today was a horrible workout day! :(

[Era081011]

I started into my new gym today. I don't know if it's because I was new to their equipment and used to the old gym, but I feel like I did pretty bad today. I found myself unable to finish my sets--I'd make it through the first set, but on the third set (and sometimes even the second set) I'd make it to 8 or so and then my muscle would crap out. The weights run differently in this gym. At the old gym they went in 12lbs increments--in this gym they go in 10 pound increments on some machines, and then 15lb increments on others. It just really threw me off.

Is it okay to not finish the full 10 reps I set out to do?

Like today when I was pressing dumbbells for my chest, I did 1 set of 10 reps and 2 sets of 8 reps at the same weight. And on concentrations I did 1 set of 10, 1 set of 8, and 1 set of 6 all at the same weight. My muscle just wouldn't let me finish the set of 10. Is it okay to do it this way if my body cannot finish the set?

I have heard of people varying the reps, but usually they up the weight and lower the reps and not keep the weight the same and lower the reps??

Any advice?

[kjake55]

I started into my new gym today. I don't know if it's because I was new to their equipment and used to the old gym, but I feel like I did pretty bad today. I found myself unable to finish my sets--I'd make it through the first set, but on the third set (and sometimes even the second set) I'd make it to 8 or so and then my muscle would crap out. The weights run differently in this gym. At the old gym they went in 12lbs increments--in this gym they go in 10 pound increments on some machines, and then 15lb increments on others. It just really threw me off.

Is it okay to not finish the full 10 reps I set out to do?

Like today when I was pressing dumbbells for my chest, I did 1 set of 10 reps and 2 sets of 8 reps at the same weight. And on concentrations I did 1 set of 10, 1 set of 8, and 1 set of 6 all at the same weight. My muscle just wouldn't let me finish the set of 10. Is it okay to do it this way if my body cannot finish the set?

I have heard of people varying the reps, but usually they up the weight and lower the reps and not keep the weight the same and lower the reps??

Any advice?

Sounds like you had "new school" jitters. I can understand the machines throwing you a little but dumbells are dumbells are dumbells and a 10# DB in 1 gym is the same as the next. Shake it off and try to finish your sets next time through. Does the new gym have 1/2 plates for the machines? That might help on that side but no matter what don't let 1 bad day in the gym defeat you.

You sound really down so here's some {{{hugs}}} for the rest of your day.

[IdaVictoria]

I started into my new gym today. I don't know if it's because I was new to their equipment and used to the old gym, but I feel like I did pretty bad today. I found myself unable to finish my sets--I'd make it through the first set, but on the third set (and sometimes even the second set) I'd make it to 8 or so and then my muscle would crap out. The weights run differently in this gym. At the old gym they went in 12lbs increments--in this gym they go in 10 pound increments on some machines, and then 15lb increments on others. It just really threw me off.

Is it okay to not finish the full 10 reps I set out to do?

Like today when I was pressing dumbbells for my chest, I did 1 set of 10 reps and 2 sets of 8 reps at the same weight. And on concentrations I did 1 set of 10, 1 set of 8, and 1 set of 6 all at the same weight. My muscle just wouldn't let me finish the set of 10. Is it okay to do it this way if my body cannot finish the set?

I have heard of people varying the reps, but usually they up the weight and lower the reps and not keep the weight the same and lower the reps??

Any advice?

Aw, I know that feel, just recently changed gym myself. Ended up walking out of there with the worst feeling. What I found to be a little helpful was to take a few cardio days to scope out the place. May not be a part of your program, but taking a few days with medium intensity whilst casually looking around and getting a feel for the place really made a difference. I love my place now, better than my last. Its more than ok to not go ninja-apesh!t with the weights the first few times. Your general experience with the gym later on is far more important!

Nonetheless, good luck

[MaliaBot]

You got in the gym and worked it!! Sounds like a good day in general, even if a bad workout day.

But it seriously could have been worse. I deadlifted in a new gym....once. I hurt my back for weeks afterwards.

[TheAmazon]

or squatting till failure in the rack and then falling on you butt, reracking the weights as quickly as possible and leaving.

[Kemo1990]

ive gone into the gym not being about to do my 10rm that i easily hit the week before...just **** happens check your diet and sleep.

[Sawa3]

Some days you just have a bad day. You have to recover from it and go on! Don't let the new gym be an excuse.. go on with it and don't worry about it. Yes it's okay not to hit how many you had hoped for. the key is trying as hard as possible and if 8 was how you gave it your all vs 10 then that is what it is! Tomorrow will be better.

[oregonchick76]

New to lifting? Bad days happen. Maybe cuz you've got a bad attitude one day, maybe you're coming down with something, etc. Just shake it off and go back in the next time. The only time I worry is if I'm pushing for burnout. If I don't progress for several weeks, deload is in order.

[MelnCrash]

I use my gym at home normally and some days i just have no strength and can barely do my sets at all. (usually when i haven't eaten properly that day) I usually do my best then do a few extra things afterwards (maybe go for a little jog, do some skipping or even do my favourite lift just at lower weights) to take my mind off it.

No need to beat yourself up about it, Just think about your next work out

[5more]

I've had days like those. For me it's usually diet or overtraining.

[DaniGrrl]

I wouldn't say I have had an entirely horrible week. Both leg days felt pretty good. The other days I feel like I sucked a little - but for me it's due to stress and not sleeping so great. So today could have been any number of things - I switched facilities recently myself and I feel my workouts are a lot better but there is differences in the machines which is odd to me. I mean, I'd think a certain amount of pounds is a certain amount of pounds, you know? Like, at my old gym, I could do I think 110 pounds on the lying hamstring curl machine. At the new gym, I can do 65. ????? But I figure the actual number doesn't matter - as long as the weight is challenging.

So you could just not have felt as comfortable, maybe you didn't get enough rest, maybe you didn't eat enough. See what happens over the next few days. And hang in there! We all have crappy workouts every once in a while. The thing is how you overcome that tomorrow