Beginning lifting... Need your input!

purple4sure05

Hey team :P For years I have been told that lifting weights can help build lean muscle, but being a naturally-broad-shouldered teenage girl who builds muscle pretty quickly, I always shied away from it thinking that even if it did build "lean" muscle, I'd end up looking like the hulk.

But I'm starting to believe it now and am looking into beginning lifting. I know everyone suggests 'heavy' lifting, but with my schedule, I don't know that I can go to a gym, and I can't afford equipment or a gym membership, as I am a starving college student :P

My mom has 7 pound and 10 pound weights, and we're about to go on a two week vacation where I can't guarantee I'll get a ton of physical exercise. I'm thinking that maybe I should bring the weights and start using them. My questions for all of you knowledgeable lifters out there are:
1. is this a good idea?
2. Which weights should I use?
3. Where can I get info on how to use them properly and how many reps should I be doing?
4. Is there a tool to determine calories burned? I am currently keeping on a strict calorie allowance as I work my way into maintenance.
5. If you'd suggest something different, let me know! I'm open to try anything.

Thank you guys for your input!

craigmandu

You could try some bodyweight routines. I'm not sure what your current exercise regimen is.

Of course NROLFW, Starting Strength, and Stronglifts are great if you have the support system for it (gym membership, or weights/space, etc...)...but outside of having those things, there are many youtube videos on dumbbell exercises one can do.

I would personally suggest you do compound exercises to start....think squat/stiff legged deads with the dumbbells you have, bench press, OHP (Shoulder press), back rows...

There are many dumbbell routines that you could utilize those 7 & 10 pounders to begin with. You will probably quickly see that you will need to "up" the weight, especially after you get used to doing those exercises. Doing something is absolutely better than nothing.

Good Luck, and I'm proud of you for giving this a go!

Sactown900

bodybuilding.com is a goldmine of information. just start SIMPLE.

jzammetti

You can do a whole series of body weight exercises at home (check you-tube) but eventually (and sooner than you think) you will need to have weights that are bigger than 10#, I think (based on all I have read). You want to progressively add weight to your workout so you maintain your LBM while you lose weight - LBM drives your metabolism.

I work from the New Rules for Lifting for Women book - it has at home modifications for almost every exercise, but the program does focun on progressively adding weight (I went from a back squat at 45# to 125# in 4 weeks - then I slowed down a bit - "newbie gains"). I think having heavier weights around is better - but you can work with BW and less weghts at first until you can buy some heavier weights or join a gym (mine is only $25 per month).

goodtimezzzz

where is the vaca destination Rachael?:)) lucky!!!

RobP1192

I honestly just jumped right into it when i first started. Internet wasn't huge when i started, so all i had were books to go off of, and newsgroups or the few sites that had information. If i were you, i'd take those dumbells and just do some basic isolation type exercises, stuff that you want to do. Don't worry so much about lifting heavy or doing everything right, just be comfortable. Be comfortable with it and have fun and enjoy it.

And as for looking like the hulk,... i WISH it was that easy. Women tend to assume they'll get bulky from lifting weights. I wish they would tell me the secret, cause i struggle hard to bulk up just from lifting.

purple4sure05

You can do a whole series of body weight exercises at home (check you-tube) but eventually (and sooner than you think) you will need to have weights that are bigger than 10#, I think (based on all I have read). You want to progressively add weight to your workout so you maintain your LBM while you lose weight - LBM drives your metabolism.

I work from the New Rules for Lifting for Women book - it has at home modifications for almost every exercise, but the program does focun on progressively adding weight (I went from a back squat at 45# to 125# in 4 weeks - then I slowed down a bit - "newbie gains"). I think having heavier weights around is better - but you can work with BW and less weghts at first until you can buy some heavier weights or join a gym (mine is only $25 per month).

Awesome! Thanks for the input. Does having lower weights just mean I'll have to do a ton of reps? I'm pretty limited over here :P

purple4sure05

where is the vaca destination Rachael?:)) lucky!!!

Pittsburgh! Visiting family and sight seeing

purple4sure05

I honestly just jumped right into it when i first started. Internet wasn't huge when i started, so all i had were books to go off of, and newsgroups or the few sites that had information. If i were you, i'd take those dumbells and just do some basic isolation type exercises, stuff that you want to do. Don't worry so much about lifting heavy or doing everything right, just be comfortable. Be comfortable with it and have fun and enjoy it.

And as for looking like the hulk,... i WISH it was that easy. Women tend to assume they'll get bulky from lifting weights. I wish they would tell me the secret, cause i struggle hard to bulk up just from lifting.

Good plan, i'll try that. Something is better than nothing, I assume.

Bulking up is a typical fear for us ladies hahaha. However, I did competitive cheerleading and dance for well over a decade, and spent hours a week throwing and/or lifting people into the air, along with doing tricks that required a ton of muscle strength. By the time I graduated high school, I actually did have a bulky figure, regardless of any extra fat. My shoulders/biceps/thighs were practically machines :P Since then i've toned down in those areas (thankfully) and so I'm sure some occasional lifting won't do nearly as much damage :P

goodtimezzzz

kool! never been I thought u were gonna say Jamaica or something! Lots of kool hotel gyms when on vaca..have fun and do simple bodyweight stuff check youtube soooo many great free channels to look at for fantastic exercise plans routines!!

craigmandu

You could try something like this to just get your feet wet:

http://scoobysworkshop.com/womens-beginning-dumbbell-workout/

More of a full body cardio/resistance beginning....maybe do that while you are on your vacation, just to get a feel...and while you do some research to decide what kind of exercises you are interested in.

purple4sure05

You could try something like this to just get your feet wet:

http://scoobysworkshop.com/womens-beginning-dumbbell-workout/

More of a full body cardio/resistance beginning....maybe do that while you are on your vacation, just to get a feel...and while you do some research to decide what kind of exercises you are interested in.

This looks perfect! Thanks a ton

RobP1192

I honestly just jumped right into it when i first started. Internet wasn't huge when i started, so all i had were books to go off of, and newsgroups or the few sites that had information. If i were you, i'd take those dumbells and just do some basic isolation type exercises, stuff that you want to do. Don't worry so much about lifting heavy or doing everything right, just be comfortable. Be comfortable with it and have fun and enjoy it.

And as for looking like the hulk,... i WISH it was that easy. Women tend to assume they'll get bulky from lifting weights. I wish they would tell me the secret, cause i struggle hard to bulk up just from lifting.

Good plan, i'll try that. Something is better than nothing, I assume.

Bulking up is a typical fear for us ladies hahaha. However, I did competitive cheerleading and dance for well over a decade, and spent hours a week throwing and/or lifting people into the air, along with doing tricks that required a ton of muscle strength. By the time I graduated high school, I actually did have a bulky figure, regardless of any extra fat. My shoulders/biceps/thighs were practically machines :P Since then i've toned down in those areas (thankfully) and so I'm sure some occasional lifting won't do nearly as much damage :P

Well i guess you nailed it right there, "well over a decade" will produce results like that. Like weightlifting. Putting on legit muscle and "bulk" takes time.