Weights feel heavier at home. Puzzled.

[w8lifter01]

Hi guys. I workout at a anytime fitness because they have a variety of equipment, unlike just my barbell bench setup at home, however I noticed when I workout at the anytime fitness I can lift the same weight for more reps there than I can at home. For example, today I lifted 185lbs for 5 reps at the gym, but when I lift at my home I can only do for 1 rep. I questioned a guy there about the bar and he told me its a 45lb bar just like my olympic bar at home. The only other thing I could come to conclusion on is that the weights I have at home are actually heavier then the weights in the gym. In the gym they use the Hampton fitness urethane grip fusion barbells and at home I have the standard style metal plates. Any Idea why the heck it feels so much lighter in the gym? It must be that something is off because I definitely know its not in my head......lol.

[KwiTT]

weigh your weights on a scale and see if it is indeed the real weight.

sometimes it's just adapting to a new setting, but 5 reps to 1 rep is kinda extreme.

[HealthNutMD]

Hi guys. I workout at a anytime fitness because they have a variety of equipment, unlike just my barbell bench setup at home, however I noticed when I workout at the anytime fitness I can lift the same weight for more reps there than I can at home. For example, today I lifted 185lbs for 5 reps at the gym, but when I lift at my home I can only do for 1 rep. I questioned a guy there about the bar and he told me its a 45lb bar just like my olympic bar at home. The only other thing I could come to conclusion on is that the weights I have at home are actually heavier then the weights in the gym. In the gym they use the Hampton fitness urethane grip fusion barbells and at home I have the standard style metal plates. Any Idea why the heck it feels so much lighter in the gym? It must be that something is off because I definitely know its not in my head......lol.

I get more motivation if I'm in a group class or have people around... That is why one usual does better with a personal trainer or better (free) a workout partner (like back in college). One thing I will miss to some degree with a home gym is that it is less social. I don't go to the gym to talk or socialize, but it is nice to get spots and to have other people around, especially athletic women. Thats why I suppose I will always look as my home gym, no matter how good, a supplement to another gym membership. Maybe going to the commercial gym for the first half, then coming home and using my favorite machines to finish up. And always the advantage of having convenience of a home gym.

Nontheless, the impact of being in a group while lifting is not to be underestimated, it is a nice boost.

[Jimbo.]

Were you lifting on a Smith machine? The bar is very light on those, if not that maybe you were just tired. There is no reason you would be that much stronger at the gym than at home, those weights are not going to be that much off.

[w8lifter01]

No smith machine, it was regular flat bench free weight. I just got done weighing my stuff at home. I have the 7ft olympic bar and it weighs 45lbs like it should and my weights are pretty accurate also. Now I just need to find a good time to go bring their equipment over to the scale and see how close it is without looking like an idiot weighing their stuff on the scale in front of everyone. Also the bench there is more solid and firm feeling and my bench at home is a little more padded. I wonder if that can have an effect on somebodys bench. Thanks for the replies.

[tjp15785]

I gotta agree with health nut. The atmosphere at a gym (women, guys bigger or stronger) I think Subconsciously help move more weight.

[dumb.bell]

Atmosphere can affect motivation, but 5 reps to 1, that's pretty drastic. Maybe its a combination of atmosphere, lighter gym weight (maybe its a 41lb bar - I think that is the weight of the newer Hampton bars http://www.hamptonfit.com/shop/product.asp?intProdID=77&strCatalog_NAME=International%20Chrome%20Bars&strSubCatalog_NAME=&strSubCatalogID=&intCatalogID=90100&CurCatalogID=), and a gym bench that is closer to the ground (allowing you to get your legs into the lift). If you figure it out, let us know.

[OutKlast]

You could always take your bench into the gym and workout using their bar and weights. Just make sure you put on your coolface on before hand. IMO, bench design especially the cheaper home gear can have an impact on lift quality. Bench width/length/height etc will throw off or compliment your lifting style.

[boxertim]

how many reps can you do at home with 175? if it is 5 then you could assume that the bar is 35.

[thedickus]

how many reps can you do at home with 175? if it is 5 then you could assume that the bar is 35.

It's pretty damned obvious by the pictures you posted. The weights you have at home only have one hole in them. The weights you're using at the gym have those big wedges cut out of the sides and they have a hole in them. They have to weigh less.

[Wildtim]

You are just pussying it at home because you have crappier equipment and no one to save you if you fail. Get a power rack.

[desslok]

How many days passed from when you did 5 at the gym and 1 at home? Same day? What time of day? Cause for me personally I have no strength in the morning, I can bench at least 20 pounds more at night, and 10 pounds more than that if Rocky theme song is on. Ant like Wildtim said, if you don't have spotters, your brain will make you quit sooner. Your mind plays a big part.

[w8lifter01]

How many days passed from when you did 5 at the gym and 1 at home? Same day? What time of day? Cause for me personally I have no strength in the morning, I can bench at least 20 pounds more at night, and 10 pounds more than that if Rocky theme song is on. Ant like Wildtim said, if you don't have spotters, your brain will make you quit sooner. Your mind plays a big part.

I have tried this on two seperate occasions just around the same time either before I go to the gym or after I come home. I only ask for a spotter if I do a final set where I think i am only going to barely get one up, other than that I am always on my own benching.

I will post back if I find out anything.

[KingRexxxy]

i was experiencing the same problem at home. I have the exact same weights you do for my home gym. I noticed i could not pr at home ever!!. I was always about to lift for more reps and heavier singles at the gym. See the problem is your gym weights are a higher quality , the ones you have at home are lower quality the margine for error in actual weight becomes greater with the lower quality the plates are. For example like i said i have the same weight set as you , i have about 700 pounds worth of them. I decided to weigh them and some of the 45 pound plates weighed 44 pounds some weighed 45 and i even had some of them weigh 47 and 49 pounds. So if you are lifting at 90% of your max the extra 8 or 10 pounds will make a huge difference in how many reps you might be able to rep.

[Trevy-trev]

I think the obvious answer here is that the plates at your gym have those holes in them for gripping them to pick them up.

Extra holes=removed material=less weight


True story


*edit*someone else beat me to it

[chemmech]

gravity problems thats all.....

[fitmember]

I got the same problem


At the gym i can get 90-95's on Db bench

In the garage w/ spinlocks and standard weights i struggle w/ 70's


DA FUK???


I thought it was just me

[dumb.bell]

It's pretty damned obvious by the pictures you posted. The weights you have at home only have one hole in them. The weights you're using at the gym have those big wedges cut out of the sides and they have a hole in them. They have to weigh less.


I think the obvious answer here is that the plates at your gym have those holes in them for gripping them to pick them up.

Extra holes=removed material=less weight


True story


*edit*someone else beat me to it

I'll be surprised if the Hampton plates don't weigh what is printed on them. Those are high end plates and they simply make them wider to account for the grip holes. However, if they are using Hampton bars, they may not weigh 45lbs, since Hampton advertises their bars at 41lbs.

[desslok]

However, if they are using Hampton bars, they may not weigh 45lbs, since Hampton advertises their bars at 41lbs.

True, my bar weighs 41 by itself, and 45 with the steel collars that came with it.

[Verbalcody]

Your gym has marked all their weights up so everyone thinks they are stronger.

[sleeeeeeeeeep]

perhaps the size of the grip is different, this seems to make my dumbells feel heavier.

[btoddkelley]

The height of the bench can make a difference. While most commercial benches are relatively low, some home bences are higher. (Tuff stuff in particular) I have a tuff stuff bench at home and had not been to a commercial gym in 10 years. I went with a friend for a week to take him through a full body routine and I noticed how much "lighter" the weight felt.
As I know several guys with home gyms, I tested this on a few other (home) benches of various heights. If you want to bench heavy with a home bench, get a powertec. (The lowest I found).

[gym-bob]

could be the bar. i always seemed to lift more with the fat bar at the gym. or the grip spacing differ from bar to bar

[Trevy-trev]

I'll be surprised if the Hampton plates don't weigh what is printed on them. Those are high end plates and they simply make them wider to account for the grip holes. However, if they are using Hampton bars, they may not weigh 45lbs, since Hampton advertises their bars at 41lbs.

I think you missed the humour there...


lol

[dumb.bell]

I think you missed the humour there...


lol

I guess I did - LOL. I'm not always the brightest individual.

[we1ghtlift3r]

I think the weights in the gym have more holes in them to allow for grasping. This causes there to be less weight than the ones at home. I also feel that when I'm at a gym, I can lift more just because of the atmosphere, so maybe that might be a slight factor, but not the whole thing. A 1 to 5 change is waaaay too drastic for atmosphere. Probably cuz of the first reason I talked about.

[nicelife2010]

I think the weights in the gym have more holes in them to allow for grasping. This causes there to be less weight than the ones at home. I also feel that when I'm at a gym, I can lift more just because of the atmosphere, so maybe that might be a slight factor, but not the whole thing. A 1 to 5 change is waaaay too drastic for atmosphere. Probably cuz of the first reason I talked about.
are u sure for that??

[Trevy-trev]

I think the weights in the gym have more holes in them to allow for grasping. This causes there to be less weight than the ones at home. I also feel that when I'm at a gym, I can lift more just because of the atmosphere, so maybe that might be a slight factor, but not the whole thing. A 1 to 5 change is waaaay too drastic for atmosphere. Probably cuz of the first reason I talked about.

lol

[jfindon]

I think the weights in the gym have more holes in them to allow for grasping. This causes there to be less weight than the ones at home. I also feel that when I'm at a gym, I can lift more just because of the atmosphere, so maybe that might be a slight factor, but not the whole thing. A 1 to 5 change is waaaay too drastic for atmosphere. Probably cuz of the first reason I talked about.

Now, I know the regulars here joke about that, but I can't help but think you're being serious with your reply..

[david54321]

i have same problem but the other way around can lift more at home then in gym

[thedickus]

Now, I know the regulars here joke about that, but I can't help but think you're being serious with your reply..

I think he was being serious. I'll be when he orders a large pizza he asks them to cut it into 16 slices instead of 12 so he'll get more.

[yankeemarko1]

I think he was being serious. I'll be when he orders a large pizza he asks them to cut it into 16 slices instead of 12 so he'll get more.

You mean you don't? I've been duped!!

Wasn't it Keetman that said he had invisible plates that were really light?

[Drakeo]

I've noticed this as well at the gym vs my home gym. Very interesting. 205 on the bench is easy at the Gym, but struggle with 170 on my home gym.

It could be anywhere from the barbell your using to your grip, is what I have concluded

[dumb.bell]

I must be an oddball, because I can get more at home. My bench, bar, and weights are comparable to what is at the gym. With me, it is all atmosphere. At the gym, I don't won't to attract any attention, so I don't get myself as psyched up. At home, I take my ephedrine/caffeine stack. Once it starts kicking, I pace, jump up and down, and and occassionally growl. I slam myself against the bench, get my arch and give it everything I got. Nevertheless, I still miss on max lifts. If I had went through that routine at the gym, and then missed. Well, I think you get the point. LOL

[regl8r]

There is something about those coated plates, I swear they are lighter. Add the element of being extra motivated at the gym and there you have it.

/Broscience

[JJ-]

I think the weights in the gym have more holes in them to allow for grasping. This causes there to be less weight than the ones at home.

Ummm................Wow

So which weighs more, A pound of feathers, or a pound of lead?? :)


I must be an oddball, because I can get more at home. My bench, bar, and weights are comparable to what is at the gym. With me, it is all atmosphere. At the gym, I don't won't to attract any attention, so I don't get myself as psyched up. At home, I take my ephedrine/caffeine stack. Once it starts kicking, I pace, jump up and down, and and occassionally growl. I slam myself against the bench, get my arch and give it everything I got. Nevertheless, I still miss on max lifts. If I had went through that routine at the gym, and then missed. Well, I think you get the point. LOL

Same here!! I can lift much more at home. I can turn the music up, get psyched up and do my own thing.

[BB12085]

I gotta agree with health nut. The atmosphere at a gym (women, guys bigger or stronger) I think Subconsciously help move more weight.

this...

im the same way bro, when i lift at home on my bench i seem to do 1-2 less reps than at the gym, even though im doing it almost exactly the same. think the gym setting helps you subconsiously..

[omarahad]

me too. i think its all in the mind lol Home = lazyness