Feeling the burn

[Tatsuji]

I have a problem in which, when i do exercises whether it be pushups, sit-ups or bench press, i can't seem to feel the burn.

Before you ask i have gone over my form 49759659 times and more again and had my form checked out at the gym as well and it was all fine but i don't feel the burn, i only end up feeling like i have ran slowly and gotten tired out

I am 17 and i am bench pressing as heavy as i can 45-50 (leave me alone) and i can do this for 15 reps but only momentary burn.

I'm also wondering whether my water intake could have effected this since i drink 8-18 average cups of water a day

Also i don't get Delayed muscle soreness from the most hectic of workouts and it is making me feel like giving up.

Please respond ^^

[tpvlyrm]

Also i don't get Delayed muscle soreness from the most hectic of workouts and it is making me feel like giving up.

Why, is your training goal just to get DOMS?


Are you getting stronger and more muscular?

[Tatsuji]

I have had small muscle gains

[Jackamaideshwang]

Many people would kill to be in your situation, no doms, no burn preventing you from training harder. Although in all honesty it just sounds like you havent been training hard enough. Many beginners don't have the capacity to train to their limits, and many just take long breaks and don't push themselves hard enough. The "burn" is only momentary, you don't get it for long periods of time, and it's usually the limiting factor in hi-rep exercises. When are able to do 15 reps of whatever, I think it's time to increase the weight. The "burn" will be most noticable in isolation exercises like, flyes or tricep pulldowns if you work to failure. Bodybuilders work to failure, strength athletes don't usually. You should also be training at a high intensity the majority of the time. I hope that clears up your expectations of weight training.

[Lukas]

Your hydration may be very much a key factor in this. I have noticed that on days when I don't drink as much water, I "burn" for more easily and am very sore the next day. However, when I drink my normal amount (3-4 liters, I'm a water monger) I don't get very sore, if at all, and I can work out for what seems like hours.

Don't be complaining about this condition, if you are making gains, and doing it painlessly, why should you worry about hurting?

Making gains is a far better sign that you're making gains than say...DOMS.

[n3m3s1s]

If the weight is going up there's nothing to worry about. If you can do 15 reps withouth feeling anything its about time to add weight.

dont care about feeling a pump or "burn" as long as you can lift more =D

I never get sore legs, but they still grow like crazy.

[Caveman]

You could get a 1kg weight and do 1000 curls with it and feel a "burn" but you would not have done anything worthwhile.

So as said above, don't worry about getting or not getting that "burn" feeling.

Also if you can do the weight 15 times I'd say go up as long as your forms decent.

[Birch]

Try doing muscle activation exercises on an empty stomach, don't train hard out, just work on activating your muscles so you know the feeling and can use it again later.
Each type of food can react with each organ in your body. Your organs are also connected to your muscles. It is like Kinesiology, where different spots on your foot correspond to muscles in your body.
Eating certain foods may 'shut down' a certain organ which is connected to something. For example, I have trouble activating my chest after eating too much wheat.

This is just one thing that you could try. I am big into activation and when I train people I prefer them to be able to use the muscle that they are supposed to be using than cheating and just doing an exercise. You are in the gym to work your muslces, not to see how much you can lift. Most of the things I do require me to be there though :tongue: