First Time Lifting Heavy – Where to Start?

by **Renee213** » Mon Aug 25, 2025 4:39 pm

Yes! My bench feels so shaky, gonna try locking in my shoulders more.

by **CorryXX#44** » Mon Aug 25, 2025 4:21 pm

Bench is tricky for most women. Focus on bar paths and keeping shoulders tight it’s more about control than brute force.

by **Sarah-T7** » Mon Aug 25, 2025 3:56 pm

Exactly. Big lifts need support work. Think of it as building armor for your compounds.

by **Renee213** » Mon Aug 25, 2025 2:53 pm

I’ve been skipping accessories, maybe that’s why I stall sometimes.

by **Riley!11** » Mon Aug 25, 2025 1:48 pm

Also, don’t forget accessories. Hip thrusts, rows, lunges… those will feed your main lifts and fix weak spots.

by **Renee213** » Mon Aug 25, 2025 1:24 pm

That’s motivating, I always thought I had to add big weight jumps to progress.

by **Belle%24** » Mon Aug 25, 2025 1:13 pm

Progressive overload is your best friend. Add small jumps—2.5 to 5 lbs. Those tiny increases stack up fast.

by **Linaaw** » Mon Aug 25, 2025 1:00 pm

Own it! Everyone starts there. I benched the bar for weeks before I even added plates. Now it’s my warmup.

by **Renee213** » Mon Aug 25, 2025 12:32 pm

Haha true, I feel awkward sometimes with just the bar, but I’ll own it.

by **Vegan1** » Mon Aug 25, 2025 12:28 pm

Don’t fear starting light. Even just the empty bar builds confidence. We’ve all been there.