Lifting at Home - What to buy?

kcm105

Okay, so I've Googled myself into oblivion on this topic and still can't figure out what I want/need. Hopefully you guys can help.

For the time being, I'm not interested in joining a gym. It's a matter of time more than anything, so I strongly prefer working out at home. In the past, the only lifting I've done has been Body Pump classes. For those that haven't done this, it's basically less weight, more reps. For now, this is what I'm interested in doing at home as well. I have very low muscle tone and am not naturally strong, so I'm sure it would be a big mistake to begin with any sort of heavy lifting. I need to spend several months, maybe a good year, gaining some sort of strength.

So my questions are:

#1 - Are there any good DVDs that would take me through this kind of routine? I'm sure there's something, but it's a lot harder to find and I'd like to be sure it's what I'm looking for. I'd love several suggestions here so I'm not doing the exact same thing every time!

#2 - What type of equipment is most essential for me to buy? I'm willing to make a small investment. I was thinking of buying an exercise step to use as a bench, since that's what they use in the classes I've taken, and it's a lot easier to put in the closet when you're not using it. Beyond that, will just a simple bar and some basic weights do? Any recommendations on what not to buy? Anything??

All help is appreciated. I'm totally lost here. Thanks!

cwolfman13

I have very low muscle tone and am not naturally strong, so I'm sure it would be a big mistake to begin with any sort of heavy lifting. I need to spend several months, maybe a good year, gaining some sort of strength.

Actually, "heavy lifting" describes the rep range more so than the weight. The actual weight is relative to the individual...what is "heavy" to me is jack **** to someone who's been power lifting for years. Also, "heavy" lifting is the best and most efficient way of getting that "toned" look so many women are after.

"Heavy lifting" is strength training...it works in a rep range of 1-5 reps with weight "heavy" enough to where you have difficulty completing the last set. Any "heavy" program I've ever seen has you starting well short of actually being "heavy" weight wise to learn proper form as well as to work those smaller helper muscles and tendons and has you increase weight regularly to that point for which it is "heavy" for you and then pushes you further...that is how you make strength gains. Lifting little weights for lots of reps isn't going to do much for actual strength gains...it is muscular endurance work.

Like I said, it is that kind of lifting that is going to provide the greatest benefit to your physique and get you "toned."

I'm no help with the DVD stuff, just wanted to give you some information...also, maybe give this a good read...

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/



^^^Staci^^^ looking all nice and "toned" with her heavy lifting bad *kitten* self...

ETA: I do believe the actually sell BodyPump DVDs though...and probably tell you the necessary equipment you need to do the DVDs. I came across this with a brief search as well...

http://www.power-systems.com/p-4804-les-mills-don-oliver-bodypump-bar.aspx

kcm105

I have very low muscle tone and am not naturally strong, so I'm sure it would be a big mistake to begin with any sort of heavy lifting. I need to spend several months, maybe a good year, gaining some sort of strength.

Actually, "heavy lifting" describes the rep range more so than the weight. The actual weight is relative to the individual...what is "heavy" to me is jack **** to someone who's been power lifting for years. Also, "heavy" lifting is the best and most efficient way of getting that "toned" look so many women are after.

"Heavy lifting" is strength training...it works in a rep range of 1-5 reps with weight "heavy" enough to where you have difficulty completing the last set. Any "heavy" program I've ever seen has you starting well short of actually being "heavy" weight wise to learn proper form as well as to work those smaller helper muscles and tendons and has you increase weight regularly to that point for which it is "heavy" for you and then pushes you further...that is how you make strength gains. Lifting little weights for lots of reps isn't going to do much for actual strength gains...it is muscular endurance work.

Like I said, it is that kind of lifting that is going to provide the greatest benefit to your physique and get you "toned."

I'm no help with the DVD stuff, just wanted to give you some information...also, maybe give this a good read...

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/



^^^Staci^^^ looking all nice and "toned" with her heavy lifting bad *kitten* self...

ETA: I do believe the actually sell BodyPump DVDs though...and probably tell you the necessary equipment you need to do the DVDs. I came across this with a brief search as well...

http://www.power-systems.com/p-4804-les-mills-don-oliver-bodypump-bar.aspx

I appreciate the information, but I think you're probably underestimating just how low my muscle tone is. I have never been strong and am naturally VERY unathletic, to the point where people who are athletic, simply don't seem to really understand. My primary concern is avoiding injury, which is why I'm choosing this route. I would like to down the road get into more traditional lifting, but I really need to build up to that point or I will hurt myself, I'm sure.

Again though, I really appreciate the feedback. Thanks!

Blueberry09

I have very low muscle tone and am not naturally strong, so I'm sure it would be a big mistake to begin with any sort of heavy lifting. I need to spend several months, maybe a good year, gaining some sort of strength.

I would like to down the road get into more traditional lifting, but I really need to build up to that point or I will hurt myself, I'm sure.

Why can't you start traditional lifting with low weights? I did. I'm a lot like you - in fact I could have written your post! I bought some dumbells up to 12 lbs (3, 5, 8, 10, 12) and a small bar (not sure how much it weighs on it's own -maybe 8-12 lbs?) that I could load a total of 17.5 kg on (5, 2.5 and 1.25kg plates) and started the New Rules of Lifting there. While some women are squatting 100lbs I worked my way up to the maybe 45lbs of my full bar. I think I might have started at 30. I think you'll avoid injury by getting the form down with lower weights and then upping gradually from there. I'm really worried about injuries too as I'm 48 and I'll take a heck of a lot longer to heal at my age. So I'm taking it slow and steady. And making progress! After 4 months I had to go buy some 15 and 20lb dumbells. So it can be done - I'm just not competing with anyone but myself

Holly_Roman_Empire

I appreciate the information, but I think you're probably underestimating just how low my muscle tone is. I have never been strong and am naturally VERY unathletic, to the point where people who are athletic, simply don't seem to really understand. My primary concern is avoiding injury, which is why I'm choosing this route. I would like to down the road get into more traditional lifting, but I really need to build up to that point or I will hurt myself, I'm sure.

Again though, I really appreciate the feedback. Thanks!

I think you're underestimating yourself. There are plenty of people here that wouldn't have considered themselves athletic, and look at them now. You have to start somewhere. Don't be afraid to go out of your comfort zone. No one is saying to stress your body to the point of injury.

Find a weight that feels heavy and fatigues you to the point of exhaustion after 4-5 reps. Keep doing that until you're not fatigued anymore. Then go up in weight. Repeat.

I personally would recommend you doing a body weight routine, though. I think you'd benefit greatly from it, and if nothing else, increase your confidence.

kcm105

Thanks. I asked because I have no idea what I'm doing, so these suggestions are great.

This if the first I've heard of the "New Rules". Googled it and it looks to be a book, right?

If I go this route instead, do I need an actual weight bench to do it at home? I was just going to use a lifted exercise step, but my husband would probably be all for buying a weight bench, lol. But I'm looking for a fairly minimal investment for the time being at least.

Any other tips like that book are exactly what I need. And I agree, I think that doing this and getting stronger would not only help my fitness goals but my self confidence as well.

I'm really PUMPED to get started. See what I did there! Har har har.

Mr_Excitement

As mentioned above, you can start on a "heavy lifting" program from any level of fitness-- it's all relative.

Having said that, if you're really completely new to resistance training, you might take a look at You Are Your Own Gym or Convict Conditioning. You can do a *lot* with nothing but bodyweight and a pullup bar-- especially when you're starting out.

If you'd like to kind of ease into buying equipment for weight training, I'd suggest taking a look at Scooby's site:

http://scoobysworkshop.com/

He's got a lot of great info there, and his emphasis is often on doing things with fairly limited equipment, like a set of adjustable dumbells.

And if you do buy equipment, I'd recommend looking at Craigslist first. Used weights are way cheaper than new, and they weigh just as much.

Blueberry09

Yes, the New Rules is a book - a very informative book. The program I'm doing is the one for women and there's also one called For Life. Although some of the exercises require more than the basic equipment, they also include substitutions. You can buy equipment as you progress - you don't need everything at once.

Good luck to you. I hope you find some you enjoy!