You are your own gym???

lcantrell65

I have been doing nothing but cardio for a while now, and I know that at some point in time I need to start adding some strength training. I am not ready for anything as stringent as P90X or Insanity. I also know that those programs are more circuit training than actual strength training. I saw a YouTube clip for a "novice" workout from trainer Mark Lauren from a book called You Are Your Own Gym. It looked like a place I might actually be able to start and build from. I searched it on Amazon and discovered that there is also a DVD set available.

I was wondering if any of you have used it and think that someone who is REALLY out of shape could use this as a starting place. If so, would you recommend getting the book, the DVDs, or both? Or should I just wait until I have lost a lot more weight before trying something that could really stress all of my aching joints?

No_Finish_Line

DO NOT WAIT.

People will probably argue wether or not its possible to build mass while burning fat.

The real point of lifting while burning fat is to reduce the amount of lean body mass you lose while buring fat.

You are correct that insanity and p90x are more towards the circuit training side of things, but if your goal is to burn fat then thats exactly what you want to do. Its going to burn more calories then most other forms of weight training and its also going to be a very effective muscle building/retaining stimulis.
In fact, i've been reading that faster passed, higher volume weight training may actually be more effective at building muslce size then slower paced 'power lifting' type weight training.

While body weight exercises probably sound easier for a beginner because your not actually picking up weight, my experience is that body weight exercises are much more grueling.
You are your own gym might be a very good place to start, but its not going to be the easiest in my opinion.