Signs of a successful workout?

[CCS]

I consider a workout to be successful when I am able to lift more the next time than I did that time.

This usually happens if I just feel happy and high after a workout, and am not sore. Maybe advanced lifters need to get sore to grow, and first time lifters might get sore regardless. But after a few times doing an exercise, I think soreness is bad for a beginner. Some people recover differently though.

A beginner will respond to almost any stimulus, so why tear yourself down more than you have to. Better to break it down a tiny bit and just let your body grow from there. You'll need more stimulus in 6 months, so enjoy the easy gains when you first start.

 

[hair today gone tomorrow]

when I am able to lift more the next time than I did that time.

This usually happens if I just feel happy and high after a workout. I don't feel sore either.

:agree:

 

[powersam]

small amounts of blood running out of the ears eyes and nose

 

[s.a.f]

Losing conscious and falling over or puking up. (I've done both).

 

[CCS]

when your arms turn off neurally, and the bar just alls on your chest. then you know you put out a true effort, unlike the other pussies at the gym.

 

[hair today gone tomorrow]

if you are making progress every week by either a) adding more weight to your exercises (esp. the compound lifts) or b) adding more reps to your exercises then thats ALL that matters.

 

[CCS]

1. when you can tell by your goans and the look on your face and your form in the mirror that you are working a lot harder than the pussies standing next to you.

2. When you've torn so much muscle down that it is all gone. That's when you really know you've worked hard and long.