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Thread: Silly question

  1. #1
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    Default Silly question

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    When something like "keep adding 5lbs" is said...do you mean add 2.5lbs to each side of the barbell to make the whole bar increase by 5lbs? Or do you mean add 5 lbs to each side?

    Thanks

  2. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by Nicholas Nehrt View Post
    When something like "keep adding 5lbs" is said...do you mean add 2.5lbs to each side of the barbell to make the whole bar increase by 5lbs? Or do you mean add 5 lbs to each side?Thanks
    The convention in strength training is total weight: all the plates + the bar (+ the collar where the collar is significant and/or for those who like to calibrate exactly). So you count all of it. Not just the plates. Not just the plates on one side.

    "Add 5 lbs" means + 5 to the weight being lifted.

    Simple, right? But here's the catch: sometimes people will say "add a 5." In this case it means add a 5-lb to each side. This is why you should always double check how your bar is loaded when working with other people. They can hear you wrong, misinterpret, grab a 5-kg instead of a 5-lb plate or simply be math-challenged.

  3. #3
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    So adding 2.5lbs to each side of the barbell isn't "microloading". It is in fact just adding 5lbs to the total weight as is recommended in the LP once 10lbs jumps (5lb plate on each side) is no longer sustainable. Correct?

  4. #4
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    Right. Traditionally it's "microloading" when you move beyond the standard weights in a set. That means using plates less than 2.5 lbs/1.25kg for jumps of less than 5 lb/2.5 kg.

  5. #5
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    Mar 2019
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    Awesome. Thank you so much for the clarification!

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