Planning to start SL tomorrow

Fiesty1006

Hey all... I'm planning to start Stronglifts 5x5 tomorrow. I must admit, I'm a little scared and a little excited. Scared because I've never done this type of strength training before - always used dumbbells or machines. Scared that I'll hurt myself - and look really ridiculous in the gym. Excited because I hear it's a great program... Looks do-able... And I want to see the inches melt away.

I am at 42%BF right now. (I know.. YIKES!) My goal is to lose inches (LOTS of inches). Added strength will just be a bonus.

Any words of wisdom or "Make sure you don't"s?

chunkmunk

I highly recommend you get and read Starting Strength by Mark Rippetoe. Not to follow the program (although it is good too) but because it has amazing descriptions and photos of the proper form for doing all the excercises. It made a huge difference to me because I was terrified I was going to hurt myself doing something wrong.

Also, start with light weight, learn proper form, and progress when you feel ready, most likely in smaller increments than 5 pounds especially for the upper body lifts. Women need a little longer to progress than men do.

My two cents. Enjoy!

chubby_checkers

I agree with chunkmunk. Also, check out videos online for form.

From the Eat, Train, Progress group:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/852401-proper-form-and-technique-sources

There's a bunch of videos in that thread.

Calliope610

I want to start this week also, but I want to be prepared and know what I'm doing. Any links to info is greatly appreciated.

Is SL 5x5 a forgiving program? I mean, if I can't do if "perfectly", is it still going to work for me? I want to do this correctly from the start and am kinda apprehensive. Advice and encouragement desperately needed.

Thanks, Callie

Runs4CupCakes

i plan on starting monday...add me if you want to and any of you seasoned vets send some wisdom my way THANKS IN ADVANCE

auddii

Don't worry, it's not as bad as you think (and I'm sitting pretty at a guestimate of 40%bf, so I know how you feel). Feel free to go slower than the program recommends. If you want to spend a week or two at your starting weight to focus on form, go for it. I rushed my squats and hurt my knee. It's fine now, but I only add 5lbs a week instead of 5lbs each workout. I agree with watching as many videos as possible for tips on form. Rippetoe is an excellent source for good videos.

sarahlouise7

Good luck with starting SL tmrw. I am starting after i finish p90x at end of month, I cant wait, but like yourself, I too am a little scared of the first few sessions!! My BF is quite high, somewhere between 35-38% according to the tickets i get from gym machine so not sure how accurate that is. Id love to get it checked properly but iv no idea where or how. Im sure ul be off to a great start tmrw, I look forward to seeing your progress!!

Fiesty1006

I want to start this week also, but I want to be prepared and know what I'm doing. Any links to info is greatly appreciated.

Is SL 5x5 a forgiving program? I mean, if I can't do if "perfectly", is it still going to work for me? I want to do this correctly from the start and am kinda apprehensive. Advice and encouragement desperately needed.

Thanks, Callie

I can't say much on the whether the program is forgiving or not.... But I encourage you to research and get out there and do it. :-)

The first day (today) wasn't so bad. I watched a ton of instructional videos from Rippetoe and others in the link someone else provided in this thread.... and practiced a little last night. It helped a lot. It felt a little easy today (except the Rows)... But I'm feeling tiny bits of it now....

I didn't have to remember a hundred exercises to work each muscle... And that alone is exciting to me...lol.