Icarus63

Awesome, thanks for the replies. I will start with just the bar next time I go in and add weight.

So I am a long time runner who has just started lifting so I am not a complete stranger to fitness. However, I recently started a full weekly rotation at my gym, chest, arms, back, legs, cardio. I have noticed on my chest day that I have significant trouble with my left side when I am doing any sort of bench press or variant. So I guess my question is, what is the best way to even up my strenght so I can push equally with both sides and not have to twist with my left to finish 10 reps with a weight that I can easily lift with my right?

Thanks for the support!

While I am a 'nerd' or 'geek' or what have you, I don't put much stock in philosophy and I have never played Baldur's Gate. It is just a quote that I appreciate, it reminds me to step back and examine myself occasionally.

I am planning to volunteer on Sat Nov 2nd and run Sun Nov 3rd for the sweet discount. Not necessarally looking for a team, just wondering if anyone else had the same plan or was running on Sunday? I can run solo but I usually like finding someone to stick too for my runs.

I live in South Carolina, specifically the Summerville area and looking for an intermedeate running/ weight lifting buddy. I have a back ground in distance running but I don't minds slowing down to train someone new. Really I am looking for someone who has been doing weightlifting for at least a little while so they can show me the ropes.

Hello all, my name is Icarus, I am 26 currently work for the Navy and am looking to turn my habits around. When I was in HS and college I used to run Cross Country and Track. My Sr year of HS my team came in 10th in the state in Cross Country and I Ran my fastest mile with a 4:48 in Track. In college while never quite meeting the same success I at least managed to maintain my fitness level. Then life got a hold of me and I stopped working out, I became "too busy." While I was cleaning my apartment getting ready for yet another military move this last week I was shaking something out off my balcony and noticed my arms were wiggling after I stopped shaking whatever it was I held. I stopped stunned. While I had stopped working out I still ate well and maintained my skinny appearance not realizing that all my muscle was disappearing from disuse. At first I became disgusted and angry with myself, then I decided I could be a wuss or buck up and do something about it. My internet searching has lead me here. While I am by no means "out of shape" (I went for a run the other day and ran 4 miles in 31 min) I am definitely far from where I was and where I want to be. I am currently 6'0" and 160lbs I have lost a lot of the muscle weight that I once had and I want to gain that back and more. I mainly focused on running and speed when I was in HS and college because that was where I was always competing but I still managed to work on pushups and pull ups to supplement my running. I am now getting back into running but I also want to get into weight lifting, which is something I have never done. I am hoping to find the information and support that I need here.