Lifting advice needed

sarahredhaira

I joined mfp in October, in order to help me to lose weight, and I started running at the same time, to help me to improve my fitness. Running works really well for me, as I don't have time to go to a gym. On my non-running days I use an exercise bike or cross trainer at home. I keep reading posts on here about lifting, and I'm intrigued. Is this something I could do at home, and if so, where would I start and what equipment would I need, or is this something that can only really be done in a gym?

xcalygrl

I lift at home. I have a bench, a squat rack, a barbell, adjustable dumbbells, and bumper plates. It was about an $800 investment upfront, but I have everything I'll need for quite some time. I had a gym membership, but I got tired of dealing with the gym and always having to wait for stuff I needed.

If making an investment like that isn't in the cards for you, there are other things you can do. You can start purchasing what you want/need over time instead of all at once. You can choose to do body weight work instead (no investment in equipment really). It isn't the same as lifting, but you can make the workouts progressively harder, which can help you with your physique and make you stronger.

Some good lifting programs to look at:
Stronglifts 5x5
New Rules of Lifting for Women
Starting Strength

Some good body weight programs:
You Are Your Own Gym
Convict Conditioning

DeterminedFee201426

Lifting weights can be done at home why only at a gym? Iam currently lifting at home because I cannot afford the expensive gym I have in my area. I got my first weight set from eBay for only about 70$ for a the bar ,100 lbs of weight and 2 weight bar clips included . You do not need a gym to exercise most things at the gym you can purchase your self.

sarahredhaira

Thanks for the reply. I'm happy to buy some equipment, but probably a bit at a time until I decide whether it's for me. I'll have a look at the programmes you mentioned.

kwtilbury

If I were you, I'd find an inexpensive, pay-as-you-go gym and figure out if weights are for you and what you'd really need (for example, a bench versus just dumbbells). Weights are too expensive and space consuming for a trial and error approach.

sarahredhaira

That makes a lot of sense, but due to work and child care commitments it's just not possible at the moment.

slideaway1

I lift at home and at a gym. Lifting at home is convienient if I get home from work late and cant be arsed to sit in traffic. I just play my music really loud and do a dumbbell routine (Bench press, Overhead press, curls, Tricep extensions, rows). It takes about an hour. I find that I have a better workout at the gym though as there are people there to motivate you and being in an environment with lots of energy helps me push myself that little bit harder. Both have there advantages and disadvantages. Whatever works best for you is the right way.

nordlead2005

If you want to try lifting cheaply, you can go read a website like Stronglifts 5x5 for proper form (check out some videos, etc), and all you really need is a bench, bar, and 200lb of weights. That'll keep most people busy for a while. This can be had on craigslist (or equivalent) for ~$50-100, and when you have to upgrade can be resold for the same amount. If you ask around, you can probably get it for free. The only thing to be careful with is bench pressing, as you can get trapped under the bar. You have 3 options, 1) only bench what you are 100% sure you can get up, 2) have a spotter, 3) get safeties (a pair of sawhorses work).

My first weight set was free, my second set I bought on sale at Dicks. Had I been more patient I could have had the equivalent for ~$300 less than what I spent buying it off of craigslist (I wanted a rack, missed a few on craigslist and then got impatient). When I need more weights I'll just buy some on craigslist and resell/dump whatever bench comes with them.

sarahredhaira

Thank you for all the info. Lots for me to look into and to think about!

Blackdawn_70631

I lift at home as well and just started 4 weeks ago with a 10 lb dumbbell.
Tris, bicep curls, hammer curls, shoulder press and flat floor press.
This is also 3 times a week for 15 minutes or so, along with regular protein, I'm already seeing results.
Another note is that I lost nearly 50 pounds. 20 here on MFP. So if you have a significant amount of fat to lose, your muscle won't show as greatly until a lot is gone.
I'm only 10 pounds from my goal and my arms and chest are really starting to come up lean.

wilsoncl6

I would recommend a lifting program for everyone. Cardio is good to burn those extra calories but adding lifts will set you up for continual success. With cardio, you do run the risk of being skinny/fat, where you lose a good amount of muscle along with the fat resulting in a skinny but not so muscular you. You'll look smaller but can lack that definition and musculature. Lifting trains the body to retain muscle, or even build it, resulting in your exercise routines being even more beneficial because muscle it what burns the most calories. If you can't get to the gym, you can lift anything at home. One of those reusable shopping bags full of canned food can be used for bicep curls, shoulder presses and many other exercises. Buying weights is a money and space investment that you might not want to do right now, or maybe you do. I don't have the room for a home gym but I like being in the gym being surrounded by people with the same goals and attitudes motivates me to push myself. Do what's right for you.

shabaity

There is also bodyweight routines that require no up front cost except for maybe a book nerd fitness has a nice beginner routine and there also you are your own gym and convict conditioning.

oaker

Lifting is an investment in you. There is so much info on this site and the web to do whatever you desire. Figure out what your goals are and spend some time researching how to achieve them. Does not matter if you go to a gym and pay a monthly fee or spend the money upfront and make your own gym. What matters is spending the time to lift.

Sumiblue

I bought a power cage, Olympic bar & free weights on Craigslist for $300 & converted a bedroom into the weight room. Best investment ever! I started Stronglifts at a cheap gym and then started working out at home. I've lost 16 lbs and several inches since I started last year.
I would find a way to try lifting before you buy stuff to make sure you like it.

AllanMisner

sarahredhaira wrote: »

I joined mfp in October, in order to help me to lose weight, and I started running at the same time, to help me to improve my fitness. Running works really well for me, as I don't have time to go to a gym. On my non-running days I use an exercise bike or cross trainer at home. I keep reading posts on here about lifting, and I'm intrigued. Is this something I could do at home, and if so, where would I start and what equipment would I need, or is this something that can only really be done in a gym?

You can most certainly do resistance training at home and with little or no equipment. Bodyweight exercises such as squats, lunges, push ups and pull ups. You can buy some resistance bands or a TRX style system and add a ton of variety to your body weight workouts. Enjoy!

Allan Misner
NASM Certified Personal Trainer (Corrective Exercise Specialist, Fitness Nutrition Specialist)

sarahredhaira

Thanks for all the replies, everyone. I've a few post-Christmas purchases to make!

DaddieCat

xcalygrl wrote: »

I lift at home. I have a bench, a squat rack, a barbell, adjustable dumbbells, and bumper plates. It was about an $800 investment upfront, but I have everything I'll need for quite some time. I had a gym membership, but I got tired of dealing with the gym and always having to wait for stuff I needed.

If making an investment like that isn't in the cards for you, there are other things you can do. You can start purchasing what you want/need over time instead of all at once. You can choose to do body weight work instead (no investment in equipment really). It isn't the same as lifting, but you can make the workouts progressively harder, which can help you with your physique and make you stronger.

Some good lifting programs to look at:
Stronglifts 5x5
New Rules of Lifting for Women
Starting Strength

Some good body weight programs:
You Are Your Own Gym
Convict Conditioning

^This. These are great programs for beginners

I'd also add:
All Pro Beginner
Ice Cream Fitness
Nia Shanks' Lift like a Girl/Beautiful Badass

ltworide

I have a gym membership but also bought a 25 lb resistance band that I often take with me to the track, tied around my waist. I do my cardio; jog to track, track sprints then do a small circuit of band resistance exercises to finish such as squat to row, squat to press, walkouts, push-ups, chops, etc. I also have 2 12 kg. kettlebells & a swiss ball & sometimes do a weight circuit style workout with those at home. Exercises might include kettlebell swings, lunges, plank rows, chest presses on the ball, squats, shoulder presses, snatches, cleans, etc. Just having those 3 pieces of equipment can keep me busy for quite a while.