If you have had problems in the past and don't know where to look for answers, look no further! In this article you will find the answers to many common concerns dealing with weight training and more...
Every time you buy a computer program, they always urge you to go through this long list of "troubleshooting" items before you call their helpdesk. Of course, reading the suggestions is usually borderline to insulting.

My screen is black.
Solution 1: Push the power button.
Solution 2: Plug the cord into a power outlet.
Solution 3: Plug the cable into slot at the back of your computer.
Solution 4: Call the helpdesk.

Basically, this makes me (and many with me, I'm sure) go: "Duuh!!". Now, the scary part is that a friend of mine, who works at a tech-helpdesk, gets a ton of these - even though the people are given the hint of actually plugging in the monitor before calling. This is not to say that people are idiots, since I'm sure that, when presented with the problem in more familiar terms, they will all recognize the need for providing an electrical device with electricity before expecting it to work. Few would remove the batteries from a flashlight and get surprised when the light won't come on.

Why am I babbling about idiots who are not really idiots at all, but rather perfectly normal people who just got confused when faced with something new? Simply because I'm fairly sure that there are many people out there in the gyms' who work the exact same way - People that are stuck with habits that were learned long ago, that obviously doesn't work, but go unchanged. Once again, this is not stupidity. However, getting a hint about what's wrong and IGNORING it is stupid!

Fortunately, I know that all my readers are amazingly intelligent, bright, and otherwise wonderful human beings, simply by the fact that you keep coming back and boosting my hit-count every week. That aside, it doesn't hurt running a check-up on yourself as well as your training partner.


My wrists hurt when I do barbell bicep-curls.
Try using dumbbells or a Z-bar. This doesn't force the wrist to bend to an extreme position.


I need to lose weight, but I always get incredibly hungry at night.
Have a protein shake, preferably something creamy that will fill you up without adding calories. Met-Rx gives you about 20-25 grams of carbs with the protein, but if you take it an hour or so before going to bed you should be Ok. I don't know what they do to their stuff, but it gets really, really filling in spite of the low calories.

My calves won't grow. What's wrong with them?
How original! Well, try training them first instead of last in your workout, and make sure to use full range of motion. Squeeze for a second in the max-contraction position.


My lower back hurts after I've done deadlifts.
Have someone check your form. You might not bend your knees enough, and make up for it by rounding your back a little. Get a good belt that gives you plenty of support around your midsection. Also make sure to keep your abdominals in shape, and flex them to the max throughout the range of motion. Strive for balance, and make sure to never go so heavy that you can't do more than 4-5 reps.


My girlfriend is threatening to leave me if I keep spending 3 hours a day in the gym.

Get a life, bozo!


My lats won't grow, no matter what I do.
Lats are hard to train, as it's so very, very easy to cheat and start involving other muscles. Your best bet is to cut the weight 25%-50%, and go really high-rep for a few workouts. Put your mind into the lats, and re-discover the feeling of the lats actually working. Once you've got that feeling of how it should be, you will find it much easier to maintain that feel as you start piling on the plates again.


I've tried all kinds of diets and supplements, but I still can't lose any fat.
Forget the fads and stick with the basics. Establish your BMR and make sure to stay -500 calories per day on the average (keep a log!). Use cardio sensibly, and don't neglect the weight training. Keep the protein high, and keep eating SOME fat (at least 10%). Keep in mind that it's a long-term project, and that consistency will win where short, heroic efforts will fail. Stay focused.