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Basic Weight Lifting: What do I need to know how to do?

aaasky
aaasky Posts: 68 Member
edited February 5 in Fitness and Exercise
Don't worry, you don't need to sell me on lifting heavy. I've seen the amazing results some of the other women on here have had and I can't wait to get started.

Here's my question: I get one free personal training session every couple of months through my gym and I'm going to use this one to learn some lifts. I was planning on asking my trainer to show me the 5x5 StrongLifts lifts (squats, bench press, barbell row, overhead press, deadlift). Any other basics I should learn now while I have someone checking my form?

Thanks so much!

Replies

  • Huffdogg
    Huffdogg Posts: 1,934 Member
    I would ask to learn something that will help you with power from the floor, personally. One of the reasons I like SS over SL is that it uses Power Cleans instead of rows (also rows suck). It's a lift that relies on explosiveness off the ground, which is a good thing for anyone, but particularly women, who get screwed when it comes to fast-twitch fibers and can use all the help in that regard that they can get.
  • jchite84
    jchite84 Posts: 467 Member
    www.exrx.net

    The best lifting site on the Internet. Read as much as you can.
  • Leadfoot_Lewis
    Leadfoot_Lewis Posts: 1,623 Member
    Good for you for getting a trainer to show you the lifts. It's VERY important have good form, especially when you progress to heavier weights.

    I highly recommend the book Starting Strength by Mark Rippetoe. It's hands down the best book for Barbell lifting.
  • _noob_
    _noob_ Posts: 3,306 Member
    www.exrx.net

    The best lifting site on the Internet. Read as much as you can.

    This, a lot of this. Great site.
  • JoyeII
    JoyeII Posts: 240 Member
    Excellent resource for women who want to lift weights.

    http://www.stumptuous.com
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    I would say that you are off to a good start with learning the moves that you mentioned. Just don't let your trainer talk you out of them, this seems to happen from time to time..
  • aaasky
    aaasky Posts: 68 Member
    Thanks so much for the quick replies! I will definitely look in to those resources.

    I actually live in Germany and I've found that they're even more reluctant to show a woman heavy lifting here than in the States, but I have a good trainer and I'll be sure to put my foot down if she's trying to steer my towards the 2 pound weights.
This discussion has been closed.