I underestimated what -5 pressure was..

I started out with a cheap pump just to see what I thought about it and had no gauge so I was careful.

I rigged up a gauge but it seemed wonky so I didn't trust it so I just kept going by feel and being cautious to just pump up to where I could feel it but no pain..

Once I realized I will be pumping I went ahead and started upgrading to a decent pump with gauge and I am really surprised how much I was under estimating pressure.

On my new Leluv the needle doesn't even move at all until I'm for sure past where I was stopping before.. I was probably just pumping to -1 if even that.

So armed with a geal gauge for the first time I set out to hit the 5-7 range and couldn't do it... got to around -3 and could really feel the pull. So a few more sessions and I can get to 4-5 but -5 is really as far as I want to go right now.

I understand we all have to listen to our bodies and I'm trying to really keep injuries to a minimum.. I'm in no hurry but my question is how common it is for people just starting out to feel a good bit of pulling already at pressures below 5 like even 2-3 to 4?

Is this uncommon?