A Few Questions Re: Lifting

indignantgnome
indignantgnome Posts: 60 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Haha let me start this by saying: I'm new to this whole lifting thing. And I'm a sissy little girl... for now.

Legitimately, though, I have back issues (bulging discs in my very lower spine that are bulging in an abnormal direction) and can't do free weights that aren't super small, so with my pretty new gym membership I'm using the machines to do a program I found on bodybuilding.com (http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/beginner_weight_training.htm) - and I'm enjoying it, too.

But, what ratio of cardio to lifting would be ideal for weight loss? I enjoy both.

Also, do I need a separate day for legs/arms, can I do them both every time? How often should I be doing them?

Lastly, how frequently should I be looking to add weight? Just when it seems to easy, or should I increase it for one or two sets (I'm doing 3 of each @ 10 reps right now) at a time?

Sorry if these questions seem ridiculously basic, but I really am just learning, and I wouldn't talk to my only option for a personal trainer at the gym here if I could avoid it for any reason.

Replies

  • cafeaulait7
    cafeaulait7 Posts: 2,459 Member
    The seated ones are for different muscles, so don't do more of those. You really might be fine with the leg presses, but there is an exercise you can do instead of the curls that doesn't involve holding heavy weights: Russian Hamstring Curls. I put my feet under my couch for them :) Don't let your back arch to try to stay in more control (especially with your back).

    Do your cardio after lifting (unless you do some short cardio just to warm up) so that you have full strength for your lifts. You can do cardio after or on off days from lifting. You don't have to do much, but that depends on your cardio goals.

    Add more weight when you think you might be able to go up. You'll see quickly whether you can lift the new weight for reps or not ;) Good luck!

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