Strength Training... UGH :|

Kensingtyn

So, I need advise on exercising. I could walk/jog on my treadmill for hours. But, I know I need to start strength training on a regular basis too. The problem is I absolutely hate it. Too bad yoga doesn't count as strength training.:P I'm wondering how many times a week and for how long do you do strength training? And, if you've found a way for it to be fun or at least not hate it, I'd love to know your secret.Thanks for any help.

kfox15

I highly recomend buying/ renting The New Rules of Lifting for Women. Really easy read and it basically lays out exactly what you are supposed to do

toysbigkid

3 X a week, start off slow and build it up, it will be worth your time, toned muscles happen pretty quickly

crisanderson27

Almost everyone hates strength training at first. Then, once they see 3x the results in 1/2 the time as all the cardio they'd been doing, they usually change their mind. Some still hate it...but many end up loving it.

The New Rules book...it's an ok start...there's some poor information in there in my opinion, but it's definitely better than nothing. Stronglifts 5x5 and Starting Strength are good options.

As for how often, 3x a week max if you're doing any of the above protocols...at around an hour a day. Skip cardio completely those days, other than a 10-15min warmup (I actually do one 4min round of Tabata for my warmup...so if you can handle it that would be an acceptable substitute).

DON'T BE SCARED OF WEIGHT!! Seriously, you can't bulk up because you don't have the testosterone, and really is incredibly productive for burning fat.

KelliW_runner

What do you hate about it? Do you find it boring? Too challenging? Not like the specific exercise you've tried? Depending upon what it is you don't like we may be able to offer suggestions.

For me personally, I hated push-ups and upper body exercises because I am weaker in the upper body. Forced myself do do the best I could through P90X...10 weeks later my strength has definitely improved and I don't struggle as much. Now I like it because I feel strong and can see muscle definition in my arms!

toysbigkid

He is absolutely right

ummommyme

Strength training does not just mean lifting weights. Bodyrock workouts and zwow( you tube) are all addicting and bodyweight exercises. There are modifications for most things to work at your level. There are so many and i feel lots of fun and hard to do.

AllTehBeers

I always have this thought in the back of my head about dropping a weight on myself. I love bench presses because they're easy and I love feeling the soreness in my arms, but other then that, I just don't seem to have the motivation to push myself, especially when it comes to my legs. I need some simple home workouts that will help strengthen my core and lower body.

mrsnathanandrew

I used to hate it too, I was a total cardio bunny. Now I love it. For me there is nothing more exciting then putting on my headphones and maxing out with the weights. I can't think of a way to make it fun for you, try to not think of it as something you HAVE to do, but something you WANT to do, even if you don't. Also, if you are just starting out, I recommend 3 times a week for weight training. I have a 3 day split, so sunday/wednesday I do chest and shoulders, monday/thursday I do arms, and tuesday/friday I do legs and back.

tolygal

I've done new rules of lifting for women and really like it. I've also looked into starting strength which I had considered doing next but now I'm leaning towards one of the other new rules books. Right now I'm reading You Are Your Own Gym that uses all body weight instead of the gym (I'm having trouble finding regular opportunities to get to the gym lately and am looking for programs I can do at home). If you can't get to a gym, that may be something to consider. You should be able to find those books at a library so you can read them before spending any money on the books. Otherwise, there is all kinds of stuff online. What I like about New Rules and You Are Your Own Gym (and I believe Starting Strength, although I haven't read that info thoroughly), is that they give you a program to follow, which is really helpful when you are just starting out and don't really know how to develop your own program. Whatever you do, I think it's important to change things up every several weeks. The New Rules and You Are Your Own Gym do that in their programs for sure - not sure about any of the other options though.
Good luck! I hope you find something you will enjoy!

Rae6503

What are you doing that you hate it? I love the big compound lifts, going up in weight often, feeling like a bad *kitten* when you walk into the boys section, seeing my muscles in the mirror when I lift....

I'm doing Strong Lifts 5x5. There's a woman's group here.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/4618-stronglifts-5x5-for-women

Sheila_Ann

Almost everyone hates strength training at first. Then, once they see 3x the results in 1/2 the time as all the cardio they'd been doing, they usually change their mind. Some still hate it...but many end up loving it.

The New Rules book...it's an ok start...there's some poor information in there in my opinion, but it's definitely better than nothing. Stronglifts 5x5 and Starting Strength are good options.

As for how often, 3x a week max if you're doing any of the above protocols...at around an hour a day. Skip cardio completely those days, other than a 10-15min warmup (I actually do one 4min round of Tabata for my warmup...so if you can handle it that would be an acceptable substitute).

DON'T BE SCARED OF WEIGHT!! Seriously, you can't bulk up because you don't have the testosterone, and really is incredibly productive for burning fat.

His right. I work out with my trainer 2x a week and I do Zumba 2 to 3x a week. I'm a huge fan of kettlebell. There are so many kinds of exercise you can do at home with it. You can start out with a light weight and work your way up. Just make sure someone who is certified on kettlebell teaches you the proper way to swing it etc..once you start to see some definition coming in, u become addicted and want more lol

Best of luck and feel free to add me!

Sheila

crisanderson27

I always have this thought in the back of my head about dropping a weight on myself. I love bench presses because they're easy and I love feeling the soreness in my arms, but other then that, I just don't seem to have the motivation to push myself, especially when it comes to my legs. I need some simple home workouts that will help strengthen my core and lower body.

In my profile I have a stupidly effective home bodyweight strength training program listed out. If it looks interesting...and you have questions...feel free to PM me. That goes for anyone else as well.

Also...for the record...that program lost me just under 40lbs in 3mos....working out only 3x a week.

Kensingtyn

I'm obviously new to this whole site. Found out you can't just simply reply to an individual post, your response just goes to the bottom. Kind of annoying, but workable.

Anyway, thanks for all of the info. I really appreciate all the information on different strength training exercise possibilities.

KFox, I'm definitely going to check out that book next time I'm donating.

CrisA: So, I'm definitely taking a look at this workout you have on your profile. Anything that can get results like that in only 3 months, I'm very interested. That's awesome! Thanks!

aproc

I have a split so that I work something every day with one rest day a week. Thats because I love it though and like to have something to work on everyday. I'm usually in the gym for an hour and a half. I hated it for a while at first too but started to love it after sticking with it and getting stronger.

HeidiMightyRawr

I wouldn't say I hated it in the beginning, but I certainly didn't have much interest in it.

Once I started and saw the lifts going up, and results coming along quicker than cardio ever did, I was addicted! Since then I've just loved it more and more!

As others have mentioned:
NROLFW
Stronglifts 5x5
Starting Strength

Once you get started on a decent program, and start seeing the changes come faster, it's a great feeling.

BeautyFromPain

I always have this thought in the back of my head about dropping a weight on myself. I love bench presses because they're easy and I love feeling the soreness in my arms, but other then that, I just don't seem to have the motivation to push myself, especially when it comes to my legs. I need some simple home workouts that will help strengthen my core and lower body.

Find a spotter?

ladyraven68

I'm obviously new to this whole site. Found out you can't just simply reply to an individual post, your response just goes to the bottom. Kind of annoying, but workable.

Anyway, thanks for all of the info. I really appreciate all the information on different strength training exercise possibilities.

KFox, I'm definitely going to check out that book next time I'm donating.

CrisA: So, I'm definitely taking a look at this workout you have on your profile. Anything that can get results like that in only 3 months, I'm very interested. That's awesome! Thanks!

Just click the Quote button to reply to an individual post.

TheFunBun

Pole dancing as the most exciting strength building exercise ever. ....Not as good of results as pure lifting, but definitely full of awesomeness. Plus you get to mix in cardio with it, so it's like a one stop fitness shop.

AllTehBeers

I always have this thought in the back of my head about dropping a weight on myself. I love bench presses because they're easy and I love feeling the soreness in my arms, but other then that, I just don't seem to have the motivation to push myself, especially when it comes to my legs. I need some simple home workouts that will help strengthen my core and lower body.

Find a spotter?

*sigh* not seriously. Its just one of those things, like tripping when walk across the stage for your diploma or falling over the railing of a tall building. Come on people, you think I actually lift weights alone?

BeautyFromPain

I always have this thought in the back of my head about dropping a weight on myself. I love bench presses because they're easy and I love feeling the soreness in my arms, but other then that, I just don't seem to have the motivation to push myself, especially when it comes to my legs. I need some simple home workouts that will help strengthen my core and lower body.

Find a spotter?

*sigh* not seriously. Its just one of those things, like tripping when walk across the stage for your diploma or falling over the railing of a tall building. Come on people, you think I actually lift weights alone?

haha, I do.

beckylawrence70

I love it, makes me feel great, I do it 2 times a week for about an hr each session, got toned muscles everywhere now!!

nyla_darkmoon

I find that the weightlifting class that I take (Body Pump-Les Mills) Is awesome! I started 2 weeks ago and I lift 3x a week. I do Body Combat or Body Vive 2x a week and in my first month I have seen more difference in my body then in 6months of other work outs. My goal is for building muscle and strength and I wouldnt mind losing alittle weight. The classes are great and it never gets boring I would suggest these to anyone who might get bored with strength training or just need a different pace.

BigBoneSista

I use the beach body program CharLean Extreme and I love it.

irade8u

I used to love strength training. Lately though I have been injuring some muscles. I guess it is do to getting older! I do try and get cardio in 4 to 5 times a week as long as my joints hold up :0

LorinaLynn

Almost everyone hates strength training at first. Then, once they see 3x the results in 1/2 the time as all the cardio they'd been doing, they usually change their mind. Some still hate it...but many end up loving it.

That would be me! I don't find it particularly enjoyable, but I do like when I see the changes in my body shape, or when I'm able to up my weights.

And heck... I don't particularly enjoy shaving my legs or flossing my teeth, either, but I do it because I know it's worth the effort to get the results.

ReinventingLisa

I have a love/hate relationship with it myself. However.. I do look awesome once I keep it up! I'd start out at least 3x a week.

Elen_Sia

Needing to do STR training alone is not a powerful enough motivation for the long haul. Why do you WANT to do it in the first place?

I decided to strength train after two months of cardio because I was getting bored with cardio and wanted better muscle definition. An awesome MFP pal got me started by creating a custom workout for me after asking me a bunch of questions about where I want to be in terms of physical fitness. I followed that workout to the T for a month and then expanded on it with more exercises gleaned from the Interwebz.

I love STR training much more than I love cardio now; the amount of time I spend on each is telling.

Elen_Sia

I always have this thought in the back of my head about dropping a weight on myself. I love bench presses because they're easy and I love feeling the soreness in my arms, but other then that, I just don't seem to have the motivation to push myself, especially when it comes to my legs. I need some simple home workouts that will help strengthen my core and lower body.

Find a spotter?

*sigh* not seriously. Its just one of those things, like tripping when walk across the stage for your diploma or falling over the railing of a tall building. Come on people, you think I actually lift weights alone?

haha, I do.

Me, too!

LemonBurns

In my profile I have a stupidly effective home bodyweight strength training program listed out. If it looks interesting...and you have questions...feel free to PM me. That goes for anyone else as well.

Also...for the record...that program lost me just under 40lbs in 3mos....working out only 3x a week.

I will have to check this out - I have to start strength training too, and have ZERO idea where to start!

Huffdogg

[*sigh* not seriously. Its just one of those things, like tripping when walk across the stage for your diploma or falling over the railing of a tall building. Come on people, you think I actually lift weights alone?

^^ This is why gyms with a power rack are essential. I lift alone every time, and I do RPT training with my top set at my 1RM. As long as you are sensible, using proper form, and making use of the equipment available to you, it's perfectly safe.

I'll just add to the chorus of people encouraging you to look into a beginner program that encourages you to lift heavy, compound exercises. IMO there is no better use of your exercise time.