Help Needed, Strength Training

BuckeyeLife

I am finally at the weight I need to qualify for my health insurance being paid for by my dad(awesome working for parents sometimes.). I have been doing all cardio, as that has always worked for me in the past, and I am sure it would continue to melt fat off of me. I will likely maintain cardio at a high level(I love running and tennis, hard to move away from it.) for a little while longer, but I realize that if I want the muscle I will obviously need to do strength training. I know a lot of value is in lifting hard and heavy, and that is where I will get, I just have not been a fan of jumping into something quickly unless I have someone trained to aid me, and I cannot afford a trainer. So...

#1: My right bicep is like 0.5" bigger than my left(tennis), would using a dumbbell curl help to start balancing this out? I know this isn't the best solution, I just want to start trying to level that out immediately, so if doing some heavy curls on my left arm will do the trick, I would be happy to get an immediate start on that.

#2: I don't have any investment in a gym or weights. I used a TotalGym when I was younger and felt I got good results out of that, but this time around it seems like the whole weight percentage would become a wasted value once I hit a certain point. I am likely going to be looking into a gym membership as space/money for strength training is not really a sound option(If you have options, I am opening to hearing them.). I am not looking to get huge, but I do wish to put some muscle on. I am impressed by the guys who get stacked, but I don't feel like that is the best long term commitment for me. I just don't want to be lean, I think super lean looking is just unattractive, and dammit I have to look at myself everyday, I wanna be happy. So my first plan is to try and find exercises that will work as many muscles of mine as I can without weights. Pulls ups, push ups, sit ups are the general stuff, but I don't know what else would be good to go along with it. I am open to incorporating dumbbell type work outs if that will help too. Basically if anyone has a suggestion for a starter package to start doing entry level strength training.

#3: I will eventually move up to heavy lifting, until then if anyone can provide me with good resources to start with, I'd appreciate it. I know I can google this stuff and get some good results. I just trust a lot of people on this site who I see making great improvements and I'd like to know where they would direct me ontop of my own research. (I admit, I have not done a ton just yet, I trust you guys more than myself here.)

Sorry that was so long, as you can see, I am not entirely sure where I am going just yet. Hence, HELP. =D

js370

Look into Stronglifts 5x5. You should try and incorporate the exercises with your dumbbells. It will work for a while, but you will eventually need to start using a barbell and squat rack. I think it will still help you out since you start with light weight and progress from there. If you do decide to do the compound exercises, make sure you view videos on proper technique. Technique is very important, so that you don't end up hurting your back or knees.

BruteSquad

If you are set on lifting for strength training, I would agree with js.

If you want to get stronger and don't care how, the free way is with www.bodyrock.tv I say it because I use it. Until I get to a point where I need to do more than what they have with body weight, I will keep that up. Before you dismiss bodyweight for strength training.... look at a few gymnasts. Weights are always good, but if you don't have the budget for them here is one alternative.

Another is the workouts they do on www.nerdfitness.com Steve is doing an excellent job there.

Check them out, it is at least interesting information.

BuckeyeLife

If you are set on lifting for strength training, I would agree with js.

If you want to get stronger and don't care how, the free way is with www.bodyrock.tv I say it because I use it. Until I get to a point where I need to do more than what they have with body weight, I will keep that up. Before you dismiss bodyweight for strength training.... look at a few gymnasts. Weights are always good, but if you don't have the budget for them here is one alternative.

Another is the workouts they do on www.nerdfitness.com Steve is doing an excellent job there.

Check them out, it is at least interesting information.

Oh I have NOTHING against using body weight for training. That TotalGym did a GREAT job. My issue here is that I don't want to put the money into that machine now when the body weight will eventually reach an obsolete status for me. I can get a lot from body weight, but at some point, to get results I want, I will have to get into weights. For now, free body weight is a totally winner idea for me and I am definitely going to check that out. Thank you!

fieldsy4life

This place looks fine: http://anytimefitness.com/gyms/1936/Lebanon-OH-45036

I'd strongly encourage you (and anyone) to join a gym. You need a change of scenery - you'll get bored working out by yourself in your house. When your equipment is at home, it's easy to give up too. I bought some of those adjustable dumbbells from BowFlex and a bench and never used them. Ended up selling them on CraigsList and was lucky to get half of what I paid for them.

The gym gives you such a wider range of equipment, too. I also just enjoy going and seeing the same people every day. While I don't stop and chat with everyone (besides the front desk staff), it's comforting to feel like a regular and say hi or get a head nod from a fellow enthusiast.

You're doing the right thing though. Strength training will turbo-charge your results. Combine that with a strict, healthy, and balanced diet, plus some varied cardio exercises, and you'll be buying new clothes every 2 months

BuckeyeLife

This place looks fine: http://anytimefitness.com/gyms/1936/Lebanon-OH-45036

I'd strongly encourage you (and anyone) to join a gym. You need a change of scenery - you'll get bored working out by yourself in your house. When your equipment is at home, it's easy to give up too. I bought some of those adjustable dumbbells from BowFlex and a bench and never used them. Ended up selling them on CraigsList and was lucky to get half of what I paid for them.

The gym gives you such a wider range of equipment, too. I also just enjoy going and seeing the same people every day. While I don't stop and chat with everyone (besides the front desk staff), it's comforting to feel like a regular and say hi or get a head nod from a fellow enthusiast.

You're doing the right thing though. Strength training will turbo-charge your results. Combine that with a strict, healthy, and balanced diet, plus some varied cardio exercises, and you'll be buying new clothes every 2 months

I am actually pretty content by myself with this stuff. I have my own treadmill. The issue is more space/money. That would be more why I am looking into a gym option down the road. My tennis partner goes to a gym a bit further away, but if I were to join I think I'd rather it be there because obviously I have someone who is as determined to improve himself as I am and we have like identical schedules.