Lifting weights at the gym

Does anyone know how you calculate how much weight you are lifting when you use the machines at the gym? I've been told that each plate weighs 15lbs. If I am lifting #2 (the top plate) I assume I am lifting 15lbs. If I put the pin into the next plate (#3), then does it stand to reason that I am now lifting 30 lbs? and then 45 lbs and so on for each plate added?

I know that important thing is to watch my progress and ultimately, it's not the weight itself but the progression from 2 to 3 to 4 plates, as well as an increase in reps/sets.

But I still wanna know anyway. :rolleyes: :D

Not all machines are the same. Therefore, I can't imagine any information from me will help you much.

My first thoughts:

-don't the weights have their poundage written on them?
-is there not some handy staff person nearby that you can ask about weight calculation...or a kind fellow weights user (who isn't some boob-oogling dude)?

Sorry I can't help with anything more than my own questions. Good luck.

I've asked the girls who've been working at the counter the last 3 times I was in and none of them have a clue. I also wrote a note and left my number so someone could call me. This is a good gym actually but I think a lot of them are on holiday this week so they've left the bimbos in charge. I also asked a couple of experienced guys there too but they could only tell me that the plates weigh 15 lbs each.

It depends on the machine. Machines already have a small amount of resistance without even loading a plate on. And different machines have different amounts of resistance.It's not standardized. But the basic principle 15/30/45 etc., stands.

start using free weights in combination with the stability balls if you really want to know numbers. And build your core strength at the same time.

Wow those look tough! Too bad I just paid for 3 months at the gym. I'll bookmark that link for when it expires in March. Thanks Zen.

kg - your gym should have the weights and physioballs. you can use them there and decide which sizes and wts you want for home.

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Originally Posted by kelownagirl

I've asked the girls who've been working at the counter the last 3 times I was in and none of them have a clue. I also wrote a note and left my number so someone could call me. This is a good gym actually but I think a lot of them are on holiday this week so they've left the bimbos in charge. I also asked a couple of experienced guys there too but they could only tell me that the plates weigh 15 lbs each.

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Is there not a trainer actually working in the gym that you could ask? Or is that what you mean by the girls at the counter (I assumed you meant the counter in the reception area)? Who put your programme together? (I ask because in most gyms there is no extra charge for having an appointment with a trainer every 6-8 weeks to set up your exercise plan, and most insist you have this done when you first join to cover their a$$es should you hurt yourself using their equipment.) Surely she or he would know? :confused:

In my gym, some of the machines have 15lb plates and some have 10lb plates, then all the free weights stuff is in kg. All of it is clearly marked (except that the plates don't say that they're pounds, but the trainer could tell me when I asked), so it's just a matter of adding it up. :)

The 15-30-45 is usually correct. Keep in mind that it's as much for tracking your progress as anything else. Though I totally understand wanting to know how much you are actually lifting.

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Originally Posted by DirtDiva

Is there not a trainer actually working in the gym that you could ask? Or is that what you mean by the girls at the counter (I assumed you meant the counter in the reception area)? Who put your programme together? (I ask because in most gyms there is no extra charge for having an appointment with a trainer every 6-8 weeks to set up your exercise plan, and most insist you have this done when you first join to cover their a$$es should you hurt yourself using their equipment.) Surely she or he would know? :confused:

In my gym, some of the machines have 15lb plates and some have 10lb plates, then all the free weights stuff is in kg. All of it is clearly marked (except that the plates don't say that they're pounds, but the trainer could tell me when I asked), so it's just a matter of adding it up. :)

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Yeah they do have trainers that I can talk to but I have to make an appt and it seemed kind of silly to set up an appt for one question. I kept hoping one of them would be around when I went in this week just to answer a quick question. I did have the orientation last time I went (2 years ago) and I have a plan to follow so I hadn't bothered to sign up this time.

Anyway, thanks for the info ladies. You have helped and I'm not surprised that there's no easy answer. at least you've confirmed the basics.

Zen, I'm wondering if 15# dumbbell is the max while using the ball.

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Originally Posted by sundial

Zen, I'm wondering if 15# dumbbell is the max while using the ball.

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I've done as much as 25# dumbbells in the past, while using the ball. I didn't break the ball, so I guess it was safe! :D

H&B
~T~

I should think the range of weights of people using the balls varies much more than the weight of the dumbbells being used...

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Originally Posted by kelownagirl

I did have the orientation last time I went (2 years ago) and I have a plan to follow so I hadn't bothered to sign up this time.

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Ah, ok. I always make use of the free programme updates, but I bore easily and need the variety.

Don't most gyms have someone knowledgeable walking around helping folks??

That was the case @ the last gym i was a member of..

Why is it all so difficult...

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Originally Posted by crazycanuck

Don't most gyms have someone knowledgeable walking around helping folks??

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It's pretty much a crapshoot as to how knowledgeable the club "trainers" are. Some have college degrees and certification but no experience, some have years of experience and some have little or no experience at all.

In the US club trainers aren't even required to be certified. There is no system of licensure.
You really have to be careful in choosing a trainer.

I'd be surprised if all the machines have the same size plates. They certainly don't with Nautilus machines, which are the only ones I've spent any time on.

Compare your leg press machine with your rear delt flye machine, just for example of maybe the heaviest and the lightest weights you're going to be pushing. You wouldn't want to have to go up by 5# increments on the leg press... and you wouldn't be able to go up by 20# increments on the delt machines.


For your specific question, if "2" is 15#, then what's 1? (Yeah, I get there's no place for "1", but it's what you're lifting if you take the pin out, right?) If "2" is 15#, I would assume that "3" is 22.5#, "4" is 30#, and so on. If you're really talking about 15# increments, I sure hope you're talking about leg presses, because not too many women would be able to progress at all in 15# increments on any other exercise. Bent-over or seated rows, maybe. Bench presses and tricep dips, barely. Any delt exercise, fuhgeddaboudit.


Edit again: kg, if the last time you worked with one of the trainers was two years ago, take advantage of them again. We all need someone else to critique our form now and then. Obviously the machines kind of lock you into position and there's not as much precision as there is with free weights, but there's still room for advice on setting the various positions on the machine, pacing, breathing, etc. Zen is correct as far as there being no licensure in the USA - don't know what your situation is down there - but in practice, it's only the very smallest gyms here that don't require their trainers to at least be certified by one of the four major organizations (ACE, AFAA, ACSM or NSCA). But definitely, if you're going to be working with a trainer for more than a check-up every couple of years, check their credentials and trust your gut.

Great thoughts Oakleaf. I think I will make an appt.