How much should I start with?

FrnkLft

Start with the bar. You might feel like a ***** for a few months as you slowly ramp up the weight, but you'll give your body time to adapt and learn the movements.

Point in case: Myself. I didn't start with the bar, but I didn't go overboard either (see my profile for my PRs). Even still, I ended up stressing my joints to the point where I've been in physcial therapy and doctors offices since Jan trying to figure out if/how bad I hurt myself and if I will be able to lift any appreciable weight again. Luckily MRIs and XRays show no damage, neither does blood work, but I definitely cannot get in the gym still.

It's like tendonitis that hasn't gone away in even 7 months.

Don't get me wrong, I'm functional, but **** doesn't feel right and even stairs and driving hurt normally.

And once again, I did not go crazy, most would have said I was going too slow (probably was a mix of a little too much weight too soon, and frequency). So moral of the story is: Take your ****ing time and start with the bar.

JoRocka

always start with the bar.

I do warm ups with the bar.

You cant' go wrong with the bare minimum to learn your skills.

FrnkLft

Update: Starting again with body weight exercises. Haven't lifted in a very long time.

Take it slow, your joints/connective tissue aren't always as strong as your muscles.