NROL4W - Can an absolute newbie to lifting do it?

MeeshKB

Hi all.

So I am pretty much a newbie to any kind of lifting. I have done some mucking about with dumbells in other workouts, but nothing heavy, and never with a barbel.

I have been reading about NROL4W and my interest is piqued. I have looked at the groups on this site for guidance as to whether it's right for me, but haven't been able to find a solid answer.

What I'd like to know is if it's within the realm of possibility for me to do this program. I would have to do it at home, at least to start, because getting to the gym just isn't in the cards right now. I do have a barbel and some plates at home (courtesy of my hubby, who hasn't touched them in years), a weider universal machine (not sure if that would be any help) and some dumbells and resistance bands.

Anyone with a similar experience level (near to none) tried this and found success? I'd love to hear some stories.

Thanks! :flowerforyou:

UrbanRunner81

Yes a newbie can do this. You use weights that are heavy for you and increase as you go along. You definitely can do this.

TrophyWifeSass

I was a newbie to lifting when I started using New Rules. I watched a ton of video and paid attention to form for the compound lifts, now I am doing Stronglifts. Both are pretty good programs. I have never once been sorry that I started lifting, in fact I wish I had started earlier.

Sass

ishtar13

Everybody was a beginner at some point, and the program is aimed at beginners.

MrGonzo05

"Starting Strength" by Mark Rippetoe helped me. It has very detailed and easy to follow explanations of how to do barbell exercises with good technique.

karensoxfan

I'm a newbie to lifting too, and I'm loving NROLFW. When I started, I was wearing size 18 jeans, and after 3-4 weeks, I decided it was time to buy new ones, thinking I'd need a size 16, but was thrilled to discover that size 14s fit (in 3 different brands even! -- Lee, Levis, and Vera Wang for Kohls). All without the scale moving at all, but it's awesome to know that I'm actually getting smaller.

I feel a lot stronger too. For example, in seated row, for my first workout A1, I started with 40 lb., and struggled with 55 lb., but in workout A7, I was able to use 90, 95, and 100 lb. for one set of 8 reps each, and it felt incredible! I also would have NEVER thought I'd be able to do a pushup on the floor, on my toes, and I still can't, but using NROL4W's approach of doing them on an incline, and gradually moving closer to the floor, I can know I'm making improvement on it, and I know with 100% confidence that if I keep it up, I will be able to do a classic pushup on the ground, and it's an awesome feeling too!

I hope you decide to start, and I hope you love it like I've started to!

Elizabeth_C34

Yes! New Rules for Women is a great beginner program.

"Starting Strength" by Mark Rippetoe helped me. It has very detailed and easy to follow explanations of how to do barbell exercises with good technique.

Also second this. Go get the DVD of Starting Strength. There's some really great instruction on proper form for all the major compound lifts.

Natx83

Yep for sure, if you can get your form checked by a trainer or an experienced lifter, someone who can give you tips to make those lifts easier and ultimately so you don't hurt yourself!

Lozze

Yes and no. I could do Stage 1 very easily. It was very straight forward and intuitive.

Stage 2 is when you start getting fiddily little exercises. I have to take my book and check them before every workout. There are some I'm struggling with (mainly balance ones) It's a great program getting great results for me, but it's not easy after stage 1.