What to do when I want to work out but can't lift much weight?!?!

[ultraman7k 0]

I don't think pull ups get as much credit as they deserve. I mean, when I went to the gym, I never really saw anyone do them!

For what it's worth, I used to go to the gym on a regular basis, not get massive, but to get stronger. Then I got really tired of going, and just stopped. For years. For a profile of myself, I am a 28 year old Korean-Canadian Male, 155 ish lbs, 5"8 and I play hockey 1-2 times per week. I have a mostly desk job, so I sit around a lot. Needless to say, over the years since I haven't been to the gym, muscles have evaporated lol.

Any ways, long story short, I started following the program www.50pullups.com in an effort to get to 50 consecutive pull ups. Prior to doing this, I'd max at around 10 or 11 in a set, and probably couldn't do more than 25 before I couldn't do any more..

I've been keeping a spreadsheet to track my progress. I'd post it here, but it doesn't like tables.

Started on March 21, did the test, I did 10. The program wants you to do 5 sets, so my totals went like this.

3/21 - 24

3/23 - 27

3/28 - 30

4/1 - 34

4/6 - 39

4/13 - 47

4/16 - (re tested myself) 21 !

Less than a month I was able to double my inital max. After the re test, I started a new bracket.

Wherever you see big gaps in the dates is due to hockey and me being lazy and not doing my pull ups.

4/18 - 67

4/25 - 69

4/29 - 72

5/2 - 77

5/9 - 80

5/16 - 83

5/23 - 91

5/28 - 94

I'd say there's a pretty big change in my strength and body after doing it for just over 2 months. Eating habits haven't really changed, and the exercise only takes something like 15-20 minutes to do if you give yourself a 2 min rest or more between sets as the program indicates. My back, arms, chest and core are better than they have ever been. It's also flattening my stomach. Aside from hockey, this is the only other exercise I do.

I haven't re-tested myself to see what bracket I fall in, I will probably do that sometime next week, but I'm fairly confident I can reach 30 consecutive pull ups by this point. Hands down I wish I started doing this sooner.

I am trying to follow this program to the T (including doing all stretches) and it's worked wonders for me.

[Buzz_LightBeer 969]

I think cardiovascular strength and fitness is far more important overall to the game. Most of the NHL players I've met have the physique of a marathon runner, than a bodybuilder,

[chippa13 1844]

I think you meant sprinter and not marathoner but I get your drift.

[IniNew 53]

Whats worked for me: Starting Strength (book, but the programs can be found online). 1gram of protein per lean b/m.

Anecdote: I'm putting on mass rather quickly. I've seen my bench jump from 135 to 185 working sets. Squat from 150 to 225 working set today. I haven't deadlifted in a while, but stopped at 315 last time I tried. I've since switched to a body building split because I'm more into lifting for the aesthetics than the actual numbers.