New to gym & lifting

samchez0

Santa brought me a gym membership for Christmas. I really want to start lifting, either NROLFW or stronglifts. I've never worked with those kind of weights though. Is there anything special I should have when I start? Any tips or advice? Thanks

DancingMoosie

You can ask one of the trainers at the gym to show you proper form for the lifts. Start light(empty bar, or dumbbells if empty bar is too heavy) and learn proper form before adding weight. You can also Google lifts and look at pictures or videos showing how to do them properly. I've done stronglifts...

capaul42

Stronglifts also has an app for your phone that will help you track your workouts and lifts.

canadianlbs

there's a stronglifts group for women on this forum too. i found rippetoe's book starting strength very useful for form.

there's really nothing special you need apart from shoes with an inflexible sole that you can push against. cushioned soles are a Bad Thing because theyr'e less stable. barefoot works too, if it's allowed where you lift.

nice-to-haves for stronglifts are a women's barbell (because 45 is a lot of weight for most women to start with on overhead press), and 'bumper' plates which are the same size as the 45's but weigh as little as 10 pounds. those are worth having because deadlifts and pendlay rows both start from the floor, and those plates let you always have it at the right height no matter what weights you're working with.