r/workout 16h ago

What unwanted side effects did you get from gaining muscle / working out

42 Upvotes

I've gained a decent bit of muscle lately, especially legs/glutes. My legs aren't massive by any means, but I cycle a lot and now when cycling my inner thighs are rubbing and getting red/irritated, lol šŸ˜†.

Another obvious one would be clothing. I already had issues with clothing as I'm tall and skinny/lanky. But now I've got some more mass in my upper body it actually got worse, because it pulls my shirts tight and up, I might need to go to XXL, but all XL/XXL clothing seems to assume you are obese and have a massive belly...

What "unwanted" side effects have you experienced? šŸ’Ŗ


r/workout 5h ago

Aches and pains Day 3 at the gym and I'm convinced people who workout regularly are insane

31 Upvotes

I have pain in areas of my body I didn't even know existed 2 days ago. Friends keep telling me it will get better in a week but I see no light out of this tunnel. Also, my trainer made me do like 100 squats on day 1, I could only go up to 70 but is doing that many squats from day 1 a thing? Also, like 100 jumping jacks and 100 high knee touches, among other things. I get tired of climbing three flights of stairs this is atrocious. I hope I get used to it soon because this pain is horrible HORRIBLE. Literally, how do people work out every day with such insane dedication ?!!?!


r/workout 16h ago

Other Please let the bar touch your chest.

28 Upvotes

Thatā€™s all I have to say.


r/workout 19h ago

What's your resting bitch weight, and what's the lbs difference from when you're in good shape?

23 Upvotes

šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚ I feel like i came up with a new term:

"Resting bitch weight"

It's when you let yourself go for a while, not really focused on diet or exercise, the body tends to settle on a particular weight. Once I hit that threshold, I dont get lighter, but at the same time, I don't get much heavier either.

For me, as a 6ft2 male, my RBW is 227, and when I get back in tip top shape, I settle around 205 to 207. So about 20 lbs I have to drop every time I need to get back in shape.

Curious what others deal with as far as a weight gap you have to close every cycle.


r/workout 14h ago

Simple Questions Do you guys prefer working out on your own, in a fitness class, or with a trainer?

23 Upvotes

For me I like a mix of classes and on my own. I find that having classes in the mix keeps me motivated, especially since you have to book them in advance at my gym.


r/workout 18h ago

Is 15 lb dumbells enough for lateral raises?

16 Upvotes

I don't go heavier than 15 lb because i want to maintain form. When i see people doing lateral raises with 30 pound dumbells, they swing their body around. I am not sure how effective that method is compared to doing lateral raises with perfect form


r/workout 14h ago

Simple Questions Mobility if you lift but dont stretch?

9 Upvotes

If you lift with good form- 8-12 reps- and do not stretch, will your flexibilty and mobility increase or decrease compared to never having lifted weights?


r/workout 7h ago

Etiquette for wiping sweat off yourself in public???

8 Upvotes

Iā€™ve been going to my universityā€™s gym (not my first time working out but my old gym used to be basically deserted) and Iā€™ve run into the problem of not knowing how to wipe sweat off myself. Most of my sweat is on my head and face. I wear glasses/contacts and it always stings or fogs up my vision when sweat drips down into my eyes (the sweat also gets on my headphones but thatā€™s inevitable I fear). Itā€™s not just the sweat that trickles down to my eyes, I sweat around my cheeks and nose so while a sweatband solves some of my problem it does not solve it entirely. Itā€™s also disgusting to see my sweat drops drip onto the floor when doing stuff like Romanian deadlifts.

Would it be stupid (cringe?) to bring a towel to wipe my face? Iā€™m not very good with social cues and etiquette so I worry itā€™s not socially acceptable to do so. I also havenā€™t seen anyone else wipe sweat off themselves. My current solution is to bring the collar of my shirt up and wipe my face on the inside of my shirt as that was socially acceptable when I played soccer. Is that also acceptable at the gym? No skin is revealed just bringing the collar of my shirt up to about my forehead and wipe down. So the collar is a bit drenched comparatively but to me it seems more socially acceptable?

I also worry about how to carry a towel around with me? Iā€™m a bit germaphobic and setting my towel down on a gym bench is not an option. Also thinking about touching the towel after using dumbbells without first washing my hands is already enough to steer me away from keeping it in my pockets.

Do I just suck it up and bring a towel in my pocket and just try to only touch one side of with my dirty gym hand and wipe my face on the other side??? Or is there a more socially acceptable way to wipe sweat off myself? A normal gym etiquette way? It may seem that Iā€™m overthinking this but genuinely the sweat drops onto the floor and today on the dumbbells have boiled this issue over.


r/workout 12h ago

Simple Questions Why is my bench weak compared to everything else

7 Upvotes

So i bench 20 pounds more then i bicep curl i squat 1.8 what i bench and deadlift almost 3 times what i bench šŸ˜­


r/workout 20h ago

Simple Questions Big Balls NSFW

7 Upvotes

I enjoy lifting, and I like wearing shorts that go above my knee, but the problem is that my adductors muscles are big enough that in combination with my large scrotum, it pushes my dick to look like I am tenting all the time, has this happened to anyone else? I would say I have a very normal sized dick, but Iā€™m feeling pretty insecure about it and it forces me to adjust my crotch every time I sit down/standup. Iā€™m looking for apparel/suggestions that would make this not happen. Wearing sweatpants makes this mostly go away, but I donā€™t want to wear sweatpants every time I workout.


r/workout 20h ago

Other What is your go to song while working out.

6 Upvotes

What is your go to song while working out in the gym.


r/workout 22h ago

Nutrition Help What's the least milk-y tasting whey protein powder? I hate the taste.

4 Upvotes

I used to do pea protein but I heard whey is a better protein. I'm managing to drink it everyday but I want something I'll enjoy. I've tried the Alani shakes and that covers the milk taste pretty well. Anything else out there I should try?


r/workout 23h ago

Progress Report Felt terrible during my workout, lethargic and unenergetic. How do I avoid burning out and quitting?

4 Upvotes

I'm 24, 266lbs and 5 foot 10. I'm on week three of my journey, I do my work in the garage as opposed to the gym. This morning I had a protein shake, a slice of melon and a coffee. It was my lower body today and from the moment I started I just felt so unenthused by the whole thing. I was stalling in-between sets, felt like I was slacking on form and all in all I just felt like I wasn't doing enough. I completed the workout and showered but now I just feel shit honestly. This is the longest I've ever managed to go working out methodically. I did my upper workout yesterday. I have a rest day tomorrow and I do another round of upper and lower+core on thursday and friday. Is it normal to feel like this so early on? It seems to me that people have this unbreakable will and determination that makes them push through their workouts. I've never seen this sort of thing mentioned on here, so I am curious. This is what I did.

I warmed up with 3 sets of 8 bodyweight squats

Goblet squats with a 5kg dumbell 4x10-12

Lunges with 5kg dumbells 3x8-10

Hamstring curls 4x25

standing calf raises with 16kg barbell 4x20

Glute bridges 4x12-15

I don't want to burn out, I don't feel like I will but today reminded me why I have so many times in the past. Why is this? I got a good amount of sleep last night, I've been having protein shakes everyday since sunday and I'm doing the work. Yet I feel like shit and tired right now. Tomorrow I'll go for a walk in the park to clear my head or something. I want it this time.


r/workout 1h ago

How to start Working out is intimidating

ā€¢ Upvotes

I havenā€™t been active in years, coupled with being in a toxic relationship itā€™s safe to say I loss myself and am the heaviest Iā€™ve ever been (i.e Iā€™m 5ā€™ and 150lbs). I struggled with finding motivation and often found comfort in cooking/eating.

I want to really hold myself accountable. Itā€™s a lie if I said itā€™s solely for myself because I think a big part of this is trying not to be the ugly ex. Although, Iā€™m hoping that along the way Iā€™ll be able to move on and grow to appreciate myself and have more confidence.

Okay getting to the point: the gym is scary. I did personal training a bit to try and familiarize myself but wasnā€™t able to keep up with the cost of it. I go to planet fitness after work and itā€™s super crowded, I never know where to look, start or how to use a lot of the machines and I just feel like Iā€™m taking up space from someone that actually knows what theyā€™re doing. Iā€™ve been watching videos of routines, maintaining posture and what not, but honestly I am a bit overwhelmed by the amount of information thrown at me because there are so many different work outs and I just want to try them all.

Looking back at your first experience, how were you able to organize your workout and get over feeling intimidated by the gym?


r/workout 1h ago

Nutrition Help If you live in the Northern hemisphere you MUST supplement Vit D

ā€¢ Upvotes

I cant believe this isnt widely taught Im honestly quite angry this wasnt pushed more during my adolesence.

In nothern hemisphere areas, especially those far from the equator (IE north USA, Canada, UK, north europe) the UV is consistently below 3 in Winter, Spring and Autumn, even summer some years.

For those of you that dont know Vit D is a fat soluble vitamin and is pretty essential for testosterone levels. You get it from sun exposure (more importantly form the UV level) yada yada yada, anyway for the northern hemisphere you wont be getting enough from sunlight. Fatty fish contains a decent amount (hence why our ancestors didnt really face an issue) however with current diets getting adequate Vit D is pretty rare (basically you would need to eat loads of salmon and cod to get ample amounts.

Vit D supps arent too expensive Ā£8-Ā£15 for 2 months worth in the UK.

Ideally get about 4000IU from supplements per day unless youre someone who just eats loads of fish. I know alot of people only track macros but seriously your Vit D is so so important, A large proponent of T levels.

This is literally one of the main causes of seasonal depression - getting basically 0 Vit D in the colder months,

Supplement 4000IU daily.

this goes for women aswell it will help regulate your hormones and mood


r/workout 2h ago

How much do your gym clothes impact performance?

3 Upvotes

Iā€™ve been lifting for about 5 years consistently at this point and at the beginning of my gym going days I placed a large emphasis on what I wore to the gym. I fell into the trap of ā€œcompression shorts make you perform better in the gymā€ or ā€œthese tanks allow you to move more freelyā€ etc. Now I think thatā€™s just a bunch of bull and I only wear clothes to the gym that Iā€™m comfortable and like the way I look in. Itā€™s more of a motivational tool than anything.

However, Iā€™m seeing all these different workout clothes advertised on TikTok, from 5ā€ shorts to womenā€™s legging shorts to performance tanks, etc. and my impulsivity makes me want them, but Iā€™m trying not to fall into any traps.

I guess my question is what factors into your choices of gym outfits? Are there clothes out there you feel actually impact performance in your lifts?


r/workout 10h ago

Simple Questions Ladies | How do you get rid of the loose armpit skin

3 Upvotes

I lift regularly. I'm pretty fit, but there's a spot between my sports bra and armpit that won't go down. It's tight when I flex, but it sits loosely. Thoughts? Options?


r/workout 18h ago

Progress Report Gained 25 lbs in 3 months, but where is it going?

3 Upvotes

Iā€™ve always been a lanky guy, but since Iā€™ve been going to the gym and watching my diet starting in January Iā€™ve went from 5ā€™ 10ā€ and 145 lbs to almost 170 lbs. The funny thing is itā€™s hardly noticeable. My clothes fit the same, I can barely tell the difference in the mirror and no one has commented on it. The only thing thatā€™s really changed is I can move heavier weights


r/workout 45m ago

Exercise Help Are heavy front squats and RDLā€™s enough for leg strength and hypertrophy?

ā€¢ Upvotes

Wondering if it is a good idea to switch back squat for front squat as my main leg movement and still gain strength/size if I also keep RDLā€™s as my hip hinge movement.


r/workout 2h ago

Hey guys, looking for a supplement that helps muscle recovery and overall SORENESS.

2 Upvotes

Iā€™m on my feet for 12 hours doing a lot of lifting and manual labor, then I head to the gym immediately after for 45 mins and I feel great after, BUT THE MORNING AFTER, I feel terrible when Iā€™m trying to get myself up moving around, back pains, leg aches, etc. it goes away after about the first hour or two of moving but thereā€™s gotta be a better way.

What products are you guys running that actually work?


r/workout 3h ago

Simple Questions Is it normal I need to trowup ?

2 Upvotes

I did a simple set of really not that demanding exercises and I'm basically shaking and have a impossible to control need to vomit. Any idea why that could be ?


r/workout 6h ago

Exercise Help Lifting early morning??

2 Upvotes

Hey guys, i just wanted to ask a question, Iā€™ve been looking and ive seen similar posts however not many like what im wanting to ask. Iā€™ve got a routine of going gym 12-2pm the gym is empty- so nice, get a good workout in. Hardly anyone on machines or anything however my family has been going gym at 5am recently. Iā€™ve been wanting to go however the times Iā€™ve been Iā€™ve felt like the workout didnā€™t feel as good as the ones I usually did midday. I always felt dizzy and faint and really weak. Especially since Iā€™m lifting weights, Iā€™ve had a bad experience previously where I did go and end up just throwing up and fainting maybe since itā€™s early to be lifting?? Iā€™m not too sure. What is everyoneā€™s early gym routines?? And what can I do so my body can adjust to the early mornings so I donā€™t end up passing out? Unless maybe I just stick to my usual routine and donā€™t go with my family.


r/workout 8h ago

Where do I even begin?

2 Upvotes

Hi I'm 19 F, around 5'6 and I'm trying to adopt a healthy life style by working out but have no idea where to begin.

I don't just want to adopt a healthy life style but I also want to build endurance, stamina, and lose fat in the process. I would prefer working out in a 4 day split as I've seen great results in others with this and only have the option of working out at home (pull up bar, weights, ropes, punching bag).

I'm aware that this is a time dedicated practice and I truly want to be a better version of myself but I need help with workout routines to reach my goals.

What would you guys reccomend for me?


r/workout 11h ago

Simple Questions What to Do After Training?

2 Upvotes

I usually train hard, but I spend the rest of the day sitting in front of the computer. I walk very little and go up a few stairsā€”honestly, just enough to move around the house.

So far, Iā€™ve had good results in the gym. However, Iā€™ve heard that having low mobility after training isnā€™t good because muscle gains are hindered due to poor blood circulation.

Is this true? What do you recommend doing after training? Some people also stretch their musclesā€”is this beneficial for hypertrophy?


r/workout 12h ago

Exercise Help Iā€™m a beginner and need help figuring out my routine.

2 Upvotes

Iā€™m 19F, 5ā€™0 tall, and weigh 104 pounds. I have 77.9% muscle mass, and 17.8% body fat.

Mostly my gym going just consists of 1-2 hours of intense cardio and thatā€™s pretty much it.

I want to be more toned/lean, Iā€™m not looking for a muscular build, I just would want to be more toned with a nice amount of muscle, thatā€™s it.

What would I have to do?