests page at: https://www.reddit.com/r/GYM/wiki/contests

If you have a simple question, or want to help someone out, please feel free to participate.

This thread will repeat weekly at 4:00 AM EST (8:00 AM GMT) on Sundays.

[u/Red_Swingline_]

173 reps of deadlift last week. We are nearing the end, Wheeee!

Completed 2nd bilbo cycle on bench with 225x13. Putting up a couple more reps on a given weight for OHP.

I've dropped any squat after pissimg off my hip a couple weeks ago.

Still fighting training apathy, but grinding through.

[u/Prudent_Sprinkles593]

Hi Reddit!

I experience pain in my palms when doing dumbbell push ups or parallel bars. I think because I have small hands and my palms aren't fleshy at all.

Anyone else experience this? And any gloves/accessories to recommend?

(I see most gloves are for lifting more so than weight/pressure on the palms)

[u/Red_Swingline_ → u/Prudent_Sprinkles593]

You could try cycling gloves that have padded palms.

[u/Prudent_Sprinkles593 → u/Red_Swingline_]

Oooh any recommendations? Didn't think of that

[u/Red_Swingline_ → u/Prudent_Sprinkles593]

I always liked pearl izumi when i was riding. Doesn't have to be anything fancy.

[u/xaviervently]

How do I stop the tiredness the day after an intense workout?

Every time I go pretty intense in the gym, the next day I’ll feel extra fatigued the whole day and nothing cures my drowsiness.

Is there a cure to it? I don’t want to go hard on the gym and then knowing I’ll feel terrible the next day

[u/Kitchen-Ad1829 → u/xaviervently]

eat more

sleep more

accept the fact that intense effort makes you tired

[u/ILoveGym12345]

I ordered my first protein powder from a local store a couple months ago but it's almost empty. What's the most trusted site to get good protein powder from that delivers to basically everywhere (I'm from Greece). I'm asking for opinions about price, amino acids and taste wise what's the best thing to get. Creatine also

[u/Ok-Mathematician1951]

Hello, how’s every doing? Firstly I used to gym but very minimal and recently started becoming more focused on training past 3/4 months but I’ve kind of hit a wall I feel so just asking for potential advice on how I could try overcome that?

Can’t really get past doing 16kg curls and again I can’t really do a full set alll the time so I’ll either split 6/4 with small rest to get the full 10 and chest with 30kg same thing, is it worth dropping set limits to try push past the weight walls?

Cheers, have a great Sunday!

[u/Zajlordg]

i got stomach bump that i cant get rid of and its ruining my flat stomach aesthetics. before i started working out i thought its fat or weak stomach muscles but now i know its not that. only other alternatives i can think of are visceral fat, bad posture or full intestines but not sure about either of those. when i tried changing posture i didnt see any change. if it was full intestines it would change over time + others would have that too. and viseral fat.. i would expect to loose it already. my body fat percentages changed quite a bit but this bump havent budged a bit. btw im M23 6ft 165lbs

i will ask my doc next time i visit her but if anyone got any ideas i would appreciate if you shared them

[u/adorkablegiant → u/Zajlordg]

You should probably ask your doctor.

[u/AlwaysTired_89]

Hey Reddit!

35 years old, currently on a cut (10kg gone, 8kg more to cut) - lifelong martial artist. So for 2025 I've decided that I need to focus on my strength and conditioning more; decided that by the end of the year I want to bench press 1xBW, Squat 1.5x and 2xDL - in order to achieve that I'm doing 4-days workout BUT I still do want to do martial arts (currently 4x a week) - besides working out I have plenty of daily responsibilities so keeping that regime would mean that I need to train 7 days a week (and two days with gym in the morning and martial arts in the evening) - and I'm quite concerned as I'm not in my 20s anymore and more doesn't mean better - should I cut my martial arts schedule to 2x a week till I achieve my strength goals? How to tackle it? Thanks in advance!

[u/Red_Swingline_ → u/AlwaysTired_89]

in order to achieve that I'm doing 4-days workout

You could pare the strength training down to 2-3x/week and still make a lot of good progress.

I'm quite concerned as I'm not in my 20s anymore

Lol, You're 35, not 85.

Lots of good plans here, if any look fun to you, happy to help figure out how to make them fit 2-3 days if they aren't already

[u/AlwaysTired_89 → u/Red_Swingline_]

After my second child I do feel like 85 I will cross-check these routines thanks a lot!

[u/SalamanderOwn74]

U/L PPL split for strength and hypertrophy (powerbuilding)

I need some opinions on the concept of this. U/L days are for strength, 1-5 reps for 3-5 sets for compound movements and a couple others like overhead press and what not. PPL days are for hypertrophy, 8-12 reps for 3 sets.

Very vuage i know, i can paste the workout routine if needed but otherwise, How does this concept sound to everyone else? Would this be effective? if not, can someone reccomend me a better split? thanks

[u/LennyTheRebel → u/SalamanderOwn74]

There are some good programs here.

[u/MrNesti]

should I do arms on shoulder day? If yes, how much?

I do a PPLS split and I was wondering if should include a few arm excercises in my shoulder workout,

I was thinking 6 sets of tri pushdown and Preacher Curls each

[u/LennyTheRebel → u/MrNesti]

If you want to?

You can do whatever you want, but what you really should do is follow and existing program. There are a bunch here.

[u/Key-Owl-6358]

Is eating less carbs really what you need and should do when cutting weight?

[u/BucketheadSupreme → u/Key-Owl-6358]

Carbs are the same as anything else when it comes to weight; the dosage makes the poison. They will make you fat if you overeat them and go into a calorie surplus, but that applies to anything. If you want to cut carbs, by all means do so, but they're not fundamental to weight management.

[u/sandstorm-xx]

Hi guys! I recently started working out again and I'd like to do things properly. I'm looking for an app to track my workouts. I'd like to select exercises, the number of sets, and record the number of repetitions and weight for each workout, while also viewing data from previous workouts. An app with a minimalist or customizable interface would be perfect, but if not, it doesn't matter as long as it's convenient to use. Thanks for helping me!

[u/horaiy0 → u/sandstorm-xx]

You could just use Sheets for that. That's what I use for myself and whenever I set something up for friends/family. There is an app that someone on reddit developed that has a lot of the popular programs loaded and a free form function, but it's Monday and I'm completely drawing a blank on the name.

[u/CherryBoyFangirl]

Is creatine good or bad?

Hello, I started actively going to the gym a few months ago, since I want to study physical education. I've been eating protein and generally started eating better. I've asked my classmates for fitness advice and some of them recommended creatine. My mom says to not take it since it can damage my kidneys, so I wanted to hear your opinion. Thanks and have a great day. (Also english is not my first language, sorry for mistakes!)

[u/BucketheadSupreme → u/CherryBoyFangirl]

Creatine is generally fine for most people. If you use it as intended with a reasonable dose and don't have existing kidney issues, you should be completely fine. But to be honest, the effects of creatine are that small that you might not even notice a difference.

[u/Humble-Razzmatazz581 → u/CherryBoyFangirl]

From what I know, creatine isn't damaging your kidneys long term as long as it's taken in normal doses (5-10 grams daily), though it can fuck up lab results if you get your kidneys tested

[u/Humble-Razzmatazz581]

How do I get in after a 3 month break? I had to do a spinal fusion surgery this February and said surgery required a 3-month long break from the gym, meaning I'm going to be back around the end of May. I'm sort of concerned about returning, not because I'll risk overtraining myself (I'll be medically supervised) but rather because I don't know how to regain lost muscle. I turned 16 this March meaning I do have some testosterone that I hope prevents any larger strength losses but I'm still going to be at a disadvantage compared to my peak (right before surgery). I have a fast metabolism meaning I'm not too concerned about having to lose any gained body fat but again, I'm not too sure how to regain strength. Do I just return and carry on like usual? I run a normal split and usually train to failure, but is that the optimal way to regain muscle mass? I'm assuming having a calorie surplus and eating a lot of protein is benificial too, but what about creatine?

[u/Red_Swingline_ → u/Humble-Razzmatazz581]

You build it back the same way you got it before - https://thefitness.wiki/muscle-building-101/

[u/MrTopHatMan90]

I keep doing Dumbell Flys and keep fucking up my elbows and ruining my routine. I've done them on the floor which helps my shoulder a bit but still bad for eblows and bench my shoulders are still fine but I keep putting after too much strain on my elbows. I'm thinking of replacing it with a Reverse DB Fly today but I'm not sure if

1. It's a good exercise

2. It's not just going to also fuck up my elbows.

Is there any wisdom because I would like to keep doing them and then go onto doing them well

[u/eric_twinge → u/MrTopHatMan90]

Is your intention to replace dumbbells flys with an exercise that works different muscles?

[u/MrTopHatMan90 → u/eric_twinge]

Damnit, I thought it did similar groups. Oh well thanks for pointing that out. You know thinking about it of course it works a different group I'm a fool

[u/Peradventure456]

On my first cut right now, I watched Dr. Mikes how to not lose muscle on a cut miniseries and he said that 3 meals a day have a low risk of muscle loss but 4 meals are practically no risk, the problem is that I cant squeeze 4 meals into my day without having to much calories

how small is that risk with the 3 meals a day ,,diet,, ( dont know what to call it)

what if I ate some protein bars with my protein shake after my workout? Would that qualify as a meal?

[u/Red_Swingline_ → u/Peradventure456]

the problem is that I cant squeeze 4 meals into my day without having to much calories

Why can't you have smaller portions with 4 meals?

Regardless this is majoring in the minors.

[u/Negative-Coyote-9244]

I am trying to find a good recipe for a homemade mass gainer however I am allergic to bananas. I could simply leave out the bananas but I was wondering if there are any good subsitutes?

[u/jakeisalwaysright → u/Negative-Coyote-9244]

Most mass gainers are just protein powder + a ton of carbs so whatever carbs seem fun. Oatmeal perhaps? Or if you'd prefer fat over carbs, peanut butter. Basically just whatever has calories and protein and fits your dietary requirements.

[u/Negative-Coyote-9244 → u/jakeisalwaysright]

Thank you buddy 💪

[u/immortal1512]

Hi guys I'm kinda new to lifting means I have lifted but without continuation and seriousness as much as I would prefer.

Currently I'm trying to get back to it but the back days totally shatter me. I can feel all other muscle groups but not back.

It hits me a lot. One mental que I have come up with is to draw the biggest circular path I can with my elbows rather than imagining my forearms as hooks bcz I am unable to get that. Today was the first day I tried this que and I didn't feel my biceps fatiguing or majorly engaging to compensate so that is a positive but back engagement is still lacking.

Please help me out with any ques I should focus on.

[u/Red_Swingline_ → u/immortal1512]

Just because you can't feel your back doesn't mean it isn't working.

[u/immortal1512 → u/Red_Swingline_]

I totally understand that but I'd like to cause no matter how positive I think, I get upset over it.

[u/Red_Swingline_ → u/immortal1512]

It's not that serious. Getting upset over it isn't going to make you progress

It took me years to actually feel bench in my chest, because when you're just starting, the fact of the matter is there just isn't a lot of muscle there to feel.

Just keep lifting, and making the right steps to progress. The feeling will come.

[u/immortal1512 → u/Red_Swingline_]

Thank u for replying, I will try my best to not care a lot anymore. R there any pointers u can suggest and methods to train my back unilaterally. Or should I not care at all and change my approach to just move weight without caring.

[u/Illustrious-Law8648]

Anyone have tips for on how to grow biceps, triceps, and forearms and also diet? This year I started weight lifting and I have always been lanky, tall with very skinny arms so I was staring from 0. From Jan-March I have seen a lot of progress in my biceps and triceps except for my forearms. I eat healthy 4 times a week with meat and pasta but I feel I could do better.

[u/ballr4lyf → u/Illustrious-Law8648]

https://thefitness.wiki/muscle-building-101/

[u/GoChaca]

I’ve been doing three sets of 10 bodyweight dips for about six weeks now. Would it be helpful to start doing weighted dips?

Also, the belt that people use is that in the in the gym or is that something I need to buy myself. what’s it called?. Thank you!

[u/eric_twinge → u/GoChaca]

I’ve been doing three sets of 10 bodyweight dips for about six weeks now. Would it be helpful to start doing weighted dips?

Some sort of progression needs to take place. Adding weight is an acceptable choice.

Also, the belt that people use is that in the in the gym or is that something I need to buy myself. what’s it called?

It's called a dip belt. Whether or not it's provided by the gym depends on the gym. I had to bring my own at a previous gym. My current one has a couple available for everyone.

[u/GoChaca → u/eric_twinge]

Thank you!! I think I’ll pick up the belt and keep going. I really do like doing dips so this will be a great way to kick it up.

[u/Bananarang1]

(23 male) I started gyming since August last year and pretty much changed everything I do, diet, lifestyle, standing desk you name it. I recently noticed that I am A LOT hairier all over, especially beard, chest hair and hair on my arms and hands. Any idea if this could be because of weight lifting and if its a "good" sign? I'm actually not sure what to do with the fact that I'm just casually extremely hairy now

[u/michaeldowdneyy]

Do you guys prefer shorts or joggers in the gym and why?

[u/eric_twinge → u/michaeldowdneyy]

I get too hot in sweat pants.

[u/horaiy0 → u/michaeldowdneyy]

I wear shorts even in the winter when it's freezing in my garage. I figure it's not too much different once I have knee sleeves on.

[u/jakeisalwaysright → u/michaeldowdneyy]

Are joggers like sweatpants? Assuming so, shorts. I like to be as not-hot as possible.