2 Questions: personal trainer? 5x5 or NROL4W?

leighdiane91

Question Number 1:

I belong to the YMCA in my town. They have great priced personal training sessions. 3 sessions of 60 mins each is $139.00 (46.33/session) or 3 sessions of 30 mins each is $120.00 (40.00/session). I want to start lifting heavy, and I am looking into Stronglifts 5x5 and NROL4W (see second question) but I do not feel comfortable trying most of the moves in either program. Mostly because I don't want to hurt myself, or look stupid. So my question is : would I need the 60 min sessions or the 30 mins sessions, how long does it normally take to do all of the moves? (like how long would a normal heavy lifting session take you? remember to factor in that I am a noobie)

Question Number 2:

I have read NROL4W. It confuses me a little but I think if I read it again I could figure it out a little better. I don't know much about Stronglifts 5x5 but I do know a lot of people on here have done it and had great results. So my question is: Which would be easier to actually implement? is 5x5 simpler than NROL4W?

Oh and I have another question I just thought of (sorry!): Should I start lifting now (I'm roughly 188) or should I wait until I am at 160? I know that should I get to 160 and start lifting and I no longer lose weight, I would be fine with that. But it worries me a little that I would get stuck at 180s. 140 is my UGW (but not a necessity just a number that sounded good, not to low, not to high.) Probably an irrational fear, but the weight factor is a big one for me. I want to lift heavy to get my body fat % down, looking a little better is a side effect (but not one I really care about. sounds weird but I have never had issues with the way I look. I wear a 2 piece swim suit every day at work. I am getting healthy because I had HBP and just didn't like having no energy. but when I look in the mirror I like what I see)

This got longer and slightly off topic, but any info/ advice/ opinions are welcome. Thank you in advance MFP!

leighdiane91

BUMP anyone?

obsidianwings

I don't know about stronglifts, but new rules initial workouts are quite short.i would go with the 30.minute sessions, then maybe get some more later on just to learn the new lifts that come up.

New rules isn't complicated at all. If you do have any questions there is a group on here for it.

Mads1997

I'm not a personal trainer but I'll just give you my thoughts. I read the NROL4W book and I found it awfully confusing and as the weeks go by there seems to be too many exercises to do. I am doing stronglifts 5 x 5 at home and love it. It's an overall workout with just a few simple compound exercises.

obsidianwings

Oh and start lifting now to maintain your muscle mass. Eat in a deficit while doing it until you want to stop losing body fat.