Weights! Where to start!?

mistress8956
mistress8956 Posts: 265 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I see a lot of threads with questions about lifting and honestly most of them just confuse me! I have a gym membership and know how to use the weight equipment but after that I'm lost. Where should I start? How much/ many times should I be doing it? How many times a week? What equipment should I be using? (There's just so much of it!) currently I do 1 hr of cardo 6x a week, and weights 2-3 days a week but I'm really just winging it and hoping for the best! HELP!

Replies

  • AmandaEMolo
    AmandaEMolo Posts: 4 Member
    I was actually thinking about this today- and was going to post a very similar question! I'm stuck in cardio-land, and I really want to do strength training as well. We have the usual nautilus machines (which I hear aren't as good as pumping the literal iron) I need some ideas for a routine to include weights too- let me know if you get any good responses!
  • jadetigereyes
    jadetigereyes Posts: 44 Member
    Depends on what your goals are. Are you looking to be able to lift a certain amount? Tone? Get stronger overall?

    If you're just beginning with weights, I'd recommend mastering your form. YouTube is a great resource for learning various exercises with weights, and there are plenty of websites online that provide introductory (and more advanced) workouts involving both free weights and machines.

    The one-dumbell is pretty good if you're just starting off (from Fitness Magazine): http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/one-dumbbell-workout

    Bodybuilding.com has a pretty good guide on weight workouts as well: http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/beginner_weight_training.htm

    It helps if you have access to personal trainers at your gym as well. They can be a great resource, and if you can get an introductory session with them, it will do wonders to help you understand what to focus on.

    Do what you enjoy and let it go from there!
  • Barbonica
    Barbonica Posts: 337 Member
    Many gyms offer a free intro session with a personal trainer who will help you set up a program. Also, there are a number of published programs that can help. Winging it probably won't give you the results you are looking for. Good luck and have fun!

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