How much weight should I lift?

thewordwarrior

This might be an INCREDIBLY stupid question, but I'm not actually entirely sure how much weight I should lift. Whenever I go to the gym, I feel most comfortable doing cardio, and pretty much avoid the weights. But I know that I do need to lift a few times a week too. So I feel a little silly that I don't actually know how much to lift. How many reps/sets? Is there a certain schedule I should keep, like arms one day and legs the next? What works for you guys?

Finally, any advice how NOT to look like the crazy girl who doesn't know what she's doing in the gym?

Thanks in advance!!

BarackMeLikeAHurricane

Look up starting strength

mikejholmes

Look up starting strength

^

1ConcreteGirl

Agree, Starting Strength is a great book and resource. Also buy New Rules of Lifting for Women from Amazon if you haven't done so. I don't think it has the best program, but the book itself and the information in it is really excellent. Do your research before starting, but definitely start.

I was terrified of entering the weight room at first, because I didn't want to look like a fool, so I used YouTube and the books above to make sure I knew exactly what I was doing before I got there, and it worked. Have a plan when you go; know exactly what you're going to do when you get there so that you can walk around like a boss.

You should start as much as you can handle with good form and add weight as often as you can. Depending on your strength, many women can begin with the barbell itself (45 lbs) for squats and deadlifts and a short bar (25 lbs) or a fixed weight bar for upper body work.

morkiemama

Agree, Starting Strength is a great book and resource. Also buy New Rules of Lifting for Women from Amazon if you haven't done so. I don't think it has the best program, but the book itself and the information in it is really excellent. Do your research before starting, but definitely start.

I was terrified of entering the weight room at first, because I didn't want to look like a fool, so I used YouTube and the books above to make sure I knew exactly what I was doing before I got there, and it worked. Have a plan when you go; know exactly what you're going to do when you get there so that you can walk around like a boss.

You should start as much as you can handle with good form and add weight as often as you can. Depending on your strength, many women can begin with the barbell itself (45 lbs) for squats and deadlifts and a short bar (25 lbs) or a fixed weight bar for upper body work.

Great advice.

I am currently doing New Rules of Lifting for Women and I love it! Starting Strength is also a popular beginner program. People also really like StrongLifts 5x5!

I would like to add that I was REALLY unconfident on how to properly do lifts. I was really paranoid I was going to hurt myself (I'm accident prone by nature). No amount of reading or videos made me feel like I was ready. So, I hired a trainer to assure my form was good. She meets with me at the start of a new stage and checks my form. If I am good to go, I workout on my own until the next new set of moves! It has been great.

whierd

All of it.

Mother_Superior

Agree, Starting Strength is a great book and resource. Also buy New Rules of Lifting for Women from Amazon if you haven't done so. I don't think it has the best program, but the book itself and the information in it is really excellent. Do your research before starting, but definitely start.

I was terrified of entering the weight room at first, because I didn't want to look like a fool, so I used YouTube and the books above to make sure I knew exactly what I was doing before I got there, and it worked. Have a plan when you go; know exactly what you're going to do when you get there so that you can walk around like a boss.

You should start as much as you can handle with good form and add weight as often as you can. Depending on your strength, many women can begin with the barbell itself (45 lbs) for squats and deadlifts and a short bar (25 lbs) or a fixed weight bar for upper body work.

Exactly this!