New here and looking for a good beginner strength workout

Driab1981

Any Ideas or links would be awesome. My username is Driab, 32 and about 260 pounds. Ready to get down to 190. Doing Couch to 5k but want to fill in my off days with strength training.

wolfjj79

Hi, Driab! Great job doing the C25k! I toyed with doing that myself but I decided to just start jogging on my own instead and it's worked.

My routine isn't strictly strength training, but maybe it'll help. I'm 33 and 237lbs now, but used to be 260 at the beginning of 2012, so I know where you are coming from. In August I started jogging and doing a quick routine afterward of the following:
1) pushups - as many as possible without stopping(29 now but was up to 35 before vacation)...rest...at least a third of before without stopping
2) situps - 50+
3) plank - 1 to 2+ minutes

Like I said, it's not strength training, but it's helped me shed pounds and the pushups are giving me some definition in the chest I believe.

Good luck with our weight loss journey and let us know when you do your first 5k!

forgage

hello i dont know if you have access to a gym , but when I started lifting I used a program called strong lifts they have a app for Iphone or Ipad or you can look it up online. I did that 3 X a week and cardio 2 X a week (basketball). Stong lifts focus on the core lifting. Bench, Squats, Dead lifts and Overhead press. All great lifts to get your man ON!! I saw alot of great gains on it, it helps you track your weight increases.

dave0628

I like forgage's suggestions, I currently do a variation of this type of workout. I personally started lifting using the info and programs in a book "New Rules of Lifting". Lot's of challenging programs and good, common sense advice. Walks you through everything from how to warm up, how to perform the exercises, and set's up sample programs for you.

anthophora

I have very little time for the gym so I try to get in and out quickly. I do bench, lat-pulls, squats, shoulder press (dumbells), curls, and sit-ups. I stick to free weights instead of machines. Also, I move back and forth between two opposing lifts in between reps (eg. bench rep then lat pull rep; bench rep then lat pull rep).

Further, I have started out lower reps and more weight (3 x 6 or 8 reps per lift) to try to build strength first. I am not sure this is the best method so i would be interested in other's thoughts.

I have a question for others as well. I can only give about 30 minutes 2-3 times a week to lifting (that is even optimistic). What are the most important lifts given these time limitations?

Thanks!