Yet another newbie Lifting topic...

izu87

Well, after reading so much around the forums I've decided to look into lifting and eventually try it out as additional toning. As I've got problems with my eyes (history of pressure and one ophthalmologist a while back warning me to not lift heavy) I did go to my doctor to get cleared - was okayed to start lighter and to see how things are going in a month.

So. I want to start lifting. But as I've never lifted in my life even my 2kg dumbbells are a challenge to me. So I was thinking to start on the lighter side, build up at least some sort of strength, learn the basics and slowly progress up to bigger weights (if everything is okay with my eyes in the meanwhile).

The "problem" is that I want to start this at home for multiple reasons. One is that currently my anxiety flares up just at the thought of going to a gym, and it hits me bad. Really bad. Another is that I'm doing Insanity Max 30, and I want to do the lifting after I've done those workouts. At home I'm not completely empty handed, but I don't have pro's setup - I've got a set of dumbbells with a barbell and weights that go up to 30kgs (around 66lbs?), which I think should be enough to begin with at least some sort of lifting workouts. But then again I might be completely wrong... A total newbie or maybe I should say a n00b...

Could you recommend me some beginner's program? Or videos? I've taken a look at fitness blender's dumbbell workouts... And I've read the 5x5 Stronglifts, but I'm not sure whether they are appropriate to do with my gear.

Really... any advice, tips and directions are welcome.

Marcel182

Hi!
I'm going to start by saying that I'm by no means an expert on lifting. What I can say is that I started out just like you, exercising with dumbbells at home. I believe you can achieve a lot this way, or even working with your own bodyweight, to gain a good deal of strength without having to resort to a gym membership.
I did however join a gym last Summer, for the main reason that I did not want to keep buying more and more (and heavier) weights for at home.
But to start out, I would recommend you have a look at programs like "You Are Your Own Gym" or "Convict Conditioning", which both emphasise exercising with nothing but your bodyweight.
I also like nerdfitness.com and their Strength Training 101 articles, which give good advice (IMO) on how to get started with weights.
Hope this helps!

izu87

Hi! Thanks! I'll certainly look into those!