I've been lifting for 4 years (high school) and am now 18, about to graduate and at a loss. Let me give a little history....I was a runner throughout middle school, and at the high school level, I couldn't keep up. I quit. I started lifting in gym, I think I maxed out at 135 lbs on bench press, and weighed about the same, squatted 225, power cleaned 115 and dead lifted 300. Sophomore year, I focused on bench press, and raised it to about 160. Junior year, I raised it A LOT.

To 225 by the end of the year. Since then, I've lost about 20 lbs on that weight and weigh in around 10 lbs heavier than freshman year, and I'm at a loss as to how to gain my strength back.

Note, I want strength...I don't care if I look strong, or am ripped, or whatever. I just want to be strong...I started boxing the beginning of the year, just amateur practice stuff. I curl about 100 lbs (both hands), I squat 250, I power clean 150, and I don't know about dead lift, last year it was 500.

Since junior year, I've lifted every day, bench press or curling. Sit ups, push ups, calistenics on occasion. The weekly boxing lesson. I run from time to time, but idk. I just don't know how to get stronger anymore. I eat healthier, I rest for a week after 4 weeks of lifting. I change up my work out from time to time. I do yoga and squat low weights high reps.

Any help from anyone who read it?

okay ! You're 18 and I'm assuming you're Male????? I need a little more information.....how tall are you and what is your body weight right now...

Also, Generally If you are looking to increase your Strength....you are going to need to increase your Size...your body mass.....and WHAT you eat...YOu'll need to eat A LOT more food ! So, I need to know what you are trying to accomplish...are you interested in going up in weight????? getting Bigger? YOur genetics play a HUGE role in how Big you can get ...also if you are Male, which I think you are....You are not done growing yet....so your physical gains and losses are going to be all over the map for the next year or so....that is completely normal...

You may need to change your diet...and your workout....OH and everyone has a bad day...there are some days where I feel like I can't even do a 20 minute workout...and other days where I can work out for 90 minutes and still have plenty of energy to do more....Our bodies and our cells are constantly changing from day to day....

When you say you want to be stronger...are you aspiring to be a power lifter? or do you just want basic strength? What you are lifting now is very impressive , so please consider yourself a success!

okay I hope to hear from you soon!
CheryL : )

__________________
Cheryl Greenfield

Former National Fitness Competitor & Finalist
AFAA Certified Personal Trainer & Aerobics Instructor
Fitness Choreographer and Consultant

http://www.exerciseforums.com

I'm 18, male, 5'8", 145 lbs. I gained 10 lbs last year, and before that, I have been 5'8" and 135 for 4 years before that. I don't want to get bigger, just stronger.

Terrible genetics. My dad's side is all obese, my mom's isn't much better.

Its not that I think I'm unimpressive by any means, I brag about it from time to time. But I hate how static I've been in my gains. I just like being strong. I don't know why, I just do. I have no interest in this as a career or anything. I eat a lot of protein now and carbs. And not a lot of sugar. I gave up soda like a month ago. Any other diet suggestions?

And I do the same work out for like....3 months, taking a week off after 4 weeks of lifting where its 10 reps, 8 reps, 6 reps, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, increasing the weight 10 lbs each time, ending at 215 (bench press). Any suggestions on a different work out?