When is a good time to start strength training?

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kimmermcb
kimmermcb Posts: 36 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Started my journey 1 month ago...My cardio exercises are mainly elliptical, bike riding, Dance Central (xbox kinect), and the occasional try at P90x. I was wondering how many times a week I should incorporate strength training, and also any good strength training exercises you recommend. Feel free to add me also, as I am in need of as much support as I can get. :o)
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Replies

  • deniseg31
    deniseg31 Posts: 667 Member
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    *Bump*

    Good question...I've been wondering the same thing. I've jsut been doing cardio for the past 5 months so I NEED to start incorporating strengh/toning workouts soon. I can't wait to see other peopls responses.
  • NoExcuseTina
    NoExcuseTina Posts: 506 Member
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    yesterday!!!!!
  • TDGee
    TDGee Posts: 2,209 Member
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    Today. The most important and often the hardest thing is to just start.
  • mashanda
    mashanda Posts: 120 Member
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    anytime. I was told by a trainer that it helps you burn fat faster becuase you are building muscle. IDK. I could be wrong :smile:
  • iamrobyn
    iamrobyn Posts: 85
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    I am exactly where you are. I currently do 3-4 days of cardio for 45-60 minutes. I was to start adding this in but am almost 'scared' of that area of the gym.
  • spyork
    spyork Posts: 187
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    Hi,

    Start as soon as possible it will make a huge difference.

    I will add you, feel free to ask any questions.

    Good luck,
    Scott
  • agthorn
    agthorn Posts: 1,844 Member
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    Today. 2-3x a week should do it. Any more than that and you don't give your body enough time to rest and repair; any less and you don't get the cumulative benefits of building muscle.
  • EuroDriver
    EuroDriver Posts: 254
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    anytime. I was told by a trainer that it helps you burn fat faster becuase you are building muscle. IDK. I could be wrong :smile:

    this and ASAP!! thats what alot of people make a mistake on.. they think "okay i need to loose weight so i will do cardio and eat less" well... you may loose LBS on the scale but u will look the same just thinner.. u wont necessarly look better.. you need to train and train hard to build muscle up!

    good example.. my wife 5'3 130lbs her friend around 5'7ish 110lbs.. same BF% n my wife looks 100times better and firmer even though she is on the scale "heavier" but she has alot more muscle on her!
  • jrlenig
    jrlenig Posts: 364 Member
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    Muscles speeds your metabolism so to whomever said something about that you are on the right track. I actually have done many programs that did both but most recently I have come to LARGE plateu in my weight and I am in my healthy weight range so I recently started adding it everyday slowly but surely and wow it has made a tremendous difference in my endurance!
  • ceebs9
    ceebs9 Posts: 511 Member
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    Start now. Find a good program to follow. If you can, find a trainer to help you with correct form. Nothing will give you a body like strength training will. Well, as long as you aren't eating corn dogs and twinkies after your workout. Good luck!
  • Sonchie
    Sonchie Posts: 259 Member
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    strength training is as important as cardio, from day 1. Try for 2-3 days a week, with cardio most everyday.
  • nukehiker
    nukehiker Posts: 457
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    2-3 days of strength and 2-3 days of cardio.. alternate cardio then strength. strength training burns calories for the whole day, long term benefits.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,701 Member
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    Should have started when you started exercising. But now is never too late.
  • MzMiller1215
    MzMiller1215 Posts: 633 Member
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    Now is good. Do strengh training at least twice a week.
  • aippolito1
    aippolito1 Posts: 4,894 Member
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    Immediately! Start lifting heavy enough to where you can only make it 10-12 reps and once you get comfortable, go heavier. You can find easy routines in magazines. I started out searching online at Self.com & Shape.com. Now I incorporate exercises from both magazines as well as exercises from Jillian Michael's DVDs and ones my personal trainer has showed me.
  • Sonchie
    Sonchie Posts: 259 Member
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    I am exactly where you are. I currently do 3-4 days of cardio for 45-60 minutes. I was to start adding this in but am almost 'scared' of that area of the gym.

    I was afraid also, because i didnt really know what i was doing and may injure myself. My gym has group classes run by personal trainers, so instead of hiring a trainer i just started going to the strength classes and learning as I go....and now I know all the trainers well enough if I have a question i just ask.
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
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    Definitely start now. As far as ideas go, it's hard to explain in words since you need to make sure you have proper form and all that. If you're a member of a gym, ask about a 1 time session with a trainer to give you some basics to work on, or even ask someone you know there to show you a few moves. Or just google something like "basic strength training program" and find a site with pictures or videos so you can see the right way to do the moves.

    As far as amount of weight, I was told my a trainer that you should start out with a weight that you can do 8-10 reps with until your muscles can't do it anymore. Then work up to doing 2 or 3 sets of 8-10 reps with that weight. Once that gets easy, up the weight by say 5 pounds and start the same cycle. There are also a lot of moves you can do using just body weight like push-ups, plank, sit-ups, tricep dip, etc.

    ETA: 2-3 days per week is good but it does depend on how much you do. Just remember to work a different area/part of the body each time you strength train in order to get a good balance and let your muscles recover. For instance, biceps and quads one day, chest and hamstrings the next, triceps and calves the next...

    Good luck!
  • EthanJeremiahsMama
    EthanJeremiahsMama Posts: 534 Member
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    *Bump*

    Good question...I've been wondering the same thing. I've jsut been doing cardio for the past 5 months so I NEED to start incorporating strengh/toning workouts soon. I can't wait to see other peopls responses.

    BUMP! I agree!!
  • MisterDubs303
    MisterDubs303 Posts: 1,216 Member
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    I would agree with most of the above, that there's no time like the present. However, after reading your profile, I'd recommend continuing moderate cardio/fat burning on a very regular basis. I've dropped the majority of my weight by simply walking on the incline treadmill. When one level would become comfortable, I would push myself with the next level of incline until I could do it for an hour. Then I'd increase it again. I melted away... walking. I did do some weight training too, but hurt my shoulder (then had to have an unrelated surgery) and had to stop for quite a while. I plan to resume weight training again soon. Hang in there, and good luck!
  • koosdel
    koosdel Posts: 3,317 Member
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    Today. The most important and often the hardest thing is to just start.

    What he said.

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