I want to lift - advice please

ashoona

I have struggled for a good few years with being 'skinny fat' and from reading around it seems like the best solution to this is to lift heavy. I was just wondering how I should go about starting with this.

To give you some background on me, I'm female, 5'6 and around 143lbs (so a healthy BMI), but I look a lot bigger, have a lot of flab. I'm not a member of any gym and am currently doing cardio (zumba and spinning) and going through workout videos. I would prefer not to join a gym as I don't really have the money right now. I work best with structured exercise like classes or videos so if anyone can recommend me anything like that I would really appreciate it (I have heard mixed things about body pump classes). Also in terms of equipment, I have limited space so even though I could keep dumbells and kettlebells, I don't have room for barbells. Do you think I can still get a good workout without them? I would be grateful for any advice on this - thanks

deksgrl

Dumbbells and kettlebells and body weight resistance exercises would help you. There are lots of different workouts. Look at Nerd Fitness website for beginner body weight routine. Others include You Are Your Own Gym, and Convict Conditioning. There are a number of trainers that have dumbbell and kettlebell workouts but I'm having a brain cramp right now.

Jennloella

I love my bowflex adjustable dumbbells. They go from 5 to 52.5 each, great for a beginner and take up little space.

SueInAz

Resistance bands are great and take up very little space. Most of them come with instructions for basic exercises.

Also, look on Youtube for lifting routines. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of them on there.

3laine75

My first recommendation would be starting strength which is a book/beginner programme. The downside is a barbell is needed - I bought my equipment for my homegym gradually, as I needed it.

If this isn't an option, I've heard good things about convict conditioning and you are your own gym, which are progressive bodyweight programmes. A member on here, Waldo, has a great site, strength unbound, too - brb with the link

http://strengthunbound.com

dym123

If you prefer something more structured, check out Fitness Blender, they have a channel on You Tube, also Be Fit. That's how I started, now I do my own routine. I started with just a few dumbbells (5 & 8lbs), that I have built up to 40lbs, along with a bench, barbell and a couple of kettlebells.