I started lifting weights (again) and accurately tracking my progress (I bought a “cheap” workout and weight loss plan, which requires a lot of data so you can see your progress (or regress)). When bench pressing and doing squats on the (Cybex) Smith Machine I had assumed that the bar weighed 45 pounds like a free bar does and added it to the total weight. It wasn’t until my most recent session (finished about 30 minutes ago) that I realized that the bar doesn’t in fact weigh 45 pounds…but weighs anywhere from 7 to 30 pounds, according to what I saw from a quick search. I should have realized that it wasn’t 45 pounds because it felt pretty light. Google says that the average weight tends to be about 15 pounds, but I have no idea.
I was also using the (Cybex) overhead should press machine and saw that the plates past 50 pounds went in 15 pound increments. Then I noticed the additional weight at the top, disabled by a pin. When I lowered it down on to the stack there was no number on it. Was it 5 pounds? 7.5 pounds? 10 pounds? Who knows?
How are people supposed to know how much weight they’re lifting if things aren’t numbered properly? They have these huge stickers that say everything, but they can’t put “bar weighs 15 lbs” on it?
It’s Built With Science, everything is laid out for you. It takes all the guesswork out of what you should be doing. I’m a computer geek, physical fitness isn’t my area of interest, so it’s nice to have someone be like “Here’s the two sets of exercises that you should be alternating between for the next 3 months, and then switch to these exercises. Track your progress or regress in this spreadsheet we made for you. Proper form and explanation are provided in YouTube videos and Slide sets. Also there’s a spreadsheet to help you Cut and then Bulk.”
It was like $120, and there’s a lot of content.