Including the Bar Weight?

[derderppolo]

Hey,

I have been doing the Practical Programming Novice Program for about a week. In the Logbook Calculator, I have entered the weight of the plates, without including the bar's weight (45 lbs).

Once I've added the bar weight to my test results, I notice that every time I start an exercise, I would be using an empty bar. Is that correct? For the past 3 sessions I have been adding 45 lbs to the bar for my first warmup set.

I have attached my Logbook Calculator Excel Spreadsheet with my Test Weight results including the bar, and without the bar. Should I keep doing the program without including the bar in the test results, or should I switch to the program including the bar?

Logbook Calculator Including Bar Weight: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B-T...nViaVM2bmRkZHc

Logbook Calculator Without Bar Weight: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B-T...ldobnRmV19CT2s

Note: You may have to click on the Zoom In tool to view the spreadsheet.


Thank you in advance,

Gary C.

[AdamW]

Yes, you always include the weight of the bar.

[derderppolo]

Yes, you always include the weight of the bar.

Thank you, but I go to a rather busy gym and I find it rather embarrassing to be doing 2 sets of squats/bench/press/deadlifts with an empty bar.

[Corrie]

Thank you, but I go to a rather busy gym and I find it rather embarrassing to be doing 2 sets of squats/bench/press/deadlifts with an empty bar.

Is an empty bar the right place to start? If it's too easy, start higher. If you don't want to do it just because it looks silly then you may as well just quit now.
Just use the standard way for finding your starting weights and go from there.

EDIT: Misunderstood the discussion, you can ignore this post.

[mstrofbass]

Is an empty bar the right place to start? If it's too easy, start higher. If you don't want to do it just because it looks silly then you may as well just quit now.
Just use the standard way for finding your starting weights and go from there.

If you're doing SS, you always start with an empty bar, except for deadlifts.

[Corrie]

If you're doing SS, you always start with an empty bar, except for deadlifts.

Oh I see what he means now, I misread.

Yes, you always do your opening sets with an empty bar. If its embarassing then I suggest you suck it up because no one in the gym cares.

But really if you can do your worksets and not need warmup sets then go nuts.

[Tamara Reynolds]

Thank you, but I go to a rather busy gym and I find it rather embarrassing to be doing 2 sets of squats/bench/press/deadlifts with an empty bar.

Well, be glad that you don't lift at my gym because your ass would be kicked out sooner rather than later.

I suggest you get over yourself.

[veryhrm]

Well, be glad that you don't lift at my gym because your ass would be kicked out sooner rather than later.

I suggest you get over yourself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63lFGSwvyGI

The two reps starting at 0:36. That's pretty cool. It should be in the CF Games. I wonder if i can do that with iron plates if i throw them down hard enough....

[Nic Lane]

I wonder if i can do that with iron plates if i throw them down hard enough....

That sounds like an excellent use for a 7 day trial pass at 24hr/LA Fitness/etc. If it doesn't work on the first try, keep at it.

[Tamara Reynolds]

I wonder if i can do that with iron plates if i throw them down hard enough....

Please do this and video. I'll be your BFF.

ETA: Please do it at a 24hr/LA Fitness as suggested by niclane.