I want to start lifting but...
enemyger
Posts: 84 Member
I want to lose some weight and shape my body better cause its kinda chubby,
I'm eating on a deficit and I thought on starting to lift but I just don't know what should I do, since I go alone to te gym im pretty insecure on lifting cause I just don't know where to start?
I'm eating on a deficit and I thought on starting to lift but I just don't know what should I do, since I go alone to te gym im pretty insecure on lifting cause I just don't know where to start?
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Planet Fitness has free classes....0
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Does the gym not have any attendants? There should be someone there that can show you the correct way to use the equipment. I would use the machines since with free weights you have to worry about proper form due to the fact that you could end up exercising the wrong muscle because of how you execute a move compared to if you were one a machine that is specific to the muscle group you want to exercise.
After that just break your body into zones/parts. For example, when I attended the gym, I broke my body into different zones that I exercised on different days mixed with cardio.
For example, one day would be arms, I would only hit the machines that dealt with arms. The next day was shoulder and chest, the next day abs, the next day glutes and back, lastly legs. So I would do Cardio 5X a week, then Strength training 5X a week only exercising the major muscle group once a week.
Or you could do the Upper/Lower Body zones, this is exercising only upper body, then lower body, then rest, then repeat.0 -
There are plenty of beginner programs on bodybuilding.com. Don't worry man, when I started I was very overweight and was insecure about lifting as well. I thought that was only for the fit guys.
I was terribly wrong. I workout alone as well and I go in and do my work. Go in with a plan printed or on your phone. Ignore what others are doing, everyone has their own story. Don't worry that someone else is lifting less or more than you.
It's going to be the best decision you'll make in the gym.
Best of luck.0 -
transparentenigma wrote: »Does the gym not have any attendants? There should be someone there that can show you the correct way to use the equipment. I would use the machines since with free weights you have to worry about proper form due to the fact that you could end up exercising the wrong muscle because of how you execute a move compared to if you were one a machine that is specific to the muscle group you want to exercise.
After that just break your body into zones/parts. For example, when I attended the gym, I broke my body into different zones that I exercised on different days mixed with cardio.
For example, one day would be arms, I would only hit the machines that dealt with arms. The next day was shoulder and chest, the next day abs, the next day glutes and back, lastly legs. So I would do Cardio 5X a week, then Strength training 5X a week only exercising the major muscle group once a week.
Or you could do the Upper/Lower Body zones, this is exercising only upper body, then lower body, then rest, then repeat.
I might do the muscle group a day thing
I did it b4 but i didn't know if it was the right thing for weight loss...
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You're right,IXChicharitoXI wrote: »There are plenty of beginner programs on bodybuilding.com. Don't worry man, when I started I was very overweight and was insecure about lifting as well. I thought that was only for the fit guys.
I was terribly wrong. I workout alone as well and I go in and do my work. Go in with a plan printed or on your phone. Ignore what others are doing, everyone has their own story. Don't worry that someone else is lifting less or more than you.
It's going to be the best decision you'll make in the gym.
Best of luck.
Thanks for the advice bro.
I also prefer to work out alone, gym bros brag the whole time while working out, its so annoying like *kitten* I dont give a *kitten*...
Now the only thing i need to do is to stop saying I'll start tomorrow ahah
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Try a program. I'm doing Stronglifts 5x5 myself, but there are a few out there. There's a bunch of instructions and videos on proper form on the website, too.0
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I did check it tho
It was with dumb bells and *kitten* and I was like *kitten* no, I'd rather do the machines, its more simple for me I think
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That's what I was just about to suggest. Been doing it for a few months and have been pleased thus far. If you're eating at a deficit, you won't be packing on pounds of muscle, but it'll definitely be toning up what you've got and making it more efficient.0 -
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Since you're a beginner, it's much more efficient (and safer) to find an established program and run that rather than making up your own program. Stronglifts is a good beginner program, as are Starting Strength and any of the New Rules of Lifting programs. If you don't know anything about program design, you're not going to come up with a balanced program. At best, you'll end up spinning your wheels and not progressing; at worst, you'll end up developing muscle imbalances and hurt yourself in the long run.0
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Stronglifts does not use dumb bells at all...all barbell compound movements...machines never use them...the barbell allows for more muscle use such as core.
I did check it tho
It was with dumb bells and *kitten* and I was like *kitten* no, I'd rather do the machines, its more simple for me I think
I don't have to do anything but my compound lifts now.
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Are you serious?
OP look up stronglifts 5x5 it's a good beginner program I did it for over a year (and no it's not just for women) and had great progress.
I did check it tho
It was with dumb bells and *kitten* and I was like *kitten* no, I'd rather do the machines, its more simple for me I think
While machines may seem simpler, they're less efficient at burning calories and making you stronger. Besides, I doubt you have a solid plan for which machines to do and why. Stronglifts provides a great plan and only requires learning five barbell movements.
I do New Rule of Lifting: Supercharged, which is also a great program, but it requires more time/effort to get started. For you, I'd recommend stronglifts.0 -
CA_Underdog wrote: »Are you serious?
OP look up stronglifts 5x5 it's a good beginner program I did it for over a year (and no it's not just for women) and had great progress.
I did check it tho
It was with dumb bells and *kitten* and I was like *kitten* no, I'd rather do the machines, its more simple for me I think
While machines may seem simpler, they're less efficient at burning calories and making you stronger. Besides, I doubt you have a solid plan for which machines to do and why. Stronglifts provides a great plan and only requires learning five barbell movements.
I do New Rule of Lifting: Supercharged, which is also a great program, but it requires time/effort to setup. For you, I'd recommend stronglifts.
Well since everyone is suggesting it, I'll go with 5x5 sl.0 -
Wow! A lot of advice in such a short period of time. And all good stuff, too. Just start out easy. Stay with it and find what works for you. Whether it's free weights, machines or carrying your lady into the house. Exercise is exercise. I'm close to being 60. Cardiac problems finally set in. Got them fixed. Back to rebuilding me. Part of what you should consider is how much time do you have to budget to your fitness program. That is important. I speed walk and climb stairs at work. I get home and strength train for a hour afterwards. This works for me. Some will only do it on the weekends. I like mine free, although I'll hit the treadmill at home at least once over the weekend. And don't worry about the people at the gym. They all started someplace, like you and me.0
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I never thought that I would be "that" Crossfit person, but I started 3 months ago and have seen some amazing changes in my overall fitness level. With crossfit, you are never alone to figure it out, they incorporate weightlifting and cardio. Just a suggestion. Just because you may not be able to do all the moves at first, doesn't mean you can't get a great workout. The coaches are great about showing you how to scale either weights or movements until you are able to do the prescribed workout.0
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machines limit your range of motion as well, dumbells and barbells are much better. If you dont feel comfortable at the gym look on craigslist or somewhere like that, you might be able to buy some barbells,weights and so on. I got most of my equipment for next to nothing. There are no gyms/fitness centers in my area.good luck on everything as well.0
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And stronglifts has an iPhone app that will tell you what weights to use, will track your progress and has form videos. It's a solid program.0
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Stronglifts and Allpro are great beginner programs.
The only "machines" I like to use are the hammer strength ones. They're the ones you load plates on to.0 -
CA_Underdog wrote: »Are you serious?
OP look up stronglifts 5x5 it's a good beginner program I did it for over a year (and no it's not just for women) and had great progress.
I did check it tho
It was with dumb bells and *kitten* and I was like *kitten* no, I'd rather do the machines, its more simple for me I think
While machines may seem simpler, they're less efficient at burning calories and making you stronger. Besides, I doubt you have a solid plan for which machines to do and why. Stronglifts provides a great plan and only requires learning five barbell movements.
I do New Rule of Lifting: Supercharged, which is also a great program, but it requires time/effort to setup. For you, I'd recommend stronglifts.
Well since everyone is suggesting it, I'll go with 5x5 sl.
Someone suggested 5x5 to me a week ago because I don't have much to lose (last 15 pounds). I didn't know what the heck I was doing either but you can download the app on your phone which will walk you through your workouts and if you go online, Mehdi has videos on the website showing you how to do each exercise. Along with restricting my calories, I was able to lose 1.5 pounds last week. Definitely a great, EASY program.0 -
Stronglifts! I know you said you'll try it, I just want to throw out another vote
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Thanks y'all
I will start with 5x5st and will see what happens.0 -
I'd also tell you to do StrongLifts 5x5 and skip the machines.0
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Let us know how it goes with SL 5x5!0
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Stronglifts 5x5 ftw0
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I agree stronglifts I do this programme at the minute and really enjoy it, machines are too restrictive and don't use the full muscle group.0
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I'm also new to lifting and although I have not followed the SL 5X5 YET, I wanted to tell you that I used the machines for the past 2 months and although I felt more comfortable in my gym surrounding I wasn't getting anywhere, that I could notice, in the muscle department.
2 weeks ago I left the machines and started doing free weights and OMG the stabilizer muscles that you don't work on the machines fully come to life. I have already started to notice some definition in my legs.
Based on the info here I will look into the SL 5X5 too as I am currently using dumbbells not barbells so this may be a new challenge for me too.
Come back and let us know how it works for you...........0 -
Thanks everyone
I will def. come back and share my experience.0
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