Another newbie question

[Diddlypops]

So I've been working out for a few weeks, and increasing the weight wherever I can. When doing upper body stuff, I work to failure, where my muscles just can't do another rep no matter how hard I push. With my squats, I feel like I could add more weight but I have searing pain in my muscles - not just a burn, but a feeling like I might snap something if I do another squat or add more weight. Am I just being a pansy? I know I could push more but I'm hurting while I push, I can barely walk afterwards and I take some days to recover... Also, the burning is in my inner/middle quads, there's nothing going on for my outer thigh, where I would really like to add some bulk. Will this improve? Should I try to push through the pain? Can I damage myself if I try?

TIA!

[rdferguson]

No way for us to know, I'd imagine, but when in doubt, err on the side of caution. Let's say for argument's sake that getting that last painful rep gives you 100% of the results you could get, and stopping a couple reps short of that when it's not so iffy gives you 80% of those results. That's still 80%. That's a good thing. To decrease the effectiveness by 20% but increase the safety by 80% would be a good thing.

In any case, you should look at your form to make sure you're doing it right.

Squats should work the whole of the quadriceps, so they should develop the outer thigh. Not sure what's going on with what you're experiencing....again, could be a form thing.

[Diddlypops]

Thanks for the reply :-)

I guess I'm wondering if it's a newbie thing - could my legs be adjusting to lifting heavy? My connective tissue 'getting used to it'? Could it be possible that my quads are uneven to begin with and evening out?

It's funny, I used to think I was strong, but since starting lifting I can't believe how weak I am!

I won't let it discourage me in any case, but I don't want an injury so early on...