Want to start lifting but is it too soon?

bbandme

Hello, I am still new here; I started logging 4 weeks ago and joined the local gym at the same time. So far I have lost nearly 9lbs and have been going to the gym 3 or 4 times a week. While I'm there I do 25 mins cardio and then twice a week I also do some weights machines (leg press, leg curl, abductor, lat pulldown and a tricep pulldown one and then some planks and crunches. This was the workout devised by the trainer there and I have my 4 week review on tuesday.

Before I joined I was the ultimate couch potato, I walked to and from the car and not much more than that. I am 41, female, started at 175lbs and am currently at 166.75lbs.

Anyway, to the point .....

I have been reading lots on here about weights and have checked out stronglifts. I really want to do this and have read advice on here saying its never too soon to start etc, but I am wondering if I'm running ahead of myself and would I be better to work in building some general fitness first, improving my general cardio fitness levels etc and improving the weights I do on the weight machines before I progress on to free weights? For example, on the leg press they started me on 20kg and I'm now on 40kg, but this seems low compared to the weights people on the heavy lifting threads do.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated, I have spent hours and hours reading so many threads on here but am still not sure what to do

itsclobberintime

There isn't really a good reason that you need to hold off from a program like SL at this point. If you follow it as intended, you will be progressing slowly so your body will adjust easily. And you can also still do as much cardio as you enjoy in the meantime.

DawnEmbers

Do it!

Seriously though. Everyone has to start somewhere. Over 12 weeks ago when I started doing stronglifts, the bar felt so heavy on so many lifts. Now, I can lift a lot more. That's part of the fun, the progression. And staying at a deficit, I've managed to lose weight during that time.

Just have to take that step and you might surprise yourself with what you will be able to do.

McCloud33

Not to early and if you think the olympic bar is to heavy to start with, then see if the gym has lighter bars or weighted sticks or something. Look up some of the women's threads on SL5x5...there is a lot of good advice out there if you're willing to go look for it.

good luck!

arditarose

Start now! Glad you're interested. You'll be really happy with your results.