[teapotdynamo]

I have asked questions like this before and have gotten good responses, so I thought I'd try again. I am DIGGING my shoulder workouts lately. My shoulders have started to have really nice caps on them, and I get compliments when I wear something that shows them off (rare in the winter, but I've taken to wearing off-the-shoulder tops ). Anyway, I feel like I've been lifting with 20-pound weights in either hand forever now, and I'm not sure how to increase to the 25s. I can do two sets of 12 (just eking out those last few on the second set) with the 20s, but when I try with the 25s, I can do only a few reps. Should I just stick it out and do as many as I can with the 25s, then drop down to 20 when I can't do anymore? Or, are there any other exercises I can do that will help me get over that 5-pound hump? My new gym doesn't have the fancy-dancy magnets you can attach, so that's out.

Suggestions? You guys rock, as always.

[WaterRat]

Gosh, we had a discussion about shoulders not too long ago, but darned if I can find it now....

The gist was that it's very hard to up your weights on shoulders. What exercises are you doing with 20#? The only ones I can do with that much weight is shrugs.

Congrats on being almost to goal

[teapotdynamo]

I do shoulder presses with 20s but can use only 15s with upright rows and only 12s for front raises. I always see guys using the cables in creative ways for shoulders; maybe I should try that or experiment with incline stuff... I'm not as creative as i probably should be (too afraid of hurting myself), but I'm getting better about it!

Thanks for the congrats! I'm very excited about being soooo close. It's probably not going to be my "final" goal, but it's definitely the one I set at the beginning, and it's a huge milestone for me!

p.s. Hubby still in Alaska! If I told you he works for CourtTV, I bet you could guess what he's there for...

[RobertW]

Nice work on getting the 20#'ers for two sets of 12.

I would try out a 5x5 or 6x3 scheme with the 25# dumbells, or some other sort of multi-set scheme to progress with the heavier bells. Two sets with the heavier dumbells might not be enough work, if it is only 10 or 12 reps.

If the DB's feel really heavy you could do ladders to build up the volume (sets of 1rep/2rep/3rep/1/2/3/1/2/3).

Would you consider doing a barbell overhead press? You should be strong enough to press with an olympic bar (45#) and you can then progress with the 2.5# plates.

[teapotdynamo]

Thanks for the advice, Robert. I'll give those things a shot tomorrow a.m.

I really should try a trainer again -- I have no idea how I'm doing relatively, you know? Are 20s decent weight for a woman?

[kykaree]

Hello superwoman!!!!! Work those off the shoulder tops. I am wearing halternecks for the first time in my life (fitting into decent strapless bras helps too!!!)

I would really recommend the cables. The guys in my gym have helped me a lot and I have learnt some really cool things to do with shoulders, which I can't really explain, I am hopeless at the technical bits of lifting!

You are doing such an awesome job!

[RobertW]

Originally Posted by teapotdynamo

Thanks for the advice, Robert. I'll give those things a shot tomorrow a.m.

I really should try a trainer again -- I have no idea how I'm doing relatively, you know? Are 20s decent weight for a woman?

Very few women could do 12 reps with 20# DB's. The only woman I see in my gym lifting more than that benches 160#.

Your gym must be pretty hardcore if your pressing seems average.

[Mel]

They aren't trying very hard

[teapotdynamo]

Nah, my standards are just all skewed because I'm just about the only woman there who ever touches the free weights. Mel, I want to come work out at YOUR gym!

Thanks again for the advice, and Kylie - you're on such a roll, girl! I'm so proud of you I could scream!