When is too soon to start lifting?

KKJackson91
KKJackson91 Posts: 69 Member
edited November 11 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm 230 right now. When is it too soon to start adding lifting to my routine? Cardio has been my best friend for the first 25 lbs lost but I would like to start getting stronger. I have no idea where to start to get educated. There are so many opinions out there. Any thoughts or education on the matter would be greatly appreciated!

Replies

  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    It's never too soon to start lifting. As you have a decent amount of weight to lose, you may want to start by doing something more like circuit training to keep the calorie burn up and to 'ease into it' so to speak. However, it really depends on your preference - what you will enjoy. Will you enjoy a faster paced 'sweatier' type of routine or something slower paced that focuses more on strength. It sounds as if you are looking for the latter, so a good full body beginners routine would be a good place to start.

    Do you have access to a gym with free weights?

  • KKJackson91
    KKJackson91 Posts: 69 Member
    I have access to the gym, but memberships are super expensive and I'm the only one working in my family. I have free weights at home though. :)
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    I would recommend not lifting weights until sometime after you are born. After that you're generally fine.
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    edited January 2015
    It's never too soon to start lifting.

    I have to disagree with the previous poster. You don't need to start with circuit training which is a combo of cardio and lifting. There's no reason you can't lift heavy and do intense cardio sessions both on different days. I run 3-4 days per week (every other day) and lift weights twice per week on days I don't run. It's working for me.

    There are many good lifting programs out there. Honestly, you can simply pick up heavy things and put them down. Once they get easy to lift, pick up something heavier. It's really that simple. :) If you want something more structured, Google Strong Lifts or New Rules of Lifting For Women for a couple of highly recommended ones. You don't necessarily need to follow any diet plans that go with them.
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    You mean you did not start lifting yesterday?
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    DopeItUp wrote: »
    I would recommend not lifting weights until sometime after you are born. After that you're generally fine.

    this.
  • slinc15
    slinc15 Posts: 1
    I started trying to lose weight about 1.5 months ago. I started doing some HIIT training using FitStar (Iphone app). After losing 20 pounds I decided to start adding some strength training 4 days a week using Bodyweight Training (Iphone app by Mark Lauren). No gym membership required since all you need is your body. After the first two weeks my arms and legs have been really sore but that is to be expected considering I haven't done any strength training since high school. The great things about bodyweight training is it is free and you can adjust it to your fitness level easily. Just an idea.
  • KKJackson91
    KKJackson91 Posts: 69 Member
    Thank you everyone! :)
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    edited January 2015
    SueInAz wrote: »
    It's never too soon to start lifting.

    I have to disagree with the previous poster. You don't need to start with circuit training which is a combo of cardio and lifting. There's no reason you can't lift heavy and do intense cardio sessions both on different days. I run 3-4 days per week (every other day) and lift weights twice per week on days I don't run. It's working for me.

    There are many good lifting programs out there. Honestly, you can simply pick up heavy things and put them down. Once they get easy to lift, pick up something heavier. It's really that simple. :) If you want something more structured, Google Strong Lifts or New Rules of Lifting For Women for a couple of highly recommended ones. You don't necessarily need to follow any diet plans that go with them.

    I did not say she needed to - I said she could start. She has a decent amount of weight to lose so context is relevant, as are goals and preferences. As a beginner, and due to the amount of weight she needs to lose, she can maintain LBM with circuit training. As I noted, her goals seemed to be to add strength, which is why I recommended a good full body weight training routine.

    I lift 4 x a week and do not run...it's working for me. Does not mean it is other people's cup of tea.
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    KKJackson91 wrote: »
    I have access to the gym, but memberships are super expensive and I'm the only one working in my family. I have free weights at home though. :)

    What type of weights do you have? What are the lbs you have?

    If you do not have too large of a selection, then You Are Your Own Gym (mentioned by a poster above) is a good choice (or you can 'mix and match' with your weights).
  • kandeye
    kandeye Posts: 216 Member
    I am around the same weight and haven't really lost anything yet ( just started :p ) and tomorrow is day 3 of strong lifts 5x5. The program is very easy to understand and I have heard lots of good reviews about it throughout the forum
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    Start yesterday! God. I can't imagine what my body would look like if I didn't lift from the beginning. Doesn't matter that you still have a lot of weight to lose, lifting is fun, good for you, and who doesn't want to feel strong and retain muscle mass?
  • millionairesstv
    millionairesstv Posts: 55 Member
    If you look up dumb bells shoulder press on you tube . It is great for all over work out you only need heavy duty dumb bells where you start with what you can manage and increase heavy weights over time. The exercise is basically a squat lifting the weights above your head and down into a squat position .
  • hmcbride68
    hmcbride68 Posts: 72 Member
    Sarauk2sf wrote: »
    It's never too soon to start lifting. As you have a decent amount of weight to lose, you may want to start by doing something more like circuit training to keep the calorie burn up and to 'ease into it' so to speak. However, it really depends on your preference - what you will enjoy. Will you enjoy a faster paced 'sweatier' type of routine or something slower paced that focuses more on strength. It sounds as if you are looking for the latter, so a good full body beginners routine would be a good place to start.

    Do you have access to a gym with free weights?

    I agree with this advice. A circuit of bodyweight or calisthenic exercises and nautilus type machines can be good for getting the connective tissues prepared for heavy lifting, should you choose that path. If you do decide you want to start a barbell program, however, it is advisable to begin training the major compound lifts - deadlift, squat, press - with light weight (even an empty bar - except for deadlifts) as soon as possible, but take your time, and pay strict attention to form. Once you have the proper execution of the lifts down, then you can hit the gas
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    kandeye wrote: »
    I am around the same weight and haven't really lost anything yet ( just started :p ) and tomorrow is day 3 of strong lifts 5x5. The program is very easy to understand and I have heard lots of good reviews about it throughout the forum

    I also started stronglifts at around 230. I've loved how it changed my body, and I've lost about 40lbs. I think maintaining lean body mass as I lose really helped my body shape. I still have a long way to go, but I still love lifting.
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