Beginner Lifting Question

ajourney2beme
ajourney2beme Posts: 181 Member
edited January 9 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm just gonna jump right into this.

I've read a lot of posts on here about lifting and the benefits and seen some of the posts that go against it. However, I WANT to lift. I don't know if I will end up addicted to it or wanting to do it all the time, but I know at this moment in time I really want to do it.

My question: How can I go about starting this as a beginner? I don't have a gym membership and I can not get one (no funds, currently jobless and looking). I think I own some 5lb weights somewhere, though I'm not sure those will do anything :D I have a roommate who has some heavier weights I could probably use if I ask so there is that. I could possibly lift my dog who is like 50lb! Not sure she would like that though. I'm all for creative ways to do this, I just need help figuring out how/what to do! I do own a Biggest Loser Power Sculpt dvd but what is your opinion on this for a beginner?

I don't know if it matters but I am currently over 300lb (though fairly close to being out of there) and the benefits of weight training/lifting (is there a difference between those two things?) is really appealing for me.

Sorry if I sound ignorant, I kind of am on this subject. I've only ever done cardio stuff (dvds, walking, some light jogging) and want to expand.

Replies

  • 0145528
    0145528 Posts: 25
    Lifting really does have great benefits all the way around. If you've never lifted before, ease into it and make sure your form is good. I'd recommend finding some way to get coached through the basic lifts to make sure you're able to do the exercises properly. It can be tough to tell if you've got it right or not.

    As far as a good beginner program, I'd say maybe StrongLifts 5x5 may work well for you. Depending on what equipment you can borrow from your roommate, you may have to swap things up a little, as if I recall the default is for a barbell with plates.
  • ajourney2beme
    ajourney2beme Posts: 181 Member
    I was just looking at the Stronglifts website and picked up all the free (ebook, video, excel sheet) that he had and I've been watching the video. I'm a little intimidated tbh but like it made me want to lift even more. I'm just not sure how I could go about doing something like this without having a setup like that. All my roommate has is hand weights.

    Not to mention the whole squat thing, I have a hard time doing squats that low, so maybe my best bet is to work on squats while just holding hand weights?
  • CrimsonStain
    CrimsonStain Posts: 23 Member
    There are plenty of awesome benefits to weight lifting as long as you don't go overboard. It is often recommended for older women of a fragile frame to do weight bearing exercises to help with joints & prevent the development of osteoporosis therefore weight lifting is not harmful unless you are excessive with it or are in a condition to where you shouldn't weight lift. If you want lean muscle, I would suggest lifting light weights (which you have!) with high repetition and short breaks. If you want more bulk muscle, then heavier weights with lower repetitions. You can probably find plenty of things to lift around the house or whatnot such as bags of salt (for softening water). Try some classic moves such as pull-ups (find a monkey bar in your local playground) or push-ups because in that case you are lifting your own weight which is challenging for anyone, especially if you do many repetitions. If you feel any of your joints slipping out of socket, stop immediately. Also it should be noted that the slower you do weight lifting, the better because doing it super fast doesn't do anything. Doing it slowly will give you more of a work-out. I'd save some money up or look around for some hand weights or ask them as a gift.
  • sarahstrezo
    sarahstrezo Posts: 568 Member
    You can squat with dumbells, for sure.
    Check out the NROLFW book too. It has a bit more options for at home workouts, IMO....as long as you have access to heavy dumbells.
  • thecakelocker
    thecakelocker Posts: 407 Member
    re: squats

    I (woman) started at 274 lbs and when I first started I could not squat my bodyweight without falling over. I tried hard, I really did, but I ended up capsizing and flailing around like an overturned turtle every time. Hilarious and tragic. Anyways, at the gym I started squatting using the Smith machine. The Smith machine, FYI, is a horrid contraption that you shouldn't use if you don't have to, but I think it does have its few uses and this is one of them. You can use it to balance yourself if you, like me, start out very overweight and out of shape.

    It really didn't take long for me to get in-shape and well-balanced enough to do normal barbell squats, but the Smith machine got me started.

    re: stronglifts

    I started doing this and loved it. An awesome thing about starting big is that you have a lot of muscle under the fat and feeling strong instead of just fat is a great feeling. It does not make you "bulky", ugh, for the love of god. Ignore this when you hear it. It carved a pretty bangin hourglass out of my former "Snowman" body type.
  • ajourney2beme
    ajourney2beme Posts: 181 Member
    Thanks for all the advice! I think I am going to work on my squats for sure so that I can successfully attempt the 5x5 someday.

    I'm going to use nerdfitness beginner Body Weight Workout for now in order to practice and get better and add in what lifting I can, even if it's just my own!
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