Strength training newbie

amberhayx
amberhayx Posts: 23 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
So this month I’ve mostly stuck with cardio to get myself back into the swing of the gym. But next month I’m going to try some strength training/weights anyone have any tips for a newbie?

Replies

  • Timshel_
    Timshel_ Posts: 22,834 Member
    Find simple routines to start that work larger muscle groups. Work into it over a few weeks to mitigate muscle soreness a bit and make sure you are drinking a lot of water. Only do weight and exercises at a level you can control and maintain proper form. Then build from there.

    Find things that you like doing and that makes it a bit easier.
  • amberhayx
    amberhayx Posts: 23 Member
    Thanks!
  • steveko89
    steveko89 Posts: 2,223 Member
    Definitely follow an established routine, don't just go and pick various lifts/machines on a whim. Bret Contreras' StrongCurves is a program geared for women which I see talked about quite often. From what I gather it's doable as a beginner but something you can grow into and scales well depending on what equipment you have access to.
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    Give this thread a look and see if there's something that fits your needs/desires and uses equipment (if you need equipment - bodyweight is fine, too) that you'll have access to.

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10332083/which-lifting-program-is-the-best-for-you/p1
  • Okiludy
    Okiludy Posts: 558 Member
    1. I would recommend Starting Strength. Buy the book, read it, and do the program. It works, plain and simple. I went from 15years of inactivity to an 1130 powerlifting total in under 10 months following SS then intermediate programming from the same group. As a female, you won't put up those totals in that time but you can become incredibly strong AND NOT BULKY.
    2. If you can, get coaching from a strength coach and not just someone that is a "trainer". The difference is the amount of expertise they have in the proper form of the lifts.
    3. Make sure that nutrition is on point. Higher protein diet than you likely currently eat. .8g of protein per lbs of lean body mass is a common starting point. I eat much higher than this and it seems to help me recover better. I use 30carb/30fat/40protein and it works for me.
    4. Start lifting lighter than you think you should and follow the novice progression. You will be lifting heavy weights soon enough and light weights will help you learn lifts and avoid injury early on.
    5. If you decide to follow Starting Strength there are a ton of resource on web, apps, and coaches. Most of it is free, take advantage of it.
    6. Don't get taken advantage of by supplement makers. The only real supplements I use are Caffeine, Creatine, and Beta-Alanine. Oh, and protein powder but that is not a supplement just a different source of protein to hit macros. Most of the rest is crap but a few can be ok. Research anything and ask questions on different boards/sources and draw your own conclusions.


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