I increased my weight on a number of machine and free weight exercises the other week but felt really weak/sad when I 6 reps was all I could do before failure. Looks like maybe I was thinking about it wrong!

I can't really compare weights because I'm not doing most of the lifts you ladies are doing. Maybe I should rectify that, too.

How did it go?

Went well! Will let you know how today goes, too. I'm going to double up - normal routine + trying kettlebells for the first time

I also think I'm lifting nowhere near enough. This is my current routine:

chest press: 2/12 @ 10kg
lat pull down: 2/12 @ 15kg
leg press: 2/12 @ 25kg
tricep pull down: 2/12 @ 5kg
squats with bicep curls: 2/12 @ 3kg per arm

I'm SO SORE after kettlebells. How does anyone do anything with the heavy ones - my hands are really small

At a bodyweight of 125-130 lbs or so (I haven't weighed myself in ages):
Squat: 155 lbs (weeaaaak)
Bench press: 110 lbs
Deadlift: 187 lbs (also pretty weak)

These are 1 rep max lifts. My working sets are between 3 and 6 reps when I'm doing Smolov Jr., but usually 3 to 5 sets of 5 reps each.

I hate overhead presses, so I avoid them like the plague. Instead I've started practicing Olympic lifts, with clean & jerk at 88 lbs and snatches at 44 lbs (just the bar for now).

I'm only using dumbbells now and it varies for the exercise I'm doing.

I started at 5 lbs, moved up to 10 lbs and now I'm at 12 lbs. I'm finally seeing some definition and that "line" when you hold your arms out.

Now my triceps are another story, but I'm working on it! lol

Honestly, I think programs such as Stronglifts 5x5 and Starting Strength are the BEST. I had to start at lower weights than even they suggest, and it's intimidating at first, but the results are amazing. I can squat 125 pounds, deadlift 175 pounds, and my body looks better than ever!

A few of my current weights. In pounds
Dead lift 155
one arm DB rows, 45
Over hand, lat pull downs, 100
Step ups, 60 total-2 30# DB's
Incline DB BP, 25

squat - 200 lb
bench - 115 (weaksauce)
overhead press - 87x5 (never performed a 1RM)
deadlift - 245x5 (no recent 1RM)

I've been weight training since april 2012. Haven't lost weight successfully, but my body has changed shape and I have dropped 1-2 sizes depending on the cut of the clothing item.

I would really like to get to 181, which is why I came back here to 3FC. I am so happy to see that people here lift and lift heavy, at that.

Awww it's fun to look back and read my newbie weight room excitement.

At a body weight of 122-124 I'm here:

DB flat bench press: 50 pounds, prob ready for 55 but not 60.
DB bent over row: 55 pounds (haven't done this in a while)
DB overhead/shoulder press: 45 pounds
Leg press: 200-210 pounds
KB lunge: 70 pounds (2 x 35)
Lat pulldown overhand: 95-100 pounds
Lat pulldown underhand: 110 pounds

I have been doing strength training for a while now and I was doing free weights; 160 lb bench, 30 lb dumbell curls, 125 incline press, 25 lb reverse curls (because my forearms were getting sore), and 450lb leg press.

Then I got rear ended and my car totalled in August. I went occasionally to the gym but was having a lot of issues with my back and neck. I am finally better I think and 3 weeks into medifast so I am getting slowly back into it. I benched 105 today and it wore me out a bit. Curled 20 lb dumbells. It's amazing how quick you lose the strength but my husband keeps telling me it come back quicker...who knows. I am just happy to be losing weight.

I've never really tracked 1RM with a lot of lifts. However, I've been lifting weights since September 2011 and I've gained a lot of strength.

I started with 5 lb dumbbells, now I'm up to 40 lb ones. And with kettlebells, I began with a 7 lb one, now I'm using a 35 lb one.

I try not to compare myself with what others are lifting too much as everyone is different. All I know is I'm in better shape at 41 than I ever was at 21...that's progress to me.

If your muscles are completely fatigued at the end of your last set then the weight is ok, but there is a fine line between fatigued and hurt....don't hurt yourself.

Yesterday was leg day, today I hurt but I will do it again tomorrow.

The common approach is to add the entire weight being lifted if you're lifting in a conventional commercial gym without any extra equipment. You would therefore declare that you lifted 85 pounds in your example with 20 lbs on each side.