When you say lifting, what do you mean?

Sid1988

So i'm going to take a small step away from the exercise classes that i do and start incorporating lifting in to my routine.

But what the hell do i do?

Am i aiming for a bench and bar? the gym weight machines? dumbbells?

help!

jimmmer

So i'm going to take a small step away from the exercise classes that i do and start incorporating lifting in to my routine.

But what the hell do i do?

Am i aiming for a bench and bar? the gym weight machines? dumbbells?

help!

What you do will depend upon what equipment you have available (if any)

No Equipment: Bodyweight lifting routines (ie no equipment needed whatsoever) include books such as "you are your own gym" and "convict conditioning"

Dumbbells: the book "New Rules of Lifting for Life" has dumbbell equivalents for all each phase and you can gradually move over to barbell training when you max out on your available dumbbells.

Barbells: If you have a gym with a squat/power rack and barbell available, you could try one of the many beginners programmes out there, including the book "Starting Strength", the website/pdf "Stronglifts 5x5", the thread on bodybuilding.com "All Pro - A Simple Beginners Routine"

All these routines have progression built into them (along with allowing for adequate rest). These things are important so that you don't spin your wheels starting out. Avoid putting something together yourself..... trust established routines to get you the results you want.

AshatanViz

Weight machines are good, but also do some dumbbells and/or barbell exercises to work your muscles out in a functional way. The problem with the machines is that they isolate muscles in ways that you wouldn't in everyday life. It's best to do free weights in addition. I usually 3 sets of 15 reps at a challenging weight, so that I can feel the burn but maintain correct form. Exercises I do include deadlifts, dumbbell rows, overhead presses, bicep curls, chest flies, and punches. Sometimes I also combine muscle groups--I'll do lunges WITH bicep curls to bump up the intensity, or do squats into an overhead press. Look online for different exercises to do, or copy the routines in a workout dvd you like at the gym.

neandermagnon

So i'm going to take a small step away from the exercise classes that i do and start incorporating lifting in to my routine.

But what the hell do i do?

Am i aiming for a bench and bar? the gym weight machines? dumbbells?

help!

What you do will depend upon what equipment you have available (if any)

No Equipment: Bodyweight lifting routines (ie no equipment needed whatsoever) include books such as "you are your own gym" and "convict conditioning"

Dumbbells: the book "New Rules of Lifting for Life" has dumbbell equivalents for all each phase and you can gradually move over to barbell training when you max out on your available dumbbells.

Barbells: If you have a gym with a squat/power rack and barbell available, you could try one of the many beginners programmes out there, including the book "Starting Strength", the website/pdf "Stronglifts 5x5", the thread on bodybuilding.com "All Pro - A Simple Beginners Routine"

All these routines have progression built into them (along with allowing for adequate rest). These things are important so that you don't spin your wheels starting out. Avoid putting something together yourself..... trust established routines to get you the results you want.

This. I have my own barbell and weights and do stronglifts 5x5

GrabacrPD

Would always say free weights are better than weight machines due to the building of supporting muscles.

BeachIron

So i'm going to take a small step away from the exercise classes that i do and start incorporating lifting in to my routine.

But what the hell do i do?

Am i aiming for a bench and bar? the gym weight machines? dumbbells?

help!

What you do will depend upon what equipment you have available (if any)

No Equipment: Bodyweight lifting routines (ie no equipment needed whatsoever) include books such as "you are your own gym" and "convict conditioning"

Dumbbells: the book "New Rules of Lifting for Life" has dumbbell equivalents for all each phase and you can gradually move over to barbell training when you max out on your available dumbbells.

Barbells: If you have a gym with a squat/power rack and barbell available, you could try one of the many beginners programmes out there, including the book "Starting Strength", the website/pdf "Stronglifts 5x5", the thread on bodybuilding.com "All Pro - A Simple Beginners Routine"

All these routines have progression built into them (along with allowing for adequate rest). These things are important so that you don't spin your wheels starting out. Avoid putting something together yourself..... trust established routines to get you the results you want.

This. I have my own barbell and weights and do stronglifts 5x5

^ Another for this. For bodyweight also check out nerdfitness.com, and for lifting check out the book The New Rules of Lifting for Women.

PlayerHatinDogooder

So i'm going to take a small step away from the exercise classes that i do and start incorporating lifting in to my routine.

But what the hell do i do?

Am i aiming for a bench and bar? the gym weight machines? dumbbells?

help!

What you do will depend upon what equipment you have available (if any)

No Equipment: Bodyweight lifting routines (ie no equipment needed whatsoever) include books such as "you are your own gym" and "convict conditioning"

Dumbbells: the book "New Rules of Lifting for Life" has dumbbell equivalents for all each phase and you can gradually move over to barbell training when you max out on your available dumbbells.

Barbells: If you have a gym with a squat/power rack and barbell available, you could try one of the many beginners programmes out there, including the book "Starting Strength", the website/pdf "Stronglifts 5x5", the thread on bodybuilding.com "All Pro - A Simple Beginners Routine"

All these routines have progression built into them (along with allowing for adequate rest). These things are important so that you don't spin your wheels starting out. Avoid putting something together yourself..... trust established routines to get you the results you want.

This. I have my own barbell and weights and do stronglifts 5x5

^ Another for this. For bodyweight also check out nerdfitness.com, and for lifting check out the book The New Rules of Lifting for Women.

Yep. Excellent explanation by Jimmer.

_Wild_Card_

Wolverine10

This.Add pull ups and you're golden!

ndj1979

it has already been saidbut compound lifts - bench press, deadlift, squat, overhead press, pull ups, chin ups, etc...

Wolverine10

Great observation!