Advice for a newbie

dottydawn73

Hi, I have just started back on MFP 6 days ago and am really motivated with my diet. After looking around the site I discovered SL5x5 and am really keen to try it once I have my gym induction. What I need help with is a starting weight for each exercise. I haven't really done much strength training for several years so am classing myself as extreme beginner! I am currently 175lb so quite a bit to lose at only 5' Also, I have taken up swimming 5 days a week and really enjoy it, would it be ok to continue this alongside 5x5 and if so should I swim first or train first? Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

canadianlbs

Hi, I have just started back on MFP 6 days ago and am really motivated with my diet. After looking around the site I discovered SL5x5 and am really keen to try it once I have my gym induction. What I need help with is a starting weight for each exercise. I haven't really done much strength training for several years so am classing myself as extreme beginner! I am currently 175lb so quite a bit to lose at only 5' Also, I have taken up swimming 5 days a week and really enjoy it, would it be ok to continue this alongside 5x5 and if so should I swim first or train first? Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

hey and welcome . . . i'm pretty new too, to sl and to the group.

i think you may have to kind of experiment and discover your own mileage. if you already feel sure about your form on the different lifts, i'd say just try out how it feels using just the bar. if that's do-able, then you're on your way. if not, then see if your gym has any shorter bars for you to start with. mine has one that's 20lb and another that's 30, in addition to the full 45lb olympic. i had been just using dumbbells without any racks or benches for a few weeks before i found stronglifts, myself. intimidated by the 'real' weights and the 'real' lifters so that's an option as well.

on the swimming . . . you don't have to stop doing it. but it depends how your body takes to all this because it really is a good idea to leave room for recovery. i was biking 15 miles a day 5x a week before i started adding the weights, and i'll admit that i had to scale that back to make room for the lifting in my body's ability to deal with all this. but that's me, and it just happens that atm i'm interested enough in the lifting to make the tradeoff. if/when i'm not, i'll scale back the lifting and increase the bike.

bear in mind too: i am 49 and secretly a couch potato. so your mileage may vary a lot. in any case, welcome.

suremeansyes

I teach swim lessons M-F and I'm in the pool anywhere between 4-8 hours a day, and I've been able to keep up with SL very well, even as the weights get heavier. I find the pool actually helps keep everything nice and loose. If you have a foam roller, definitely make use of it!

dottydawn73

Thanks for the advice I have booked my gym induction for tomorrow so it's all systems go! Eek!